Elaine
Welcome to the shooting range.
Astonished I gawked at the technical marvel as a large LED screen high above the ceiling, mounted in a slant manner gave away the precautions and tips regarding the things that I only had seen actors bark over in those high-end budget action movies.
"You like it?, the way you have your mouth open signifies you do" I shut my jaws lock abruptly as I saw Alex come stand beside me.
"Just how rich are you?" I did not try to hide the veneration out of it to which he replied with a smirk.
He kept the backpack in a grey-green glass cubical and peeled the zip open. He took out a revolver and his other hand tested the texture of the bullets like they were M&Ms.
"How long have you been doing this?" I ask hesitantly.
"Since I was ten" he hits the butt of the gun on his palm twice as I gasp a little.
"Is that even legal? Teaching a kid to shoot?" I don't have much knowledge about weapons and sports. Though my study area covered science and Arts to its peak, I just had no time for politics or legal conspiracies.
He chuckled at me when he pointed the gun at me for fun, watching me react like a grumpy sloth. Though I know I have a destructive history with guns, I never developed a phobia of it. unlike waters, a bullet was something I could handle.
But it was fine till they were confined under the screens. To witness an actual gun was kind of foreboding.
"It did not start with an actual gun. I wasn't handed one until I was fifteen" he wore the goggles and the earpiece which appeared much more like a headphone. It probably vacuumed the sound around him from unrequired disturbance and provided undivided concentration.
"How good are you?"
"As good as a son of weapon manufacturer should be" he shrugged, tilting his head to the side, looking at me with an arrogant smile.
I on the other hand didn't bother to hide my surprise at this new revelation. As if my whole posture screamed doubt and uneasiness he continued.
"Not mafia or gang thing that you are probably thinking. We ace at producing leading technical arms, air force equipments and submarines for the military base in United States"Adjusting his black cap He took the shooting stance with his legs slightly parted and arms straight, his sole focus on stable breathing and the target.
He fired.
The ear-piercing shots resonating off the walls, it was similar to the one I heard that night. But this one had the edge of frustration being shot out from the body of Alex. I didn't try to shield my ears from it, because my gaze was manipulated by an awestruck emotion as I watched each shot hitting the target, mercilessly one after another, Like a piece of art.
"And that is one of the reasons why one would want me. Dead or alive, I am of use to them if they can blackmail my father for a bit of treachery by his side" he let the gun fall to the floor as he ran a hand through his face.
Dead or alive.
The term repeated itself in my head, the feeling of hopelessness to think about oneself as an object. I know the feeling like yesterday.
I could only fear for his safety more after this, he may be rich and powerful. But he was still a young boy who has been objectified by the world based on his status and their sick needs.
He tensed when I placed my hands on his shoulders.
"I never judged you Alex. All I ever wanted was you to trust me" i gave him a reassuring squeeze when he covered my hands with his.
"Are you happy now?" he asked his lips quivering with hesitation to which I smiled.
"I am not happy, I am at peace" he relaxed under my touch but answered with an appeased silence.
I took some steps back when he loaded another one, now unaware that I had another company beside me. Denver with a calculating gaze with his arms folded across his chest had a glint of pride eminent in them as he watched Alex.
"This boy surprises me every time with the amount of dedication he exhibits at such a young age" he said scratching his jaw with a thoughtful look.
I nodded in agreement, having no better words to surpass what he said about him.
"You seem to be close with him" he smiled warmly at me, as I sighed at his teasing suggestion.
"It's complicated"
"Teenagers these days, they can make even the sound of baking a cupcake appear as good as rocket science " he shook his head as I chuckled.
"I know right? The rational part of a teen's brain is not fully developed until twenty-five, in fact, some recent searches found out that the brains of teens and adults receive decision-making signals from different parts of the brain even. While the adults think with the prefrontal cortex, we do it with amygdala" I trailed of rambling when I noticed the funny expression Denver gave me , then cracked up laughing.
"Alex really has a unique taste in girls" he said composing himself. He looked much younger when he laughed. It was so easy to talk with him but at the same time what he implied made me blush.
"I am sorry to disappoint you sir, but we are just friends" I said with a curt nod, remembering that's how he introduced me to him.
"Call me Denver Dear, and I know the boy from when he was a kid. So I'll let you decide things on your own." He smiled as I returned it with my own. Taking it as my chance I asked him questions that I aspire to extract an answer from.
What? I am a curious soul.
"Aspiring botanist?" my eyes widened when Denver mentioned Alex's ambitions.
"Will you believe me if I say the whole layout of this clubs yard was personally renovated by him two years back? And not to forget the fact how much knowledge he has about them already. As I said dedication is his faculty"
We both observed the boy with his back towards us, unaware of our conversation and yet the topic of our interest. It made me wonder just how full of surprises was he, or just how contrasting the shades of his leisure were.
