Beautiful book cover (picture at the top ^^) done by RoxTheFoxtoo

***

Days passed and I still hadn't told Michie about the message.

She seemed to be doing well and avoids Raymond at all costs, prior to my advice.

But everything came crashing down on Friday during lunch period.

It became a normal routine to spend lunch with the gang at their hangout. Fortunately, Raymond couldn't make it due to rugby practices so avoiding him was easy. But today, he decided to make an entrance.

Scar and I chatted away while waiting for Dagger and Daemon to bring our food. "So why exactly do you guys call yourselves the Hot Flaming Cheetos?" I quizzed amusedly.

Before she could answer, Raymond barged into the room, looking enraged.

He still wore his rugby Jersey from training, and it did well to accentuate his muscles. His hair was tousled with bits of grass stuck to it but he didn't seem to notice, green eyes scanning the room until they landed on me.

I felt my heart race increase as his intense gaze focused on me. There was something in his eyes that just seemed to captivate my attention.

"We need to talk," without waiting for my reply, he grabbed my left hand roughly and led me outside the room.

Immediately we were outside, I yanked my hand from hold, eyeing him while massaging my wrist, "Don't manhandle me."

He rolled his eyes at that, getting straight to the point, "Why has Michie been avoiding me?"

Not one to lie I spoke with certainty, "Because I told her to."

"Why?" He asked again. He raised an eyebrow in amusement before continuing his question, "Jealous?"

"Ha," my reply came too fast that it didn't even sound believable, "Don't kid yourself."

He examined me skeptically, the amusement never leaving his eyes, "Sure," his voice was laced with heavy sarcasm, and I just wanted to punch the smugness from his tone.

Violence isn't always the answer, I tried to tell myself, taking calm breaths before looking back at him. "Is that all?"

His gaze met mine and for a moment he looked like he was about to say something.

But that moment was ruined by Dagger's loud voice, "Your food has arrived."

My attention immediately went to him and the large pizza box he was carrying. "It's about time," I took the box from him and made my way into the room.

"Pizza's here!" I shouted at Scar, who was peacefully doodling something in her sketchpad. Hearing my voice, she quickly closed whatever she was doing and looked up.

We sat down and ate in silence, the pepperoni pizza suppressing my hunger.

"When is the event happening again?" Dagger asked, pulling me out of my pepperoni induced thoughts.

Swallowing the food in my mouth, I asked, "What event?"

Daemon smacked him on the head, giving Dagger a look that said he should shut the hell up.

"What's going on?" I stood up now, looking at them apprehensively.

Silence.

Each of them avoided eye contact with me and my patience was thinning.

"Fine then," I huffed out. "I think I'm gonna head out now." Annoyed at their continuous silence, I picked up my blazer and left the building.

Upon standing on the pavement, I realized that I have no way of going back to school.

Scar had been my ride.

Now fully frustrated, I kicked the pebble in front of me, only letting out little of my anger.

"Need a ride," I glanced back to see Daemon lazily leaning on the cracked building wall, watching me amusedly.

I was still angry but I didn't want to walk the 6 km distance to school. "Yes," I replied gloomily, following him to the parking lot.

His bike was a sexy black Ducati Diavel and my eyes widened at the eccentric skull design. Composing myself, I nodded curtly at his ride, my anger slightly subsided but still present, "Nice ride."

He just looked at me in amusement, his eyebrow cocking up as a half smile adorned his features. Then he sat on the bike and revved the engine.

"No helmet?" I questioned, "And where am I supposed to seat?"

He tapped the space in front of him and I looked at him in shock. "That's dangerous."

"Danger is my middle name," he shrugged casually.

Cautiously, I climbed on his bike and sat on the space in front of him, making sure my skirt didn't expose too much.

He leaned in to grab the throttle, head leaning on my left shoulder, bringing his face near my left ear. I could feel his breath fan my skin and the feeling of my back against his chest did nothing but aid my discomfort.

I didn't enjoy close contact and he could sense that from my tense shoulders.

"Relax," his soothing voice told me, "You got nothing to worry about."

