Thank you so much to Creepyrj for editing this for me and giving me his much needed input. He is a great writer and I highly suggest you check out some of his work, Iron heart and Fighter are some of my faves of his. Thank you to everyone that has been nothing but kind and encouraging this chapter is for you and again I hope you enjoy.
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The last time I looked Evan's way was the night I walked home from his house, his touches still burning in my skin. I was settled in bed drifting off when an annoying little thought popped in my head. I wondered if Sara was ever called over. I don't know what made me get out of bed to peer through my window towards his house.
Maybe I was hoping not to see Evan usher her in? Maybe I wanted my touches to be enough to satisfy his sexual needs? Of course they weren't, who was I trying to kid. Tears immediately burned my cheeks as they fell down my cheeks without warning. I wiped them away angrily, promising myself I wouldn't do this. No more tears will be shed for Evan Bianchi. It wasn't until the sun started to peek through the sky and the birds started to sing that my body finally let me escape into a state of nothingness that only sleep could bring.
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I think the word numb best described my mood for the following weeks. I had been successfully avoiding Travis. Leaving classes we shared as soon as the bell rang to race out into the stampede of the hall losing him in the process. I knew I had to talk to him sooner or later, at least to explain my reason for avoiding him. But I just wasn't up to having a conversation I didn't want to have. I tried my hardest to keep Evan out of my thoughts but when my brain wasn't thinking of him my body ached for his touch.
He hadn't come around the house since what happened and I made plenty of excuses to Mr. Bianchi about skipping dinners these past few weeks. Mark and Evan would be heading to Colorado soon and I was hoping to earn enough credits to graduate by Christmas break. The thoughts of moving far away from this place and all the memories, good or bad, seemed to get more appealing as each day passed. All I wanted was a new start.
Mom had been taking fewer shifts lately and it was good to see her when it didn't involve a five second conversation and her rushing out the door. She had been planning a going away party for Mark and Evan. And of course it couldn't just be casual, it was all business of course. This only made matters worse since I didn't want to go to begin with. I was happy for Mark, but I wasn't looking forward to seeing Evan. Not only that but she had been trying to set me up with a coworker of hers to go with to the event. I wasn't interested, but before she had made it final I fibbed and told her I was already bringing someone.
The bell rang breaking my concentration and I looked up to see Travis looking back at me as he stood up from his seat. I gave him a weak smile as I got up and walked in silence out the door with him. Lunch was our next period and he asked me to sit with him. I nodded my consent and walked over to a table in the back corner where we wouldn't be disturbed. I figured I would let him talk first so I could answer all of his questions. After an uncomfortable silence he finally spoke.
"If you wanted me to leave you alone, I wish you would have just told me. I just can't seem to stop thinking about you," He said as he put his head down and ran his fingers through his hair looking defeated.
I didn't know what was worse; not giving him an explanation, or knowing if I told him the truth it probably would have hurt him just as bad. Those weren't my intentions and I felt really bad for how I had been treating him. Especially since the last time we spent time with each other we kissed.
"I know it was wrong to ignore you the way I did. But I just had a lot of things to figure out." I almost whispered out, the guilt clearly heard in my voice as I spoke
"I understand." Travis spoke, his eyes fixed on his hands before they settled on mine.
I was shocked for his lack of not wanting to further investigate my answer. And when he looked in my eyes I was upset to see hurt in his.
"I know I don't deserve it but would you mind giving me a second chance? I might be jumping the gun here, but my brother is leaving for Colorado soon and my Mother is having a formal going away party. I was hoping you would want to join me?" The last part left my lips in a rush, I didn't want to give him a chance to interupt before I could finish.
For the first time since we sat down he smiled. Relief came over me and a part of me really was looking forward to possibly going with Travis to the party.
"I would really like that." He said as his face broke into a grin.
But before I could thank him he brushed a stray lock of my hair behind my ear interupting my thoughts at his gesture.
"I'm interested in more than just a friendship with you, but if that's not something you want right now, please tell me."
I appreciated his honesty and thought he deserved an honest answer.
"I don't really know what I want right now. But I do know I like being around you and wouldn't mind seeing where it goes."
Travis' smile returned and spread even wider on his handsome face. He reached over and took my hand in his. His hands were a lot softer than Evans I noted. But just as soon as that thought entered my head I scolded myself for comparing Travis's touch to Evan's. It wasn't fair and I needed to put him behind me. I also wasn't trying to replace Evan with Travis. I really did enjoy Travis's company. He was smart, funny, and unbelievably understanding. Any girl would be lucky to have him and it just so happens he was interested in me.