It's Pucking Complicated

Staring Contest

ISADORA

When we step outside, I can't stop myself from looking around for Justin. I spot him on the other side of the gigantic pool, standing with a group of people I've only ever seen around campus. We make eye contact and a shiver races down my spine.

I can't help this reaction I have whenever he's near. It pisses me off that I haven't gotten over it, but everything takes time. A lifetime of harm can't be erased in a few months, and this is definitely the closest we've ever been.

In his narcissistic point of view, I only came to Hartwell U to taunt him with my presence, but I didn't want to go to an out-of-state school because of my mother. Currently, home is just an hour away from her, and I can leave to see her whenever I please. It wouldn't be as easy to catch a flight to see her all the time.

So, screw him. If he was so bothered, then he could find another institution.

My mom's all I have. I can't go without seeing her because he doesn't want me around.

I avert my gaze and focus instead on the group Knox and I have joined. It seems all the hockey players are here, and they're standing close to Eric Lowell, a redhead whose parents are both affluent politicians. I know him because his parents were close to my dad and he was always with them whenever they showed up to dinner.

He's friends with Justin. I don't know how close they are these days, but he never paid any mind to me back in the day.

Not that I care.

Beers are passed around and I take the one Cleo offers me, but I have no intention of drinking it. I've never been a drinker and I'm not about to start because of these people.

"For sure that thing's still on," Eric is saying to Josh. "We're leaving Friday after lectures and heading to the campsite."

"We have practice afterward, but we'll definitely be there afterward."

"It's settled, then."

Knox looks down at me and I meet his gaze, but I'm not sure what he's trying to communicate with me. I didn't hear the rest of the conversation because I was too busy thinking about Justin.

What campsite?

"Oh, yeah," Eric says as he jerks his thumb in the direction of the guy standing right next to him. "This is my boy Phillippe. He studies in New York, but he's here for the weekend. He'll be at the campsite, too."

Everyone greets him and I turn my attention to him just out of curiosity. It kind of takes me aback that he's looking back and forth between Knox and me, and I have no idea why. I don't know if Knox notices, but his arm seems to grow heavier over my shoulders and he pulls me closer. I cut him a look, but I have to play it cool.

Does he know me or something?

I would've remembered him. He has sandy blonde hair that's kind of sticking out everywhere, but in a styled way, and his eyes are a deep green. He smiles at me warmly before turning his attention to Eric, but the whole time we're standing there, I notice that he keeps glancing at me.

I feel uncomfortable. The sun is beating down on me and the smoke from the grill is getting in my eyes. Knox is too close, so much that the side pressed against him is sweating and my dress is clinging to my skin. The untouched beer has long gone warm in my hand and I keep zoning out of the conversation.

Is this how it's supposed to be? Are we just supposed to stand here to prove a point? There's no other girl in the group. I'm the only one.

Then, there's Phillippe or whatever his name is. He just won't stop looking at me, and I'm starting to get paranoid.

Is there something on my face?

I shift my weight from one foot to another and then stop. Fidgeting is a sign of nervousness and I have to appear as calm as possible, but I can't help myself.

I don't know if Knox notices that I'm uneasy, but he looks down at me and I meet his gaze. He seems to be asking me a question with his eyes and I just nod, and then he excuses himself from the group.

Eric asks him, "What, leaving already?"

"No, we'll be back," he claims. "I just need a minute."

"Don't stray too far," Cleo proclaims as he brings his bottle to his lips. He then slams his elbow into Eric's arm and remarks, "There are condoms upstairs just in case."

The other guys laugh and my face flushes. Knox, on the other hand, tenses, and when I give his arm a slight tug, I notice that he refuses to move. He's staring intently at Cleo's face, and Cleo raises both his hands, though the smile hasn't left his face. "It was a joke, man. My bad."

"Knox," I say under my breath, tugging his arm again.

"I don't appreciate the joke, Cleo. You don't talk about her like that."

"It was just—"

Knox releases my hand and steps toward Cleo, who immediately straightens his spine. I don't want to look too shocked, but I can't help it. What the hell is going on?

"I don't care what it was," Knox claims. His voice is a low murmur. "You talk about my girl that way again, Smith, and we're gonna have a problem."

"Alright. Chill. I meant nothing by it. I swear it."

Knox waits for a beat, then returns to my side. This time, his hand goes to my lower back, much like it had earlier, but he doesn't take his hand away until we're out of sight. The whole backyard is filled with people, most of whom are lounging around the pool. There's a gazebo on the other side that's crowded with people, too. We walk past a few people on the way to...Who knows? I have no idea where Knox is taking me.

We go all the way around the house and once he notices that we're alone, he asks me, "Are you okay?"

"Are you?"

"Meaning?"

"What was that about?" I ask as I place the beer bottle by my feet. "I thought you wanted people to think we were together. That was a good sign, right? I mean, it was a shitty joke, but—"

"No."

I arch a brow. "No, what?"

"It wasn't a good sign. Look, just let me handle my friends, alright? They should know better than to say s**t like that. Cleo's like that. He'll always take things far. He loves getting his ass kicked. That guy Phillippe."

"What about him?"

"Do you know him?"

"No."

"Didn't seem like it."

"I didn't say one word to him."

"You seemed uncomfortable."

I scoff. "Yeah, because he wouldn't stop staring. How's this even relevant?"

He steps back. "Forget about it. Any plans for the weekend?"

"No?"

"Good. Then we're going camping. Oh, and we're sharing a tent."

My mouth falls open.

What?