“I think I fucked up the best thing to happen to me.” I blurt out.
Elijah’s expression softens, understanding dawning in his eyes. “Serena, huh?”
I nod, feeling a weight lift off my chest as I finally talk about my feelings out loud. “Yeah. I told her how I feel, and now everything’s just... complicated.”
“I get it, man… maybe it’s not too late to fix things.” Elijah’s gaze is steady, his presence surprisingly comforting. “If Serena means that much to you, fight for her.”
“Well, that would be kind of hard when her brother Jared hates my guts.”
“But does she?”
“That’s what I’m not sure about,” I admit and feel my shoulders drop. “I don’t know where we stand.”
Elijah nods thoughtfully. “Maybe you should talk to her. Clear the air, you know? It’s better to know where you standthan to keep second-guessing everything. Say what you want, say how you feel and maybe you both will take a chance with each other.”
His words sink in, and I realize he’s right. “Yeah. Thanks, man.”
“Anytime, dude. I hate to see you down like this, hope it all works out.” Elijah says, giving my shoulder a reassuring pat. “Communication is key, remember that. See ya.”
“See ya.”
We shake hands, then he throws his bag over his shoulder and walks out of the gym.
The doors open again after a few minutes, another person joins me for a workout session. I glance up after I put the weights down to see angry eyes cut my way.
“Jared.”
“Don’t fucking talk to me,” Jared spits out as he heads over to the treadmills.
I haven’t seen Serena in what feels like weeks, months, centuries. I’ve tried calling, texting, and emailing. Nothing. My last resort is adopting a messenger pigeon or owl kind of like what the Harry Potter students have. Or talking to Jared and possibly losing my balls.
I bite the bullet. “Jared, can we talk for a sec?”
“I’m not in the mood for your crap, Tyler,” he snaps, his eyes fixated on the treadmill controls.
“I get it, you’re mad,” I acknowledge, trying to maintain my composure. “I just need to talk to Serena.”
“I meant what I said, stay away from her.” Jared’s jaw clenches, his hostility palpable. “Besides, why do you even care?”
“Because she’s fucking important to me.” I pause, feeling my heartbeat pulsate through my whole body. “She hasn’t been at school, hasn’t replied to any messages. Either I’m blind and overlooking her everywhere on campus or she’s just really good at avoiding me. Please talk to me, tell me anything.”
He turns back to me and leans against the treadmill. He exhales heavily, locks eyes with me, and I can swear he’s studying every move I make.
“I know she’s important to you.” He finally says.
“Then help me out.”
Jared stills for a moment. He licks his lips and runs a hand through his forehead in hesitance. “Look, man… We don’t want her to get hurt again. She’s had it tough, and disappointment after disappointment only makes it worse. Just leave her to it.”
“No, but, Jared–”
“Tyler,” he interrupts, shaking his head. “She just… she doesn’t do well with relationships of any sort, especially romantic ones.”
“What do you mean?”
He licks his lips and looks around, making sure no one’s listening. “The last guy she opened up to, may God fucking protect him because this was before my dad married her aunt, fucking dipped on her.”
“Dipped?”
