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Sending love to everyone x

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Passing out is always a really strange thing because for a moment when you wake up you're so disorientated that you sometimes don't even remember what happened, it's like until you open your eyes and have a look for yourself, you could be anywhere.

And so when I opened my eyes and realised that I was staring at the roof of the gymnasium it took me a while to understand what I was seeing and I was extremely confused. But once I saw the nurse hanging over me, fussing over my face and basically shoving water down my throat, it all came flooding back and it was safe to say I was incredibly embarrassed.

Luckily for me, all the students had left before I fainted, according to Trent. It seemed that I had been to busy staring at him to even notice everyone leaving and the change of volume in the gym.

So here I was, sitting on a wooden bench, drinking a glass of water and eating some crackers, finally managing to assure the nurse that I was totally fine and I'd just fainted because of the heat.

I mean that was totally the reason, it's not like I'd fainted because of Trent or anything.

Of course not.

No way.

That's just crazy.

"You sure you're okay?" a voice asks and I look at the person sitting beside me and sigh.

Maybe.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I lightly chuckle, trying not to look into his eyes or make a big deal of anything, "I just didn't eat breakfast and the heat was crazy in here with so many people."

Trent stays silent for a moment as if he was digesting my comment and figuring out how to respond, but then he smiles, "It was really warm, I'm glad you're alright."

I'm surprised that he lets it go and doesn't bug me for the truth – because we both know I'm lying, but I'm grateful that he doesn't drag out my embarrassment any further.

"If you're that warm then you should take off your jacket," he comments and I instinctively grab onto my denim jacket that's wrapped around my body, giving me a bit of modesty in the outfit I'd had picked for me.

"I'm alright now," I counter and he shrugs my answer away, although he pauses slightly before doing it and I try not to look too uncomfortable or fidget. Why did I suddenly feel so naked and vulnerable?

I glance at him and I can't help the smile that sneaks onto my lips.

He sits in silence, his eyes scanning the gymnasium lazily and that's when I realise that we're alone, apart from the coach rummaging in the storage cupboard next to us, but he's almost impossible to hear. The nurse had gone and the Principle had left when I woke up, it turns out the thing Trent had said to me before I fainted was that he had never received his timetable so the Principle was away getting his receptionists to print a new one.

"Why did you stay?" I suddenly ask, not knowing why the question spills from my lips, "You didn't need to."

He shrugs while leaning back and running a hand through his dark hair, "Didn't have my timetable, it's not like I could have known where to go," he answers and for some reason, I feel disappointed, like I'd thought he was going to say a different answer.

What had I hoped he'd say? That he stayed for me?

"Plus, seems kind of an asshole move to just walk away after a girl faints because of you."

I gasp and my hand flies out hitting his arm lightly, "You agreed that it was hot!" I freeze when I realise what I've done and I wait for the explosion. But it's a different kind of one that I anticipate.

He erupts in laughter, his arms folding into himself as if to protect his body from me hitting him again, but I know I can't hurt him, he's built like part of a mountain. His laughter echoes around the gym hall and bounces between walls, filling all my senses.

I glare at him, folding my arms and when he glances at me he just starts laughing again, his eyes sparkling as he tries to stop.

I do feel a bit better knowing that maybe he stayed because of me after all and not just because of the timetable, but I had to admit that I wasn't the most chill when it came to laughing at myself, usually because I'd get in trouble for whatever it was that made someone laugh.

But after a few seconds, I feel my own lips start to twitch and I can't help but join in, his laughter was infectious. It surprised me that I could laugh with him, I expected him to ridicule me for what happened, or give me into trouble for touching him but he didn't.

Maybe I was just used to it happening so often that I'd forgotten people had other reactions.

He seemed like such a serious guy that I felt kind of happy that I'd managed to make him laugh. Plus it was pretty funny that I'd fainted because of him.

Well not because of him, because of the heat.

I watch him as he grins and my heart seems to skip a beat at his smiling face.

Definitely the heat.

"Don't worry I won't tell anyone," he winks at me, moving in closer, "Our secret."

My lips curl up and he gives me a gentle smile, his eyes roaming over my face. And for once I'm grateful not to be alone.

"Thank you, Trent."

 His lips part slightly as he breaths in and something flickers across his expression. I wait for him to say whats on his mind. It's as if when I said his name his whole body changed, his smile slipping off of his face as he watches me, his mouth moving the tiniest fraction as though he was whispering something. He seems to debate on whether to say it or not before taking a deep breath.

"Look, I-"

"You kids need to be getting out of here, it's almost time for fourth period." 

 Trent is cut off by the coach emerging from the storage room, wiping his hands on his trousers.

 "Trent, the office called and they've got your timetable for you to pick up."

"Thanks, Coach," Trent replies with a sigh, standing up slowly, his back stretching as he does, "I suppose I should let you get to class."

I don't know what comes over me but I stand up beside him and shrug, "I could walk you to the office if you want, it can be hard to find?" For some reason, I just don't want to be away from him yet.

Bad Elle.

His response is a wry smile and he shakes his head, making my smile falter, "Somehow I don't think your boyfriend would be too happy about that," he answers softly and I want to slap myself, "I'll be fine on my own."

How was I being so stupid?

How did I just forget about Matt? How could I even possibly do that; he was my boyfriend!

It must have been from passing out, my head was still a bit dizzy.

"Yeah," I stutter, collecting my bag from my feet and putting it over my shoulder, "You're right, the school isn't that big you'll be fine."

Trent looks at me with something in his eyes that I can't exactly pinpoint.

