I glared at him. I do owe him for saving me a while ago but this is all his fault for not going to school after all! His face looks troubled by me, well, I'm more troubled by him!
"Don't assume too much, I don't like you." He said in a monotone and turned his back against me.
I was deeply embarrassed I could feel my cheeks boiling in anger. All my gratitude and little respect for him were gone.
I gathered all my strength just so these papers will reach him, and throw them right at the back of his head. "Go to school, you freeloader!" I shouted.
People were staring at us.
My emotions were tangled up with anger, frustration, and embarrassment but the moment he faced me again, the moment those glaring eyes met mine, I flinched. He's like a large beast aiming for his prey. He took a step forward, I took a step backward. He took two steps forward, I took three steps backward until I felt him gathering his speed. I swiftly turn around and ran off as fast as I could.
After running at full speed, I stopped to catch my breath behind the light post at the corner of the street. Immediately look behind my back to check if someone is catching me, luckily there's none. I took a deep breath as I sat down behind that post, regaining my energy.
Is my anger a bit too much? But I never confessed to that guy and I never in my life liked someone especially his kind because I'm too focused on studying. His claim is absurd and a lot of people were there. Which part of our encounter does it make him think like that? Thinking about it makes me annoyed even more.
After maintaining my breath, I bought a large bottle of water at the near convenience store because I feel dehydrated from all the running and sweating. I saw a magazine rack where all magazines, newspapers, pocketbooks were mixed but my gaze was stuck in the pocket dictionary below. I told myself to not buy anything except for a bottle of water but to look for a second won't hurt, right?
As I was about to reach it, a man behind me suddenly grabs the book I was aiming for and deliberately put it in the cashier to buy it in front of me. I scowled but then remembers my goal, it's still better than wasting my money unintentionally. But just how rude can he be?
The man glanced at me and lifts a brow, he gave me a 'what the hell are you doing?' look so I also gave him a 'what the hell are you looking at?' look.
"Excuse me." A lady-like voice was coming from behind, my face heated when I became aware of my position. I was squatting in front of the rack and in front of me is a magazine section full of shirtless men!
I quickly stand up and defend myself. "I was about to look at the pocket dictionary you bought."
He gave me a funny look. "Okay."
How much more embarrassment do I have to experience?
I turn around and didn't bother to say more, this is just a mere encounter, he doesn't know me, and we won't have to see each other anymore. Those are the words that came out of my mind to comfort me while walking home.
It's already dark but luckily, the arcade and this street are just near the apartment. I won't have to go far away for the first place to search, right? It's a coincidence that I found him immediately.
But the papers… I recall what happened to those but I only remembered that he stomps on those helpless papers without mercy.
The sight of the familiar apartment relaxed me. The exhaustion from today's adventure infiltrates my whole body that as soon as I fell on my bed, darkness covered me up instantly.
Although it's dark, the silence of it is comforting. It's not blinding, unlike lightness.
The peace and quietness while sleeping are short-lived. I awake at the sudden burst of rock playing at a loud volume. What a despicable way of setting up an alarm. Unfortunately, it's not mine so I can't stop the noise easily.
The shouting lyrics of the song keep ringing in my ears making their way on my nerves. Is it a summoning song of a devil or what?
With my heated temper, I furiously followed the source of music, and as expected for the first time in history, the next door is being used. He's seriously doing this on purpose! But does he figured it out already that we're neighbors?
I endured the last few hours of his music while getting ready for school. I don't have the courage to interrupt him remembering what I've done yesterday and I should leave first before he does. I don't want to end up meeting him again.
But it's as if fate has been listening to me, it just doesn't want to do what I wish and instead, it does the exact opposite. I was about to head out but the music suddenly stopped, out of panic I hurriedly leave but the moment I step out of my room is also the exact moment my most avoided person appeared.
"Oh, we're neighbors!" He beamed as if he didn't show me a ferocious glare yesterday.
"Unfortunately." I copied his expression.
"What?"
"Nothing. I'll go ahead."
I was expecting him to breathe out a fire at me like a dragon but he didn't. Instead, he's acting all friendly following me behind! I still put up my guard though if he ever plans to stab my back or strangle me behind to death.
"Aren't you going to pester me like yesterday?"
You're the one who's pestering me though.
"Where are you going?"
Unlike you, I'm a busy student with goals to achieve.
"Why won't you answer me?"
I continue to walk as he keeps on blabbering things. If he follows me to school and his professor found him then good, if he stops following me then much better.
"I thought you like me?"
I stopped.
I felt him stop too as I turn my body towards him, his amused expression welcomes me.
"Can you stop?"
I never planned to talk back to him but his last question got me. I'm not guilty of his claim I just felt uneasy…and embarrassed.
"Why should I? You're following me yesterday too."
"I have my purpose."
"I also have my purpose."
I lift a brow at his counter statement. I remained silent for him to continue.
"Don't expect that I'll remain silent after you humiliate me."
Like magic, my memory of the happenstance yesterday flow like a river.
"What are you going to do?" I continue to show off an expressionless composure despite my overflowing fear and overthinking of what he might do.
"Are you so dumb that you're asking an opponent's plan?"
We both furrowed. I didn't want to waste much time so I ignored his question and continued to head to school. As I passed the gate, I look back.
"He didn't follow me, that's good." I sighed.
"What's good?" I stepped back at the sudden question of miss Rebecca. The professor who gave me the task.
"Good morning, ma'am."
"Yes, good morning. Have you done it?" She smiled expectantly.
"No. The papers… I tried to give it to him but…" I didn't actually try to 'give' it. I throw it.
"As expected. I thought you're saying something about good." She sighed. "But don't worry! I still have a lot of copies, you can give him those."
"No, please, don't. I don't want to do it anymore."
"But the book?" She smiled as she saw me hesitate for a second. "I'll add another book that you specifically want."
"Fine."
She knows how to get me.
It's irritating that I can't focus on the lesson just because of that guy. His words were bugging me, what if one day I'll be one of those people who were featured on the news stabbed a hundred times on the body and throw my limbs on a river far away? Given his reputation, the rumors circulating about him, and the fact that he's after me, it's a possibility.
Time passed by quickly, at this time I am expecting to head to work but because of that damn beast, I can't bring myself to go there.
An idea came up in my mind. I should just go there and since that place usually has no customers, I'll spend a little time there and take my leave!
My last hope crumbles as I watch the usual vacant billiard hall, now crowded.
"Suzi! What are you doing there standing so idly? Come now and work, we have lots of customers today." The landlord smiles brightly because of his booming business.
Among the crowd, a tall and massive man showing off his fangs with his wide grin like a wild beast stood out. His eyes found their way to me and lock his gaze as if I have no escape.
He's giving me a look that I should be wary of. As if he's setting a trap not only for today but until I submit myself to his dominance and let him swallow me to fill up his empty desires.