Yes, that's what he is. Contrasting. You don't get to pick and admire one of his sides. It may be destructive or may be gentle. But when it comes to him you accept him as whole or live confusing yourself while pondering over his next move.
He's either a euphoric surprise or enigmatic devastation.
And I was right in the middle of it.
***
It was breathtakingly beautiful.
The night sky , like a dark blanket softly spread above adorned with the brightest of stars in the most calming constellations. The gentle breeze caressed my skin, making my sensitive cold induced cheeks obtain a fascinating color of scarlet. I could only imagine what my nose would look like at this point.
"Bad idea" I muttered under my breath as I thought back to my decision of sitting at those high metal welded bleachers surrounding the vast sphere of the racing track, especially in such a night and in such a condition.
Alex did looked at me quizically when I told him I'll wait here for him when he said that he had something to take care of and will be back in twenty minutes are so.
Though it was really cold I didn't mind it that much because my mind was too focused on the marvel of such terrific beauty in front of me.
The tracks stretched around like the ring in saturn's, the screen for laps resting in peace at this ungodly hour and expensive sports cars dotting the arena here and there. The whole field was only illuminated with warm yellow lights, like glow worms at every certain distance.
"You have a death wish of dying frozen" startled I turned to see Alex standing in between the seats, balancing a brown paper bag on both of his hands.
"I wasn't aware it would be this cold, but I don't mind. It's beautiful. This place is beautiful" I said as I watched him move and take a seat beside me. He now wore a grey sweater above his shirt, somehow making it appear as the sexiest fashion trend. I bet this guy can make a potato sack work just fine as much as a Ralph Lauren or Givanchey labelled piece could.
He placed a bag on my lap .Confused I eyed it, till I saw him shuffle inside his own and pull a box out.
He opened it with both of his hands and grabbed a burger out, slowly eating it with his eyes deep in thought.
"It's not that comfortable when someone stares at you while eating. You know what I mean?" Immediately I looked away, warmth spreading across my ears as I dug onto my own.
The first bite, all my senses vanished as the creamy taste of cheese, hot chicken and juicy spices seduced my taste buds. I couldn't help but moan.
I heard a distinct groan beside me as i turned, gulping I saw that he had his eyes closed, a pained expression and lips thinned.
"What?" I asked.
"Don't do that?" He breathed
"Do what?" I sniffed
"That sound when you eat." He paused. snapping his eyes open, he looked at me. A shiver ran down my spine when I noticed the darkness in his pupils as his eyes trailed over my lips. When his hooded eyes met mine I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.
"It's distracting" he added sharply yet with a hint of huskiness. My eyes widened when I realized what he meant.
I cleared my throat, ducking so that my hair curtained my face.
He was done way before me and used a wet tissue and sanitizer to clean his hands.
Yeah, I observed he carried them. In his pockets. When I was done he offered me which I took gladly. Not pointing out the fact that this stuff is commonly carried by girls within their handbags.
Because it's rude to be sexist.
"Your nose looks like it has been painted with a pastel pink color, so unreal" At his out of the blue remark I glare at his smirking face and unconsciously touched my nose.
"Does it?"I sniff and crossed my eyes to look at the peak of my nose.
"God,you look so adorable" I straitened myself when I heard him chuckle, eyes gleaming with amusement and as what his words stated, adoration.
"Here" he passed me an orange plastic canister of pills and a small water bottle. "It's for the cold"
With appreciative thanks I took them, when I wiped my mouth with the sleeve of his jacket I saw a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.
"What?" I ask a brow raised.
"The jacket looks good on you" he then states grimly "much better than his"
Perplexed I wondered whose else jacket did I ever wore or stole. After much deep thinking, it hits me. Nathan.
But Alex left way before Nathan picked me up. How does he_
"You stalked us?" I questioned aloud, shock evident in it.
He relaxed on the seat gazing at the stars above, as if looking into the heaven. Though it was dark I could sense the smile on his face.
"You thought I would let you go that easily?" I bit my lips frowning, it wasn't Alex to openly admit his emotions. But sometimes he scared me when he actually does. Added to the new discovery of his background and that he could not only handle a gun but could target someone on point meters away was not helping at all.
"That's creepy" I said in as a matter of fact tone.
"And hacking into a schools security system is not?" He raised his brows intimidatingly as I rolled my eyes. he knows we both can act as the immature hypocrites we are. That is something we both have in common.
"Where did you learn those stuffs from?" He looked at me, his complete attention diverted with genuine interest. Contrary to it, I wished I could hide in a large box and parcel it to amazon.
