Hellish: Chapter 2

Ivy

I am sitting here in the library waiting for Ty to meet me. The library here is humungous. I cannot be happier I came here; this school is all the fresh start I needed. I met Ty and even though I don't really have many friends, I don't think I would want many. Ty is just perfect, he is smart, has a great dressing sense, appreciates art greatly and we have a lot in common. Of course, it's only platonic. And no, he is not gay. It's such a common thing now, girls being best friends with gay guys. Literally the whole girl-boy platonic friendship trope revolves around the guy being gay, or in some cases the girl being a lesbian. I rarely see a single guy and single girl, both straight, have platonically explosive friendships. So rare. I am almost mad at all the authors around the world. He is happily single, and I am apparently swooning over the guy I hit on the head yesterday at lunch, that Ty definitely caught a whiff of. I know it is wrong he has a girlfriend, and she is so much more popular than me or even him for that matter, but God she is one shallow bitch, and I can safely say that based on the limited information I have of her, and I have zero regrets in saying that. I don't even know why he is with her. Maybe because she didn't hit him on the head with a hardcover. Ughhh.

Just the perfect way you want the most handsome jock to know you. I know it's so cliche of me to even fall for the jock. He might not be that popular, because Ty says he only hangs out with his best friend and his girlfriend's friends. God, the whole lot smells like Chanel and reeks of wealth. I doubt I ever saw them in anything other than Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Again, very cliche. I know but at least it's way better, this monotonous, cliche life of mine, than my previous one. I wasn't going to think about that now, because my mind could not get over Ayan, how much I tried.

His wavy, chestnut locks, I was so tempted to run a hand through them and see if they are actually as silky as they look. His Amber eyes reminded me of Taylor Swift's 'Gorgeous' chorus-

Ocean blue eyes

Looking in mine

I think that I might

Sink and drown and die.

I mean not blue but still, I feel her words now. I wouldn't mind drowning in his eyes, blue or not. His eyes are just.....perfect. That's the only way to describe them. I don't even know if I was imagining it or not, but his eyes flared, and his pupils expanded a little bit when I was rambling about books and heels not going together. God that was another embarrassing moment I can never get over. Even thinking about it made my cheeks blush, blood instantly reached my cheeks, and I could feel the heat.

"Thinking of the jock, are we?" Ty came in and seated himself on the seat in front of me and smiled, "Look at yourself, Liv you're flustered."

If it was possible, I was blushing even more than I was. "Hello to you too." I reciprocated the smile. "For your information, I was reading a rather interesting book." I glanced down at the book I had in front of me, 'Do Tigers Drink Blood? And 13 other mysteries of nature.' Great, he will call my bluff now.

"Sure Liv, do tigers actually drink blood? Pray tell."

"Well...." I glanced down to check, and it turns out I hadn't read one word. I covered my face with my palms in frustration and embarrassment.

"Come on, Liv, it's fine. Admit it. Ayan is pretty handsome if you ask me."

I was pretty relieved, so I admitted, "Fine okay. He is swoon worthy. But I know what you'll say, it's wrong, he has a girlfriend, and I should keep it in my pants. I know I know."

Ty just smiled and said nothing. That's why I felt like I could be myself around him and I didn't have to even lie to him. Plus, he understood me so well, it was annoying at times, but I was very grateful. I smiled back at him thanking him for his gesture and he changed the topic, "Well, I have a date meeting me here in like 5. So can we rain check Livvy. Please."

"Ohhh, that's why you're going easy on me today. Great, here I was thinking you knew I didn't want to talk about it."

"Well, now I know, I won't bring up Ayan till you do. Now can we please reschedule this group reading session. Please?" He gave me his puppy dog eyes and I really didn't want him to cancel his date.

"Fine. You owe me though."

Yes, anything for my Livvy." I grabbed my stuff and got up to leave.

"Thank you, Livvy. Love you Livvy," he beamed.

I left him there alone because I wanted him to go on that date, and I was secretly hoping that I could go and sit in the cafeteria to maybe see if Ayan was sitting there today as well, so maybe I could sneak a peek or two. I couldn't help myself. I never lacked self control until I met 'Ayan whatever his last name is'. I was near the door of the library when a text chimed in. I held my pile of books in one hand and checked my phone with the other and kept walking out. It was from Ty.

12: 34 p.m.

Ty Ledger: Heyy, Thanks again Livvy. I owe you big time. Ayan is sitting in the cafeteria. Go help yourself. 😏

You: Fuck you. You owe me dinner.

