~smile's POV~
Uggggh! What have I done this time? What was I thinking yelling her name like that?
She looked confused as she just stared at me in anticipation. Well, there was no way to undo it so I just gathered enough confidence to confront her. I walked up to her and grabbed her hand lightly.
'Come with me. We need to talk' I whispered.
'Where-why?' she asked struggling away from my hold.
'Trust me' I assured her, knowing well she didn't look like a truster. She gazed at me for a while and then followed me hesitantly.
~rage's POV~
Was I actually following her right now? Sure, she seemed nice and trustworthy but I just got here, I'm not sure who to trust yet. Plus, I don't trust people so easily. Skye had made sure of that.
'First of all, I wanna apologize for the creepy approach' she started. 'And second, I wanna apologizing for the terrible first impression, I mean, Skye' she continued. I was a bit lost. I didn't find her approach creepy at all, and why was she apologizing on Skye's behalf. Were they sisters? They didn't look like sisters.
Skye was beautiful on the outside but ugly on the inside (I could tell). She on the other hand was beautiful either way (I could also tell). She had this optimistic cachet that everyone liked about her and she was admirable too. She had silky soft brown hair that was currently pinned to the sides, leaving her curtain bangs to sweep across her forehead. Her long lashes justified her captivating dark blue eyes. I wished I had eyes like that.
'It's no problem. Your approach wasn't creepy. I just found it quite loud, but friendly' I stated.
'Phew! I thought I made an even worse impression than Skye' she joked.
'About her...are you two sisters?' I asked
'No!' she yelled with disgust. 'What makes you think so?'
'Well, you are apologizing on her behalf'
'No I'm not. I'm apologizing for...…..um, the school. It's image, in your head' she said puzzled at her own words. It was obvious she hadn't planned this out.
'I get it' I assured her, unconsciously placing my hand on her shoulder. She looked at me then gave me the most welcoming smile I had ever been given my whole life. Her smile welcomed me more than the one I got from Noah and Gladys when they first welcomed me home. I surprisingly found warmth and appreciation in her smile, which was very unlike me. I didn't even find warmth or appreciation when I looked at the sun rise so why her. I guess her positivity was contagious. I wouldn't mind having her as a friend.
'What's your name?' I asked open-mindedly.
'I'm, smile' she answered grinning.
Did she just say her name was smile?
'Smile?!' I asked amazed.
'Mh-hmn' she nodded.
'I'm Rage' I smiled as well. Her positivity was contagious.
'Friends' she suggested.
I thought for a while as the last time I got excited about friendship was the last time I was humiliated. I searched her body with my eyes and she was clean. There was no coffee, no hidden camera…..no prank.
'Friends' I accepted. She grinned a lot wider this time and before I knew it, I was enveloped in a big tight hug. I wasn't a hugger but I would've hugged her back if she wasn't crushing my lungs. I tapped her lightly and she let go and chuckled.
'Sorry, I got a little excited' she apologized looking down at her hands.
'It's ok, I did too' I breathed.
'Ring-ring' the bell echoed through the halls.
It was the end of locker pass and I hadn't carried any books. Smile noticed I was anxious because just then she asked...
'What class are you having now?'
I couldn't remember so I took out my time table.
'Psychology'
'O.M.G, me too!' she jumped. 'Don't worry, my books are in here' she pointed at her bag, grabbed my hand again and ran off to class...…with me of course.
Psychology class was way on the east side of the block. We had to run if we wanted to make it in time. When we did, we were exhausted, sweaty and our hairs were a mess. We couldn't help running our hands through it before we entered the class. The teacher, Mrs Carmen, was already stationed at her normal position which was in front of the class, arms and legs crossed, leaning against her desk. She didn't look mad as she peeked at us and looked back at the class. She was less concerned.
'Is she always like this?' I whispered to smile.
'No. usually when she's happy' she whispered back.
I couldn't decipher if that was a good or bad thing so I just strode to the back of the class. There were only two seats left. Smile sat on the one on the left, the one behind someone I recognized. She had her head buried in her book and I couldn't see her face. I recognized that artificial grey hair somewhere before. The girl raised her head as she noticed I was prying at her.
Oh! How could I forget this significant and conspicuous grey hair? It was her. The girl I asked for directions.
Her eyes lit up when they met mine and I saw a flash of exuberance. I smiled genuinely but she only curved her lips slightly.
