Silver Night

Chapter 4: Implosion

Art class started. Ozario wasn't in the room today. I didn't see him in the cafeteria either. Dang it! It's been pretty bright outside for hours since the sun rose this morning. I really hoped that I could give him a piece of my mouth. I mean mind! Ugh! There I go with these provoking thoughts again! I realized I had painted a picture that ended up capturing the ONE THING I couldn't seem to resist at that moment. That STUPID KISS! I frowned, hiding it away and very quickly might I add before anyone knew what I've drawn. I began painting a different picture.

"Damn. When will this feeling stop? This is ridiculous," I whispered furiously to myself. I sighed and shook my head.

A girl walked over toward me. It was Maria! I never noticed if she had taken this class or not. I didn't think to ask, yet seeing her here was the best thing to happen today! She had a huge smile on her face when walking to me, which meant she either had something to ask or tell me. Hopefully, talking to her could get my mind out of the slick cloud nine known as... Ugh! Ozario.

"So, how was sitting next to that hottie OC. Ha! I heard he was your art partner."

Or, maybe not. f**k.

She nudged my shoulder and laughed.

I cleared my throat and confidently went back to painting. I answered, "It's horrible. Thank you for asking."

"Ha! Well, It couldn't have been that bad if you're locking lips with him in that portrait," she acknowledged as she pointed at the picture, joyfully.

I stared at the painting and quickly turned it away from her sight. "No. That's what was on my mind earlier and I hate it. He violated me yesterday," I whispered.

"Oh, my God..." Maria frowned in disgust. Finally!

Someone who might help me! Maria chanted, "Tell me about it! Tell me about it," in a hearty tone!

She sat in Ozario's seat, leaning towards me to hear the details. Before I started to tell her, two other familiar girls, Frankie and Cher, showed up. They both came sprinting in as jolly as Santa Claus. They all knew about the teacher partnering me up with that bastard. I could just feel it! Each girl sat around me pretending to be bewildered about yesterday, even though I knew why they came. I hoped otherwise considering I've been wrong and deceived lately. Their smiles were also huge, spreading across their faces in a crescent moon style, which gave them away. 

Cher spoke cheerfully right after Maria, who still waited for the details of my harassment s***h embarrassing moment. "You are Ozario's partner, Cati! It's all over the newsletter that you helped him to the nurse! That must've been fun! Like, this is his favorite subject!"

"No. I hate it," I said in a monotone, sarcastically smiling.

Frankie took the picture I hid below me. "Ooooh! It doesn't look like it!" She showed Cher who started shaking her hands in amusement.

I opened my mouth; but, Maria butted in to what I was about to say, "She said Ozario violated her, yesterday. Ha-ha!" her laughter was full of humor. 

She said it so casually as if it wasn't a serious matter. She didn't understand after all! They didn't understand! Had I been the only normal one to realize that this had been a problem? You know what? I stated, angrily, in deep thought.

"Aye!" I took my picture and hid it behind me. I made sure the picture faced another direction. I exclaimed, "Stop! I'm serious. I told my mom and she didn't even care."

"Tell us!" said all three of them.

I simply rolled my eyes, then started telling them about the situation that occurred yesterday. Once again, I had no say in it. The girls just smiled in happiness saying how sexy and romantic that was. They never had that kind of attention before. They are so darn lucky. They'd say, "You're so lucky!" and "Oh, my god!" It was totally dreadful to me.

"Alright, alright! Maybe it was highly blissful to have that kind of affection from a really handsome god. But, I would've rather had my first kiss taken by someone I actually loved and was ugly than get it stolen by someone I just met! I may think he's cute and stuff; but, that doesn't excuse him of any boundaries involving personal space. He should respect that I am a woman! You can't just do that to people, period!" 

I was absolutely positive he violated me, and no one could change my mind about that! The hours continued. Sunlight finally faded and stopped streaming through the windows. We stayed in the art class for the rest of our school hours. The last bell of the day rang to kick us out. The girls and I chatted on our way out of the classroom. However, we abruptly stopped in front of the door. We stopped because there he stood, right in front of the classroom. Ozario leaned against the wall in his cool-looking, long sleeve, tattooed shirt. The girls see this, right? Ozario stared into my eyes with his sparkling pearls again. Ugh... Not fazed this time.

"You did know it was skip day, right," Ozario asked as he walked closer to me? He looked at the girls and smiled. "Good afternoon, Ladies," he greeted.

Ozario's charming smile melted the girls that now had even bigger cheeses dancing above their chins. They giggled and said, "Hhheeeyyy! He-he."

