Elaine
With a cramped angle, The nerves on my neck tightens as I inspect the length of a skyscraper in front of us.
The side walk was dotted with the chaos of people whose day has come to an end, work in pause. They hastily rushed or disconnectedly walked or drove back home. Some tired, few young with life and some plain focused.
But this sparsely effected the active nightlife of the city, the bright shades of lights from the bill board around us hued a soft glow, while the neon beams from a club fought it's dominance and so did many other luminous edifices.
But in the end the down town was just a representation of the term zeal and energy. And oddly I felt my feet buzz with them moderately.
"That's a really tall building" I looked at Edmund who had his hood up, the visible arc of his jawline was accentuated by the cities busy lights.
"It's called sky scraper for a reason" I could picture him rolling his eyes, I pouted once again scanning it's length.
"What's with the hideous look?" I ask still not moving an inch from our position. When he contested to give me an outlook of his idea of spending a beautiful night, I wasn't expecting to be drove around in his heart flipping Italian luxury transportation, that basically is a car to the heart of the city itself.
I was then dragged out of my comfy seat, mind you the car was more comfier than I have had the pleasure of installing my behind on any other complacent attribute so far. That even includes the matters in my present dorm.
"It's a disguise, I don't want paparazzi or anyone else for the matter, not at least near a hundred foot of my radius" muttering he pulled his hood lower, now veiling his whole face outright. With a height extending to six two and with a physique of an Olympian it was safe to say that he looked like death. Minus the scythe.
But I was a friendly person so I refused to point out that he was drawing more attention to himself with that look rather than his original face which I bet was famous among the Hollywood fanatics owing to the fact that he was a child actor and debutant assistant director for his father's upcoming movie.
How do I know so much you ask?
The name Riley ought to ring a bell.
"Okay" I drawled out "what now?"
The death version of Edmund looked at me, i would like to barely hint the obvious fact that he couldn't see me, heck I can swing myself into a cab and bid him a mental adieu, he would be talking to air still. Unaware.
"We need to get inside first" he shrugged as he started to walk. Few blink of my eyes later I practically jogged to match his pace.
"You have long legs" I commented gasping a bit.
I could feel a smirk radiating off him, and the scary part was I don't even need to have a peek at his facial movements.
A large man in black uniform and a mascot hat opened the door for us, stepping in I felt the clatter of street swiftly being sucked out from the large modernistic lobby as the sound proof door resumes back to it's stance.
"What is this place?" the awe and astonishment in my voice was everything I felt as I whispered.
The reflective sparkling floors had me wondering if I should actually take my shoes off. I was considering the option when Edmund decided to fill me in.
"A bit of everything, you see the door at right. That's a hotel. There's a mall which takes over for about one third of it's area, the pent houses and offices of some well know labels is was it mostly houses and many more"
Absentmindedly he walks to the reception and woman in her forties, probably looks at him.
But instead of screaming for security for a possible break in, credit to his present attire she smiled widely at him.
"Eddy?" at her warm welcoming address Edmund groaned as he pulled the hoodie off, his hair stuck out in desperate direction at sudden exposure to the world around them. This assured me that the students of the academy doesn't wake up in the morning with their hair and nails done and permanently excused of morning breaths merely because they are rich. They are humans after all.
"Jessica, don't call me that. At least when I have a company" She brushed him off laughing as he frowned. I returned her a smile when she diverted it at me and then suggestively wiggled her brows at Eddy. I confidently concluded that they know each other really well, or else pissing off someone like Edmund and getting away with it was quite unnatural.
"she's beautiful" at her compliment my cheeks turned a shade of embaressment, I was never good with praises and when I received one I would end up more ashamed with my lack of ways to thank them without being awkward rather than being grateful for it.
"I know right" the soft mutter from Edmund killed the few reliable words I had gathered to deliver. But before I could confuse myself more at what he meant , we were walking towards the elevator while I heard Jessica holler for us.
"Have fun kids" as if a reflex to the mistaken assumptions by the overly chirpy woman we both cleared our throats awkwardly as the door closed.
Under the compact cubicle my instinct felt restless as I gnawed at my inner cheeks and disconnectedly played with the hem of my sleeves.
"Are you okay?"I nod at him for an answer. But when he still appeared unsure I continued.
"I am not claustrophobic if that's what you are thinking. I just don't have good history with elevators" I mumbled as a flash of sympathy crossed his features. It has been constant with him when ever I was around, especially after the news involving an aerated liquid and white hair spread faster than the great fire of Britain.
"I am sorry about Alex, he is difficult at times. But I assure you that once you get to know him you'll realize that he's not all that bad"
You have no idea buddy.
Though his words were sincere to the core I found myself rolling my eyes in disagreement.
