Chapter 12

The weather had changed. The sun was going down, giving a mild golden glow to the landscape.

The two limped in silence, side by side, and oftentimes, Lake would glimpse sideways to know what she was doing.

Her mood had suddenly changed; the vibrant girl had suddenly become gloomy.

He wondered what was going through her head.

What had frightened her to put her in such a melancholic mood?

He wanted to take her to the city. She’d been fascinated last time, but Lake knew better than to take her to a busy and noisy environment.

The silence was beginning to get deafening; lake felt a pitch sound ringing in his head, he tried to—

“Thanks for agreeing to work in the shop with me,” she glanced at him, “even though this was your fault.”

Lake grinned, satisfied she’d broken the silence. “You did seem like you’d need a lot of help.” He parted his lips.

She chortled, “You’re not so bad after all.”

Satisfied he made her laugh, he echoed. “You’re not so bad after all either.”

There was something about her.

Amelia chuckled, pursed her lips, and gazed at him. “Where are we going?” Lake returned her gaze, getting locked in her grey eyes. She had an uneven smile spread across her face.

“A park,” he said.

Her expression changed, and he knew she was dying to ask what a park was. He wanted to explain, but a woman had appeared on the street; it was Mrs. Rivers. She lived ten blocks from the Lakes’ residence, and when she noticed his presence, her expression was replaced by the look—the one he always received from everyone.

His lips tightened, his chest rose, and he began to move faster.

Despite how long his strides were, Amelia remained next to him. She’d managed to keep up with his pace.

His brows rose as he tried to figure her out. She was different.

“You walk fast—”

“For a lady,” she rolled her eyes. “Yes, I know. Why do women always have to be judged by everyone just—”

“I wasn’t going to say that,” he cut her off, and she lowered her head, confirming she was embarrassed.

She was quite a chatty one.

“It’s impressive,” he tilted his head in her direction. “You’re different.”

She raised her head and widened her eyes as though her favorite candy was approaching. There was a way she gazed at him, in a warm way—a sincere one. It was different from the ones he was accustomed to receiving.

He liked it.

Amelia fell silent again, as though she was having an internal war, contemplating on something.

“You know Aladdin…Robin Hood.” He heard her voice and raised his head abruptly.

She was unpredictable…strange, very strange, but in a refreshing way. He wanted to ask questions. Questions like where she came from, who she was, where she lived.

She’d spoken Spanish with Papito, but he knew damn well she wasn’t a native.

He needed those answers, but he wasn’t one to meddle in affairs.

They’d only just met.

“Yes,” he replied curtly.

“Do you believe they are real?”

He couldn’t help but wonder what she was driving at.

“They are just fairytales, myths…folktales—they aren’t real.” He was starting to get irritated, and he didn’t like it.

“The stories are real,” she wavered and then continued, “These are real accounts of actual people…heroes turned into stories by someone that was born in their lifetime.”

Lake barked out a laugh. “This is ridiculous.”

There was a way her look changed, a way that he wished he hadn’t mocked her.

He rolled his eyes down to her palm; she was rubbing it, as though she was nervous about something. “Have you heard of shapeshifters…Lycans?” Her voice lowered.

What was she going on about?

“Yes,” he scowled at her, perplexed by the fact he couldn’t see where the questions were leading.

“That is another myth.” He cleared his throat.

How could he make her understand she was delusional?

Not like he didn’t believe they were real. He just didn’t want to believe it.

Not after what happened—

“But you’ve heard of them,” she said finally, and he nodded his head.

There was a way she’d muttered her last words, it confirmed she wasn’t going to be speaking again.

The windswept through their bodies, giving some kind of peace. He’d gazed at her countless times; she wasn’t smiling, and he feared he had triggered the disdain.

It was just their first date, and he didn’t want to screw it—

Had he just said…a date? He tightened his eyes, internally cursing himself.

They passed through a paved roadway with an empty rooftop. She was quiet the whole time, gazing at the busy streets, towering buildings, and bustling crowds. Suddenly, a wave of heat enveloped the environment.

They’d reached their destination. The park was defined by its staggering heat. It was usually crowded, but he was glad there weren’t as many that day.

The landscape was very green, with people on mats and sunglasses on.

They were trees acting like large leafy umbrellas on the landscape. The trees had a profound cooling effect. They took a gentle slope, striding below a tree canopy.

Lake glimpsed at her sideways, her expression had changed once again. It was positive this time; her eyes were glimmering and glittering in joy.

She glanced up, revealing her wide nostrils. They were weirdly shaped, yet unique in their own way.

Her eyes were still gazing up. An airplane was in the air, and her eyes trailed its movement as it zoomed up in the sky.

“It’s an airplane,” he muttered next to her, “I call it man’s greatest invention.” He smiled smugly.

“It’s magnificent!” she exclaimed.

The two men on the other side were ogling a thirsty look at her. Lake had noticed, and he clenched his fists just in case they tried to approach her.

The way the jeans rested on her legs and the way the top stuck to her body, it looked as though they were specially made for her.

She didn’t have to try too hard.

“You want cotton candy?” He gave his temple a weary rub. There was a candy shop at the side of the park. Her eyes dimmed in a way that suggested he should have bought without questioning.

“I will be back,” he wandered off. His eyes were on the way, but truly, his mind was with Amelia.

Hurriedly, he purchased them, trailed to her side and handed them to her.

When she munched on the candy, her eyes brightened.

“I have never tasted anything like this!” She beamed and stretched the other candy at him, “try some,” she said with such innocence.

“I’m not a fan of candy,” he chuckled. She pouted her lips and moved her hand.

“More for me then.” She smiled.

There was a way her teeth shone—a way her features revealed. A way words slipped out of her mouth.

Suddenly, Amelia paused, and her expression changed like she’d heard something. Her bubbly mood disappeared and was replaced by one he couldn’t read.

“What’s wrong?” He heard himself say.

“I have to go…” she trailed. “I have to go now.”

He looked at her, first with surprise, then with curiosity.

There was something about her—something he couldn’t figure out.

Just like Cinderella with a curfew, she moved. And then…she paused.

“Thanks for today,” she smiled.

He wished the moment could remain.

Like a moving cloud, she vanished.

Just like that, she was gone. Again.

He’d learnt a few things about her that day, and the most certain was, she was hiding something…