by Jennise K
Argh! I am thinking about him right now!
Quickly, I shook my head and hastened my pace.
Walking up to the library had always seemed like a heavy chore for me when I was a first year student, but somehow after two years, it had become something like a walk in a garden. I huffed as I finally arrived in the chilly library.
Strangely so, the library seemed slightly unoccupied today, and I frowned in confusion. I walked further into the large room, sending a small smile towards the librarian when I passed by her.
Quickly finding my favourite spot, I melted into the seat, took out my research paraphernalia—a notebook, pens, highlighters, books—and began working on the upcoming exam. I was determined to finish at least an eighth of the revision for it tonight. And then I would go back home, to Letty and Aunt Prue.
And all the thoughts my room would bring. But until then, I’d be cooped in here with my books.
~
“Miss.”
I groaned in pain as I brought my head up from its uncomfortable position on the hard desk and looked up to see the librarian looking worried.
“Miss, are you okay?” she asked again, and despite my splitting headache, I looked up at her and nodded, then shook my head when the headache only intensified.
“Miss, it’s nearly ten o’clock. You’ve been here for four hours. Maybe you should go home now and rest?”
Ten o’clock?
“Yeah. Yes, I think I should,” I mumbled, pressing my temples as an attempt to alleviate the pain. I grabbed all of my stuff and shoved them all in my backpack in one go. Quickly shuffling out of my seat, I shot out of library, but not before sending a “thank you” to the librarian.
“Take care!” she responded loudly, standing up from her seat.
I smiled. Madame Librarian had broken her own library’s number one rule.
“Uff!”
Even though my headache had calmed down a bit, the impact of slamming into someone hit me strong. I let out a loud yelp as I felt myself stumble backwards from the sudden collision. Two strong arms immediately reached out and grabbed me at the elbows, pulling me forward.
I let out another uff when my face smacked against a hard chest. The expensive cologne on the person’s black suit, which was possibly Armani though I was not really sure, struck a familiar chord, and I looked up, then froze.
“I suppose looking while you’re walking isn’t something you usually do?”
I blinked. The man’s dark intense eyes pierced into mine, and on instinct, I flinched backwards. Immediately, his arm shot out and wrapped around my back, pulling me forward.
“And to top it off, you’re clearly clumsy”—with his other hand, he held my forehead and said—“and sick.”
I flinched again, then looked down at his arm wrapped around me. “I’m sorry,” I blurted out, then twisted so that he would let me go. This time, he did.
Despite myself, I looked back up at him and failed. I couldn’t see the man clearly; he placed himself exactly in the shadows, the incandescent light only illuminating a part of his features while I stood in the light.
I could, however, make out his almost shoulder-length hair, and the slight shadows of a stubble on his chin. I frowned when I noticed I couldn’t say much about his lips because it was pulled into a thin line. I couldn’t see his eyes anymore, but strangely, the shadows where they hid still held me captive. And it felt like I’d seen those eyes somewhere.
“Are you quite done staring yet?” he asked, taking me out from my trance.
I felt a deep blush take over my face. “Sorry.” Flustered, I extended my hand out. “Hi! I’m Olivia.”
I watched as the corners of the stranger’s lips pulled up in the smallest of trace of a smile. Reaching out, he covered my hand with his and said simply, “Rome.”
My eyes widened when I felt complete warmth from the contact of his hand over mine. As if in response, Beasty’s mark tingled as sparks shot under my skin. I snapped my head to see Rome’s face now, but what drew me in was his eyes, which were wide in shock, too.
Stiff with confusion, he quickly ripped his hand from mine.
“What was that?” I whispered almost to myself as I involuntarily pulled my hair back to one side and began to soothingly massage Beasty’s bite mark.
Instantly, Rome’s arms reached out and pulled me against him, a low growl rumbled out of his chest. I gasped when I felt his lips against my mark. The sparks took over again, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand. Gulping down my fear, I moved a little back and looked up at Rome. A pair of something gold—where his eyes were—flashed and shone in the dark, which only made me gasp more and confirm my suspicions. But I wouldn’t let this opportunity pass. He had to say it himself.
“Who are you?” I whispered, my hands clutching the front of his suit tightly.
We stood motionless for a second before I felt his hands move to my arms. Still in the shadows, he leaned forward, and reflexively, I held my breath.
“Beasty.”
His whisper echoed around me in the darkness. Before I knew it, the hall spun in a blur as he twirled me around. This caused another headache, and I let out a small yelp. Forcing myself to stop, I looked up only to see that Rome was nowhere to be found. Rome was now gone.
Rome. His name was Rome.
Another wave of agony and I couldn’t take it anymore as tiny black dots began taking over my vision.
My world darkened, but not before seeing the familiar golden eyes before me again and feeling the familiar touch of two arms around me. I swooned then fell into the darkness.
Chapter 5
Panic struck deep as soon as I found myself pushing past the veil of unconsciousness.
It felt like only a second—after blinking away the haze—when I found myself jumping out of bed, bolting towards my bedroom door. I knew for a fact that someone had caught me before I had fainted, and most likely, it was him.
