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ღ Finding Cinderella-18 ღ

-Kylie-

Stunned. Alarmed. Embarrassed. Those were how I felt as I stood there in front o f their table.

My attention was locked on those two objects, wondering how they had gotten to T ristan's very hands. It'd be impossible for Steven-or even Len and Krsytelle-to hand it over to him since I'd heard they were away at this time. Plus, they'd pr omised to me nothing would leak out from the secret. At least, that was what I t hought.

Whatever! Whoever that person was, I hoped he or she would be struck by ten mill ion lightning bolts!

Tristan's reaction was something I couldn't exactly describe. All I could come u p was, his face was as the same as the dog spotting a squirrel.

My heart slamming into my ribs, I tried to divert my eyes.

Wooh. Relax. Don't act like you're nervous, Kylie; or else, he'll suspect you.

He stood up from his seat.

Oh, screw this.

I sprinted away.

***

"Seriously, are you guys playing hide and seek or what?" Julianne asked.

We were pushing past through the mob of students to get to our classes. I'd been keeping an eye on Tristan practically that whole afternoon. Being around him wa s equivalent to being pushed into the deepest pits of Tartarus, seeing as my top secret already had a ninety-eight percent chance to be brought to the surface.

"Huh?"

"Well, I'm just saying," she said. "I notice you two seem to be acting like cats and dogs today. Not that it's a huge surprise, since both of you basically act like that all the time. It's just that-" she shrugged "-there's really something weird going on. Or maybe it's just me."

Lacey nudged my rib. "Sis, does Tristan finally know?" she whispered.

"I don't know. God, I hope not," I answered in a low voice.

Julianne faced us. "Tristan knows about what? What are you guys murmuring about? "

Lacey and I shook our heads at once.

"No, I heard you guys talking." She raised an eyebrow. "Mind sharing it with me? "

I swallowed. "No, it's... nothing. We, uh..."

"It's about Tristan," Lacey cut in. I nearly covered her mouth with my hands, un til she continued, "I'm just asking Kylie if-if Tristan knows how to uh, solve m y Geometry homework! Yeah, that's it!" She laughed nervously.

I mentally made a face-palm. Lacey was such an expert in making lame excuses, so there was no surprise when she'd said that. No one could blame her, though, sin ce she never lied, not for her own reasons, but if I would force her into it, sh e could still manage to bend the truth a little...

Wow, I didn't deserve to be alive. What kind of a role model for Lacey was I?

Julianne shook her head. "I hope the both of you are not keeping anything from m e," she said and went ahead of us.

***

Last period came at last, but I couldn't completely jump for excitement to that since that meant I'd be facing one of the world's most terror teachers of all ti me yet again.

As the Calculus class went along, I was sure I looked like I was constipated. Mr . Cross stood up in front of the class like a Queen's guard, emotionless. His le cture about functions and derivatives wasn't recording properly in my brain, bec ause aside from the fact that my brain actually refused to record them, all I co uld think about was Julianne's reaction a while ago.

She'd been upset, hadn't she? But what had Lacey told her had been just a white lie. I mean, little white lies are just fine, right? Everyone tells them now and then-they're necessary to get out of trouble, or provide protection.

But once they're revealed, they bounce back right at you, a little voice in my h ead said, and the impact is ten times worse than being hit with a coconut in the face.

Shut up! This would be a one-time deal... or so I thought.

Even so, my guts started to churn. I felt bad for keeping this from my best frie nd.

The class seemed to go on to eternity. Still, nothing made us feel motivated. Th e only exciting thing that we found in this class was the beautiful last words: "Class dismissed."

It was like a wakeup call, since everyone quickly scrambled out as if we'd been locked in the room for one year.

Before I could get away, though, Mr. Cross called me, and I already knew the nex t thing wouldn't be that great.

"Based on your previous test results," he said in a monotone voice, scanning his record book. "It seemed that you're struggling too much with the subject."

"Uh... yeah," I mumbled. You don't say, Sir.

"So what are you going to do about this?"

I scratched my head, having no idea what to say.

He sighed. "Listen, Miss Harris, you're the one who creates your grades, not me, " he said. "I merely teach you the course and calculate your grades. If you won' t do something about this, then...I'm sorry, but I don't have a choice."

In other words, he was just trying to be Gandalf, saying, "You shall not pass."

I groaned to myself. "Yes, sir, I'll keep that in mind," I muttered.

"Very well. You're dismissed."

If I didn't have the drive by taking up medicine after graduating from this hell hole, I wouldn't have proceeded to the library right after and borrowed a Calcul us book to help me pull my grades up. Yeah, you heard me right; I really craved to take up med. Ever since my Dad passed away due to heart failure, I wanted to save human lives, like a modern day Wonder Woman in a white coat.

I was about to step out from the school building when I noticed it was raining q uite heavily. So I just stayed there outside just like with a few students, wait ing for it to stop. Moments later, I felt something covered my head and shoulder s. It was a violet varsity jacket. I looked up and saw Tristan with his jacket o n, the hood almost covering the half of his face.

