"Ugh, why did O'neil have to give us so much work?" I grumbled as I laid my forehead to my desk. Our last class was English, and we were all told to right a essay comparing two romance novels.
"Well at least it's due by the end of the month." Grace poked my head to get me to look up, but I just shrugged my shoulders in defeat.
"Along with our math finale for winter, and our History finale, and...and, ugh I can't even think what else." I moaned into the desk, it smelt like eraser and plastic.
"I'll help you work it out, no worries." I took a peak at Grace, and gave her a half hearted smile.
"Thanks I'd appreciate that." She giggled and did a wiggle in her seat. "But you know I can't leave my house." I said watching her, my mother hated me leaving to a friends house, saying she couldn't trust me to actually be thier. Honestly where else would I be?
Grace still smiled as she rolled her eyes.
"I know the drill, I'll come to yours and we can knock out the history and math finale. And if you start the English finale I can fact check and word check for you."
God she was a saint.
"Thank you." I gave her my kilowatt smile before standing up and and collecting my book bag from the floor. "Onward my friend to track practice." We both laughed and walked out of the class to head down to the locker rooms and change for practice.
Once we had changed and got outside I felt the cool air creep over my skin. I wore shorts and a long sleeve under armor shirt. I wasn't a runner, in fact I hated to run, but I did the 100m and Shotput. I was a quick burst of speed person, and had some umph, like my coach had said when it came to strength. Sure I was thick, but Shot-putters aren't thin sticks. We just finished our warm up run and split into our respected spots. Grace was a hurdler, so at practice we didn't speak, since we were on opposite ends of the track.
"Hey Alex I heard you came with a guest this morning." I groaned internally and look back. Stacey Green. She wasn't a shotput girl, but she was a sub just incase. She did long jump, one of the few girls who did so, and swore her shit didn't stink if you get me. She was slender and had legs for days, with blonde hair that bounced, and I hated her for it.
"Hello Stacey," I dragged her name out, bored for the same conversation I have had all day with numerous people. "Whatever you heard I'm sure it was wrong." I turned back and kept walking till I was in the shot circle. The long jump sand pit was next to the shot ring and I knew she wasn't going to let up.
"Really? So Aries Dawnwind didn't drop you off this morning and help you with your things?" I snorted non-lady like and shook my head not even skipping a beat as I ready myself in the ring.
"Wrong. My brother dropped me off, now if you please I'm practicing." I squatted and lined myself up. I'm not the spinning shot-putter, I just skip and slide and get the ball where it need to be.
"You mean your supposed brother right. When we dated he never mentioned you, how sad, he doesn't even acknowledge you as his sister." That hurt in the feels again, and I stopped what I was doing for half a second but continued. She was right, I had caught her leaving his room one day when our parents were out, she flipped on him thinking he was cheating on her with a freshman two years ago. But after talking to her, my brother got her to realize that I was his 'Fat' sister he never talked about because he was embarrassed.
"My brother does what he wants." I shrugged, and heard her huff, before spitting out at me.
"I'd leave the Dawnwind brothers alone, Ellie and Aries are on and off and if she found out you'd be in serious trouble." She stomped back to the long jump area, upset because she didn't rile me up.
Taking a deep breath I closed my eyes, and tried to breath, I was hurt and just didn't like to show anyone. Grace on the other hand knew exactly what was going on so when I looked up she was across from me waiting her turn in line, giving me the 'Are you ok?' signal with her hands. Giving her a half hearted smile I nodded and continued.
---
An hour later my back was sore and my legs hurt. Placing my hands on my knees I inhaled deeply. Geez he's trying to kill us today. Coach Will had been riding us hard today yelling and screaming. I'm surprised he didn't lose his voice. His names not actually Will but he looks so much like Will Smith, we just call him Will now.
"Hey you good?" I heard Grace call next to me as she patted my back.
"Yup," I gave her the thumbs up while inhaling like my lungs couldn't get enough air. "Just....breathing."
She giggled and smacked my back one last time. "Your so out of shape."
"What," gasp "Are you," Gasp "Talking about?" GASP again. "I'm in shape, circle is a shape." I was starting to catch my breath but she couldn't with her laughing so much. She rolled her eyes and handed me by bags.
"You should train more, during lunch we could run more?" She was cheerful and genuinely excited.
I looked at her with mocked horror. "You are trying to kill me, I knew it."
She rolled her eyes at me again, as we walked to the parking lot where her car was parked. "So dramatic." I held my fingers up less then half an inch apart. She shook her head again, but stopped as she looked past me.
"What?" she lifted a finger discreetly and pointed behind me. I tuned my head to the side as I watch a dark blue Corvette pull inside and stop right next to us. The windows were heavy tinted so I couldn't really see inside. How the hell did they even see out.
The window lowered and my heart stopped beating. Literally when people say 'My stomach fell out of my ass', I could relate in that moment.
Why! Why?! Why did it have to be me and twice in one day. That feeling in my chest came back and I rubbed the spot without thinking.
