Faded Memories | Behind the Mask Sequel

Faded Memories | One

Odelle and I ended up arriving at the university late. By late, I meant 30 minutes before noon. Oh, and by the way, my first period starts at nine. My good friend here was pretty chill about it and didn't even bother to drive at his top speed.

As soon as he pulled over, I unbuckled my seatbelt as I was actually in a hurry. But when my eyes caught a glimpse of a guy through the side mirror, my resolve flew out of the window. All that I saw was his black hoodie and his masculine frame, so I quickly decided to shake him out of my head.

"Sup, man?" Odelle suddenly let out a greeting. Being the curious girl that I am, I turned my head to take a look at whoever he was talking to.

Seeing who he was made me petrified.

My eyes were fixated on him. He wasn't even paying attention to me but I just couldn't ignore him and look away no matter how much I force myself.

Today was the first time I saw him in person after the day I made him walk away from me. Drake Timothy Tomlinson – the man that used to have a cocky grin plastered on his face, the man I broke, the man that fell apart because of me. Once again, my dream this morning flashed back into my mind, reminding me of his voice, his touch, his feelings. Those feelings that I wasted.

For a fleeting moment, my eyes met his. His best friend was talking right beside me but I couldn't understand what he was saying, as if my mind was completely focused on Drake and Drake alone, as if he had his own gravitational pull that ensures that everyone would be drawn towards him. Only when he looked away did I realize what he's doing to me.

He got me bewitched by him.

The next thing I knew, Odelle was already conversing with him outside and I was left staring at nothing but the windshield. I couldn't help the heavy sigh of defeat that left my lips.

What is happening to me...?

***

I dragged out a very, very heavy sigh as I plopped down beside Xavier in the cafeteria.

"Are you okay? You seem to be very tired." he asked, concern evident in his voice. Of course he would be concerned. This was the first time we saw each other after weeks, only to see me worn out and all.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." I picked up my spoon and started eating my meal.

I did say that I was fine but the truth was I felt very, very exhausted, like every ounce of energy from my system was down the drain. My mind was packed with shits about Drake ever since this morning – from my dream to my actual encounter with him. Well, when did I ever not think of him for at least a moment? Even when I was on vacation, there would be a second that I would be reminded of him and I would end up thinking about him for a second, which was really weird since I have a boyfriend.

"Blaze!"

Snapping out of my thoughts, I jolted on my seat as soon as my brain registered the fact that Odelle just called me from the other side of the cafeteria by the name that I really, really hate. I could feel all blood in my system rushing up to my face. I was beyond embarrassed. Nevertheless, I didn't budge and just remained composed as I consumed my food.

"Blaze? Isn't that the name of the well-known 'mafia princess' that they all seemed to be scared of?"

Upon hearing one of the girls from the nearby table, I froze. She even out emphasis on the words 'mafia princess'.

"Now that you mention it, I do remember people talking about her."

"No way!" another girl from their group exclaimed, scared, "What if that's actually her?"

For heaven's sake, how can I be her when I don't even know who she is? Oh right, I have amnesia.

I quirked my head to my right when I felt someone sat beside me. "Oh, it's just you, Odelle."

He let out a low chuckle, putting down his tray on the table. "What do you mean it's just me? Were you expecting someone else?"

I simply rolled my eyes at him and resumed my interrupted eating. Just then, our attention were all captured by the conversation the group beside our table were having. As you might have already guessed, it was still about me being that 'Blaze' that I didn't even know of. I didn't want to get into any kind of trouble so I just ate in silence but both Xavier and Odelle were silent and frozen in their seats. At this point, the tension between our tables started to build up – or so I assumed. Regardless, it was unnerving for me.

I let out an awkward laugh, hoping it would brush away the tension. "What's with you guys? It's not like I'm the Blaze they're talking about. It doesn't even bother me at all."

Trust me, I was lying when I said that.

"She's right." My head snapped to him as he practically took everyone's attention with just words. His voice already gave me a hint about his identity but when I actually saw him staring at me, his eyes filled with the coldness I never thought I would feel in my entire life, I couldn't help the shock surging in my veins. "There's no way in fucking hell that she is Blaze."

I could feel a pang of something unknown. I just felt a sharp pain in my chest but I didn't know what caused it. But at that moment, one thing's for sure: I was like a metal and he was a magnet. As he said those words, his gaze remained locked with mine. His gaze was pulling me to him, the look in his eyes making sure I wouldn't be able to look away, his magnetic force stronger than what I could bear.

"Dianna."

I finally had a reason to look away from Drake. Putting a smile on my face, I shifted my gaze to Xavier as I pulled myself together. Just what on Earth was that anyway? It felt like he casted a spell on me; as if I was bewitched by him.

For Pete's sake, I need to get a grip.

"Yeah?"

"Was it just me or did you just stare at your ex for a fuckton of minutes?"

Holy shit. He's jealous, again. "I'm sorry," I whispered, breathless. But am I really?

"Uh, excuse me...?"

In a split second, all of the tension and awkwardness in the atmosphere seemed to have dissipated because of a single man, a mere stranger at that. Our attentions shifted to guy behind us, a fair-skinned tall brunette with a messy hair, a man that looked like a heartthrob who came out directly from an anime.

"Can I please seat with you guys? All of the other tables are packed with intimidating men."

"Sure," I replied before Xavier could even open his mouth. Well, there's nothing wrong with sharing a table with a stranger but surely, if I had let my boyfriend have a say on this, he would have refused.

He could get pretty possessive, you know. He could get so possessive that it really gets in my nerves at times.

Anyway, the stranger's lips instantly stretched into a pure, innocent-looking smile, his eyes becoming barely visible because of it. He hesitatingly sat beside Odelle, who suddenly stood up from his seat, saying that Chloe would be fuming mad if he took one second longer.

"Your brother?" smiling brightly, the brunette asked when Odelle exited from the cafeteria.

"Nah," I replied, beaming back at him. "But you could say we're siblings by bond."

"It must be nice..." He picked up his chopsticks and gazed back up at me. "Having a friend like that."

Yep, it really is.

"I also had a friend like that. To be honest, you kinda remind me of her. That's why I chose to sit with you. Oh, by the way, I'm Ace. Ace Reiji."

~~~