Chapter 46. Chased

Thankfully, the store's staff returned right when I was about to get irritated real hard at Evan again. In the end, we figured out the sweet dark chocolate without having to argue over such a petty thing again. The next time I would need to back to this store with Evan, I should see newly printed labels on their items, or else I would've to actually hit Evan on his face because I knew-by a fresh experience-that he would take time to make fun of me again. I really should find time to scold him sometime. Perhaps, endlessly making fun of me was really included in his daily tasks of living. Or better yet, I should not bring him here again. "I'll carry this!" I yelled at Evan upon snatching the bag containing the tray of white eggs. Evan must've gotten startled at my sudden rise of voice to him again in a manner that he didn't even insist on retrieving the bag back from me. Not that I meant to sound so mean, but I just wanted to disappear from this situation quickly. I started strolling to the parking lot where he parked his motorcycle, the bags dangling on my sides-just thinking about me having to ride that insane vehicle again made me want to throw up, as I could already feel my stomach twirling. I should probably take a cab this time. That's what I initially thought, but then, like what Evan mentioned, Kayla would get mad and overdramatic if I found out that I took a separate ride. "You know I can carry those for you," Evan said, and I felt that he was already following me behind. His steps were slow, almost in rhythm with my small steps-as if he was taking more time to walk with me. But why? "No need!" I grunted, walking even faster, but it was no use since he had relatively more giant steps than mine. "It's not as if I would have to carry a sack of rice." He suddenly went in front of me, frowns creased on his forehead. "What?" I didn't notice he had removed his mask already, so I was shocked to see his bright face. "Look, I have two fully functioning hands, complete fingers attached perfectly to them with healthy bones working just fine, so I'm sure I can manage," I rasped and waved the bag at him-pretending his pretty face wasn't distracting me. Evan let out a big smirk, like a sign that he was somewhat left astounded by me. I didn't bother waiting for his response anymore, so I continued walking. This time, I walked fast as though I was escaping someone, but as I said, his long legs were beneficial for him. He reached me in no time and went straight in front of me again, making me stumbled. "Ouch!" Evan's sudden appearance in front of me again made me hit my face directly on his chest. It was so hard that I felt like getting hit by a hedge stone. Darn those long legs of Evan! "You're so hard!" I yelled with frustration and clenched my fists before glaring at him. Evan grimaced, but not in a wrong way, but more in a way that he was confused by my words. Shoot. That sounded not proper to hear. I covered my mouth with pure disbelief of my own words, my eyes wandering side by side-avoiding Evan's stare. On the other hand, Evan was dumbstruck and fell silent; his lips parted slightly before taking a step forward. He blinked his eyes. Then, Evan clenched his jaw and bit his lower lip. Then he blinked again, slowly. Oh, no. "No!" I yelped. "It wasn't like what you're thinking!" Evan's eyes widen this time, his eyeballs almost on the brink of likely coming out from his small-turned-to-big eyes. He carried the two bags he was holding with both of his hands earlier in one hand this time and put his free hand inside his pocket. He probably was forming a belligerent speech, seeing how he quite fidgeted his fingers inside his pocket. "What?" Evan scoffed. "What's hard?" I didn't like his smile, his familiar teasing kind of smile. "N-Nothing," I stuttered and continued walking, with Evan still in front of me while walking backward. "No, really. What's hard?" I knew that voice of him. He was taking advantage of me as I was bewildered by my own words. Thus, he knew he had some edge in teasing me. "This!!!" I was so irritated with the situation I didn't realize I palmed his chest with great force. Goddammit. And Evan, being the mischievous person that he was, settled for a plain, blank, expressionless: "Ouch." He then held my wrist tighter so it wouldn't leave his chest. Was his chest this masculine ever since? Or was it just my eyesight not working adequately not to notice it even though I saw him shirtless so many times now. Evan was sure enjoying how panicked I looked based on how he chuckled. If Evan was to be an actor someday, he should be one of those mean guys with whom a nerdy student falls in love. Ugh. "Get away from me!!!" I screamed and tried pushing him, but he didn't even fidget and just let out a small laugh. "But you're blushing," he smirked. "No, I'm not!" I slapped his arm. "Move, or else I will-Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" I rasped when I saw quite a horrendous scene behind Evan. Horrendous enough for me to feel my blood start boiling. "What?" Evan asked, but I didn't waste any time and pushed him hard so I could move towards the man who was kicking a poor stray cat trapped in a corner. "Hey!!!" I screamed at the man, and he immediately saw me. I thought he would finally let go of the poor cat, but he rested his foot on the cat, who was now lying poorly on the ground, trying to endanger the cat's dear life. Feeling furious, I immediately glared at him and asked him to stop abusing the cat. However, he couldn't care less, and a smirk came out of the man's face before kicking the poor cat again as if he was only kicking a rock. At that moment, I couldn't endure it anymore. My bloodline felt boiling to a whole level, almost blasting. I could almost see and