Page 3 of Past

"I told you I'm behind on coursework, so I can't," I say, which isn't a total lie. I have some coursework that I need to do, but I'm not behind on it.

"Well, why don't I just make you dinner? We could cuddle in my room, or yours." He winks, which really doesn't work for me.

"No, really, I am busy," I say, and I'm so lucky when, at that moment, Blake walks in carrying his shopping.

"Want some help putting that away? I want your advice anyway on a birthday present for Harley," I ask, referring to the oldest King Brother. Despite me and Elliot hating each other, I get along really well with the rest of his family. Mainly because of how close I am to Maisy and Izzy.I think my cooking has a lot to do with it as well; I always try to bring some kind of food over.

"Sure, and oh, Gage, Gina Louis was looking for you. Something about leaving your wallet at hers last night," Blake says with a small smirk. He knows how much Gage has been hitting on me, and he doesn't think Gage is a good guy for me. Blake has become more of an overprotective brother than Tristan. The only problem is, he wants me to be with Elliot and has told me that on more than one occasion.

"Err, thanks," Gage mutters with a glare in Blake’s direction. I watch as he turns to me and opens his mouth to say something. I walk off before he can say anything. I head toward Blake and take a shopping bag from him.

"So did you really want advice, or an escape?" He chuckles as he puts the bags down. I put mine down and start pulling out food to put away.

"An escape. Harley asked me to make him a birthday cake as a present. Typical." I laugh, rolling my eyes as I put the milk away.

"He is a smart man; I want the same in a few weeks, just so you know. So, have you talked to Elliot recently?"he asks.

Blake ducks when I throw a loaf of bread at him, which I just pulled out of the bag.

"Will everyone stop trying to make us get together? It isn't going to happen,” I tell him with a glare, and the bastard just laughs.

“It's because everyone can see how much you want each other. The only ones who don't see it are you two,"Blake says as he pulls out some chocolate bars.

“Anyway, what cake do you want? I think your favourite one was the chocolate fudge, right?" I ask. He shakes his head at me. He knows I’m changing the subject, and I watch as he moves his messy, blond hair out of his eyes. I have to tell him he needs that hair cut soon.

“Anything you make is great, Allie, and one day, you will see I’m right. I’ve known you both long enough,” he says, turning to put some freezer food away.

I think back to when I was thirteen.

"Hey, Elliot is looking at you again," Maisy, my best friend, whispers to me. I blush brightly thinking of the hottest guy in school. Elliot King is perfect with his black hair that is always messy and wavy. Every girl is talking about the King twins, but Sebastian is dating Maisy now, so Elliot is the only one left.There’s a younger brother, too, but he isn’t in our year.

I look over at Elliot, who is sitting with his younger brother, Luke, chatting. Elliot looks good in anything; even our blue uniform tops. As if he feels me looking, his eyes turn to meet mine. Dark-green eyes, like all the Kings have, lock onto my blue ones. I wave slightly as he grins at me.

"I think he likes you," Maisy says, getting my attention.

"I don't think so," I say, looking over at her as she eats her lunch.

"Well, I know you like him." She winks, and I laugh.

"You might know me too well."

"You’re my best friend," is all she says. I look over at Elliot one more time, wishing I had the courage to just go and speak to him.

I didn't know then, but that would be the last day Elliot ever smiled at me, because the next day he would hate me.

I shake my head, pulling myself out of my memories to answer Blake.

"He hates me. I hate him, so no, you’re very wrong. There isn’t a future for us."

"There's a fine line between love and hate, Allie. Haven’t you ever heard that?" Blake says before answering his ringing phone. I ignore his answer because it might be nearer the truth than I will ever admit.

Chapter 2

Elliot

"Your ribs look worse today, man," I hear my brother Luke say as he comes into my room. I pull my shirt on, groaning at the movement.

"Yeah," I mutter, thinking about the fight last night. The fucker kept going for my ribs in a failed attempt to get me down. Luckily, I learnt years ago how to block out pain.

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