The Clairvoyant

Nineteen | 59 days, 20th hour

Tristan suddenly flops down on my back, sighing deeply as he circulates his wrists.

“Do you have a bandage?” He murmurs as he leans backward, making go forward. “My knuckle’s sort of bleeding.” He tries to joke despite the circumstances. When I don’t reply, he asks Chace instead, who’s sitting across the court.

“Nah, man, don’t have one.” Chace grins, shaking his head.

We look at the pile of corpse on the floor. “That should lessen the people we have to attack for a while, no?” Tristan inquires, shaking his head from blood and sweat. He then wipes his hand on his cargo pants.

Then finally, like I expected since I suddenly joined their fight midway, the boys stare at me with confused expressions. “I thought you weren’t going to fight for a while since your parents are here?” Asks Chace.

I remember what happened yesterday at the student council room, and instantly frown. “Something came up,” I tell them, smiling a fake smile. “And I sort of wanted to forget it so I decided to do some fighting.”

“You punch well,” Tristan agrees, nodding his head. “Well, let’s go grab something to eat.”

“Your treat?” Chace chuckles.

“My treat,” I voice out with a smile.

The boys shake their head. “No way. Our treat.” Chace says while Tristan answers, “Sure.” They then look at the other, and say the opposite words instead. Finally, they shrug, and say in unison the word: Starbucks.

Without further more to say, we head to the nearest Starbucks in the area using Tristan’s care. Unlike Colton, Tristan drives much safer. “He’s only driving safer because you’re here,” Chace chides, grinning.

As we reach Starbucks, we make orders and wait for a while on an empty table. Tristan’s leaning his arms over at the table, and Chace is busy studying about something from his classes. I’m just mindlessly staring at the window outside, waiting for dark to come out but the sun’s still high.

“So what’s up?” Chace finally asks without looking up from his book.

“What’s up…?” I repeat slowly, cautiously.

He turns a page from his book. I don’t get how he can talk while read at the same time – I honestly have a hard time doing that. “Last time, I watched you fight. I mean, I sort of know how you fight. You were fighting like you were angry a while ago.”

I bit the lower part of my lip, turning away from the boys. “Nothing.”

“Is it that black haired nerd?”

“He’s not a nerd,”

I can see them smirking from the reflection of the window. “We hit a soft spot,” Chace says while he’s still reading his book, that leer still on his lips. Tristan then asked me, “What did the guy do this time, Stel?”

Wondering if I should tell them, finally I give up the idea and continue. “Well, it’s just that I think he wants to hide the fact that we like each other. With him being president and me being a delinquent. Should I like, just accept that?”

“Well, if that’s just his reasons, he’s a dick.” Tristan responds with this glower on his face.

“Personally, I think if he’s only thinking about his position, he’s an ass.” Chace answers.

I cross my arms over the table as our drinks are called out. Tristan offers to take it so he leaves. He comes back with mine, and hands it to me. “Before we did that kiss though, it’s just… we were friends and all. And he didn’t mind.”

“Maybe he’s just shy?” Chace offers, taking a sip from his mocha latte.

Letting out a laugh, I say, “No, he’s nothing like that.” Then I remember how he blushed so easily the other day. “Okay, maybe he is a little. But it’s just that he’s usually arrogant around me – and completely kind around others.”

“Switch personalities?” They ask in unison.

“More like an act,” I point out.

“Well, if he’s arrogant, I’m guessing that’s his real personality, don’t you think so Tri?” Tristan gives an inaudible nod. “Doesn’t that mean he thinks of you as an important someone to actually show his real trait off?”

I take another sip. “That’s what I figured the first time.”

“Maybe the guy might be shy,” Tristan repeats Chace’s words a while ago. “Or he’s just playing you. Not that I say he’s like me at all, okay? I’m a host, it’s part of my job to act as their ‘beloved partner’ after all.” He adds quickly as I glare at him.

“Wait, wait,” Chace interrupts, shaking his head and putting the book down. “Are you guys dating?”

