Perfect Opposite by Zoya Tessi

pretended to look for something in my bag and directed my attention there.
    “Come on, don’t be like that. I made a mistake, I admit that. I wanted to explain everything, but you’ve been avoiding me all week.”
    “I don’t need your explanations, Ty. Everything’s totally clear.” I bit back and was turning to leave when he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him.
    “Don’t turn your back like that.” he whispered and stroked my cheek. “You know she’s not the one I care about. It was just a… weak moment, that's all. We shouldn’t let one stupid mistake ruin what we had. Can’t we just try to forget everything and start over?”
    I looked at him with shining eyes, appalled that he could even suggest it.
    “Go to hell.” I leveled at him as coolly as I could manage and tried to wrench my arm free, but he wasn’t letting go.
    “Sweetie...”
    “Let go of my arm. Right now!”
    “ Oh, come on Sasha. I know you still care about me and...”
    “Y ou'd better listen to her.” a deep, gravelly voice came from behind me.
    The bustling hall, which had ec hoed with noise a moment before, fell silent in an instant and I was sure that if a fly batted its wings, everyone would hear it. The fingers gripping my arm relented a little, so I twisted free, took a step back and felt Alex move his arm around my waist protectively.
    “Who the hell are you? What makes you think you can butt in here? We’re talking .” Tyler snapped at Alex.
    People had stopp ed by the walls of the corridor and some were whispering excitedly, clearly expecting some action. When Alex didn’t bother to answer and just went on staring at him ferociously, Tyler turned his stunned face to me.
    “ What’s going on? I didn’t know you’d started hanging around with this kind.” he scanned Alex up and down, a sour, surprised look on his face.
    “Get lost pretty boy, or I'll mop the floor up with you.”
    Hearing Alex’s cold tone, I felt goose bumps rising at the back of my neck. It sounded more like a statement of fact than a threat. His eyes were fixed on Tyler the whole time, and it was obvious, to me at least, that he meant business. Within my field of vision, I s ensed Tyler clenching his fists and that a vein in his neck had started to throb visibly. No one who knew Tyler would have dared speak to him like that.
    I put one hand on Alex’s bicep and shot a nervous look at Tyler.
    “Alex, don’t make a scene. Please.” I whispered.
    Alex let his black look linger over Tyler a few moments longer, then took my hand in his and when he turned toward exit, I let out a sigh of relief.
    “This ain’t the end o’ this!” Tyler called behind us, and I wasn’t sure which one of us he was talking to.
    When we came to the yard, it took me a few moments to remember that my hand was in Alex’s, so I tugged it free at once. Heading over to the parking lot, I avoided looking at him, feeling tears start to prick at the corners of my eyes. I couldn’t get over the fact that seeing Tyler had upset me more than it should. Seemed like the asshole didn’t even realize how much he’d hurt me.
    Did he really think I’d run back after an empty apology and some sweet talk?
    I stopped next to the motorcycle and kept my eyes fixed on the ground, waiting for Alex to right it so we could leave. Instead of that, he moved to face me, put one hand under my chin and raised my face. I blinked in surprise as he forced me to look up at him, and two fat tears broke free and trickled down my face.
    The lines deepened on Alex’s forehead, as a n angry expression passed across his features. Gently, he moved a finger over my cheek, then the other as he wiped away the tears. Rocked by this sudden, tender act, I felt glued to the floor and stood like a statue for some time, staring. His features might have been as rough as usual, but the gray eyes were warmer, and it seemed to me that I might easily lose myself there.
    “I... I think we should go .” I