"The moon stood high in the night sky, full and proud. Its light softly caressing the smooth curvature of her hips, her skin pale and blemish-free. Her midnight locks swayed gently as she cast her eyes upon her lover in the sky. A tear, precious as pearls, slowly rolled down her blushed cheek as she wished for eternal night. Her eyes were a translucent blue, a deadly beauty she was. Lonely, she stood on the riverbed, unaware of the…"
"What are you reading?" a voice interrupts me.
I look up, startled, to see Cole standing in the doorway. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class right now?"
"Well, what can I say? I heard a lovely voice and had to see who its owner is," he replies, his broad shoulders filling the frame. He has a chiseled chin, midnight hair, and piercing blue eyes. His presence is intimidating, tall enough to block the doorway completely.
"You could just say you wanted to skip class, no need to try and sound poetic; it doesn't fit you," I retort, trying to keep my voice steady.
He sighs and takes the seat next to me. "Why are you so cold to me?"
Ah! Why is he so close? I suddenly feel extremely small, the air slightly suffocating. "It's who I am."
"So… what were you reading?"
"Moonlight Lover. Have you read it before?" I turn to look at him only to find him already gazing at me. Trying not to seem fazed, I quickly turn away.
"You're asking me if I've read it before?" he asks incredulously.
"Never mind…."
He huffs. "I'm truly curious… why do you dislike me so much? Am I not kind enough to you?" He leans closer, narrowing the space between us.
"Would you stop? I already have enough to deal with your obsessive fans; any more and I'd lose my mind."
"You know, you and I could—"
"Yoh, Cole!" a voice yells from the doorway, successfully breaking the tense atmosphere.
"Your friend's here… you should go."
For a split second, a chilling look passes over his face before he hides it behind a lazy smile. "We'll pick this up another time," he comments as he makes his way to the door.
"I'd rather we don't."
Giving me one last look, he leaves the room. Finally alone, I release the breath I had been holding. "Finally," I utter as I gather my things.
It's not that I don't like Cole per se, but those eyes of his. I know those eyes; I've seen them before. That look is the look of a predator out on a hunt for its next prey. Why don't I just avoid him, you may ask? I've tried countless times and learned the hard way why that is futile.
Cole Jackson: heir to the largest financial business in the country, JJ Empire. Rumor has it that the whole family is involved in the mafia. Multiple cases have been drawn up against them only to disappear the following day. It's ridiculous how someone from such a dangerous family could have such a huge group of followers, then again, it only seems normal in a school that caters to the wealthy and powerful. Many tell me I should feel privileged that such a character would pay attention to me, and yet every day I pray he gets tired of me and finds a new target. Others may not see it, but behind that lazy smile and soft gazes lies a wicked and twisted man. I've seen how those hands can destroy someone's future one moment and softly graze the skin of another the next. He is nothing but a frightening character, one I want nothing to do with.
"ARGHH!! This is so annoying!"
I grab my books and make my way to the cafeteria. Taking a deep breath, I enter. Frantically scanning over the numerous faces, my heart calms as I look into the familiar soft green eyes of my best friend.
"What took you so long? I already got your lunch."
"Sorry, I had a slight altercation."
"Mmm… anyway, the club's holding an initiation party this weekend for the newcomers. You're coming, right?"
"Party? I don't know. You know that's not really my scene."
"You don't have a choice. You do realize you're VP, right?"
"I just don't think… stop glaring at me like that, I'll go, okay?"
"It's cute how you thought you had a choice."
A sudden chill ran down my spine. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just felt weird for a sec…"
"By the way, have you seen the new transfer? I hear…"
B's voice fades as I focus on eating. Somehow, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. The day passed in a blur, and before I knew it, I was walking down the familiar road, my attention somewhere else.
We lived in a secluded neighbourhood, a gated community. Although I wouldn't call us rich, my parents were well off enough to send me to Soul Academy, although I personally preferred going to the local public school.
Before long, I found myself sitting at my hiding spot. Taking my sketchbook, I gaze at the cherry blossoms in full bloom. In front of me lay a vast lake, the cool spring breeze creating ripples across its surface. A lovely scent wafts in the air, reminding me of my mother's perfume. Days where I could bask underneath the soft sunlight shrouded in peace are quite rare for me. Soon, sunlight fades, and the stars peek through the clouds. Sighing, I put my sketchbook away. I didn't even notice it was already dark. The full moon suddenly reminded me of Moonlight Lover.
With Mozart softly playing in my ears, I make my way home. Just as I was about to enter our driveway, a cold breath blew past my cheek. My hair raised on ends as I whip around, startled, only to find myself alone. I broke out in cold sweat as a foreboding feeling settled deep in my gut. Without a second to waste, I quickly make my way inside, shutting the door behind me.
Eyes wide and trembling fingers, I tightly clutch my chest. Maybe I was mistaken, perhaps it was only the light, and yet I know deep down it wasn't just my imagination.
Cause surely, I had seen him, and he me. The bloodied man under the streetlight…
The night was unusually quiet, the stillness amplifying my racing thoughts. I tried to shake off the image of the bloodied man, telling myself it was a trick of the light, a figment of my overactive imagination. Yet, the sense of dread lingered, an uneasy weight in the pit of my stomach.
The next day at school, the atmosphere was no different. Students bustled about, oblivious to my internal turmoil. I tried to lose myself in the monotony of classes, but my mind kept drifting back to the previous night's encounter. Even the presence of my best friend, B, couldn't dispel the unease.
"Hey, you okay?" B asked, noticing my distraction during lunch.
"Yeah, just didn't sleep well," I lied, poking at my food.
"You sure? You seem out of it."
I forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."
B studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Well, if you need to talk, I'm here."
I nodded, grateful for the offer but unsure how to explain what I couldn't fully understand myself.
The day dragged on, each class blurring into the next. By the time the final bell rang, I was more than ready to leave. I packed up my things and made my way to my usual spot by the cherry blossom trees, hoping the tranquility would help clear my mind.
As I sat there, sketchbook in hand, I tried to lose myself in the peaceful surroundings. The soft rustling of leaves, the gentle ripple of the lake, the distant chirping of birds—all of it usually calmed me, but today, the serenity only served to highlight my anxiety.
I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear the footsteps approaching until it was too late.
"Hey."
I looked up, startled, to see Cole standing there, his hands shoved into his pockets. His usual confident demeanor was absent, replaced by a strange hesitance.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice sharper than intended.
He shrugged. "Just wanted to check on you. You seemed off today."
I bristled at his concern. "I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me."
"Maybe I want to," he said, his tone softening.
I scoffed. "yeah right"
He flinched, but quickly masked it with a lazy smile. "I know we're not the best of friends but can we be civil with each other?"
I look away, suppressing the inexplicable fear that suddenly enveloped me. I know he has never exactly done anything to me, but my body automatically goes on defense when he is near.
I quickly gather my things trying to avoid his eyes as best as I can.
"I'm fine" fighting back the urge to look back at him, i turn and walk away.
If only i knew.....