StarCross

Stranger

I sat still as she took my pulse. The touch is doing everything to my heart which made it skip few beats. Her fingers held my wrist gingerly. But like earlier her hands were not soft they were scarred.
"Your blood pressure is high" she spoke in a tone I did not expect her to have with me.
Then she put her hand on my forehead. I held my breath and closed my eyes to hold myself back from taking her in my arms.
"You don't seem to have a temperature though." She wondered to herself.
Everyone was looking at us. My members with hope and her friends with impassive expression. I came back to my senses.
I shrugged and smiled at her.
"It's alright I am fine." I managed to tell her. She just hummed an okay and went back to her seat.
Just like that after dinner we were headed back to our dorm. Gabriel told us that it would be easier to guard us if we all were together.
Everyone was settled in their own room. We all had a tiring day. I decided to take a shower. No matter what I do I just can't get her out of my head. I had so many things to ask her. A lot of things to tell her. I just wanted to reach her and hold her in my arms. But that seems too wishful now. Closing my eyes I let the warm water flow over me and a memory rushed back to me when I shared a bath with her. Her soft, rosy skin which would turn a cute red whenever I kissed her.
I sighed and got out of shower. Changing my clothes I fell on my bed trying to fall asleep.

It's 2 am in the morning and I am still wide awake. I twist and turn but it's not working. I lay on my bed alone with Vanessa all over my mind.
  Aissshhh
I gave up on sleep and decide to go out for a jog to calm myself.
I open the door of my room and walk towards the main hall. Just as I stepped near the hall I heard some low voices.
"I said no. Make another round and keep looking. I want him alive." It was Vanessa .
"Cross you need to calm down. We can take it slow for now." Someone shared his opinion.
" Slow down? Gabriel do you really think I have the time to slow it down? " There was anger in her voice.
Their heads turned towards me and I realised that I am standing in the hall. Vanessa and Gabriel were standing  opposite to eachother but a little close...too close. I inhaled. She turned towards me and asked.
"What is it mr. Park? Is everything alright?"
"Yes. Going for a morning jog." I replied walking towards the door.
"Wait" She ordered. I held on the doorknob but did not turn around.
"What?" I asked.
"You should not go out alone." Was her answer. Not something that I was not expecting. I pursued my lips and turned to her.
"I think I can take care of myself besides a jog in the neighborhood would be fine."
I stated facts. As they told us in the car that they will be keeping entire neighborhood under watch.
"He is right cross. You worry too much. I have the area under watch he will be safe." Interrupted Gabriel again putting his hand on her shoulder.
The area is safe but you won't be if you don't remove that hand.
I thought inwardly and without realising it I had taken a few steps towards him. Before I could do anything she held his wrist...hard.
"Ow...ow...Cross...ah.." He was wincing in pain as she put pressure on his hands.
"If you want to keep your kneecaps don't do that again." She warned Gabriel who was still holding onto his wrist. I sighed in relief.
"Let me come with you" I knew she was not asking for permission. She moved around to pick a gun from the table and whispering something in her sleeve.
I want nothing more than that. Suddenly I could feel my heart at ease.
We walked out of the dorm. It was dark everywhere. I looked at her and found her waiting for me to start. Even in the dark she did not take off her shades. Shaking my head I started to jog in my usual direction. Vanessa also jogged beside me. This brought back memories when we used to go on early morning jogs. A smile appeared on my face.
"You didn't have to come." I told her as we took a right turn. She looked at me confused. I chuckled.
"You hate jogging." I reminded her. She turned her face to look ahead before I could see her expression completely. Still I am sure I found resentment there.
"Not anymore." Was all she said.
We stopped as we reached the park. I looked around and not a single soul was present. It is a good opportunity to talk. To tell her everything. About how I feel.
"Vanessa I need to talk to you." I told her.
"I know." She replied and just stood there waiting for me to begin. I mustered all the courage I had and spoke.
"Vanessa what happened that day---"
" Was a mistake and you are sorry for it, right?" She finished before me. I was caught off-guard but managed to nod.
" Let me explain."
" There is no need to explain anything.
What happened in the past stays in the
past."
Mr breath hitched. I felt the ground spinning. The wind suddenly got colder than it was before. Through dry throat I asked even though I knew the answer but I hoped... I dared to hope it's not what I think. Please God. No.
"What do you mean?"
She sighed and took off her shades looking straight at me. Her eyes the  colour of Ocean.
"I meant forget whatever happened between us, pretend that you never knew me, act as if we never knew eachother."
I felt anger boiling inside me.
"You want to pretend we are strangers." I said pointed between us. She nodded. I exhaled sharply.
"After all that we are still strangers?" I asked her again angrily.
"Yes" she confirmed looking straight in my eyes with an determined gaze. This is when I felt something is off about her. Her eyes even though the same have lost the warmth in them. Instead of being warm sky where I could fly freely they were a cold ocean drowning me. No feelings were present in her eyes. They were blank and... lifeless.
I felt a rock drop in my stomach. Hesitantly I tried to touch her cheek. I don't know whom I wanted to comfort her or me. Before I could touch her she stepped back.
"Annie..." I managed to whisper her name but it came out as a plea.
"Don't."she closed her eyes. "Don't call me that."
I dropped my hand and stood there helplessly. She turned her back to me.

She has changed. I can see it in her eyes. Feel it in her touch. Hear it in her tone. She is not the same and she is never coming back.
And I have lost her.
Author's note
Hey guys thanks for the reading. Your comments and votes motivate me a lot. I also wanted to ask if you guys want me to upload photos of each character so u get an idea how they look?? Feel free to drop your opinions in comments.