The tiny butterflies in my chest fluttered as I silently whispered Beasty’s actual name in my head. The stairs came into my view, and I propelled myself to get downstairs faster.
The burning ache from my whole body seemed strangely dull despite the sudden physical exertion, but my joints screamed in protest as I rushed down. My sudden fever was at its peak, but in this moment, I didn’t care. I didn’t know what I was running for. I didn’t exactly know where I was running to actually.
Common sense told me whoever had caught me during my dizzy spell was sure to have been long gone by now. The urgency I felt in my chest, however, demanded I keep running and see for myself.
“Olivia! I’m so happy you’re up!” Prue came into view, a look of relief on her face. I took no notice of her and just kept running. “Wait, where are you going? No, wait! Stop, Olivia, please! You’re sick!” I shook my head as I rushed past her.
The front door was the last thing blocking me. I flung it open.
I just needed to see. Once.
Heavy beads of rain poured outside, and a chilly breeze slapped against my face. Even so, I saw the unmistakable outlines of a car—not Prue’s nor mine—parked in our driveway.
A relieved smile slipped onto my features. He was still here. Prue, who had given up trying to reason with me, looked to where my gaze was concentrated.
“Oh! The nice guy who came to drop you! Yes, he was just about to leave actually,” Prue spoke up from behind, and I felt myself turn frantic once again.
Suddenly, the unmistakable sound of the car engine turning on hummed against the beating rain. So he’s still here. Panic blazing in my chest, I rushed out into the pouring rain, pushing past every sane thought.
“Olivia!” Prue called out to me.
I didn’t respond.
I knew I was shivering, each drop hitting my skin like a needle prick. By the time I reached the car, I had cursed out a million profanities.
This was crazy.
Pushing aside the wayward hair away from my face, I rapped on th
e car’s door with my knuckles. Instantly, the man sitting inside turned, and I felt my eyes widen.
My gaze swept his features with an almost whimsical feeling in my chest. From his sharp-angled straight jawline to his sleeked back hair and to his thin aristocratic nose—everything pulled me in. His dark piercing eyes were cold and held a hint of admonition.
I blinked, my attention once again trained on the man inside the car.
His blazing dark eyes widened, and I gulped when he turned off the ignition and reached out to open the door.
He was furious. I could just feel it.
I moved back as soon as he flung the door open and got out of his car, his suit jacket in his hand.
“What are you doing outside? Are you stupid?”
I was. I was stupid. But in that moment, I was too stubborn to admit it, so I took a step forward, my hands folded in front of me.
“Is this who you really are? A coward? Why do you even show up when you’ll just run away again?” I said vehemently, emphasizing the last word and flinging a hand in the air for added effect.
The man’s dark eyes blazed in the rain, and he took a step forward, his jaw tightening.
“Get inside the house,” Rome bit out, emphasizing each word as he took another step closer.
I stood there while he advanced his way toward me. The rain fell down harder, baring its fury. In the distance, the sound of thunder struck through the air.
I tilted my head up in surprise and noticed we were now chest to chest. He glared down at me.
“So, you’re not going to answer me? I deserve an answer, you know,” I grit back the fury I was feeling. I felt like smacking his face against the car until he spills out everything I wanted to hear.
Why is he even trying to hide?
Rome stared at me a second longer, still frustrated, before he covered my head with his jacket. I blinked. An aching heaviness landed on my chest, and I felt everything tingle.
Task done, he took a step back, his fists clenched on his sides. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what you’re talking about, Olivia. We met earlier in the evening because we bumped into each other. We introduced ourselves, and you collapsed. I think you just need some sleep,” he mumbled apologetically, and for a second, I almost believed him.
Then the second passed, and I took another step forward, my chest pressed into his. I couldn’t help but shudder at the warmth he was radiating.
“First, you save my life. Then you bite my neck, giving me a mark that probably won’t ever fade. You call me. Then tell me that’s goodbye. You call me again. Then cut the line. I finally start to think that I won’t hear from you again, and suddenly, you show up right in front of me and confess. And now you pretend you don’t know me at all. Who do you think you are? Make up your mind. Either you admit the truth and settle this, or don’t ever come back in my life.”
Rome’s eyes blazed golden as he leaned down until our noses touched. “What should I admit when there is nothing to admit?”
I stiffened. Is he for real?
My body ached in protest with my long exposure to the rain. I bit my lip, trying my best to stop the groan from slipping out.
Suddenly, my fever was slowly taking over, and I didn’t care why he was lying and being so mean. Knowing that he didn’t want to acknowledge me or the mark or saving my life made me want to turn around and leave.
So, I did. What was the point anyway?
“Fine,” I mumbled then began walking back to the house.
I heard, rather than felt, the rain fall harder. I was that numb.
I closed my eyes at the thought of why I was so and gasped when I swayed on my feet. When I opened my eyes, I saw two arms quickly slide under my legs, scooping me up. I quickly grasped onto Rome’s shirt, my wide eyes solely on his.
