Sinn's POV:

I rolled my eyes in irritation as I waited for the god damned woman. She was late.

Who the hell keeps their boyfriend standing  out in the cold at 5 AM in the morning?

The streets seemed as dull as my heart, as dark as my soul. I checked my watch for the umpteenth time as I waited for her. Last night, Ms. Goody two shoes phoned me, saying that she wanted to take me out. I complied, but much to my dissatisfaction, she requested me to pick her up at 5 from her dorm.

Well, here I am, standing in front of her door, for the last 10 minutes. I know it's not long, but knowing that I am doing these just to win a bet makes my stomach crawl.

Thank god she won't be my 'girlfriend' for longer. I only prayed that she is not one of those clingy type. She confesses to me and I'm out. For God's  sake, I haven't had sex for 10 days! That's so fucking frustrating!

Much to my relief, the door opened after a few couple of minutes, revealing an extremely curvy glass wearing girl. I really hoped that she can at least run for a minute.

"Sorry," she whispered timidly, with a sheepish grin on her face. I returned her smile as I led her to my car.

"So, where to?" I asked, "Please don't tell me you want to go to a gym, riding on a car."

She blinked a few times and burst out laughing, "No silly! I want you to take us to the Kaaterskill Clove Lockout. We are going to hiking!"

"That's like 40 kms from here!" I groaned as I thought about the petrol bills.

"Oh come on!" she pouted like a little girl and damn it was adorable, "Please?"

Oh great, now she was giving me the puppy eyes. I fought against their charm, but damn! The looked so pretty, so innocent, captivating me all over again.

"Fine!" I huffed. Her face lit up as she squealed like a little girl. I couldn't help but notice how cute she looked.

The lack of sex was getting into my nerves, though, I thought I could control it. I needed to get laid or else I would end up fucking her.

What the fuck was wrong with me!

I nervously glanced at the excited girl, afraid that I might see something I don't want to. Afraid that I might feel something I don't want to. I didn't want any feelings involved in this game.

But you don't want to hurt her, My subconscious piped up.

My eyes widened in shock upon my discovery. Yes, I wanted to win the game, but I also didn't want to hurt Kiara. Now the question arose, why the hell did I feel this way?

Maybe I needed to get laid? Or have a couple of drinks maybe? I pitied her that's why?

Or maybe you think of her as a friend?  the inner devil inside me added hopefully.

I wanted to let out a humourless chuckle. Friends? That word sounded so foreign to me. Friends and girlfriends were something I didn't do. Just because I enjoyed her company, that didn't mean that I should think of her as a friend. Maybe she didn't get onto my nerves like those bimbos or maybe she was childish, that didn't make her my friend.

I think the perfect term would be moderate acquaintances.

I dared a peek at my side nervously, only to find the girl invading my thoughts sleeping. I sighed in relief. The rest of the ride was silent. When we reached there, kiara was still sleeping. I took my time to admire the face I thought was ugly and beautiful at the same time.

No doubt, the most attractive feature on her face was her eyes. Her big brown orbs that reflected her innocence. Like a devil, I craved for her innocence.

"Kiara," I called her softly, "We're here, wake up."

She rubbed her eyes vigorously, before opening them. She yawned and blinked few times, a slight frown gracing her slightly red face. "Are we there?" she asked as she pouted.

I flicked on her forehead and she smiled. "Yes, sleepyhead, now get out of the car."

I really hoped that she could climb that hill.

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Damn she was good at this!

I saw her as she continued climbing the rocks, calculating each and every step before taking one. She never fell or never whined. "Kiara, wait!" I called out to her.

"Hurry! We're gonna miss it!" she yelled excitedly. I smiled and shook my head at her. She definitely was something.

"Ouch!" I heard a scream of agony. Before I could process what was happening, I was suddenly tackled to the ground. Thanks to a certain dark haired girl.

Everything passed by as a blur before I landed on her. "Ah-" she moaned in pain, "It hurts."

I mumbled profanities under my breath as I got up from above her. She only layed there, clutching her ailing arm. Just like that my irritation was back.

