0 2 | s t r a n g e r s?

🎶 Left N Right- JK & Charlie Purth 🎶

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That was six years ago, long back before I made a move on telling him how I felt.

It was a huge slap in the face. My enemy was the distant relative I referred to as a guest.

He didn't seem to recognize me as he just stared at me expressionless. How can he not?

"Asher. . . Asher Mendez," breatheth and he nods.

"And you're? "

I tilted my head and thought 'Are you kidding? Now, don't tell me you don't remember me.'

He was rubbing his forehead and then waving me off. I heard some noise before he pulled his phone out of his pocket. He seemed to be reading something.

"Jocelyn. . . " he stops, sharply looking up. "You're Jocelyn?" his eyes snap at me.

"So you remember now. Jocelyn Cooper."

He was silent, his eyes widening in recognition. I folded my hands on my chest waiting for a word.

"Wow, can't believe we're relatives," he muttered under his breath.

I sneer, "Same here. " I commented sardonically.

"You're Jocelyn, that frea-" he stopped because I suddenly slapped him.

"Mind your tongue. You're the guest here. "

He groans as I send his head facing the left side as a result of me hitting his face. He turns back at me and stares daggers at me.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing? "

'What I should've done six years ago.' I wanted to say but something about the look he gave me shut me up.

However, a wave of nostalgia came over me and I couldn't help the bitterness I felt towards him.

You don't want to know what he did. I could still remember it right this moment.

It's never have been delible, how he humiliated me in front of the whole school. How that broke my ties with Mia, my best friend and ruined the rest of my years in high school

"Listen everyone. This clumsy freak here, by the name, of Jocelyn Cooper, is really in love with me. Or so she claims, " he had said with a scoff, then turned to me. "What the fuck gave you the idea I cared huh? You don't matter to me at all, get it? You're just another ho dying to get some attention from me. No one gives a shit what you are and I'm not an exception. "

Hot tears pricked my eyes as I took it all in. Mia hissed leaving me to it. People already gathered. Some were cheering, some recording it without a word, some even snickering. I hung my head low in embarrassment and let the tears trail down my face.

He laughed. "Cry baby. "

"Fuck off Cooper. You might be the most brilliant freak but to me, you're nothing but a dumb ass. You and your horrible aura disgust me. And here, have your pathetic letter. " he laughed bitterly. "No one writes their name at the end of an anonymous message but a dumb ass like you. I hate you. Remember that for the rest of your life. "

And then he walked away. I was left with the woes. I became an object of ridicule. They filmed it and posted it online. Mom never got to know thankfully as the school later got it deleted.

I remember not going to class for the whole day, crying my eyes out in the restroom and the remaining days of the week, I skipped. Mia left me because she was going to be contesting for the head cheerleader and I might get in the way.

He didn't care that day... He insulted me and hurt my feelings.

So why should I care now?

The opening of something behind me stalls me. I look back to see Arlee running towards us.

"Asher! "

I rolled my eyes as he grinned at his sister, scooping her in his arms. I can't believe I just agreed to babysit his sister who's an angel by the way. How the hell didn't I connect the dots?

"What took you so long, bear?" she teases. "Mom asked me to call you and Jiji " She turns her head at me and I smirk at the nickname she's given me.

I picked three bags full of shopped products and headed away from them. I don't want to talk to him in front of Arlee. I could feel his gaze burning in my back as I walked through

When I enter, everyone is sitting in front of the TV, watching a Filipino movie, The Law Of Revenge.

I stole a glance at the protagonist while dropping the bags on the table.

"Oh, what took you guys so long? " Mom says immediately. "Er..I'm sure you guys have been doing the talking. "

I scoff. Oh yeah, she knows nothing about my bad high school. That week I skipped school, I called in sick and luckily she bought it.

"Yo, nice to meet you Miss Cooper. " someone says behind us, beating me to it. I turn back to see Asher standing at the door with Arlee still in his arms and he was carrying the other bags.

I rolled my eyes because no one could see right now. All eyes were on him. And he on me.

Mom makes a fuzz over him and they begin to discuss. I zoned out because I really couldn't stand him being approximately two feet from me.

Later, Emily started to show me the clothes and even asked me if I liked any. I just picked a random pink crop top.

"Can't believe this. Asher, didn't you say Jocelyn was going to like this? "

My jaw drops slightly and my eyes snap to his. He frowned at his mom. Wait, he knew about me? Then what was all that about back there in the car?

"Uh, yeah..." he admits lowly and I almost want to throw the top back at his face.

"It's almost the size of Liza." he suddenly adds, maintaining eye contact with me, punching me in the guts.

Emily hums and continues to pick the clothes. Dos is chatting with Arlee who's focused on the movie and moMoms helping Emily. Perfect opportunity.

