Page 11 of Composed
“I’ve got you, new girl. I’m in that class too,” he says, steering her out into the hallway. “See you, dude.”
“See ya.” I tip my chin, wiggling my fingers as I start to turn.
I'm halfway down the hallway when inspiration strikes.
“Hey, Hendrix!” I shout, jogging to close the distance as she spins. She glances at me with a frown. “How do you feel about Rixie?”
Saint looks at me as if I’ve grown two heads. “You’re being weird.”
I ignore him, pinning my eyes on the pretty girl at his side. “Everyone needs a good nickname.”
“Huh.” She watches me for a long moment, nose bunching, brows dipping. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. “I’ve never had one before.”
“Well, now you do.” I grin, hike my rucksack higher on my shoulder, and stroll backwards. “Bye, Rixie Moore.”
She hitches a soft breath, the corner of her mouth twitching as she tugs her lip piercing between her teeth. “I’ll see you around,Cole Hayes.”
Chapter four
Cole • Now
Ocean Avenue – Yellowcard
Homesweethome.
My skin buzzes, my pulse thumping when I take a sharp left and slip over the Chesterton town line for the first time in a decade. I always planned to come back one day. But as the years passed, my courage fled.
I stayed in London, tucked away safely with the friends I call family, and the fortress we built to keep the world out as our stars rose. It’s funny. I’ve never considered myself a scared person, but perhaps I was wrong about that.
The music thumping through the car speakers cuts out as my phone rings.
I flick my gaze to Axel’s name flashing over the screen.
I draw my window up, and hold my breath for a beat, before connecting the “’Sup, dude?”
“Bonjour,” Axel shouts down the line, a pitched lilt to his voice. “Comment allez vous?”
I shake my head at the terrible accent attempt. “Since when do you speak French?”
“It’s a new development.” I don’t need to see him to know there’s a smug grin sitting on his face. “Met this French woman yesterday, and she taught me all sorts of naughty words. Wanna hear them?”
“I’m good, thanks.”
He tuts. “Mrs Porter would be so disappointed.”
“I never had her, I was stuck with Mr Thorn.”
“Unlucky.” He hisses air. “She was a solid ten out ten. Those kitten heels she used to wear.” A husky moan crackles through the speaker. “Cart and I…”
I tune him out and watch the town passing through my window.
Every street corner, every road sign, every building holds a lifetime of reminders. There isn't a place in this town I can go and not be smacked square in the face with what was and what should have been.
I blow air into my cheeks and exhale, before forcing myself back to focus.
“…and that ruler she always had in her hand.” Axel whistles. “The woman could have spanked me with that thing and I’d have thanked her.”
“Fucking hell, dude.”
