Chapter 16: Bare Feet and Cold Words

Okay, I'll admit that I was planning on getting drunk after the bear encounter, but I figured it was even more deserved given the sequence of events that occurred throughout the week. I needed a distraction from my own feelings for a while, and the best way of doing that was swiping some alcohol or nectar, if I was lucky, from the bar and perching myself in the most covered branch I could find in the backyard.

With that decision in mind, I pulled out a lavender romper with long flowy sleeves, for my own clumsiness, a dress would ensure embarrassment from drunk me, in its purest form. I left my feet bare, and fixed my curls before heading out of my dorm. I wouldn't bother looking in a mirror, I knew all too well the deep circles under my eyes weren't going anywhere anytime soon.

Ainsley sat by the fountain along with Trey, and of course Cooper. Their backs were facing me as I approached them from behind. I coughed a bit to gain their attention, and Ainsley turned her head to me.

"Hey Oakley, we were all going to go hang out at Coop's before the party, did you want to come with us?" She already had her arms strewn around my neck, and I hugged back briefly before I pulled away and gave her a small smile.

"I'm sorry Lee Lee, I gotta head to the library to get some work done, but I'll meet you guys there, where was it again?" I really didn't wanna skip out, I liked spending time with Ainsley, and if that meant enduring Cooper's antics, then I would suck it up for a little bit. I had work to do though, I needed to finish my herbology report, and my potions lab was due that coming Monday. I put both off for too long.

It really was the bigger projects, and papers that stressed me out the most, because I procrastinated with them the most. Bibliographies and citing sources was a hassle, and completely mundane to me. Getting those things done as soon as possible ensured that I would have at least one recovery day before I returned to my classes Monday, and I would not jeopardize that in any way.

"It's actually at Cooper's this time around, but I totally understand, come by after you finish your work, yeah?" Ainsley really was a good friend to have, she didn't pry, and she understood when someone didn't want to elaborate further.

She was a perfect friend for me, probably not for everyone though. The perky fae gave me a pat on the cheek and proceeded to grab Trey's hand before they disappeared off into the opposite direction

Cooper stayed behind with his hands in his pockets. "Do you really have work to do, or are you going to avoid me whenever possible?"

My breathing stilled and my eyes snapped up to meet his chocolate orbs. The raw vulnerability in them had my knees trembling beneath me. I didn't want to lie to him, I knew since we started attending Adolphus Academy, he was dangerous to be around, he was addicting.

He was addicting in the one category I couldn't allow myself to tread in. Being involved with him, even if it began as friendly, wouldn't stay friendly, at least on my part. I wouldn't allow myself to push past friendship in any sense, with anyone I was attracted to. I was too captivated by him, every part of him. I would have to avoid him whenever possible if I wanted to keep any chance of living life as simply as I could.

I tore my eyes from his and looked at my feet. Coop cleared his throat again, and I raised my eyes and looked at him through my lashes.

"No, well, I mean...I do actually have to finish a project, but Cooper, I don't know how many times I have to say this. What I have said previously, I meant those words. I honestly don't want to be mean about it, but I really don't think any relationship between the two of us would work out in our favor." My confidence rose with each word, and they sounded colder than I intended to make them. I couldn't take them back, and a part of me desperately wanted to.

When I looked back up, his face was void of emotion, and his eyes were as cold as my words.

"Fine, Oakley, I get it." I watched as he merely took his right hand out of his pocket, and ran it through his thick blonde hair. My heart leapt into my throat, blocking any more words from spilling out, and I just watched as he shoved his hand back into his front pocket and turned on his heels, and sped off in the same direction as Trey and Ainsley.

I really regretted my words as I watched him disappear into the group of students that lingered in the courtyard. My heart was clenched tight in my chest and I felt like all of the air had left my lungs. Guilt had washed over me, freezing me in time. I couldn't tell you how long I stayed there just staring at my feet, listening to my own heart beat out of my chest. Yeah, drinking sounded like a good option before that conversation. Now, it sounded like the only option.