"Yeah right" the lame sarcastic response buys me a deep chuckle from him.
"Honestly when I first heard about what happened I was kind of scared for you, but now that I saw what he did-" He paused to look at me, no doubt recalling my floating mobile as he continued " I think it was time someone knocked some soda into his head"
We both beckoned the prospect and nodded in deep agreement until we couldn't hole it anymore and burst out laughing. If Alex had firsthand witnessed the scenario we would have died a long way back of hypothermia.
Suddenly the lift stopped at tenth floor and few girls probably in their college entered. Edmund immediately brought back his hood in action while the girls giggled and eyed him weirdly, occasionally whispering things into each others ears.
They left and more came, the cycle repeated for minutes until we were completely alone and he finally stepped out on the final floor, thirty six to precise.
"What did you wanted to show me?"as soon as we were alone I have been nagging him to tell me, help me be aware of where I am.
"you'll know" he finger combed his hairs back to the absolute perfection that he dons every day on the wide full length mirror that suspiciously stood near a stair wall.
"I am here alone with you, I trusted you with my life. I have the right to know of my whereabouts"
When he was done he turned to look at a whining me, with a shake of his head he nudge my shoulders with his fist so that I Whirled in the direction of stairs.
"what?" I ask frowning.
He simply starts walking up while I gawked.
"why are you taking the stairs?" I grumbled trailing behind him.
"you surely are a pantomath" he stops on his quest to reach his destination which apparently requires more physical effort since the technological faculty was limited till a certain floor.
When he peers back at my blank face he starts
"Pantomath? A person who-"
"I know what a pathomath is" glaring, I surpassed him as I dragged myself up.
"Of course you do" it wasn't long before he was beside me, grinning proudly.
When I pivoted away from adapting his mysterious enthusiasm we fall into silence. But on the seventh turn I was gasping internally, sweat matted my forehead and I bet I was flustered to the point of tearing up.
Why can't I do this?
Suddenly I felt the absence of a large human next to me, confused I turned to look at him. Edmund stood a few step back as his eyes analyzed my diminutive agitation curiously with his hands folded across his chest.
He looked at his shoes as if trying to decipher something and in a flick I was facing his back as he shifted, patting the blade of his right shoulder.
"What?" I squirmed, my voice small.
"Piggy back ride?" he answered a hint of mischief and smile in his tone. When I went silent and dumb for a second he added.
"I won't let you fall. I promise" it was a clear deception at what came into me as I found my feet slowly divert towards him with mind of their own. And with a tired but grateful smile I let it do it's thing as I let him carry my weight.
But in all honesty I felt the weight from my shoulder being pulled off as I leaned my cheeks against his shoulder, my wrist tickled with the light stubble on his chin as I locked them in front, his hands on my legs hoisted me up effortlessly.
"You agreed fast" he said as we resumed.
"I got tired and besides it's you who brought me here so deal with it" I kept my sight on the steps ahead ignoring the way his shoulder would stiffen every so often when my cold breath would fan his ears.
Or the way I was giving the color pH pigment of tomatoes a great competition.
The air has shifted between us and it was no longer playful. Instead it was heavy, laced with confusion and yet calmness. We covered four more of such floors until he brought me back to my feet as we stood in front of large iron door.
While I was admiring the smooth lever of the door, I heard a ungentlemanly curse leave the holy mouth of Edmund as he patted his pockets and jeans in search.
"I think I forgot the keys" the color drained from my face as his flushed of irritation. So much of hardship for nothing?
He looked at me with a morphing breach of apology and self hate while I blink at him.
I sighed, shoulders slouching in defeat when abruptly I realized something. The spark in my eyes must've been prominent as he frowned at me, confused.
I ran my fingers through my hair bun, thank god I decided to wear them up today. And as expected I found the single bobby pin that I had carelessly shoved inside in an attempt to make it look more sophisticated.
Twisting it into a desirable curve I got on my knees, working on the lock. When I felt the satisfied click, I smiled pulling the lever as the door groaned open.
Getting up I dusted my pants and clapped my hands off the rusty grease from the all the hard work only to witness a bewildered look etched on his face.
When he finally saw that I was waiting patiently to make a move or at least say something, his mouth opened and closed for a couple of times until he blurted out the obvious.
"You picked the lock?" I rolled my eyes as he grabs me by the shoulder slightly shaking it as he grins.
"You are a saviour" He breathed, with that he pushes, widening the door as a hefty gust of air welcomed me.
He grabs my wrist as we walk inside, the air was so thick that the rush of it past my ears felt like the static of waves from sea. Hugging my body tightly with one hand while other was entwined with Edmund i let him guide me to the end.
