Chapter 5

Chapter 5: We Aren't Friends

"How's school?"

I was breathing so fast. I couldn't calm myself after I had some clues about Zion and I don't think that he's what I thought he was before. It was a good thing that mom called me, a way to get off the tension I was feeling.

"I'm doing great, mom. Mirfield College is a really good school, I can tell. How are you and dad?" I asked, changing the topic to avoid a conversation about how I am in 'Mirfield' itself.

"Well, we're still having trouble finding a stable job. But don't worry, once we save up, you can come back home and we'll be the ones to handle all your school fees," she told me, loving the idea of me going back to our home.

"Mom," I sighed. "We've talked about this, right? Aunt Rosie has already given me the opportunity plus, I promised her that I would be staying with her until I graduate college. And also, I wanted to watch over her, now that Abbie is gone. She needs someone right now," I explained to mom.

"I know. But your dad and I miss you too," she said.

"I can always visit. I can always come back. Unlike Abbie, even if you turn the world upside down, she's never gonna back," I explained, convincing her that staying at aunt Rosie's play isn't a bad idea.

"I guess you love your aunt more," she said, pretending to be sulky.

I laughed. "That's not true. I'm going to sleep, mom. You should too. You look so stressed about finding a new job there."

___

I went to the diner to study for our upcoming examination. I think that this is a good place to study so I brought my laptop and notebook. I was reading my lesson on my laptop when someone sat in the retro diner booth in front of me.

Zion.

"Well, someone's doing her research. What is it about?" he asked before eating the cherry on the top of the yogurt milkshake that I ordered.

"I'm studying," I shortly answered, not looking at him.

"Are you avoiding me?" he curiously asked.

"Why would I avoid—"

"Oh, there it is," he said, cutting me off. "You finally let your eyes meet mine. Do you still think it will turn red?" He arched a brow before putting his chin above the palm of his hand.

"Why would I talk to someone who walked out on me while I was explaining what I saw in his eyes?" I said in a straight voice while still focusing on my laptop.

"Is that why you were avoiding me the whole week?" he asked.

"I'm not avoiding you. It's not like we're friends," I told him. He didn't speak for a moment. Instead, he leaned his back on the booth.

"You're right. We aren't friends," he said before leaving.

The next day, after classes, I went to the library to return the book I borrowed. Then, I went to the bookshelves to search for another one that I can borrow again.

While I was roaming around, I saw a book fall from one shelf. I went to pick it up and put it back. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw Zion after I turned around. He knew I was beside him but he didn't bother to look at me even once. He kept himself busy looking for a book.

"I can see that library is your favorite place too," I said, breaking the silence between us but even though I did, he didn't say a thing.

He was ignoring me and I just followed him, didn't even know why I was. He then sat on the long couch in the corner and started reading a book. I sat beside him and made sure that there was enough space between us.

"Are you ignoring me?" I asked.

"Nope. Why would I? It's not like we're friends," he said with a cold voice while his eyes were still on the book. I think he was upset about how I acted yesterday.

"Are you mad?" I asked again.

"Why would I be mad? It's not like we're friends," he repeated.

I heavily sighed before looking at him. "Is this about yesterday?"

"What about yesterday? Did we talk yesterday? I can't remember, it's not like we're friends—"

"Will you stop saying that?" I was getting annoyed by my own words.

"Why?" He closed the book and looked deeply into my eyes. "Does it hurt you when someone says that to you? If it does, why would you say it then?"

I froze where I was sitting, not knowing how to react. He was expecting an answer and when I failed to give it to him, he left.

I didn't realize I'd spent too much time at the library. When I got outside, the surroundings were already dark. I could hear crickets while I was walking back home.

Then, I suddenly heard something strange. It was like wind or something but it wasn't windy. I turned my head to look every time I heard it but I saw nothing. I just kept on walking until someone grabbed me and covered my mouth.

"You smell so good, new girl." I heard him chuckle.

His voice was badly terrifying, it was like he was planning to do something bad to me which made my hands tremble. But even so, I was still trying to force his hand out of me, trying to remove his grip as strong as I could. He brushed my hair away, making sure to reveal my neck which made me more scared of what he might do. I shouted and shouted even though it was too hopeless that someone will hear me in this place.

“Please,” I was crying out for my sake, tears were falling from my eyes to his hand which was still tightly covering my mouth.

“It won’t hurt that bad,” he playfully said before flashing his sharp canine. I was too confused because I’d never seen anything like it, it was so unreal. I aggressively moved, trying to get off of him and I cried out loud. Consuming the energy that my body has, I felt weak but I didn’t give up.

“No!” I shouted when I saw his sharp teeth getting near to my neck. But before he could bite me, I suddenly heard a familiar voice.

It was Zion.

“I’m not finished with my meal, not even started yet,” he annoyingly said. “So, get lost, Zion,”

"Let her go, or I’ll snap your neck, literally," Zion said with a cold voice and his eyes looked so dark.