feel a wave of invisible smoke coming out of my nose. I felt I reached the highest boiling point of my anger level, seeing how the man continued giving me mocking stares and intended to kick the poor cat again. Evan cleared his throat. "Hey, man, perhaps you should-" I grasped Evan's arm. "Stay out of this." He was trying to help, but I stopped him. This moment was my fight, I thought. I started this, so I must be the one to finish it. "What are you going to do?" Evan whispered at me. "He's double your size. Now is not the time to imagine things and pretend you're in an action movie." "Just watch," I smirked and took two pieces of white eggs from the bag I was holding. As ugly as the man looked, it was pretty obvious how nasty and broken his manners were, so I didn't care anymore. A person like him should be taught a lesson, or they will continue harming someone or something. "Hey!!! I shouted loud enough for the man to hear-no more like, boisterous enough to hear by the people passing by us. "Stay away from that poor cat!" I shouted again. It felt like I almost lost my voice, but it didn't matter; the poor cat must be saved by me, I mused. "You ugly piece of crap, go to hell!!!" I gravely threw the two eggs at his face. And I must say I did a great job because the eggs landed perfectly, ruining his already ugly face even more. "Holy sh*t, Misty," Evan uttered in shock mixed with a bit of laugh like he was in complete astonishment. However, it was his surge of astonishment that weighed more. "You-!" the man shouted furiously. There was quite a distance between us, yet I still managed to see how furious he was and how his eyebrows formed into a single line-Count Olaf's long single eyebrow could never! "Sh*t," Evan and I at the same time. I had no idea how we both arrived at the same conclusion of running away from the man, but Evan immediately grasped my hand and pulled me to dash, making us drop the bags containing Kayla's ingredients. I wanted to retrieve the bags, but it was likely impossible to do it, seeing how short the pace was between the crazy man and us. We passed by a couple of people, so Evan had to put on his mask again while running to make sure they wouldn't recognize him. Considering his comeback was around the corner, he was extra careful these days as media were flocking everywhere, secretly observing idols and actors. When he finished putting on a mask, he grabbed my hand again, ensuring we wouldn't get separated among the crowd. Evan couldn't control a laugh as we made a run. "Were you some kind of an extra actor before? Those extras who would bully the main leads of a drama by throwing eggs at them?" He actually had to ask that! Seriously? "I would love to be one and throw the eggs at you instead!" I scowled at him. "Just as when we need your motorcycle, and it's not here! Ugh!!!" I yelled as he pulled me and made a sharp right into a small corner covered by a big trash can. "Excuse me? I wasn't the one who threw those eggs at that man!" he bleated, gripping my hand tighter before removing his face mask again. Here we stopped running, both catching our breaths. Why is it that I always run away when I'm with Evan? I thought as I rolled my eyes. Why did we even run away? It was not as if that man would have actually hit or beaten us gravely, considering that we were in a public place with people walking around us earlier. How silly that we needed to run? Evan made me hide behind him as he took a peek to check if the was still following us. "Oh, no," I sighed. "Kayla will scold me. Oh, my gosh. What should we do? If we are to buy from another store, she will notice. That girl has eyes like a hawk, and her taste buds were probably formed uniquely. She probably has ten taste buds. Ugh." I said without a pause. I had to catch my breath again. "Misty, relax." He laughed quietly and suddenly wiped the slight sweat forming on my temples using the end of his long sleeve. "I think that man is not here anymore. Let's go back to the store and rebuy the ingredients. After that, we have to get the cat and take it to the animal center," he reckoned. I just nodded as I didn't want to complicate things more. My heart was still beating so fast from the adrenaline rush caused by our running. Was it really because of that? Or perhaps because we were shoved into this small corner-the little birds probably judging us, and if the carton boxes with illustrations on them weren't lifeless, they would probably too- and Evan was still holding my hand, his face close to me. And what's with the sudden gesture of wiping my sweat? In the end, I bit my lower lip to suppress my smile. "This is your fault!" I let go of his hand. "Eh? Why is this even my fault?" "If you didn't pull me to run, I could've thrown all the eggs that man!" Evan softly chuckled before turning his back to check if the man was not following us anymore. "Misty, quiet." "What?" I hissed. "He's here," Evan uttered and swiftly pinned me to the wall and even leaned closer to cover me. It was so fast as a lightning flash I didn't even have the time to argue anymore. My heart was pounding so fast again, almost recklessly trying to jump out of my chest. I should put an appointment with a cardiologist on my calendar and have them prevent this weird feeling from growing in my heart. "Are you sure?" When Evan finally fixed his fox-like, dreamy eyes on me, I gulped, realizing how close his face was to mine. "Yes. Let's wait. He'll get tired looking foolishly, anyway." How could Evan still look and smell this good even after running? Was he born to amaze me at how insanely good his overall features are? "Darn that lady!" We heard a familiar sound. It was the man from earlier, and this time he sounded even more infuriated. I couldn't see him because Evan was