A glimpse at the view that expansed before my eyes had me dazed for a second. My heart felt the rush of ecstasy as a genuine smile splayed over my lips.
The glimmer from down town buzzed with life and tiny dotted moving transportations which appeared sluggish from up here. The skyline was a story entirely else as it silhouetted the starry night. The same one I had been oogling on at the backyard was intensely hundred times more breathtaking now.
"You like it?" I hear him ask, oddly it was husky and thick with something that was hard to decrypt as I felt his strong gaze on me.
"I love it." I giggled way too happy than I would like to admit. It's been years since I had the privilege to feel the environment of the city, and that too with such a prolific allurement. It was a modern uthopia in itself.
I felt him relax in contentment as he smiled at me, the warm brown eyes captivating mine with a sense of serenity.
It was so contrasting to the dominating and possessive replete that Alex assessed me with.
I gasped internally, perplexed at my unconscious comparison between these two.
"Do you come here often?" I ask breaking the contact as I leaned on the wall slightly, my waist pressing against the railing.
"Only when I feel that I am done with people and life in general" he walks, standing beside me. His elbows propped up, fingers enwind as he leans over.
"My Dad owns the Mall down here, and a couple of pent house belongs to our family. During unfortunate weekends they would try to mingle in. Throw a dinner party of some sort. It never went well so I often found myself hanging out alone here" he ran his hands over the spike of his hair and sighed. He looks at me as I stood blinking, with a pursed lips I give him a supportive smile.
"Now enough about me. Tell me how do you manage to be so perfect? Is there anything that you are not aware of?" He asks amused while I scoff at his unnatural over exaggerated praise.
"I am not perfect. In fact I am far from it"
He raises a brow his lips twitching in amusement.
"Kindly enlightened me" at his challenge I gear up to show him what I lacked. As odd it sounds I feel good when I point out my weaknesses. It makes me feel humane. But he had a way to rationalize everything.
"I can't drive"
"That can be changed"
"I suck at physical sports and any thing involving movements in general"
"You can be trained"
"I am scared of spiders"
"Aren't we all?"
"I can't swim" my body went still as soon as I said it out loud, it was in the spur of adrenaline and the regret of it surfaced enough over my face that even Edmund seem to notice it.
"Are you okay?" He ask gingerly as I nod, looking away from him to the dimming ferris wheel afar.
The thing about Edmund was he knows the way to get you to talk no matter what your present condition of dire is.
I soon found myself laughing at his jokes, exchaging few of the interest we share and ample amount of time spended in silence as we admired the beauty in front of us until we called it a night as we left the building. This time I used my legs to walk inspite of his offer which caused a blush to coat my cheeks.
"I still can't believe you drive around in a lamborghini" pouting I kicked a stray gravel from the ground as we walked side by side.
"It's nothing compared to the collection Lee has, and I still can't imagine you as a girl who likes EDMs" he chuckles as I snort remembering our little episode in the car when he shuffled through radio for some songs by Ed sheeran. Two minutes into it my hands immediately drawled to switch them into something I liked.
Soon the spectre by Alan Walker blared, the stereo vibrated. initially he was really surprised but got over the shock.
At a certain point we were in hysterics when I beat boxed for him as he rapped on cardi Bs portion to some song.
"If I have a bad day I would like to hear something that is loud enough to make me forget it and not remind me of how pathetic my life is" I reasoned as he nodded, lips twisting down in agreement.
"Makes sense" as we entered the building instead of turning right in the direction of our dorms,. he went the opposite way where our mail locker was situated at. He opened his and grabbed a box from inside as I waited for him.
"Here" he extended the box towards me as I frowned reading the label. A simple black logo of I phone in middle.
"I can't" taking a step back I locked my hands behind my back.
"Why not? It was my friends fault it's the least I could do" only one step was required by his long legs to come stand close to me and circle his arms back. He grabbed my hand and dropped the box in it.
"You don't have to do this" I looked at the ground my voice small, I don't want to have hopes of great happiness only to fall back in an abyss darker than before.
"I don't have to. I want to"the way he said it was enough to declare that there was no room for arguments. We had a stare match for a minute until I groaned sighing. When I muttered him a thanks as he beamed in victory.
I clutched it tightly, it's edge pressed into my stomach through my shirt as we navigated to his dorm. Before he could go inside I asked him one last question that has been nagging me.
"You called me a pantomath. A person who knows and wants to know everything."
At that he paused punching the pins as he looks at me, his eyes darkened deep in thought and something else unreadable as he nods.
"Does that make me annoying?" I squirmed as I basically laid down my insecurity to him. He merely chuckles, his face lighting up with friendly spirit.
