I planted myself in the tree for about an hour, my fingers dancing in the wind. With a wiggle of them, it sparked a few leaves to life. They fluttered around in the air, circling my body. Nothing was more peaceful, and the giddiness inside me soared. I liked my own company, as well as nature's, and the Journey song playing from the house vibrating the forest's grounds was my favorite.
Chaos and tranquility side by side, it was poetic. birds chirped amongst the branches tending to their young, while the backdoor would open, and a few inebriated people would tumble out, grab a smoke, and head back inside.
This time however, it was Coop emerging from the back door. I flicked my hand willing the leaves in the air to disappear, and conjured more onto the surrounding branches to give me better cover. I didn't desire to be seen, and he'd already been set off tonight. I peered through the spots in the leaves to find that he was pacing, and seemed frustrated.
He leapt off the porch, and made his way towards my tree. I stilled my breath and covered my mouth to avoid making any sound as he passed the trunk. For a second he paused directly under me, and looked around him. I prayed that he wouldn't look up, and to my surprise, he didn't. He just strayed further into the forest, kicking a few stones in his path. I saw the knuckles on his right hand peering out from his pocket and grimaced. He did a number on Brandon, and the cuts on his knuckles were proof of it.
I don't know what persuaded me to follow him through the trees in the forest, but I did. I'm naturally curious, and a part of me wondered how wound up he was. With caution, I leapt from branch to branch. I kept myself within the leaves' cover, and maneuvered my way through the trees with a nymph's grace. I tailed him all the way to a small pond covered with lily pads, without him noticing. I held back a snicker, being stealthy had its perks. I could avoid any interaction, and still entertain my curiosity.
Coop tossed a few stones into the pond, failing each attempt to get them to skip. His anger seemed to have strengthened his already godlike muscles, and they all sunk with force.
By the fourth one, he was mumbling a string of curses through his breath. He looked conflicted about the fight, even though he was the obvious victor. My heart clenched, and I found myself hopping onto a closer branch.
"Hey man" I whipped my head around to see that Trey had followed him to the pond. "Are you good? We can go home, your assignment is done." Trey attempted to reassure him, but Coop only shrugged it away.
"Nah, Trey, I'm just tired is all. I have a question though. You know that nymph, Oakley?"
Now that really piqued my interest. I leaned down a bit, shifting my weight. Trey transferred in two years ago, and we only had one class together. What could he possibly have to say about me, I didn't know him.
"I know of her. She likes the garden classes, skips around barefoot, and is friends with the hottest red headed fae on the planet." Trey gave a low whistle after he mentioned Ainsley. Of course he'd be attracted to her, everyone is, but Trey had a habit of playing with girl's hearts, and Ainsley was not a fan of games. I doubt she'd even sneak a glimpse his way.
"Yeah, well, I had an encounter with her earlier and I'm just confused. She's nice to everyone, but not one person can give me something beyond the surface level. Isn't that a bit weird?" He threw his hands up in the air. He seemed determined, and the blood in my veins froze.
So, he'd been asking around about me, and couldn't find what he wanted. That's all this was, information on me, not friendship. He wanted to know more about me, no doubt because I was going to be an assignment to him, that damn demigod.
My face heated in anger, and I couldn't help the leaves that fluttered around me angrily, and both of their heads snapped to my direction.
"Who's there?" Trey called out, coning his hands over his mouth, creating a megaphone. His words echoed in the trees, and birds around me fled to nearby trees.
I mumbled a few curse words, and hopped down from the tree's cover. Both of their eyes went wide, and I swear I saw a blush creep onto Cooper's face. I was angry, though, so I ignored that and stomped up to him.
"Why do you want information on me so badly, Coop?" I was fuming, and judging by his shocked expression, he still hadn't processed that I listened to their conversation.
"Woah, calm down there, little one." Trey's voice chimed in, and I pivoted in his direction. It irked me further that I had to crane my head for my eyes to meet his.
"Calm down? He's trying to play me for some kind of fool, and I knew it. He doesn't want to be my friend, I'm just a damn assignment to him." I did try to stay calm at first, considering I was the one eavesdropping, but I didn't like when my emotions were manipulated for someone's benefit. Job or other, It wasn't right.
"Woah! Hold on, Oakley. You aren't an assignment. Where did this come from?" His voice was thickened by an emotion...desperation, exasperation, I wasn't sure.
Coop ran a hand through his hair, and let out a strangled groan.
When my eyes met his, some of my anger had fizzled. Coop seemed sincere enough, but I wasn't going to risk anything. His eyes shifted a vibrant pink, and my own widened in fear. He noticed and shook his head furiously, the warm brown melting back into his irises. I collected myself, and my anger before responding.
"Out of the blue like this. Are you sure there's no other motive? That is highly unlikely Coop. You and I know that. Look, I can see past the whole arrow incident and scaring me out of a tree, but please, just leave it at that. Okay?" Desperation leaked from my words, and Coop sagged his shoulders, softening his eyes.
There was a reason that I didn't allow people to see past the surface of my personality. When people get too much information about your life, they start developing a closer relationship with you. I liked people and acquiring friends at an acquaintance level.
If they became permanent in my life, there was room for betrayal. Cooper looking for information on me, whether it be just for him, or something else, would lead to a close relationship in my future, and I would be damned to the underworld before I let that happen.
Trey coughed a little in surprise. "Arrow incident? You scared her out of a damn tree? What the hell Coop?" Trey pushed him as he started buckling over in laughter.
Coop smacked him across the back of the head and glared at him. Trey threw his hands up in surrender, and smirked at him.
"You are just messing this up left and right aren't you?" The fits of laughter exploding from Trey became a little infectious, and I let a giggle escape my lips.
Trey was goofy, and he actually lightened the mood enough for me to relax slightly.
"You could say that, Trey. Well that was a good laugh, I'll admit, but I am actually getting tired, and I have to head back to my dorm. It was good meeting you, and Cooper, please just listen to me for once. Goodnight." My attempt at exiting the conversation was thwarted when Coop turned to face me.
"Wait, Oakley. I swear I'm only trying to get to know you. There isn't a motive behind it, I'm just a curious and friendly guy. By the looks of it, you, little nymph, are just as curious." His words sunk in, and I deeply regretted following him. There was a taunting smile on his face.
"How about this, arrow boy. We can be friends, and talk about each other's day. Anything past the surface, and I will drown you, got it?" My voice wavered with uncertainty of accepting Coop's friendship, but I was tired, and in desperate need of sleep.
Truth was, beyond my own cynicism, Coop was a good friend to have. His only downside was he dug too deep for my liking.
"Wait, you mean it?" He spoke when the initial shock wore off, his face lighting up.
"Yes, but that means I am going to walk back to my dorm now. Goodnight...friend." It was awkward, but I gave each of them a soft smile before I turned on my heel and headed towards campus grounds.
I had to make it look like I would be going there to them and the others that were at the party, but I'd shake the stragglers and find my way to the caves eventually. However, I didn't know that Coop would too.