"What?!" Sarah screams, catching the attention of a few students running ahead of us. "What do you mean Alex is back?"

It's gym time and we have to run around the track five times. We are left with two laps, most people have slowed to a slow jog, or are just walking, Sarah and I included. The few who are done with their laps, are resting on the bleachers.

"Do you know why?" she frowns as I shake my head. "But he's still hot?"

I laugh loudly and hit her arm.

"I'll take that as a hell yes."

I feel my ponytail loosening up so I slow down and stop. I remove my hair tie, shake my hair out before tying it up again.

"So you guys just talked?"

"Well......" We continued jogging around the field.

"Shut up! Did you guys kiss?"

I laugh at my best friend.

"No not really." I use my arm to wipe sweat from my forehead "He just asked me out for ice cream after school"

"Damn bitch, see you charming Alex already. I'm impressed."

"It's not a big deal. We're just catching up."

"Riiiight." She nudges me with her elbow and laughs. To save myself from imminent teasing, I change the subject.

"So you and Wayne?"

Sarah's smile falters as she avoids my gaze and she jogs faster. I stretch my legs in order to keep with her.

Did she really think I forgot?

"It was nothing. We just had a big fight."

"Does it involve Brittany?"

"When doesn't it involve Satan's spawn? Can you believe the stunt she pulled yesterday? What a bitch."

I pant as I struggle to maintain her pace, my legs burning in the process.

"Well it takes two to tango." I comment.

We finish our final lap. Thank God. My legs are about to give out.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she eyes me curiously.

We collapse on a shady part of the bleachers. Luckily the wind picks up and cools off our bodies.

I sigh, knowing what I'm about say may anger Sarah. So I try to use a light tone.

"Yesterday at lunch, Brittany practically had her boobs in his face, he didn't push her away. He was openly ogling her chest. I think there's something going on between— "

"Stop." she snaps "I know you don't like Wayne, but could you keep your conspiracy theories to yourself? Brittany is a slut, let's leave it there."

I nod and avoid her icy glare. "I'm just looking out for you."

"Noted." And with that, she ends the conversation.

I don't know much about my best friend's relationship. She always comes to me to vent about issues they have. But weirdly enough, she doesn't mention what actually happened. And when I try to pry, she quickly changes the subject or gets angry. I remember once, she ignored Lucas and I for an entire week, all because we advised her to leave him; and that was after he cheated on her.

I let the awkward silence take over. I know she'll cool off in a few minutes and be back to her usual self.

I use the opportunity to observe my surroundings. My eyes skim over everyone and everything, enjoying what I see. There are now two girls jogging around the track, laughing merrily. A few people are in the middle of the field, stretching their muscles. My gaze lands on a particular person and stops.

He sits with his arms resting on the landing above him, on the bleachers next to ours . His booming laugh causes my heart to flutter as his blue eyes sparkle.

Ben Meyers.

In my opinion, he's the hottest guy in this school. He's part of the lacrosse team and swimming team. His beautiful blue eyes and black hair make him look like he was blessed by God.

He's laughing at something his friend, Jake, is saying. Our eyes make brief contact and I turn away quickly, blushing.

"Just go and talk to him already." Sarah says, looking in Ben's direction. "He doesn't bite."

"He doesn't know I exist." I say sadly.

"Isn't it tiring always watching him from a distance?" she asks. I note the pity in her voice.

"Nope." I lie "It'll go away once I go to college."

"You've been saying that since freshman year sweetie." She pats my cheeks sadly. I breathe out slowly. My eyes make their way to Ben again, I see him talking to a pretty blonde. She laughs at something he says and places a hand on his arm.

A pang of jealousy hits me and I look away.

"Now that's just sad." she says as she see follows my gaze "If you don't go there, I'll just have to bring him here. Hey Meyers!"

Ben's head shoots up. Sarah makes a gesture for him to come over. He stands and says something to his friend. Jake looks in our direction and nods.

Sweat forms on my forehead as my eyes widen. She can't possibly make him come here. Whenever he's around me, I do and say the stupidest things.