"I have a friend who is good with computers, he- he taught me when I asked him to" I cleared my throat not meeting his gaze as I kept looking at the fingers on my lap.
"Does that friend happen to be the one I saw in the park? The jacket guy?" Coldness, you could freeze the entire Antarctic all over again with the number of frozen words he uttered.
"Yes" for some reason I whispered, the idea of a pissed of Alex was oddly disturbing.
"Look at me" he sounded so close, I turned away when I felt him lean in.
"Are you scared of me?" His voice was low and his lips teased my ears as I shut my eyes inhaling deeply. The air wasn't cold anymore, in fact the veins in me warmed up as I felt him tuck a strand of my hair behind my ears.
He ignited fire along the trail of touches he traced.
"Stop it" immediate urge to kick myself in the nose rose inside me for sounding and appearing so vulnerable.
He did.
"It's funny that you don't even have to do anything to tempt me enough to break all the rules and lengths for you. And here I am, doing everything in my power and failing pathetically"Â I saw him sigh from the corner of my gaze, he took his mobile and scrolled over some things for a few minutes.
Shifting on his he leaned a little to my side as I jumped, he shook his head with an eye roll at my reaction before pushing the screen up so that we both could look at it.
On the bright lit screen there sat a really bored and grouchy appearing asian boy probably our age, wearing a yellow birthday hat. There was a mountain sized cake with five layers of different strawberry flavors, and a doll to top it off.
"That is Shaun Lee, best friend since seventh grade. Unlike the asian stereotype no, he is not good at Maths. A certified dangerous prankster who got pranked by us over his princess themed birtday party. Son of the senator of south korea and dodging Fs by a hair breath." He smiled as if recalling that memory from the picture.
I on the other hand felt like I was looking at somekind of korean pop Idol that girls in high school fangirl about these days. Even with the yellow cone hat on head he appeared like those cover boys in glossary asian model magazine Diana subscribes.
Alex slides to the next one.
"Edmund Sargent, my right hand man and sometimes even left. Best friend since we could remember. The brooder, the athletic. He has goals that involves taking over his father's production firm which Competes with Marvel and DC. He dated celebrities and it never ended up good."
I peered over the tall, built and deep in thought looking brunette with his hair falling in his face as he read a book unaware of shaun making a funny face with his tougue out behind his back .They both wore a uniform, white shirt, black blazer with the logo and beige pants.The place he sat looked like some kind of brightly lit lounge with floor to wall ceilings. The interior was so ravishing and expensive, I could only predict the fortune it would've consumed.
In the next one I saw Alex with both of them in a pool, the sight of how much water surrounded them made me uneasy. But I tried focusing on the genuine laugh, smile and friendship they shared.
"You guys look close" I looked at him with an encouraging smile. The fact that he let me see his life before he came here made the butterflies in my stomach cozy up to the warmth.
He blinked at me with a sad smile as he then went back to focus on the image.
"Was. The last time I talked with them was like five months ago" he sighed scrolling through more pictures, probably filtering it for the one he wanted.
I frowned at his words but kept my mouth shut. It was none of my job to pry over his current friendship status. I don't even know them. But as much as I know Alex, he wasn't the one to leave people he cared for behind. Yes, he may act like a bipolar ass. But in the end, he always came around. To be by your side or to force them to be by his.
"Who's that?" I asked making him press the screen to halt the image so that I could see. A man in customized grey tailored suit and navy blue tie, his hairs aged to pepper grey streaks and lips curled into a grin alongside Alex who took the selfie with a smile of his own.
But what caught my attention was the oddly familiar features of the man, I bit my lips trying to decipher the feeling of knowing. But in vain.
"That's Ian, My father's attorney. I've known him since I was a child. He's more like an uncle. Are you okay?" The concern etched to his face when he noticed my troubled expression melted me a little. I gave him a reassuring smile and nodded. Maybe it was the common sense of deja vu you feel and can't get past through the illusion, leaving you hanging till you forget.
But the problem is I never forget. With a memory like mine, it's hard not to grasp small details.
"I think we should leave, I don't want you getting any sicker than you already look" Alex said as he stood up and held a hand out for me to take it.
When I took his without much of attitude or ruckus he smiled, on the other side I internally sighed when our palms molded and fitted perfectly like clay. I realized how much I missed holding them.
We silently walked over to the exit, which was different from where we entered and much nearer to the tracks we were in. Not a second did he let my hand slip out of his grasp, and I wasn't complaining. As if reading my thoughts his hold tightened as I turn to look at him.
He was deep in thought, his eyes distant and jaws clenched. The valet had already brought the car,gave him the keys and left. But we sparsely moved an inch.
