Darkness slowly turned into light. My eyelids gave way to my vision. Looking down at myself, I search for bruises. I don't see any. Perplexed, I try to move my hand waiting for my body to not co-operate. Surprisingly it moves exactly how I want without any hint of pain.

Turning my body, I look beside me. Sitting there was Ally, unharmed. For a moment I thought this was my imagination, so I close my eyes and reopen them to confirm. I bring my palms together, eyes towards the sky above, saying a quick thank you to God.

I turn my attention back to Ally and her face displaying anger.

" You piece of shit, you should have honked. You could get us killed! " She yelled getting out of the car walking dangerously close to the other car owner.

She stopped right in front of the car that bumped with ours, " If you don't know how to drive, get a cab! Quit the suicide mission buddy. " Her face was almost red and the guy in front of her was terrified.

I get off the car and move towards her pulling her backwards. " Calm down. I know you are mad but I don't think you wanna take this to the police station. We are already late. " I explained to her.

"Oh trust me I would if we had time. " She snaps at the boy who would leave the country if he could to hide from her anger.

"Thank you so much, for not reporting. I will be careful" He spoke hesitantly.

"You better" With that, I joined Ally back at the car, and we went off.

As we rolled on the parking spot. I get out immediately. Walking towards the front of the car I see a huge dent. " Your dad isn't gonna be happy about it. " I was concerned.

"What can i do? It wasn't my fault! " She tried to justify.

"I'm sure he will understand once you explain it to him " I assured her.

"I hope! " She sighed and then decided to change the subject. " Jade, out of the two options I sent you last week, did you decide which dress you want for your birthday?"Her interrogation reminds me how that completely slipped my mind.

"No! Sorry, I did not. Why don't you surprise me! " I tried to come up with a solution while Ally just gave a look of disgust.

"That's a huge dent! What happened? " A third familiar voice interjected making us shift our attention towards it.

With a tall figure, hair parted sideways and a bag hung low stood Yoenjun. Kang Yoenjun is an exchange student, the quarterback of the football team and our best friend. He came here 3 years back and took the permanent membership of our trio.

" Don't ask! Long story. Let's get to our classes before this day gets any worse. " Allison directed towards us and started walking. She turned around to shout, " Save me a seat at lunch " With that she disappeared into the crowded hallway ahead of us.

"Hi" Yoenjun speaks to me with a smile and eyes not moving from my face.

"What's with you now? " I asked giggling and pushing him away.

I start walking and he catches up, " What? I can't greet my friend now?! The world is so mean! " He says with a fake sigh.

"Stop being dramatic and get to class. See you at lunch." I laughed and went my way.

Checking my phone I see I am late for history. Shoving the phone back inside my bag I hurry to reach my class when I bump into something broad and hard. Making me fall on the ground along with the thing I bumped. I soon realised that the 'something' is actually a 'someone' when a pair of hands held my shoulder.

He shoved me away to get up. I was too busy to balance myself to spare a glance at him.

As he left I could only see his tattoed hand. Such beautiful intricate designs inked on his hand.

So intricate and beautiful... But...What a jerk!
Forget about helping or apologizing, he shoved me again into the ground.

Still quite angry about the encounter with the faceless stranger, I enter the class ready for the day.

The pen on my page moved with great speed, efficiently taking down important bits of the class. The dark ink flowed smoothly on white paper reminding me about the beautiful set of tattoos my eyes laid upon. The inked eye felt so real and those tiny letters on each knuckle stood out the most.

The raucous sound of the bell jerked my thoughts away. And I felt surrounded again, this time not with my thoughts but a bunch of high school kids.

Why was I thinking about the stranger anyway? Those tattoos might be gorgeous but he was discourteous! I hate people like that.

With that, I keep the pen away. But when I look down on the paper I see exactly what I had done. Below the notes I took down on the Egyptian civilization, a very contrasting sketch of an eye stood out. I quickly shut the copy and keep it inside my bag. As Mr Lee left the classroom I moved out immediately for psychology.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted. Thursday's schedule was always hectic, to begin with.

My feet carried me towards the school ground. I stand near the bleachers, watching Yoenjun and a few other guys of the football team warming up. Close by Ally was up with her cheer practice. I turned around to walk my way home.

"Jade! Wait up. " I turned around to Ally shouting from across the field. She runs towards the end of the field and walks her way towards the bleachers.

" Why are you leaving?" She asks me, before explaining, "I'm supposed to give you a ride home. The practice will be over in 30 minutes. "

She looked confused. I won't blame her, it's our routine. She waits for me while I get a few books from the library and I wait for her during her cheer practice. She brought the car and so she gives me a ride.

" I was thinking of going home early today." That confused her more. "We got a history assignment that I would like to get a head start at." I freed her from her confusion.

She nodded, "Okie Dokie! Go home safe" She hugged me and ran towards the field. Stopping midway, she shouted, " Text me once you reach home." And I nodded laughing, watching her turning back running to her cheer group.

I turn towards the gate decided to walk home instead of taking the bus.

I didn't exactly lie to Ally about the history assignment but it was just not the only reason. I wanted to be alone, clear my mind to make sense of last night's incident. And most importantly I wanted to avoid dad. I knew he had a flight to catch and by the time I'm gonna reach home walking, he'd be gone to China.

That was the perfect plan. It made me satisfied. Planning things out and working according to that makes me comfortable and safe.

I was never a person that use to plan things out beforehand until my life ended up in ruins.

As I reached the front door of my house, I took a peek and to my disappointment dad's car was still parked. My timing was wrong. I take a U-turn deciding to spend some time at the park but my luck screwed me.

As soon as I turned my back, the front door opened, "Jade?" Dad called for me. I realised my entire plan was an absolute failure, and I can do nothing to get out of this.

I turned to look at him. " I was waiting for you. Why are you so late? " He cross-examined me on the front door.

" Ally had cheer practice, so I walked home," I replied flatly. I move towards the front gate walking right inside without another word and he followed me.

"Jade, we need to talk. " Dad's words stop on my track. It encouraged him to go on, " You are understanding things all wrong Jade, it was not what it looked like. " He, paused waiting for a reply. Not getting any he sighed, " Try to understand, please! "

" I'm trying " I paused to form words " To understand. But I need time. "

I looked at him, " I hope you are saying the truth." He looked at me without blinking, " Have a safe flight. " And I walked myself back to my room.

________________________________________

Hey! I hope you are doing good.
I'm your author, Koo.

So chapter 3 is here!! It was pretty intense writing this, not gonna lie. I hope you liked reading this chapter too. I try to update as much as possible, please bear with me. It would mean the world to me if you vote for me by clicking on the star below!

This is the tattoo for those who don't  know. Though i highly doubt any non army reading this but just to clarify.

Also, tell me in the comments what you think of Jade's reaction?

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The next chapter will be here soon. I hope you wait ✨