The First Rule

Chapter 12a: Tom and Jerry

No. way.

There ain't no way I'm getting lunch with him and that bimbo again. There ain't no way I'm seeing that bully ever again—Regina George? Oh hell, more like that blonde Smiling Titan from that anime—what's it called again? Forget it. What matters the most is that, there ain't no. way. I'm seeing his face again. You know what? I'll move. Yes—yes! Packing up my belongings, definitely grabbing Tumba. I'll find a place far, far away where the mere thought of running into him is a distant nightmare. It's time for a change. A fresh start. I won't be his neighbor again. I won't be his—

"Em!"

Beside you, down the window, a guy screams your name with the top of his lungs like a psycho. Cringing in shame, you notice the inside of the bus start getting distracted by the commotion he made. You give them an apologetic gesture, then swiftly turn to the window. With impeccable timing, you catch his eye, making him pause. You shoot him a mischievous nervous grin, and fly a middle finger right to his face! Aware of his scrunched nose when he continues his rant, you look away to find a mix of gasps and stifled cheers erupting from the other passengers.

The bus thankfully starts to pick up speed, leaving him behind in the traffic jam. You watch with a sense of relief as he's becoming distant. Turning your attention back to the front, the frown on your face now replaced with a victorious smirk. The passengers around you exchange approving glances, and a few even give you subtle high fives.

Yeah, I know. He's been following me around since school. Thank. God the bus is on schedule today—at least the universe's on my side this once. Probably already dropped off that girlfriend of his—but how the hell he's already behind this bus? How can I lose him once the bus stops? Run? Yeah, that's the only option.

The bus grinds to a halt, and as it aligns perfectly with your housing complex, you’re already standing at the door, nervously clenching and unclenching your knuckles. The impending dread of potential encounter with an unwanted boy hangs heavily in the air.

Ok three, two—

Once the door opens, you run as fast as you can. You sprint past the security guard, past your complex's statue.. and as you pass Wyatt's house, you're feeling a mix of relief and amusement—he's still nowhere in sight. You're close. So close to finally arriving at your house. You can't help but let out a small chuckle at your own stealth skills, you've outsmarted him. Grinning, you turn the corner to your usual spot—

But Cavill stands right there, leaning casually against his black Defender. Once he sees your disheveled self, he wears that mischievous grin of his, the perfect opposite of your stunned reaction. You come to an abrupt halt, eyes widening in disbelief.

"How did you.. what?!"

Clearly enjoying the moment, he raises an eyebrow. And as his grin turns into a smirk as he scoffs,

"Nice try."

"f**k's sake, Em! Why do you always make my life harder than it already was?!"

Supporting his hands on his knees, Cavill pants heavily in exhaustion. "You—you—!" etched with irritation, he groans annoyedly towards the skies like a Kingkong.

Not far across from him, you stand in front of the large tree, also panting like you just ran a marathon—well, you did run a big mile just now. Unintended, the two of you play cat and mouse, just like when you were a kid. The difference is, this time, it has an essential goal:

You. need. to get away from him.

Nevermind, that has. been the goal of a cat and mouse game since way back, dumbass.

Taking advantage of his exhaustion, you sprint further from the tree. Tyler rolls his head while closing his eyes, creating a tired, almost crying expression. Following you, he jogs, likely surrendering with a metaphorical white flag. "You can't do this to me, Winters. My practice this week was far from easy and now—"

"Oh yeah? How's ‘The Love of My Life’? Has Her Majesty left her carriage safe and sound yet?!"

Ignoring his complaint, you give him a sarcastic rhetorical question, still zigzagging through the mini trees and bushes. Starting to catch up as he fastens his strides, he gives you a disgusted look as he yells, "Hey! Will you stop with the judging? She's my girlfriend!"

"SMASH and WEBBS are in vain—just for that dumbo bimbo?! Plus—she's a f*****g bully! Geez, Tyler!"

