Page 2 of Collided

Oh my God.

How did he get here?

My gaze drifts to the striking features of his face. Fair skin that’s smooth and clear, sharp nose, defined jawline, and eyes that are deep blue like ocean waters.

He’s beautiful. And his eyes…they are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.

We stare at each other, much like before, but this time I can’t seem to look away. He’s the most beautiful guy I’ve ever seen.

At once something flickers through his eyes, and he averts his gaze. Clearing his throat, he steps back and his hold on my waist slips away. I Immediately miss the heat. For some strange reason, my skin is always cold. I don’t know why.

“I—” My eyes move down, and I gape at the scene. All my papers are strewn on the floor and people are walking on them with no care. I grumble at their blindness.

Slipping my phone into my pocket, I bend down and quickly collect the papers from one side. Then turn, only to find a hand stretched out with the rest of my papers and the empty folder.

I glance at Heath, who’s crouched down in front of me, with his intense eyes fixed on me.

I’m so stunned, I can barely move a muscle. I wasn’t expecting him to help me or save me from the fall for that matter. He’s someone who ignores your existence rather than helping you in any way.

Thrusting the folder and papers into my hand, he stands up. I carelessly put all the papers in the folder and bring it to my chest, feeling awkward and shy all of a sudden.

Heath towers over my five feet eight inches frame with his tall and lean build. The strands of his dark brown hair fall over his forehead as he looks down at me with a grave face.

Without saying a word, he turns around to leave, but I block his way. Annoyance crosses his face, making my heart race and my hands clammy from nervousness.

Here it goes.

You can do it.

He won’t bite your head off even though he looks like it.

I smile at him. “Thanks for your help. I’m sorry for earlier. It was a mistake. I was just busy—”

His expression hardens as he cuts me off, “Next time, look where you're going. Perhaps, then no one will have to save your sorry ass and collect your fucking papers.”

I did not expect such a venomous reply. “Excuse me?” I ask. He frowns.

“You heard me,” he retorts in an icy tone.

“I told you it was a mistake.”

Giving me one last look, he disappears into the crowd that watches him with interest. A few questioning looks are sent my way, but I’m already walking to my next class.

That was my first interaction with Heath, and I’m already regretting it.

The school day ends. I don’t see Heath in any of the classes that we share.

All day I couldn’t forget his cold eyes and icy tone. I’ve never spoken to him before, but now that I have, I’ll be staying far away. I don’t want trouble, and he seems exactly that. Too volatile to handle.

Besides, I have other things to worry about. Like how my home life is a mess.

Dad walked out on us three months ago. That was after he almost killed Mom.

A shiver runs through me at the memories that sneak back in. It was terrifying. I thought I’d lose her.

I should’ve seen it coming, though.

That night was the ending point of years of fighting. It started when I was ten—perhaps, even before that, but that was when I started noticing—and then it became a regular thing. Not asingle day went by without them arguing over the tiniest things like TV, laundry, money, and meals. From screaming at each other to Dad hitting Mom, every dinner would end the same way; him leaving and my mother being hurt. It looked foreign to me at first, but slowly I got used to it. It got to the point where it felt strange when it wasn’t loud in the house. The silence creeped me out more than the noise because I knew something big would happen soon. The wait gave me anxiety.

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