practically hugging me even though it wasn't necessary. But if I could, I would probably grab this block of wood beside us and smack it to his silly face to reprimand him for his abusive behavior toward that little cat. A couple of seconds passed, and I felt tired of our position, so I fidgeted and swallowed a big gulp this time. Though I was probably just feeling thirsty-no, nervous because of the tiny space between us. "Is that awful man still there?" I whispered. Evan took a peek at the man before leaning closer to my ear. "Yes. Why? Are you going to hit him with that block of wood?" he whispered, and from the way he sounded, he seemed to be repressing a chuckle. I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, thinking he had read my mind once again. "Do you work as a mind reader as a sideline? Or perhaps, do you have telepathic powers? Are you even a normal person?" "What?" he snorted. He probably would've laughed already if he could just laugh right now, knowing his happy vibe personality. He would laugh even if I made the lamest joke, and I would find it adorable of him. I rolled my eyes at him. "How come you always read my mind?" I prattled. I wanted to slap my face because I knew it wasn't the right time to make such silly jokes knowing a psychotic man was looking for us like a hungry lion that just came out from its den. "Then perhaps, we're compatible with each other." "H-Huh?" I stuttered. "That we have this connection." Why was he being all serious with those beautiful eyes of him? And for some unimaginable reason, I felt safe, cared for, and at ease like a turtle hiding under its shell as Evan kept protecting me with his arms. Misty, wake up! Now is not the time to imagine things. I had to bite my lip to keep saying and asking weird things. "Compatible, connection your face!" I softly smacked Evan's forehead with my palm, making his face lean a little before intending to look at the man myself. He just smirked. "Shh, don't look at him. He might see us again," he whispered right into my ears, making me feel a tingling sensation because of the air coming out of his mouth. "Misty. . ." "It tickles," I giggled. "What are you-" "Stop whispering into my ear. It tickles." I cut him off. "-doing?" We looked at each other for quite a few seconds, and at that moment, I had no idea how we both ended up silently laughing. Maybe it was how I suddenly made a silly complaint amid a severe situation. Maybe it was how our minds seemed a pile of mess, thinking of a possible way to escape from the man. Or maybe, it was the fact of realization that we were hiding like frightened kids when we knew we could've beaten the man until he collapsed to the ground. No, I was kidding. We could've appropriately talked with him. I had to cover my mouth with my hands so the man chasing us would not hear. He might've seen us already if that man wasn't a fool just how he looked. But he still did not. A little later, when Evan took a peek again, the man had left already. "Come on, let's get out of here." Evan put his face mask back before offering his hand to me. And at that particular moment, I didn't need to think twice about whether I should or not accept his hand because I immediately felt like wanting to hold it and feel his warmth for more time. "Let's go." I looked up to smile at him and willingly gave my hand to him before we started sauntering, our arms slightly touching each other as we headed back to where we had come off earlier. Neither of us talked as we made our way. However, it was more like he was waiting for me to say something. Or possibly, it was the other way around-I was the one waiting for him to say something. But why, though? It was not like like it if he reserved some funny speech to scold me for having to throw those eggs at the man. It was then that I realized I hadn't apologized to him for intending to avoid interacting with him so that I could avoid the unsettled growing feelings I had for him. I thought: 'What were these feelings, anyway? Why did I always feel things when I'm with Evan?' "Evan. . ." I halted from walking, making Evan stop as well. "Yeah?" There was it again; his soft voice. My head was clouded with surging thoughts, and I no longer cared about what Evan would think of my actions. I threw myself at Evan to hug him, my arms wrapped on his shoulder. I had to tiptoe a bit to reach him properly. "Evan, I'm sorry," I whispered before sniffing, my face buried in him. Evan was probably astounded and lost at my sudden action that he didn't even fidget; his arms still dropped to his side. Why wasn't he uttering even a single word? Was this too direct of an action? Just when I was about to let go of him because I realized it was probably a wrong move, Evan suddenly leaned and wrapped his arms around me. "Why are you saying sorry?" I tightened the hug and found myself sobbing already. "I'm sorry for avoiding you. Promise,"-I sniffed my nose on his shoulder-"I won't do it again. I won't avoid you anymore. So, please, please don't be mad at me. And please don't cut off my fruit yogurt stocks." I heard Evan laugh, a soft and endearing one that I would assume I did something magical to him. "Misty, I told you I'm not mad." I sniffed my nose again. "Really?" "Yes, but you're ruining my jacket," he chuckled. At that moment, I realized I dirt his jacket by sniffing my nose and wiping my tears on it. Eww. "That's it. I'm going to have to wash your jacket for you. Now let's remove this, okay?" I said in a tone of voice, sounding like wanting to escape from yet another embarrassment, and immediately took off Evan's jacket before walking quickly away from him out of embarrassment. This moment called, 'I sniffed my nose on Evan's jacket' moment should be added to my life's embarrassing episodes.