duped (on hold)

o n e

Candace POV

"Easy, he's a lighthouse keeper, and must have forgotten to keep the light on. The ship crashed, he saw it on the news, and torn apart by remorse and guild- shot himself." I narrate, smiling triumphantly than realizing the riddle was rather morbid and quickly wiping the grin off my face before someone mistook me for a psychopath.

My opponent, Danny King 818, casts me a furious glare.
Too bad, so sad.
Solving problems is the one thing I'm good at, so I better be good at it shamelessly.

Plus, these riddles were the very same ones I was almost positive my father would tell me over the dinner table when I was just a little first grader without a care in the world.

Okay, maybe I did have a few cares back then. Even as a 6 year old grades had always been a constant source of worry.
If I wasn't the best in the class than I wouldn't feel worthy of my parent's love and adoration, which, admittedly, they gave out sparingly.

"That is correct, Candace. Which brings us to our last riddle."
My teacher pauses dramatically before reading off the card.
"It can't be seen, it can't be felt, can't be heard or smelt. It lies behind stars and under hills, empty holes it fills. It comes first and follows after, ends life and kills laughter. What is it?"

I'm about to blurt out the answer when suddenly the walls flicker- the smooth surface being replaced with a textured sort of material painted beige.

I'm used to these happenings, but it's been awhile since one so big occurred and it takes me by surprise, delaying my answer just long enough for someone else to call out theirs.

"The dark!"

I scowl, knowing they're correct.
Whatever, I still won. At least they got one right.
Hope that makes them feel better.
It'll be fine.
Mom and Dad don't have to know I missed one, it'll be perfectly, completely, totally fine.

"That is correct, Danny! You win the round, Candace wins the game. Big surprise there." He chuckles. "Class dismissed."

I sling my backpack over my shoulder and quickly walk out of the classroom, muttering angrily to myself.

"Stupid Danny." I bring my voice to a higher, exaggerated pitch, "tHe DaRk! oH i'M dAnNy!"

"Are you now?" I hear someone laugh, and snap my eyes upward. They land on Damian Lafrance leaning casually against a locker, an amused look on his face.
His muscled arms are crossed over his chest, his eyes bright, but emotionless, like he's hiding something.
What's he hiding?

I ignore him.
It's a well-known fact that Damian only ever wants one thing from girls: sex.
And unlike many of the other girls here, I'm very proud of the fact I've kept my virginity in tact thus far and plan to continue in this state until I find the guy I want to spend forever with.

"Wait, where are you going, Smartie-pants?"
I stop walking, spinning to look at Mr. Hot Playboy with incredulity.
"Did you just call me smartie-pants?"
He tilts his head.
"And if I did?"
"Don't ever do it again."

A wide grin spreads across his face. "Since I'm sure you acknowledge and accept the smartie part of your name it must be the 'pants' that's got you all worked up..."
I held up a hand, closing my eyes.
"Nope, stop there. I know where you're going with this. Just leave me alone."
After a second I add,
"Please?"

My mama whipped those manners into me, they weren't going places anytime soon.

"Well since you said please...." he trails off with a lopsided grin. Some girls might have found it charming, but on Damian I only found it manipulative and deceiving.
I narrow my eyes, than quickly walk away, feeling his eyes on me.