Chapter Three: I shake my head, “No. I don't think we met before.”

NAYA

“I need you to leave,” I repeat myself.

What’s wrong with this guy? He doesn't even budge. He's just only sitting there looking at me without lifting a single bone. 

His eyes blinks “Sorry. What?” He gets up and walks closer to me.

I slowly back away from him before he reaches me.

What is he doing? If he’s planning to do something stupid, he better not if I were him.

I fold my arms in front of me. “Okay. I will repeat myself. ” I close my eyes and take a deep breathe, but I'm still holding my bag to my chest for protection. “This is my place and nobody is allowed out here except me.” I flick my eyes open at him.

“What if I don't?” He says, circling his tongue inside his cheeks. 

“I'm begging you,” I say.

His face slowly relaxes as if he doesn't expect a stranger begging in front of him.

I just need him to go.

He doesn't have the right to be here. I own this place. 

He looks over me and scans my face. I feel the urge to look away from his gaze. I have no time for eyes-staring contest right now.

“I'm sorry. Did I do something wrong?” He says with full curiosity.

He didn’t at all. It’s just that he’s here and it annoys me so much that he can’t get it  that I don’t want him here! I don't even know him at all. If he leaves right now, then I’ll shut my mouth.

My eyes shift to the sun setting behind him. If he won't leave soon, I won't be able to have my special time to watch the whole thing. I can't miss a day.

I shake my head, remembering his question. “You didn't. I just need to you leave. This is my spot and no one is allow to trespass here.” 

He chuckles as if that's funny. “Why? Does your name written somewhere?” He asks. His eyes scan around. “I don't see anything,” he raises his brow at me.

“I found this place first and you have no right to be here.” I argue.

“You're being childish.” He blurts out. 

His words cut straight up to my gut, but I won't stop until he leaves. How can that be so hard to do?

I sigh, gazing away. “I am only asking you to leave. It's just a simple thing to do.” I tell him.

His smiles appear on the little corner of his mouth.

“I'm quite impressed you have forgotten about me that quick.” He says.

What?

“What are you talking about?” I ask him when his words hits a curiosity builds up in my mind. “Are you saying that we met before?”

“Are you sure you don't remember me?” He asks staring at me again.

He takes a step back in disappointment.  He is wearing a plaid back shirt that shouldn't be wore inside the campus during Mondays to Fridays.  Students are only allowed to not wear their uniforms during Wednesdays. So this guy is a rule breaker?

I shake my head, “No. I don't think we met before.”

“Well, we did.”

Where did I met this guy by the way? It's so hard to remember random people you have no interest in. 

I flip my hair to the side, “Well, do I seem like I care?” I say in a firm voice.

His smiles fades fast. He gazes away and keeps his head low to his chest.

“I'm sorry if I ever trespassed.” He says grabbing his bag below him aggressively. He looks hurt but I could careless. I want him to disappear from my sight right here, right now.

Before he proceeds to the door, he says, “I wouldn't have saved you last night if I have known you would be this selfish and careless person,” Then he walks past me.

I slap my hand to mouth as the gasp leaves my mouth realizing he was the guy last night. How did I not recognize him right away? I turn around to stop him but I only catch the door swinging closed.

My eyes meet the ground. 

But he could have told me it right away. I mean he could convince me if he was straightforward.

I walk towards the solid barrier, leaning my arms on top of it. I put my face on my hands as the realization hits me.

Why do I act like this?

Maybe that strange rule-breaker guy was right. Maybe I am a selfish person and a careless one. And it's not hard for me to ignore the fact that maybe it's what everyone else sees in me too. Maybe it's how my mother sees me as that's why she's leaving me behind with my father.

I can't help but feel lonely about that. Before I can stop my tears, they have finally fallen. Streaming down my face. 

Why his words stings in me just right now? I don't  even know that guy. It was only one time he saved me. But the way he said those words to me as if he has saved me a thousand times like a superhuman being. 

The sky begins to grumble as the dark clouds gathering rapidly above me. I think it will rain soon. When the strong wind blows my way, I grab my hair at the same time closing my eyes.

The sky makes another grumbling sound, giving me another warning before it falls down.

I better head home or else I'll be swimming in the rain. And I forgot to bring my umbrella again.

What a great day. I declare to myself sarcastically. 

As soon as I said that the heavy rain pours down. My feet scramble towards the door and get inside the building. 

The wind crashes the door behind me. It doesn't even have a lock so it's hard to close it. I leave it and rush down the stairs making me pant in panic and relief eventually. 

I stay at the canopy of the building. My mother will be looking for me and wonder why I’m not home yet, but I can’t go in this heavy rain.

I will just wait for it to at least lessen a little bit before I go. 

I swing my feet a few times before I finally run my way to the gates. By bag is soaking wet. I'm only worried about my notebooks inside it since the rest are plastic. The rain keeps pouring and every step I take it feels it get heavier and heavier. 

When I am approaching the gate, I place my bag over my head as if it would save me from soaking wet.

I push the gate open but before I can make another run, I see someone's feet runs next to me. 

I stop moving and remove my bag above me. When I look up, it's him again.

I attempt to run away, but he grabs my wrist to stop me. 

I freeze when his touch sends a rush of chills on my arms. I do my best not to look down at it.