“No,” I reply too quickly. “Not that I know. I don’t think so. We’re just… you know… we just like one another as ‘more than just friends’ but don’t really have any commitments. So it’s not like I can just storm at him and be angry right?”

Chace gives me a blank stare, then points at Tristan. “I have no idea how that works, but just go ahead and ask Tristan. From Colton, Tri and I, I think Tristan knows a lot more than just simple relationships.”

“Ask from him, Stel, that boy will be long gone from now.”

“Hey! At least I’m no player, jackass.”

“I’m not saying you’re useless as cupid.”

I can see Chace’s fists turn into a fist. “And you’re saying you’re a love doctor?”

Tristan raised his hands “Didn’t say anything.”

This is one of the problems with going out with delinquents. One moment you’re just talking about random things, the next thing you realize, you’re in the middle of a fist fight between two of your subordinates, and you don’t even know who’s right at all.

I chop my drink in the middle of the boys, my eyes darting to theirs respectively. “We’re in a*****e. And if you don’t want to be caught by the police, I suggest you keep your fists to yourselves or get out of this place.”

“Speaking of ‘get out of this place’,” Tristan repeats, eyeing the window. “Isn’t that him?”

Following his eyes, I soon realize there’s Cain on the other side of the street. And a bunch of his ‘friends’ beside him, happily talking to one another. It didn’t take me a minute later to realize they were heading to the same place.

Starbucks.

“Oh crap,” I mutter, lowering my head. “This cannot be good.”

“Why?” They both ask in unison.

“I told him I was going home,” I whisper as the door trilling’s. If you haven’t noticed, that’s the sound of the bell ringing as they pass through. “I just didn’t really feel like waiting for him, you know, after what happened yesterday.”

“You’re ignoring him?” Asks Chace.

“That’s not good at all, Stella.” Tristan agrees to unsaid the unsaid answer.

Chace then says, “And you wait for him?”

“Most of the time. Besides, I stay at the library to do my research and home work.” I retort with a huff through my nose. “I do study you know. I’m not really that stupid if you guys ever wonder about my grades at all.”

“You’re smart?” Chace raises an eyebrow.

I nod at him, proud. “Was top in Regis.”

“Was,” He chuckles.

I eye him. “Still is. At least I don’t use my looks to get into a university, or work.” I snap.

Tristan and Chace gaze at me with those haughty-looking eyes. “Looks?” Tristan repeats. “I got scouted hon. I didn’t go to them, mind you. And Chace didn’t use his looks either to enter a university. He’s on scholarship.”

“Scholarship?” I repeat, eyes widening. I couldn’t believe it. “Yeah right.”

“You want proof?” Chace asks me, taking out his wallet. “I’ve got proof here.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t need it.” I reply.

Tristan’s eyes twinkle. “More like she doesn’t want to believe.”

“I believe.” I shake my head, sighing. “I mean, it’s not like you’re really that good looking after all.”

“Excuse me?” Tristan’s voice echoes, eyes widening while Chace raises his eyebrows. “Did I hear you correctly? We’re not good looking? Who was the one who told us that ‘we use our looks to get to work’ or whatnot?”

“So you’re saying you did use it.”

Chace snorts, looking away from me. “I’m not talking to you.” He says as he takes a sip from his mocha. Tristan nods his head with that pouting expression now on his face. “You’re just trying to say we’re ugly.”

I give a wan smile. “Which you are though.”

“A lot of girls say so otherwise.” Tristan retorts with a mocking grin. He takes hold of his drink, and takes a few handful of sips until I can hear that slurping noise one does when it’s half empty. “They say it’s like looking at the sun.“

Closing my eyes, I say, “If they mean it gives you a headache, they aren’t wrong.”

“Stella?”

Our heads turn to Cain’s voice who’s apparently just sitting at the opposite table. I can see the girls of the student council (did I tell you there was only two boys in the student council?) and they’re obviously awed at Chace and Tristan.

The guys are hot after all – with their buffed muscles and those cutesy smiles and prideful smirks plastered on their faces. When Tristan and Chace turned around to face me, I saw their leering expressions.

I wanted to smack them at the moment.

