I got to school really early the next day cause my mum had to arrive earlier than usual at her workplace and since she's my ride, I also had to wake up earlier than usual, thereby cutting my sleep short. Ugh!

I was at my locker getting my books out for my first period before heading to the library to spend the remaining minutes I had before the bell goes off, when I noticed that I had forgotten my assignment sheet at home. Just great.

Not only am I in school this early against my will, but now I also have to redo my assignment. On second thought, I should have a soft copy on my phone. I searched through my documents and there it was. Thank goodness.

It's a good thing there's a printer in the library though. I headed for the library and printed another sheet. I was well into my study of chemical bonding, when the bell for first period went off.

I packed up my stuff and dragged myself back to my locker where I met Clover. I waited for her to get her books out and then we made our way to our first class together.

"So, how did yesterday go?" Clover asked some minutes into class. She was sitting to my right and I was by the wall.

"What yesterday?" I asked, trying to prolong the inevitable.

"What do you mean "what yesterday"? You were so excited to talk to Blake yesterday, I'm surprised you haven't spilled all the deets by now. Did it not go well? Did you tell him how you feel?" She asked.

"I wasn't able to tell him" I replied.

"What? Why?" She whisper-yelled.

"Something came up and so he had to leave quickly. I didn't have the chance" I half lied and she nodded probably sensing my hesitation. It would've been very embarrassing to tell her what really happened.

First period passed by quickly after that and second period was free for me, so I spent it in the gym. I could've gone back to the library to finish up my reading, but I was hoping to see Blake in the gym. Hopefully, he'd be in a better mood than he was the day before and he'd finally tell me what was up with him.

The stars were not in my favour that morning to be honest and I knew that because he wasn't there. I was too lazy to walk back to the library and so I had to spend my free period trying to read in a not-so-quiet gym. He probably had class.

The bell for the next period rang and I made my way to my locker to get my sketchbook. I had art next and Mrs. Johnson was really unpredictable. She could be a sweet woman this instant and the next, she'd be a fire breathing dragon. I honestly never understood how people could switch moods so easily.

After that, I walked to the studio and took a seat at the far right corner of the room. Blake hadn't arrived and as a matter of fact, he didn't for the next thirty minutes. When he finally came, he walked up to Mrs. J, said something to her that I couldn't hear because I was all the way at the back and took the only seat left at the front of the class. I wondered why he was late.

We were learning the different ways of shading at the moment and we were asked to draw a bowl of fruits which was placed on the desk in front of the class, after which we were to shade it using one of the methods of shading we were taught. I chose to use the blending method cause I thought it was cool and all the while, I couldn't help but sneak glances at Blake.

His eyebrows were drawn together in focus as he shaded and his hair was scattered like he had run his hand through it multiple times. He wasn't smiling and I found myself missing his usual playful smile.

I caught myself before what was supposed to be a glance turned into a creepy stare and continued my work.

When the class ended, I packed my stuff quickly so I could catch up with Blake before he ran off and just as he stepped out the studio door, I caught up to him.

"Hey Blake" I greeted, falling into step beside him, making him turn to look at me.

"Hey" he replied, the corner of his lips lifting into a small smile.

"Didn't know you were in class" He added, scratching the bridge of his nose, like I'd seen him do sometimes.

"Yeah, probably cause I was all the way at the back" I answered and then continued "So um, I just wanted to know if you're okay"

"Of course I am, why'd you ask?" He asked, looking away.

"Cause... you know, you were acting kind of strange yesterday" I replied, looking at his profile.

"Oh. That. I'm sorry about that. I was just a bit stressed" he explained, looking back at me "I'm better now though, thanks"

"Are you sure?" I asked, still a bit unconvinced.

"Yeah, definitely" he replied with a smile.

"Okay then. That's good" I replied, a small smile on my face now. I was happy that everything was back to normal again.

"Did you get into a fight? You look really roughed up" I asked some minutes later, teasing evident in my voice as I tried to ease the tension that had suddenly filled the air but I think I did the exact opposite because his smile had vanished and he was now sporting a frown.

We arrived at my locker and that was when I noticed that his knuckles were actually bruised.

"Oh my God, what happened to your hand?" I gasped, taking his bruised hand in mine, but he pulled back sharply.

"It's nothing" he replied, looking away.

"Wait, did you really get into a fight?" I asked, finally piecing things together. He didn't answer.

"Blake?" I called again. Still no reply.

"Blake!" I called again, shaking his arm this time.

"Yes, yes I did. Now leave me alone and stop acting like you're my mom!" He half yelled, making me flinch. Immediately after, he widened his eyes in regret and opened his mouth to say something as I stared at him in shock, but he decided against it. Instead he sighed, ran a hand through his hair and walked away. He actually walked away. I was pissed now.

"Alright then jerk, if that's how you wanna be then fine!" I called after him, glaring daggers into his back. I slammed my locker door shut and walked in the opposite direction.

If he wanted to keep being super difficult then fine, I wasn't going to talk to him again! If he didn't want to tell me what was wrong with him - which I was very sure had something to do with the Vipers - then fine, I didn't care and I wasn't going to talk to him until he told me the truth!

*  *  *  *  *

Lies. I did care. A lot at that, because as I continued research on our project in my room later that day, he was all I could think about. He might have been a jerk to me, but I really hoped he wasn't in trouble.

He only told me that he handed André over to the Vipers to be kept as prisoner, but what if he didn't tell me everything? What if something else happened that's making him act this way?

His face when he had told me that he liked me, showed his expectations for me to return his feelings, but then when I wanted to, he told me to "just forget he said anything". He said it like he didn't care about my reply but that's total BS. Something was definitely wrong and he wasn't just "sorting things out with the gang". Ugh! Why wouldn't he just tell me?

After finishing my work, I decided to call my dad, it's been a while since we last spoke and I missed him. I called the landline and after 2 rings, I dropped it. Two minutes later, he called back.

"Hey Princess" he greeted in his usual playful tone. God, I wish all this would be over soon, so we could live together once again.

"Hi dad! How are you?" I replied, flipping my pen between two fingers.

"I'm awesome, how are you?"

"Yeah, I'm good too. I just wanted to check up on you, you haven't called in a while"

"Everything is fine here honey, no signs of danger and there isn't any over there right?"

"No, of course not" I lied. I felt the urge to tell him everything so I could relieve myself of the burden of keeping the secret of my almost death from my parents, but I didn't. I couldn't bring myself to.

"Rei, are you okay?" He asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine"

"Are you sure? You seem a bit lost" he replied, making me smile. He's always been very observant. I mean, he could tell from over the phone that something was on my mind, now that has got to be some kind of superpower.

"Yes I am dad. I have to do some homework now, so I'll hang up"

"Alright honey. But remember that you can tell me anything Rei, anything that's bothering you, even if it's boy issues" I laughed at that part. If only he knew "Seriously, I know you may think that I won't give the best advice, but trust me, growing up with 4 older sisters has it's perks. I still know all about teenage boy drama than I care to"

"Sure, thanks dad" I replied amidst laughter.

"Anytime hon, bye!"

"Bye" I replied and hung up.

Talking to my dad put me in a lighter mood and so after I dropped the call, I did my homework and then made my way to the living room to watch some TV.

*  *  *  *  *
Hey guys! I finally found time to write and update. Sorry for the delay 🥺👉🏽👈🏽.

This book is dragging on longer than I predicted but hopefully, I'll be able to round up soon.

So, what do you guys think of this chapter? Please let me know. I miss your comments 😪.

Please don't forget to VOTE, drop COMMENTS and SHAREEE! Xox.