꧁0:10

The wind was strangely relaxing as it danced around my figure. The fresh air soothed my veins and lightened my mind. I felt like floating in the shadows of all my unwanted troubles, wanting to sleep and be with the wind by-

"Hey again, I think we've met before?" a husky male interrupted my thoughts.

I forced my eyes to peer at the demon. He stood in the wind too; hair wildly cast in the breeze, creating a hot mess. The beams coming from the sun overhead made his blonde hair resemble Gold. Confidently, he presented himself in that uniform, looking dreadfully gorgeous - I detest to admit, but he has lured my attention. His eyes glistened blazingly. The guy could've passed for an Angel in disguise.

Except he would never be.

He was the embodiment of the pit of hell itself. Satan's twin, a predator undercover, the spawn of the very devil, a ludicrous-

"No, we did not," I jeered bluntly and wished I could let him feel the growing resentment leaking out of me. To distract myself from getting blood on my hands, I turned back to the wind.

Evander had hauled me to the rooftop without an explanation and a fucking nerve to drag me here and touch a part of my body which I considered private! I tried to hinder him along the way as we bumped into people looking at us suspiciously, but that didn't stop him.

"Weird. If that's the case, then may I have the pleasure to introduce myself, pretty girl?" he asked like a gentleman taking my hand in his, bending down and pretending to kiss it.

He has got to be joking.

"I'm the one who should ask if you're mentally stable," I scoffed. Honestly, I don't know what's gotten into me but something in me wanted to play along with the charades. "You fucking may as well get on so I can get moving with my plans to wipe yourself of existence."

"Well then, pretty niña," he ignored my menacing threats, standing straight up, which brought euphoric tingles over my skin. "I am Señor Evander Leos, and what may your name be?"

Again. He called himself a Leos. I stood disheartened for a while, letting the wind blow strands of my hair onto my face. I slowly moved them away. "The Grim Reaper, Señor Asshole," I drawled.

Of course, I had my share of Spanish, but I was no expert.

"What an artistic name, just like the girl who owns it." God, this was too much. His performance skills are so cliche.

"Why did you bring me here, Evander?" I growled, wrapping my arms consciously around myself.

"Eve," he insisted.

"Fine. Eve?" I circled my eyes. He was so unbelievable.

He turned around and walked towards the edge of the roof staring at the horizon. I had no choice but to follow him. and stood beside him as he lifted his hand and pointed towards the atmosphere.

"Beautiful isn't it - the sky. So many clouds about, I'm pretty sure it's going to rain tonight. But look down there. We can see everything when we're standing here, almost the whole of New York City." he said making me nod. I didn't get it. I'm supposed to be demanding apologies and hopefully slap him as I delivered a dramatic exit. But here I was watching the damn sky too.

"There's so many skyscrapers here that it's almost impossible to see the starry sky at night, but the whole city is laid out like a maze under us." That was true. Our school building was large and tall we could see almost everything.

I haven't a clue where he was going, but I couldn't wait any longer. I needed to know why I was here. "Why did you bring me here?" I demanded impatiently. He didn't reply. Instead, he went on gazing at the horizon, not speaking.

"Do you see that big patch of empty barren land?" he pointed with his eyes, now focused on the outstretched property at the other end of the city. If my guess ain't wrong, I presumed he was talking about the abandoned construction site.

Or how me and Angelique liked to personally call it - The Outback.

Want to hear a little secret?

We have had our crazy adventures in there. Not just once but many and our first was one to treasure. It's been a while since we've been there, doing all those - stuff.

Today morning was the first in months.

"Yeah...what about it?" I gave a puzzled face.

"It's an interesting place to hang out in. Lots of teenagers and drunkards partying there till the break of dawn, doing their things. Have you been there?" he queried and felt a pair of eyes watching me. I shifted to face him giving me a look and I couldn't decide whether I should grab the opportunity to smack it and storm out or gawk at his flawless skin.

"What?" I asked awkwardly. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

"So many questions, but you still didn't answer mine," he chuckled, a grin made its way to the end of his lips.

