Page 4 of Collided

Folding his arms over his chest, he joins me by leaning against my car. His gaze filled with concern. “Now tell me.”

“Tell you what?” I rake my fingers through my hair as uneasiness bubbles under my skin. My hands aren’t occupied which makes it hard to hide the shaking.

“What the fuck is wrong? You don’t smoke unless there’s a reason. And there’s always a reason. So, tell me what it is or else…”

“Or else what?” I ask.

“I’ll delete your Fortnite account.” The mischievous glint in his eyes tells me that he’ll do it.

“You wouldn’t fucking dare,” I hiss. I’ve spent long hours to reach the ‘champion’ rank. I’m so close to becoming ‘unreal’ which is the last and highest rank. Sebastian is ‘diamond.’ Marie, his girlfriend, is higher than him. She is ‘elite.’ She’s better than him, but he doesn’t mind.

“Trust me, I would. And hurry up. She’ll be coming out any minute now. I can’t cater to your grumpy attitude around her.”

I steal some air to breathe out my next words. “Dad called.”

Two words. They are enough to make Sebastian understand why I’m in a sour mood and why I was smoking. That man gets on my nerves like no one else. And when he tries to control me, it’s even more aggravating.

Last week, I got into a fight and broke a guy’s nose. He provoked me knowing I don’t like it when there’s anything said abouther.Like a pussy he reported to the principal, who then called my father, who then called me. Our six-minute call today ended with me cursing at him, and then hanging up. I was so close to blocking his number—an urge that frequently crossesmy mind—but I didn’t. Like every single time, I didn’t have the fucking guts to do it.

“Oh fuck, man. You okay?” Sebastian asks in a soft tone that irks me. I don’t need his pity.

“I’m fine.”I’m not fine. I will never be.

“What did he say?”

“Usual stuff. Freeze my credit cards, stop my allowance, and ground me. As if he can do any of that. I earn enough to support myself.” I look away and catch a glimpse of the girl who bumped into me earlier.

“Look I know—” Sebastian speaks, but I hardly hear a word. All my attention is centered onthatgirl. The pretty girl with her prettiest eyes.

My eyes follow her. Holding a book in front of her she paves her way aimlessly, as if telling the universe to clear her path because she’s too busy reading. At this rate, she’ll end up bumping into another guy, and he might not be kind enough to help her.

For fuck’s sake. She needs to be careful.

“—you could’ve attended the last three classes. Two of them were free anyway.” Sebastian finishes just as she disappears around the corner.

It takes me a minute to construct a reply. “I was pissed, especially after some girl walked into me. I had to collect her papers and folder for her.” I shove my hands into my pockets to not reach for another cigarette. I’ll get lectured and I’m not in the mood for it.

Sebastian’s eyes grow big. “Youhelpedher?”

I’m surprised too.

“It wasn’t a big deal.” I shrug carelessly.

He chuckles. “Yeah right. I see you helping girls every day.”

“I don’t help anyone.”

“Then why did you help her?”

“Because she needed it,” I say, running a hand through my hair, wishing this conversation would end soon.

He arches an eyebrow. “You sure about that?”

Sending him a glare, I ask, “Whyelsewould I help her?”

“What does she look like?”

Is he fucking serious?“Why the fuck are you asking me that?”

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