“I... don’t know…” Eva gave a half shrug, feeling flushed and confused with what just happened.
She really had no idea what that was, or whether it actually happened, for that matter. But, it obviously did. Bella saw it, too. But, what did it mean? What did he want with her?
“Okay, okay,” Bella decided to let it go, for the moment. “Let’s just enjoy the game.”
They both let it go, but Eva couldn’t get it out of her mind. Something was telling her that there would be more to this story. Much more.
Chapter 8
When the game ended, Bella was surprised to hear that Eva wasn’t going back to the dorm with her. They were still sitting on the bleachers, trying to avoid the leaving crowd, and opting rather to stay behind, and start when everyone had already left.
“Are you sure?” Bella asked.
“Yeah,” Eva assured her. “My swimming stuff is in my locker, plus it’s Friday, so there will be no one there, I hope. Swimming calms me down, and I’ve been kinda stressed out this week, being new and all.”
“You’ll probably be all alone,” Bella nodded, “there is this new bar opening, but it’s a bit far away, down in one of the villages. We could g
o if we arrange a lift, maybe my boyfriend or other, could hook us up. What do you think?”
Eva laughed at Bella’s label of her boyfriend.
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t feel like going out, really.”
Eva was honest. This week had exhausted her, and the last thing she wanted to do right now was go somewhere dark, loud and crowded. She just wanted the peaceful embrace of the water; to submerge herself in the depths, until she could hear nothing but the sound of her own heartbeat.
“I understand,” Bella smiled, “then I won’t go either.”
“If you wanna go, then go, I don’t mind,” Eva smiled. She didn’t want to ruin anyone’s good time.
“Well, Darlith offered to either go there or maybe stay in the woods and do some star gazing,” she giggled.
“That actually sounds much better than a stuffy, smoky bar with overly loud music.”
“Well, it’s a village, so I doubt it’s anything we were used to seeing back in the city. Probably just a barn, some lights and a record player,” she laughed. “But, you know what? You’re right.”
She leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
“He’s actually more of a woods and stars type of guy, so when I tell him you urged me to skip the bar and do this instead, I think he’ll consider you his new best friend.”
The girls laughed. Eva felt like Bella was her true friend, and she was grateful that in this horrible situation, she at least had gained a new friend she could lean on.
“But, I’ll have to tell him you’re taken.”
Eva gazed into her eyes. For a second, she felt so happy that a surge of tears started coming on, but she convinced herself quickly that there was no reason to cry. She was joyful, despite everything.
“I’m really happy I ended up here, with you,” Eva told her.
“Same.”
The girls hugged.
“You sure you’ll be okay on your own then?” Bella asked again, just to make sure.
“I am,” Eva laughed. “Go enjoy your… um, star gazing.”
“Will do!”
Bella jumped up, and rushed over to the exit, where Eva saw Darlith waiting for her. He looked at them, his hands in his pockets, but his face lit up when he saw her approach. They walked out together, though they didn’t hold hands, nor did they reveal to any possible onlooker that there was anything going on between them. But, if one only looked a bit more carefully, he could see it. Their faces couldn’t hide it.