Masked Facade

Chapter 22: Unstoppable Moment

Ryan's POV

Six years ago...

Sometimes you just need to let your instincts take control of your actions rather than spending lots of shitty hours while marinating in 'what ifs'.

My long strands tickled my forehead when a soft breeze made them dance like crazy in one particular direction. To me, I seemed pathetic, needy and desperate while waiting in my car to have a glimpse of that one damned person who didn't spare even an inch in charging me up in distress.

Alice influenced me, and I let her do so. And speaking of my instincts, it told me to demand answers to my unknown questions the next immediate day when she didn't show up. Somehow, I had this feeling that she'd show up. Because for all I knew, she just wanted that from me.

The fear of repeating her actions that she intended with her mother was solely responsible for her caring behaviour towards me. But then she locked up herself from my reach.

Everyone knew that we had some unfinished business, and I couldn't just wrap my mind around the thought of why she was hiding.

The doctor stamped me with his reports that I was perfectly fit to carry on with my routine. And the first stupidest thing I did following that was text Alice which said - 'We need to talk.'

Of course there wasn't any reply, but I knew she got my message. So before starting my day, I wanted to finish whatever messed up with my mind once and for all. And hence it reasons out my presence outside her house.

I didn't see her. After almost an hour, I felt like a creep when I couldn't get a hold of her. Pushing on the gas rather furiously, I stormed to the school.

******

"Dude, good to see ya!" Jackson bellowed at the top of his lungs excitedly like a kid with a damn candy.

"I'm sure that's not how you guys felt." I didn't even try to hide my distaste when my gaze landed on Matt whose face fell the moment his attention regarded me.

"Really want to behave like an ass?" Jackson queried in a hushed tone while sauntering in my direction as I did the same.

"Wasn't talking about you." I replied curtly.

"If it's me," A voice chimed from behind, "then I couldn't be any more depressed."

Showing my team mates my back, I turned around to come face to face with Jeremy.

A corner of my lips twitched into a knowing smirk as I replied, "Sure, lover boy."

"Don't pull that shit with me, damn it!" Jeremy grunted in a displeasing manner.

"Oh, are you feeling shy?" Pulling off an innocent look, I asked him with my tone dripping with mischief.

"Quit doing that." His stone-cold gaze demanded of me to lose my attitude and without putting up anymore fight, I did.

When he was sure it was the end of my stupidity, Jeremy said holding my gaze, "How are you holding up?"

I wanted to say that I screwed up. That my big fat ego was scratched by a damned woman.

"Actually, pretty well." I settled for a safe one and with that, I looked away. Actually, my stare was directed towards Thea's locker which was few feet away from where I was standing.

"Yeah?" Jeremy's suspicious voice didn't escape my notice as it held an unknown edge which pretty much sounded like shielding. Protective for me.

"Yup."