Carcel Evander Dawson

What the fuck was that?" Ace's eyes darted between me and Crue, who had been dead silent the entire walk. Meanwhile, I felt refreshed after that warm feels like my knuckles are itching for more.

"You." Ace pointed at Crue. "Lost your temper, which isn't like you."

I chuckled at the look on Crue's face—he didn't even bother to hide his anger.

"And you," Ace turned toward me, pausing. "Well, you're always like that. But seriously, man, you need to get that temper fixed. If you ain't gonna die fighting someone, you might drop dead from high blood pressure." He jabbed a finger at me, acting like he was more mature than us.

I just shrugged, hands stuffed deep in my pockets, striding along like nothing had happened. If I could do it all over again, I'd land two punches instead of one.

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, and that man should be thanking me. I held back as much as I could so he wouldn't get knocked out cold. I didn't want to leave Kalila cleaning up his sorry ass.

And now that the exciting part was done, I was back to feeling like crap again. The lack of sleep wasn't doing me any favors either, but there was something else keeping this bad mood alive—something I couldn't wrap my head around. What the fuck is this feeling? Looking back yesterday and today, there was 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 when..." I paused, trying to find the right words. "You like something and then it pisses you of because someone's touching it?"

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 didn't know either."

Ace chuckled , while Crue said, 'Maybe because you're just a spoiled brat who's used to getting everything you want."

I wish that were the case. We kept walking toward the library, but the question stuck with me, an itch I couldn't scratch. I needed to figure this out, or I'd never get my head straight again. These trivial things—things that shouldn't even matter—kept pulling my focus. And if that happened, I wouldn't function right, let alone work efficiently. The fastest way to fix this? Face it head-on. Get it over with. Then maybe my mind could focus on one damn thing at a time.

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 still trying to figure out what was happening inside me, and I began laughing like a madman. The fact that I'm a full-grown adult and couldn't even figure out my own feelings was hilarious.

Jealousy by definition is the feeling of insecurity, fear, or concern over the possibility of losing someone's affection or attention to another person and here I am, 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 first time I saw Kalila was at that grocery store. She wasn't the kind of woman I'd typically go after, but I couldn't deny she was effortlessly attractive. What you see is what you get—no pretense. And that's the kind of woman I don't wanna mess with—her eyes practically said, fuck around and find out. Yet, she was so damn small. Small enough that I could close my hand around her wrist and snap it in two. But that day, it was just attraction—nothing more.

That misrouted text might be the reason for all this. It was the first time I'd received a message so unfiltered, so bizarre, that it caught me off guard. And maybe that was the start—my interest turning into something bigger.

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. Now the question is why her?

I shouldn't even be asking that when I could write an entire novel of reasons why it has to be her.

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 warmth.

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 and  I  would force my eyes open for you Kalila" I said, leaning back and grinning like an idiot.

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

"I know," 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 to get my attention.

"Why would I do that?" 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. "I'm being serious Carcel."

I sigh. I don't want to get serious because she might regret it, but what can I do when her gaze is so fucking persistent? "He was pissing me off, acting like he's so close to you. It's unsettling."

There was a beat of silence. Her brows furrowed in disbelief as she let out a frustrated sigh. "We are close." Her voice was firm, like she was trying to put me in my place. I hate it.

"You need apologize to him." she said it so calmly and not gonna lie it scared me. 

"Fine!" I blurted out as fast as I can.

"Can I ask a question again?" I glanced at her she's looking so intently at me that I couldn't help but tease her.

"You're asking now, bunny, but go ahead." I flashed one genuine smile, but I couldn't make out her expression. It was like a mixture of disgust and concern.

"Well, I was told you're engage." she hesitated. 

"And?" I frowned.

 "Why didn't you tell me?" she sounded angry. 

"That's a personal thing, Kalila why would I tell you?" 

"Well, you should at least warn me that you're engaged to Ciel." What she said made me pause for a moment. "I was told to see you if there was a problem with our booth. So, is it because of what I think it is?"

I couldn't look her straight in the eyes. I realized I was unintentionally putting her in a tight spot. Ciel might be directing her anger toward the booth now, but soon, she'll be taking it out on Kalila.

"Yes, it is her," I said softly and she started chewing on her nails. So, this is what Kalila looks like when she's thinking too hard. I grabbed her hand before she could make her skin bleed.

"Don't think too much about it. I'll handle it," I said firmly. 

"Don't you think you're making everything worse?" She narrowed her gaze at me. "Can you not do anything. I'll just talk to her myself." 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. She slammed it behind her, leaving me laughing, the sound echoing through the room.

My stubborn, clueless bunny.