Ugh... I shook my head. Hopeless! I said, "Sup. Anyway, if it's skip day then why didn't you wait until today to skip? Why did you do it yesterday?" 

Ozario lifted my head up by the chin, making me blush. "I simply couldn't sustain sitting next to your perfectly entrancing aura. I had to leave, or I'd steal you," he answered, using a very gentle voice. 

I shook my head and brushed him off. "Stop doing that!" 

He started cracking up at my embarrassed expression.

"Ugh! You're so fraudulent! I bet you victimize yourself, sometimes! I. Don't. Trust. You!"

"Hm? Do I," He asked, dangling my wallet in my face?

I snatched it from Ozario as I walked off in more anguish. I could hear the girls laughing behind me. They don't even care about how he managed to get my wallet out of my pocket! This day just couldn't get any better, could it?! As I marched away from all of them, I heard stomping behind me. I looked back to see OC... mocking me!

"Stop copying me, you jerk," I screamed! 

He backed up, holding his hands high like in surrender. "Damn. You could be in the army with that attitude and body language." 

I rolled my eyes, then returned to my stroll. I mean, I decided to walk more calmly if he would just copy me. I felt him still following me. It was super disturbing on so many levels. Why did he have to bother me of all people? Where did the loner description go? Out the window or something? It could've been anyone else. Nope! Just me!

"So, you missed me that much, huh," I accused, turning around to face him? 

Ozario shied away, backing up. Thought so. "No," he chimed in, "I thought you did. I came to give you what you wanted."

"Wha-?" I was halted by his kiss... again!

Seriously?! Again, with the kiss! I pushed him away. This time he allowed it. The kiss satisfied the troubling lust but, it didn't satisfy the slap I had a hard time giving him. He — greatly — in so many ways — annoyed me. I pointed at him in anger with a grimace on my face. I really wanted to say horrible, horrible things. I couldn't get the words to slip out my mouth, so I walked away. He continued smiling and walking beside me. Once again, there was no tension, no matter how bad the current problem I had with him was. It was only a peaceful aura surrounding us in the air.

We walked outside together. Ozario was even kind enough to open the door for me again. His actions really are naughty like Maria said but who is he really if he is also a gentleman? There was no sun out, only a bit of rain drizzled, now. He suggested walking me to my car, which came as a small surprise. I still don't trust him.

"You drive this vehicle," Ozario asked? He analyzed my Honda Fit with interest. 

I nodded at his question. "Yea." This was the time I should speak up about the issue I had with him. Determined, I demanded, "Look, we are going to talk about this kissing situation, right now. You have to stop this because we barely know each other. Also-And, trust me on this, all right? It's extremely dangerous to become involved with me. I can't say why, but that sort of thing isn't right. I mean, I'd rather be in love with someone who does it in return and never touch them than have empty kisses from a guy I don't know. So, can you just stop?"

Ozario paused for a moment, tilting his head to the side. He mouthed the word "dangerous." He sighed, then concurred, "I feel the same. You were... just an exception. Hatefully, lately, I can't seem to look away from you. You have a point, though. So, I'll respect that. What are you proposing we do now? For us to... stay away from each other as much as possible — excluding our only class together, of course?"

"Yes, if it stops you from stealing my lips," I dared him. I didn't want what was going on. It was weird and irritating. Scary even. 

Ozario sighed, picking at his nail. He thought for a second, then he suggested, "How about a wager? Let's see how long we could last."

I eyed him in a funny way. Like, that would be difficult! I asked, "Like, a game? You and these games!"

"Yeah." He chuckled.

I stared at him for a bit, contemplating. What did he want? "Okay. What do you want in return if you win?"

Ozario uttered, "I want to continue pestering you... and you have to give me that painting of us kissing so I can wave it in your face." His diabolic yet bewitching grin returned. His eyes softly held my gaze. He pointed at the picture in my hand.

I held the painting close to my chest with the image facing in. I licked my lips, then asked, "Why do you like messing with me?"

Ozario shrugged. "I donno. I love the way you react to things. It interests me like an open book at an empty table," he clarified.

I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. "Fine," I agreed. I presumed that IF he wins, he'd just wave it in my face, regardless if he asked for a different prize. I decided to choose something simple. If one of us fails, I wouldn't want to be a jerk about it either way. So, I proceeded to state my terms, "Okay. So, if I win, you have to buy me food and give me some peace for the rest of the school year."

Ozario got in my face with a wicked smile and whispered, "Let the parlay begin."

