Crossing paths

Refusal

No. No, this can't be happening. I'm probably seeing things. Lately, I've been under a lot of pressure, too.
Yeah... that must be it.

"Yo bro, 'sup?" Theo greeted, doing a head's up.

"Just got bored and came to visit." The jerk answered him and shrugged.

It's really him. Got bored? This is ridiculous. He just came to mess around.

"Hey Ethan." Hazel greeted him as well with a warm, welcoming smile.

"Don't push yourself too hard, Haze." He answered her as warmly.

Look at him go. What a kind-hearted, caring guy...

Hazel giggled softly. "I won't. Don't worry."

"I can't believe you came, Ethan." Ash said with fluttering lashes.

"I came to see you, Ash." He said and turned to her. His words made Ash squeak a little and cling to him.

"I knew you'd come." Jack said confidently, extending his hand.

"You know me too well." The bastard extended one hand too, both doing some fancy handshake. His other hand was behind Ash.

"That's my man!" Jack said in high spirits, making everyone laugh.

Except for me. I was anything, but laughing.

These days, I made one promise to myself. It was to never bother with this guy ever again.

I started finding it ridiculous to think of his words as something upsetting to me.

Whenever he made me mad, conflicted, angry, annoyed, it was satisfying to him. He enjoyed seeing me upset. He just stood there, with a wicked smile, while I was crying.

I'll never let this happen again. I'll never do what he wants me to. I'll never entertain him again. I'll never obey him, like everyone else does. It's the contrary. I'll crush you to pieces, Ethan Wilson. Just you wait...

He noticed immediately. He noticed I wasn't doing what he wanted me to do. Laugh along with everyone.

There we go. Just like I told you.

He stared at me intensely, while still laughing. His eyes were telling everything.

Everyone gradually calmed down. His smile faded, while his eyes were still on me.

I looked at him back with blank face. No emotion.

"Now, now... I know everyone's exited to see me." Jerk said with a wicked smirk, his filthy eyes still fixated on me.

I scoffed at his words. Everyone turned to me.

"What's so funny?" He asked, conflicted. His jaw clenched and his head tilted to one side.

I silently shook my head, closing my eyes. I got the sudden urge, to break that useless eye contact.

"Did I missed you that much, Emerson?" He stated confidently with arched brows. He leaned his hands on the table, trying to get closer.

Did he really think his nonsense would have an impact on me?

I chuckled. "You wish, Wilson." I lifted my chin up in sign of dominance. I was staring back at him as if he's nothing to me. My hands crossed to my chest.

Everyone stayed silent. Just how awkward is this whole situation? Though, I did enjoy seeing his smirk fade away instantly. His hands formed into fists.

What? You wanna punch me or something? Pathetic.

I signed. "Did you come to study, too? Or you're just here to mess around?" I said my voice stern.