The Iceking's Obsession

Chapter Seventeen

_NOAH_

It's been a week since I took Jane in and slept in the cushion while she snored cutely on my bed. I was annoyed. I was pissed. What on earth was happening to me? Did I eat something wrong or fall into another dimension? Because that's the only plausible explanation for this weirdness.

First, I run after a total stranger to apologise. Then I ask for her name, and she kept surprising me every inch of the way by not turning into a puddle like the others. Then I f*****g fought for her.

You'd think no one could have witnessed that and ignored the situation. Well, you haven't met me. It's her life and her mom brought the man into it. So it's really not my business. But the anger that surged through me at the sight of her being dragged roughly into the house and the fear that makes me shiver at her whimper surprised me. Before I realized it, I was playing Superman and it was like nothing was amiss. Like this was me.

I took her home and f*****g slept on the couch like there was no guest room I could clear my sketches from and make her sleep there. Mom made her Mac and cheese when her stomach grumbled and she turned red.

And now, a week later, I'm standing at a distance, watching her house, wanting to see her. To get a peek of her face. To see her hazel eyes and plump red lips. God!

She really isn't my type. She attends the same school as me but I've never for once bumped into her. Did she lie to me? Wait. Does she even exist?

Just then, I get my answer.

The front door opens and she comes out in a sweatshirt and baggy pants, dumps a bag of trash in the large dumpster outside and then stops to pick a call, okay no. Check a message.

By now, I should walk up to her if I really wanted to talk to her. But seeing her was enough. Just the relief in finding out she was okay. And then I stupidly smile all the way home.

***

"You know who Jane Preston is?" I decided to look for her at school, know which cave it is she's always hiding in. Roddy's looking at me like I materialized out of nowhere. And all I asked was a question.

Roddy was the only person in school who didn't avoid me in school, because everyone did. Even the teachers did a nice job of avoiding me. My team mates avoided me after the game and I'm sure that's the reason Henry is the captain of the hockey team.

"Huh?"

"Jane. Preston. I need to see her"

"Are you kidding? Who's this girl?"

"See, I don't know. And I want to know."

"Since when did you care? You're confusing me?"

I gritted my teeth and stuck my hands in my pocket. If Roddy won't help, then I'll do this myself. One thing I know for sure is she doesn't eat in the school cafeteria. Because I'd have seen her during lunch, at least. She wasn't my classmate either, and she wasn't one of the senior girls because I know them. All of them.

I headed towards the gym, leaving Roddy confused. Everyone was in the cafeteria so the hallways were empty. Except for the sound of someone sobbing. It sounded very familiar but I didn't know where it was coming from. Until I realized I was standing near the Janitor's store.

I pushed the door open and found a small figure crouched in a corner, face on knees, shoulders shaking with sobs. She didn't notice I was in the room, she just kept crying. I closed the door behind me and that was when she realized she wasn't alone.

It was dark and I couldn't see clearly but I know I just found her. Something told me the reason she was crying was not my business and I should go, leave her, but instead I was extending my handkerchief to her.

She took it and wiped her face, then she blew her nose into it. I almost laugh. Almost. I asked her to keep the handkerchief.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Do I look okay?" She obviously didn't know it was me.

"No. Are you hungry?"

"No. I have sandwiches here. Do you want some?"

"No. There's microwaved Mac and cheese though. I'd share happily."

At this point, I thought she already knew it was me, but she snorted and said, "nah. I'll pass"

I sigh and squat next to the figure in the dark. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes"

"Will you come for the hockey game tonight?"

"No."

"Please?" Hell, I need a mental check up.

"No." Wow!

"I gave you my handkerchief." I tried blackmailing.

"I didn't ask for it. You can have it."

She made a move to throw it at me but I held her arms, catching her off guard, she lost balance and fell on her side, taking me with her.

My face was inches from hers and I could feel her breath coming out irregularly. I couldn't make out her face in the dark but i knew if I moved an inch or two closer, our lips will brush and the thought made my throat dry, until something wet landed on my face.

The handkerchief of tears and mucus.

I sat up straight immediately and dropped the handkerchief on the floor. She picked it up immediately and stuffed it in what looked like a hoodie pocket.

"When?" She asked and I get confused.

"What?"

"When's the game starting?"

"Seven pm this evening." I reply.

"How will I recognize you?"

"You don't need to. I'll find you. Just keep the handkerchief."