Badboy for a Boyfriend

Chapter 12

I pursed my lips and ran as if being chased down by a wild fox. Perhaps, I was. I was like the little girl lost in the woods and Razbill Silvero was the bad wolf lurking in the dark and ready to devour anyone. But he was disguised as the kind and welcoming grandmother. 

The little girl wouldn't notice the danger until it was all too late. The little girl was me. 

I do not remember where the same spot was. Of course, it was around school. It could be the rooftop or the vacant lot in front. Or the driveway. 

But wherever it was, I had no intention of showing up. I had decided that alone during class hours. I tried to focus on the lesson but Razbill Silvero was being Razbill Silvero again. As he was something else, he had managed to get through my head without permission. 

It annoyed the h-ell out of me. But then again, it wasn't like this was the first time for thoughts to pester my mind. It happened most of the time.

As my friends would say it, I was a die hard fan of overthinking. Where Dayshawn didn't usually give a damn to little matters, I minded every little thing and as a result would often notice his innocent insensitivity at times. Which I believed was unfair to him when he was nothing but kind to me. There were times we believed we understood each other. But there would also come a day we didn't meet on the same page. We're often a few pages away from each other and it was because we rarely had the same interest, too. 

We understood that, as well. We never tried to be someone me didn't. Especially if it was for the purpose of simply sympathizing with each other.

Besides, I thought about literally anything. Even those that do not require deeper thoughts.

But with Razbill, I knew I had to consider him as a problem. He had pictures of me! Evidence that I was smoking was in his hands. He would use it to his own advantage and benefit, I know. He had already tried to fake dating anyway. Who knows what he was capable of doing? Of how far he could get. 

However, Tanner was right. I could pretend like I owned this school. I shouldn't cower to that petty challenge. 

I avoided the rooftop. I avoided the boy with the lunchbox, too. 

I was glad he did not run after me when I obviously avoided him and half run out of the building. I almost bumped into the group of students in the hallway in a rush. I didn't mutter an apology. I didn't recall if they muttered theirs. I simply got away. 

I had nowhere to go as I was skipping lunch again. The vacant lots at the corners of the school were on my mind. I was thinking of checking them out. But all plans erupted out to thin air when I spotted the person who had been corrupting my mind: Razbill Silvero and his little wish of dating.

I think he was on the way to our building. I was on the way to nowhere. Behind him was the same group of student council who were sneering at his back. The sight gave away a powerless look, which was odd to see among their group considering how they could easily order students around. As long as it's up for the rules and regulations of the school.

Of course, Razbill Silvero was not allowed here. 

But then again…

We both halted on our tracks. He slowly lifted his arm and waved at me. Dumbstruck, my lips parted. He was about to walk to me when the group of football team strode the pathway. I recognized them as Dayshawn's group.

"How it feels to own the campus, Raz?" one of his friend's jokes.

I quickly moved into hiding. The giant palm tree looked much safer and nearer than the group of students seated on the benches. I couldn't run and go back to the building anymore, either.

"You literally have all the council leaders around their necks. Lord, Razbill!" They continued the pun as rich laughter echoed. 

That familiar laugh of a circle who knew they could be anything, have anything, dream anything, and shine with anything. 

Their laughter was everywhere until it soon died down. No trace of glee from their circle within seconds as if there had been no happiness at all.

From their shadow that stretched out beside me, and whose the one who found me into my hiding, I saw one of them lifting a hand to signal the silence. 

I knew without a doubt it was Dayshawn. Then I remember that Razbill Silvero was still there. He was the sole reason for the silence.

I was right.

"Oh, it's your brother," one pointed out the obvious.

I bit my lower lip and looked at the few students who saw me. I had to stare back at those who seemed to have no plans of looking away just to scare them away. I also deprived them of the chance to witness the unfolding tension between two brothers. Except for those who were watching them from the other side.

Most of them may not know yet these two Silveros real relationship with each other. Even so, both had the power to attract attention. It was only natural to have double of that attention now that they were seen together. Besides, no one of them was able to disguise the tension. Everyone would easily notice. 

I could only see their crowded shadows but the silence was screaming trouble. It threatened the tranquility in the field at lunch break.

"You're not supposed to be here." It wasn't Dayshawn but one of his friends.

"I'm saying the same," Razbill replied casually. His shadow moved its head to imply that he was referring to the group and shrugged its shoulder nonchalantly. I pushed myself against the tree as his head tilted as if looking at me. I noticed that a part of my shadow was embracing the tree's shadow. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The cool wind penetrated me and I felt cold inside my coat. 

