The Beauty and the Inked

One: The First Sight

I put down the book I was reading... great. I just finished Stephen King's Carrie in four hours. For me, the book is more impressive than the movie adaptation. Stephen King's work is astounding, well the movie was great as well, but the book is somehow more surreal and captivating in the same time.

I was sitting inside Starbucks waiting for my friends. Of course, they’re late. We always talk about punctuality, but we seemed to unfailingly forget it. I checked my mobile, hoping to find any from Bella Patterson or Lexi Trice, but among the eight texts I received, there wasn't any.

*Where u @? A text from James? Seriously? I thought he was in Australia with his family? James is, well, sort of a friend but it's complicated, though it shouldn't really be.

*Are you here in NY? I replied… just to be nice. I checked the other texts, two from my Aunt asking what time I will come home, and so I sent her a brief reply. The other five were just random texts from my classmates asking if we can hang out or rather have some drink. Moments later, James was ringing me up. Wow. As aggressive as ever, James Richard.

"Hey!" he said, "I just got here. Dinner sounds good, right?" before I even answered his question, he began speaking again, “I'll pick you up at five?"

"Actually, I can't. We're going out tonight," I explained. I heard him sigh from the other side of the line. "But... how about tomorrow? I'm free all day," I tried to cheer him up. Though I’m turning him down for the nth time, I can’t bear the thought of hurting him. We’ve been friends for long after all. He is such a good friend and I’ve known him for almost seven years. He is very kind, and I've told him enough times that I can't give him the assurance that there will be a 'next level' for our friendship. I don't want him to wait and wait and wait until he feels hateful towards me for not giving him the kind of treatment he deserves. But then, he never gave up. He keeps on asking me out, surprising me in a very special way- or rather annoying way.

"Yeah, sure. I'll text you tomorrow then?" the sudden lift of his mood was palpable.

"Yeah, okay," as soon as I hang up, I spotted Bella standing in front of the counter. Her tiny body was hugged by a pink crop top, high waist acid washed jeans and silver flats. Stunning as ever. Her hair was a dark shade of brown, which makes her rosy cheeks even more noticeable. I waved at her, but she was completely oblivious. Instead, the guy who was next on queue noticed me. Ground, swallow me now. Oh, please. Confusion covered his face in an instant, and I tried to ignore the embarrassment that is continuously spreading inside me. I looked away, trying to ease the venomous kick of my foolish action. Why should I be embarrassed? First of all, it was just an honest mistake. Second, my best friend is standing before him... there are a lot of other things which is more embarrassing, right?

"There you are!" Lexi sat in front of me, blocking Bella and the guy from my view. Thanks heaven for this lovely baby.

"What took you so long? I'm here for almost like forever," I tried to sound irritated, but failed. These girls being late is nothing new, but it doesn’t mean that it's fine, still it doesn’t mean that I will be mad. Now I’m just confused. I noticed that Lexi had her hair trimmed; the waves on its end were given more volume.

"Oh, stop it," she said taking the book from me, "How's this?" she asked, flipping through the pages.

"It’s so much better than the movie.” I peeked at Bella, actually I peeked at the lad who was standing behind her. He wasn't looking in my direction anymore. Good lord, he was... I don't know? Handsome? Gorgeous? But it wasn't enough to describe him. A plain white shirt hugs his body well and black jeans covers his long legs. The beanie he was wearing was a shade of dark grey. He has his ears pierced with black round earrings, too. He has tattoo on his arm, actually tattoos. The characters were colorful, artful even. Definitely, a bad boy. But guess what? I should mind my own business.

"Hey. Are you still with me?" Lexi waved her hand in front of my face, "What are you looking at?" she turned to where I was paying attention. Oh, no. “Or who are you looking at?” her voice laced with teasing tone turning her gaze back to me.

"Maybe you should help Bella?" I tried to lie but only earning a raised brow, "What?" I tried to sound nonchalant. But so what if she knew that I was looking at the demigod behind Bella? That only means my eyes were in good use. But I want to say something, like maybe Bella would be having a hard time to carry two cups of coffee?

"She can do it on her own," she huffs, answering my unspoken lie.

"James called a while ago," I started to divert the topic. She glared at me but still I continued, "He was asking if he could take me out for dinner but I managed to escape nicely. So, don't glare at me," I shrugged. Maybe using James as a diversion isn't a good idea...

