"Yeah," I smiled back at him.
He took his phone from his shorts and handed it to me; I quickly typed in my number and handed it back to him.
"I'm gonna annoy the shite outta you with texts." He grinned devilishly.
Surprisingly, the thought of that didn't bother me in the slightest.
"Oh God, did I just give a potential stalker my number?" I gasped.
Gavin pulled a face and playfully shoved me making me laugh.
"Collins! Girlfriend time is for home time, you're on my time so move!"
"Girlfriend?" a voice called out from my left. "That was quick work, pretty girl."
I forced myself not to turn around and correct Dominic, because for some reason I wanted him to think I was Gavin's girlfriend in hopes that it would hurt him like he has hurt me.
"Don't let him get to you," Gavin murmured as he leaned down and put his arms around me.
I jumped a little before giving him a quick squeeze like I've seen girls do with guys.
"Text you later, okay?" He smiled then turned and jogged away.
Obviously his question was rhetorical since he didn't stick around for an answer but it was a good thing that he moved away, because I was a few seconds away from collapsing into a melted puddle at the smile he shot me over his shoulder.
How in Jesus' name had I not perved on him since first year started?
I've noticed his looks a little since we did go to school together, but holy hell, I've never really looked at him. He was fucking stunning, and his smile was a serious contender against Dominic's, even though he didn't have dimples. I paused mid thought and grunted. How did that fucker work his way into my Gavin filled thoughts? He just couldn't leave me alone, even inside my damn head!
I shook my head, turned, and walked over to the area of the hall where the skipping ropes were. I never participated in any of the sports that involved me being part of a team, so this was like my own little area. However, the girls came over and crowded me today, which made me feel really uncomfortable.
"What's the story, Bronagh?" Micah asked me.
I was instantly afraid as I cleared my throat.
"Nothin'," I murmured. "What you up to?"
She shrugged. "Bored of this class, figured we'd chill here for a bit. That cool with you?"
No.
"Sure."
"Nice one," she replied.
I was tense as fuck as she moved beside me and gripped a skipping rope. I had no idea why, but I was expecting her to lash out and hit me with it, and I wanted to be ready to take the blow so it would hurt less. I licked my dry lips and looked to my right, willing Mr. Rivers to call the girls away for something, but my eyes caught Dominic's eyes instead, because he was already staring at me.
I froze then quickly looked away and back towards Micah, who glanced Dominic's way and nodded her head a little when he nodded for her to move away. I heard he had a 'talk' with her after rumours spread that Micah attacked me after school almost two weeks ago. It was obviously true because Micah looked terrified of him and hadn't so much as looked at me since the night she attacked me.
"I'm actually gonna do some more runnin'. Later, Bronagh." Micah smiled.
"Bye, Micah," I breathed.
Micah and her two friends, whose names I never bothered to learn, moved off and left Destiny, Lexi, and three other girls playing around with the ropes near me. Alannah was across the hall sat on a bench reading on her Kindle like she always did after she has finished running and stretching. I felt eyes on me, and it made me self-conscious and not want to jump rope, so I made a move to put my rope back when Destiny was suddenly in front of me.
"I shagged Nico last night," she said as casually as saying hello.
Why the hell did that feel like being kicked in the stomach?
"Congratulations," I said forcing my tone to come off as flat and bored.
Destiny cocked an eyebrow. "You aren't bothered that I shagged your fella?"
"He is not me fella and regardless of what you seen on Saturday and what Dominic is sayin', I didn't have sex with him." I was going to move around her when I paused and glared at her. "And it's disgustin' that you thought he was me boyfriend and yet you're actin' so proud that you shagged him. Honestly, why would you brag about being a slut and a home wrecker?" I questioned.
I wished I had kept my mouth shut, because I knew she was going to shout at me before she even opened her mouth.
"I am not a slut, you're just jealous of me!" she screamed.
The whole hall went quiet. I felt my hand twitch and my blood boil, how fucking dare she scream in my face and say I was jealous of her.