Frowning I decided to ask him what was wrong when_
"I am leaving"
The air became negative degrees colder and thicker. And my heart dropped, becoming heavy with each second. I know it wouldn't work between us, I know we needed space, and I know it was me who told him to fight his feelings towards me. But now when he is doing the right thing, I felt like punching myself over and over for being so vulnerable and dependent.
"Y-you are?" No matter what I did, I couldn't keep the emotion from taking over my vocals.
"I am sorry" he shifted and pulled me closer into a tight hug. I inhaled deeply and returned the hug with the same intensity. If I could stop the time, this moment will be the last thing I would want to relive of my young days. It hurt so damn much.
"So this was a goodbye" if felt him stiffen as he understood my muffled words as I snuggled in his sweater.
"I don't know" he fastened his hold and pulled me closer as if that was even possible. "It depends on how longer I can stay sane being away from you."
"Trust me it's just my insanity rubbing off on you, you'd be much better without me" I tried to lighten up the mood but the urgent tears were making it onerous. Can't they just wait till I get to my room?
I craned my neck to have a look at him, he already had a smile on his face. it was not a forced one, but like the one you give when you are taking a few seconds to shove away the painful reality and be genuine for once. But suddenly like a switch under the night sky, his face darkened. And all the sweetness was replaced by mischief in his eyes.
"Can I kiss you?"
I choked when I registered what he said. He let go of me and patted my back softly, daring enough to resonate a hearty laugh as I glared at him.
"You should have seen your face." He chortled pinching my nose.
"It was uncalled for, you took me by surprise" I growled and squeaked at the same time. I sounded something in between chipmunk and Dwayne Johnson.
"Oh really? What if I had done it without a warning" he took an intimidating step forward as I took one back.
"How did the conversation even took this turn? Weren't we in a process of a heartfelt goodbye?" I said as I watched his smirk grow with another step forward.
"A heartfelt send off, with a passionate kiss sounds so good right now" my mouth opened in disbelief, even tomatoes would be jealous of the redness my cheeks seem to adorn right now.
"And I am a guy, I have strong urges you know. I could be watching a history documentary about opium wars and the next thing I know Is I have a_"
I gasped as I covered my ears with my palms. Wide-eyed I watched him stride towards me. Immediately I take on running. I anything but fly to the front passenger seat of his car and locked the door.
His visage appeared on the window, I glared at him through it while he knocked, motioning me to open it. Stubborn as I am I crossed my arms across my chest.
"Sorry" he mouthed as both of his hands grabbed his ears as a symbol of apology.
When I poked my tongue out childishly he simply rolled his eyes making his way to the driver's seat. With a beep from the signal of car keys, he was inside.
Why did I even try to lock the door in the first place?.
You try thinking straight when an arrogant boy confuses you like cosmos in space.
"I think from today onwards red is going to be my favorite colour," he smirked as I scoff. But then I hear a faint vibrating beep from my mobile.
I look down at it to see a reminder popping up. It was midnight. Exact twelve and I know what it meant. I looked at the boy beside me who meant so much to me, who unknowingly helped me love my peculiarities, made me feel the state of happiness and fury like no one else. He helped me realize how imperfect we are and that's what made us perfect for each other. All in a period of four months.
But fate never walks on the same path the host desires. If what happened a while before didn't felt like goodbye, this inevitably was a closure we needed.
"Happy Birthday Alex" I drawled out slowly, he paused working on the gears, his face ducked, gaze peeking through his lashes.
"How do you know?"
"I have my ways" I smiled gently grabbing his cold cheeks, making him look at me.
Our eyes met and my breath hitched.
"Thank you so much for everything you did for me. And remember I don't want anything more than for you to be safe. If we are meant to be, we'll find a way. I will miss you" I closed my eyes as his blue oceans got too intense for my dissolving endurance. "I am going to miss you so much because I don't think I could ever forget someone like you"
With that, I leaned in and kissed his cheeks. He stiffened at my unplanned action but relaxed when I softly caressed his cheek with my thumb.
When I retreated, it had changed.
The playful air around us compromised with the dense atmosphere of a morose reality.
The ride was silent, too thick, and suffocating. When I reached our driveway all I wanted to do was cuddle up in the bed and pass the night off.
We bid our farewells like a stranger would, dry and with no expectations.
When I opened the lock, my hands trembled. Not because I was breaking apart. But for the fear of facing an enraged Diana.
Her hair was messy and her eyes were swollen and red. Has she been crying?
When she saw it was me at the door she let out a breath of relief as she pulled her purple robe tighter around her. But the relaxation on her shoulder vanished, taking the look of a lioness which screamed I've had enough.
"You.Are.Grounded" with that said, there was no niche for arguments.
***