Elaine
"We won" Clarissa fist pumped the air as soon as we walked out of the auditorium, nodding I couldn't help the yawn that brewed over my lips.
But stopped on my tracks once I realised that she was looking at me with a hint of puzzlement and gracefulness, a small smile quirks at the corner.
"You look tired" she states as I agree with her with a shake of my head. I didn't took the pills yesterday, infact I disposed them into the toilet and flushed them farewell.
The decision was made within a spur of seconds, I won't let my pessimistic past self win over the better me. But it came with consequences as I barely blinked a sleep last night.
When I woke up to Clarrisa's call, who had been waiting for me to join in for the first phase of the official championship, I jumped from my bed realising that I was dead late.
Shuffling over my now only pair of uniform I ran through the corridor with my tie in a hand while other pulled over the blazer.
That reminds me to tie up my shoe lace so I crouched down. While fiddling the laces, I felt her gaze upon my head. When I looked up narrowing my eyes due the harsh sun rays from the large windows behind her, she simply smiled.
And I suddenly had the Urge to track this day down in my life's history, one whole week with her and this was the foremost bubbling emotion from her side diverted at me.
"What?" I ask when I was done, getting up I straitened the cuffes of my sleeve.
"I can't believe you barged inside the audi screaming I'm here simultaneously as you worked on your tie" blushing I sheepishly smiled at her, cringing a little at the memory when the principle, who was one among the meager amount of audience occasionally gave me disapproving stares.
That and also the way Clarissa appeared similar as to a dangerously ticking pressure cooker which would have no doubt exploded if I had stood her up.
"About that, I am really sorry. I kind of overslept" she rolled her eyes with the wave of her hand. But smirked when I yawned again.
"You were great out there" at her compliment even I can't deny the fact that we both make a great team. Not to brag but the way we demolished the buzzer alarm before rest of the students even surveyed the questions, it was like we were on fire.
"Thanks. But you were as much amazing"
"Congratulations ladies, though it wasn't a bit surprising. And that was one dramatic entry" Clarissa grumbled a thanks as I awkwardly smiled at Edmund who walked out of the entranceway as the events of the day prior flooded in seamlessly.
He was among one of the few attendees, probably because he was a president.
Behind him Mike came out muttering something about stupid lightening facilities not proving adaptable for his camera lenses. It was the first time I saw him fumbling and working with one. And by the looks of it, he had a high efficiency and dedication to this field.
When he was done mending the focus he looks up at me.
"What are you guys. Encyclopedias?" All three of us frown at him. Wasn't he suppose to wish us?
"Someone's really cranky" I cough as he rolls his eyes.
"Says the girl who looks like she's about to faint every single day." He retorts.
Edmund took a step towards him, probably in an attempt to intimidate him, taking him as some sort of bully. I stop him by placing my hands on his arms as i snort at Mike.
"Says the aspiring alzeimer who forgets his backpack to class" at that he smirks, with the shake of his head he walks away in a land of his own. Probably swimming in a pool of spinners.
"What was that?" Edmund raises a brow at me as I shrug. The void space next to me stated that Clarissa left a long way back.
I pouted thinking of ways to how to put up my relationship with Mike. We don't hate each other, but their isn't a hint of friendship too. We bicker, a lot. And since he was incapable of pitying, I find it oddly satisfying as he treats me more like a person and not some fragile damsel in distress.
"We have this spitfire thing going on. But we don't actually dislike each other." He nods. But the contemplating creases on his head said otherwise.
"Are you okay?" We start walking side by side. His concern hits the depth of yesterday's memories. I left his blazer by his door last night in a carry bag, but ignored his calls and texts along with Rileys. Who I own a lot of explanation to.
"I am fine Edmund. Thanks for what you did yesterday. I am in debt"
He stops in his tracks, and with a snap I find myself acting similar to him as I look at him.
"What's wrong?"I ask tentatively His eyes raw and subtle, stares at me.
"You don't have to be awkward around me Elaine. I like you and I am not going to hide my feelings. It doesn't mean that you should return the emotions instantly. I am willing to wait as long as it takes to win your heart" the sincerity and promise behind them and the boy in front of me was overwhelming to say the least. Not having any clue as how to response I hug him.
It takes both of us by surprise. Though I might be giving him wrong signals with my deeds. I let the moment draw in the much relief of a support system that I longed for. Even going as far as to the thought of giving ourselfs a chance. But that had to wait until I discover and clear things up.
When I stood back hastily I blush at the sight of him grinning like a child in christmas.
"Nice teeth Edmund" my compliment was met with a bigger grin.