"Yeah. I've been there before." His eyes perked and now he was looking like he wanted to study me. I immediately put both my hands on my hips and knocked my eyebrows together. "Cut to the chase, I have to get back to class soon. What do you want to know?"

"I want to know whether it was all that drifting that made your car all dusty today morning and the reason why you were late for school," he revealed.

I was shocked. How did he know?

"Were you stalking me?" I asked in horror.

His eyes widened. "Of course not."

"Then how do you explain the question you just asked?" I prodded.

"Well..." he thought. "Alright, I'll be honest with you."

"You see I woke up late today after that appointment yesterday and-"

"Oh, you don't have to lie about that to me, Eve, you can tell me what happened you know? To make it fair between us, and don't worry. I won't tell anyone," I chuckled darkly, but he gave me a calm smile. "Oh, come on that lie you made up was almost believable that I nearly fell for it."

"I wasn't lying when I mentioned my reason." The ever insisting bastard. My laugh died with confusion and slowly felt my face heat up.

"Seriously?"

He nodded. Dang!

"Oh, umm...w-well that's..." I stuttered feeling embarrassed and stared at my shoes. "I guess-" Then I remembered.

I tore my eyes away from my shoes and saw him ruffle his hair, eyes twinkling. Suddenly, I glared straight through his head. "You owe me an apology."

Evander gave a deep chuckle. "I think I do. I'm sorry."

Simple and clear, but meaningless?

"I don't believe you."

"Look, something came over and it was wrong of me to have done it. I can't explain anymore, but can we forget about it and be friends?" he brightly flashed his teeth with an apologetic tone. I knew I couldn't stay mad at him forever. It was an unintentional act.

I sighed. "Friends. That's it." His smile turned into an even larger one if that was possible. My insides cringed. Please, God. Not another optimistic bug. "But stay 6 feet away. I'm still affected."

Evander's face contorted to a heavy frown but quickly replied," I'm extremely sorry. I didn't mean to do it," he said in a low tone. I knew what he was doing and that was blaming himself roughly.

"Okay, enough." I sassed. "I can't deal with all these emotions so why don't we switch topics. Everything's accepted, but that's unless you stick your hands to yourself." Evander transformed into an adorable pup when he agreed willingly. I breathed wearily.

"So, was that you in there this morning?" he changed topic.

I bit my lip in hesitation but knew I was cornered. My car was the evidence. "Yeah, that was me," I admitted. "And why are you so interested anyway?"

"Because it was fresh and I didn't know girls could drive badass. I'm impressed."

I was dumbstruck; was he joking? Which century was he living in?

"Hey, that's offensive on my behalf!" I stuck my middle finger out, giving him the stink eye. "Everyone's different. Don't be so quick to judge on appearance. Get you're head out of the gutter - we're not living in the 18th century."

For a solid 5 seconds, he had gone silent. "I know, Gab, I was just kidding," he stifled a sheepishly. I pouted before I realized that it was the first time he used an actual nickname.

"So, I was pulled in here by force, partially assaulted and now you were being a jackass about women's driving skills. You could've ask me normally you know," I snorted, sliding my phone back into my blazer's pocket.

"Not exactly. I wanted to talk about our coursework," he said with all seriousness. "And that wasn't assaulting! It was a mistake."

"Yeah, we'll discuss that later. Maybe after school this Thursday?" I suggested.

"Sure, no problem." He nodded grimly. "Want to go to my place? We can talk through it professionally."

"No!" I said a bit too fast and bit my bottom lip. Damn! "I didn't mean about what your freaky hands have done. I meant the project!"

He gave a quizzed look.

"I mean we can't - in your house, because my parents don't tolerate me being in a guy's house. They're extremely strict when it comes to boys and my Dad would shoot you down. Why don't you come over to mine?" I urged, trying to think quick and also sound calm. I get edgy when it comes to this topic. Mom and Dad won't allow me to have a boyfriend until I get my first paycheck.

