Carcel Evander Dawson

"What the fuck was that?" Ace demanded, his eyes darting between me and Crue. Crue had been dead silent the entire walk,  while I couldn't have cared less.

"You... lost your temper, which isn't like you," Ace pointed at Crue. I chuckled, knowing damn well Crue was still burning inside over that idiot.

"And you," Ace turned toward me, pausing. "Well, you're always like that. But seriously, man, you need to get that temper fix, you might regret it one day. " He jabbed a finger at me, acting like he had me all figured out.

I just shrugged, hands stuffed deep in my pockets, striding along like nothing had happened. Regret? Not a damn bit. Punching that guy felt too damn good. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if given the chance.

That guy was bound to get clocked either way. If I hadn't done it, Crue would've stepped up, no question. I just moved faster. Hell, he should be thanking me. I held back—didn't knock him out cold. Didn't want to leave Kalila cleaning up his sorry ass.

The satisfaction from that punch barely lasted a minute, and now I'm back to feeling like crap. The lack of sleep wasn't doing me any favors either, but there was something else gnawing at me, keeping this bad mood alive.

As much as I hate to admit it, something else set me off, that I couldn't wrap my head around. Why  the fuck this was messing with me so much?  Looking back, to everything I've done, yesterday and today, had one thing in common—Kalila being close to some other guy. That thought hit me like a brick, stopping me dead in my tracks. Crue and Ace turned back, confused.

"What do you call that feeling when..." I paused, trying to find the right words. "You see something, and it pisses you off because someone else got to it first?"

They both stared at me like I was speaking in riddles. Ace tilted his head, and Crue just gave me one of those knowing smirks.

"Isn't that called jealousy?" Ace asked, sounding way too innocent for my liking.

Jealousy?

I laughed, shaking my head. There's no fucking way. That's not it. What a damn joke.

"I didn't know you could get jealous," Ace kept pushing, like he didn't know when to stop.

I shot him a look that should've been the end of the conversation. "Do you wanna get punched like that guy but harder?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him, letting him know I wasn't in the mood.

Ace quickly shook his head, while Crue chuckled and said "Maybe your just a spoiled brat."

I wish that was the case. We kept walking toward the library, but the question stuck with me, gnawing at the edges of my mind like an itch I couldn't scratch. 

I needed to figure this out, or I'd never get my head straight again. These trivial, things that shouldn't even matter, kept pulling my focus away and if that happened, then I don't think I'd function right, let alone work efficiently.

When we reached Galini's workspace, I dropped into a bean bag, trying to keep it together. Ace wandered off to the pantry, and Crue was busy checking out the room, but my mind was somewhere else-still stuck on what just hit me.

Jealousy by definition is the feeling of insecurity, fear, or concern over the possibility of losing someone's affection or attention to another person. The kind of thing that messes with your head, makes you feel like something's slipping away, even when you didn't realize you wanted it. And now, here I was, facing the ugly truth.

If I was jealous of that guy over Kalila, then there's only one explanation.

I fucking like Kalila Miracle Hart.

I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. Since when? How the hell did that happen? I ran through every moment, trying to trace it back. The grocery store? No way. The party? Definitely not. The mall? Still no. She'd been right there, again and again, and I missed it—like an idiot. Then, out of nowhere, it hit me like a freight train.

There had to be a moment when it all flipped, when things shifted without me even noticing. And then it all made sense— it was that damn misrouted text. 

That text that left me wondering what kind of idiot would curse at me like that. Then next day, she bolted, running off like a scared little bunny, all wide-eyed and flustered.

That's when.

Maybe I'm the idiot for not noticing sooner. It took some foreign emotion—something I wasn't used to—slapping me in the face for me to finally realize I like her. No, scratch that, I'm going fucking crazy for her. But why her?

I shouldn't even be asking that when I could write an entire novel of reasons answering that fucking question.

It was her freckled face that makes her look completely out of her character.

It was her brave soul, and trembling hands, making me want to protect but push her buttons at the same time.

It was that tiny body, carrying a heart too big , that gave me a sliver of hope in humanity.

It was her soft voice and soft touch, that somehow made sleep a little easier to find.

It was her fiery attitude that fed my craving to feel alive.

It was everything about her. Everything that had me cling her presence with out realizing. And it was that same everything that made me want to destroy anyone who dared touch what was mine-even if I know she wouldn't feel the same way.

I could finally drift off thinking about her, but that hope vanished when the door swung open. Evara, Jade, and the person I most desperately wanted to see—Kalila—walked in.

I couldn't help but smirk, like the universe finally decided to throw me a bone. It's as if my silent plea got answered, and now my mood's starting to shift. I stay slumped in the bean bag, eyeing at the girls who looked like they had different things to say.

Galini's face was predictable—annoyed as usual. Jade looked like she'd bolt at the first chance, and Kalila... she looked uneasy, though I couldn't put my finger on why.

"You. Get up," Galini pointed at me, tapping her foot impatiently "We need to talk." Her voice was sharp, but I didn't move. I just stared back, bored, watching her simmer with frustration.

"I need to talk to you too." Crue stepped in, taking the heat off me for a second. He grabbed Jade's hand and walked out, leaving everyone else in the room confused-except me.

I chuckled under my breath. Crue could be a real coward sometimes he always hide with his feelings. It was obvious to me that he has a thing for Jade from the moment we started hanging with the twins. But that's not important right now. 

"You know I hate being woken up, Galini," I yawned, purposely pushing her buttons.

She gasp in disbelief and frustration "You selfish, arrogant, good-for-nothing ass-"

"I was the one who woke you up." Kalila cut her off, she knew if the conversation goes even further nothing good will come.