"Get in, your brother told me to pick you up." His voice was stern as if giving me a command. Aries. Aries was actually here again...and talking to me. Why?
Quickly looking around to see if anyone was near and thank god I was slow because there was nobody but me and Grace. I frowned and leaned down so I was level with the window. "No thank you, I'm leaving with Grace." As I said her name, Grace gave him a little wave but kept looking away like she wasn't paying attention. Lie, because I knew she was hanging on every word we were saying.
"I'm not asking, get in." His voice firm with a, take no shit attitude. I looked at Grace once again and she shrugged her shoulders.
"I'm not supposed to get in the cars with strangers." I gave him the best smirk I could muster up with him eyeing me before looking to Grace. "Wait grace?!" I panicked as I saw her get in her car, was she really gonna leave me?
She look down at her phone then at Aries who was now giving her that lifted eyebrow look guys get before looking at her phone again and 'pretending' to get a text. "Oh look at that my brother didn't get picked up, I better go get him. Sorry Alie I'll text you later." She winked and drove off.
That snake! That... That Bitch! Looking back at Aries, he had that cocky smile on his face, and I wanted to smack it off. "You know what on second thought I can walk." I started to walk away but he stopped me by pulling out in front of me now. "Hey! You could have hit me!"
"Maybe you should get in the car then." He pinned me with a glare and I gave him one back before sighing and opening the passenger door. He had a shit eater grin as he watched me get in his car, placing my bags at my feet as he started to drive off. Giving him a quick glance he looked darker then this morning. Maybe he was in the sun this afternoon and got a tan, like a mocha color.... Mmm mocha hot coffee sounded so good right now. The car jerked to the side making me grasp the seat and door for stability.
"Geez what was that for?" I glared daggers at him, was he trying to kill me.
Clearing his throat, "Ugh, nothing, any ways I'll be picking you up from school from now on. George is busy with stuff and wont be able to." His voice was much more relaxed then before, he wasn't so demanding then after all.
"That's great but he never picks me up, I either take the bus or get a ride from a friend." What was he on about, George picking me up. HA! I'd have to bribe him to come get me, and even that didn't always work.
He gripped the steering wheel tighter, and I could tell because his knuckles were white. "You take the bus? Even when its cold out?" Well there went his relaxed tone. It was back to Mr. gruff and tough.
"Well yea, everyone is always real busy so..." I shrugged like its not big deal, which wasn't a lie. When it snowed it was a hassle and during the middle of summer the heat killed me, but I would take freezing out in the snow then burning in the sun any day.
He gripped the steering wheel even tighter if that were possible, and I swore I heard a crack before he let it go and sighed. "Well now I'll be picking you up after class or practice."
He was crazy after all, he had to be. I knew it I shouldn't have gotten in his car. "You're crazy right?" I huffed while looking at him. God, he was so good looking, even if it was just his profile. "You are not coming and picking me up. Your little stunt from this morning caused such a scene, no one left me alone. It was ridiculous, and if people found out you were picking me up." I hesitated and thought about what it would be like if people knew Aries was picking me up. God, if I thought today was bad...im sure it would only get worse. "NO." Oh and there was that tidbit Stacey had said if Ellie found out about me and him. She was a senior and I'm sure would ruin my life till she graduated. Or maybe she wouldn't care, I mean I am a year under her. Right?...Right? Who was I kidding.
I heard him huff a laugh, as if he thought this situation was funny. It wasn't, not even the tiniest bit. "It's just till your brother is done with his work. Then he will start picking you up."
Sure he would, he would say he was gonna pick me up but not actually be there and then what? "You are hilarious if you think my brother would pick me up, without a very good reason." I looked away and out the window as the scenery went by, he was absolutely insane.
"He's your brother, and you're his sister, what more does there need to be?" It was a genuine question and I could tell.
"Step sister, and he rather not be seen with his fat sister." I mumbled under my breath. He knew nothing and of course George would never tell anyone we were related.
The rest of the car ride was silent, once in a while I would catch him glancing at me but nothing more. We reached the house, and I panicked a little "Ugh park down at the corner and I'll walk the rest." I was grabbing my bags but he wasn't listening, we were one house away.
"Why? I'm already-"
"No!" I shoved his shoulder, but what was the point it was like trying to shove a wall. Pointing to the corner 2 house down. "Please!" I resorted to begging and I watched him slowly pass the house and stop at the corner like I asked.
Now he was looking at me like I was the crazy one. "Why did I come to the corner?"
"My mom will flip if she see a guy drop me off. Then.." I touched my side and back, remembering the time she caught me facetiming a boy.
Aries faced me fully and looked me over taking me in slowly. I felt exposed while he watched me, as if I was naked and sitting there. "Ok" he said, his eyebrows were drawn close together as if thinking of something.
I sat there looking at him for a moment, as he watched me. I could feel the air in the car getting warmer, and my cheeks started to burn. OK that's it, time to leave. I cleared my throat looking away, grabbed my bag, opened the door and stepped out.
