Chapter Twelfth: The Brook
"GUESS WHAT?!!!" I screamed, holding both of Kim's hands in mine—almost ready to twirl her around.
I scrutinized her expressions. She placed a finger on her cheek and pretended to think of something.
Her black brows raised up high, as she twirled me around and said, "You and Justin got together!!!!"
I sighed, disappointed. I halted the revolving process and snorted at her.
"Bitch! That's what you are. You've been pushing me towards Justin a lot, lately. What's this really about Kim? I told you he thinks of me as a sister and I am totally fine with it." I whispered the last part. Because if anyone would've heard it, it would've been on the website with uncountable likes and comments on it.
And becoming the centre topic of bitching was not even the last thing on my list.
"I was just kidding. I swear. No hidden purpose." I wasn't convinced at all. I could sense when she lied and when she didn't. And this time she was lying.
"I don't trust you." I shrugged, slamming my locker shut and walking towards the cafeteria.
"Elle... at least tell me what was that you were so ecstatic about?"
I stopped and turned to face her. I was just too happy to run into a fight with her.
"I scored an A again!!!" I shrieked, almost dropping my books.
"Wow!! Now, that's definitely something new...." I ignored her sarcastic comment and rolled my eyes.
She's been quirky a lot, lately.
"Okay... I'm sorry, elle. There's something... I'm sorry that I took it out on you. I seriously didn't mean to. And I am happy you scored an A..." She trailed with puppy eyes and I just couldn't resist it. I hugged her.
"Today my treat...." I pulled apart and we looped arms together as we walked.
"Fine by me. By the way you coming to game with us—me, and then later to brook?" The way she asked, I could clearly feel how excited she was and, even I had a heart to party tonight.
"Sure..." I winked and took our usual seats on the table.
"Hey soph." I smiled at her, as she smiled back with a happy wave at me.
Actually I wasn't happy just for the grade I got. But, there was something else.
Nobody walked away from the fight which gave Justin's teammates an impression that he was scared of Justin. Justin got his reputation of being invincible back and the threat to lose his captainship had flown away.
Everyone wondered why Nobody did that but, guess only I knew why.
He did that for me.
Just thinking that made me smile for no reason!!
I just happen to look over to the counter where dark haired boy was doing his job. He hasn't looked at me yet... and not like I care if he do so...
"So..." I felt someone's hand on me and jerked back to reality.
I saw Sophie eyeing me and I gave out my sheepish-sorry smile. "Yup? Sorry, I missed it. What were you saying?"
"Yes you did. I was just asking if it's okay that i miss my first Friday tradition. Something has come up. I've to leave tonight." Sophie examined my expressions, as she was speaking.
She knew that The First Friday tradition meant a lot to me. It's probably nothing else than watching cliché girly movie with popcorn and pizza, and later gossiping about hot guys. But, it's the only night for girls hangout, which didn't include Justin and Martin.
"Guess, we'll have to make an exception then..." I said, with small smile though I was sad that she won't be able to make it.
Instead of using words to express her gratitude, she embraced me in her arms—with a firm grip that I started to cough.
She pulled away laughing. "Sorry bitch."
I chuckled, nodding.
"Hello beautiful ladies." A familiar voice made me jump. We turned around to smile at Justin.
He looked much better and was on his feet but, coach refused to let him play tonight.
"So, how did the convincing go?" I asked once he plopped down beside me.
He ran a hand through his blond and smiled, "Not good! Mr. Black too refused. Guess, I am watching my own game today..." The disappointment and sadness was crystal clear in his husky voice.
I draped arm over him, "Hey... don't be disheartened. It's fun to be an audience too. And it will also give you the chance to examine the loops in your teammates, if they have any." I tried to get him to see the positive side of his situation.
"Ya sure... that sounds fun." His tone just couldn't be more than boring it already was.
"Where's martin?" Kim poked and pushed back her lock of dark hair.
"Maybe he's in the practice...."
I just stopped listening to any conversation on my table when a strong familiar scent caught my attention and I turned my head around.
There he was. Nobody was serving the group of damsels their coffee. He moved closer to my table and started to refill another girl's empty cup when his eyes caught me staring at him.
Geez!
'He's watching you!!! Look away...'
But, it was as if my eyes were glued to his. I knew he was staring back but, it didn't make me dither my eyes away from his brownies. And no matter how stupidly my heart raced, I still couldn't break the eye contact and neither did he, until,
"Hey... watch out!" A girly voice shrieked and made us look away from each other.