"Far from it Elaine. I think it's really cute." I narrow my eyes at his flirty respone as I huffed, turning to leave when I feel his hands on my shoulder whirling me back.
The intensity in his eyes is the intial thing I notice as the playful smile was completely replaced by firm determination.
"It's not annoying, but most of the time I find myself wondering what would happen If I could shut you up by kissing those lips" his gaze for a split second drops down before looking up as I sucked in a deep breath.
Like a fish i gaped or anything that gapes in the most unlady like manner known to man kind until I delicately gathered few alphabets that is pronounced as
"What?"
He rolls his eyes, a barely there smile curving at the corner.
"Don't tell me you were clueless. I think by now you must've realized that I like you. Have been since the first day I saw you calculating my calorie intake." Each of his words made my heart leap with so many things that it was hard to shortlist it down. But one thing was for sure that it felt dread. But for what?
When I didn't answered anything he opened the door to his room.
"Think about it Elaine. I will wait for you. If not, then I win you over" with that he leaves me alone, the sound of door clicking shut snaps me back as I jump a little.
Remember when you have a dearly desperate demand to pee? And when you are finally getting on with the job, while the relief floods in your system.
The respite was similar as I entered the dark sanctuary of my room. Debating weather to contemplate the night or on were the hell i went wrong with directing misguided signals to Edmund, I tapped the wall until my fingers brushed against the switch. Turning it on I shrieked aloud , retreating a step,i planted my back against the closed door as with a shock strained eyes I watched an amused looking Alex seated comfortably on the swivel chair near my desk, a cigarette sat diligently between his index and middle.
"Took you long enough" his smooth utterance lurched me back from my flabbergasted state.
This is not a dream, he's actually here.In your room.
And it was the sole recognition needed to compel the fury in me as I glared at him.
"You can't be here" with a narrowed eyes I met his bored ones as he took a cig, leaving a stream of fog.
"Legally under this block I can be anywhere I want." He shrugs resuming back his previous action as he tilts his head to side, analysing me the same way he did before.
"Are you trying to change yourself?" He ask after a long pause as his scouring eyes meets mine, causing a sense of flutter to erupt over the pit of my stomach. Probably due to hunger.
Yeah right.
"I can do whatever I want with myself, It shouldn't concern you since it's the section of academy you own. Not me" the momentary celebration of victory over my choice of words was short lived as I saw him retire from his position as he got up, his eyes shaded and intense. Very much like a predator as he took his calculated steps towards me.
As he got close enough for my nose to pick up the faint scent of smoke and his signature menthols redolence I wished the wood behind me to deviate into a portal for another dimension. Though the logical part rendered that it was scientifically impossible. Yet.
I flinched slightly when his right free hand came up to my face. At my cowardness he raised his brows as I gritted my teeth. His hands moved past my face as it fumbled with the hair tie. Expertly he untied it as if he was a diplomat in that particular field. Even I managed to break few of my tress while doing so.
The bun came loose and soon it was cascading down my shoulder as it framed my face. Even then he didn't stopped until his fingers delicately ran over my scalp smoothing it to a presentable limit. All while I stood flustered under his concentrated gaze upon my head as I counted the seconds this would end.
"Wh_ what are you doing?" I stuttered shamelessly as he took a step back an scrutinised me as if admiring his handy work.
"I always liked you with your hair down." The causaul way he said it replaced my confusion to anger. Dare i say that his moody nature aggravates all sort of pathetic emotions in me that in the end leaves me vulnerable in a tenacious way.
But still I control it, the wrath in me caged for now as I watch his gaze drop to the carton in my hand. He eyes it the way one does when they see the carcass of a grass hopper they killed three days back.
I wasn't prepared when he swiftly took it from me and threw it at the bin next to the door. This time I didn't hold back
"What the hell is wrong with you?"I clamoured, looking at him with sick and tired sense of disbelief as he blankly walkes past me, I avert to side as I watch him open the door.
He pauses as he shuffled inside the jacket he wore and leans a little to slap the object in my hand. Without sparing me a glance he leaves, shutting the door behind him with such a sheer force that for a while I felt sorry for its hinges.
I try to cast an indifferent stare at the entity he gave me, but in vain as a soft warmth escalated in my chest as I looked at the phone. It even had the similar colour burst periodic table case that my old one had.
Sighing in what I term as fatigue, I dropped the mobile on my desk feeling the capacity of thinking draining through my head by the minutes. If all the farce and spectacle wasn't enough for the night my eyes lands upon the photo frame.
I bit back a small twitch of unconscious smile as I traced my fingers over the vandalized face of Nathan which now comically adored a colourful clown hair and dark pirate beard.
My sketches were sprawled over the table with its lids undone, and the farcical part was I don't even have to think twice about who the culprit was.
***