Two Steps Behind

CHAPTER 16

"W-what are you doing here?" I inquired in surprise. He just shrugged his shoulders. 

"Haven't you received my message?" He still kept his steel glare. "Are you deaf or mute? Care to respond, Raven Ismael?" I asked but still got no response so I stepped my heel straight to my car and inserted the key. The next thing I knew, he was already sitting on my side. 

"Hey! What are you doing here? I already told you not to attend with me," I snapped and tried to push him but he caught my hand and tightened its grip. 

"Stop it, Martinez. I haven't received any message coming from you. So just drive and don't waste my time." I gulped as I felt a bit pang of my chest. I was a waste of time. 

I heaved a deep breath and pulled my hands back. "I am a waste of time so go out. I will call you for our next schedule," I blurted without looking at him. But I jolted when he yelled at me and his voice echoed in every corner of my car. 

"Drive!" I immediately started the engine as ordered. I don't know why I felt scared when in fact he must be the one to be scared at me. My hands were shaking while I was driving without a certain place to go. 

"W-where are we going?" I asked dumbly. 

"Why are you asking me? You're the one who's controlling the steering wheel." I didn't bother to talk back and drove the car instead to our house. If he would do something to me, at least Lexie would be there to help. 

"Good afternoon, Blythe and Raven. How's your day going?" Lexie greeted as soon as we arrived home. 

She offered to get my things and walk with my pace. "I'm good, Lexie. Thanks," Raven replied to her then she looked at me. 

"Please stay on my side no matter what," I whispered. Her eyes widened and screeched, "Why?!" I frowned at her and she awkwardly smiled at me. 

"Why?" she whispered back on her very low sound. 

"Just follow me, Lex. Don't you dare go far with me."

"Even you're studying?" 

"Even though. Just stay." 

"Why?" she asked again, much confused, then held my arm to stop me from walking. "Why are we whispering?" she continued loudly.

I let out a sigh before dragging her towards the living room. She really can't follow me without answering all her confusions. 

"Should I scatter your things now, Blythe?" Lexie asked as soon as she and Raven comforted themselves on their seats. 

"Whatever," I mumbled before storming up to my room. 

I lazily change my clothes like the usual outfit I am wearing at home. They are both used to it. It won't matter anymore. When I'm done doing my thing, I went straight to where I left them and what welcomed me was their loud guffaws. 

"That was completely I-don't-know!" Lexie exclaimed with a laugh. 

"Yeah, yeah. It was." 

I coughed exaggeratedly to catch their attention. "You seemed very well with each other," I said while stepping my foot down to their direction. 

"Oh, we're just talking something interesting," Lexie replied, preventing herself from laughing. Her face was as red as a tomato when she decided to exit. 

"Wait," I called her with my hands on my waist. She stopped then slowly turned her head back at me. "What's funny? Do I look funny? Do I look like a joke?" 

"No, not really," she cleared a throat. "Your tutor is a clown," she continued. 

"Where are you going?" 

She creased her forehead. "Prepare your foods?" she replied, unsure. 

I let out a sigh and crossed my arms to hers. "Ah, just do that later. I have told you to stay on my side," I mumbled while dragging her back to the seat. 

"You sure? You don't need something?" 

"Yeah, just sit right next to me." 

I placed myself across to my dear tutor while Lexie was on my side. My notebooks were scattered already on the table and a separate sheet on the side. I grabbed it and read what was written. My eyebrows formed into furrow when I realised that the problem written was very familiar. I'm sure that I have already answered some of these. 

"That was Mrs. Khant's exam last time. Solve it so that I would know which part should I teach you," he said in his usual serious tone. I rolled my eyes at him and grabbed my notebook and pen. Did he know that we are done taking the exam or he knew that I failed? Whatever. 

"You really are so smart, Raven." My ears' senses opened up when Lexie spoke. Unquestionably smart but arrogant. 

"No, I'm not. I'm just using my time productively." Whatever, acting humble man. 

"Maybe a few years from now, I'll be back at school, can you teach me also?" I took a quick glance at Lexie who was excitedly talking at him. I shook my head and returned on my focus. 

"Of course." 

"But, I can't pay you a big amount." 

"Nah. That's fine. I would be glad to help you. Hmm. I guess you can acquire my service for free." 

"Really? I'm keeping your words, Raven." She giggled. 

"Sure, Lex." 

"You mentioned to me last time that Engineering was not your first choice, was that true?" he nodded. Oh, really? For weeks of being together, I haven't known that. He didn't even mention a single thing about it. 

"I could study my law course after I graduate engineering."  

"What should I call you then? Engineer? Attorney?" They laughed. I took a deep breath and yelled at the top of my lungs. 

"Can you both please shut up? You're ruining my focus!" I said and grabbed all my things before I stood up. I should answer this anywhere far from them. They are so noisy and talking casually in my presence. They didn't even respect me, studying. I hate it!

"Where are you going?" They asked in unison. 

"I'm going to find a peaceful place," I spat. 

"Sit down and continue answering," Raven ordered. 

I was about to step my foot when Lexie shouted. "OMG! I forgot that I am boiling something in the kitchen! I'll be back, Blythe," she said then raced her foot in the kitchen. 

I shook my head while watching her. If she hadn't remembered it, sooner or later, this house would explode. 

"Sit down now." I was back to my consciousness when he spoke again. I looked at him blankly. "Stop ordering me, Ismael. It's my home, suit yourself. You don't have the rights to talk to me like that." He was shocked but still remained his composure. 

"I. Said. Sit. Down!" As fast as the speed of light, I sat back on my seat. His voice was scary and life threatening while uttering those words. 

Never in my entire life have I was yelled and threatened like that. People would always speak softly to me which I was used at. But this one made me frightened and shaken. I never dared to look at him and stayed focused on my answer sheets instead, silently praying that Lexie would come back so that we could call the police. I should've never trusted him beforehand. 

I remained my focus and tried my best to answer each of the items without being bothered by him on my side. In fact, it drove me to do better and to answer it faster than I usually do for him to get out of my house and leave us alone. I should have kept my promise to myself of cutting any connections from him right after he insulted me. 

"I'm done, please make your discussion faster. I still have a lot of things to do," I said without looking at him then pushed my paper in his direction. 

He smirked and reached it. "You answered fast today, Martinez," he commented but I didn't respond. 

I remained quiet for the whole session and followed whatever he taught. I also kept on calling Lexie but she didn't join us. Her excuse? She was cooking again. She might be cooking all of the food in our fridge making her take that long. I'm gonna slap the face of that cricket later on. 

"These are the study guides that might help you gain. Make sure to pass this time, Martinez." 

My heart leaped when he handed me the notebook he was holding. He was writing there while I was answering, didn't know that he also made a reviewer for me. I just awkwardly nodded at him as I accepted his notes. 

Raven fixed his things and stood up the moment he was done with his thing. "I need to go now. Study for your own tomorrow and Good luck," he said then he turned his back. 

"I'll go with you outside." 

"No need, I'm good," he looked back and replied. I stood up and followed his pace. "I insist," I said. Who knows he would threaten Lexie and would do something bad to me. I won't allow that to happen. 

When we arrived outside, I immediately opened the gate which exactly had a taxi coming. Raven waved his hand in the air to catch its attention. The taxi stopped right in front of us but before he entered inside, he patted my head and pulled me closer to him. Very close that I could even smell his manly scent. The next thing I knew, he was hugging me. 

"I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier. I didn't mean it. I just want you to learn and do my job. I hope you pass this time," he whispered then got in the waiting taxi. 

I was left dumbfounded outside while watching the vehicle zooming out, eaten by darkness. That was cringe and strange.