09 | second chance

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CHAPTER 9

It was 3am and I was still wide awake.

Sleep had practically been a foreign concept to me for the last 10 years, so I wasn't even bothering to try.

I slid to the edge of my bed, feet touching the braided carpet, and raked a hand through my already messy hair.

My bedroom was a wash of dark colours; the inky black of the desk tucked into the corner, and the grey of the lamp that sat atop my nightstand.

My eyes travelled around it, pausing on the trophies that littered my shelves and the blank spaces on the tall walls.

I still needed to find something to fill those gaps and bring life to the room.

My gaze settled on the scuffed trainers that I had kicked off and abandoned at the foot of my bed in a hurry to pick up where I left off in my book.

A love of reading was the only thing that I shared with the childhood version of myself, the boy that I would do anything to forget.

My brain flashed with the image of a face, chubby and freckled, with fat tears rolling down.

I can't let my thoughts go there.

Deciding to run until my heavy mind lightened, I freed myself from the rumpled bedsheets and pulled those trainers on along with a pair of joggers.

Adrenaline and cold air replaced my blood, pumping through me as my feet pounded heavily across the ground.

Figures and buildings blurred as I continued forwards.

Faster.

My breath became short bursts and a thin layer of sweat covered the nape of my neck.

My mind, previously racing at a speed quicker than my feet, had calmed down and untangled the mess of thoughts and memories.

I had reached the state of clarity that only running could bring.

My legs slowed as I approached my part of the university halls.

Quietly opening the door to Room 38, the apartment that neighboured Danny and Jake's, I exhaled with contentment.

I found sleep for the first time in a long time, surrendering to dreams of soft, curly hair and sweet dimpled cheeks.

- - - -

Danny had spent the whole day talking my ear off about the girl that he'd met at the club that night.

"You should have seen her hair!" He exclaimed excitedly. "Until then, I'd never had the urge to run my hands through a stranger's hair."

"The dress she was wearing," he trailed off, wearing an expression of disbelief, "I could've sworn it was sparkling. Or maybe she just lit it up herself." He finished.

I gagged at that one, earning a stern look and the appearance of his middle finger.

I think my personal favourite had to be what he came out with just now.

"Speaking of silver, she has the most beautiful set of grey eyes I've ever seen. I just wanted to scoop them out and keep them with me for ever."

Apart from being slightly concerned about that last statement, at this point I was convinced he was already in love with her.

Although I was happy for him, I couldn't help the feeling of envy that was also bubbling close to the surface.

After all, I had also hit it off with a girl that night.

The only difference is that I knew nothing about her and she had left me with no way to change that.

Danny regained my attention by reminding me that I had agreed to meet Lucy. "We're linking at the cafe that she works at."

"And she's coming with her best friend." He added, wiggling his eyebrows.

"That's cool." I said emotionlessly, not really caring about any girl but the one who wanted nothing to do with me.

Just my luck.

- - - -

The Stone Cafe was the embodiment of the words light and airy.

On the outside, teal green brickwork encased a number of small windows that brought in natural light.

Wooden tables and chairs lined up along the side, sharing space with a chalkboard that advertised the menu and proudly displayed the cafe's logo.

Walking inside gave you the same feeling.

Hanging lamps joined the light brought in from the outside, and the plants draped over shelves and walls added a pop of colour.

Clear glass cases held sweet looking pastries and protected the kitchen at the back.

As Danny and I approached this kitchen, tresses of blond hair and a wide smile came into view.

Based on his expression, I guessed that this was the girl he couldn't shut up about.

Walking away to choose a table, I allowed them to embrace each other.

Once they made their way over and we were all seated, Lucy spoke up.

"My friend Cora said that she's running a little late, but she'll be here soon."

We made lighthearted conversation for about 10 minutes, Lucy's personality shining through and showing me why Danny was so infatuated with her.

The bell used to signify an entrance into the cafe made a shrill ringing noise, lifting our gazes to the door.

I stared in disbelief, mouth gaping and muscles tightening in awareness.

I knew the moment that she noticed too, her facial expression mirroring mine.

No way.

Candyfloss was the friend Lucy was talking about.

Her face slid on a mask of nonchalance so fast that I almost doubted her initial reaction.

"Hi guys, sorry I was late." She expressed with a sweet smile.

"Danny meet Cora, Cora meet Danny." Lucy said, gesturing at either person.

Cora... It suited her.

Her dimple appeared. "I've heard so much about you."

Danny looked happy to hear that. "This is my friend Gabriel." He said, glancing at me.

Cora blinked like a deer in headlights. "Uh... nice to meet you."

"You too gorgeous." I replied, meeting her deep brown eyes.

I couldn't help the smirk that found its way onto my face at her flustered reaction.

A menu was thrust into my hands by Lucy, and I ordered a pizza.

We spent the next hour talking, eating and laughing, finding that we naturally meshed well together as a group.

Once it was time to go and the girls were slipping through the door, I found my hand gently grabbing Cora's.

"We need to talk."