It was three days after Meredith stayed at my place. I remembered how she was gone before I even woke up. She had taken my poetry book. I couldn't understand why she would take that book—my personal poetry book. She could have picked any other book, but not that one. It was filled with trash.
I was terrible at writing poetry. I could easily recall lines from other poets, but when it came to writing something of my own, nothing worth reading ever came out. The mere thought of her reading those pages made me feel embarrassed.
Mr. Stephen walked into the class, his gaze sweeping across the room. He furrowed his brow and pressed his lips together.
"Where's Jack? I haven't seen him for the past four days. Does anyone know where he lives?"
Some students muttered under their breath while others simply shrugged. Mr. Stephen's sharp eyes scanned each face, searching for answers.
Meredith didn't say a word. She just stared at Mr. Stephen, feigning cluelessness in response to his question.
I didn't get it. Wasn't she at least acquainted with Jack in some way? Mr. Stephen's eyes landed on my desk, and slowly, I gazed down at the table, gently drumming my fingers on the cover of my book.
"Sir, Jaze knows where Jack lives. I bet Jack's mad at him because he broke his heart," Maze, one of the jocks, quipped.
Most of the students smirked or laughed, their chuckles echoing around the room. I could hear the girl from before bang her head on the table, amplifying the noise. The laughter continued.
At times like this, I often felt the urge to jump out the window and run all the way home. But this time, I was calm. It didn't hurt anymore—the laughter, the mockery. It was nothing.
My gaze drifted to Meredith, sitting cross-legged. She wore a black, mid-knee gored skirt paired with her usual gloves and a red top. Her foot dangled up and down rhythmically, and for a moment, I lost focus.
I didn't even hear Mr. Stephen calling my name.
"Jaze, where is your head at?!" Mr. Stephen barked, his tone sharp and demanding.
"I—sorry, Mr. Stephen. I have a slight headache," I muttered, my voice low. "Sorry for not listening."
"I don't need your apology, Jaze," Mr. Stephen said, his tone sharp with irritation. "Tell me, do you know why Jack hasn't shown up? It's been four days. It's fine if he wants to flunk the test, but he's got an opening game tomorrow."
He stared at me, waiting for an answer.
"I have no clue where he is. Haven't seen him," I replied, adjusting my glasses.
And I don't care if he jumped off a roof, I thought to myself, placing my hands on my book.
Mr. Stephen, at a loss for words,sighed deeply and turned back to the lesson.
The hours dragged on, but finally, school was over. I gathered my books, only for Maze to slam his fist down on them.
"Hey, loser. I see you've been smiling lately," he snarled, his left hand gripping my shoulder.
This idiot was really testing my patience.
"Haven't seen Jack, if that's what you're going to ask," I replied, brushing his arm off me.
He glared at me with disdain and raised his fist, ready to punch me, when a hand grabbed his wrist from behind.
"Jack is fine, Maze. Calm down, okay?" Meredith said firmly, her piercing gaze fixed on him.
Maze shook his arm free from her grasp, his expression shifting to surprise, then annoyance. He scoffed, smirking.
"I've got nothing against you, sugar. This is between me and the good old nerd here," he said, slamming his left hand on my shoulder and tightening his grip. "But if you keep standing there, trying to defend him, I'm going to start thinking you're a two-faced bitch who doesn't know her limits."
What the hell did he just say?
I shot up from my seat, and before I could think, my fist collided with his face. Most of the students had already left the classroom, but the few who stayed quickly scurried out in shock.
Maze hit the floor, staring up at me, flustered. Moments later, his expression darkened, and he got to his feet, ready to swing at me. Before he could, Meredith stepped between us.
He froze, stumbling back as if he'd seen a ghost. His face twisted in horror and panic as he collapsed to the floor.
"What… what are you?" he stammered, his voice trembling with fear.
I couldn't see what Meredith had done from where I stood behind her, but the sheer terror radiating from him was palpable. Meredith calmly pointed to the door with her thumb.
Maze scrambled to his feet and bolted, nearly tripping over himself in his rush to get out.
"God, you're amazing," I blurted, my mouth nearly agape.
Meredith turned to me, smiling, and gently took my hand. "Are you impressed?"
"I am, but how did you do that?" I asked, still bewildered.
"It doesn't matter what I did," she said softly, stepping closer. "You stood up for me."
Her sudden proximity made me backpedal until the edge of the desk pressed against my thigh. She cupped my face in her hands, leaning close to whisper in my ear.
"I have a surprise for you at midnight. Come to me."
With that, she withdrew her hands, smiled, and walked out of the classroom.
I stood there, my fingers trembling slightly. I clenched my fists against the desk, adjusted my glasses, and quickly darted after her.
I caught sight of her in the middle of the school hallway, walking at her usual unhurried pace. I ran to her and took her hand. The students around us stopped and stared, their faces a mix of shock and curiosity.
It felt like time slowed as I looked at her. She turned to me with a gentle smile, her fair skin and crimson eyes glowing with an otherworldly allure. Her dark hair cascaded around her, adding to the mysterious aura that made my heart race.
Everything about her was perfect. But what stood out the most were her slightly pointed upper canines, sharp and distinct, reminding me of someone—or something.
As we walked out of the school together, holding hands, I could feel the stares and hear the whispers around us. None of it mattered. All I could focus on was her.