Two Steps Behind

CHAPTER 12

Blink. Process. Blink. 

My baby was just a week old. I can't let them harass her. I can't let them molest her. She's too beautiful and innocent for that. Should I take his advice before I would regret anything? But, I was already thinking of stepping my foot on the dark brown water since it was just a meter away. I would just wash my feet immediately at home to avoid the irritation, I guess. But… I also can't. 

I motioned my head to face him walking away. His well-defined muscles at the back were very visible since his wet white shirt fitted on his body. I gulped then scanned the area. Silence… and the students have their own businesses of taking their way out while sharing umbrellas to their friends. Should I take his offer now? If I would, what would be his payment? I guess, he won't ask my body for payment, right? That would be awful. I took a deep breath before I hurriedly ran to his side and harassly grabbed his arm to stop him from walking. His blank face welcomed me amidst the falling rain. 

My bottom lip was already trembling in cold as I uttered a word. "I'm taking your offer and… I'm willing to pay in cash," I said, specifying the word "cash" for him to know that I am not dealing with any kind of payment except for cash. 

"I thought you'll grab a taxi?" he replied with a creased forehead. 

"I… I can't leave my baby car," I whispered. Knowing the fact that I love the color and all of it, I really can't leave it because it was my parents' birthday gift to me and it was sentimental. 

'Please say yes immediately! I am seriously freezing cold!' I yelled at the back of my head. My legs were trembling and my hands were already shaking. My entire physique was wet and… and… 

I immediately crossed my cold, pale, shaking hands over my chest to cover my blotted bra when his eyes lost on it. This p*****t! He smirked before he looked away then I felt my cheek burning in a hundred degree Celsius. Boys will always be boys. All adoring the bloody body of girls. 

We were covered by silence for a moment. Lost in thought. All I could hear was the racing water from above dropping on the ground and the sound when it taps our skins. No thunder, just the calm rain drops. I cleared a throat without taking a glance at him when I felt a sudden awkwardness on our set up.

The rain fell, getting harder than I could even feel it on my cap. Oh, it's not my cap, his cap. 

I screamed underneath my breath when I realised that I was already lifted. That was a swift move without a warning! 

"Hey, hey, hey! Put me down! I did not say you carry me," I yelled, emphasizing the word "carry" while hitting him on his nape and back, "I will ride on your back, you jerk!" Then I wiggled my body for him to drop me. 

My eyes widened when I remembered something. "Gosh! My body! Goodness! Look away, Raven! You're taking advantage of me! You're taking advantage of the situation and the position!" I snapped underneath my throat. 

I poke his head when he burst out into laughter. "I did not lay even a single stare on your body. As if it was a good spot to see," he smirked. 

"Put me down, Raven Ismaeeeel!" I yelled with all my strength, voice and energy like the veins on my throat would explode. 

I frowned at him when he seemed not to hear my voice. That almost cracked my entire humanity and he was just like that? Really ill-mannered. I rolled my eyes then pinched his back so hard making him groan in pain and finally placed me down. 

"That hurts! You ungrateful brat," he spat.

"Well deserved," I mumbled with rolled eyes. 

"Hey!" I yelled again then covered my body when he laid a quick glance at me. 

He turned his back with a chuckle then placed his backpack on his front. I raised my eyebrow when he got something on it. 

"I have to go. Maybe let's just adjust the time for our session today and change our clothes first," I deadpanned. 

"I will wait for you at the café. Change your clothes fast because I'm not going home since I have my extra shirt." 

He threw something from his back which I swiftly caught on my hands. 

"Why are you throwing—" he cut me off. 

"Wear that to add heat on your body. It's clean don't worry." He was about to turn his head when I warned him loudly. 

"Don't look back!" Then he raised his hands in the air. 

I cautiously placed my bag on the car hood together with the white clean shirt before I squeezed and dry off my dress. 

"Don't!" I shouted when he was about to move. 

"I'm not allowed to move?" he replied, disappointedly. 

"Not until I'm done here," I mumbled. 

I took off his cap then collected my hair to at least fix and dry it off. It was thick and rumpled that I couldn't even identify whose hair it was. So different from the strands I was combing a few hours ago. 

"Do you…" I was hesitant to ask but I have to. "Do you have any rubber?" I inquired, almost stammering. 

I rolled my eyes up to the sky when I heard him slightly laughing then a piece of violet colored sachet flew above which I immediately caught. 

My eyes widened in surprise together with my boiling blood. "What's this? You i***t!" 

"You asked for rubber, don't you? I was also wondering what are you gonna do with that," he said casually. 

I dashed off to him and punched his back multiple times until I got tired. He still remained in his position while laughing at me. "p*****t! i***t! Jerk! What the hell! I am referring to a rubber band! A tie! And not… Not this kind of rubber!" I stroked him hard at the back before I walked back to my original stand. 

How could a man hand me a contraceptive that way in this open area?! No respect! He was clearly a punk! f**k the hell out of him! 

"Here, catch!" he snapped but I didn't do as ordered. Who would've known if it was another contraceptive again? 

I waited for it to land on the ground. To confirm, a true and real rubber band. 

"You're an asshole Ismael," I blurted as I picked it up. 

I immediately tied my hair in a ponytail then grabbed my bag to look for some wipes and tissue to at least clean up my horrible face. When I'm a bit cool with my face, I take the shirt he handed me earlier. It was a plain white V-neck shirt which was almost my size. The manly scent of his perfume filled my nostrils as I doubled it on my dress. I smirked when I saw my outfit right at this moment. White upper shirt with a blue lower dress which now looks like a skirt and my cream dirty flat shoes. 

"I'm done and I look stupid," I told him disappointedly on my looks. 

I was expecting a mock or a loud guffaw coming from him while he was scanning my looks but I was surprised when he just shrugged his shoulders as a response. That was new. 

"Now, turn your back." I raised an eyebrow at him but he still kept his steel glare, waiting for me to follow him. 

"Hey!" I yelled, then swiftly grabbed something on the bumper to throw over him but I froze and covered my eyes instead when he took off his shirt in front of me exposing his perfectly built six packed abs which match his well defined and firm muscles. I could almost see the starting of his V line with the droplets of water streaming down the lines. 

"I told you to turn your back, hard headed. I'll change my shirt also," he deadpanned. 

I looked away with my burning cheek in humiliation. Why didn't he inform me earlier that he would change also? He could've turned his back instead, really jerk. And… Oh, he had two extra shirts? That's too much to bring to school. He should've just brought his cabinet here if that's the case. I giggled secretly on my own thoughts until my eyes lost at one point that made my entire system shut. I gulped when I saw a girl standing near, witnessing us in shock. 

My entire figure was rooted, lost in thought. I searched for a word in my mind but I couldn't find and construct one. 

"Oh, hey. Ah… ah.. Hey," I greeted, unsure of what to say. 

The girl who was I think a freshman or a sophomore smiled awkwardly while shifting her view to Raven then back at me and at my… Shoot! I cursed at the back of my head when I realised that I was holding the condom which was the thing that I unconsciously grabbed earlier to supposedly throw over him. 

"We… We're not doing a miracle. If y-you are thinking about something just forget it," I stammered then threw off the contraceptive without a certain direction.