"He's really persuasive, huh? But I thought he was at Australia with his family?" she laughed fishing her mobile phone from her purse.

"He arrived a while ago, I really don't know."

Moments later, Bella was beside me talking about her newly polished nails, which is a common topic for us. Then they were talking about how short Lexi's hair, she said she should have dyed it instead. But it looks pretty fine, really. They continued conversing with one topic then to another. Later on, I wasn't paying much attention anymore; I nod and agree to whatever they were saying. I found myself distracted because of the same guy from a while ago, the demigod. He was sitting at the far end corner. He had removed his beanie, and his hair was unruly but still looks good on him. His face has a neutral expression… his eyes were screaming with an unknown rage and a pinch of loneliness. That's all I can see. Behind it, there are a lot unsaid feelings, but who am I to intrude?

"You know the guy standing behind me earlier?" Bella got my attention, "He's hot. Deep voice," nodding towards the jaw-dropping lad. Her tone was playful, flirty even.

"Ooh," Lexi added.

"He has lots of tattoos..." both of them raised a brow. “What?" feigning innocence.

"Looks like someone's paying too much attention to Mr. Stranger," Bella mocked, the corners of her lips turned up.

"Huh? I tried to wave at you but he was the one who noticed me instead. I'm not giving him any attention, I was just... and in fact, his arm is covered with too many inks. It's not difficult to notice," I tried to laugh, but ended up sounding so guilty.

"Guilty," Bella whispered at Lexi, they both laughed.

"Ha-ha."

They laughed even more, "You don’t have to be so defensive, baby girl," Bella took a sip of her cappuccino.

"James asked her again for dinner," Lexi grinned. She was scrolling through her mobile. I don’t know it was a way of saving me or just adding fuel to the fire. I’d rather talk about the demigod than James, especially when it’s with Bella.

"For the millionth time?" Bella laughed whilst tapping the table, almost in an unladylike gesture. Here it goes. "And how? Thought he was in Australia?"

"What's so funny?" I asked, "... and again he just arrived," I scoffed. Here we go with you-should-date-James-Richard conversation. It’s always like this, she insist me to date James because he is nice and gentle. But we’ve been friends and I can’t see myself dating him. Real talk, James isn’t ugly. To be honest, he could make girls swoon with just a single hello. Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration but yeah.

"You want to hear the endless list?" Bella began, "As of you, James first asked you on a date when we were... What? Sixteen? You practically dated but then you realized he was just a frie-"

"I was just being polite, just trying not to mess with him," I defended myself.

"Okay... Even after turning him down he never stopped; just kept on clinging on you."

"Like a puppy and a cute one!" Lexi teased me. I glared at her.

"After his parents left, he started asking you again. But you never-"

"Because just like what I said, I don't want to mess with him."

"Okay, but still, after how many years he hasn’t lose hope. Gosh, you have an ultimate admirer," Bella was laughing again. I can’t seem to find the humor in this conversation; "Last semester, he tried to serenade you, right?" she was almost red.

"But seriously," she paused for a moment, waiting for her humorless thought to wear off, "Maybe you should try giving him a chance," she was gesturing something that I don't understand, "Maybe it'll work; you and him. And mind you, he's waiting for you for almost five years!"

These girls know too much about James and me. I'm always open when it comes to them. Bella, well... Bella is Bella. She never disappoints her parents, friends, even her enemies. She may be a hideous b***h when she's drunk but she's really a good friend, very understanding and considerate. When I was still adjusting with everything and all, Bella was there. While Lexi, well... our baby, she's four years younger than Bella and me. She's thoughtful and very innocuous. We met her when their family moved to Bella's neighborhood. Lexi was very shy at first, but of course, Bella was very encouraging. So, the three of us ended up being the best of friends. We never keep secrets. As much as possible, we want our friendship to be transparent. They were my only friends since I got here in the New York eight years ago. At first, I thought my life here would be as wretched as my life when I still live with my Mum and Dad. But it wasn't, they brought joy to my haunted and dreadful days. The sad part is that, I'm moving back to Philippines. The thought is very sickening... I remember the night I told them about it, Lexi literally cried all night, and Bella never let go of my arm while we slept.

"I think we should better go. Mom texted me, they're on their way to Baguio," Lexi stood up, and we did the same.