“Stay.” He says. “I won't talk about anything. Aren’t you worried about yourself? You might get sick after this.” His eyes are fixed ahead. 

I don't say anything. I'm still in shock. I wonder if he was waiting for me to come out of the building when it started to rain or if he came back for me. 

This is the second time he is saving me, but  I can't figure out how I should react this time.

He lets go of my hand when we start walking. The silence and the sound of the rain thumping on the umbrella are the only things accompanying us. Then here goes our hands start on bumping onto each other. He replaces his other hand holding the umbrella instead so it stops hitting mine.

It takes us twenty minutes to round to the main part of the town where the small buildings and streets collides and nearly where I live. 

It seems none of us will speak first and I will be off soon, so I have to Inform him at least. “I...” I attempt to speak. 

 “I think I'll be able okay now. Our house is just about that corner. ” I point somewhere ahead.

We stop in front of the convenience store. The rain has slow down which is I am happy for.

He faces me. “Are you sure?” He says, his tone is worried.

I nod without catching his gaze falls on me. I am guilty by the way I have treated him harshly after all and he still doesn't stop being kind to me that it makes it so difficult for me to make an eye contact. 

“Are you really the guy yesterday?” I ask. 

I just want confirmation.

He smiles a little. “So you believe me now?”

Then I remember what he said earlier before he walked away, “I wouldn't have saved you last night if I have known you would be this selfish and careless person.”

“I better go.” My voice turns cold. 

“Wait.” He grabs my wrist again. 

I pull away immediately. He takes a step back with his lips parted. 

I am still hurt by his words. He have no right to say those words to me. He hurt me. To be honest, I think have caused me more pain than I did him.

“I want to see you again.” He blurts out.

What?

“Don't worry. We're in the same campus. You probably will.” I say in a cold tone.

“Can I...” He says, but stops himself from going further.

What is it he was about to say?.

“I want to thank you for…for what you did for me” Our eyes lock.  “Let's just forget that we ever met. That's all I want to ask from you. Never speak to me again or save me from anything even if I need it. It's better that way.”  I say with full intent and clarification.

I can tell he is not prepared hearing these words from me. 

“Wha-what do you mean?” He stutters. 

“We will probably come across each other's way but that's it. No talking or trying to do something. I hope that's clear now.” I may sound a little rude but he needs to know this.

His face is still in disbelief.

He looks down to our feet. It's a funny thing I don't know his name yet, but maybe that’s why I don’t have to know it in the first place.  

“I don't think I can do that.” He says rubbing the back of his neck.

“You have to.” I say. 

“I don't want to.” He says in whisper. “Last night...”

“I don't care,” I shake my head, then look away.

It's never going to work for me. I'm no longer interest in anything he wants to say. 

“Did you come to the party?” He asks.

“I didn't.” I say.

“Why? Everyone is enjoying it.”

“Of course. Including you. ” I tell him.

He stays silence. He glances to the side. Maybe he agrees with me. I can tell the way he is avoiding me.

He nods, “It was fun until...” He stops again.

Is he not going to finish his sentence? 

“If you're not going to say anything more, then I think I'll go.” I add, “Thank you again. And don't forget our agreement." I remind him with a solidity in my voice.

He doesn’t say anything more, but a smirk appears on the side of his face.  

I turn to the other direction and slowly start walking. I glance over my shoulders to look at him once more. His hand is on his pocket while he watches me further go.

He lifts his hand in the air and waves at me, “Bye. I'll see you again.” I don’t know why his voice still clear to me even thought we’re already far from each other.

Look away Naya.  

Now!

 I finally do.

Maybe he's not that bad after all. He doesn't look like it. And maybe, he won't be staying away from me which would be a problem.

It scares me so much. It scares me that if he doesn't stop coming around my way,  I'll get drawn to him. That I wouldn't be able to distance myself. And it would be too late. That's why I want to never see him anymore. To never have conversation or contact with him or anyone. It’s not like he is asking me out, but I can see that it’s going to that direction.

I don't have time for anything like this yet.

I say to myself. 

Well, last night, I was having trouble sleeping. I couldn't stop thinking about him. And the mix thoughts I have on my best friend, Sophia. I guess I just missed her.

But it’s the first time after in a while I think about a guy.

Once I pass through our living room,  I close the door of my room and switch the lights on. My father is watching the news on the TV. I don't notice my mother around. Maybe she's already sleeping in their room. 

I pull my shirt up to head and throw it on the basket next to my dresser. Maybe taking a quick shower is will help to make me feel better. When I was still in elementary, my mother wouldn’t allow me to go inside my room without rinsing off the rain from me. So, it has always pins in my head how important to take shower after the rain.  

After minutes in the shower, I finally feel refreshed and changed.

 When I open my phone, I receive text from Chloe three minutes ago: I missed you. Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow?

I bite on my nail. 

I haven't been replying to her messages the last few days. Maybe I should do it now. And so she won’t both me anymore. 

I reply: I'll think about it. 

She texts back: I kissed someone last night. I wasn't even drunk. I only pretended I was. I felt bad though. I waited for him for hours but he didn’t come back.

Well, I feel bad for the guy because he has just been fooled. I also feel bad for her because she has been fooled by him too.  

She start typing again. Her text arrives, saying: I'll be bringing him with me if you see me tomorrow night...see ya! :)

Should I go?