Chapter 12 - Let go

Shew spent an hour or two in the library after the school was over for the day. By the time she came out, it was almost dark and the parking lot was empty. She was accustomed to this quiet solitude she had developed for herself. It helped her think.

Her mind took her back to this afternoon. Seeing him was like standing bare and face to face with herself. She didn't know the reason for the effect he had on her but just one look at him every time easily stripped her off all the walls she had built around herself in the past years. She was for a fleeting moment just Shew- whenever he was around- who knew happiness and couldn't just care of anything else around her.

She knew better than this, she wasn't the same person so it wasn't good for her to dwell on these thoughts. She suppressed all her feelings once again and with a long breath walked towards her car. While opening the door her neck pricked, it was as if someone was watching her.

She turned around and saw a man watching her intently with a deep frown adorning his face. It looked like he was struggling with himself to a very tough decision.

It was the same man- no its Timo- her mind reminded her. Who was she kidding? Her brain and silent heart had never stopped wondering about him. He was constantly on her mind.

Even when she had faced her horrors, even when she went through torture, even in the times she killed and even when she regretted choosing this life- it always was the thoughts about him and his picture-perfect face which gave her the strength to get up and get going.

She honestly didn't understand how she had unconsciously made him- a stranger an anchor for her messy and dangerous life.

Sighing in resignation she shook her head at his nearing figure. It was wrong. Whatever she might want or whatever he was thinking, them being near each other was dangerous for him. She had to let go.

"I never could have imagined that stalking was your thing." Shew reprimanded him in a clipped tone.

"And I could have never guessed that lying was your thing," Timo said with a small smirk.

He was both aware and ashamed of his recent stalkerish tendencies but he really didn't know any other way to try and be near her. He could clearly sense that she was running away from him. And he simply couldn't accept it.

Shew's mood turned solemn at his playful attitude, "What are you doing here?"

She knew she couldn't blame him. He was in the dark.

"So you finally admit that you know me." Timo couldn't hide the excitement that he felt. She was no more treating him like a stranger.

"No, I don't know you. I just happen to run into you wherever I go." Shew shook her head.

How was it possible to know a person in a short amount of time? They had this weird connection thing going on between which didn't have any logic behind it. But Timo completely missed this point.

"Hey it's only been twice and this time-" Timo paused, an impossible thought came to his mind, "Wait a second-"

He took a closer look at her. Her dark chocolaty eyes sparked a recent memory in his mind. He took off the scarf tied around his neck while she was giving him a questioning look.

He then went ahead and covered her face and head with the scarf revealing only her eyes. The result was quite shocking to him. He wasn't sure of it before but now the pieces fell into place.

Eyeing his petrified state Shew helped herself in removing the scarf, the mild scent of cologne combined with a musky aroma was messing with her brain. The fragrance was intoxicating and quite arousing.

"Done with your inspection?" Shew remarked sarcastically.

Timo was still busy gathering his thoughts. To her sarcasm he could only give a half-hearted reply, "Y-you are the same girl from the other night?"

It sounded like a question rather than a statement.

"Of course and as promised my name is Shew."

"You are right we run into each other a lot." Timo chuckled helplessly. She was right.

"It's not good."

Shew was prepared to end whatever it was tonight. She didn't feel like playing games and endangering his life.

Her serious tone confused him. What was so wrong in it? Was he that repulsive to her?

"huh?" He could only stare at her in confusion.

Shew hesitated for a beat. His eyes were full of anticipation and childish expectation, "Us meeting and being in contact is not good-"

She tried to make her tone softer in order to not hurt him.

"Hey!"

Timo wanted to object but she didn't let him speak.

"No offence Kai but you are a celebrity, not just any but a freaking world star. You don't even know me-"

"But I do want to know you-" Timo tried to protest weakly.

Shew's glare silenced whatever argument he had planned. "Don't! It's not good for both of us."

Timo felt incredibly sad after that statement of hers. Nodding once in defeat he went back the way he had come.

Unbeknown to him a lone tear escaped the girl's eyes he had left behind. Shew was surprised to see the traitor tear. It was a clear indication of her sadness at seeing him hurt.

When her own future was in dark she didn't dare let it fall on other's bright possibilities.

Once more burying her pain she went back to her solitude but this time a soft scarf bearing the scent of the man- whom she knew would be trouble- accompanied her.