Hidden Dimples

❀ Chapter 10: First Smile

Griffin ^^

☤ Storm's POV ☤

"So how are you, man?" Griffin asked.

I shrugged, "It's been better, after..."

"After what?" He wagged he's eyebrows mischievously.

"It's none of your concern." I told him as I entered the bar.

Before you ask, no, I don't drink. I work there. It's the only place that could offer quick pay for my rents. I haven't had much and couldn't pay my rents this month so I couldn't go back there for now.

He planted himself of a stool as I got behind the counter, grabbing a tie and hooking it onto my collar and a black vest.

"How's been living with Celest going? Is she pranking you a lot?" He smirked.

I scowled at him, "It's been okay. She offers a.. Healthy lifestyle and a friend for me I guess."

Living with Celest has been.. Interesting. She usually tries to do something she can't and always messes it up. Her results are always fun to watch and sometimes I try not to let myself smile so easily.

God, I can't even remember the last time I smiled. My face has always been stone, neutral. I know I couldn't rely my happiness on someone. If I do and that person leaves, I'll be left with nothing.

I can't help myself with her though. She puts a smile on everyone's face. But I know she's hurting sometimes. She's really good at hiding it but I tend to see when she's let down, her emotions take control and the hurt would pile on top each other in her eyes. I can tell she tries to forget it, all the bad situations. She makes the best out of everything and I've got to admit, she's a good actor. Sometimes I see her hurting when she smiles, when she laughs at someone. Like that time when I yelled at her.

At first, I feel regretful. I still remember the days I got yelled at, it hurt. She flinched away and I saw nothing but fear in her chocolate brown orbs. But then I let my anger get the best of me and changed my mind, I shoved her away when she was my ticket back to happiness.

I don't even know what she's doing with that jerkass of a boyfriend. I could tell by the way he speaks to her that he doesn't genuinely like her. Why did she even get with him? There are so many better people out there. Wait, is this jealousy? No, it can't be. But if it is, why?

I could never feel the same way about someone anymore. Not after Leyla. Oh trust me, she was beautiful, smart, talented, and much more. But what's on the inside disgusts me to no end. She used to be the light to my darkness, though I never smiled with her. Sure I feel.. Joyful.. Before, but never once I cracked a smile with her.

I've spoke to Celest's mother before. She is a nice woman. Basically, she just told me about things not to and to do and also to watch out of her daughter. I mentally smiled. She cares for her Celest a lot. Of course, I care for Celest too. It's just a lot of mixed feelings within me that I don't know how to react upon.

Cleaning the bar top, some idiot spilled another drink. I sighed and went to clean it up. Griffin sat by me most of the time and talked me through things. But after a while, he went to dance with some girl wearing a red skin tight dress.

I have to earn a lot of money in different ways but never once I sold my body to some whore. Sure, I get into street fights sometimes, but I need the cash. Celest is lucky, her mother is a successful fashion designer, she's got a big house. She's rough around the edges when it comes to science, but she's pretty smart.

She's helped me a lot. She may have pranked me the first few days of our encounter. Despite the way I've treated her, she tended to my wounds after the fights, she offered herself as a friend for me, she's showed me new things, shared her memories, found me a friend like Griffin and much more, but never did she once asked for anything in return.