Two Steps Behind

CHAPTER 13

I fanned myself using my cold shaking hand. It was cold yet hot, I don't know. I think I am going to faint any moment from now and the ground would open up to swallow me. 

"Oh hey, Elise!" Raven greeted casually while fixing the collar of his shirt. My forehead creased while looking at them. 

The beautiful girl with a petite body, fair skin and curly hair named Elise shot him sharp stares which made me in panic. They must know each other very well, I guess. 

"Raven! What's this?!" she spat with her crossed arms. 

My heart was racing so fast driving me to bite my fingernails in anxiety. Whatever relationship they have, I seriously don't have even a single plan to break it. She must interpret it in a wrong way. 

"She's Blythe," Raven spoke, walking near me.

"I know that she's Blythe! I was asking about what I saw and what you have said to me earlier!" she replied angrily. 

I gulped while witnessing how these couples fought in my front. Now I know how awkward it was to watch a live show like this. Back then, I was the one making the act and now here I am, the viewer. Life plays so well. 

"Oh c'mon Elise, I'm sorry," he said softly at her. That was cringe to hear coming from him. 

Raven walked towards her direction then patted her head. Elise just rolled her eyes. 

"I was seriously going to fetch you in your class but I saw her standing amidst the rain. I really have no plans on staying that long but—" My blood figuratively boiled when I heard his explanation so I cut him off. How dare was he to use my name as an excuse? No one forced and obliged him to stay over and offer a help! This thick faced arrogant engineer really hits a nerve! 

I stepped my foot toward their direction with a crossed arms and raised eyebrow. "Excuse me? Who gave you the permission to use my name as an excuse on your personal fights? As far as I could remember, no one told you to stay beside me. Your girlfriend has the rights to be mad at you and I'm out of that!" I gasp. They looked at each other, both puzzled. 

"Miss Martinez, sorry but you—" I did not let her finish her words. I should clear my name right at this moment. 

"No, that was really nothing. The one you saw earlier was completely nothing. The rubber you have seen was just nothing and merely only because of his foolishness to throw me such things. Believe me, we are not—" This time she cut me off with a yell. 

"Let me finish my words first! Raven and I were cousins! What girlfriend are you talking about? And you don't have to explain your side Miss Martinez because it's totally fine for me!" 

I was like showered with extreme cold water by her sudden confession. That was so embarrassing to overthink things out. But, they can't blame me, I'm just protecting myself in advance. 

"Oh." That was the only word I could utter. Elise smiled sheepishly and bowed down. 

"I'm sorry, Miss Martinez. I didn't mean to yell at you." 

"Oh no, I'm sorry for overthinking. I was just trying to protect my side also," I sorrily replied. Elise then elbowed Raven on the stomach. 

"Let's forget about everything. By the way, Elise," she said, extending her arm for a handshake. 

"Blythe. Just call me, Blythe." I accepted her cold soft hand with a smile and she smiled back. 

"Can I talk to my cousin for a while first?" she asked permission as if I own his cousin. I just nodded as a response then went to my car nearby to get by belongings on the car hood. 

"What did you just do, Raven?! It was Blythe Martinez and you are making fun of her. Are you out of your mind?" Whispered Elise fumingly. 

I was silently listening to them and waited for Raven's response. Surely, I would throw my shoes at him if he would blame and say something wrong about me again. For pete's sake, I am very clueless on that! 

"Crap it, Elise. Forget it. Why did you call earlier? Is that really so important and you have to find me?" 

"Oh geez. If only I have any choice. I rang earlier to borrow some coins. Just a fare going home." I was surprised. Had she involved in extortion and her allowance was all taken? 

"Your allowance?" Raven asked. I moved my head a little to hear her dramatic side but I expected the wrong answer. 

"I have used it to pay for our project." My heart sank in an instant. I totally can't imagine if I would be on her shoes one day. I can't even live without a thousands in my wallet! 

"You owe me a lot now," he chortled. 

"Whatever." 

I cleared  a throat to catch their attention. They looked at me both confused. I smiled sheepishly at Elise and rolled my eyes at Raven. 

"Uhm… Elise?" She looked at me unsure what to react. I opened my wallet and took a one thousand peso bill. I don't know how much her fare was going home but I think it's enough already. "Here. Accept this," I said, handing her the cash. 

"Oh no no. I'm good." She immediately declined, pushing my hand back. 

I reached for her cold closed hand then opened it to place my one thousand peso bill. "Accept it so that you would owe nothing to your cousin anymore," I said with a tricky smile. Her cheek turned red as she looked down to avoid my gaze. 

"And I'll owe it to you," she replied shyly. 

"No, no. I'm giving this to you as help. Please accept it." 

"No need, Martinez. She's my cousin and she's my responsibility, not yours," Raven joined the conversation. 

I shifted my sight at him. 

"But still her choice whether to accept it or not," I answered him with a raised brow. 

Elise was staring at us for a minute then studied my face if I was serious about it before she accepted the bill. I smiled at her and smirked at him. Raven on the other hand shot her threatening glare so I tapped her shoulders to assure that it was all fine. 

"Thank you, Blythe! I gotta go!" she squealed and gave me a big warm hug and a smack on the cheek before she exited herself. 

I giggled while watching her zooming out, holding her umbrella. She looked back for a while just to wave her hand on us. She's too cute and innocent. Raven shot me a questioningly look and I rolled my eyes as an exchange. I still have to deal with this horrible look of mine. 

Raven started walking away in the area to make his own way going to the coffee shop as I saw him in the side mirror of my baby car. So, I turned my back to call him. 

"Hey! Just come with me. I'll drop you off to the shop."

He turned his back, still in a straight face. "No need. I can go by myself," he replied. I rolled my eyes at him.

"Oh come on, stop being childish. Lower down your pride, can you?" How lucky he was to be invited to ride with Martinez despite of what he did to me earlier and he would just decline? What a prideful man. 

I stared at him questioningly for a minute before he shrugged his shoulders and went straight to my car. I was surprised when he got in before me. He was not just a prideful man, an arrogant thick faced monster also.

Our trip was covered with silence as no one with us dared to talk. He was just staring along the sidewalk with running people on their umbrellas and caps. They seemed so happy on the set up though they were seriously wet and were laughing together with their pals which I never experienced even once. 

The traffic was not that heavy right now but I remained at my low driving speed since the road was wet and slippery. I might get into another accident again which I don't want to happen anymore. I smirked secretly when I remembered the moment I hit the man beside me with my old car. It was hilariously horrible. 

After a few minutes, we arrived at the shop but we can see no trace of people inside. Normally of this time, students and workers hang out inside to have chills, casual talks and some were dating which are cringe to see since they would still end up breaking up. Raven was about to reach the door latch when I saw the sign board "Closed" on the entrance door. 

"It's closed," I mumbled. 

He looked at me, confused. "What close?" he asked, then I pointed my index finger in the direction of the shop, a meter near us. 

"Should we cancel the session today? Or we'll find another shop?" he casually inquired.

We can't cancel the session today because I have my exam tomorrow with Mrs. Khant and I need his help to enlighten me about everything my professor has discussed. I was seriously not a piece of cake! Out of the hundred percent of her lesson, I only understand the at least thirty percent part. 

"You will teach me today and I know where to go," I replied as I started the engine.