that I can learn how to fight without anyone's help. I won't distract you anymore," I say, surprised at my steady voice.
Gavin watches me as if trying to discern whether I'm serious or not. I hold my ground, sure of myself. His expression becomes unreadable, almost statuesque. "I'm supposed to be your trainer, so how will we do that if you plan to stay away from me?"
I shrug. "I'll call Alexa. She put her number in my phone, earlier. I'm sure she'd be happy to help me out. It might even be fun," I say, not making it sound too fun at all.
Gavin steps back, looking angry now. I haven't seen that look on his face before. "Fine. I guess you should go then. Liam left, so Kassy is probably waiting up for you to come home." He turns and leaves without another word, likely to find a place to hide for the night while he guards my best friend.
I want so badly to call out to him and tell him I’m an idiot. But I also want what's best for Kassy, and that is someone who will spend their time protecting her… without distractions.
***
I know that Gavin is outside my door somewhere as I toss and turn in my bed. He is off keeping a lookout for things that go bump in the night. I feel terrible for basically dumping him, even though we weren't really a couple to begin with. Were we? I keep replaying his beautiful face in my mind and all I see is hurt and anger written across it.
The morning sun peers at me through my window, and I finally decide to just get up and find anything to distract myself. Maybe a wickedly handsome vampire will take my mind off of a certain ruggedly handsome Seer. I put season two in the DVD player and plop myself on the couch in the front room. I watch the devious Klaus Mikaelson kick supernatural butt over and over again, until Kassy comes out and mutes the television.
She looks me up and down, eyebrows raised as she observes my messy hair and pajamas with real concern. "The Originals? At seven in the morning, El? Time to fess up and tell me what you are trying to distract yourself from." She knows me way too well. "I thought you had a really good day yesterday. Are your nightmares coming back?"
I shake my head, giving nothing away. "No, I just didn’t sleep well."
She places her hands on her hips and glares at me. "All right, I believe that part of your explanation. Now what else is going on?" Oh, she is good.
10
I throw my hands in the air, giving in to her penetrating eye squinting. "Fine! Gavin and I are over. I honestly don't really know if we ever started, but if we did, that's done."
She clicks her tongue and walks into the attached kitchen without a word. She immediately starts making my favorite honey vanilla chamomile tea. After a minute, Kassy sits by me and hands over a warm cup of the sweet liquid. "Well, let me hear it. What did the jerk do? Do I need to beat him up or something?" she asks, totally serious.
I slouch against the love seat I’ve inhabited. "Calm down, Rocky. We don't need to beat him up or call him names. He is actually a pretty perfect guy." I start to sip my tea, tasting the warm honey. "I guess it just wasn't meant to be."
"Oh, El. I'm so sorry. I wish I would’ve been up when you got home last night. I could tell that you were really excited about him before your date. I've never seen you like that before."
I wave away her apology. "It's actually all my fault. He works a lot I guess, and has a lot of responsibilities. I don't want to get in his way."
Kassy pats my knee. "Well, it's not over then, El. Maybe someday his schedule will clear up and you guys can have another chance."
Her statement gives me a sliver of hope, but it's hard to be overly optimistic, considering.
"Yeah, maybe someday.” I don’t know how much I should say, so I change the subject.
“Anyways, I really like his twin sister, Alexa. I think I’m going to call her and see if she wants to hang out.”
“Sweet, we need more girlfriends!” She sighs and gets lost in her own thoughts for a moment.
I nudge her arm with my elbow. "Are you thinking about your make out sesh with Liam last night?" I ask, wiggling my eyebrows.
Her pink lips drop open and she shouts at me. "How did you know that?" Her pale cheeks turn bright red.
I laugh loudly at her bewildered expression. "I accidentally saw you guys when Gavin dropped me off. I had to hang back for a bit, so I wouldn’t interrupt. It was uh... actually more than a bit." I tease.
"Oh my gosh, El! You should have just said something, or at least cleared your throat."
She avoids my eyes and plays with a piece of her hair, a small curve lifts her mouth on one side.
"I'm really glad you guys are happy together," I say, minus the teasing.
11
Her small smile grows. "Me too and we really are. He is just so, so amazing; I think I can see us having a future already."
My eyes widen. "Wow, that was incredibly fast. That must've been one heck of a kiss."
She shoves my shoulder and I nearly spill my tea on the red loveseat."Get over it, El.
When you ever decide to kiss a boy, you’ll understand."
"What makes you think you know everything? I kissed Mason when we were dating…
kind of." I cringe, all too aware of my huge lack of experience with boys.
She leans into the plush cushion of the couch and flicks her long
