He smacked me.
Jorden smacked me on my head.
"I'll kill you" I gritted under my teeth.
I think I heard him mumble a "drama queen" but my mind was busy vacationing in Hawaii to refocus on reality.
"What the fuck are you doing. I knew you were lazy but gee, Katherine your dorm's like 20 steps far"
My eyes adjusted to the dark room in front of me. The teachers were given a choice to eat at their 'rooms' and I suppose the cleaning crew should have arrived anytime now as the clock showed a perfect 11:30.
The room was empty except me and Jorden 5 feet from me.
A part of me was sad for hailey not coming to look for me but I shoved that unpleasant thought aside while I came to the conclusion:
I had fallen asleep on the table as everyone left, probably thinking I was tired. Or they just didn't give a damn.
"Why are you here anyway? Planning to smuggle in leftover food?"
My effort to change the topic succeeded.
I hadn't planned to talk to him anytime soon in the trip after today's outburst, but what could I say?
"Ummm I forgot my phone here" he shrugged casually.
I subtly scrutinized his messy hair and distracted gaze.
My mouth opened without an order from my brain.
"Who?"
"Huh? Who what"
"Who did you hook up with Jorden"
I couldn't give less fucks about his 'social' life.
Why am I so disturbingly weird?
"Angela" and now the only thing occupying my mind was his fanatical gaze trying to pierce the shield around my eyes which blocked him out.
I believed the shield worked two ways, as his enigmatic eyes frustrated me as they always did, from the beginning of time.
I tried to force my mind to think of something else.
"It's Angelica"
I failed.
Why did I just say that?
"Actually it's Angela" he said, clearly as an effort to subsist the conversation.
He put his hands in his pockets and just stood there.
"You didn't have to hit me to wake me up"
"I did. You are the heaviest sleeper I know. And besides, it was barely a nudge"
It was.
After a long silence,
I soliloquized "you wanna go for a walk?"
I give up.
My mouth works on its own because my brain knows that this is the person I snapped at not even 6 hours ago.
Why were we pretending that this afternoon's events did not take place?
Note to myself: your brain can't function properly after 10pm.
After awkwardly reaching a small farm land, we plumped ourselves down on a broken old bench.
It felt profoundly weird; wrong, to sit here, making an effort at small talk, when we had oh so many issues.
Like we know each other's true selves.
Why did I get myself into this situation. I was seriously starting to wonder if there was something wrong with me when Jorden's question as if answering my thoughts, confirmed it.
"What were you and Parker taking about? Last I checked you both couldn't stand each other"
I didn't let myself think about Trey and his "I don't want anything to do with you" yet.
"He didn't tell you?" I fake gasped "I thought you guys were brothers"
He looked at me but didn't reply. We just sat there for a long time but it wasn't awkward.
I was occupied with swatting away the mosquitoes from my legs.
He was busy staring into the oblivion.
After 15 minutes of not trying to kill the mosquitoes, I stood up, subconsciously knowing he would follow me.
I liked people watching my back as I walked away, but I knew it would be torturing for him, trying not to look.
So, I waited for him to catch up.
After a few more seconds of silence, I began whistling.
"So this afternoon cats"
I stopped for a quick second, analyzing his words, and continued.
I replayed the big mess that was the events of that day, in my head.
Which apparently no longer had any control on what I said.
"I'm sorry I didn't say anything"
I didn't say anything.
"I wanted to answer."
Nothing.
"I knew what to say. I just couldn't"
Okay.
"I'm sorry Katherine"
"It's cool Den. It was one of those impulsive moments when I lost it. I'm not saying I regret it, but I'm sorry too I guess."
"And I'm sorry for implying you like that guy. That was dumb. As if you'd like anyone remotely like Brad"
I didn't get what he meant by that, so I let it slide.
"I'm sorry for slapping you."
"You are?" You could hear the wonder in his voice from 10 miles.
"Who am I kidding- No I'm not" We both chuckled.
This felt, surreal.
In so many ways.
Well, the universe works in mysterious ways
"How is your mom?"
This was starting to get weird now. I hate facades, and that was what we were doing now.
"She's good" I mumbled.
"Your dad?"
"Good."
"Hailey?"
Never mind.
"This is ridiculous Jorden. We haven't had a decent conversation since 3 months, we hate each other and I slapped you- which can be considered as assault, a few hours ago."
He just snorted in response.
"Why are we pretending like nothing happened"
This was what I really wanted to ask.
But I knew he wouldn't answer.
"Because, it's easier"
That was the first time I stopped and looked at him.
His eyes were fixed on a spot on the ground as he slowly walked forward.
"Easier than what?" I barely whispered, loud enough to know he heard it.
I ran up to be in front of him, for an answer, our faces inches apart.
The answer was surprising; unusual.
He looked in my eyes, and smiled.
A genuine smile.
He rarely ever smiled; Smirk- always.
"You know, one of these days, you've got to give me a solid answer for my questions"
His smile widened.
I joined him as we walked silently for another minute.
"You know, I don't hate you cats"
At this point, my mind was already asleep. I've had so many surprises that even if someone tells me that country music is better than rock music, I wouldn't care.
"Yeah I know"
"Do you?"
"What?"
"Hate me"
"Yes"
"No you don't"
"No I don't"
"I know"
I was not in a state to comprehend the words.
We reached our building which was now cleaned out.
God, how long were we out?
I tried to remember if there was a rule against going out at night but then I realized I didn't read the thing.
I shoved it in the bin along with the chips wrappers.
The clock showed around 1:00 am.
Shit. I have to wake up in 5 hours now.
You can't eat as much as I do and still have the nice-ish body I have, without working out.
I know that contradicts my whole lazy persona, but working out makes me happy.
I forgot about his presence till I reached the girl's dorm staircase and he poked me on the back.
"Ughh goodnight" I murmured.
"You gonna workout tomorrow?"
"Yes"
"Okay"
"Okay"
Silence.
"You wanna forget today and pretend nothing happened?"
I didn't want to. I had to. That's what was good for me.
"Yes please"
"Okay"
"Okay"
I can't have another round of this. I turned around and climbed up.
He reached his staircase when he spoke again,
"And Katherine, I didn't cheat on you."
And he left.