Hide and seek was over. He found me.

Frowning, I took the jacket off, but he put his hand on my head to stop me.

"Don't. Do you want to get wet?" he asked, face straight.

"Why are you doing this?"

He looked up to see the dark sky. "I don't think the rain would stop at any minu te," he said, ignoring my question, "so I guess we'll be stuck here probably for another hour."

I winced. "Darn. I don't want to stick here with you for a full hour."

"Neither do I." He grinned at me. "Let's run."

"Wha-"

He grabbed my hand, and before I knew it, we were already running under the rain . Tristan led me to his car-its top was down. I wanted to refuse to ride with hi m since he might do another speeding again that would finally earn us a ticket t o jail, but seeing my state right now-wet shoes, damp hair-I had no choice but s lid into the car.

"Take me home straight, okay?" I said firmly.

He only smiled as he turned the ignition on.

***

One thing you should know about this guy: he could be a master of deceit.

"Really? I said you take me home straightaway," I grumbled.

"But you didn't complain when we got here and ordered these." Tristan motioned t o the hot chocolate drinks and honey bagels on our table.

I scowled as I munched. "Food comes first."

We were sitting under the canopy outside the Crest Coffee Shop. The rain still f ell down endlessly. Several people around were dressed in heavy coats and bore l arge umbrellas, walking quickly past each other.

After a long silence, Tristan said, "Are you really that studious you even carry that book up to here?"

My gaze dropped on the Calculus book beside me. I hadn't realized I'd been clutc hing that around. "Psh, how I wish that I am."

"From that look on your face, I know you've hit another trouble with that one."

"You don't say." I took a sip from the chocolate, and it burned my tongue a litt le bit. "You know, every time I heard the word 'Math' or anything that's related to that term, I always feel like wanting to throw my notebook out of the window ."

Tristan nodded his head. "Ah, I get it. Henry Cross must be giving you a rough t ime, yeah? That old guy always acts like Adolf Hitler on crack. You should've to ld me sooner about that, Kyles. I'm a genius in that field."

"Dude, you sound way too cocky with that one," I scoffed.

Smirking, he raised an eyebrow. "But you know I'm right."

I rolled my eyes, taking a bite from my bagel. He always got A's from that class .

"Come on, with that down look on your face, you badly need assistance with your studying. I can help, you know, without charge or anything."

Just having the thought of me having a one-on-one math session with him made me feel horrified. He completely knew that we couldn't last in a room without getti ng each other's nerves even if our lives depended on it.

"Never mind, I can handle it myself," I responded, unwavering. "And anyway, I'm afraid you might end up teaching me the wrong methods."

"Darn it, my secret's out," he groaned. "How'd you know my plan? You must be a p sychic."

"Jeez, T, don't you ever loose disturbing ideas? You seriously need a twenty-yea r brain therapy," I said, giving him a weird look. I shook my head. "Why am I ta lking to you right now, anyway?"

"It'd be awkward if you talk to yourself, Kyles," he pointed out.

"Stop calling me that!"

"Why? With that tomboy looks of yours, the name suits you perfectly."

"You're impossible!" I snapped.

"You are more impossible. You just don't know that."

I grunted and looked away. I should stop with this one; otherwise, this argument would go on for only God knew how long.

The chimes clang softly in the air as the shop's door flew open. Several girls w earing navy blue coat and blue-and-white plaid skirt went out, pushing and giggl ing with each other. As they began to pull out their umbrellas, one of them turn ed her head in my direction.

She was really gorgeous, like she could be a model, I must say. Her long hair wa s as black as ink, and it flowed straightly to adorn her creamy-white face. Thos e almond-shaped eyes of hers widened, and I frowned. Her look was enough to make me insecure about myself for the whole week.

Is there something on my face? Why is she staring at me like that?

Then it hit me.

I whipped my head to Tristan. He was looking straight at her, his eyes displayin g the same expression with the girl's. Shock.

Wait. Was I witnessing a love at first sight scene?

Cautiously, I turned to the girl again. She smiled at him, before opening up her umbrella and going after with her friends. I spun back to Tristan; he was still having that mesmerized look on his face.

I tried not to barf.

"Wow, it's been a long time," he said, blinking from his trance.

I knitted my eyebrows. "You know her?"

"She was my first girlfriend."

"What?" I gasped.

His first girlfriend was a student at Melrose High School for Girls, which was t he rival of Broadway Heights in sports and academics? That was news to me.

He nodded nonchalantly.

"What's her name?" I probed.

"You don't have to know."

"Oh, come on. What?"

"Stubborn, aren't you?"

"So? Just tell me her name already."

"Why do you want to know?"

"Tristan."

The corner of his lips curved up. "Her name's Kylie."

"Cut the crap, T!"

"Stop it already, Kyles. I'm not up for any question games."

I just let out a loud sigh. Whatever. Such a sad thing to think that a beautiful girl like her had her heart toyed by a self-centered, not-so-charming prince.