Occasionally, you glare to the back, only to find Cavill responding with an exhausted sigh. Stopping in his tracks, looking up, he runs both hands through the sides of his disheveled hair in irritation. And when he brings his head back down, he slightly tilts his head and stares at you jadedly.

"Listen, I know she seemed—" he pauses. You notice him on the verge of opening his mouth but hesitating. Unexpectedly, seemingly deciding to retract his previous defense, he cringes instead and admits, "Ok that was uncalled for, I'm very much surprised myself—"

"No s**t! Who the hell bullies a guy when they're angry? Psychos?! And did you notice how that boy looked like he had enough?! That means she's been doing it to him for a long time!"

Cutting him off, you roll your eyes as you unload everything that's been on your mind onto him. He seems considerate as he decides to sit on the ground. Noticing how he looks like he's also been thinking about this one, you pause to catch your breath and clarify, "So you admit your girlfriend's crazy?"

He's now all slouched with two hands supporting his back. Tilting his head, you notice strands of his hair covering his eyes as he squints them at you in a serious manner. However, it suddenly transforms into something more.. sinister, because you swear you notice his evil smirk slightly surfaces from a brief moment. But then, he skillfully hides it behind his nonchalant look as he says, "Eh, I don't know," but what comes out from his mouth next is what confirms your suspicions—

"Still not crazier than you."

...

Oh so he chooses war.

Eyes widening, he observes the color rising in your face. Your expression shifts from disbelief to annoyance, and it's almost comical how your features contort with exasperation. Tyler, notorious for not taking anything seriously, registers your escalating frustration with a mix of amusement and genuine surprise, struggling to contain his laughter.

As flares seemingly start to emerge from your nose and a metaphorical storm cloud forms over your head, Tyler swiftly changes his slouched posture into an alert stance. 'Uh oh', he mumbles, realizing you're getting angrier than he anticipated. Knowing that it might be wise to put some distance between himself and your escalating wrath, he readies himself to run—

And you flee, now the one chasing him down! Cavill bolts ahead with a mix of surprise and amusement, letting out a loud cackle. With a burst of adrenaline, you sprint after him with determination. Almost closing the gap, you shout, "f**k you Tyler Cavill! f**k you!"

Upon your curse, he stops and turns with a raised eyebrow, causing you to stop in your tracks and collide into him—and you hurriedly take several steps back away from him, creating a good amount of distance. Rhythmically cracking his knuckles, he glares down at you intimidatingly and commands, "Take that back."

Feeling the weight of your backpack behind you, you lean forward to alleviate the exhaustion and mumble, still catching your breath between sentences, "I just had a serious cringe towards you, and your taste this afternoon—" then, just to deliver the final blow, you stand upright, swaying slightly like a tipsy woman—and plunge a finger in his direction, yelling, "and the last thing I want to see is your stupid face!"

His face transforms into a distorted expression of irritation. You're very well aware that he's so down to catch you this time. In alert, you turn to run away from him. But this time, he successfully catches your backpack.

You know, just another déjà vu.

Letting out a big groan, you struggle to get away from him. Pursing his lips and tilting his head, he squints his eyes. He can only see the back of your head, but he can clearly visualize how your face looks right now. Knitting eyebrows, scrunching nose, upside down crescent moon for your lips.. and the corner of his lips lifts slightly, as if something came up on his mischievous mind.

He suddenly releases your bag, causing you to stumble forward. However, he swiftly pulls back and drags your bag to the side, making you turn—to fall onto him instead! As he catches your forearms, your hands grab his biceps alertly—followed by your head that lands straight on his chest!

"Ow!" you shout in annoyance. In brisk movement, you retract from him—only to find him grinning back at you. You see his dark strands of hair looming over you, his hazel eyes so close..

And it feels like the whole world stops. And you feel your heartbeat stop for a second there too. Weirdly, despite all that.. to feel him this close.. has a calming effect on you. The grips between you loosen.. and now your touches feel more like a gentle embrace. Unconsciously, your frown gradually transforms into a pout. You look away, uncertain whether it's from the nervousness.. or from the weariness of these past few weeks.

But that.. grin.