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~Still Author's pov~
Early afternoon sun cast a muted glow over the school tiles, painting the gray walls with streaks of soft orange.
Damian's tall silhouette moved steadily, the sight of his broad shoulders both maddening and intriguing. his steps unhurried yet purposeful.
Behind him, at a cautious distance, Vale trailed silently, her shoulders slightly hunched and her head bowed, the heels of her shoes scuffing lightly against the floor tiles
Vale's fingers intertwined and twisted nervously as she walked, her eyes flitting between Damian's back and the ground in front of her.
A chilly breeze weaved through the packed corridors, making the fallen Rose flowers skitter across the tiles like tiny dancers save for the occasional echo of distant laughter from students heading to the cafeteria or loitering in small clusters near the gates.
Her thoughts churned relentlessly, torn between the gnawing need to apologize and the fear of making a fool of herself.
Her heart thudded audibly in her chest, the weight of her indecision pressing down on her like a heavy shroud.
Vale's not one to be rude even if she was at fault or not she'd still like to apologise to the wronged just because of her conscience.
She wasn't brought up that way, people might think that it's a sign of weakness she portrayed, but it isn't, it's just a way of been mature.
Damian walked towards the entrance and out of the school and Vale followed behind him debating whether she should just stop him right now or wait for him to reach his destination.
The school gates loomed behind Vale, now distant as her steps echoed lightly against the sidewalk pavement.
The streets near the school were less crowded than usual, with only the occasional passerby.
The air was still, carrying the faint scent of freshly cut grass and distant exhaust fumes from cars passing by.
'He's probably just going out to get food or something'. She thought.
'Should I stop him now?' she wondered,
Her teeth grazing her bottom lip. But the idea of calling out to him seemed ridiculous. What if he snapped at her again? What if he dismissed her entirely?
'I can't just shout his name and apologize right? That'll be weird.. I'll just look like a dumb cartoon high school girl, no it would be better to wait until he stopped'. She thought to herself
Vale thought she could make it seem like they crossed paths coincidentally, and then she'd thank him for helping her and apologize for any misunderstanding.
She had even forgotten he helped her, she would have been expelled from school.
'well as much as he's a jerk and is rude he still helped me at least'
Even though his sharp words from earlier still stung, her conscience wouldn't let her move on without clearing the air.
Her upbringing didn't allow for grudges or unresolved tension, and regardless of Damian's attitude, she owed him this much.
But as she watched him, her mind wavered again.
'What if he doesn't care? What if I just end up looking weak?' She shook her head slightly, trying to banish the doubt creeping into her thoughts.
*BEEP*
The sharp vibration of her phone in her jacket pocket jolted her from her thoughts.
Startled, she pulled it out quickly and furrowed her eyebrows, the faint glow of the screen illuminating an unfamiliar number.
(UNKNOWN)
(🕸️): Do you know what happens to people like you?.
Her breath hitched as she read the message. A cold chill ran down her spine, and her fingers gripped the phone tightly.
She instinctively looked up at Damian's retreating figure.
His hands swung lightly at his sides, relaxed and carefree. He wasn't holding his phone..or was he?
Vale tilted her head slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of his face, but the distance and his tall frame made it impossible to see if he was typing or even looking her way.
Her heart raced. 'Is it him? Or is someone else watching me?
She thought of running up to him but what if it wasn't him and was some kind of stupid prank to make her embarrass herself.
She abruptly stopped her giraffe glances and clutched phone in her hand, thinking if she should reply or not.
With enough thoughts and courage Vale replied back and waited a reply, she stopped looking at him because he was now a little faraway.
Vale was thinking so hard that she had no idea sjey reduced her pace and was loosing sight of him little by little.
*BEEP*
The phone vibrated again, and she quickly glanced down at the new message.
(🕸️): You better know whom to try these with else you won't like me.
Her brows furrowed in confusion, her grip on the phone tightening.
'Was this suppose to be a threat? A joke?, well of it is it's not funny'
Vale hesitated, her thumb hovering over the screen as she debated whether to respond.
With shaky fingers, she typed a reply, her message short and cautious.
(❄️): Why talk about that?
(❄️):Who's this and what do you mean?
She hit send and waited, her heart pounding in her chest.
The silence around her seemed louder now, the faint rustle of leaves and distant chatter of students doing little to ease her growing unease.
Her phone beeped again indicating another message and ahe clicked it instantly hoping that it was that number.
Because with enough thought she was on the verge of blocking it,
'Who knows it could be Brielle trying to get back at me?'
*BEEP*
The reply came almost instantly.
(🕸️): Stop stalking me Valen!
Her stomach twisted. Only one person ever called her "Valen." Damian.
(🕸️): Stop following me!
(🕸️): it's getting annoying!
(🕸️): come on it's just a day we met!
(🕸️): are you this much of a creep?
(🕸️) You're annoying the shit outta me girl!....
...
(🕸️): Valen..you're not my type..
He paused a little before he typed the last sentence 'Valen you're not my type'
She froze, her chest tightening as she read the last line.
