Never Fated To Be |✅|

Chapter 20 : Enter, Rediscovery

I don't think I would've ever guessed that the answer to my question could've been with me the whole time.

Unfortunately, we couldn't continue the discussions further. The reason was not only because Zayla and Jake had to leave but also because Luke had intervened again! He had come to the library to return a book, seen us and walked up immediately.
He just couldn't seem to keep his distance from us.
But who am I kidding?
He doesn't have anyone else in particular towards whom he could possibly spare some interest.

And now, I was probably included in his list too.

Even though Jake, Zayla and I had ended our conversation about the book, the few words kept circling around in my head. I had a vague memory of having a book which had a completely black cover in my possession. But I couldn't remember ever opening it. All the other books were different and seemed normal. Somehow my mind just couldn't recollect anything about the only outcast book.

When I had left the house in the forest, I had carried those few books with me to Simpson's home back in the old city, the name of which I couldn't remember, and neither could I remember how to get there. How I had reached St Hills high by just running all the way from there on that unfateful night, I didn't know either. It seemed way too much in the past now.

If that book was needed, I had no clue how to find it or get to it.

I was so deep in thought, that I hadn't even realised or noticed that Luke was calling my name. Jake and Zayla, after goodbyeing me carefully and promising to continue the discussion later, had left a few minutes ago and I was supposed to leave along with them, except for the fact that I didn't have a home outside school grounds and Luke still didn't know that I lived in the school library, neither did I wanted him to.

'What's the matter?' He asked suddenly, startling me when I had left the library and was outside the building. I wasn't expecting to see him, mostly because he wasn't supposed to be there.
'Nothing. I just got lost in my own thoughts.' I replied, starting to walk down the path.
'What are you thinking so hard about?' Luke walked along with me.
'About how twisted and messed up life can be.' I answered with boredom.

'Did something happen?' Luke stopped walking, 'You answered my question without snapping at me.'
'So you did notice that I have a habit of snapping at people, huh?'
Luke snickered.
'Don't you have to go home? Jake and Zayla have left already. I thought you were gonna leave along with them.' I said.
'Another buddy took my car to a place and hasn't returned yet. I was kinda waiting for him, . . . . what about you?'

I inhaled noiselessly,
'I was gonna leave too but I remembered that I have to study for a test, so I'm gonna go get a book from my locker and stay and read in the library a bit.' It wasn't exactly a lie.

'Really? I was planning the same, to be honest.' Luke said, 'My grades are going down and because of my recent absence, the teachers are further taunting me to keep up with the rest of the class. I'm so burdened right now.'

I certainly did not like where this was going.

'Do you think you can help me with my studies?' Luke asked.
I stared at him dully and very impolitely replied with a-
'No.'

Luke smiled genuinely,
'Of course not.' He muttered as if he had expected it coming.
'I'm surprised you even want to stay back and study.' I said.
'Why do you think so?'
'Isn't it too obvious for me to think so?'
Luke shot me a look of indifference.