The Princess of the Streets

Twelve - Apology

School felt it went on for an eternity after this morning, and I just couldn't shake off the awkwardness of what Ethan said. And Chace, from what I could tell in the small amount of time I looked at him, wasn't denying it. 

Thankfully, the day went on quickly with me ignoring everybody aside from Ryder. By time my last class finally ended, I was up and out of my seat into the hallway in record time. I didn't even bother to go to my locker since I usually brought my backpack with me to every class. 

I quickly went down the hall toward the door that showed the blue sky and freedom. The hallway was pretty loud full of talking classmates and the metallic clang of lockers shutting and opening. 

My hand was on the cool metal of the door when somebody grabbed my shoulder. I jumped and spinned around quickly. I was expecting to see one of the boys trying to apologize to me, but I was surprised to see that it wasn't either of the boys I'd been expecting.

"Collins? What do you want?" I asked him, not bothering to hide the disdain in my voice. 

"Um..." His face scrunched up a bit, and he scratched the back of his neck. "Can we talk somewhere?" he asked, looking around at everyone who were too busy getting ready to leave to notice us.

"Why...?" I asked hesitantly. 

He sighed. "Because."

That response alone was enough to get under my skin. I hated it when people gave me that answer. The fact that it was him made it worse. I would've left, but I was actually somewhat curious to know what he wanted to say. 

"Fine. Follow me," I said curtly, leading him down the hall. It was getting hard to fight the current of people who wanted to get out of this place almost as much as I usually did. I looked over my shoulder to see him giving the death stare to some guy who had just bumped into his shoulder. 

"Would you hurry up? I'd like to go home at some point tonight."

When we got back on track, I stopped us in front of the door to the girls' bathroom. I looked him in the eyes (his undeniably pretty yet irritating brown eyes). "If you pull any of your stupid stunts on me, I'm taking you down. And chickening out won't be an option," I told him, sincerity burning in my eyes.

He only rolled his eyes - See? Irritating.

I opened the bathroom door and gestured for him to go inside. "Ladies first," I said politely. He glared at me and looked around the near empty halls before going in like he's gone into the girl's bathroom before. 

He leaned against the sink with crossed arms and looked at the floor. I hesitantly went in and made sure to stand by the door. "I'm slightly concerned about how easily you walked into the girl's bathroom."

He scoffed. "I'm usually accompanied by a girl."

It took me way longer than it should have to get it. "Oh! TMI," I said, disgusted. He snickered in response. 

"Was there something you had to tell me or are you more content with wasting my time?"

His self-assured cockiness was quickly replaced by discomfort. "Yeah, um, I just wanted to apologize for what happened this morning," he mumbled so quietly I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly. 

"What?" 

"I want to apologize," he said louder and a lot more aggressively. My eyes widened in shock. 

"Why?" Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every second of him tearing through his pride, but there had to be a reason. And I knew it wasn't just because he felt bad. He had to have a motive.

"Why? Because I've been a dick to you. I hadn't been this way since middle school, and I liked to think I matured a bit since then. But then I saw you when I came back, and I couldn't help myself. I think you bring out my inner thirteen year old," he said, as if he didn't understand it. He was staring at the ground through his eyelashes. 

I stared at him, slack-jawed. I was completely dumb-founded. "So you're telling me you're not like this with other people? You reserve all of this immaturity for me specifically?"

"Pretty much. Can't say the same for you though. Your immaturity holds no reservations."

I snorted. He wasn't wrong. "Is that all then? You just wanted to apologize," I said. This was incredibly strange. I found it hard to believe he'd matured in any way. I'd believe it when I see it.

"No, actually, I wanted to ask you for a favor."

I tilted my head and pursed my lips. I knew there was an ulterior motive. I didn't say anything but he saw that I was listening. That was enough encouragement for him to continue.

"I have an art project-" 

"I will not do nude modeling," I interjected quickly, putting my finger up to stop him.

He laughed. His grin afterward was so wide his straight, white teeth stood out. I couldn't help but notice he had some pretty teeth. 

"Not nude modeling, though I wouldn't object. I'm more of a photography kind of guy," he said.

I flashed back to our first re-meeting. He had dropped pictures all over the hall. They weren't half bad either.

"You took those pictures, didn't you?"

He looked at me in confusion.

"The ones you dropped in the hall when we ran into each other," I prompted.

"Oh, right. I forgot that was you. Yeah, I took those." I actually had to force down a smile at his proud, toothy smile. Not the arrogant type, but gratified. Right now he looked like the kind of guy I'd like to hang around. But I could only wonder how long it'd last.

"We're supposed to try something new, challenge our boundaries. I usually do landscapes, so I figured I'd try people. I was wondering if you'd model for me. With clothes on, of course. Though, if you wanted to go naked, I wouldn't oppose."

I looked at him. He was joking. I found this strange because usually I didn't get his jokes, as most of the ones I'd been involved in had to do with some awful prank he pulled on me. This one was funny to me, though so I grinned with him.

"Why me? I'm not particularly modelesque "

He looked me up and down, but not in a 'checking-you-out' kind of way. It was almost like he was observing me. It made me feel strangely self-conscious. 

"You're unique. You look... I don't know, exotic? I think it'd make for some nice pictures." 

I scoffed. "If you want exotic, go to Ryder. She looks like she's from the amazon." Ryder was tall and dark and beautiful. I, on the other hand, had inherited blonde hair and blue eyes from the monster that birthed me. Not to say I didn't find myself attractive, but there were better options for him to go to. 

"I'm not asking Ryder, I'm asking you. So what do you say? Would you consider forming a truce for a while and helping me out with this assignment?" He looked kind of hopeful. 

I thought about it. Despite how angry I was with him earlier today, and every day before that, he was actually nice to be around when he wasn't antagonizing me. I kept asking myself how long it could possibly last. I wanted to find out.

"On one condition," I said. "You and me have a rematch. No big crowd, no letting the other person win," I glowered at him at the memory. "And the winner gets to choose what happens to the loser."

Chace leaned on his arms against the counter and tilted his head back while he thought it over. I quietly enjoyed the view while he did so. 

"It's a deal. I'll see you tomorrow after school, Blue," he said before walking past and out the door. 

I glared at the door as it shut behind him. Blue? That would be his fault. I picked up a strand of faded blue hair and stared at it. At least the uneven streaks were nearly gone. But he was responsible.

I needed to go home and think about every confusing thing that had happened today, all of which had involved the one and only Chace Collins, who apparently has a personality disorder. 

I sighed left to go home and regret my decisions.