"I am a happy man, so let me live" he leans, tuging at my wrist and drags me in the direction of cafeteria.
"Edmund, I don't think I should go in there"
As a reply his firms his hold upon me. When we step in the whispers follow, the glowering eyes upon us as we get our food. I duck my head low, trying to breath evenly.
"Do you trust me?" he asks when he grabs both of our lunch boxes.
I nod biting my lips in anxiousness, but one glimpse at his warm brown eyes and all deflated in a jiffy. Ditching his usual seat he traded it for the one were Riley and Jared had occupied.
When we sat down with them, there was a long terminated sanity by their side as Edmund ate and I watched them pleading mentally and telepathically trading some words of understanding.
Suddenly my phone pinged as I opened the text, lowering it down to the table.
Riley: EXPLAIN THIS!!!!
I was about to type a response when I felt someones presence hovering above me. The heart rate accelerated in warning bells as the three girls, who's vile ruthless nature had almost destroyed me.
But the contrasting part was when chilly appeared as if she losted her entire life saving in a freak accident. The hair was undone and swells of bags under her eyes like shes been crying. Crow and blondie were no better. In fact the looked worse.
"We are sorry for what happened yesterday. I was a bitch and you didn't deserve any of that" her voice cracked at the end, her hands were trembling in a discreet mannar before she curled them into a ball.
The way she said it, it was evident. The sickness of crushing her pride to bend in a way that is only possible when someone forces them to.
And that's when my eyes diverts to the Cliques table. Alex sat their with his eyes hooked upon our table. As if supervising his demands. The fork in his hands twirled patterns over the food on plate disconnectedly until his gaze landed on me. He looked away as if I wasn't even here.
"I hope you accept our apology" she gulped, probably at the bitter words that left her lips. She then twirls and walks away with the other two hot on their heels.
"Well that was quite unexpected" Edmund drawls out as i open my mouth to contribute my opinion, but the problem was I had none. And the one I expected, was the one I can't share.
We ate in silence, but my gaze flickered to were Alex sat every now and then. Until I watched him get up, preparing to leave. And that's when IÂ decided it was time.
"I should probably grab my books for the next class, I'll leave now" sliding up from my seat I throw a glace of indebted smile at Edmund. Willingly neglecting the way he frowned but nodded with a forced smile.
With that done I turned to pave my way out. When I finally spotted the white cluster of mop which wasn't challenging a bit, with surreptitious safe distance of eight steps to be appropriate I kept my pace standard as I followed him.
Though it was useless to be discreet when the end goal was actually to talk to him.
To my surprise he walked straight past the elevator and took the stairs up. I did the same, not losing his trail until he reached for the door at the dead end of stairs.
Once he disappeared inside I frowned at my actions. I was in front of a terrace door were I've never been to and the idea of interrogating Alex alone was tying my stomach into knots.
Was this even a good idea?
I didn't had enough time to blow up an answer as my hands clutched the lever and my legs carried me in. Before I know it, the smooth and filtered glow of white over cast welcomed me.
The opaque paneled white ceiling of the closed roof garden with angled square holders were the first thing I observed when I looked up.
The entire highland was decorated with aligned and maintained floras of different varieties with couches and round tables at the center. But the dust above them signified that they had been occasionally abandoned and not utilised.
"You still lack, you were quiet obvious while stalking me" sighing in embarrassment, tilting slightly at right I see him lean his back against a thick iron pole, that stood high up contributing a hold to premise the dome.
There was a distinctness in his eyes as he watched me, and in such natural blend of light I noticed the delicate things that I had neglected so far. The tenderness of the tensed lines over his eyes as he narrowed them in thoughtfulness or the screaming tired demeanour of his shoulder.
And it was all it needed for the realization to strike me. He was just broken and disturbed as I am. Sometimes it scares me how similar we were at point of junctures and yet so destructively different when it came to survival.
While I opted for patience, he acted on impulse.
"It was you" I state locking our gaze, there was no turning back now. "You made those girls apologize"
He blankly analyses me before altering the tables "What made you think so?"
I shake my head at his antics, going as far as to smiling sarcastically at him.
"If I suck at stalking, you are terrible at scaring people. It was obvious, they were terrified and I know only one person who can make that happen. So take a guess" when I was done, I expected a cold or equally stony response. But when his lips slowly curved to a smile and glimmer of amusement in his orbs grew I found myself having second thoughts.
"So tell me was it you?" badgering him once again I play with the hemline of my blazer uneasily.
"Yes"
"What?"
"It was me" he shrugs grabbing a pack of cigarettes from the pocket. I watch him place one it in his mouth before cupping it as he ignited his lighter to the bud.
