Chapter 16: Sixteen

Unwilling I turned to face him and exhaled sharply, my breath shaky. I hadn’t expected him to be so close. I took a step back, disorientated, knocking the chair down. “I see we are back to formalities.” My voice was unintentionally rude. But how dare he? He couldn’t just ignore me for weeks and suddenly act as if nothing happened.

He frowned staring at something on my desk, that’s when I noticed, I’d balled my fist. He smiled.

“You want to punch me.” He seemed amused, his usually cold black eyes melting, a one sided dimple on his cheek. He studied me curiously as he looked at me with knotted brows.

I rolled my eyes. I didn’t want to punch him, I was angry with myself. I wanted to run my hand through his hair, just to make sure it was as soft as it looked. My nostrils flared and I found it hard to breathe. He was too close, his scent overwhelming me. I needed to get away from him before I fainted. I’ve never been this close to an angel before.

“What do you want?”

He laughed, his face all the more flawless. “Do you know the kind of trouble you’re getting me into?”

I frowned. “What?”

“The deal you made.” And with that he vanished out the door leaving me enraged.

Surprised, I rocked back on my heels and gripped the desk for support. I tried to figure out how he knew about the deal. Had he been following me around, spying on me? Had Benjamin told him?

“And one more thing,” He said popping his head around the door. “For a clever girl, you acted very inconsiderately.”

My voice guided, I asked “What, are you spying on me?”

“A spy you ask? That’s not my line of work.” He shook his head. “I’m a girl’s nightmare.”

I rolled my eyes. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

He frowned appearing fully around the door, his backpack missing. He closed the door behind him and I closed my eyes. I can do this, just stay strong; I tried to convince myself feebly. I can be in the same room with him, with the door closed and my heart won’t hyperventilate.

“If you value your life then you should be scared.” He was serious again, all traces of humour gone.

“Maybe I don’t.”

He came to stand right in front of me, anger dancing in his now semi golden eyes; they’ve never been more beautiful. “Stupid little girl.”

And this time I did slap him. He held my hand against his cheek. My eyes closed on their own accord. That was the first time I’d touched Bradley Carter and his skin felt like silk, so smooth, marble. And then I was afraid, I always ruin everything I touch, I would never forgive myself if I ruined such perfection. My hand started to tremble.

“If you wanted an excuse to touch me you should’ve just said so.” He was fuming, his eyes cold and vile but his voice was smooth, controlled as though his expression was fake.

“Let go of me.” I whispered. “I didn’t mean to, I’m sorry.”

“That’s the best thing you’ve said all day, little one.” His mood shifted as he smiled. I seriously couldn't keep up with him

He smirked. “See you at the party, princess.” He stared at me for a second. “Bring your dancing shoes.” He was teasing me, his voice filled with humour.

He glided out of the room and closed it behind him. I angrily picked up my books and shoved them in my bag. There was a knock at the door.

“What do you want now?” I swung the door open. “Can’t you just leave me alone…” and then my eyes found Selma’s smiling face. My cheeks heated all the way to my neck. I felt so embarrassed.

“Why the bad mood?” her grey eyes were curious.

I sighed and got my bags and locked the door. “Who does he think he is?” I knew she was following. “He thinks he owns me. I’m not his puppet.”

She laughed. I wondered how she could be so happy when she’d just broken up with Benjamin. I thought they loved each other.

“I swear he’s from a whole different plant than the rest of the men species.” I continued.

“He is as taken with you as you are with him.” She finally said as we reached the auditorium. We had a prefect meeting. I stopped dead in my tracks, my heart beating twice as hard. “Benjamin was complaining about you too.”

Hope and anxiety soon turned to anger. I wasn’t talking about Benjamin. Why did I let Bradley get to me anyway? He was just my annoying – beautiful classmate, who loved to drive me mad.

“I thought you loved Benjamin.” I mumbled hoarsely.

“It wasn’t working out.” She smiled. “We’re better off as friends.”

The meeting was formal, uninteresting. I was the last to leave and I was moderately surprised when I turned the corner and found Inez – the top student in Spanish class waiting just outside the door for me. He was the typical California guy – blond, electric blue eyes, tall, high cheekbones, chiselled jaw, tan – absolutely gorgeous.

I stumbled and almost fell; he caught me just in time.

“Thanks.” I mumbled, embarrassed.

“Hi Beth,”

“Call me Elizabeth.”

He smiled shyly. “I… um…” He gulped. “I’m Inez.”

I frowned. I’ve been here for months, I now knew all my classmates... unfortunately “Oh.”

“I’m in your Spanish class.”

My frown deepened.

“I’m an A student.” He continued.

“Good for you.” I was too confused to be polite.

We began walking in the direction of the school gate. “I was wondering…” he paused hesitating and I stopped in my tracks to hear him out. I gulped, I knew I wasn’t going to like what he was about to say, but I smiled at him regardless.

“Yes.” I bit my lip, tense, waiting.

“I heard you weren’t keen on going to the party tomorrow.” He spluttered.

In my peripheral view I saw Bradley with his father. They looked so ordinary, talking, punching each other as they headed our way. Bradley looked up at me when they were less than five feet away and mouthed ‘say no.’ I frowned and resumed my pace. Inez fell into step with me.

“I was thinking that maybe we could go watch a movie or something.” His voice was trembling.

I sighed. “You mean like a… a…” I couldn’t say the word. “A date” I finally whispered.

He laughed nervously, “Yeah.”

My head hurt. We were at the gate now, standing foot to foot.

“I…” how do I say this without sounding rude. “I don’t date, like ever and besides, it would look unethical for us not to go – maybe another time, huh?”

He seemed brilliantly at me. “Yes, yes.”

He skipped off, towards his grey Toyota.

“Ugh, the story of my life,”

Bradley smirked at me as he got in his car. I couldn’t help but wonder how he knew what Inez was going to say. I turned my back to him and hooped in the cab. I wasn’t ready to get home yet, to an empty house. I wanted to buy something new for the dance tomorrow and at least have my hair done.

While at the salon, annoyed, waiting for my turn, a figure loomed over me. Startled, I looked up. It was Annette. Her black shoulder-length hair held back by a thin band at her back.

“Are you following me now?”

“What? No!"

I had to remind myself that it was not her fault that Bradley, Benjamin and Inez were annoying.

“I’m sorry,”

She smiled, “Trouble in paradise?”

“I wish.”

“What will you and Benjamin be wearing tomorrow?” she wiggled her eyebrows like two tapeworms.

“Can we not talk about Benjamin?” my voice came out sharp and a twinge of regret washed over me.

She nodded.

I inhaled sharply and froze. That scent. I looked up; Bradley was at the counter with Rebecca, edging her to hurry. No one had a right to smell so darn good. He must've been wearing the finest cologne but it seemed to strange, fragrances that were both alluring and exotic.

Rebecca was in a simple pair of jeans and a tank top yet she still managed to look more stunning than anybody else in the room. She was simply breath-taking. I couldn’t stop staring. My eyes seemed to be glued to them, to Bradley.