How the hell did she fall?! It's an easy task for God's sake!

"Get up," I murmured irritatedly and offered her my hand, "We're gonna be late."

She kept her head casted downwards as she took my hand. I could tell she was embarrassed. I couldn't help but notice how small her hand looked in mine, how they fitted perfectly. They felt so warm, so timid, so perfect.

Before my mind could go down into the gutter, I chastised myself and focused on the task we had in hands. I gently tugged her hand and started walking. She silently trailed behind me.

The silence was suffocating, so I decided to break it, "Accidents happen."

She nodded ever so slightly.  As we reached the cliff, I saw an ethereal scenery.

I was so indulged in the view, I almost forgot about the petite girl beside me.

"Um, Sinn? You can let go of my hand now." Kiara murmured timidly. I glanced down at our enjoined hands. I let go off her hand rather harshly and let out a nervous chuckle. My hand felt cold.

I don't think she minded my behaviour because she focused on the view in front of her. "It is so beautiful!" she whispered, her eyes almost bulged out of their socket. She looked like a kid seeing fireworks for the first time.

"It indeed is." I rasped, but I don't think she heard me. I took this as an opportunity to admire her. The light of dawn touched her face, her hair was sprawled on her shoulder like a blotch of scattered ink. The twilight sun reflected her perfect golden skin. Her eyes turned into a shade of amber. And suddenly, I was seeing a beautiful goddess in front of me, instead of the ugly girl I knew. Goddess was the perfect term, because she was innocent and dare I say, pretty.

Nature emphasised her beauty. The beauty that people failed to see.

Yet, you saw it, My subconscious hummed.

"Sinn, have you ever been here?" Kiara asked.

"Yeah- sometimes when I don't find any content to sketch-"

"You sketch?!" Kiara asked excitedly.  I nodded.

"Yes, I do."

Please don't ask me to-

"Can you please show me some of your works?" Her eyes were practically shinning in curiosity, excitement and glee.

I guess I'll just have to hide the painting I made of her.

"Sure," I nodded, "Next week?"

"Next week then," Kiara has hummed. I could tell she wanted to jump up and down, but prevented herself from doing so.

"We should go back. You must be hungry," on cue her stomach rumbled and she yelped in embarrassment. I let out an amused chuckle. She was cute.

"I guess I'm hungry," she said sheepishly.

"Take my hand," I said as I extended my hand. She bashfully took it and offered me a small smile. I returned it.

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The entire ride was silent. But it was a good one.

"I hope you enjoyed the trip, Sinn," she nodded as she got out of the car.

"Oh I did. Thank you," I rasped. I saw the shiver that ran throughout her body.

I smirked. She was affected by me. That was a good sign.

"Good bye," she mumbled, waving at me.

I kept the smirk as I leaned near and whispered in her ear huskily, "Good bye, beautiful."

She stood there frozen. I flicked on her forehead and got inside of my car. I drove off, leaving a stunned Kiara behind.

I couldn't help but think what would happen if she came to know about the bet. How would she react.

Just thinking about her reaction made my stomach crawl. I shouldn't feel this way, I shouldn't feel pity. I have done this before. I ran my hand over my face in frustration. This wasn't happening.

I'll keep the bet a secret.

It was the right thing to do. Whenever she confesses to me, I'll reject her politely and we will continue to be friends. I couldn't find a suitable explanation why I felt this way, but one thing was for sure.

For years, I've craved for some company, for attention. I wanted people to love me for what I am. Not my face, not my money, nothing. I wanted them to want me. And Kiara was that person.

She was going to want me.

And, no matter what happens, I'm not going to let go of something I've achieved after years.

Because she ignited a fire inside me and only she could quench it.

*comes out of the magical well* *waves hands tiredly* 2 MONTHS LATER! No, I'm not waiting for votes or comments or reads. Exams really suck 😭😭. And No! I'm not dead. I'll try to update the next chapter as soon as possible.

This chapter is dedicated to fiyin2, I know it's after forever, but...yeah.

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