He over filled her coffee and it spilled all on her. His expressions hardened and I felt sorry for him.
"Wooh... looks like someone's gonna lose his job." Justin commented loud enough to earn bunch of laugh from all around us.
But, Nobody didn't flinch. Composing himself, he turned around and strode back to his job--behind the counter.
Before Justin could comment again, "Don't. Leave... we don' want to lit any fire." I held Justin's hand and to my surprise he agreed with a nod—not extending the topic.
***
I took a sip from my plastic red glass and tucked my hands deeper in my coat. The night was breathtaking but, the wind was biting on my skin.
Thankfully, I wore my long black coat, which ended few inches below my hip. I tucked back the loose strand of my golden hair. The wind was crazy. I was trying hard to settle my hair down, again and again but, guess it was of no use. So, i let my hair freely sway wherever they liked to.
The lightning illuminated the trees and gave the lake a mesmerising look. The music was deafening, the crowd was drunk and young and wild.
Kim and Martin were dancing and cheering for the team. The team undoubtedly won. Actually we knew that we would won, so, we already had planned the after party.
Aria was an un-invited person—who trespassed along with her two minions and I wish I could kick her out but, Justin asked me to do nothing until she made a first move. So, I followed his order and nodded to him. He walked back to his teammates and hooted around, happily.
I drank my glass empty and then another. By then, I had lost the count of how many cups I had finished off. I was satisfied but, my eyes kept on looking for something--or should I say someone.
I wanted to thank him for backing out. For the first time, I wished to talk to him. I looked over my shoulder and I was tempted to take a walk. I held another cup from the hand of a random guy who was passing by and started to walk.
Humming a song to myself, abruptly, I halted in my tracks when a known but, not friendly figure was sitting with his legs dipped into the water and throwing rocks far away in the lake.
A small smile crawled upto my face. Finally...
I don't understand why I suddenly lit up on his sight, and neither did I wanted to understand any of it. I just wanted to sit beside him.
Gazing, I quietly noticed how he threw the rocks in the water with full force, making sure it reached as far as he wanted it to. Is he always angry?
I stumbled as I made my way to him and plopped down beside him. He looked surprised but, said nothing. His brown eyes drilling in mine. I just cracked a smile while he looked upfront again.
I dipped my feet and frantically pulled them back. "Woohhh... It's soooooo cold." I chuckled, placing a hand on my mouth, looking at him.
"What are you doing here?"
I couldn't help but grimace at him.
"Why are you always so... WHAT DO YOU WANT? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE... types? Can't you be HEY... HELLO... types?"
I held his arm as he flinched a bit but, didn't snatch it away. Basically, I was still holding onto his arm and it felt soooooo right to me.
"You're drunk." He stated and I dipped my feet back in the water, with a little shriek--but, this time I didn't pull them out.
He was absolutely right. Because, in my senses I would've never come and sat with him that too alone. But, right then, I wasn't feeling scared instead I felt safe.
"I was looking for you. But, I wasn't sure if-if I will find you in this party. I wanted to thank you." I replied to his question, gazing at the beautiful lake in front of me. It was just breathtaking.
"For what?" I could tell he's frowning at me.
"For backing out." I shrugged and smiled at him, looking in his eyes.
"I didn't do that for you. And I wasn't even planning to fight with your boyfriend anyway." He stated, dryly.
I furrowed and I could feel myself getting angry. "Ugh! You're so annoying!" I complained, pulling back the loose strand of my hair behind my ear.
I looked down at the water and saw how beautifully it portrayed the above sky. "Justin isn't my boyfriend. Stop calling him one! We're justtttttt friends!!!" I grumbled, pouting in the end at him.
I imagined his smiled. Or maybe he did smile.
"Whatever. I don't need to know. You can leave."
"Ouch," I faked a hurt and smirked.
"No... I also want to throw pebbles in the water..." I whined, with puppy eyes.
"Not here. You can sit anywhere if you want to do that." He said, gesturing towards empty space around me.
"But, I like the view from here."
"The view is same from everywhere." He grunted, shaking his hand a little.
"No, it's not. It's even better from here..." I said, furrowing at him. "It's beautiful." I said, looking directly into his eyes. They're...gorgeous. With a tint of yellow which I never noticed before.
I didn't realise I was still holding his arm and I was sitting close enough that our shoulders brushed together—whenever I moved. Not to mention, the goosebumps that erupted or the shiver which ran down my spine, with every touch.
