"A-Are you okay, Ma'am? I'm really sorry! I didn't know how it happened but I just felt the car moving towards another direction like it was controlled by some unknown force ..." the driver said with confusion. We're stuck at the side of intersection with a lot of different noises outside.
I didn't listen to what he had to say and immediately offered the fare to get out.
My heart leaped when I saw Carter outside, standing right before me with his big bike behind him. He examined me with a look as if he was looking for me wrong. I gripped at the hem of my jacket's oversized sleeve when he lifted his head back to meet my gaze.
"Are you hurt?" the gentleness of his voice was like a sweet melody in my ears.
I shook my head quickly, glancing at the truck again, checking if there was any casualties. But because of the crowd of people around I could no longer see what was going on there. Thinking of the possible damages and injuries the people inside the restaurant had left my stomach churning in pity and terror.
"How can you think of others at this moment when you barely survived?" Carter asked coldly. His sharp tone emphasized his controlled fury. But I wasn't surprised there. Did he just told me indirectly that he read what was running on my mind?
"How... did you do that?"
He ran his fingers on his hair and drew a deep sigh. His face was darker, like a ramrod soldier ready to commit himself on a war.
"What do you mean?" he whispered through gritted teeth. How could he show concern earlier and now, anger? I can't understand him. His actions and words are damn frustrating.
"Reading what's on my head."
He shook once, his fist clenched to the side and his jaw clenched.
"So now you're saying I read your mind." He smirked. "You have such a pretty wild imagination, don't you?"
I bit my lower lip harshly, pissed of the tone he used. It was kind of insulting.
"I just know what you were thinking because it was written all over your face. That's it, Eve. Don't push your mind too much."
I gasped and glanced at my boots. Am I really at fault? Was my mind working beyond its capabilities? Was I really pushing my imagination too much? But everyone else told me that I'm not good at expressions. But Carter sounded so sure when he voiced out what's on my mind. And the last time we met he just answered the question in my brain. Was it only a coincidence? But what am I trying to prove, anyway?
"Why are you here?" I mumbled.
He could not answer. Was he supposed to be in the school?
"Never mind. It's out of my business," I snapped. "I'll go ahead."
I was about to turn my back on him but he was fast enough to hold my wrist. I stayed still as he watched me closely. I looked down at his hand. It immediately left my wrist.
"I'll come with you."
"And why would you do that?"
"To ensure your safety."
My forehead creased. "Why? Am I in danger?" I mocked. "Don't worry, Carter. I'd be fine. Now, would you mind if I go? I have some errands to run."
"Eve..." he groaned.
I looked at him without emotion and turned my back on him. I crossed the road and looked at the supermarket in the distance. Honestly, I don't know why I am this pissed over a petty thing. But I can't just ignore those bizarre things I see or feel when I'm with him. I feel like he's hiding something. I feel like he's lying. It was a strange observation but I can feel that something in him is... inhuman. I can't explain but I feel like he can do so much more compared to a normal person. I know it sounds insane. And I get annoyed every time he denies that. I don't want him making me look like a fool.
After buying all the things on Mom's list, I immediately left the supermarket. The rest of the night, I spent my time on my room, listening to my newly downloaded audiobook. Though, I stopped after about an hour. I lost focus and could no longer concentrate on what I was listening to. Carter's confused face flashed in my mind and I felt fucked up.
Was I too hard on him? What if my brain is really the problem? What if he doesn't really see the essence of my weird observations? What if he's just any other guy wanting to be friend with me? Wanting to be friend with you? Really? Sounds ridiculous.
I was summoned by my professors because of my absence the next day. I don't know if Edmonds have strict rules when it comes to attendance or the profs just took advantage of my mistake to give me a session of chastising. It was nerve-racking, really. I thought that was just up there. But I got scolded again when I almost broke a glass tube in the laboratory. I feel like there is no end to the insult it will take me. It was so embarrassing that I almost lose my senses.
I sighed and closed my eyes, just about to squeeze my head inside the locker after a series of misfortunes I had encountered. If I only knew that this is the life waiting for me here, I wished I just kicked Natalia out of Dad's house. I shouldn't be the one suffering.
"Tired?"
I cursed myself at the back of my head for recognizing the voice quickly like I've known the sound of it all my life rather than knowing it for just barely two weeks. I turned slowly, unwillingly. Standing next to me, the perfect man was staring down at me with unreadable expression. I gave him a wary look.
"Isn't it obvious?" I asked with an unintentional note of petulance in my voice. Students nearby noticed his presence around me and I can see their obvious annoyance. I snorted, feeling sicker by the second.
"I'm sorry about last time." He sounded sincere. "I was just trying to be a good company. And the other time, too."
"No. It's fine. No big deal." I crooked a pettish smile, trying to be a good girl. I should be building connections, not blocking it. I should not give people more reasons to hate me.
"I guess I'm the one who should apologize. It's... um, about the weird observations. I'm sorry for going below the belt, if ever I offended you."
I stomped my left foot slightly against the floor, feeling the heavy atmosphere surrounding us. I know it's right to apologize but I felt like there's wrong with it. The big puzzle about him is still on my head. I can't get it out of my mind. It was like a very difficult riddle I need to figure out.
"It's fine," he whispered.
"Now you already apologized. Why are you still here?" I turned back to my locker and fixed my things. He leaned on the locker next to mine. At the corner of my eyes, I saw how he's suppressing a smile. That annoyed me more.
"Guess it."
I frowned, uninterested. "Do I look like a clairvoyant to you? If you remember, I told you I only have an average brain. I don't even have high IQ. I'm not a good reader either. I'm not like you..." I emphasized the last few words on purpose. Maybe it could trigger something. I don't know. All I know is that I should discover something about him. Like a code I need to decipher.
"A simple guess will do, Eve. You're absurd." His tone was serious.
"I'm not." I locked my locker and turned to him. I almost took a step backward when I saw how intense his gaze was.
"Fine. I'll tell you." He crouched a little to watch me closer. More serious. A lot more intense. Darker.
"What it is, then?" my voice almost broke into delicate pieces of glass.
"I want you to be my date on the ball."
"Are you trying to be funny?" I leaned on the locker and smiled as I meet his gaze. The smile didn't reach my eyes, though. It was meant to mock him. But it faded so soon when his expression remained serious, stone-hard.
"No."
"Wasn't that supposed to be a joke?" I asked, unsmiling now.
"Did it sound like that to you?" He is still serious and I felt the atmosphere between us getting heavier. Why would he ask me to be his date, anyway? Isn't he aware that most, in not all, of the students here and even the professors hate me?
"I wasn't joking, Eve. I meant what I said." Now, that sounds clearer. But not sure if he's on his right mind.
"I'm not going, Carter. I won't attend the ball. Better find another date. Besides, I don't think I'd enjoy it. I'd rather go to Alderwood Mall and shop."
He didn't speak for a while and just stood there, staring. I fixed my eyes on his unreadable face, trying to decipher his thoughts but I failed miserably.
"I'll give you a ride, then," he finally spoke. His voice was velvety, almost muted.
"And then what? You'd leave me hanging after you offered? Just like before. If that's the case, I must say, I can do it alone." I walked passed him, taking the path that would lead me to the library. He stalked me, though.
"I'm sorry if that made you upset. I won't do it again," he promised.