I hoped and prayed that I would win all the way home. I was going to make sure I would. When I got home that night, mom pleaded I'd tell her more about that jerk, so I told my family and, later, my friends about the bet. Guess who they sided with. Ugh... The month, October, ended. Four weeks passed by fast and with comfort, making Thanksgiving a bit "normal" for me. I never really had a normal holiday before, but it was nice for once. However, after eating so much, three days slowed down as the sky turned grey and the clouds filled with water. The rain hasn't dropped yet. It was as if the rain was waiting on the right moment to pour. 

 After break and at school again, Ozario and I seemed diligent in striving for success to completely avoid each other, except in art class. We had no choice but to talk to each other in there. We were at a table, making art out of words. Ozario kept glancing over his shoulder at me. I kept taking peeks at him because it was... kind of cute. 

"Stop." I giggled out loud. 

"I can't. You're right next to me," he murmured with a grin. 

I shook my head. "Ugh... If only art class counted as part of the bet, you would've lost." I wished so deeply.

Ozario leaned closer toward me and whispered, "I'm too intelligent to have insisted art class be a part of this challenge. I know my limits." 

I leaned his way. "I can tell," I mumbled back.

Ozario chuckled.

I blinked. "What?"

"You draw an ugly horse."

I rolled my eyes. Then, I looked at my horse. Dang. It is a terrible horse. I looked back and forth between Ozario and my painting. You know what? Whatever! "Oh! Hush! I'm not finished! Turn around and stop looking at me, you weirdo."

Ozario turned away from me and placed his fist over his mouth. He tried to cover his amazing laugh. I frowned. My friends consistently laughed at how hard we tried to keep our distances in the lunchroom. It was so bad that we started to sneak glances at each other over and over, again. I didn't think it'd be this hard to ignore someone I barely knew! Things became more difficult as I started to feel like I was gravely missing Ozario's foxy smile under his quiet little sweetheart façade. I had to continue being headstrong, because he was almost very good at trying to get me to c***k. Almost. I was... getting to know the "real" him. The nerd.

December was drawing near. The snow had risen. Ever since my first kiss, my nightmares stopped and, ever since the bet started, dreaming of Ozario doing stupid things became more vivid over time. It's odd that I never seem to avoid him in my sleep. I felt sad waking up every morning because that kiss did the impossible, make me unbelievably happy in a life like mine. I had to shake myself out of it before class all the time ever since. I felt like I'd already lost the bet way before next month had come so close. 

Ozario acting so smart around me seemed so far away now. I didn't know, until a short time ago, that I loved the feeling I got whenever Ozario spoke to me. He made my heart sink in my chest; though, he made my head hurt, too. And, especially knowing I had to wait until art class to hear him, I had become impatient with this deal. I had become so anxious to go to school because of him... and, I think it's because I, although it's cliché, I might... I didn't know how to feel about the reason why. I mean, I assumed I knew what the reason was, but I'd never felt that until all my thoughts and emotions started swarming in my head. One morning, I was on my way out the front door of my house.

"I'm off, mom." 

 "Catalina! Wait," Mother halted me with her shout! She hung her head out the kitchen. "We moved our hiking trip to the beginning of your winter break. I know it will be snowing; but, one day, we may need to do it for survival purposes. It will be a perfect time for you to get used to different climates. Is that alright with you?"

I stare blankly at her. "Okay. That sounds cold... But, okay." 

Mom laughed and wished me good luck at school. I walked out of the house towards my car. I stopped, spotting my grandma standing by the mailbox. The mailbox was left open, and her head leaned a little toward the woods. What is she doing? Just standing there? Why did she leave the mailbox open? She never does that. She looked at me and waved me over. I walked her way and stood beside her.

"Hey, Halmeoni, the mailbox is still open," I reminded her. Is it possible she may have been thinking again – about the situation with the murderers? Maybe, that's why. 

Granny Jeong stared at me for a moment. It almost seemed as though something else was on her mind than what I thought. "Sonnyeo, what's been happening to you at night," she asked?

"You've been sleeping better than you use to." Granny looked like she knew something strange was happening to me.

I looked at the distance before us. I found out, during eavesdropping one night, that my granny loved acting oblivious to the real problem, so I won't worry or freak out. So, what was she staring at? It was nothing but woods, woods, and more woods. Huh? Granny Jeong was just standing out here I guess.

I replied to her, "This 'Ozario' guy. You know, the bet we made – the one mom forced out of me again? Well... He has been swirling in my head ever since we met. I've been sleeping a lot better than I used to because of that, which is frankly creeping me out. I have gotten so used to the tough times this family has experienced that I don't think I remember any of the good things we had within these nine years... I mean, besides gaining friends and having a loving family, of course. All I used to dream about was dead people. Now, I can't wait to sleep!"

