Page 16 of Who The Hell Are You?

I hold my hands up, watching as he returns to his machine but holds our eye contact. “I'm not mad. It’s just…I’m not Grace, we're not alike.”

Unsure why it seemed to bother him so much, I nod, fully aware he's nothing like Grace which actually is a great thing. Despite how hard I tried, we really didn't have anything in common. We both share a great work ethic, passionate about our futures, but I’m not dim enough to have believed they would revolve around one another.

We share a silent acknowledgement, he nods too and sets his machine to match my pace again. Has he been here long? I didn't notice him working out, but being completely honest I haven't exactly been present.

Walking in silence for a long awkward minute, I'm worried I've ruined all conversation when my phone vibrates, giving me a reprieve from spiraling. Swiping it from the ledge, I open the text notifications and feel relieved it's just our rugby team group chat.

Rowley: Does anyone have a lemon I can borrow?

Kade: Borrow or have?

Rowley: What's the difference?

Harris: One implies you'll give him a lemon back, the other means it's yours.

Rowley: WHY THE FUCK WOULD I GIVE THE LEMON BACK?

Kade: Oh, so you just want my lemon for free?

Rowley: I'm not doing this. Forget I even asked.

Levi: There’s lemons in the cupboard above the toaster Roe, ignore them.

Kade: NO ONE CAN IGNORE MEEEEEE

Kade: 👣🦵🚪👊🍋🏃

Em: What are you lemons for? 👀

Rowley: I want to shave them on top of my cheesecake which none of you are having 😤

Kade: Fuck right off I want some of that!

Levi: Everyone come round in 10 xoxo

Rowley: Leeeeeeeeeeeee

“Grace?” Miles curiosity drags me away from the chat.

“No, actually.” I chuckle under my breath, unable to keep the note of bitterness out of it.

“Are you guys meeting up today before class?”

Tucking my phone into my shorts, I take a short inhale knowing this is the start of explaining we are no longer together. “No. No longer on boyfriend duty. We broke up.” I give him a small smile and wince, but not for the reason he probably thinks. I felt terrible about myself last night, but actually I feel pretty relieved it's over. Which obviously makes me feel ten times worse than terrible.

“Ah man,” Miles starts, but I wave him off before he can continue.

“It's fine, don't apologise for me. Honestly. I feel like a shitty person admitting it, but I'm really ok it's over. It wasn't anything serious.” I frown at myself and slow my speed, wondering why the hell I felt the need to add that last part.

Slowing his machine down too, he gives me one of those blinding smiles. “I wasn't going to say sorry,” he says unapologetically. “She wasn't the one for you.” As he turns his machine off I catch the way the turquoise in his eyes glint, the all knowing spark in them giving me shivers. I can feel the ghost of his touch under my chin.

“I’m not straight.” I blurt out, cursing under my breath at how of all times, I can't control what comes out of my mouth. “It's not the reason we broke up, but yeah. I’m bi, maybe?” I've had sex with girls and didn't hate it. It just always took a long time to connect emotionally and for the light bulb to click on in my pants. “I don't know.”

Miles raises his eyebrow at me, leaning against the treadmill bar with a tiny smirk. “You don't know?”

Of course I fucking know, but it's too long of a story and a confusing childhood to explain. One that I've only started to think about more, in the past couple of days. “Maybe?”

He nods, still looking at me with sparkling eyes. “Maybe.” It sounds more definitive when he says it, like he knows what I actually want to admit.