Chapter 3

"Amara."

Their jaw dropped for a second. Lalaine seemed to be statued in the seat while my heart was beating so fast. The silence made me hear the loud beating of my heart. I know that he knows my name, but the way he mentions my name seems like he wants to let everyone know that we will meet. His eyes are dark and mysterious, hiding the true colors of it.

"You know her?" Anthony's eyes focused on him. I took the glass in front of me and gently gulped water from it. I just thought that doing that would make me calm somehow.

"A-Ah Yes. We happened to meet yesterday because we helped a pregnant woman on the road." I answered. This time, I didn't bother to look at Raxon's eyes anymore. It was as if my personality was on fire every time our eyes met. And I don't like that feeling.

"Why didn't you tell me that?" Lalaine whispered to me obviously very curious at what I said. I threw her my dagger-looks for her to stop. Everywhere really is his chismosa is unstoppable. There is no place to pick his mouth.

A light topic was brought up by Aron. That made me feel better. They talk about their experiences until the silent grandmother Rina suddenly responds to the conversation.

"Are you done with what your classmates are doing, Mike?" she asked while looking at us. He is harmless and looks kind.

"Yes, grandma. After we have lunch we'll go to Vermillion." my eyes remained on my food while I'm slowly chewing.

"Really? Raxon and I are going there too! We'll just go with you!" I was suddenly overwhelmed by what Anthony had said. They all looked at me because of what had happened. Mike handed me a glass of water before stroking my back.

"You alright?" Mike asked. But when I looked at the man in front of me I was feeling something stuck in my throat. His eyes drifted on Mike and his jaw clenched, then looked away.

"Yeah. I'm okay." I stopped Mike from stroking my back. I mouthed "Thank you" to him and he just smiled politely.

As planned after we had lunch we set sail for Vermillion. I couldn't even lie down when Anthony and Raxon came with us. Why would I disagree? I am still in my right mind to do that. We rode in Mike's car because if we walked we would definitely last longer. Raxon and Anthony were in another vehicle. I'm grateful for that. It's not that I'm annoyed with him but I'm just not really comfortable when he's around. Why? I don't know. I have no idea what is happening to me.

We only had a short trip because it was not like a city with too much traffic. The vehicle was stopped at the base of the mountain because it could no longer enter. The road was narrow and there were many trees scattered around. Also, I think it would be more fun if we walked over there because it’s not too far away. The scenery is beautiful and the fresh air here is comforting.

When we got out of the car, I immediately looked at the black car that had just stopped. I fixed my hair because there were shading strands of it on my face. My composure remained even when I saw Raxon's intense eyes looked at me. My chest throbbed and I immediately averted my gaze. I bit my lower lip and just chose to look at those tall trees instead of looking at him.

Lalaine grabbed my arm and whispered to me. "Do you think, I don't notice Raxon's sticky looks at you?"

I pinched him on the side. "Shut up Laine. Don't overthink too much. Just enjoy. Don't let the silent man know." I promise I made sure only he could hear.

"It's quiet but it's bad to stare at sissy! Earlier I thought you were going to melt!"

"I said, shut up Lalaine." my witch friend just smiled. It was good and he thought to calm down when we started walking. Mike, Ken and Aron are up front talking about things. Raxon and Anthony were behind Lalaine and me, but we were in the middle of the men.

In the middle of our walk Mike came up next to me. I looked at him because he seemed to have something to ask or say.

"I heard that your senior, Jed, is flirting with you? Is that true?" when he asked Ken and Aron turned to us.

"Aysus, aren't you used to Amara there? That crowd can be a lover! Case is pure basted!" Aaron chuckled and they laughed. Even Anthony I heard laugh.

"She's not flirting." my casual promise. It's true, I have a lot of lovers so I can't wait to talk about it.

"He's hitting on you sissy. He did give you achocolates eh. "Lalaine also joined.

"Oh my gosh, don't-Aray!" because of the protruding rock, I was paralyzed and out of balance. There was a hand holding me but I still built one of my knees on the rock causing it to hurt. I looked at the person who held my arm and saw Raxon. It was as if I immediately felt electricity when he simply touched me.

They all stopped walking to see what had happened to me. "Are you okay sissy?" Lalaine asked worriedly but when she looked at Raxon she looked at me meaningfully. I just ignore the pain in my right knee and stand up. I saw how Raxon's eyes drifted to my knee. I also looked at it and saw the wound bleeding slightly on my knee.

"You have a wound Amara." Mike stated. Ken, Aron, Anthony and Lalaine just stared.

"Oh, it's far from the star--" I was stunned and my lips parted when I saw Raxon bow in front of me and look hard at my wound. I was about to back away but he suddenly grabbed my leg which he immediately released. My heart was pounding even harder. What the hell is he doing?

"Don't move." he said with authority. I bit my lower lip as sweat started to form in my temple.

"It's just a scratch ..." I said but it seems that he didn't hear anything. Instead of standing up he had what he took out of his pocket. I saw it was a band aid. He opened it and carefully placed it on my little wound. I was devastated to see how serious he was. His lips formed a grim line while his jaw is clenched.

He stood up while eyes were looking at me intently. But even though he looked at me angrily I was still able to smile formally.

"Thank you." but he just gave me a dark look as if he wanted to kill someone.

"Next time, don't go to the forest if you're going to wear shorts like that." his words were clear and so serious. But I could feel the anger he was holding back as he said those words. The people around us were speechless at Raxon's behavior.

