Catching My Queen

||CASSANDRA||

Zara POV

No, I was not expecting to see him anytime soon. No, I was not prepared to face him, and I was certainly not willing to bear hate that was burning in his eyes. The moment our eyes met; his eyes hardened. His face was dull, but his eyes were restrained with different emotions. Frustration, aggression, and hate. Those all emotions were directed towards me.

My heart lurched in my chest. I wanted to close the distance between us and wanted to hug him, once for all but I knew better. He loathes me while the feeling is mutual. I thought bitterly.

Well, that is what I have been telling myself for the last three years.

The night flashed through my eyes and I shivered. Terror invades me as I am taken back to that vulnerable moment. Her smiling face, my parent's laughter. Everything was rushing back in my mind. It was hard to control myself, but I did. I rolled my tongue in my mouth and bite my lip hard. It was a way to distract myself from crying by inflicting pain to my other part of my body. I used to either bite my lip hard or pinch myself until I could feel blood on my fingertips. At least it was a safe way not to cry my eyes out and prove everyone that you are weak.

I wish you were the one who died in that fire.

His words rang in my ear. Hate is extremely minor of a word to describe what I was feeling for him at this moment. I thought maybe I would forget what he did to me, but I was mistaken. Three years, it took me three years to forget his words, but they were still echoing in my ear, stinging my soul.

"Holy shit! He is hot." I snapped out of my state when Aliyah nudged me. I took a moment to analyze him. He was not the same anymore. He was taller, 6'2 feet tall. His black shaggy hair grown long and silky and his hazel, mischievous eyes were brighter but the only thing that hasn't change was the hatred in his eyes, directed towards me.

He was wearing a black button-up shirt with black ripped jeans and a black leather jacket which was somehow looking hot. His eyes narrowed in my direction. He was walking towards me with confidence laced in his steps. Unlike me, he was always a confident man. Even though he was walking confidently, there was something in his pace. It almost feels like he was hesitant. Like he didn't want to be over here.

I could see his eyes taking over my appearance. His fierce gaze analyzing me the same way mine did a few minutes ago. His face scrunched up and something flickers in his eyes. Recognition maybe. Everyone was silent behind me. Chase, Sarah, and Nick. No one uttered a single word. He was just standing inches away while for me he was miles away. Ryan stone was the only person who could make me weak but for entirely different reasons. He despised me for the crimes that I have never committed but in a way I did. But I wasn't going showing him I am weak anytime soon. I was not the same girl anymore. I reminded myself.

He stood right in front of me and glared at me. He looked towards Aliyah and then at Chase. His eyebrows furrowed and a disgust expression crossed his face.

"What the fuck is she doing here?" His deep voice echoed in the silent hallway and I shivered. His voice was deep, hypnotizing. I scolded myself for feeling like this and cursed myself. Even though he was making me nervous, but I stood still in front of him, with head held high.

"Why? Do you fuckin own this place, Ryan." Without feeling any remorse, I sneered. If I wasn't so close to him, I was certain I wouldn't have noted him stiffen and shiver at the same time. Maybe it was the fact that he heard me after so long or I used his name. Whatever it was, it was affecting him, and he didn't like it.

"I don't want to see you anymore." He glared at me and I chuckled.

"I thought you made this clear years ago. You don't have to remind me, Ryan, because the feeling is mutual." I gritted bitterly and grabbed Aliyah's hand, walking away towards my class. I overheard him cursing which was followed by a massive bang. With no doubt, he has punched the locker. I shook my head at his anger. Maybe something never changes.