Silver Night

Chapter 3: Duplicious

I inhaled a large whiff of air, then breathed it out in disbelief that today might be the luckiest day of my life so far! I took the seat next to Ozario and began pulling supplies I thought I'd might need out my bag. I looked around the room seeing many easels set up with spaces between them, so people could walk around. The teacher entered with a grand, bright smile upon her face. Her eyes circled the room as if to mark off every student that came into class today. She spotted me, gesturing me to come see her using her index finger. I stood up and walked toward her.

"Catalina Yong? Wow! Everyone, this is the new student, Catalina Yong. Everyone, say hello!" She announced my arrival unlike any other teacher, aside from Mr. Molina. Her happy-go-luckiness assured me that I would definitely love this classroom.

Everyone bellowed a "hello" around the room.

"Great! Now, you! Please, say hello to everyone," She said, pushing me forward very gently.

I'm not one to talk in front of crowds. I felt scared whenever talking to too many people in one room; but, I fought against my nervousness... again... hoping something good would flow out of my mouth. 

"Hi." 

Suddenly, the class burst into giggles. Students started claiming how cute and light my voice was, like a child. It came naturally to me since everywhere I go people would ask me about my sheepish voice. I drooped my eyelids. Oh... This again. The class soon quieted down by snapping their fingers like an applause. I didn't know what it meant; although, I was sure the teacher would tell me, eventually.

My new teacher guided me back to the seat I choose earlier, then whispered something to Ozario next to me. His eyes met mine with a quick trance, inducing smile. Ozario let me go from his hypnotic spell on me and nodded at the teacher. He turned to face me again.

"You're my art partner, now. We have to follow each other's lead," he softly whispered.

Oh! That sweet voice could sing a lullaby, so I could fall into a deep sleep. I could only nod because I was still trying to mentally get over his capture a minute ago. The teacher introduced herself as Mrs. Henderson, who was quite stylish by the way. As she explained the classwork and the snapping applause, she would throw in plenty of hilarious jokes every now and then at students trying to be class clowns. A few moments later, we started painting pictures of things we feared to turn them into something funny. Hopefully, doing this could wipe away the cold sweats we felt around whatever we were afraid of.

"What are you painting," Ozario asked? His eyes gracefully wandered around on his canvas. His paintbrush grazed it very slowly.

I peeked his way for a moment and said, "Um. It's complicated." I looked back at my canvas.

Ozario took a glance at my artwork. He whispered, "Holy s**t! You're almost done, already? Impressive!"

"You're not... afraid," I asked?

I drew a picture of a nightmare I've had for weeks with no care to make it funny. It could never be. My dream started off with my father's clean-cut head in my hands. Soon after, the dream changed scenery and I saw growling wolves causing blood to splatter into the air. I didn't know what my dream meant; but, I was afraid to find out.

"No. Death doesn't scare me. However, don't you think you've trapped your anxiety in a box? It's so serious. That's why I asked," he responded, finishing off his painting.

I was amazed that Ozario completed his work before I had finished mine. He was definitely faster than I thought I had been. Normally, I'd finish a painting in 15 minutes or so, depending on my mood; but, his painting was quite elegant and done less than 12 minutes.

"I guess so," I considered. "By the way, impressive graphics." I had to compliment such beautiful work. 

Ozario smiled. His smile is just... Oh, my! I kept thinking. No matter how many times he does, I just can't seem to get over it! Ugh!

Ozario snuck a glance in my direction. "Thanks," he replied.

This guy's painting was quite marvelous. It was a water-colored and an impressionism painting of an eye with a realistic tear falling out. What was faded in the blue iris of the eye was an opaque single withered rose that sat in a vase upon a sketched table. There were technicolored splatters everywhere. Some colors were a bit distorted like the sketched table that's supposed to be brown I presumed but was soaked with a turquoise color that made a waterfall. 

With each stroke on his canvas, anyone could tell  Ozario gradually brushed harder and harder until he finished. As romantically dreamy as his artwork was, the vibe I felt was horrifyingly depressing from it. It was a picture for a mad man with a broken heart. I could not comprehend what he meant behind it but I knew it must've hurt a lot. I also couldn't understand how Ozario almost covered the whole canvas when his composing hand only lightly and slowly touched and moved across the paper within such a quick time frame. He almost seemed too perfect to me, now. Ozario had to be an artistic kind of guy who puts a lot of soul in his work.