But as soon as he sped off my heart rate accelerated, if not for his weight supporting mine I would've flown off the vehicle. My hair flew widely and after some time I finally relaxed, screaming out my adrenaline.

By the time we reached school, all my anger had evaporated, a beaming ear to ear smile resting on my face.

"That was awesome!" I screeched, jumping off his bike. "Can we do that again some time?" I was more than happy now. Ecstatic even.

He laughed at my excited behavior, "Sure thing firecracker."

"Fire what?"

His phone vibrated and I glimpsed to see Raymond's name on the caller ID. Daemon picked it up and turned away from me.

"She's here," he glanced at me, listening to whatever Raymond was saying, "Yeah," he sighed out, robbing his free hand down his face, "She's safe."

I don't know what they were talking about but I'm pretty sure the she was me.

Why is he worried about me?

Daemon cut the call and turned back to fully face me, "Sorry that was Raymond."

Pretending like I didn't know I asked innocently, "What did he want?"

Daemon analysed me carefully, not believing my act for a minute, "Just wanted to make sure you got here safe."

"Why?" I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. Why would he care about my safety?

"Because he cares about you," Daemon exhaled, he looked pretty bored now, like he'd rather discuss anything else.

"But things aren't adding up," I thought out loud, "If he cares about me then why did he send that message to Michie?"

"What message?" He looked interested now, leaning casually on his bike.

"The one about wanting to get back with Michie," his eyes widened slightly, shocked to hear that.

"When did that happen?"

"A few days ago." His features went back to it's normal cold appearance upon hearing that.

"You need to be specific," he told me blankly.

"Um, two days ago I think."

"Raymond broke his phone on Wednesday," he assured me, "There's no way he sent that text."

"What?" If Raymond didn't send that message, then who did?

The automatic bell rang, notifying us that it was time for the next class.

"Stay safe firecracker," was all he said before leaving to his next class. My thoughts were scattered and I found it hard to concentrate as I speed walked to economics class.

Thankfully the halls were scarce of students, so I didn't really need to watch where I was going, my feet unconsciously guiding me as mind reeled with possibilities. My eyes were directed at the floor as I scrolled through my brain trying to recollect the name I saw last night on Michie's phone, trying to remember what I saw through my sleepy eyes.

It was Raymond, wasn't it?

My thoughts were interrupted when I abruptly bumped into someone.

"Watch where you're going," the person hissed out. My eyes were still on the floor so I could see his silver air Jordans very clearly.

"Raiden we're gonna be late for basketball practice," one of his friends called out from the boys locker room door.

But he still stood there, probably waiting for me to apologise.

Raiden. That had been the name I saw on Michie's phone.

How the hell did I mistake Raiden for Raymond?

"Are you mute or something," came his bitter voice. Slowly I looked up, my eyes meeting with his turquoise ones. He has a cut on his right eyebrow and a small mole under his lip, both adding to his awe-inspiring beauty.

I felt frozen. There was something about this guy that seemed so familiar.

He seemed to notice it to and his mouth hung low from shock. "Debbie?"

He knew my name. Who the hell was this guy?

His eyes held a glimmer of hope, but all that disappeared when I spoke, "I'm late for class."

Frowning, he stepped aside, giving me a clear passage to my economics class. I could feel his eyes pierce my back as I walked to class.

However, all my efforts to get to class were wasted when I entered the classroom. Noise greeted me as people chatted animatedly at the absence of our teacher. Luckily, I spotted Michie at the back of the class talking to a group of her friends.

Strolling over, I informally tapped her shoulder, "Can we talk?"

She looked up at me and shrugged her shoulders, excusing herself from the conversation and standing up. "Sure," Koko glared at me as Michie and I went out of the noisy classroom.

"What's up?" She looked better than usual, her preppy smile was back and she no longer had bags under her eyes.

"Do you know anyone named Raiden?" Her eyes widened at my question,

"Yes he's my-"

"What are you two students doing out of class?" The principal's voice intercepted.

***

Another update for my lovely readers.

Hmmm, seems like Raiden has entered the picture, but who is he?

Any guesses, let me know in the comments ;)

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