Chapter VI:" I can be what you want me to be."

"Hey girl!" Dylan said once she spotted me in the crowded hallway of our high school. Dylan strolled towards me, her hells made a clinking sound with the marble floors.

I noticed as she made her way towards me that she had dyed her hair a different color since the holiday and her tone muscular arms were evident in her body con top.

Also, she had boobs now!

Besides her was another friend of mine, Fiona. The shy blonde  haired girl had her head down their whole way towards me.

Omce they were closer enough I gave them a tight group hug. They pulled away and glared at me.

"It’s good to see you guys! " I cried, excitedly, not minding their expressions.

"What?" Dylan smacked the back of my head playfully, crossed her arms and looked away.

"Ouch." I said laying some strands of my hair back into its bun.

"Oh shush. We had to find out from my cousin who found out from her father, who found out from his boss that you got engaged? " Fiona uttered louder than I would like.

"It hurt." They said in unison placing their hand on their hearts to pronounce their level of silliness.

I tightened my face and put a finger on my lips, "Shhhh. I don't want anyone to find out." I looked to see if anyone had heard.

In school everyone. Ethan and I were an open secret. If anyone were to carry the gossip that I was engaged to someone else? I'd hate to see how my name would be dragged.

"How could you do this to us?" Dylan asked.

"I'm sorry. I would have told you guys, but it is only temporary. There's no way I'll marry Athier. " I said in a whisper, they knew the way I felt about Athier.

Dylan opened her mouth to respond but close it immediately, her eyes landed on a figure behind me and her mouth formed a thin line.  I spun around to see who her expression was geared at.

Walking towards me was my boyfriend, Ethan.

In a few strides, Ethan had caught up to us and pulled me into an embrace. I looked up at him, utterly comfortable in his arms. I went on my tiptoes, planted a soft kiss on his lips then, pulled away.

He offered me a slight smile before tuning to my friends and greeting them. Fiona replied sweetly while Dylan nodded dismissively.

I rolled my eyes slightly, getting uneasy. I tugged at Ethan's sleeve gently and walked away from Dylan and Fiona. When we arrived somewhere a lot quieter, I whispered to him. “I have plans with your brother today, is that okay?”

Ethan stared at me perplexed. “Oh?” he muttered.

I told him as a notice. In a week I had thought of a way to get back at Athier.

“I thought we had plans to hang out today, the rest of the week I have football and motorcycle practice,”

Ethan said. I nodded in understanding.

“I know but this is important,” I replied sweetly.

He answered, “don’t do anything reckless with Athier.” “What are you planning?” He nodded my way.

“Nothing, I just have to settle a grievance,” I replied, smiling cheekily. Ethan’s expression seemed like he was considering something.

After remaining silent for a while he got a phone call and went to take it. “It’s the captain,” he said before jogging away from me.

***

After school, I strolled into the Quier Mansion.

“Miss Ditton.” An elderly female servant met me at the entrance. “Good afternoon Mary, I’m looking for Athier?” I asked the woman.

“Oh! Dear, he was in the kitchen a while ago. He should be at the dining table now.” She recalled. I smiled at her in response and walked to the dining room.

The round wooden table in the dining room of the Quier's felt cold to touch, my head was full of thoughts as I leaned against it. Athier wasn’t there yet.

One thing kept repeating in my head like a broken record.

It has to be done today. I'd get him back today.

My fingers tapped the table repeatedly wondering where he was. After waiting for some time, I pushed myself away from the table.

Athier walked into the dining room at that moment when I had resolved to go look for him in his bedroom. He stopped on his tracks the moment he saw me and rolled his eyes out of pure indifference.

"Hi, you look nice. " I said, starting our conversation pleasantly whilst bashing in his ‘taken-back’ countenance.

"Why are you here? "He asked after the surrounding silence hovered for a while.

Athier had on a tired look. He had dark circles around his eyes and his lips were fixed in a thin line as if they were screwed on.

He moved from the door to the table. "Don’t you have anything to do? Or is your best friend Ethan busy?” He replied placing a sarcastic emphasis on ‘Best friend’.

"I’d much rather spend time with my prince charming?" I spat out sweet words that tasted bitter in my mouth.

Athier scoffed and came up to where I was. Before I knew it, he was leaning on me clasping my hands that were formerly on the table in his. My breath caught.

The tired look he had before switched in a millisecond to a dark calculating one.

"I think of ways we can spend time together. Although, I can’t guarantee we won’t both lose our sanity." He whispered, sending shivers down my spine, as his proximity to me was now almost at zero. I tried to move, but that seemed impossible with his body a few inches away from mine, excluding clothing. I felt bothered having him next to me.

“How can someone be so shameless?” I sent his way, looking up at him. His dark green eyes snatched mine holding them captive as silence clouded us. The longer I looked into then the more I felt like I was drowning.

“From taking a lot of time to hone the skill.” He answered letting go of me. He pulled out a dining chair beside me and sat down. My breathing became more even immediately.

"Malia? I had no idea you were around." Charlotte, Athier’s mom interrupted, entering from the kitchen. A few seconds earlier and she would’ve seen the scene that had played out.

“Hi Charlotte,” I greeted. “I came over to visit Athier,” I replied.

Taking this opportunity that presented itself I continued, “and also to ask him out on a date.”

Athier’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets in disbelief.

"Great! I am so happy that you two are actually getting along. It's what's best after all. Lately, I’ve been disturbing Kaden and your mom, Layla with all the arrangements." She beamed.

I nodded at her, squinting my eyes and faking a smile at her excitement.

“Alright, I won’t take your time. I’m sure you have much to talk about.” She stated and strolled out of the dining room.

Athier turned at me once she left. I shuffled back away from him with slow steps.

“I asked when she was here because it was the only way to get you to agree to it,” I hurriedly uttered in my defense as I staggered away from him. Athier held daggers for eyes. “I knew you would say no otherwise. Since you hate me, there’s really no reason for you to say yes…” I continued.

Athier’s eyes close thoughtfully before opening back again. “How have you managed to survive this long? Always using yourself as a measure for others. It’s a surprise people tolerate you.” His reply was delivered in a calm tone that felt a lot like a father scolding his child. I didn’t reply.

“I don’t know what you’ve convinced yourself with. But, I don’t hate you.” He stated, gazing intensely at me from where he sat.

Of course, you do! You hate me almost as much as I do you.

That wasn’t something that was a secret. I thought as my throat felt restricted.