Love Isn't Always Fair

Chapter 6 | The More You Hate, The More You Love

                   So, let me tell you something which jumped into me out of the blue. Guess what? After the cheerdance thing, I'm being dragged into the Battle of the Bands competition and I...

                   Well I don't want to disappoint Ezra and Michaela so I joined them regardless of my will. Michaela will be our lead singer, Ezra the lead guitarist and me the rhythm guitarist and back up vocals. In general, my life is starting to be outstandingly hectic. Is there even such a word?

                   I sighed as I made my way through the main bulletin board and looked at the 'Battle of the Bands' part. It will be held a week after the cheerdance. I guess I should polish my guitar skills since it's a little rusty. 

                   "Stella!" I turned around to see someone about to give me a deadly hug to which I briskly dodged and thankful that I didn't die, "Are you trying to kill me Marie?" I gave him a playful squint and she just giggled, "Nah, Rein would behead me if I did," she winked.

                   "Pffft, we're not dating! Also, how did you know?! I mean, like, is it obvious?!" I widened my eyes at her and she just gave me the 'I-know-you-too-well-Stella-Guntley' look.

                   "It's the most obvious thing in the world, believe me," she burst into fit of giggles and wiped a tear that is threatening to fall on her right eye. "Stell you're a numb person!" She bit her lip to contain her laugh and finally exhaled. "The way he looks at you? It's filled with looooove," she gave emphasis with the word 'love' and finally turned her heel around, "I'll see you later Stell, going home now and you should go home too, your service is probably waiting. Bye!" And with that, she waved her hand.

                   "Stella." 

                   That voice..

                   "Rein.."

                   "What's this? Engrossed and occupied by two events?" He took a glance at me before now staring fully at the bulletin board.

                   "You always come at the exact moment when I am not aware or when I'm in no shape for the saddle," I gave him a forceful smile before forming a thin line with my lips. 

                   "Hm? You can freely hit me about the cheerdance stuff," he shrugged, still not taking his eyes off the bulletin board which made me feel like he was playing a sick joke with me. "Is this some kind of joke?!" I glared at him furiously and clenched my fist.

                   He slowly moved his gaze in the corner of his eyes, not tilting his head to look at me but just his eyes, "Do I sound like I'm joking?" Watching him turn his body to me, I arched a brow confused at his somber look. It's kind of killing me inside since he never did give me a serious look before. Is this a new side of his? If it is, I'm absolutely not gonna piss him off. Nuh-uh.

                   "Stella," he sounded steady without humor on his voice to give a hint that he's not serious. He is dead serious.

                   "I can't just hit you, you know," I tried laughing like this situation is supposed to be where you act carefree but I failed.

                   Wait, what am I thinking? This guy deserves to be hit since he is obviously making fun of me back at the cheerdance picking thing and I should be fuming every inch of my anger to him! That guy who gave me words of wisdom for sympathy because he thinks highly of himself! I'm sure he's drowning in his swelling ego and he's just so...!

                   Without me realizing it, my hand involuntarily slapped his face.

                   Involuntarily, that's the keyword.

                   "I.. my... I didn't.. my hand..." I gasped as I gape on the right side of his face which is now red as tomato.

                   "Well that felt good," he grinned at me as I stood there, utterly perplexed at his reply action, "I really needed to feel reality," he laughed and turned his heel around, "Oh beautiful Stella, you might as well want to go to the parking lot. Service waiting, don't wanna be scolded right?" And with that, he put his hands in his pocket and started walking off until he vanishes into thin air.

                   "Rein..." I frowned at myself.

                   "I'm sorry," I muttered lowly under my breath and tapped my phone open, realizing that there has been 19 missed calls from my service. My phone was in silent mode.

                   I'd be dead meat.

                   Today,  I realized something. I extremely, drastically, super hate Rein.

                   But you know what they say?

                   The more you hate, the more you love.