"Aw, you don't have to be jealous," he said, grinning. "We're completely over wi th each other three years ago."

"Seriously? Why do you always rub that word on my face every time-" I stopped wh en I felt my phone buzzed in my pocket. Lifting it up, I saw two unopened messag es on the screen.

The first one came from Lacey, asking where I was. I sent her a reply: Kidnapped by the devil. Don't worry, I'm fine.

The last message came from an unknown number. It said: Hi :) - E.

Who's E?

Then a sudden realization hit me.

"Oh, my God!" I cried; my fingers went shaking so suddenly. I felt like I was ha ving seizures!

Holy guacamole. Was this Erik? How did he get my number?

"What's with you?" Tristan asked.

I stuck my tongue out at him, and went back to my phone. I bit my lip, trying no t to crack a wide grin. What should I reply to him? A simple hi wouldn't cut it, since it was one of the lamest conversation starters in history. But I hadn't h ad anything too brilliant to think of. Darn, I wasn't really good at this.

Tristan leaned closer to my shoulder. "Who are you texting?"

I pulled myself away, covering my phone. "None of your business."

"Kylie."

"Go away."

He snatched my phone so fast I didn't have time to dodge away. I tried to reach it out, but he put his hand on my face, pushing me as far as he could.

"You took my phone weeks ago. Now it's my time to take yours, too," he said, loo ked at the message, and frowned. "E? You mean, Erik Taylor?"

I managed to shove his hand off my face. "Give me back my phone!" I yelled.

"Ah, let me handle this. I know what to reply to him."

My eyes narrowed. "Don't you dare!"

He grinned evilly as he turned around and started punching the keypads. Shriekin g, I tried to pull him and reach out for it, but he didn't even shift a bit. Jee z, was this guy made up of platinum or what?

"Tristan! Stop it!"

"I'm not done."

My fists clenched in rage that I wanted to whack his head with the nearest thing I could grab. But in the end, I slumped back to my seat, crossing my arms over my chest, and took a deep loud breath to calm my nerves down.

"There." He faced me with a grin, feeling triumphant.

Gritting my teeth, I gave him a death glare.

"You know, if your eyes were real weapons, that sharp look would have caused mas sive destruction," he said with a snort.

"And I would pitch them on your face first, you freaking idiot!" I slammed my pa lms on my table. "For the last damn time, T, give me back my phone!"

Shrugging, he heaved a sigh and handed it back. I grabbed it, and at the same ti me, it buzzed. My heartbeat skipped. Another message from Erik!

I flashed Tristan a look, before opening the message up.

Erik: Really? Sorry if I'm disturbing you two.

My mouth dropped in surprise, and I looked for Tristan's reply to him. Guess wha t it was?

Don't talk to me. I'm with Tristan right now.

I felt my cheeks flushed as the blood inside me began to boil again. Clutching m y phone hard in my hand, I took off from the place without saying a word. Every raindrop felt like cold pebbles on my skin, sending shivers through my body. In a matter of seconds, I was soaked, but I didn't care as continued my way.

"Kylie! Where are you going?" Tristan's voice called through the noise.

"I'm going home!" I screamed without turning to him.

That jerk! How dare him to do that to me. He had just blown up my chance to have a decent conversation with Erik through text message at least! Could he get eve n meaner than that? What was Erik possibly thinking by now?

Gah! Tristan should just rot in hell-

A hand touched my shoulder, and I recoiled away.

"Go away, Tristan," I demanded, facing him.

He had his hood on again, but his hair was already damp, droplets dripping down its ends to the tip of his nose.

"You forgot your book." He lifted up it up.

I seized it from him and gave him a dirty look. When I was about to turn away, h e immediately grabbed his varsity jacket folded in his arms and put it over my h ead again.

"You know what, if you were in a movie, you just don't fit the role for a dramat ic walk-in-the-rain scene. With that look on your face, you should be more likel y in horror."

"Listen, just because you've got a shitty day doesn't mean you have to chuck you r frustration on me," I retorted. "God, Tristan, you better back off before you could drag me into another disaster again. Mind your own business, got that? Jus t freaking leave mine alone."

His face didn't even seem to change a little bit. It remained calm and serious, like my words didn't reach his ears. I sighed infuriatedly, and then noticed the rain was beginning to fade away.

"Sometimes, I wish you were..."

"I'm what? What are you talking about?" I barked, giving him a weird look. Must Tristan be finally losing his mind because of what had happened at the cafeteria that noon?

He shook his head. "Ah, forget it. Let's go home," he said and pulled up a small smile. "It's real this time, okay? Oh, and you better cover up yourself already because..." He pointed at me.

I curiously looked down and gulped; face growing hot. My bra was showing through my wet shirt!

"Stop staring!" I covered myself with my hands.

He snorted. "What would I stare? I mean, you don't even have the actual bust lin e to get us guys excited."

"Damn you!" I sprinted to his car; smoke was practically blowing out of my ears.

Could someone just give him a one-way ticket to Mars, please?