Clandestine | On Hold

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Ryan's POV

The rest of the school day has passed by in a blur. And before I know it, it's night time.

I find myself standing on the edge of the cliff, overlooking the city. I come here whenever I feel the like being alone.

I don't know. Maybe it's the fact that it is situated at the heart of the forest, or the silence that fills the entire place. Or maybe it's the fact that I always feel connected to nature in every way. Whatever the reason is, being here calms me down and helps me to think clearly. And I need that.

Today's event had managed to throw me completely off guard and kept me on edge the whole day. It is still hard to process.

How is it even possible for that to happen?

I am lost in my own thoughts when the sound of someone clearing their throat pulls me out of them. I turn around and am surprised on seeing who it is.

"What's the matter, son?" Dad comes and stands beside me, looking at the view and muttering 'beautiful'.

If only I knew what the matter is.....

I sit down and dad follows suit. We sit in silence, as I watch our legs dangle off the edge of the cliff.

"It's nothing."

"Oh... Of course, it's nothing, son." He says with sarcasm.

"I hope you don't take me for a fool, do you?" I don't reply.

"Ryan," I look at him, "I will know if something is bothering my child. So please, just say it already."

"Father, I-It's," I say after a while, "I..... um...." I trail off, not knowing how to say it.

"Is it something about High School?" Dad says and I groan, running a hand through my hair in frustration. The slight hint of amusement in his tone didn't go unnoticed by me. I never, never stutter or hesitate while speaking. And the fact that I did just that troubles me more.

"It's about a girl. Iris." I say her name softly and then frown. Dad patiently waits for me to continue. And I do. I tell him about everything that happened in the morning.

When I finish, I'm greeted with silence. Dense one. I wait for him to say something, but my impatience is growing with every passing second.

After some time, he suddenly gets up. I look up in confusion.

"I'll talk to you about this tomorrow son, take care." He says and runs away.

Huh? What was that?

• •• • •• •

The next day I can feel my temper rising and my patience slipping away. Walking down Ridgeview High's hallway, I'm sure Bennett, Meredith and Tristan can sense the anger rolling off of me. And they are keeping their silence. They know better than talking to me in such mood.

I need answers. And I don't have them. This realisation only seems to fuel my anger, as I feel like sucking someone's blood. I may have done that right there if I hadn't bumped into someone. The person loses their balance and my arms go around them to steady them. The person lifts their head and my eyes get lost in those amethyst orbs.

Iris.

We both stare into the other's eyes. Her eyes truly mesmerise me. They're so unique and beautiful. One could easily get lost in those amethyst eyes that had unimaginable depth. I feel like her eyes have stripped me bare of my emotions; like she can see right through my walls and into my soul.

All the anger inside me disappears, as I feel the happiness surge through my veins. Her happiness.

I break eye contact from those deep violet orbs on hearing someone's laughter. I look up to find a guy clutching his sides and laughing his heart out. I feel her movements and dropped my arms to my side. She's looking at that guy with an angry yet cute pout. A smile makes its way on my face on seeing her expression. I heard a gasp, well three.

I look to my left and see three jaws hitting the floor in shock.

What's wrong with these three?

They are still looking at me in a strange way. I shake my head and look back at Iris.

"Caleb Jonathan Lockwood, you will pay for this." She says. The guy, Caleb I think, just laughs it off.

"Pay for what? I just pushed you slightly so you fall on the ground. It's your fault you fell on the newbie." Her mouth hangs in disbelief. But she soon recovers.

"I swear Caleb you'll regret do-" She stops suddenly. She looks over his shoulder at someone in the distance, and then takes two large strides and stands in front of Caleb. She stands close to him. Too close. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leans towards his.... face?? He stood frozen in complete shock.

"I love you too," She says and brings her lips near his. His eyes slightly widen on hearing her words. Just as her lips almost brush his, she is ripped off of him. Iris turns to look at the same blonde from yesterday, who's giving Iris the most distasteful look. She turns to Caleb, whose eyes widen in shock at seeing her.

"Ash... Ashley I can expl-" He's cut off by her stare.

"Don't show your face to me ever again. We're over." She huffs and glances one last time in Iris' direction before storming away.

Silence fills the place. And it's filled with tension. Just when it starts to get uncomfortable someone's laughter fills the silent hallway. I look at the owner of such a melodic laughter. I yet again feel her emotions surge through me in strong waves, making the questions from last night resurface in my mind.

"Oh god," She wipes the tears from her face and looks at Caleb.

"Caleb. That was.... That was epic!" She starts laughing again. And as I feel her emotions, a chuckle escapes me unknowingly. I think she heard me. Because she looks my way and her laughter slowly fades, with a gentle smile still gracing her features.

"You," We hear Caleb speak and she looks in his way, "My dearest best friend, are going to pay for this."

"Hey... I was just playing a tiny-miny prank on you. It's YOUR fault that Ashley appears at the exact moment." She shrugs and smirks. But her smirk disappears on seeing his expression. Her slight nervousness hits me with a frail force.

"Ca-Caleb, look, that was a tit for tat, okay? Y-You don't have to make me pay for it. Are we clear?" She says as she backs a few steps. He takes a few steps forward as well and wears a mischievous smirk.

"No, we are not. Well," he rubs his palms together,

"Time for some sweet revenge Winters," He says. She looks at him for a moment, before turning around and running for her life. He runs after her. And as her laughter fills the air, I feel content, at peace. I smile to myself and look up at three confused faces.

"What?" I ask them.

"You...." Meredith trails off.

"Just...." Bennett says.

"S-smiled...." Tristan finishes. And my smile drops. I turn around and walk away.

It's not easy to be an Empath. And even after many years of practice, a human girl comes along and makes me feels like my years of practice to get a hold on my supernatural ability is not enough. Sighing, I turn a corner and stop dead in my tracks.

• ☆ • ☆ •

Hey guys! Here's another update. Hope you enjoyed reading it.

Vote and comment if you like the chapter.

Dedicated to Naomi_0801 as it's her birthday! Happy Birthday!