Pursuing Nirvana.

f o u r

I barely slept at all that night, despite my efforts to relax. My mind was restless, I wanted Brayden as much as I wanted him gone.

No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't push him out of my mind nor could I decide on my real feelings for him. Nevertheless, I couldn't help but feel powerful - before last night, I'd never so much as slapped another person with malicious intent - and boy did I love the rush.

........

As the morning progressed, I began to feel significantly better about the situation and I was enjoying my day. That is, until I actually got to work.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I fumed. The boy who stole my peace of mind was sitting against the back door of the record shop as he looked up at me with the same smug face.

"Picking daisies, of course," he retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms across my chest, fingers shakily gripping my biceps. Who does he think he is, I'm supposed to be the sarcastic one.

"Right and I'm sure you're making a wonderful bouquet, now move so I can get to work," I deadpan with faux politeness, even throwing in a half smile for effect.

He raised an eyebrow and acted offended, "Someone's grumpy today."

This was the precise reason why I was growing more and more agitated with his presence by the second.

"Dude just move, I don't wanna deal with you today."

Brayden held a straight face, obviously I don't intimidate him in the least bit.

"You're gonna have to because I'm not leaving, don't you remember what we went over last night?" He said mockingly as he stood up and walked over to me.

Once again, he towered over me making me feel like a child. I shook my head, I've been trying to forget what happened last night all day and seeing Brayden again wasn't helping.

"Brayden, just leave I don't have time for this," I was practically begging him, I had things to do which didn't include fooling around with a punk all day.

"Fine."

I was relived, "Thank you, I-"

He cut me off, "But I'm coming with you. You didn't say I had to leave the shop, just this area."

Of course he was.

"Why are you so obsessed with me?"

A devilish smirk formed on his face, "I prefer the term 'fascinated' but either way you know why," he continued to step closer until he was right in front of me.

Placing my hands square on his chest, I pushed him back as hard as I could causing him to stumble a little. I tried to move around him toward the door only to be blocked by his arm.

Brayden laughed, "You're not going anywhere without me, Cecelia Anderson."

I gave up, there was absolutely no getting rid of this boy no matter how hard I try. I sighed, "Fine, but if you try anything-"

"I won't," Brayden said quickly, his eyes were brighter than I've ever seen them before. In fact I don't think I've ever seen his face look this normal, for lack of a better word. The perpetually ominous and angry Brayden now seemed like a little kid in a candy shop; so excited and full of energy. It was bizarre to say the least.

"Okay then, let's go."

........

"So, how long have you worked here?" Brayden asked as he walked around the shop, taking everything in.