CAUGHT IN-BETWEEN

EIGHT : No Entry

DO YOU EVER have those moments where you're caught off guard it literally takes you a few minutes to react? Well I never did. I wasn't one to get caught easily off guard. Nothing surprised me anymore. When you've been through too much shit like me, you learn to harden yourself and to not expect anything from anyone.

I was so used to being nonchalant and uncaring that the rush of feelings this guy seemed to invoke in me annoyed me way too much. Which was why when he stared at me for a few seconds before bursting out laughing, completely shocked me. I was shocked. Nothing rarely shocked me anymore.

I was never shocked about anything. Which was why it shocked me that I was actually shocked. It added to the growing list of reasons why I disliked the guy. The fact that he invoked any feelings, even raw anger was a red flag that something was wrong with him. Or maybe with me. I was so used to being unfazed that it made me more aware when I actually did react like that. Which was quite... never.

The guy was making fun of me and laughing in my face. It had me picturing a very slow and painful death for him.  I scowled before stepping on his other uninjured foot, well it was injured now, before pushing past him, in a huff. I imagined steam coming out of my ears and nose. I wouldn't have minded at all if I turned into a dragon at that very moment. Nothing was more thrilling than imagining myself smoking his ass into a pile of useless ash.

That would sure save a lot of trouble of burying his body once I'm done with him.

"Ouch! Stop doing that! Okay wait. Stop." He jogged after me with an exaggerated limp and overtook me to block my way. I sighed frustrated beyond words.

"What now?!" He chuckled completely unbothered by the display of anger.

"So much anger..."

I groaned, charging towards him.

Forgive me Lord. For I am about to kill your child!

"Wait, wait, wait. Stop! Okay I'm sorry for saying that." He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender.

"I'm raising the white flag. Now please don't murder me with your foot of mass destruction. I promise I'll behave." I raised my foot and held it dangerously close to his left one. He flinched slightly, closing his eyes as I glared at him. I was basically on his face. I saw a small smile on his face when I stepped back.

"Get to the point before I completely lose it cutesy. My patience tank has officially exceeded the lowest of the low." He nodded unable to wipe the smile off his face.

"I'm sorry okay? I realise that we've both got off the wrong foot."

"You've said that already!" He ignored me.

"Well it's more like feet." A soft little chortle escaped his throat as he entertained himself. And I raised my brow, silencing his little show. He completely turned serious, or rather pretended that he was. It was as serious as he was able to manage. I ignored his twitching face as he fought not to laugh. At least he knew what was at stake.

"Okay fine. Can we please try to put all our differences aside and try to start over?" I considered his words carefully, trying to dissect and decipher the hidden meaning behind them. But by looking at his face, he looked sincere and genuine enough. The big question was actually why? Why on earth was he persistent about us being friends? I didn't like puzzles at all.

"I obviously haven't introduced myself. Hi. Nice to meet you. My name is Alex." He extended his hand and I stared at it with a frown.

"I'm not touching that. I'm not sure where its been." His grin widened dropping it to his side.