Next to my car was a black Audi, a jaw-dropping, eye-popping Audi. I’m not that knowledgeable about cars but surely this one costs a lot. While I was looking for my keys inside my purse I caught a glimpse of the demigod walking out of Starbucks. Wow. Just wow. He is very distracting, and I'm being stupid for obviously gaping at him, acting as if I've opened Pandora's Box and found millions of treasure inside. This is crazy; but the fact that he was striding towards me made it even crazier. My vision fixated on him... reality washed over me like a tidal wave, when I realized he was striding towards the black Audi. Not to me. How stupid. So he owns this luxurious car? Of course. My eyes focused on every movements of his mouth. What was he saying? Was he talking to me?

“May I help you?" yeah he was talking. Oh god, his accent.

“Uhm..." think, Yssa . Think! My stupid mouth can't catch up.

“Miss?" he asked again. This is beyond shame full. I look around to look for Bella's car, maybe they have already left, and I can't see them anymore. I can't seem to come up with any excuse. His eyes were focused on me. I'm literally fidgeting, damn...

"Uhm..." I began again, "I'm sorry. I'm just a bit off," I explained. A bit off? What the hell, Yssa ? I should have said that he looked like one of my classmates so I was confused, or even he looks like a stunning model or an angel sent from the gods or even a demigod himself for heaven's sake?! Even I cringe at my own thoughts.

I can see that he was holding a smile, because he was chewing the inside of his cheeks. Damn. I am slowly drinking the beauty of the demigod in front me. This is embarrassing. He was standing beside his super expensive car doing nothing but his stance screams attractive in any aspect! Stop, Yssa. Stop being like a teenager drooling over Leonardo DiCaprio.

But seconds pass... maybe minutes; I'm still staring at him. My eyes travel down at the tattoo on his chest, almost peeking from the neckline of his shirt. My eyes roamed shamelessly and focus on everything visible to me. He cleared his throat, bringing me back from reality. It was like pushing me away from him, or pulling me back from my daydream, now this is confusing.

I noticed that his eyes were dancing with humor. Can’t I embarrass myself any further? I can't take this disconcertment anymore. I hurriedly slid on the front seat of my car, almost slamming the door. I drove away, trying to calm myself. That was a shameful experience, and I would never want that to happen again. Apparently, that won't be happening any time soon or even never. Bye-bye, Mr. Stranger. I sighed, somehow feeling fine.

When I got to Lexi's house, they were already rummaging the fridge. I can hear them though I haven't reached the kitchen.

“What's up with the stranger?" Bella caught me off guard.

"Huh?" I asked my head was racing. Yeah, what's with that stranger? My hormones went wild during my interaction with him. The stubble on his chin, the tattoos on his arms, his high hair...

“You should have asked for his name," Lexi said while opening a bar of chocolate.

What is she saying? Is she deliberately trying to make fun of me? "Huh?"

Maybe they find it amusing how I was lacking on words to explain my case; both of them have a loony expression. But why should I explain myself? The demigod is a stranger, and most likely, that’s the first and last time I will see him. Who wouldn't be smitten by his beauty? For heaven's sake!

“He was really that gorgeous, huh?" they teased me, and I'm still struggling for words to throw back on them.

"Okay? Stop with this nonsense. It's gross," I said trying to drop the topic. I scrolled through my mobile phone, ignoring some of James' text messages. Seriously, this is the reason why I am happier whenever he's in Australia. He can contact me, but not like this- like every minute of his day he wants to know wherever part of this world I’m hiding.

"When are you going to Philippines?" Bella asked me, the mood between the three of us shifts, "Are you going to finish the semester before leaving?" her tone turned a bit serious.

"I don't know..." going back to the Philippines is not part of my priorities, as of now. I'm still occupied with a lot of studies to do. I would want to finish college first before leaving, just to lessen my complicated life.

"I think, you can fly to Manila after the final exams," Lexi said from the other side of the table. Now they sound so downhearted. Even my stomach turns, I looked at the two lovely lass in front of me, the loony expression was gone, all was left was a tinge of sadness. The thought of me leaving the country really saddens them, and seeing them like this makes me want to embrace them and never let go... but that's too cheesy, so I decided against it.

"I'll figure it out. Come on, let's watch something else," I said with a fake smile, dropping the topic. I would want to live here with my friends, but that's impossible... with the kind of family that I have and all their dirty little secrets, a simple life is just impossible to achieve.