Falling For The Demon

Chapter 2

I glanced behind at the young girl who was following me wordlessly. "So you're not talking again," I stated in a flat tone, "It's kind of creepy, you know? I mean, have you ever been in my situation? Someone watches your every move but wouldn't talk a word with you?"

It was frustrating, really.

Vanilla didn't react to my statement. She just walked behind me as if she hadn't heard what I said.

Well, no surprise there. She has been like this for a few days now. She would vanish into the thin air whenever I tried to start a conversation with her.

I rolled my eyes as I walked to my next class. A small yawn left my lips, and my eyes started to get droopy. I took out a gum and popped into my mouth so I could stay awake during my lecture.

I was exhausted from waiting tables yesterday. My body ached all over, literally protesting to function as they normally would. I knew I should get enough rest, but college and work just kept me occupied all the time.

Not forgetting the fact that I am doing household chores and taking care of my mother as well.

It surely got overwhelming for me all the time, but I had no choice. Once I am done with my college, I can find a proper job and try to take care of myself better. Perhaps then, I will be able to relax.

"Hey, Arabella,"

My eyebrows furrowed as I paused in my steps and turned to the see who was calling out for me. "Oh, hi there," I waved at Dylan, "I didn't realize you were in this class as well,"

We were in the middle of the semester now. How did I not notice him before? He was the only guy in my batch who spoke with me.

I have known Dylan for about a year and a half now. He is one of the kindest souls that I know. He never hesitated to help me when it came to group projects. He would always let me be his partner.

I will be forever grateful to him for that. A loser like me who had no friends needed someone like him in my college life.

Dylan flashed a boyish smile at me, "Yeah, I am actually quite touched that you still remember me" He chuckled softly, flashing his white teeth, "I mean, it feels like you're so focused in class that everything else doesn't hold your interest for you to remember"

I let out a forced laugh, "Right" I said, not understanding what he was trying to say.

He must have noticed my confusion because his facial expression faltered slightly, "Um, yeah. I was just going to say that you don't really pay attention to me -" He coughed in the middle of the sentence, "To anyone else except to the lecturer. "

"That is why we are here, right?" I asked, starting to feel a little awkward.

He chuckled again, and this time, I could see his face turn slightly pink as if he was embarrassed about something, "Yeah, I suppose we are here for that. But at the same time, we are here to make friends and, you know, to have some fun as well. "

I stared at him, not knowing what to say to him.

He watched me for a few seconds before letting out a sigh, "I was hoping we could hang out this Saturday." He said, "There is a party -"

I shook my head before he could even finish talking, "I am not invited to Kelsey's party."

Earlier, I overheard a few juniors talking about this party and how they think this party was going to be the best party of the decade. Apparently, everyone in this college got invited.

Everyone, except me.

"I know. I am invited, and I thought I could take you with me as my plus one. "

I did not expect that at all. My eyes widened, "Plus one?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

Was he pranking me or something? But Dylan is not that type...

Dylan nodded his head, "Yeah. It will be fun."

"Uh- I am not sure, Dylan. You should look for someone else to be your plus one, " I said, plastering an apologetic smile on my face.

I don't think anyone would like it if air am there. Especially Kelsey.

"I want to go there with you, Arabella" He said in a firm voice, "I don't know if you have noticed this but I am- I am trying to get your attention lately but you're kind of oblivious to it" His words rushed out of his mouth swiftly.

My heart skipped a beat, "Uh- I don't -"

"You should go," I heard Vanilla say from behind me.

I mentally rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to turn around and glare at her.

Now she is talking again?

Dylan lifted his arm and gently brushed my hair away from my face, "Come on, you should give me a chance. You can't say no to me without even getting to know me. "

This was the first time a boy was asking me out. A huge part of me wanted to say yes, just to experience how a date with a boy would feel like, but my responsibilities weighed down on me.

"Please," Dylan pressed.

I let out a sigh. Maybe it was time for me to put myself first just this once. I pressed my lips into a thin line, "Fine. When is this party again?" I asked, watching Dylan's eyes lit up in excitement.

"Saturday evening," He answered without missing a beat, "I will pick you up from your place."

"No, I will meet you at the central square." My voice held a firmness to it, leaving no space for further discussion.

I really can't risk Dylan being seen by Matthew.