"I..." I wanted to talk but, I was not sure what to say. It wasn't like we're friends.
"For whom did you do it?" I asked, facing him.
"What?" he raised his brow at me.
"You said, you didn't back-out for me. Then, for whom you did it?"
"I'm not a fighter, Reynold. I don't fight for fun."
I just nodded.
"Then, why did you fight last time you came to brook?" I asked, remembering what sophie told us on the lunch table—when we were having gossip time.
"Marcus was beating an innocent guy..."
"So, you're the night in the shining armour or something? Why do you have to always help them?"
Instead of replying me, he pulled his arm out of my grip and deadpanned looked at me. I hated that the little warmth was also taken away from me.
I realised that water wasn't cold as ice anymore to my feet.
I looked back at him and saw him running a hand through his dark hair. I wonder why he usually costumes cap when he has hair like that?
"Why are you here?"
Silence.
"Why do you keep asking me whys?"
Silence.
I asked series of question before asking some very idiotic ones. I think, I kinda liked pissing him off. It started to become part of my day.
"Why do you have to save everyone, making enemies for yourself?"
"Why do you care about any of it? You shouldn't even be here—dipping your feet in cold water, talking to me while your friends maybe looking for you!"
"Ugh!! No they won't! They have someone to be with."
I dragged myself closer to him. Not knowing why I just did that?
Because I am drunk. He was right in the beginning. Oh, god I am drunk and I intend to do tons of wrongs which I whole-heartedly regret in the morning.
"Why are you even here—" I placed my finger on his soft lips and whispered, "Shhh... don't. I don't know. Okay... so, stop asking me that. Why not tell me about you...I know nothing of you. Last night..." I stopped, remembering the events from last night. "You scared me off. But, I know you didn't mean to. So, I forgive you." I finished talking, with a grin on my face.
He blinked twice, removed my finger from his lips, and spoke, "I never asked for your forgiveness."
"But, I forgave you..." I argued, looking annoyed.
"I don't want it. Better keep it to yourself."
He frowned looking away, dropping my hand in my lap in the process.
Did I mention, I felt tingles running in my body when I touched his lips...
For few minutes, we both kept quiet and just stared upfront and heard owl growling in the woods somewhere.
"You know when I was eight, I used to come here almost every day..."
"Why? Did no one want you in your pretty huge mansion?"
I chuckled. I knew it was meant to hurt me but, I didn't find a point in getting grumpy on him. I already did that a lot. Didn't I? "Because my parents were never home and my house is—as you already quoted, pretty huge mansion—made of nothing but bricks and marbles. It was always so lonely in there.
"And I hated to be alone. I got scared a lot of times but, there wasn't anyone to hold my hand and tell me that it was okay. Though, marissa—my maid was there at times. But, not always." I explained, truthfully, pouring my heart out to the least important person—to whom I won't even talk to in the morning.
But, I wanted to talk to him. So, I did.
Tears formed in my eyes but, I brushed them away. It was a happy day.
His eyes gently looked at me as if he understood my pain... but, why was I even telling my personal things to him? Especially the things which I haven't told anyone? Not even to Kim or Justin...
I brushed off the unwelcomed feeling and decided to go by the moment.
"But, you know what... I got an A in history! So, I am verrrryyyyyy happy and our school won the basketball match tooo.... Yeahhh!!" I cheered with a little clap and laughed myself.
"You're definitely something different." He smirked and that's the first time I had seen any other true expression than his usual poker face.
His few dark strands were resting on his forehead. He was wearing an old looking black hoodie with pair of blue jeans. I couldn't help but notice his physique which was quite impressive. Oh, he's hot...
Yes, he is.
"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" I asked with a flirtatious smile on my lips, and he said nothing—as expected of him!
"You shouldn't be here. Your friends must be looking for you..." He repeated himself. His face, deadpanned, his face giving away nothing. His eyes gazed at the water, as he started throwing some small pebbles, totally evading my question and circuitously, ending our conversation.
I admired the small ripples which formed in the stagnant water, whenever the pebble touched the water.
His words slid into my rock-head. He was right, though.
Instinctively, I face-palmed myself with an 'OH' expression and hurriedly stood up, "Goodnight, Nobody. It was nice talking to you..." I slurred, stumbling making my way back to where the fire was lit and my friends were slurring out my name– probably looking for me.
Guess, he's right about a lot of things.