String of Lights

Two

 I wouldn’t tell Steve and Celeste about the deal I made with Razel because I wasn’t sure myself if she could be trusted. I decided to stick with her longer to know her more.

   We talked a bit more in the backstage and when we came out, one of the people I didn’t want to meet right now was standing there. She was frowning, both her hands were crossed in front of her chest and she stared at me with so much dislike it stabbed.

   “What the hell are you doing in there, Kaz?” Tamara asked, her voice dripping with venom.

   “We were just talking. She’s one of my acquaintances long ago and I’m just excited to see her again,” I answered even though honestly I was a bit scared when she was mad like that. But I wouldn’t let her think that I really was scared of her.

   “Well you could do that after Carlos’ speech. You’re so not respectful. And you!” Tamara pointed her finger to Razel and glared dagger at her. I saw Razel from the corner of my eyes raising both eyebrows as if saying ‘oh, I got scolded too?’ “How dare you walk away just like that? You should’ve stayed until the end!”

   “Well sorry girl, I was just as excited as…” she looked at me for a second, remembering my name, which I remembered that I haven’t told her yet. “…As Kaz is,” she continued, smiling widely as she patted my back a bit hard. The way she said my name, I liked it. “I’ve been missing this dude since the last time I saw him, you know!” she chuckled. Not to mention she was a good actress.

   “I don’t care about you two wanting to have a little reunion but you should’ve respected Carlos more. Just remember that,” she said glaring at us before stomped away.

   Razel scoffed. “Who’s that emotional chick?”

   “Tamara Alozskia, she’s Carlos’ sidekick. You don’t want to mess with her.” I shook my head, remembering where those people who were trying to mess with her ended up.

   “She’s in love with him, isn’t she?” she asked and I nodded. She sighed, shaking her head. “I can’t believe those kind of girl still existed. Whinny and always talk about the boy she fell in love. Especially when she got a rival, it’s like she’s turned into a tiger! Anyways,” she turned to me. “Kaz, huh?” I almost laughed at the thought that how she looked similar to Celeste yet so different.

   “Yeah, just Kaz. How old are you by the way? I’m a bit surprised you’re that talkative,” I started walking. I didn’t want to be here with her when Carlos suddenly showed up. That bastard always messed with me whenever he saw me.

   Razel chuckled, following behind but soon caught up with me and walked beside me. “Seventeen. I’m just a seventeen year old teenager who’s supposed to be partying around, go to school—though I would eventually skip school often—and get some boyfriend, and yet stuck here with a bunch of thieves plus I myself is a wanted huntress.” No wonder.

   “You’re seventeen and you’re a wanted huntress? That’s surprising,” I said in disbelief. Though people here were still teenagers they were at least eighteen and up, Razel is the youngest I knew by far.

   “And I work alone,” she winked again.

   “Right. And you work alone,” I repeated.

   “How about you?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. “How old are you? I’m guessing you’re around twenty and up? You seem insanely pale and dude, get some lip balm; your lips are so dry and chapped!”