I then look at Cain, and give him my super big fake smile I know he’ll realize right away. “Hi Cain, you remember Chace and Tristan right?” I give him a sheepish smile this time as Chace and Tristan both give him a nod.

Cain nods back. His friends call for him, and he’s about to turn around when he begins to hesitate to do so otherwise. “Are you leaving later on, ‘cause I have to talk to you about something.” Something about yesterday.

“We’re leaving,” I quickly reply as the boys say, “She’s free.”

“You can walk her home,” Chace briefly adds before I can even say anything else.

I stomp at his feet, and he yelps in pain, then quickly returns to that cocky grin of his. “Actually, we have to get going,” Tristan gets up from his seat, and I watch them give Cain a smack on the back. “Since you’re kind of busy maybe we’ll walk her home already.”

“Tri-“

“No, I’m going.” Cain hastily replies before Chace could retort. Then I realize that Tristan really meant to do that so Cain would answer right away. “I just came with my friends because my home was on the way.”

I look at the girls, and they’re all glaring at me.

Gulping slowly, I slide behind Chace and grip his arm jacket. “I don’t know… doesn’t Colton have something to tell us?” I ask, licking my lips nervously. “He did say he wanted to tell us something, right? Right?”

“He’s on a date with Auds.” They both reply with a smirk.

Chace pushes me towards Cain, who catches me right away while he places his hands on my shoulder. “Take care of her…”

“Cain,” The president nods.

“Cain,” The boys repeat. “Take care of her, Cain.” Chace continues. And then he moves in closer to the point his lips are near his ears. “And we seriously mean it.” He threatens, and I know full well he means that we could get attacked on the way home.

Though I hardly think that’s possible.

I watch the boys abscond, the bell ringing in their leave. Seconds later, Cain turns around and bids his goodbye to the girls. “I hope you guys take care on the way home,” He says politely, and I can just imagine that smile on his face.

They stare at me first, before saying, “Why don’t you just buy a drink first before you leave? It’s our treat. We could just get one, then go home at the same time, right?”

“Stella has curfew,” He lies, and I wanted to laugh at that moment. “Sorry.”

Without further more to say, he quickens his pace and leaves Starbucks with me hand in hand. My other hand’s carrying my Frappuccino, and Cain’s back is turned towards me – he’s not stopping to wait for me at all.

I pull my hand away, but he takes it back.

“You’re angry, right?” He says softly.

“Not really,” I mutter, keeping my hand there.

“You were ignoring me the whole day,” Cain points out, now walking by my side. “And it was pretty obvious. So don’t tell me you weren’t. And I thought you were going home, not fight after school? What about your parents?”

I shrug my shoulders, keeping my pace slow for various reasons. “My parents are on a date. So I guessed it was fine.” I lie, and right now my parents might actually be already cooking dinner – well, at least my dad is.

“Did you ignore me because I pulled my hand away?”

Obviously. “No.”

“I heard that.” Cain chuckled, giving me a wry smile while I think, dammit. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t really have to,” I tell him, taking a sip from my drink. “It’s not like I should be angry in the first place. I mean, I understand it too after all: who would want to be going out with a girl like me when you’re president?”

He looks at me, eyes widening. “Oh, oh no. That’s not what I was thinking about at all!”

“What?”

Cain suddenly started laughing, his dimples appearing in an adorned fashion. “I pulled away because I thought about you being bullied again – I mean, some of the girls in the student council hangs out with Bri, right?”

I nod slowly, understanding coming into me. “And then I thought you understood that because the other day we were talking about ‘keeping a distance’ since Audrey already pissed Bri off as it is. And you said me hanging out with you would anger her more meaning more bullying.”

I remember that faint memory. But it wasn’t really that important so I hadn’t had time to recall it yesterday. “I’m so sorry! I thought you remembered what we talked about! And I was so confused the whole day as to why you were ignoring me! I’m so sorry!”

Shaking my head, I closed my eyes. “No, no – I should be the one saying sorry.”

“No, I should.”

“No,” I reply quickly, frowning. “I should.”