Was it regret? Sadness? The more I look at him the more I just want him to tell me what was going on in his head.

You have a boyfriend.

I clear my throat and tuck my hair behind my ear, "Should we head off then?" I ask and it seems to put him in back in action as he bends and picks up his bag too.

"After you," he motions, pointing to the door and I nod before turning and walking through it, Trent not far behind.

It's quiet in the corridor and it makes the silence between us far more obvious, which in turn makes everything a little awkward. For once I wished that Kristie was here, she could talk to anybody about anything. Although it got annoying sometimes when you just wanted peace and quiet it was also super handy and relaxing knowing that there was never a tense moment around her.

Unlike right now.

I keep feeling like he's going to say something to me. Out the corner of my eye, I can see emotions fly across his face quicker than I can look and he seems like he's talking to himself again, having an argument internally.

"What happened to your finger?" 

I want to groan. I knew he was trying to break the silence but any topic apart from that would have been preferred.

"The knife slipped while I was cutting chicken."

He nods and we're back to silence, our footsteps the only sound as we get closer to the main building of the school, neither of us looking at the other person.

The silence is deafening and I just want him to say something.

Anything!

"Do you cook chicken a lot?"

I look at him as though he has just said the sky is pink and he seems to realise how strange his question is because his feet come to a halt, his hand covering his eyes. "That was such a weird question I'm sorry, I was trying to make it more comfortable."

I can't help but be endeared by how uncomfortable he is, it was different than his usual persona which seemed so confident and self-assured.

"Well, you succeeded in breaking the ice," I offer, smiling up at him, "I cook chicken a lot." The giggles escape me automatically and the butterflies start in my stomach again.

He seems to appreciate my joke but rolls his eyes, his brown hair flopping as he tilts his head to the side.

"Maybe I'll get to try it sometime," he states hesitantly and my heart swells in my chest.

"Maybe."

My answer is soft and almost a whisper but he hears it, his eyes meeting mine in shock and I have to look away before I begin to feel faint again.

I didn't know why I had said that of course, I wouldn't be cooking chicken for him! There were only two people I constantly cooked for and unfortunately he wasn't one of them.

I clear my throat and glance at my phone, checking the time. I knew exactly what time it was but I needed to do something to distract me from him.

"I better get to class before the bell goes." Trent nods in response and glances down the hall, but unlike me, he seems lost. "The office is down that corridor." I offer, pointing and he thanks me before beginning to walk away.

I watch him for a moment, my eyes locked on the design on the back of his leather jacket before turning and going the opposite direction towards my class.

Why did my feet want me to turn around, why did I have the urge to go to the office too?

"Hey, Elle!" I spin around and look at Trent in shock, his words echoing down the empty building, his feet continuing to move as he walks backwards, "Make sure you don't overheat again."

Even from the distance apart, I can see his grin and the wink that accompanies it and I'm frozen to the spot as he turns and walks away, disappearing around the corner.

After I get my thoughts together, I continue walking, his words playing over and over in my mind, his laugh echoing as I think about him. He wasn't at all what I expected, I didn't think he could be funny or kind or embarrassed, he had seemed so stoic and confident before, this was a surprise.

The fact that I was thinking about him so much scared me, and what makes it even worse was that I can't deny that everything I learn about him just makes him better, and now that I know he actually has a good personality, how was I meant to stay away. He'd only been here one day and already I felt like things were going to be different.

Like he wasn't going to just let me not talk to him.

As I arrive at the room and lean against the wall, waiting for the bell to signal the end of the current class I feel excited but also terrified.

I had to admit that it was nice talking to him, and I hadn't properly laughed like that in a while at school, but if Matt found out that I'd even conversed with him I'd be in trouble.

As the bell rings and people come rushing out past me they remind me of my thoughts, the disarray and confusion an exact replica of how my head felt.

I was really grateful that Matt didn't know about me fainting, and Trent had said that no one else had been there or seen it, and somehow I knew he wouldn't say anything. Sure I was worried that he would do it just to annoy Matt, but by how he acted before he seemed like he didn't want to do that. Like he didn't want me to have to deal with him angry.

Taking my seat, I can't help but be confused by Trent.

Why did he actually stay with me after I fainted, the nurse was there and I'm sure he could have gone with the principle to get his timetable back, he didn't need to stay. But he did, and he checked that I was alright.

And why did I faint? Why is it that whenever I'm around him I can hardly sit still or breathe properly and I feel like everything stops when he's near.

I didn't know him, he meant nothing to me. Or at least I don't think he does, but even saying that sounds wrong.

I can't help but feel guilty about my feelings; Matt was my boyfriend and I loved him, even if he had his issues, he was my first love, my first kiss, my first everything. He knew me better than anyone else.

Or well he knew Anna better than anyone else because he made me what I am, without our relationship and him what was I? 

What was he?

The teacher draws our attention to the board and I begin to work out equations and their answers, wishing that things were as straightforward as maths, that way there would only be one right answer.

Did Matt love me? Or did he love Anna?

I shake the thought away as soon as it passes through my mind, I couldn't start thinking like that. I'd been down that road and all it did was cause pain and tears and a lot of sleepless nights. I just needed to stop getting so worked up by Trent and everything that was going on. I loved Matt. Trent was just a person and I had no feelings for him what so ever. 

None.

As I try to focus on the numbers in front of me, my hand stills and my breath catches in my throat. The memory of Trent's voice echoing down the hallway as he shouted at me.

When I told Trent my name I told him to call me Anna but that isn't what he called me.

He called me Elle.

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