I grab Sarah's arm and shake my head furiously "Don't do it Sarah." She smiles deviously.

"Hey Jones." Ben's deep voice greets, as he stands in front of us. The breeze lifting his hair as it passes. His gaze lands on me and he offers me a wide smile.

I smile weakly and bow my head, my heart hammering in my chest. Weak. I can't even hold his gaze.

I'm going to kill Sarah.

"Come. Sit." She pats the space between us. I stiffen when his shoulder grazes mine.

"I missed you at swim practice yesterday." He says to Sarah.

"Yeah. Elle here, managed to get me into detention." Sarah says casually, in an attempt to get his attention on me.

It works.

"You got her into detention?" There's humor in his eyes. I nod weakly, unable to form words. From my peripheral, I see Sarah face palm.

Curse you shyness!

Luckily, the instructor's whistle pierces through the atmosphere, saving me from having to speak to Ben and possibly embarrass myself.

"Everyone, center field, right now!"

And with that, I jump up and speed walk to the middle of the field, leaving Sarah and Ben trailing behind me.

Thirty-five minutes later, gym comes to an end. Since it's my final class, I don't bother showering, however, Sarah decides to shower and change, seeing as she has swim practice after school.

"I wanna know all the details tonight." she tells me before we part ways.

I hurry towards my car. It's not some fancy ass car, it's a silver Hyundai Elantra my dad gifted to me on my 17th birthday.

I can feel my nerves eating at me. I'm not going to lie, a little part of me is overexcited. This is the chance of a lifetime. Multiple scenarios play through my mind. Most of them end in a wedding and two adorable children. My heart jumps at that thought.

I don't know when Alex is coming to pick me up, so I want to shower and change before he comes knocking. Once I get home, I run out of the car, forgetting my bag, and rush into the house and up the stairs to my room.

"What's the rush?" Ingrid shouts from somewhere downstairs, but I ignore her.

My room has light purple walls, with white spirals in them. My bed is up against the middle of the wall, with two light brown dressers on either side of it. There is a desk directly opposite my bed. On one side of the desk, is my walk in closet and on the other side is a door leading to the ensuite bathroom. Facing the main door is a large window covered in thick drapes, beneath which lies a window seat.

My bed is still littered with clothes from this morning. I switch on the A.C. and head straight to the bathroom to shower. After I finsh, I stare at myself in the mirror, blue eyes staring back at me.

"It's not a date. Do not overthink this," I say to myself before going back to my room.

I rummage through my closet to find a decent looking outfit, increasingly growing frustrated when I find nothing.

This is so annoying

I grab at my hair in frustration only to find that I still have my shower cap on. I yank it off and throw it in a random corner.

"Elle!" Ingrid shouts "Alex's here for you!" I note the teasing tone she used.

"Give me five minutes!" I quickly throw on a bra and panties, while simultaneously brushing my hair.

I settle on a pair of blue jeans and a white camisole and paired them with brown gladiator sandals. I decide to leave my hair as it is, grab my phone and rush to the stairs. I run back to my room when I realize I forgot perfume.

When I get downstairs, I see my sister and Alex sitting on the couch, laughing heartily. Ingrid smiles widely when she sees me and throws me a discrete wink.

I note that Alex is dressed in dark jeans, and a tight- fitting white shirt. I can see the outline of his abs. I stop myself from drooling at the sight in front of me.

You're over him I remind myself again

"Ready?" he asks smiling warmly.

"Yeah"

"It's so nice to see you again Ingrid, congratulations again" Alex says as he stands, Ingrid merely waves her hand.

"You two have fun on your date." she says intentionally using the d word

"It's not a date." I mumble embarrassed.

I grab Alex's hand and drag him out of the house before Ingrid can say anything else.

"I'm so sorry about that." Alex laughs and ruffles my hair.

"Don't worry about it, let's go."

Another chapter completed. I'd love to know your thoughts and opinions :)

What do you think about Ben?

Don't forget to VOTE, COMMENT AND SHARE.

Abby xx