Cain let out a shaky breath. “Whatever, I’m just sorry, okay? I’m just happy enough that you’re holding my hand right now.”

“Well, it’s not like I was the one who pulled on it in the store,” I mutter, and Cain blushed right away. “Wait, where are you taking me? My house is this way.” I point at the street we’re passing now but he still walks ahead.

“To the park.”

“It’s almost night though?”

“Perfect time to go to the park.” Cain replies giddily.

More minutes pass as we argue on who’s right or wrong, and in the end, we both came to a truce as we enter the park. I let his hand go and run for the swings, he follows behind me and I take slow steps on it, swinging myself.

“You look like a kid.”

“Yeah, and you look like an old man staring at one.”

He grunts and then takes the empty one behind me. “You know, we should continue where we left off yesterday,” He said as I was swinging midway in the air – practically already more than four feet off the ground.

Slowing my swing down, I stop and spin it so I can face him. “Continue what?”

He suddenly moves forward, and I immediately know what he means. “That,” he says after pecking me on the lips. He grins at my flushed expression – I know I’m blushing because I can feel my cheeks going warm.

“That’s sly.”

“Like the time we were in my room.” He smirks.

He leans forward, and I’ve no choice but to stay put lest I figure the ground’s a better place than the swing. It doesn’t take more than a few seconds until he’s cupping my face with his hand, his butt already off the swing and he’s just kneeling on the ground.

I pull away adamantly, and Cain just frowns at me.

“You know that truce a while ago?” Cain ponders, grinning. “Why don’t we just say it’s your fault for not remembering?”

I squint my eyes at him. “What?”

“And then I’m going to say that as punishment for not remembering, you have to give me a long, English kiss.” And by his cocky smile, I can somewhat understand what he means about the ‘English Kiss’.

I place my arms around Cain’s neck, and he flinches making me chuckle. “Define long?”

“Five minutes?” He smirks.

"Three."

"Four," Cain insists. "Take it or I'm kissing you."

“Fine.”

I slowly close the gap between us, but being a girl who hasn’t dated before – I definitely don’t know how to do that stupid Fre – I mean, English kiss. It probably hasn’t even been a minute yet, and I’m already pulling away.

Biting my lower lips, I front at him, my forehead against his. “I don’t know how to do that.”

“Here, let me,”

I feel something bite my lip, and I gasp more in surprise than in pain. Quickly, I feel something pass over my lips, and I flinch at the sudden movement but Cain’s holding the back of my head to keep me from pulling away.

Shutting my eyes closed, I try to pull away but Cain’s already deep in the kiss. I’ve no choice but to pinch his back and then he pulls away. “I-I can’t breathe,” I wheeze, now finding myself staring at the dirt.

Cain’s suddenly laughing his head off, and I only bite lower lips in embarrassment, my eyes not daring to look at his. “God, Cain, you’re such a d**k,” I breathe under my nose, wanting to glare at him at the moment.

“At least I’m no beginner,” He chuckles, holding my face up so I’m looking at him.

When he doesn’t say anything, I frown immediately, asking, “What?”

“One more?”

“Can’t we just kiss?” I pout, not wanting to feel that feeling of drowning in a kiss again.

“Can’t I just teach you?”

I feel that warmth creep to my cheeks again, and I just merely lean my head against his shoulder, my hand gripping at his pleated polo shirt. “Dude, sometimes you’re just so embarrassing that I want to smack you.”

And then my phone’s buzzing in my pocket, and Cain fishes it out.

“It’s from your mom,” He says. “Asking where you are.”

He pats my blonde head and I pull away, half reluctantly. I get off the swing and finally give in to a stretch. “I guess it’s time I send you home now,” Cain smiles at me, but I just roll my eyes at that cocky expression of his. “Let’s go.”

Cain takes my hand again, and we’re going back to my road.

“Stella?” He calls out my name halfway to my house.

I look at him, but he’s looking ahead. “Yeah?”

“Maybe I should teach you how to kiss.” Cain says teasingly, now following a chuckle. And then I can’t help but just punch his arm with my free hand, whispering softly the words “Jerk” to him as he brings me home.