MUTUAL FIXATION || WINRINA

CHAPTER 9

Karina's Point of View

I stifled a yawn as a classmate droned through a monotonous report, containing words that never captivated my interest.

Her presentation was merely recitative—lacking passion or engagement.

I turned my gaze toward my stepsister and saw her furrowed brow and restless pens tapping; this in contrast to the very bad performance unfolding in front of us.

Everything she did seemed graceful and seductive, holding my attention with ease. I found myself drawn to her presence, much more so than to some inane delivery by our classmate.

I set my chin in my palm, chuckling lightly as she closed her notebook, reclining in her chair, and gazing out the window at the straggling students.

"Cute," I murmured under my breath.

I didn't take my eyes off her until the sound of the bell ruled the end of the lesson. Gathering my stuff quickly, I was about to rise when a hand seized my wrist, and I flinched.

My instant reaction of annoyance vanished at the sight of her face; a smile was playing on her lips.

"Let's go?" she asked, and her eyes were radiant with warmth.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to question her motive. "Your friends?"

"The cafeteria," she replied, smiling.

I was caught off guard, crossing my arms as I asked, "What made you not go with them?"

She eluded my question, leaving me pretty confused. "What's it to you?" she turned to ask.

I scowled as I voiced my confusion, "You are giving me mixed signals."

She sat in front of me, wrapped her arms around my waist, and pulled me closer. Since this was not expected, I stood right between her legs, trapped in her embrace.

"You're acting different," I said.

"What do you mean?" she asked, playfully.

Gathering myself together, I wrapped my arms around  her neck, trying to express just how puzzled I was about the change in her character.

"You're asking for this now, after all that pushing away because I was your stepsister?" I said, furrowing my brow. "Are you playing games with me?"

I had still not known what her motive was by then, but at that moment, I had decided not to change the situation, whatever her motive might be.

"I'm not playing games," she said seriously.

"Is it about that night?" I asked.

She shook her head and waved the idea aside. "No, it's got nothing to do with that," she said, her voice barely audible. "Let's not talk about it," she whispered.

I heaved a deep sigh and nodded to her. Unspoken words, in the air.

There was a pause in the moment, and by mutual consent, we agreed to lunch at the canteen.

"Want to join my friends?" she said, her eyes still holding onto a trace of anticipation.

"It doesn't matter if we just join them," I said, trying to cover all possible disturbance inside me with nonchalance.

With the assurance that I had nothing against it, she nodded, and then we walked toward her friends—Aeri and Ningning.

I greeted them with a smile and then took a seat beside Winter, feeling some kind of friendliness pass around in our circle.

"Hello, Karina," Aeri greeted me warmly; her smile was inviting.

Returning the gesture, I expressed, "I hope I'm not intruding."

Ningning reassured me, "You're more than welcome. We enjoy your company."

Surprised at their openness, I quipped, "Is that so?" and they all nodded in agreement.

Because their camaraderie was light-hearted as we talked through lunch, every trace of envy and apprehension was just wiped off me. Their niceness was enhanced by knowing them to be close friends and tight.

That whole day went on very well, every moment a balance of humor and fun. When that last school bell finally rang, ending it all, I turned to leave when a classmate came up to me.

An eyebrow raised, I looked at her, a shade of annoyance coloring my voice.

"What is it?" I asked, at my last nerve.

Stammering, she nervously said what she wanted to, the nerves so alive in her voice.

"Cut to the chase, Montero," I pressed, on the threshold of anger.

The next words fired a flare of anger. She had some nerve asking for my stepsister's number; this got my protective juices flowing.

"And what purpose do you have in mind for her number?" I demanded, my voice laced with a dangerous edge.

Tendrils of jealousy and rage coiled within me, threatening to unravel the fragile peace I had sought to maintain. The tumultuous emotions churned within me, a storm of conflicting desires and emotions.

"I... I only wanted to ask for something," she stuttered, her words cautious.

I took a deep breath and set her off with my cold, intense stare, making her take a step back.

Good. Be intimidated by my presence, Montero.

"I don't just give out her number to people I don't know," I stated, final, and turned to leave the room, frustrated.

Damn her.

I clenched my jaw in irritation and began walking toward the parking lot. Sliding into the driver's seat after unlocking the car door, I sought some solace within the confines of the car.

I tried quelling the storm brewing in me to prevent charging toward Montero.

How dare she ask for my stepsister's number? Was she asking for chaos in her life?

I turned to face a presence beside me. Her expression was a picture of concern with furrowed brows.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.

I shrugged and reached out, kissing her for comfort.

The tenderness of her lips on mine soothed my agitated heart. I pulled back and lightly bussed her before turning serious again.

"Feel better?" she asked, still sounding confused.

"Just a tough spot," I confessed, firing up the engine.

Her eyes were locked on me, leaning back with her arms crossed—what actually caught my attention. A slight jolt of appreciation flickered on inside of me at how she refused to back down.

"Stop staring," I grumbled.

She chuckled softly. "Can't help it. You're quite the view."

I rolled my eyes and fixed my attention on the road ahead, pausing at a red light.

"I don't know what's gotten into you, but...." I began, noticing her eyebrow was now raised. "I like this side of you," I said, with a smirk playing around my lips.

"Oh, yeah?" she smirked playfully.

That's hot.

My eyes stayed there—on her lips.

"Knock it off with the smirk," I grumbled.

"Make me," she said, making me gasp in feigned shock, which had her laughing.

"Shut it!" I exclaimed, and we continued driving when the light changed to green. As we pulled up to the house, I parked the car and snatched a kiss on the lips, taking her by complete surprise with the gleam in my eye.

Winking at her, I opened the door and leaned inside, so my words were just a whisper in her ear.

"I love how our lips fit into a kiss," I whispered, and then brushed my lips around her ear before going inside to leave behind warmth.