"Thanks you know for the ride." The cool air felt good on my skin and I could breath again. Geez that car ride was suffocating. Closing the door behind me I started to walk back towards my house.
"I can pick you up in the mornings too if you want." He sounded genuine but I didn't like the idea. Plus from what George had said, he was grumpy in the morning, no thanks.
"And have the same thing happen again like this morning. I'll pass thanks." I turned to look at him, he was standing outside his car and dear sweet baby Jesus. His shirt fitted his body like a well suited man. His shoulders sported the 4 bars of a senior. He was taller then his car that was for sure, how the hell did he fit in it? He must have noticed I was looking him over because he cleared his throat and I shook me head.
"I'm sure it wasn't that bad." He rolled his eyes giving me the don't exaggerate look.
My jaw fell open "Your kidding?" Placing my hands on my hips and frowned at him. "Literally the whole school was talking about it, no one left me alone during lunch I didn't even get to eat. Plus I'm surprised your girlfriend didn't hunt me down or something." Now that caught him off guard. He tilted his head almost like a confused dog. How strange first his brother now him.
"Girlfriend? I don't have a girlfriend." Great, out of all I said he was stuck on that. Wait so he was single, there was a flutter in my chest. Ugh what no, don't think like that. I must be sick or something.
"Oh, well...ugh." Don't I feel stupid now. "Ellie I meant, and well Stacey told me-."
"Ellie is just a friend." He started to walk around the car but stopped at the front of it. His face looked annoyed as he furrowed his eyebrows, as if he was trying to figure out the right words to say. "We grew up together and honestly she's like a little sister, and as far as Stacey is concerned." He ran his hand threw his hair making it stick out all over the place, it made him look like a little kid. He almost looked panicked as he tried to explain.
"You don't have to explain your self to me. We aren't close like that, I just met you today its none of my business." I shifted from one foot to another getting impatient I was sure my neighbors would be spying on us by now.
"No I mean, yea I know, but I still want to explain." The hand that had been in his hair now rubbed down his face. "Stacey is an old 'friend' and she gets the wrong idea real fast you get me." He put more emphasis on friend. So they were involved at one point. Great.
"Look it doesn't matter, I don't need a ride tomorrow or any other morning I'm more then capable of taking the bus and walking. Thanks but, no thanks. Plus Grace is taking me to school tomorrow." I clutched my bag closer to me and he started once again walking towards me. He stopped inches from me almost invading my personal space, and making me take a step back. He held his hand out for me as I just looked between him and his hand confused.
"Phone." His voice was low and deep, and my stomach did that stupid flutter thing, as I felt a tingling between my legs. Crossing my legs I looked back up at him.
"Why?" This was a joke right. What was he thinking. "I'm not giving you my phone so you can spam call me at night." I pouted at him and he chuckled.
"I'm not going to spam call you, I could call you at night but I'm rather busy... with work." He had to think of the last part as he rubbed the back of his neck, his hand was still out waiting for my phone. Giving him a side look I still wasn't sure. I placed my hand on my phone in my front pocket, but hesitated. He must have been impatient because he grabbed my hand and moved it away, just as he stuck his hand in my pocket.
"Excuse you." I said and slapped his hand away, but it didn't make a difference he just pulled my phone out but not before giving me a look. His hands were so warm, just like his brothers, and with what I was wearing and the cold air it felt really good.
He began to type on my phone before handing it back. "I was just giving you my number this way if she doesn't show up I can pick you up." I took it from him and look at it. He had put his number in my phone and...
"Seriously Greek God Aries with hearts?" He had to be kidding. He gave me a quick smiled that took my breath away. I wanted to see his smile again.
"What can I say, and that's me being modest." He wiggled his eyebrows at me. I just rolled my eyes, I would change it later, to something like grumpy old man, or Stalker. Yea Stalker sounded nice. This time I placed my phone in my back pocket, and took a step back.
"Well thanks again. I'm sure I wont need your number." I gave him a two finger solute before turning around. and walking back to the house.
"See you soon Alie." The nickname shocked me, making me freeze as I looked back at him. He gave me a little wave as he leaned his back against the car watching me. I just turned back and kept walking. I could feel the back of my neck start to tingle. He must be watching me till I get inside. It was unsettling how I could feel his gaze on me, but he was nice enough, or should I say pushy, to give me a ride. What was his issue? First he was mean, then nice, then flustered, and now... I pulled my phone back out of my pocket and looked at it. Did he really just put his number in my phone?
I walked up the porch and the front door swung open scaring me out of my thoughts. George...
"Get in the damn house." Oh boy he was mad. I'm sure it was about this morning. Stepping past the thresh hold I held my breath. "Where's your Gym bag?" I looked down at myself. Oh crap cracker, I left it in his car. He shoved me to the sofa and walked past me. "Make dinner, I'm hungry." Was the last thing he said before slamming his door. Well that went better then I thought. I was thinking he was gonna rip me a new one for this morning but I guess not.
Lucky me...maybe.