I looked away from his painting to finish mine. I finally swiped my last stroke on my canvas. Abruptly, I, along with everyone else in class, heard a loud THUMP on the ground. I quickly gawked to my right to see the cause of the disturbance. The boy I saw so dazzling lied on the ground... unconscious. Everyone spurted in concern as the once aware Ozario laid lifeless on his back. Mrs. Henderson ran over to help him. He finally managed to wake up after a few taps on the right cheek. Ozario sat up, appearing a little gangly during a pep talk from the teacher. I worried quite a lot by the way he fainted like he did. It could be a highly dangerous thing to faint. He needs serious medical attention, right? Ozario is my art partner now. We should look after each other when things like this happen. I knew he needed to get out of the room fast. 

"He needs medical help," I acknowledge out loud. I knelt by his side and touched his scorching hot forehead. That's bad! "I'll take him to the nurse." I offered. 

His eyes were weary but not so bad that he would look like a drunk. I grabbed his hand to help him up. Ozario stood up just fine; although, he shook his head while holding a hand over his face to justify his dizzy feeling. I swung his right arm around my shoulder to support his weight a bit. He helped made himself as light as possible, so I wouldn't have to carry him too much. We started to walk out our classroom towards the nurse's office as the other students watched behind us. It wasn't so bad helping him reach the office because he kept trying to make it easier on me. 

We finally reached the nurse's office, where he laid to rest on one of the beds for a while. I sat next to him, watching his slow breathing from his chest. I traced his sweet baby face of every inch, edge, and dimple that lived divinely amongst it with my eyes. He looked amazingly beautiful even with his eyes closed like snow white, just tanner and without black hair. Something was off, though.

He fell off a stool chair, and there were no other signs of problems involving the fall. Something was seriously off. Like, maybe it was the beating of his heart I couldn't witness, the pulsing, or the way the rest of his body was so still. Luckily, his breathing made only his chest move. However, normally, breathing effects the stomach, too. I leaned in closer to Ozario's face to see if there were any strange signs there as well. A cut? Bruise? No? 

In a split second, something unusual happened that pushed me back against my seat. I quickly shut my eyes and felt soft warmth against my lips again and again. The touch was repeated countless times, each softer then the next and more sensual. A rush of goodness — a zing — spread throughout my entire body, speeding through me and much faster when touched by hands that were gently squeezing my thighs. Heat rushed to my cheeks; So much so, I couldn't bear to think straight. Even more surprising, I felt myself being hoisted up into the air, lifted from under my thighs. My legs were surrounding someone else's hips afterward. A hard wall tenderly came toward my back and my arms were raised above my head, pinned there. This felt way too sensational for me. I couldn't keep my cheeks from burning or get my body to calm down. My heart pounded greatly. After all that, I was finally released, falling and landing on my butt after another "moment" shared with... him. Ozario Cullen. This douche bag was wide awake and healthy! I looked up at the brilliance of a man who just... Kissed me! Yes, kissed me! 

"What the hell did you just do," I fussed!?

Ozario's eyes became overwhelmingly evil and he snickered. His arms crossed over his chest. He teased me, "You should see your face. I guess you haven't been kissed before, have you? Priceless."

"Ugh," I shouted, "I was worried sick! You faked the whole damn thing! Don't ever do that, again! T-that was my firs... Mm."

My face turned into a grimace.

"Then, stop being so damn sexy, and I'll think about stopping, kay?" Ozario's tone changed like the speed of a running cheetah or the growth of a sunflower. He grabbed his leather jacket on the side of the chair I sat in, thus proceeding to leave the office. 

I stood up in disbelief and full of rage. "Wait! You did all that — the falling and the pretending — just to kiss me," I inquired, chasing after him?

Ozario's left eyebrow rose as he looked down at me. "That could be true if you wish, or maybe it was just a way to get away from your ass. It was your choice. You decided to bring me to the nurse's office when somebody else could've," he remarked.

