The Painting

chapter 6

Night stood at the main gate, staring at his phone. I pulled up on my bike, slowing to a stop beside him.

"Hop on. I'll drop you off," I said, wondering how he planned to get anywhere this late at night.

"I'll manage," he replied, completely unbothered.

"And how are you planning to do that?" I said with raising both my eyebrows. "There are no buses, no trains, and the taxis around here are shady as hell. Let me drop you off so you can get home in one piece."

"Not happening." He said again

Without warning, Grabbing his hand, I pulled him closer until I had his full attention. "Get on, or do you want to be kidnapped by one of the guys who just paid us a visit?" I stared into his eyes, making sure he knew I was serious.

He sighed. "Fine."

As he finally climbed on behind me, I couldn't resist and thought to get on his nerves a little. Grabbing both of his hands, I wrapped them around my waist. "Hold on tight or you'll fall. My bike's fast."

I expected him to snap, maybe shove me off in annoyance. Instead, he tightened his grip, holding on even tighter.

What the—? This backfired...

Why whattt??//??/ Why am I suddenly so self-conscious? Am I slouching too much? Should I sit up straighter so he’s more comfortable? Is he comfortable? Should I slow down? Why the hell am I asking myself so many questions?

“Who was that guy from earlier?” he asked, breaking me out of my mental spiral.

“Let’s just say he’s one of my uncles.”

“Uncle??” he exclaimed, pulling back a bit.

“I told you this place is shady. The owner is my foster dad, according to legal documents but I never call him that I simply calls him boss. The guy we ran into? he’s one of my boss’s partners. I can’t stand him. So, do me a favor and steer clear of him. He’s the worst kind of person. I don’t even know if he’s loyal.”

“You expect me to believe this? What is this, some kind of fanfic?” he said, such a prince.

“Believe it or don’t, I don’t care. No point lying to you since you work there.” I said, hoping it will get through him.

“That’s it, drop me here,” he said, pointing at a small building. He got off and stood in front of and I took off my helmet, The area was peaceful and quiet, with a small tree out front covered in light pink flowers—pretty, though I had no idea what they were called. The street was narrow and clean, lined with plants and trees peeking over garden walls of other people’s house.

“Where do you live?” I asked, out of curiosity.

“Why? So you can hunt me down if I betray you?” he said sarcastically.

“Why would I do that, asshole?” I replied, rolling my eyes.

He laughed, shaking his head. Ever heard of a smile that heals? It was almost 2 a.m., and I was standing here with him—just him—watching him smile for the first time, and at something I said. It felt like I’d swallowed the starry sky whole, and the stars were dancing all over my insides.

"Sup? Did I lose you?" he asked, softly tapping my chin, snapping me back to reality.

HELL NAHHHH, WHY THE FUCK AM I FEELING BUTTERFLIES FOR A GUY WHO PROBABLY HATES ME? NO, NO, NO. I HAVE TO STOP THIS RIGHT NOW. AM I SICK IN THE HEAD OR SOMETHING???

“Go back now,” he said, waving me off, and I just left.

“Why the fuck are you here at 2:30 in the morning, North?” Moon asked, clearly irritated. I couldn’t think of anywhere else to crash, and going back to the mansion wasn’t an option. She looked more annoyed than surprised, probably because I’d woken her up from her precious sleep.

“Come on, let me in,” I begged with both my hands together, she is supposed to be younger here.

She crossed her arms and walked in as I followed her inside her house, she lives with 3 other girls, so I followed her to her room. “What did you do this time to end up here?”

“That money-hungry asshole made me the owner of Chamiers, more like his watch dog”

“WHAT?” She said turning around to face me. “What‘s he playing this time?”

“To be honest, I have no idea anymore. But if he tries to contact you, just tell him you are busy.”

“Yeah, like he cares.” She rolled her eyes.

I sighed, rubbing my face in frustration. “Still, try to keep your distance,” I said, ruffling her hair.

She pulled out futon and bedsheets, and I helped her set them up. As soon as my bed was ready, I flopped down on it.

“So, uh... another thing. Uhhhh... how do you get on someone’s good side when you have no idea where you messed up and got on their bad side?”

“What?” she started laughing. Great, wrong person to ask for advice. She’ll tease me to my grave.

“Well, it’s your natural habitat to get on people’s nerves, so I’m not surprised. But you actually want to make amends? That’s new. What happened—are you in love or something?” She kept laughing.

“Love my ass. I just want to get on his good side since we’re classmates... and he works for me now.”

“Yo? He works for you? That’s messed up. Make him quit.” She said in a serious tone now.

“I tried! He won’t listen, that stubborn piece of shit.”

She burst out laughing again. “Serves you right! Oh my god, I’m loving this way too much.”

“Will you just give me reasonable advice and stop being annoying?”

“Fine, fine, whatever.” She shrugged. “He sounds fun. Introduce me sometime—before you marry him.”

I rolled my eyes. “And what about getting on his good side?” I remined her.

“Just keep him company, but don’t get on his nerves—you’re too good at that. Crack a joke or two, flirt with him if you have to.”

“There you go again—shut up, that’s enough!” throwing a pillow at her as she kept laughing. And pretended fall asleep.

“North, if you ever fell in love, I will protect that person with all my being, from our messed up foster family tree” she said in a soft-serious tone

“I know” I replied, she's someone i trust the most but I'll probably will try my best to keep her out of danger as well, even if it kills me.