Dylan's face fell slightly, and disappointment shone clear in his eyes. "Well, sure," He said, smiling softly now. "Thank you, Arabella. I am sure you won't regret it. " He grinned at me.

I smiled back at him and scurried away from there. I could see Dylan giving me sideways glance from where he was sitting. Fortunately for me, the class started after a few minutes, prompting him to give all his attention to the lecturer.

"That was a wise decision," I heard Vanilla say.

"Go away," I mumbled under my breath. I took out my textbook and started to take down notes.

I didn't realize a small smile had started at the corners of my lips until Vanilla pointed it out to me.

"That's a genuine smile,"

I let out a breath and glanced at her, "I think this is not exactly the most suitable place for you to start talking with me again, Vanilla. I am in the class, and I have to pass this semester, " I said in a small voice, knowing full well she could hear me clearly.

I sighed when I heard her chuckle. Looks like she is going to be around for some time.

My eyes unconsciously landed on Dylan. I watched him for a while, wondering how I did not notice all of his efforts to gain my attention before. Just as I was about to look away, Dylan looked up to the side, meeting my eyes.

My eyes grew wide, not having expected to meet his gaze. I averted my eyes to the lecturer while my cheeks flamed in embarrassment.

Oh God, why my heart was racing against my chest?

"He is gazing at you," Vanilla sang cheekily.

It was a good thing he couldn't see her.

I ignored Vanilla for the rest of my lecture and took down all the necessary notes diligently. Once in a while, I found myself glancing towards Dylan, but I was able to look away before he caught me looking at him.

Once the lecture was over, I gathered my belongings and shoved them in my bag. I looked down at my watch and sighed. I had to get to the diner as soon as I could.

"Um, Arabella,"

I looked up when I heard Dylan's voice right in front of me. "Yeah?" My voice came out as a squeak, so I cleared my throat softly.

How did he manage to quickly cross the distance between us?

Dylan was smiling down at me."You don't have any lectures after this, right? Do you mind going to the cafeteria with me? We can have some drinks and chat over?" He asked, his cheeks had a slight pink to them.

I guess he wasn't used to this either.

I shook my head at him, "I would love to but I have to get to my work" I bit my lower lip, feeling bad when I saw his face fell, "Maybe next time" I blurted out without thinking.

He nodded at me, a small smile curving at the corners of his lips. "Next time then," He said.

I waved at him awkwardly and left after that, wondering how my heart hadn't jumped off my chest yet.

"I didn't know you could get all flustered like that," Vanilla appeared next to me again. "You like him?"

"Don't be ridiculous," I shook my head, "I am just surprised he asked me to accompany him to the party. That's all. " I turned on the tap and washed my hands, feeling the cold water wet my skin.

"Yeah, there blush is telling me something else."

I scoffed at that, "I am not blushing."

"You are," Vanilla said, gesturing her head towards the many mirrors in front of me.

I looked up at my reflection, and sure enough, I could see the slight crimson on my cheeks. It was the first time in many years my face looked a little less pale.I raised my hand to touch my face, wonder.

Then, I let out a shaky breath. Maybe I am flustered up, but I had a good reason. This was the first time I got asked out. I shook my head, not wanting to give so much thought to it.

No expectation, no problem.

"So what are you going to wear to the party?" Vanilla asked, snapping me out from my internal conflicts.

"I'll find something from my wardrobe," I shrugged.

"You don't have any eye appealing clothes."

"Something will have to do," I said. "I am not going to buy new clothes just for this," I muttered under my breath, "I am too broke for that." I turned to the side, fully facing Vanilla now.

She seemed to be disappointed with my response. "Your brother is gambling again. He might go to your apartment later, " She stated in a stoic tone.

My eyes widened, "You were stalking him?"

She pressed her lips into a thin line as if she wasn't happy with that either, "Just to give you a little heads up if he decided to show up at your front door."

I don't know why, but a smile curved at the corners of my lips, "So you go all silent on me and then secretly look out for me?" I asked.

"I just don't want you to get beaten by him. Especially when I can't do anything to help you, " She answered straightforwardly.

My smile faltered, " That is very thoughtful of you, Vanilla," I said sincerely. I cleared my throat a little to get the lump off my throat, "Hey if you're going to stay around for a while, then keep talking to me, okay? Don't suddenly stop talking with me again. "

She watched me for a moment and nodded her head, "Believe me, I can't stop talking with you even if I tried to. You're the only person who makes me feel alive now.