Secret Rendezvous

CLASH

[Summer’s POV]

“What on earth do you think you’re doing?”

This cute guy screamed at me at the top of his lungs after I cut in line. He was tall, Chinese-American features have rosy skin, and undeniably good-looking. I caught myself checking him out from head to toe. He was the epitome of perfect Adonis. He was wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses that he took out seconds ago, beautiful wavy ash brown hair, straight dark and thick brows, an ideal pointed nose, luscious lips, and irresistible hazel brown eyes.

When he stared into my eyes, it’s as if they speak. If his eyes can kill, I’m already dead! He’s wearing a red fitted Nike t-shirt, faded blue ripped jeans, a red Michael Jordan Nike shoes. I can smell the scent of his cologne. That smell is very familiar to me, Davidoff Cool Water cologne, if I am not mistaken.

His Korean Telenovela actor hairstyle has smitten me. I never did in my seventeen years feel attracted to a guy before except for one. But he’s my enemy. He is so handsome, like a Korean Oppa! His outfit perfectly suits his aura—a bad boy look. He looks like a rock star. But I noticed something when he stared at me. It feels like I know him. The feeling we’ve met before. But where? Do I know him? Yeah, that’s right? He looks like Vin. His eyes and that hair. He's so Vin!

Then I remembered Devin Storme Buenavente, the kid who pushed me in the pool that caused me to be hydrophobic. He's the very reason I almost died. He could have saved me, but he chose not to. Vin is the arrogant boy that used to be my childhood friend. Could it be him?

I shook my head in disbelief. He can’t be, but he looks very familiar. I stopped assuming Summer. Maybe he's not Vin. Besides, you are mad at him. He’s your mortal enemy. Why is it as if he has smitten you? I thought to myself.

“High Five! Success! One down!” We giggled, shrieking in unison.

While we are all delighted with our successful pranking, I glanced at him. His eyes still locked on me. It’s getting annoying, but I have to play around. My besties and I planned to pull a prank earlier, and we are indeed successful!

We were laughing out loud and ignored him, pretending we heard nothing. Stella could scope who he is this guy by asking other students. She’s now talking to another student. Stella is probably as curious as I am.

“Do you guys know him?” Stella politely asked.

“What? You guys don’t know? Unbelievable! Of all students, you guys don’t know?” the student sarcastically answered.

“Pedantic! Why would I waste my breath asking you if I know? Now tell me who he is?” Stella’s voice shook with fury. So aggressive! She’s the one asking for a favor, but she’s the one who has the guts to be sarcastic.

“I overheard his name is . . . Devin Storme Buenavente? Not sure about it. I heard he’s from California. We saw him the other day with The Halo boys,” the student explained calmly, trying to keep her voice steady.” Why don’t you ask your boyfriend?”

Stella left the girl and whispered to me, “Devin Storme Buenavente.”  

When I heard Vin’s name, I felt like my veins were about to explode, and my blood came to a perfect boil in anger. I remembered what he did to me ten years ago. Hmmph! Be ready, Devin Storme! It’s payback time, and this is the start of our campus clash.

In anger, I snatched my registration papers from Nadine and stormed out in front of the line, but I wasn’t quick enough. He intercepted me.

“I said, what on earth are you doing?!” he yelled again.

“Excuse me?” I raised my eyebrows and met his eyes.“Are you talking to me?”

 ” Yes! You!” Storme retorted with his American accent.

“Hmmph!” I smirked. “Can’t you see? Obviously, I’m standing in line waiting. Are you blind?”

“Oh, yeah? Waiting for your turn, huh? Hey, you!” Storme pointed his finger at me. “You should be at the end of that line! I was here waiting for two hours, and just like that—” He raked his fingers through his hair. Storme’s face went furious. I can feel the utmost anger inside him, but I only raised my right brow at him and rolled my eyes. “You cut in line and take my turn. I should be next to her.” Storme’s voice risen almost to a scream and pushed me out of the line.

” Whatever! How dare you push me? Who do you think you are? A fallen god?” I snapped and pushed him out of the line too. I hate Vin! He is still the boastful him! He was about to try to push me again out of the queue, but I blocked him. I didn’t give him a chance to banter. Feisty Summer on!

“For your information, Mister Arrogant! Don’t me with your attitude, whoever you are,” I said, rolling my eyes, “My friends saved me a spot here. So, technically, I–did–not–cut–in–line! Do you have a problem with that? If you have an issue, you are free to go to the dean’s office. Complain all you want. I don’t care. Oops! Poor thing. You don’t know where it is. Oh! Would you like me to usher you to the dean’s office, Mister? I’ll be a little nice to you. You see that door.” I pointed to the room across from the registration. “That’s where you complain! Get it? Now, please move out of my way.”

I pretended I didn’t know him, not even his name. Deep inside me, this is my revenge.

“OMG! He’s . . . American accent, Girl! He’s freakin’ handsome!” Stella said. A shadow of dismay crossed my face. “Summer, look—at—him. Why is he still staring at you? I think he likes you. See? Look? He's undeniably good-looking, but OMG, Girl, I would rather date Edward Collins than him. He stares at you like a hungry beast, ready to kill his prey!”

“You're such a dope, Stella! Can’t you see his facial reaction? My God! He’s fuming in anger. What if he's a rich kid? Maybe someone related to the school-university board members? Oh, no! We are so doomed!” said Nadine.

“I don’t care about his social status—even if he is the son of the King or prince of Korea. I don’t give a damn. No one messes up with me!” I said in a high, fierce voice.

“I’m not finished with you! I’ll get even with you. You watch!” His deep voice echoed. But Vin, as always, didn’t win over me. What a loser!

“Next,” the cashier called.

“Oh! Skylene, how are you? Why are you doing your assessment yourself? Where’s your mom?” asked Aunt Carey. I'm not too fond of it when they call me by my first name, Skylene. I prefer Summer. Skye is perfectly fine too.

"They are out of town for a business meeting, Aunt Carey. How much will be my total matriculation fee with my textbooks?

“Hand me your requirement. Do you know that student yelling at you earlier?

“No, Aunt Carey. I don’t know him. So how much, would it be?”

“‘Fifty-Four Thousand Five Hundred Twenty-Eight Sixty. Are you paying in full? Summer?”

“Yes, Aunt Carey.”

“How about Snows’?”

“Mama didn’t ask me to pay for hers. Probably she will do it on her own. See you around, Aunt Carey.”

Aunt Carey is my Mama’s first cousin. I paid my dues and bid goodbye to her. I waited for Nadine and Stella to finish.

I was walking to the pillar when he said,” I won’t let you go just like that. You watch! I get even!” his voice had risen almost to a scream.

“Like I’m scared? Huh! Bring it on, Vin!” I replied to him in a steady voice.

I must act not affected at all that he's nothing and nobody to me. Devin Storme being around me is no big deal!