"Can you guys leave us?" Kalila asked, her tone firm but steady. Galini just blinked, clearly not expecting that, but somehow, Kalila convinced her. She always had that quiet persistence about her—could get anyone to fall in line without raising her voice, even that fire breathing Galini.

Ace gave me a glance, eyebrows raised, waiting for my cue. I nodded, and without another word, they both left. Kalila was about to burst, and I was more than ready for it. The anticipation was almost amusing.  Watching her all wound up, frustration barely contained—I could see it in the way she clenched her fists. 

A low, short laugh slipped out before I could stop it. "You look happy," she shot back, voice cold and sharp. Her eyes narrowed, locking onto me with that lethal glare she always had in reserve. "I thought you hated being woken up?"

If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under by now. "You could wake me up anytime of the day and I  would force open my eyes Kalila" I said, leaning back and grinning like an idiot.

"I'm not here to play with you, Carcel," she replied sternly.

"I know, Kalila," I paused, leaning forward slightly. "Sit down, and we'll talk." I pointed the seat beside me and this time, my tone carried more weight, leaving little room for argument.

She hesitated, her gaze flicking between the seat I pointed  and the stool across from me before she shook her head. "I'll sit here," she decided, planting herself on the the stool. I sighed in defeat.

Fine.

"They want us to take down the booth," she said quietly, staring at the floor like it might give her an answer. Then her eyes shot back up, filled with something darker. "Are you behind it?"

The accusation hit harder than I'd admit. That look-full of resentment-dug deeper than I expected.

So, Ciel had made her move. Had she seen me at the booth today? Was that enough to push her over the edge? Or did she already sense what I was starting to feel for Kalila? If I could list the reasons to why it would honestly take a day, but thanks to her Kalila came running to me.

Ciel never gave a damn about anything except herself. So if she acted, it was to either soothe her own anger or indulge some twisted satisfaction.

"Why would I do that, Kalila?" I asked, my voice softening. "But I know who did it." Her eyes locked onto mine, begging for an answer. But I wasn't just going to hand it over. 

Not after she committed a grave sin in front of me-touching that filthy guy's chest. I could let a lot of things slide, but not that one. Just because I was talking to her didn't mean my anger had faded. I still wanted to knock that guy out.

"Who?" she asked, her eyes demanding an answer. I smirked.

"Come here, and I'll tell you," I said, tapping the bean bag beside me teasing her.

"Carcel, please," she pleaded, her voice fragile. "Tell me, and I won't bother you again." I frown my brows.

What did she mean by that?

The heat of anger crawled up my neck. I stood up  walked over her, I leaned in gripping the edge of the table, trapping her between me and the desk. Her eyes flickered with fear, as she held her breath.

"Your stubbornness is pissing me off, Kalila," I growled. She tried to push me away, her touch weakening my resolve for a second, so I let her push me.

"Get away from me," she whispered, voice shaking.

"Do you really want that?" I asked, pausing to meet her gaze. "Without me, your booth's going to disappear." I stuffed my hands in my pockets, shrugging as if it didn't matter to me. I saw the hesitation flicker in her eyes. I chuckled and sat down beside her.

I leaned over the table, resting my head on my arm, turning slightly toward her. I could've fallen asleep right then, but she kept staring at me, eyes burning with frustration.

"Why did you punch Ashton?" she demanded suddenly. So Ashton was the guy—what a fucking loser.

"You made me do it." I smirked, not bothering to hide the satisfaction.

Her eyes narrowed. "Your not answering me Carcel."

I sigh, I dont wanna get serious because she might going to regret it but what can I do when her gaze is so fucking persistent "Fine but if I'll answer you the truthfully, you'll have to tell me a story in return." 

There was a beat of silence. Her brows furrowed, clearly weighing the offer. It wasn't a bad idea. I just wanted to sleep by the sound of her voice—was that too much to ask?

She let out a frustrated sigh, "Fine." Her voice was soft, but it cut through the noise like a clear, quiet command to my ears.

"Ciel shut down your booth," I said, my tone indifferent. "Why? No idea. You'll have to figure that out yourself, bunny." Her eyes dropped to the floor, and she started biting the top of her thumb nail, her mind already spinning.

So this is what Kalila looks like when she's thinking too hard. I grabbed her hand before she could chew her nail to pieces.

"I’ll handle it," I said firmly. she didn't actually have to worry about this I was planning on handling it myself.

"Why?" Her brows furrowed in confusion "You’re not involved. Stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong." I exhaled, annoyed. She was being stubborn again.

"Listen," I began, pausing just long enough to lock her attention on me. "Ciel isn’t someone you can take on with just logic or a righteous cause. If you want any chance at winning, you’ve got to be as powerful as she is—or stronger. And trust me, you’ll never beat her."

Kalila stared at me like everything I said was meaningless. Her eyes burned with determination, bravery, and that unyielding persistence I’d come to expect. She wanted me to believe in her, but I couldn’t help but sigh in resignation.

"Fine! Go ahead. But don’t say I didn’t warn you," I said, crossing my arms and leaning in slightly, my voice low. "And when things go south, don’t come running to me for whatever stupid mess you get into." She shot up, completely flustered.

"You’re acting crazy again!" she snapped, heading straight for the door.

I watched her storm off. "Don’t you want to know why I punched that loser?" I called after her.

She glanced back."I already know why," she said, hands on her hips, daring me to contradict her.I chuckled. "He’s not a loser, and you’d better apologize to him." She slammed the door behind her, leaving me laughing, the sound echoing through the room.

My stubborn, clueless bunny. If she knew the real reason, she wouldn’t be acting like that. And here I thought confessing would be simple.

Next time I see her, I’ll make damn sure she'll know the truth.