Either it was the height of lunacy or mere anger at his frenzied doings, I stride towards him determined as he frowns me. But I don't let anything get into my mind from stopping me as I snatched the cigarette from his lips as let it fall to the floor. Stomping upon it with a hostile force i crush it under my feet all while looking dead in his eyes.
"I wasn't expecting that" he softly murmurs glimpsing over the dead, mutilated cigar and then at me. Dare I say smirking. The nerve of this guy.
"Why? Why do you care what they do to me? Isn't this what you wanted all along?" The question was out and so were the tingles of nervous anxiousness to the possible outcome of his response.
There was an elasticated seething and agitated pause as he clenched his jaws, the blue specks in his eyes dilated to dark animosity.
"You want to know what I want?" He growls, the soft hoarseness in his voice takes me by surprise as he takes a step towards me.
"Then listen. What I want is something even I can't understand. I want to break you so much that you will be so alone with no one else by yourside. And the next thing I want is to protect you from everything that even looks at you or very much as breath the same air as you" With each undoing, he took a step closer while i egressed, maintaining the distance. But his words were too powerful and hazardous enough to cage my heart in the most perplexed way possible.
"You make me crazy Elaine. The pain I want you to feel destroys me ten times more. And I am tired of hurting inside" he spat furiously, my back hits against a pole as he stops. My heart thundering like a crestfallen beast.
"I didn't confronted them in person. I know I would've done something that I'd regret terribly later. So I called scarlet's father who works under mine. Let's say he got really upset when I told him that his daughter was being a nuisance" my lips parts as i inhale blinking. The revelation sinking in, scarlet. That must be the the red heads name.
"Say something" he whispers, looking at me. I close my eyes frowning pensively. Snapping them back open when I felt him graze my cheek with his thumb. Wiping away the traitorous tear as his hand cupped my cheeks.
"I am sor_"
"I hate you" before he could finish I blurted out. His touch on me froze and so did he. I watched as the mist of his vulnerability clear into nothingness.
"What?"
"You heard me? I hate you Alex. For everything you put me through. But the thing I hate you the most for is confusing me ridiculously. We are best at repelling each other, fighting against it always ends in disaster. And you are toxic, and I have had enough of it" a blink of hurt passes over his features as I move away from him, stepping to the side as i turn to leave when he grips on my wrist pulling me back to him.
Circling his arm he presses us closer, his hold frim at the small of my back. And before I know what his intentions were, he leaned in. And I don't have to think twice as to why.
Being a genius certified was a platonic honor in itself, but with it's perks, comes some disadvantages as well. But the foremost angry thought was why was I even incripting my reaction in a negative way.
In other circumstances, a normal girl would've went on a dummy mannequin mode when they were about to have their first no warning kiss. But for me, I acted upon my reflexes as I brought my free hand, clamping my mouth shut.
As end result, I felt his lips land at the back of my fingers. It then I felt the softness of them on my skin did a little pang of self regret flushed through me. But it was gone as soon as his eyes snapped open, his brows scrunched up.Probably on the sensation of mystery of why my lips felt bony.
He slowly detached from his position, taking a step back he watched me intently while I stood dumb still covering my mouth.
One of his brows arched as his lips twitched.
"Only you Elaine. Only you can manage to stop yourself from being kissed" he chuckles, it was the sound that my ears never had an ounce of hope of hearing again. It was not mocking or bitter. But like as if he was actually surprised at what I did.
Gulping I pulled my hands back grimacing. He gives me a look of calculative gaze before asking a question that can't be answered.
"Why are you here? Why did you leave summerville?" I stared at the fence of orchids behind him. Lying was futile at this point, unlike. Riley and other members he knows things that won't quite intersect with my made up story. So I stay mum.
I hear him sigh faintly, I could sense him turn to leave and thats when I look at his retreating figure, but he halts after he took a couple of steps in the direction of the exit.
Confused I peer at the reason behind his break as my eyes widens at the extreme misfortune. Alex turns a little and looks at me, he even looks mildly delighted at my misery.
"Best of luck with that" his wish hangs heavily in the air as I watch him leave, slightly shifting at the entrance to pave himself a way were Riley stood with the most strengthful look of bewilderment I've Ever seen in a person.
My query behind her presence here died when I noticed my mobile in her clutch. The proverb haste makes waste sneakily was mocked by my conscience.
And when she opened her shocked laced mouth of hers. Evidently I cringed a little at her loud resonation of her tone.
"Did Alexander White just tried to kiss you?"
And that's how you know someone has witnessed way to much then you would like them to.
***