Ty Ledger: Done. 👍❣️

I turned around to put my phone in my bag, but I didn't think to stop walking, and hit something hard in front of me, all the books in my hand fell and I lost my balance. I dropped my phone and closed my eyes to accept my fate and hit the ground any second, but I didn't. I opened one of my eyes to check what the fuck happened to gravity these days and I saw a pair of Amber eyes staring at me. I realised there was a hand wrapping around my waist and it hit me. Enough with the cliches already. It hit me again. I bumped into Ayan. He is holding me by my waist. Oh my God I love cliches. But I was not going to have that minute long romantic stare and then come to my senses and then he would help me get back to my feet. No.

I balanced myself and I did not even take his support for 10 seconds. I don't know why. But he was not himself I felt. Something felt off. I mean of course I didn't know him, but he was so much more cheerful yesterday and just kept smiling but today, he just felt different. His eyes were filled with something unknown, something dark. Whoa. Why did I just say that? I felt the hair on the nape of my neck rising and I don't know how but I swear it was so much colder outside. I was burning up in the library and my hands are shivering at this point outside. So, I just bend down to pick up my stuff and Ayan picks up my phone and hands it to me. He notices my hands shaking and looks at me with some unknown expression, I cannot read for the life of me.

He breaks the silence first, "Hey. I guess we meet again." He flashes a weak smile and I guess I take all I can get right. But I am slightly worried for him. I don't even know why.

"Yeah Ayan, right?" I ask him as if I haven't painted that name over a hundred times on the walls of my brain.

"Yeah, Ayan Aldair. You didn't really tell me your name yesterday."

"Ivy. Ivy Levine," I replied. My voice and my hands are still shaking.

"Ivy, are you okay?" As soon as my name rolled out of his tongue, the temperature started rising a bit and for some reason, my hands stopped shaking. I was relieved honestly, and I just wanted to get to class at this point before I collapsed due to this weird weather change that for some reason only, I was experiencing.

"I'm fine. Don't worry."

"You seem awfully quiet today."

I flash him a weak smile, just understanding what was going on with my body. I was too focused on that to think about his presence right now.

"Wow, you really seem off today. You know what, you don't have to tell me why. But I know what might cheer you up. There is a party at Sammy's place tonight at 8. You wanna come? I mean it's invite only but you can be my plus one."

I was shocked. It was as if with every word he was saying the temperature was rising by one degree. I stopped freezing, my goosebumps were gone, and I was much better. His presence seemed to have quite an effect. I don't know. I just processed his words and pretended not to be shocked. I inquired, "Won't your girlfriend be your plus one?"

"Actually, my girlfriend is not invited to the party. We broke up. Yesterday only in fact."

My cheeks flushed. I don't know why it was happening but a tiny part of me hoped it was because of me. Liv, you talked for 5 minutes. He won't break up with his girlfriend for that. I mean I knew that but come on a girl can hope right. "Oh. I'm so sorry I didn't know," I apologised. But I don't know if he noticed or not. I apologised for now knowing not for hearing they broke. No, I was not going to sympathise or anything. That woman was one shallow, rich, spoiled, bitch. If anything, I should say good riddance.

"Oh well, don't be. Good riddance I say."

Oh my God, I could literally die right now. Butterflies started fluttering in my stomach. That too because of this one sentence out of all other things.

"Okay then, great. See you tonight at the party."

"Great, I'll text you Sammy's address."

"Yes. Thank you, Ayan."

"Mon Plaisir." He shot me another faint smile and left me, staring at him as he moved gracefully, to get to class I presume. It was as if some weight lifted from my chest. He was single and asked me to go to a party with him just to cheer me up. I could start dancing right here right now.

The bell rang and I hurried to get to class. I dropped a text to Ty before leaving.

12:39 p.m.

You: Enjoy your date sucker. Sorry, I'm so exciteddd. I got invited to Sammy Anderson's Party. And not just any party, an invite only party. Anddd the best part is....*drumroll* I am Ayan's plus one. Turns out he broke up with his gf yesterday. Yay. Going there tonight at 8. I'll text you everything. Have fun. I know I will. 😏❣️

Ty Ledger: Wow. Lucky you. Have fun bitch. I have a date tonight with this girl. I'll be done by 9. If you want me to come pick you up, just text me. Love you. 💗

You: Love you too. 💗💗

My phone buzzed again, and I got a text from Ayan, Sammy's address. I thanked him and smiled as I walked in the door of the Economics class. I was so happy; I was practically over the moon. I mean I was going To Sammy Anderson's party and as Ayan's date, even though it wasn't one, I wish it could be. A date. Merde.