Her cheeks burned, a mix of embarrassment and indignation flooding her senses.
'Not like I cared if I'm his type or not.. he's so full of himself ' she thought, her grip on the phone tightening as her knuckles turned white.
But no matter how much she told herself his words didn't matter, they stung.
Damian's bluntness was like a slap to the face, stripping away her resolve and leaving her feeling exposed and foolish.
But nevertheless she was internally relieved as she saw the message.
Vale knew immediately that it was Damian because no one else would call her Valen?, except him.
'Well thank God it wasn't Brielle or Liora, else I would just block it...and that will ruin my day more than it has already been'
Now Vale was very much satisfied even with his insults because it's not one of their stupid pranks she'd get and at least she could apologise online right? Or maybe she should just tell him physically.
(❄️): Don't flatter yourself Mr
(❄️): the feeling is mutual
(❄️): I'm just following you because..
(❄️): I have something to say
(🕸️): Okay... Chat what you want to say,
(🕸️): I have reasonable things to do
(❄️): well it'd be better if we talk offline
(🕸️): why?
(🕸️): Do you want to propose or what?
(❄️): eww...no just stop walking first..
(🕸️): I'm busy
(❄️): you're just walking 👀
(🕸️): Don't waste my time Miss
(❄️): Is it so hard to just stop walking for a few seconds?
(🕸️): You're ruining mood girl
(❄️): I'm already following you.
(❄️): I can't just go back..
(❄️): just wait!..
(🕸️): Don't you understand English?
(🕸️): say it here or go back!
(❄️): I will go back
(❄️): but just wait...
Vale looked up from her phone and looked ahead of me, Damian was still walking ahead not even sparing her a glance after those rude words.
'Thst jerk!'
Vale's hand tightened around her phone as she read the last messagesje typed, her teeth pressing against her bottom lip.
Her cheeks flushed with irritation at his words, the audacity of his rudeness grating against her nerves.
She glanced up from the screen, catching sight of him still walking away, his strides confident, unconcerned.
He didn't even look back, not once.
"That animal!" Vale muttered under her breath, her frustration bubbling over.
She kicked at an imaginary stone on the sidewalk, her shoes barely grazing the pavement.
The flicker of anger in her chest felt hotter with each second that passed, and yet, a naive and foolish part of her still clung to the idea of saying what she needed to do.
Vale clenched her jaw, slipping the phone back into her pocket with more force than necessary.
She quickened her pace, determined to catch up with Damian and finally say her piece.
'I just need to thank him and apologize. That's it. Nothing more.' She repeated in her mind.
*BEEP*
She pulled her phone out as a message chimed in,
(🕸️): you have legs, don't you? Walk back!
She let out an audible scoff, brushing her hair back in a sharp, irritated motion. Her mind replayed his words, the smugness practically dripping from the text.
Her lips curled into a small, sarcastic smile as she muttered, "Walk back, huh? Maybe I should walk right over and shove him into traffic instead."
Vale internally cursed herself for been insistent on and even letting the thought of apologising and thanking him cross her mind, she kicked her foot in the air and sighed frustratingly while watching his figure vanish in the little crowd.
Fine! He doesn't deserve it at all!" she hissed under her breath, kicking at another imaginary pebble. Her voice grew louder, her words tumbling out in an incoherent mix of anger and indignation.
"I should just kick his stupid butt to the moon and back! Bald him with my bare hands! That jerk, that... that pabo!"
Her voice rose slightly at the end, but Damian was far enough ahead that he wouldn't have heard her. Vale inhaled sharply, trying to calm the erratic pounding of her heart.
"he doesn't deserve it at all, that asshole he's so freaking rude, such a douche bag, I'll just shove my hand down that nasty throat of his " she yelled.
Vale's gaze followed Damian's retreating figure, her eyes narrowing as he blended into the small crowd further ahead.
His indifference stung more than she wanted to admit, and the humiliation of trailing after him like some lost puppy twisted her stomach.
But as she rounded the corner. The street ahead was still bustling but Damian was gone.
'Where could he have gone so quickly?'
*BEEP*
(🕸️): what happened to your stalking skills?
(❄️): you said I should go back
(🕸️): it was a choice you picked it yourself
(❄️): Whatever
(🕸️): Are you already back in school?
Valen didn't reply him and just shoved the phone back in her pocket.
"Why am I even doing this?" she said bitterly, her frustration now laced with self-reproach.
(🕸️): Valen answer me!
She rolled her eyes and didn't reply....He doesn't deserve it. He doesn't deserve an apology, a thank you...anything! He's so rude, so insufferable.
"What was I thinking?"
Just as she turned on her heel to head back, a familiar figure caught her eye. Adrien.Her steps faltered, and she blinked rapidly to make sure she wasn't imagining things.
He was walking down the road, but something about him seemed... off. His face was partially hidden beneath a cap, a mask obscuring most of his features. The long coat he wore swayed gently with his steps, its hem brushing against his calves.
Why is he here....
~End of Author's pov~
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