Grandma smiled. She said, "Then instead of pushing him away, bring him closer to you. You're not going to win, anyway. I can already see you're blushing just by talking about him." 

I dropped my eyelids and puckered my lips playfully. I quickly covered my cheeks with my scarf. My friends and family knew about the bet, especially since they loved pressuring me into talking about that guy. However, everyone wanted me to lose. Me of all people! That's not going to happen. I will win this deal. 

"Uh. No." I jokingly shook my head. "Mm, mm. I'm winning this," I stated with determination and walked off with my index finger pointed in the air!

She waved a goodbye with laughter echoing the yard. I walked back to my Honda and got into my car to go to school. From the time I got there all the way to the cafeteria, all of my friends kept discussing and betting lunch money on how I would fail. Not once did anybody think or talk about Ozario losing. He isn't that perfect! I'll prove to them that I will win this bet. Renesmee came to our table and sat next to me.

"Hey, Cati! Hi, everybody," Renesmee greeted, with an amused expression on her face!

"Hi," I greeted in return. I leaned toward her and crossed my arms. "So, I believe you have some details? How is he," I asked, sarcastically? I tilted my head with a devilish grin.

She started snickering deviously. "Ozario is trying so hard, right now. He denies it, but he keeps tapping on the table. He just left because he couldn't take the anxiety. It looks like he's going to implode any minute."

"Yes!" I rose my fist in the air. I set both my hands on my hips like Wonder Woman and cheered, "Thank, goodness! Someone actually tells me I have a chance at winning!" 

All of my friends laughed at my enthusiasm. In my mind, it has successfully been a month and a half out of each other's sight. Nonetheless, anything could happen at this point. Anything... that, oddly, I sort of want to happen.

Time flew by, ending another school day. All of the students had been standing outside in groups for a long while, mingling or using their cell phones. As I walked in the rain — that, at last, decided to dribble a little — I noticed Ozario far across the lot. He was talking to his siblings and a few other celestial-like people. I figured they must be his other family members my friends mentioned a few times before. It was the first time I saw all of them together.

My main focus was this urge in my body that wanted to go over there and say "hi." It ached like a knife through the heart, because I wanted to be close to him. Yet, I had to win. Welp! There are worse pains to think of. I walked toward my car, putting headphones on my ears. 

As the phone was ready in my hand, and I press the play button to listen to the peaceful, blissful music created by Carter Burwell. I suddenly heard a loud c***k behind me. I noticed everyone heard it too. I turned to see what everyone else had been gawking at. There was nothing around, so I shrugged. I faced my phone again that suddenly cut to the song "Turn Around" by Chris Brown, right on the chorus. 

"What the...?" 

Within seconds, I was trapped between a thick tree and a hard car. What just happened? I wasn't alone. Ozario held one of the hugest branches over our heads with his right hand. The branch could've killed us both. How did he do that? He is so tough! I couldn't wrap my mind around everything as Ozario easily broke the tree branch and threw it away. He even kept the tree back with his foot, so we could have room to breathe. Ozario saved me! He saved my life! Or, I probably couldn't think straight and, maybe, I really died... But, he saved me!

I glanced up at him, shivering without an explanation why. I mean, I was used to near death predicaments like this so almost getting crushed by a tree couldn't have been the cause, right? Maybe, what scared me and caused me to shiver was Ozario coming to my rescue! Ozario looked back at me with his silver pearly eyes. He looked worried about my safety by the shape of his upset brows and his gentle but concerned gaze. I grabbed his hand while he latched onto mine. Ozario tugged me closer to his warm body.

He kissed my forehead and said, "We lost."

We did lose by our entwining hands. Him coming to my rescue hadn't counted only because was he trying to do the right thing in his heart yet still tried to keep his distance from me. Smooth. But, our hands were locked and that's something we chose together. Unfortunately, this wasn't the way we expected to lose. It took a falling tree to bring us together again and to stop both of us from imploding. Ozario truly saved my life... yet, I couldn't even tell him a simple "thank you," out of fear. What fear? The fear that he saved me, perhaps? I didn't know. He could've gotten killed.

He hugged me in his comforting warmth and everything went silent. The screams, the cries, and the worries all went still as we gazed at each other until help arrived. The last thing we shared from our epic fail was Ozario wiping my frightened tear from my face. Once the tree got tugged away, he vanished without a trace. All they saw, left in our spot, was me looking a little lifeless from shock because of everything I had witnessed.