A Dance with the Devil

Chapter 10

          “What?” I finally choked out, stumbling another few steps forward in the darkness so I could clearly make out his face. He was still staring at me with his eyebrows knotted together. “This isn’t really the time to be joking around, Clyde.“

As soon as I mentioned the name, he flinched like somehow he recognized it.

How come he wouldn’t? It’s his name. Duh.

His shoulders relaxed and for a moment he stared at me in a blank expression. Then he heaved a sigh as he brought his hand up to his head and messed his own hair “Ah, not this again.” he muttered, as he filled in the space parting us. Now we were only a few inches apart. I was literally staring up at him, realizing for the first time how tall he was. My stomach churned uncomfortably at our proximity so I took a step back, eying him cautiously.

A flicker of amusement filled his piercing eyes as he watched my reaction.

“What are you playing at?” I asked him, trying to held his gaze.

He gave me another smirk and brushed passed me, completely ignoring my question. My eyes followed him as picked up a grocery bag on the ground. My eyes widened as I realized it was mine. I didn’t remember dropping it awhile ago. Clyde started out of the alley, carrying my grocery bag with him. Then he stopped by the mouth and turned back to me with an impatient look.

“Come on,” Clyde gestured for me to follow him. “Dark alleys are not a really good place to chat with.”

I did as he told me and caught up to him. I tried to grab my grocery bag but he kept it out of my reach. “I’ll carry it for you.”

I glared at him. Now, why was he playing the good guy role? “All this time I’ve been asking you questions and you’re not answering any of them. First, you’re absent the whole day at school. Then I caught you beating up some guys in an alley and now, you’re playing with me. I’m your discipline head. I can easily get you in trouble for this unless you tell me what exactly are you—“

“Dude!”

Both of us snapped our heads towards the direction of the new voice. My eyes searched the people around, finally landing on a young man across the street who was running towards us. When he finally reached our spot, his eyes flickered between me and Clyde frantically. “Your new girl is cute but now isn’t really the perfect time to chat. Quick we have to run!”

“What—“ Clyde started but immediately cut off when the boy suddenly grabbed his arm and began dragging him away. He stumbled and dropped my grocery bag in the process.

“They’ll be here soon! Come on!” the boy urged, glancing at his back worriedly.

Now was my time to react. I was too distracted by the sudden appearance of the boy that I forgot I was settling something with Clyde. “No,no, wait!” I cried as I hurried to pick up my grocery bag and moved to ran after the pair.

Striding just a few steps ahead, the boy looked over his shoulder to me questioningly. “Hey, I’m deeply touched that you love my friend this much but now is not really the right time to follow him around so—“

“She’s not my girlfriend.” Clyde cutt him off short, then he, too, looked over his shoulder to glance at me. “Hey, miss whoever-you-are, let’s deal with each other some other time. Go home.”

I pursed my lips, trying to contain my anger. “What exactly is going on here, Clyde?”

“Clyde?” the boy repeated, butting in and starting to snicker. “Dude, seriously? Again?”

“Yep.” Clyde responded iddly. “Again.”

I furrowed my eyebrows, “What are you talking about?”