"Um, excuse me. I want to call someone. I'll be right back. "I lie. Mom gives me the are you okay? look and I forced a smile, quickly jogging up the stairs.

I slam my room door open and shut in a rush before slumping on my bed, face down.

I didn't realise the tears forming in my eyes until I felt it trailing down on my cheeks. I couldn't stop it.

Why does it still hurt as much as it did all those years, right now? I thought I had let it go and forgot about him. I moved on and I'm dating Ethan for God's sake.

The thought of Ethan made me suddenly want to see if he had replied to my messages yet. I reach for my phone under the duvet and I'm glad to see 5 unread messages. I needed a distraction.

I clear the tears off my face and sit up, my back to the wall, clicking the read messages button.

Ethan: I'm so sorry, love. I couldn't reply. We had a great deal of customers to attend to at the diner this noon.

Is everything okay? You've been calling and texting. Do you want me to come over?

Hey! Are you there? Jesus, stop scaring me. Something happened?

Okay, I'm getting busier now. Should I come over later or we'll just go out tonight?

I sigh, lazily dropping my phone. The tears had stopped. Besides, I had wanted to see his reply and get distracted but I don't like the idea of it now.

I've always been looking forward to seeing him but now I'm less excited.

What's wrong? I know Ethan loved me enough to propose marriage to me and I've convinced myself I loved him too.

Convinced?

I shake my head vigorously.

We've been together for more than a year so I can't be doubting if I love him now. I do, I always will.

My phone makes a noise and I pick it up.

Unknown Number: Hey, open the door or I'll barge in. Your mom needs you.

My eyes widened and I jumped to the door, yanking it open.

The devil reincarnation, Asher Mendez stood there, one hand in their pocket, the other holding his phone. Probably he's noticed I was there, he raised his head, staring at my body before finally my face.

I was a mess, I know. My makeup had been ruined with all the tears. I put up a frown to match the scowl plastered on his face.

"How the fuck did you get my number?" I don't bother to hide the displeasure in my voice.

"Your mom, " he replies as if it's so damn obvious. Oh, it is.

"Okay. Then, how dare you threaten to barge in? "

"You opened the door, " he replied, stepping in as I was about to slam the door in his face.

A part of me was afraid to be alone with him because I might just be at the risk of letting him know I still felt for him.

Heck! I hated that I felt weak for this heartless snob.

I blink back the tears and confidently stare at him. He stares back, as if trying to get through the cold face I'm putting on.

"I hate you, Asher Mendez, " I finally speak, with a venom I can't get rid of.

"I don't know you. "

"What? " I stepped back which gave him more space to enter my room. "Get out!" I yell.

He turns and I thought he was complying until he shuts the door and locks it. I fold my hands on my chest in anger instead of protesting.

He turns to face me with a contented sigh. "We have to make our parents believe that, " he moved closer.

"What are you doing? " I ask in a low voice while I intend to scold.

"Listen Jocelyn. " he states in a calm and soothing voice, "I don't know what you're thinking but I'd like you to forget whatever happened those years in high school and pretend we're strangers. "

"Strangers? " I was genuinely surprised, then, I was angry.

"Listen to yourself. " I chuckle, "You want me to forget? As if it's that easy. You humiliated me, Ash-"

"I never intended to." he cuts in sharply, "Don't you even want to know why I did it? " his eyes flicker between mine and for a moment, I forget I was mad at him in the first place. My hands drop to either side.

He steps forward and I back away. "No. " I reply with a gulp.

I quickly went past him, stepped in front and opened the door. "And I seriously don't want to know what bullshit you have to say."

"Well, why? " he asked in a frustrated tone, making me turn.

In the next seconds, his face is inches away from mine. I gasped as he pinned me to the door with his left hand on my waist and his right hand held above my head slamming the door shut, probably, in case anyone was coming.

I wanted to run away but for a reason I stayed, staring into his eyes. My heart hammered against my ribs in anxiety.

It felt like something erupted from the pit of my stomach, like it used to from those days.

I was troubled. Why is he making it seem like he wasn't the same guy who publicly embarrassed me? Why is he confusing me?

His face inches closer, making me push back into the door. This time, he places his right hand on my cheek and tilts my face towards his, his lips touching my nose.

"Why don't you want to know, Jocelyn?" he asks, his hot breath fanning my cheeks. I gulped and my eyes went from his eyes to his lips then back up.

His grey eyes didn't look like he was staring at me in disgust like he did years back. It felt like I mattered to him and, he cared. Like, he was hurting was the best explanation.

"Because I don't care, " I reply before pushing him off, just before his lips crash on mine, and opened the door.

I ran downstairs before I committed a mistake I was going to regret.