"But, no one else even... I was about call an ambul..." I stuttered, trying not to yell. Eventually, I stared at him as my mouth dropped. I began to get a little angrier and fussed again, "Ugh! I thought you were-"

"Gorgeous," He spoke jokingly and smiled?

"No! Nicer than that you, jerk," I said, stomping my feet?

"Huh... So, you're an elephant?"

I became dazed at Ozario's odd question. Where did that come from? "What?"

"You're a transfer student from some country, right? You started stomping your huge feet... So, I asked." A little laugh slipped out his mouth.

"No!" I argued and crossed my arms. "And, my feet aren't that huge!"

Ozario began to look a little serious as he started walking toward me. Delicately, Ozario grabbed my waist and kissed my lips very romantically, uh, gently, uh, k-kindly? He released my lips and found me wide eyed and blushing terribly again. I snapped out of it and tried to push him away really hard; but, he was too strong for me. Ozario pinned me to the wall again. He made me melt as his hands caressed my waists. I knew it wasn't love but it wasn't 'just a kiss' feeling either. It was almost just as passionate as lovers, maybe. Although, I wouldn't know, it could be because he's definitely a great kisser. Right?

Ozario let me go from his grasp so I can storm off angrily back to class. I'm tired of this. I just can't eeeven, I thought. I hated how he made me feel. I was so irritated, happy, pissed off, honored, and eager to just hit something — like his damn face! But, I wanted to kiss him again, too! Now, I hated it more! I couldn't take the foolishness, anymore. I had to go back to class away from him. Ozario was following behind me.

"Hey. Thanks for helping me out of class, Catalina," he said with his stupidly hot voice.

"Whatever," I said, walking faster!

Ozario caught my arm. "Wait. Okay. I'm sorry... You're not an elephant."

"Thanks," I questioned, angrily? I wasn't even so sure I was mad about that part. I believe I was more upset about the fact that he tricked me and used me for my lips!

"You're a lemur, then." 

"Oh, come on!" Man, that guy was yanking my chains! Ozario was really closing to getting hit right in the...

"Okay. Honest this time. I'm sorry. It's just your eyes are so lovely, especially when you make them pop open. Your face is so small and adorable. I tried resisting the urge, but you helped me get to the nurse instead of somebody else... So, I kissed you," Ozario explained boldly but apologetically.

Though, Ozario looked very serious when he explained himself, he was still artful. I could tell. He was an honest man type that uses the truth to lie, without letting anyone know he wasn't lying. It was Ozario's great acting that must've been the lie, right? He was just an honest fox, slick and clever. That new knowledge was all too confusing and too frustrating to the point where it was really hard to covey what I felt or thought of him, now.

"Mm...I can't trust you. Your actions spoke louder. Don't do that again." I said so; but, truthfully, I'd really love to kiss him again. I hated that I secretly did. 

"Hmph," Ozario chuckled. "Don't you think it was my actions that proved it? But... Good. Don't. Later."

He lifted a hand, goodbye, while walking away from me. He left me standing at the art room door all jumbled in pieces inside my head. I watched the back of his galaxy shirt that says, "Keep Calm for I Has Cupcakes" fade into the distance he kept behind him. I gave him a funny look. I don't care if he owns a stupid comedic shirt, his was still such a jerk! I didn't know how to truly comprehend Ozario at this point, or what just happened in the last few minutes that driven by so quickly. I could not grasp any of it, except those idiotic kisses and that dumb shirt! I freakishly liked and hated all of it. As I saw him turn the corner the bell had rung for our next class. I clenched my fists in more anguish still thinking over everything.

"Who is he?" I asked myself, hardly shaking my head.

The day continued in school so quietly and boring. I got home sooner than expected. The kitchen was empty. My mom and granny would have to be in the living room watching TV or something. I don't want to say anything, yet. I'm still angry about today's event so I walked up stairs partway... due to mother stopping me by gasping.

"Hey, Sweetie!" Adriana greeted, excitedly, "How was school? Did anyone burst into a riot? Oh! O-or, did something cute like burst into songs like high school musical happen?" Mom started doing the maracas with her hands.

