A TASTE OF BAD( MXM)

3. Fake love

CHAPTER THREE

Ken barked out a laugh before his attention turned to me, the cheekiness slipping off his very breathtaking face. I was still trying to process the fact that he was actually here. It was hard to look clam when all that was hitting from every corner of my brain was the avalanche of memories of us. My heart squeezed in pain as I tried not to let it choke me despite it rising so fast in the back of my throat. Ken had not just been another boy in my life but my first love, first kiss, first everything. Then he’d squashed my heart like it was nothing and right now he was standing in front of me like nothing happened.

He reached forward, his hand touching my chin, making me visibly wince; not because I hated his touch but the feelings that came along with it. A brief flash of how he’d touch the naked layers of my skin, lighting my body with a fire only he could quench, rushed through me. There were tears threatening to fill up my eyes but I was not going to cry. I’d already done that enough times for him and now just when my love life was finally getting a grip, he showed up.

“I missed you bunny,” he whispered, his words sounding so believable and yet just like his numerous I love you’s, I knew they were fake.

“W-What is going on here?” I questioned, my eyes still entranced in his rather powerful gaze.

“Maybe your little boy Niran can fill you in. Meanwhile, how about a cup of coffee while I’m in town huh? There is so much we need to talk about and there is an amazing coffee shop I spotted in town,”

I stared at him as though he was bonkers. How could someone who broke my heart so mercilessly then skipped town, come back into my life and just ask me out like what happened was nothing? Out of anger, I slapped him hard across his jaw.

“Get. The. f**k. Out!” I snapped in a low threatening voice.

His jaws clenched as he closed his eyes briefly but when he opened them, there was pain visibly dancing in the pupils of his orbs,” I want to blame you right now for not seeing the truth but then again, if I were you and my best friend twisted my mind into believing all those lies, I would have probably done worse,” he suddenly grabbed my right palm, slapping a card into it,” In case you change your mind,”

He turned around walking towards the door only to stop a few inches from it before turning around to look at Niran,” If I were you, I’d suggest you start telling the truth just this once. The clock is ticking, Niran,”

With that he was gone but behind he’d left me swimming in the pain I thought I’d gotten over. I dropped on the seat, my fingers bunched together as I refused to let rage take over. I badly needed to punch something so I could maybe get some bit of peace.

“Are you okay buddy?” Niran questioned, approaching cautiously.

“Okay?” I snapped, standing up,” Do I look like I’m f*****g okay, huh?”

“Look, I understand that this new world is-“ I cut him off, grabbing the collars of his shirt as I stared right into his eyes covered in shock.

“Do I look like I give a f**k about your world? I just want to know what the hell was Ken talking about and for once, better tell me truth,” I demanded.

“Ken is a vampire and they are known to be such assholes that would do anything to get what they want even if it means creating controversies between friends. Besides, maybe he saw how hot you grew and now he wants you back,” he shrugged but it was easy to tell he was hiding something from me.

“He said you left him for the dead,” I began, this time letting go of his shirt.

“And you seriously believe him? Did you forget how bad he hurt you with all the lies, disrespect and the cheating?” I swallowed the bout of pain in the back of my throat. I didn’t need to be reminded of that.

“When you finally want to tell me the truth, I’ll be a call away and I’m taking Anton to the hospital,” I said with finality. I had not wanted the boy I cared about so deeply to see this shaken side of me or learn of the dark side of my love life this way.

“I get that you are in shock of all this happening but you can’t just leave the-“Niran began but Anton cut him, sitting up and actually looking better.

“I’ll go with him,” He said, getting up with a grunt of pain leaving his lips,” Don’t worry I’ll make sure he comes back home safe and sound,”

Neither Niran nor the three girls offered any protest when we walked out. The only stop that was in mind was the deserted football field, sitting right on the same seats at the bleachers we’d sat when we first kissed. This was not how I’d envisioned the night to go and yet here I was, sitting in awkward silence in the bleachers while I tried to get a hold of my feelings. It felt like they were all over the place and I had no idea on how to make it all stop. Bloody Ken! The nerve of that man to show up in my life after the pain he caused me. All the ranting in my head span to a stop when Anton silently entwined his hand with mine, all the wheels in my head turning to a stop. I felt better, like I had gotten the right grip on my emotions and now my nerves were slowly calming down.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, barely looking at him.

“No, I should be the one who is sorry. Springing up on you injured like that and now finding out that um…a werewolf; its too much for you,” he countered, some bit of pain still detectable in his voice.

“I should be shocked by this new world, shouldn’t I?” I chuckled instead. I had no idea what I was supposed to make of it but maybe it was because I was too consumed by Ken’s presence here to dwell too much on actual existence of supernaturals.

“You should and honestly I thought you were just being in denial but I now realize it was that vampire,” his voice was calm.

“Ken is not…” I trailed off to a stop. Nothing made sense except for the fact that all my wounds had been reopened and were now bleeding afresh.

“You loved him that much, didn’t you?” he went on.

“We shouldn’t- “he squeezed my palm.

“Its okay. I want to know the asshole that broke your heart. He didn’t deserve you because honestly, you are too good for anyone like that,”

“Nice of you to say that,” I smiled but then got serious, taking both his hands in mine as I looked at him deeply in the ocean of his pupils,” After Ken I never thought it was possible to have my heart flutter like this for anyone but since I met you I have-“

“I don’t love you,” he cut me off.

“What?” That was the only thing that came out of my suddenly frozen lips.