What did I expect though? She didn't look a bit like a smiler.
I took the seat right next to smile, the one behind Ace Axel.
Oh no! Was I really gonna have to sit behind this guy. He was a jock on neutral smarts but A++ looks. He derived pleasure from running his fingers through his dark brown hair and licking his pale pink lips flirtatiously. He had a tempting figure, muscular and masculine. He was dreamy....drool-worthy, for other girls anyway. The only thing I didn't like about him was his eyes, although they were a beautiful emerald pair, they always exuded sexual desire and lust. He was as well one of the RP's (rich and popular) like Skye. That didn't bother me though, I could be one of them if I really wanted to. What really bothered me was the fact this guy was like a magnet. He attracted girls in the worst way…..sex-wise. Not even girls he would keep, but girls he would discard if he got tired of them.
I was scared that I would eventually get attracted to him even if I didn't want to. He was already working his magic on me. His charming, seductive magic. Just yesterday he had told me that I was pretty and precious, like a rare jewel he would keep forever. He said I looked innocent...… 'Not for long' he smirked.
I felt his eyes following me as I passed his seat. I always felt uncomfortable when he looked at me or when I was around him. His gaze was prurient, and I felt his eyes could undress me.
At least I wasn't sitting in front of him, otherwise I would squirm and writhe in discomfort.
He turned his head not completely facing me then turned back without saying a word. Why was everyone doing that?
The rest of the lesson was brief and passed by quickly. So did the rest of the day. During the second recess, I tried to find Smile but I couldn't. I guess she had other things to do.....or maybe other friends to be with. I sighed and sat alone, a lot farther than everyone else. I might as well give Skye a piece of my mind if she showed up to bother me. I inhaled deeply and put my hands on my overlapped knee.
'Mind if I join you' a deep but gentle voice said and I felt someone sit beside me. I turned my head to take a look at the gentleman and it was him, Ace.
'Not at all' I muttered when I felt the exact opposite.
'You lonely?' he asked tilting his head.
'I just got here, haven't made friends yet' I muttered. I didn't have to tell him anything, it was none of his business.
'You seemed to have befriended Smile Woodland' he said cynically.
'So' I shot and he kept quiet.
Was I too harsh?
'Don't you have somewhere else to be, like with your friends?' I nodded towards the RP table. It was a circular plastic table; wide and red, with curved seats that separated at intervals. His seat though, was visibly empty.
'You're my friend' he frowned and I chuckled. His statement kinda amused me.
'What makes you think that?'
'I knew we would be friends the moment I laid eyes on you' his statement was clean…..innocent, but the way he said it, wasn't. Even his darkened gaze told me he meant otherwise. Somehow, that sent shivers down my spine and my whole body flushed a bright red. Probably not with anger, but embarrassment. He just knew what to say, didn't he?
I averted my gaze and looked down at my hands swiftly. I think I heard him mumble the word 'cute' before grabbing my chin and making me look at him.
'You're adorable when you blush, you know' he whispered in a husky tone.
No, no, nooo!!! Why was he doing this right now, and in front of everyone too. The feeling gradually crept in again; that suffocating aura that almost choked me to death. Everyone was staring. Some with excitement and some with distaste. The murmuring and giggling started off, then the glancing and glaring followed. I was in a hot seat. I didn't want any beef with the girls in this school; they were obsessive and possessive. They were all attracted to Ace and wanted his attention yet here he was, attracted to me and fishing my attention.
Couldn't he charm someone else?
They would probably all hate me now, especially Skye who was currently glaring at me.
I was too busy decoding everyone else's expression to notice Ace had leaned in and was now three inches away from me.
How-how dare him!?! Get close to me without my permission, no way!
Didn't he feel the heat, or sense the dangerous aura everyone else sensed. I was used to people being scared of me and not wanting to associate with me because of my hot temper. But him, he was complete opposite...but then again, I was used to people being attracted to me.
It was obvious what he was about to do so I immediately pushed him, hard and stood up quickly. 'Don't' was the only thing I managed to say when I wanted to say a lot more. Asshole! Dickhead!! Fuck-wit!!! We're the things I wanted to scream at him. I had kept my cool for long enough already. Since the people in this school were bent on pissing me off, they might as well have a taste of my bad side.
