Chapter Five

Kehlani eyed Hardin’s back view cautiously as they made their way home, well just the two of them because Trinity had errands to run at the supermarket so she left school early, but not before putting Hardin at her tail to guide her.

 Who needed guidance? She already said no if not because she had seen the disappointed look on Hardin’s face, that it mattered she knew more than to get emotionally swayed by someone but then she still had to make it up to him. 

Hardin was nice, persistent but the one thing she appreciates was that he knew just when to fuck off. He didn’t ask, hasn’t since that night. She knew Trinity had something to do with it, but it didn’t stop Hardin, he wouldn’t do it with his mouth but with his eyes yes, looking at her like she was obliged to reveal all to him. He might have managed to keep his mouth shut but he was still doing a terrible job with his eyes.

 “Hey Kehlani” 

A voice snapped her out of her thoughts, hitting her leg on a huge rock on the ground before her. Great, could this day get any worse? She thought sarcastically.

 Hardin was immediately by her side, holding onto her right foot. “Does it hurt?”

Just the right question to ask, of course it hurts. She wanted to yell at him but instead she took her leg from his hold ignoring the pain.

She nodded. “I’m fine” 

Hardin didn’t look convinced but he didn’t push, he just nodded. “Pay more attention okay so you won’t get hurt again”

 The tone of his voice gave her some chills. He didn’t sound scary or anything but he sounded so much like her father, when he still cared though.

She shoved the feeling off and glanced up, she stiffened with a gasp surprised at how close Hardin was.

 “What are you doing?” 

 “Kehlani do you hate me?”

  She didn’t hate Hardin, hate was such a strong word. She just didn’t find his company necessary or of any use, that wasn’t hate though.

 “No”

Hardin smiled, looking accomplished? Or was it pleased? She stood still as he brought his head closer to hers, she could pull away, punch him even but instead she stood still and when he put his lips on hers, she tensed but Hardin didn’t seem to mind because he just moved closer assaulting her lips and she let him, even doing him the pleasure of kissing him back.

 This wasn’t her first kiss, not her second or third but this kiss had to be the most disgusting ever. She felt choked. His scent enveloped her causing a funny sensation at the pit of her stomach, he felt like something wrong. When he stuck his tongue into her mouth she pulled away, uneasiness and anger overwhelmed her, not butterflies like Trinity had told her, clenching her fingers so she wouldn’t punch him, but she wanted to, her fist itched for it.

 “Sorry I got a bit carried away,” Hardin said with an innocent smile.

She said nothing and stared at him. What was she to say? Thank you for the kiss? She needed him gone, with his choking scent and stupid face.

 “See you tomorrow Hardin” She told him and walked past him, sighing deeply, so much for giving Trinity’s advice a chance. She heard footsteps behind her and she frowned, just who does this guy think he was?

 “Don’t follow me,” She growled.

“Will you be fine on your own?”

She clenched her jaw. “I remember doing just fine without you,” She snapped.

Wait, has she said that out loud? The footsteps had stopped but she could still feel his gaze on her. She turned to face him, he looked sad.

 Sorry? Nope she wasn’t. “I will send you a message when I get back” 

 Hardin nodded with what seemed like a forced smile. “I’ll be waiting”

 She nodded and turned away from him and exhaled deeply. All she needed was some sleep, and then cranky Kehlani would go bye bye.

 She looked down the lane and spotted some people outside. She certainly was in no greeting mood, and she would probably snap if she went down that lane. So for the good of herself, she took a left turn; she'd just take the long way home instead.

 Her phone vibrated against her butt, reaching for her phone in her back pocket she clicked on the green icon when she saw it was Trinity calling.

“Hey”

She felt at ease immediately when she heard Trinity’s voice. “Hi”

 “What’s wrong?” Trinity asked immediately.

“Can you please stop setting me up with Hardin”

There was a mumbling sound in the background.

“Did he do anything?”

 The mumbling sound came again followed by Trinity growling into her ears.

“Dad some privacy” Trinity yelled then the sound of a door slam. “Dad says hi”

 She smiled. “Send my regards too. And yes something did happen” She confirmed before Trinity could ask again.

“I’m going to kill him,” Trinity said through gritted teeth. “But first he did what?”

 “He kissed me”

 The other end went quiet and she knew Trinity was gushing quietly.

 “But it’s not a bad thing”

 “Wait what!”

 “You like it right?”

 “I don’t know”

“Did you bite his lips and push him away?”

“No but I wanted to punch him hard”

 “Was your heart beating faster?”

Yes, with fear. “I didn’t like it” 

The mumbling came again and this time she made out the words ‘dishes’ ‘invite’ and ‘lazy’ 

 “I’ll handle it”

“Okay. You’re busy” 

 “Yes sadly, so tomorrow?”

 “Cool. Bye”

She took a left turn as she ended the call, crashing into a hard body. Although whoever it was grabbed her waist to prevent the fall but instead they both fell. She hit the ground hard with the person right on top of her.

 She groans in pain, holding onto the front of his shirt tightly. She made to look up but instead her head slammed against his jaw, the pain shot straight through her body. Deep voice groans filled her ears, distracting her from her pain. The pressure on her reduced as the body on her moved to the ground.

She sat up, massaging the middle of her head. It hurts so badly. The person beside her rose. The first thing she noticed was that he was a boy, and a tall one, wearing a white shirt and light blue jeans. He dusted his clothes and turned to face her.

 Her breath hitched, as she came face to face with the brightest blue eyes she has ever seen, reminded her of the ocean. His eyebrows were strangely fuller than usual, with a well defined jawline. He had short dirty blonde hair and he had to be the most gorgeous dude she has ever seen.

 He looked like a prince from a castle, but then again he looked like some forest ranger toughened by the world. He had a conflicting beauty, looked a little leaner than he should be.

 “Pervert”

 She frowned pushing up her feet. “Uh excuse me, are you calling me a pervert?”

 He eyed her, looking very angry. “You were literally eye fucking me”

 She gasped not only shocked at his accusation but how vulgar he seemed.

“I did not,” She countered, dusting off her shirt. “And you should be apologizing for crashing into me”

“I wasn’t the one focused on my phone, was I? And certainly not the one with no manners”

 His words felt like sharp needles. In her nineteen years has someone ever spoken this way to her, everyone adores her. She certainly didn’t like this treatment, coming from a stranger more or less.

 “You insensitive…”

“You know what, keep your stupid apology not like it would add any value to me anyways” He snapped glaring hard at her.

She should walk away, she told herself like she would always do but there was something about this jerk that made her want to lash out, beat him up even. He seemed pretty suitable to let out all her frustrations. They would never meet again anyways.

“Don’t raise your voice at me” She fired back, glaring back at him.

 He scoffs. “Oh sorry princess” He said in sarcasm and made to walk away.

“I’m not fucking done with you yet” She grabbed his arm pulling him back aggressively. The surprising part was how he flinched when she grabbed his arm and the way he staggered back when she released him.

 Half her anger was gone when she saw him grab his arm and groan in pain. He was hurt for real; she caught a glimpse of red stain on his shirt when his hand moved.

 “Sorry I…” She started but trailed off as he shot her a glare, his eyes darkened with anger. He didn’t spare her another glance as he stormed past her and into the dark.

 Oh God, what has she done?