He, however, looked straight ahead as he strode forward into my house and up the stairs. Aunt Prue and Letty watched us pass by, stunned. I watched as his jaw tightened and an angry vein popped in the middle of his forehead and his neck. His lips were drawn in a thin line.
My room came into view, and I watched Rome as he strode in with me still cradled in his arms. Around us, tiny trinkets and pretty candles glowed in their stands, casting off a dim light in my room. The soft scent of frangipani and lemon lingered in the air while each scented candle melted away into the night.
Striding over to my bed, Rome leaned forward and placed me down gently, his eyes now on mine. I watched, stunned, as he brought up his hand and slowly pushed all the hair on my forehead aside. His fingers moved down to caress my cheeks.
My hand found his, and I stilled when his fingers hooked around mine.
“You gave me a choice. I’m sorry,” he said.
Without warning, Rome leaned in—slowly but surely—and planted his lips on mine.
A gust of wind swept the curtains and danced into my room, and just as soon as the kiss had begun, it was over. My eyes shot open as I felt the first tear slip down my cheek. I hope this was just a dream, but the rumpled sheets of my bed bore evidence that he was here.
But it seemed so distant now because I knew I would never see him again.
This was his goodbye.
And the saddest bit was I still didn’t know why.
~
Three weeks later
Isn’t it strange how we discover ourselves a little bit better each day?
A little pet peeve, a little weakness.
A little characteristic that until yesterday seemed so invisible but now exposed under a spotlight.
The ability to forgive over and over again without even knowing it. The ability to unconsciously look over faults.
The ability of automatically staying quiet about something that seems so important to us. The tiniest of habits of putting all of the jars in a straight line. Or making sure we see someone smile at least once every day.
The feeling of just sitting down somewhere and appreciating a particular weather, the ocean breeze, or a certain season.
A sigh left my lips as I lay on a mat of leaves below me while the branches over me danced slowly in the breeze.
Summer was coming to an end, and then autumn would bring the school break. I watched as another leaf broke off from a tree and floated down. A smile graced my lips when it fell on my dress.
Weeks had passed by since I had first discovered this spot. In the beginning, it had been to hide myself from everyone else, then I used it to read all the books I had obtained about werewolves.
At the thought of the books, I scoffed. Each book had turned out ridiculous notions of what little I knew was true.
None explained the golden eyes and the bites. Except that it turned the victim into a werewolf too, and so far, I knew I was still perfectly human. Everything in the books I gathered only talked about the dates and events in the history of these creatures.
I sighed again as my mind brought up the one person I had spent ages in the same spot thinking about then pushing aside.
Rome.
Weeks had passed, but my mind still lingered in the memory of our kiss. And each week proved what I knew to be true but which I was in denial of: that kiss had been a goodbye. I would never see him again.
“Funny how I always find you here.”
My head shot towards the person who spoke, and I happily sighed at the girl who stood at the edge of the curtain of branches.
“Hey, Aby.”
Abigail grinned as she moved further under the low hanging branches to where I lay and plopped down beside me with a soft thud.
“What’s up?”
Despite myself, I sent Abigail a stink eye. I found that question slightly ridiculous. “What’s up?” Does it still make sense? “The sky.”
“Oh God, will you ever stop?” Aby groaned as she shifted further, leaning against the trunk of the willow tree behind us. I rolled my eyes but didn’t answer.
Abigail and I found solace in the silence. It wasn’t necessary to talk and be happy when we were
such good friends. The silence had an appeal of its own, too.
I sighed as I watched the branches of the willow tree sway above me.
“Liv?”
I turned towards Abigail.
“Hmm?”
Her concerned eyes met mine. “I’ve been noticing this for a month now, and…I know something is bugging you.”
My eyes widened, but I couldn’t bring myself to speak because I might only say things I would regret later. But I couldn’t fill the void that followed. Luckily, Abigail continued to talk.
“There’s…erm…there’s something I want to—”
“Here you girls are!”
Instantly, both Abigail and I turned towards the voice, and I immediately groaned aloud seeing Jay. River was not far behind.
“We brought chicken?” River grinned like that was going to appease our disappointment. I frowned in response. It was not going to work.
“No eating under this willow tree,” I warned them as both the boys dropped down beside us.
Jaydin eased out on his back, and after a minute or two of strategic planning, he finally landed his head on Abigail’s lap. I watched with a smirk as Abigail sighed before giving in. Jaydin looked like he was on seventh heaven.
“You guys excited about the project?” River spoke up as he eased onto his back too, his head slightly resting on my thigh. The chicken takeout lay beside the boys, forgotten.
My palm found his forehead, and I smacked him lightly.
“Worth it.” He chuckled, turning his head towards me.
I rolled my eyes.
“I don’t know, guys. Redanward Estate seems like such a scary place. Some say the last portrait Adam Ohalm had painted of himself has his soul trapped inside it and is said to be alive until now!” Abigail related to us.
At the mention of such supernatural phenomenon—although a thorough investigation was yet to be conducted—my ears perked up. And it seemed I wasn’t the only curious one, as quickly three pairs of eyes turned towards Abigail.