I let my gaze sweep across the crowd and I recognized two faces that made me think twice. I didn't know why, but a gut instinct told me not to disappoint them. It was Smile and the other girl I had asked for directions. I really needed to know her name. I'd call her grey-hair for now.
Calm down, rage.
I used the same technique as last time: I inhaled deeply and let out a heavy breath. That wouldn't work forever though. Some things are just safer outside a cage than in it. I bit my lower lip hard to prevent me from saying something vulgar or offensive, and then stormed out of the canteen.
'Who cares!? I don't give a damn!! That idiot!!!' I yelled carelessly as I stomped through the empty halls. I flushed red. Now, with rage.
I flung the girl's bathroom door open and splashed my face with water. It always cooled me down. When I looked up at my reflection, through semi blurry eyes, I saw someone familiar.
'You okay?' the person asked before my vision cleared out. It was Envy.
'I'm fine' I breathed.
'It's ok, you don't have to pretend in front of me' she said shaking her head. I looked at her through the mirror and looked back at myself. 'You don't have to worry about, Ace' she said mischievously.
'Don't do anything'
'Oh I won't' she smiled averting her gaze.
'What's that supposed to mean?' I asked suspicious.
'I won't do anything. You will'
If envy really wanted to join in and annoy me, she would get it. I turned and folded my hands at her. She was puzzling me by speaking in riddles.
'Neither of us will do anything'
'So you're gonna keep enduring their crap?' she asked and I looked the other way. She took some steps closer to me and cupped both my cheeks, rotating my head so that I faced her. 'I trust you won't'
She was right, again.
'Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names' she stated bleakly. It sounded a little personal, as if she wasn't even referring to my situation. I nodded slowly and then she let go. 'Bye and take care' she almost whispered before fading away.
I felt the visit really had no meaning. It was plain and rather like she was checking up on me. Ironically, I also felt she was a little enigmatic and there was more she wanted to tell me but couldn't.
I splashed my face one last time and walked out. I wore a moody expression for the rest of the day.
~smile's POV~
'You have to be kidding me! All my effort ruined. I just cheered her up and made her feel even the slightest bit welcomed, but playboy Ace couldn't resist stealing a kiss and pissing her off all over again' I rattled on through the halls as it was school over. I was worried and a little uneasy. What if she was in too much of a bad mood and didn't want to talk. Either way, I had to undo what Ace had done.
'That bastard!' I cursed.
I walked over to the front-field of the school, where everyone hanged out in wait of a cab, their parents or the bus. Well, everyone except the RP's, who would still be in the building doing something illegal or indecent.
I spotted her on the stone slab stairs. Her legs crossed and her hands supporting her weight on either side. It seemed like a happy position.....….or so I thought until I approached her and soaked in her real expression. She was mad. I wanted to retreat but I guess I was already close enough for her to feel my presence, she craned her head towards my direction and I smiled awkwardly.
'Um...hi' I waved. She gave a short smile and looked back at the neighbourhood adjacent the school.
I didn't say anything else in order not to annoy her. Instead, I crouched down and sat beside her.
'Sorry about what happened earlier' I said softly.
'You really need to stop apologizing on other people's behalf' she said almost irritated.
'I know'
'Why are you even being nice to me?' she asked coarsely which kinda soured my spirit.
'I don't know. You just looked like you needed a friend' I said looking down at my hands.
'I'm….sorry' she apologized obviously feeling bad.
'It's okay' I insisted even if it wasn't completely. She was being a little mean now.
'Don't worry too much. Ace is usually shameless' I continued changing the subject.
'I don't wanna talk about him' she said, politely this time.
I nodded respecting her decision. I didn't know what else to talk about so we just sat there in awkward silence.
A few minutes after, a carmine hatchback pulled up along the road. A man was in the driver's seat and a woman in the passenger's. The window retracted and a good-looking man probably in his late 30's came into view. A lovely red-headed lady as well in her late 30's tilted her head and grinned. Rage smiled in excitement and straightened herself. I guess those were her parents. She didn't look like them.
'Bye' she waved and hurried on to the car.
'Bye' I waved back. I became uncomfortable as I noticed her parents were staring at me. As in.....thorough examination. They eyed every part of me and inspected my whole being, with just their eyes. The lady then smiled and spoke to rage, before she turned and walked up to me.
'You mind spending the afternoon at my place' she asked carefully.