I was about to open my mouth to speak but I couldn't because Raxon had left in front of me. He was the first to walk and Anthony immediately followed as I felt like my feet were nailed to the ground.

"What happened?" Aaron but I just ignored it and we continued walking. Before Lalaine could talk, I told her so she could do nothing but keep quiet. I don't know what happened to Raxon that made him acted that way. I really have no idea.

When we got to Vermillion it was uninhabited. The surroundings were quiet and we could only hear the sound of running water. The whole place is so peaceful just like the calm water in the river. The clear water of the river seems to entice you to paddle there. And I think, it's really nice to bath in it and feel the cold water.

We sat on the huge rock to rest for a while. The strong, fresh air blew just enough to make me feel better. The fresh air made me feel calm. Mike handed me a mineral bottle which I immediately accepted as well.

"Thank you."

"Mike's smart!" Aaron starts to tease again, which Ken also rides. I just shook. Anthony and Raxon, on the other hand, decided to stay away from our group. Now the two of them were sitting under a large tree about three meters away from us. They were looking at the river and obviously had something to talk about.

"Titig much huh?" I came to my senses at what Lalaine whispered. I immediately averted my eyes.

"T-Stop me!"

Nothing special happened that day. We only stayed at Vermillion for three hours. I also didn't take a bath no matter how much Lalaine insisted on me. Raxon, on the other hand, did not approach our group but I noticed that every time I looked in his direction I caught him looking at us, or must I say, at me. But even though we were a bit far from each other I could still feel the intensity of his gaze. There's something in his eyes that made me conclude to myself that he's really .. dangerous.

When Monday came my focus returned to studying. Since the first quarter, the teachers haven't been asked to do much, which I am secretly grateful for. It's not I hate school works, I just hate too much of it. When we had vacant time I went to the library as I always do. It's only in my library that I can find the things I want, the books. And one more, the library is the quietest place on the entire campus.

I went straight to the shelf where the books about culinary were placed. I want to know about that field since I'm planning to pursue culinary arts after high school. And I want to as early asnow there are those who know I am on the path to follow. It's what we called preparation, I guess.

I looked at a book that was at the top of the shelf. That book is the kind of book I need to read to gain more informations. But because of the distance I have a hard time reaching it. I can't be called short at 5'4 in height. The book is just too far away. But still, I strived hard to reach it.

I was about to give up when I saw someone's hand get the book I wanted. The veins in his hands are evident which made me conclude that the person behind me right now is a male. I turned around, but my lips parted as Raxon and I met. His eyes are dark and so intimidating. His height is overtowering me and his muscular body made me feel like a vulnerable child in front of him. I feel so .. weak.

"You want this?" he asked huskily but in a very cold manner. It was too late for me to realize how close we were to each other. I just remained standing in front of him, trying to act unaffected by his presence. But I know I'm just fooling myself. I just don't want him to know how he affects my whole system.

"Uh, Yes." my casual answer. "Why, do you need that?"

"No." he replied firmly. And it's too late to realize that my question is the most stupid question I made. What would a medical student do with a culinary book? Damn. I'm really not thinking.

I smiled awkwardly. "Ah, of course. You're a medical student so obviously, you don't need that thing." Oh God. I think I need to take my exit. I can't be here anymore.

He handed the book to me which I immediately picked up as well. "Thank you." I promise. He just nodded. I'm expecting him to walk away but he remained on his position while still looking at me with his eyes blazing in coldness. I was swallowed up in no time and ended up leaning on the shelf because I felt the weakness of my knees.

"You don't have a class?"

"W-Nothing. We have vacant time now." I bit my lower lip but I guess it's a wrong move. I saw how Raxon's gaze dropped to my lips when I did that. I became more and more miserable. I heard her deep sigh before her gaze returned to my eyes.

"Are you going to get any more books?" he said and glanced at the books that were also near the book he took for me. I immediately shook. "No more. Thanks again. All right, I'm just there in the reading area."

He nodded so I immediately left in front of him. I feel like I'm sweating from the cold because he thinks of me. Also, he's very rough and you can't really see any softness from any angle you look at him. Even his temperament has rudeness as well.

Well, that happened a week ago. For two weeks Raxon and I never crossed paths again. What I don't understand is why I seem to hope that I will see him again. Damn. Why would I want to see that man? Maybe because of curiousity? I'm not sure.

"Oh, why does it seem like the depth of what you're thinking, Amara?" I came back to reality with Aunt Delia's question. I’m here now at the karenderia, helping serve meals to customers. My aunt seems to have noticed that my brain went into outer space.

"I-I'm just thinking."

He grinned. "Maybe you're not thinking about the man, are you?"

"Oh no!" he laughed softly because of my defensiveness. But the question is, isn’t it?

"Is he handsome?" he asked again, obviously teasing. "Stop it, Auntie. Maybe mama can hear you."

"That's okay Amara. It's normal for a teenager like you to have a crush." he even winked at me. I didn't just resent Tiya's teasing and chose to entertain the customers who had just arrived. But while doing that I can’t help but think of the word “crush”. Why, if you think of a man does that mean you crush him? Nonsense. Raxon is not my crush and he will never be. He's too much for a lady like me. He was so dangerous and I felt like I was just a lost child when I was next to him.

I will never like someone as intense and dangerous as him. I'm sure of that.