Mom and these damn teenager stuff! "No," I sounded a bit irritated. I just wanted to get this homework done so I could take a nap. I'd rather live through an entire nightmare than remembered what happened earlier. 

"Ooo! Catalina, please sit! Tell us what happened today?" Mom insisted that I'd tell her anything that would satisfy her curiosity, especially by the way I responded. She knew something interesting happened today. She wasn't going to stop trying at all. I could see it in her eyes. I flinched an eye at her hoping she would get the message. Yet, again, I was wrong!

So, I gave up, "OMGH! Ma, some guy kissed me today. Someone randomly tricked me into kissing him... Multiple times... Okay? I, honestly, don't wanna think about it."

"Oh! You have to talk to us about it! Mom, come listen to Cati!" Mom dragged my arm into the kitchen, sitting me down in a seat at the table.

Really? Didn't I just say...? I sighed. It was inevitable. I had to tell her everything. She definitely would not let it go until I do. I started with his name, telling her everything from the moment I first laid eyes on this creep in the cafeteria. I told her about the incident that happened in the classroom and how I volunteered to take this man to the nurse. He was nice enough to ease up, so I didn't have to handle so much of his weight. I explained the fact that I traced his face, staring at every inch on it, because I thought something was wrong. Then, there was the interesting part that my mom waited for. 

"I looked at his face really close. Maybe too close because he just...kissed me out of nowhere! He grabbed my thighs and pinned me to a wall. That is s****l harassment. Anyway, I feel like I could punch him dead in his face! He didn't stop there, either! Oh, no! He insults me and, then, does it again," I explained it as thorough as possible!

My mom started to get giddy. "Ooooh, he likes you," she responded!

"Mom, be normal," I exclaimed, throwing my hands up high!

Mom closed her eyes, waving her fingers in unison. She said, "Ok, ok. I will meet with him... If... This 'Ozario' guy asks you on a date!" 

I put my right hand over my forehead. I told her, "Mom, I'm serious. He could've r***d me, and I don't think you would've cared at this point." 

"That's almost correct. If he asks you out and you say 'yes' I can't be worried about you. If you came home depressed, then we have a problem. Right now, I can't help you," mother elaborated.

My eyes widened, and my mouth dropped. "Yes. You Can!" I shouted, "I'm angry right now! We need to talk to the principal!"

She waved her hands again.  "No, talk to this Ozario character. You said he was hot. You're not going to be young forever and you've never brought a guy home."

I threw my arms in the air wildly. "I'm 17! I have time!"

"Exactly! Use it! Hiking trip is in a month, honey! I love you," mom shouted, merrily! She got up skipping cheerfully out the room.

Does she? I... I don't think she does. My grandmother laughed at me. She sat at the edge of the kitchen table. Seriously?! No one cared about how I felt on the topic? Now, what became a perfect dream switched into a walking exotic nightmare today! Ugh! For the rest of the evening, my heart raced every time I thought of him, and his dumb shirt, and his kiss, and my family taking his stupid side! His foxlike but dazzling glare crushed my brain into shattered pieces. The cruel thoughts of his hot, soft lips threw darts at my feelings because my mind knew that making me think about this crap angered me more. It angered me to know that he used me or maybe it was because he deceived me into a spiral of emotions. Whatever it was... Just! Ugh! If only I was in my right mind at that right moment, my fist could've straightened out that devious curl in his smirk.

That night I slept well. Crazy that the reason 's because of a dream I had about Ozario Cullen. I woke up calmly, searching about my room to learn that no one was there beside me, holding onto me. I shook my head with my eyes buried in my hands. I was hallucinating. I had no right, nor did he, to replace my scream filled night terrors into some idiotic, erotic, and soothing get away from pain. I actually — for the first time since that terrible and bloody day — slept peacefully all night long until the break of dawn. The light hit my eyes purely and gracefully. I was scared.

Genuinely mortified. Not because of the dreams... No, I was used to that. But, because he had power to change my dreams and he was marvelously, beautifully duplicitous. I knew I either had to stay away or play his mischievous little game he started. Well! It is on you, jerk!