Dayshawn's group could surely not notice me. But Razbill Silvero would.

"Your earring and your coat. Our senior had been telling me about you," Dayshawn finally spoke. I opened my eyes again. 

Like his brother he sounded casual but everyone could easily notice the cold dripping in their tones.

Razbill pocketed his hands. "I'm simply waiting for my punishment. I can't take the earring off. I'm trying my best to get used to the coat."

Silence.

Nothing followed it. Razbill excused himself in an almost inaudible voice. He didn't wait for the response of anyone in the group. He walked towards my direction.

"Where are you going?" Dayshawn asked as Razbill stepped next to me. 

His head didn't turn me but I saw the movement of his eyes. He knew I was hiding here. He confirmed I was still here. He turned back around without letting his eyes fall into me. I watched as his shadow fell over mine. 

"I'm meeting with someone," he answered.

Dayshawn took a step closer. I held my breath in anticipation. Had it not been for the eyes who remained watching me, I would have run back to the building and would not give a d-amn if Dayshawn saw me. I was just worried at what these eyes would assume at my action. I was worried about how my father would comprehend the information shared to him.

"You have friends here?" Dayshawn couldn't help but asked. Even I would wonder the same.

"I'm dating her."

I spun around him. There was no way he wouldn't notice from the corner of his eyes. He had to be glad I meant to be invisible at that moment or else…

"You're…“ Dayshawn's disbelieving reply was countered by his friend's mocking laughter.

"You're dating someone from junior high?"

Razbill, unaffected by the remark of insult, shrugged. "Never dated younger girls before?"

It was his turn to insult the guy by simply looking him over. Everyone would feel small at how he stared. What more if he meant it to be insulting? To silently belittle?

"What I mean to say is, you're just like what? Over a month here? That was kinda fast, don't you think?"

"I think you misheard. I said we're dating. I haven't married her yet."

A snicker of laughter erupted from their group. They tried to conceal it but failed. Even those who were secretly listening to the change of responses from the distance had an amused smile on their faces.

I want to. I was wishing the tree would eat me whole and would completely hide me from the world. 

It was a good thing that Dayshawn's group were not like those bullies from the last time, or this encounter may end the same, too. I couldn't tell if Razbill could beat them all up but trouble is trouble. No matter who ends up as the winner.

Dayshawn's friend was casual, too. They saw nothing wrong with Razbill's cold but honest replies. 

They let him get away with it. When they finally left, the watching eyes were left to me and to Razbill. He finally turned to me and witnessed how I had disappointedly shaking my head.

"You like playing hide and seek?"

I rolled my eyes and stepped away from the tree. Dayshawn's group was indeed gone. I parted my lips but had to close them again. 

I grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him with me to the back of the nearby coffee shop. There was a rectangular pot of beautiful flowers on the side with young palm trees in between.

I let go of him and moved to the side to keep myself away from anyone's view.

"Why did you say that?" I finally asked.

He raised a brow. "I didn't mention a name."

"Even so! We both know you were referring to me."

"I did?" 

The answer made me question my own judgement. But I knew I was right so I stood firm with my belief. 

I sighed heavily and tucked my hair behind the ear. And with a calm voice said: "We should settle this once and for all. We're not dating."

He squinted his eyes. The shadow of a smile lurking was too visible for bare eyes.

Doing the same thing I did to him, he grabbed my wrist and dragged me. His hand on me was warm and gentle, despite the coat. I could easily shrug myself free to run. 

I didn't.

Curiosity grew within me. We ran the distance of our building to the boundary going to their building. We soon reached the rooftop. He let go of me.

He took his bag off his shoulder and produced a box of take outs from a fast-food chain. He searched for a place he could put it to but there was none. 

He moved to the edge where there was a flat surface on top. He put out the takeouts and also brought out a bottle of water. He urged me to move to him.

I did, absentmindedly. His eyes darted to my empty hand and frowned. Though the excitement lingered on his lips. It didn't wipe off.

"You have no packed lunch today?"

I had. But I avoided the boy so I had none with me now. I silently stepped next to him. Below us were the green field circular garden as a boundary. The students on both sides. To the left were the seniors. On our right were the juniors. They went on with their lives without noticing us. 

The smell of food went to my nostril. I watched as he opened the carton container. There was a piece of chicken, rice, and fries. It was way too plain lunch unlike what they usually had at the cafeterias. 

“I didn't bring extra. I thought you'll have lots. You see, I can settle for anything."

I gulped. Tears pricked the corner of my eyes as I felt my dried throat.