The Perfect Hybrid

CHAPTER XXI

Ella

"Don't you think it's better to walk with someone so you won't notice the eyes on you?"

I whipped my head at his direction and with wide eyes, "what did you just say?" I asked, appalled at the implication that he might be the one causing such feelings.

The shock must be written all over my face because he blinked in confusion and elaborated.

"I mean everyone at school is looking at you and whispering behind your back, seeming to put the blame on your shoulders for the unfortunate passing of your teacher. Are you not aware of that?"

His explanation was a relief but that did not shake the feeling that his eyes might be one of those who observes me, giving all these nasty feelings.

Oh man. Skylar was right. That night is really taking a toll on me and now I am spiraling into anxiety. I am becoming a nervous wreck and too suspicious on everyone around me. Even my parents thought that I was too jumpy and have been acting weird ever since I got home from the hospital. How can I not be? I feel like someone is after me.

Although, I may have had a normalcy when I was walking home...

We were walking side by side in silence. It's weird having no other people around. Usually there are more than a few students milling around and... oh yeah, we "left" the memorial early. But it was a bit surprising that someone else decided to ditch the memorial other than Skylar and me.

Maybe because the guy you are walking with did not have a chance to meet your teacher, my thoughts supplied.

I tried to subtly turn my head at his direction only to whip my head back when I saw that he was already looking at me. We continued to walk in silence and felt that he is still staring at me. I let another uncomfortable silence pass by before I took my resolve and bravely, nonchalantly look at him.

His eyes.

His deep gorgeous brown eyes are staring at me, studying my whole being and I fought with everything in me the blush that would have surely tainted my cheeks.

"Is something the matter?" I started, trying not to grind my teeth as I forced those words out. "Is there something on my face?"

"No."

His reply was curt as he continued to stare.

"Then, why are you staring?"

"Is it wrong to stare?" he asked softly and I can no longer to fight the blush that crept up my cheeks.

Weak!

A voice in my head yelled.

How can I not blush at that? His gorgeous brown eyes are just so damn attractive and the way he looked at me in that moment made me want to stare at them forever. Not to mention the lashes that grace his cheeks whenever he blinks makes him look gentle. And his jaw... I think I can now confirm that I really like guys with strong jawline and his jaw was to die for.

That's exaggerating!

The voice in my head strongly chastised and who could blame me?

Despite the banter we had earlier, I still have eyes that could see if the person is good-looking. And boy, he is hot! Secretly, I have enjoyed our little raillery and I would never admit it but I do like the stupid smirk that was plastered on his face the whole time, kind of remind of some tv series character.

Although, I enjoyed the playful teasing we had earlier, I prefer the time we spent when he was simply "escorting me home."

"Yes, it is!" I cried. "You would get in trouble if you are staring too much at a person without any reason."