"It's cool, I understand. Parents can be like that. Your place then? What time?" he asked equally calm, I was relieved that my explanation worked. Usually, guys would ask why and would go on non-stop making me go crazy that I avoid them at all cost. I was surprised he understood. "But won't that make it easier for your dad to shoot me down?" He grinned.

I mentally facepalmed. I'd enjoy it if he did. "You're coming over for school. Nothing else. How about we'll think more about it tomorrow?"

"Sounds like a plan." He winked, glancing at his watch. My skin ruptured goosebumps with my heart pounding erratically. Oh, I think we have to go now. Break's almost finished." I forgot about that. I took my phone out to check the time. 5 minutes left.

We bolted towards the door and I went through it first before he followed after.

"That was a great lie you told Mrs. Cooray. I almost bought it," he chuckled and I whipped around to find him already having a plastered smirk on his face.

I scowled and opted to not argue as we hurriedly walked down the stairs.

JERK!

****

Leo...Leos...Leo.

It was invading all the crevice in my mind that night. After that rather long chat with Evander on the rooftop, he gave out an impression he hadn't shown when we weren't alone. The way he started acting all gentlemen and teasing me - he reminded me of Leander - again!

This is why I would like to congratulate myself for being the Worst Ever Loyal Person to me. I can't even stop glancing at him after we walked down the stairs. He was so attractive I bet he already has some bimbo as his girlfriend with the way he's acting.

He's rich, but I grew to learn that people with tons of money aren't all stingy. That's why I wasn't quick to judge him.

But he did. And that pissed me off like a bomb. Fuck him! So much for avoiding.

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK

"What?" I yelled not looking up from my phone.

"Hey, it's me, Mom wanted to tell you to answer your phone," he said and left the room without another word.

"Hmm...he's acting - strange," I mumbled as I watched his form retreat.

"Am not! And get your phone - mom's livid as heck!" he shouted.

Ah, crap! I forgot to turn off airplane mode.

As soon as I turned it back tons of text messages from Mom and Dad started swelling up my screen that I had to turn it off. After a few seconds, I was going through the many missed calls and texts.

"I'm so dead." I cried as the screen began vibrating angrily and Mom's name showed up.

"H-Hello?"

"GABRIELLA GAWAN - what do you think you're doing not returning my calls?" she asked angrily.

Thank god I wasn't facing her right now.

"Sorry, Mom, I had an important test today and turned my flight mode on when I entered school." I lied not wanting to spark up a fight. I was so tired.

"Gab, I heard about you arriving late to school, is that true?" she questioned sternly.

"Yes, Mom."

"Mrs. Cooray informed me about it saying you had cramps. Are you alright?" This time her tone became soft.

I rolled my eyes.

Of course, she would tell Mom. Ever since I enrolled in this school, she and Mom turned into buddies that it had freaked me out.

"I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry, I had a stomach ache because I didn't have time to eat properly this morning," I explained. Mom went on for a few minutes before saying good night. She and Dad had another dinner date tonight. Ah, the lover birds.

I decided to scroll through Instagram for a while when a notification popped up. I tapped on it and saw it was a friend request from...Evander Leos!

I sat there staring at the screen, battling with my decisions. If I let him add me then I would see his face online as well and that would mean I've completely lost to the vow I made to myself.

But on the other hand, I might be overreacting, he's a nice-ish kid that had perverted thoughts at inconvenient times and maybe it's time I finally accept him as a friend instead of confusing him even more. So much for being stealthy.

I had a gut feeling I'd regret this but I clicked accept anyway.

Soon enough a text message popped up. It was from him. Just as I expected.

I groaned. I'll just text him in the morning. I didn't leave him on seen or he'd see it so I scrolled more for a good 10 minutes before finally retiring to bed. I turned off my lights and cuddled into my comforter trying to get warm.

Suddenly I heard the pitter-patter of rain. A flash of lightning could be seen through my curtains. Loud rumbles could be heard and the whistle of the wind outside was strong. A storm was brewing.

CRRACCK!-BOOM!-CRRACCKK!-BOOM!

I brought my bedsheet tighter around my body. It was freezing but soothing. I loved thunderstorms.

Evander was right.

It did rain.