Ascension of the Phoenix by Jessica Piro

Author:Jessica Piro
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica Piro

Leila and Jamaal stayed up late talking. Luckily, morning was Thursday, so their inability to go back to sleep wouldn’t affect their fighting. She almost stayed in the room to avoid Miguel’s gaze; knowing others would be around eased the pressure. Plus a part of her needed the presence of his eyes. They made her feel again—she had been cold too long.

Their group relaxed around the apartment complex at first, but boredom tugged them to explore the island. Most contestants chose to spend the day in the gym again; others visited the beaches on the east side of the island. They walked the hiking trails through the forest and skirted the beach, talking and corralling Luke when he wandered off.

She forced herself to stay near Rin and participate in conversation, but Leila couldn’t escape Miguel’s heavy eyes. With his constant attention, she wanted to both return his gaze—for he was easy to look at—and run away.

Walking to dinner, a pair of girls standing near the entrance spotted them—more precisely, Miguel. Both jiggled in their spastic waving.

“Miguel, where have you been hiding?”

“I’ve missed talking to you!”

His lifted hands kept them from launching their arms around him. “I haven’t been hiding.” His gaze slid over to Leila. Truthfully, she wasn’t jealous—she still had his eyes.

“Liar.”

“Is it because you have a new one to look at?” One eyed Leila, sizing her up and down. Leila’s defenses rose. She considered herself better.

I’ll fix that quick, the voice growled.

“Girls, please…”

Rin boldly draped an arm around Leila’s shoulders to guide her into the cafeteria, staking his claim. “I think we’ll give you some privacy.”

She fell into step, but once they entered, she touched his arm to remove it. But Rin didn’t take the discreet hint by sliding in next to her once they sat to eat. Miguel eventually joined them, joining in on the laughter when the men picked at him about the women. His eyes constantly shooting over at Leila told her it had embarrassed him.

With Rin being overbearing and Miguel ceaselessly trying to assure her she still had his attention piled on top of her sleepless night and the haunting of her nightmare, a heat rose within her, irritated at the whole situation. After Rin’s intentional bump into her for the fourth time, Leila shot to her feet to avoid punching him. She excused herself for lack of sleep and held Miguel’s gaze so he wouldn’t think she ran away from jealousy.

Jamaal backed her up with the same complaint. Miguel’s eyes lingered on her as she left, further irritating that heat into anger.

I am not a prize to win.

Maybe he can be runner-up.

Her suggestion shut up the anger boiling within.

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