"i like noticing the details that no one else sees"

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

"Theo?" I try and get his attention.

Nothing.

"Holloway." I try out his last name instead.

"Hmm?" He mumbles, still looking down at his phone.

I look around at the rest of the team in the locker room to see if anyone else knows what's going on with him. If this was Luke, Owen, or Mason I wouldn't think much of it. But Theo? No, somethings up.

All the guys start piling out of the room, already ready for practice. Instead of joining the group, I stay behind with Theo.

"Bro, what is up with you?" I try and figure out what has someone who is notoriously never distracted.

"Sorry man," he starts, "Just texting someone is all, I'm good though, no need to worry."

I try and fight the instincts of asking who it is. Theres no time to get all Sherlock Holmes, I'm captain and I need to be out with the team.

"Alright, just get out quickly. We're starting shortly."

He nods and starts to get ready as I walk away and to the rest of the team.

Weird. Very weird.

"Is he alright?" Mason asks, clearly sharing the same concern I did.

"He says he's fine," I look back at the locker room and shrug my shoulders, "Just distracted and texting someone, I guess"

"A girl?" Mason tries to figure it out.

I chuckle, "Maybe. We can torture him about it after practice."

Theo walks out and we all get started.

After a few hours of countless drills, and a quick work out at the gym we all call it quits.

I head back to the locker room, change, and take a fast shower.

I'm walking out of the rink and to my car with the rest of the boys when I'm stopped by the most annoying girl on the planet.

"Hey Sterling," She tries to speak in the flirty voice, desperately failing.

"Abigail, is it?"

She shoots me a fake, slightly embarrassed smile, "Adeleine, but close."

Luke and Owen snicker to themselves. They hate this girl almost as much as I do. She's constantly around us, trying to go out with me again.

It's clear she hears their laugh when she shoots the two guys one of the dirtiest looks I've ever seen.

I made the mistake of sleeping with her my first year of university. She was there and I guess I just wanted to be fucked.

"What do you want, Abi- Adeleine? I need to go home."

"Just wondering if you wanted to go out with me tonight." She voices the same question she's been asking me for god knows how long.

God she's desperate.

I scoff, "No. I do not want to go out with you. Not tonight and not ever."

He face falls at my bluntness but she perks right back up, "Well why not?"

Oh my god, give it a rest. Don't you have someone else to annoy the fuck out of?

"I'm studying tonight."

I don't even know why I told her the truth. I should've said I was moving to Antarctica for the rest of my life.

"Not to mention I am in no way interested in you." I add, hoping she'll finally get the hint

Obviously she doesn't when she ignores the latter part of my response, "Oh my goodness! It's fate" She grins from ear to ear. "I'm studying tonight too!"

I don't give her a chance to keep the conversation going and I climb into my car, shutting the door in her face.

The second I get in, the boys start howling.

They think Abigail's obsession with me is just hilarious.

I flip them off and start driving home, already done with this day.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I spot the familiar long haired brunette sitting at our usual table.

Of course she's already ready with her notes and books perfectly organized on the table.

God, how is she so smart?

"Hi, darling." She shines a sweet smile when she notices me.

"You know, I think I'm growing on you." I point out her recent attitude change.

"No, not growing, just getting used to you." She shakes her head, "Learning how to deal with you and all your irritating tendencies."

I laugh at her quick cover up. But deep down, I think it's more than just getting used to me.

She's stubborn, I'll give her that. One, granted bad, impression of me and she's always made sure to be a little passive aggressive.

Strangely, I don't even mind it. In fact, it's almost endearing coming from her.

"How was practice this morning?" Laney inquires.

Definitely growing on her.

"Good, for the most part. Theo's acting odd though."

"How so?" She looks concerned for her new friend.

"I don't know, just distracted I think. But he usually never is. A bit like you in that way."

"Probably a girl." She makes quick work of the mystery.

"I figured. But it must be one hell of a girl, because he's been with girls before and he didn't seem to care as much."

"I wonder who it is."

"Ditto." I agree with her.

We end our little gossip session and get into studying.

As much as Laney is engaging and a pretty good teacher, I can never seem to focus when I'm around her. There's always something more interesting that the material she's taking about.

Like the guy in the corner who just dropped a book on his foot.

And the librarian scolding a group of loud kids.

Or the way Laney's lips move as she speaks about some 100 year old psychologist.

"Ok, let's take a break then," her soft voice snaps me out of my daze.

"Huh?"

"Clearly you're having trouble focusing. I looked it up, you're supposed to stop working and take a brain break."

"You did research for me?" a smug grin breaks out onto my lips.

"Don't boost your ego more than it already is, it's more so for me if anything. I need to know how to help you so I don't rip my hair out."

And so we take a break. We find the nearest microwave and make some popcorn she brought in her bag.

The two of us take turns throwing popcorn into eachother mouths and trying to catch it.

"I think I learned more from this brain break than from your teaching."

She chucks some popcorn at me, clearly annoyed at my statement. 'Oh yeah? And what did you learn?"

"That you cannot catch or throw for shit."

She scoffs kicking me in the shin with her foot.

Unfortunately, our fun is cut short when one annoying fucking blonde comes over.

"Sterling! What a surprise it is to see you here. I guess it's meant to be." she takes a seat next to me.

I look down at Laney and her smile is already faded. Suddenly, she's nervous and shy.

"Hi, Abigail."

"Adeleine," she corrects me.

"Oh, right. I keep forgetting."

"And you are?" she stares at the girl sitting quietly next to me

"Delaney." She musters up the nicest smile she can, a fake one at that.

Adeleine takes it upon herself to start the conversation, considering neither I nor Delaney want to.

"So, who are you?" she addresses Laney.

"Oh, um, I'm Sterling's tutor." I notice her fidget with the hair elastic on her wrist.

It's weird seeing her intimidated like this.

I hate it.

"Oh, so no one then," Adeleine concludes.

God, if this was a guy, he'd be on the fucking floor with a busted lip and a broken nose.

"Clearly more to Sterling than you are, Abigail." Laney cuts in before I can defend her.

Thankfully, the world's biggest bitch takes the hint and scampers off. Probably back to the pits of hell.

"You're incredible, you know that?" I speak my thoughts out loud.

"No I'm not, I've just spend lots of time with Harper." She smiles, a real one this time.

I look into her eyes and admire the face staring back at me.

She clears her throat and looks away. "I think that's enough studying for the night. It's getting late anyway."

I agree and walk her out to her car.

"Drive safe, Laney" I buckle her into the seat, our faces inches away.

"You too, Darling" she taps my nose with her pointy finger, making herself giggle.

⋆✧⋆✧⋆

I was feeling so lonely tonight so I decided to write this chapter. Literally wrote half of this while I listened to sad music and cried LMAO. Im not sure if it helped or made me feel worse, but whatever, it was productive.

Thank you for reading and for the comments (votes help so so much too<3)

Question of the chapter: Do you like popcorn?

Ok you guys, stay safe and healthy <3