The Devil Beside Me.

The Boy with Blue Eyes.

"I have learned something interesting today, Father."

"What would that be, boy?"

"Father, may I ask you a question first?"

"Ask."

"What would humans do if they see the dark side of someone they believe to be all white?"

"Run and hide. They will avoid them like the plague, or silently judge them, or secretly hate them. No matter how many times they might try to convince you otherwise, humans are spineless creatures whom will lie and deceive in the name of the greater good. However, they will learn to accept but things will never be the same again."

"I have come to realize that no one can forever resist the environment they are brought up in. Sooner or later, the good or evil will consume you regardless of how contradicting your personality might be. I picked up this interesting quote, "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into the abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you. Interesting, don't you think, Father? I think I am in the process of creating a monster."

"That is why you have allowed her to run free?"

" Yes. I need her to realize that everything she is feeling is genuinely herself. Despair will bring her back to me. I might not be able to bring souls to Hell, but I certainly can raise an army of Demons."

"I am certainly looking forward to this, son."

"I am too, Father."

I stood in front of the mirror and stared at the clothing I have tried on and ended up becoming dissatisfied with. I sighed in frustration. Bianca walked in, not bothering to knock. I didn't mind. She walked in with a purpose, took one look at me and my messy room and smiled. "Trouble finding clothes on your first date?" she asked. "Yes, its annoyi-wait, what? First date this is not!" I replied. She laughed and said, "Don't go all Yoda on me. Let me help you pick something up. So, sexy innocent or flirty fun?" I stared at her and said, "How about besties on a bike ride?". She snorted, "Fun you are not." In the end, Bianca forced me literally into wearing her white spring dress with pretty pink flowers on it, a blue 3/4 denim jacket and eventually gave in into allowing me to wear my trusty black sneakers. I had a brown sling bag with all my necessities. Before I could run away, she dabbed some gloss on my lips, a little blusher on my cheeks, a stroke of eyeliner and braided my hair. The end results : a pretty girl.

I hopped onto my bike and cycled away. Bianca stood in the front porch, waving happily. I managed a quick wave at her. The cool night breeze on my face sent small shivers down my back. I smiled, freedom certainly feels good. I could keep the memory of Draco at bay since Bianca occupied my mind earlier, but now, being alone, brought everything back like a rush of angry waves. It nearly took my breath away. I could not get rid of the image I saw of myself in the mirror. My eyes, it looked black. I dismissed that as my imagination. Instead, I concentrated on Jacob. On how we were as children, on how he is right now and how he makes me feel. It brought a happy warm feeling in me, replacing the earlier dread. I was too lost in my thoughts to notice how quiet the night really is.

Jacob was sitting on the bench, waiting. His bike was parked a few meters away from him. He looked up and grinned as he heard me approaching. He indicated to a spot beside him and said,"Come sit with me." I parked my bike near his and plopped down beside him. I leaned back and sighed in relief. Jacob has always made me feel safe, secured and comfortable. He didn't say anything. So, I leaned against his shoulder. "This feels nice, doesn't it? Like old times." I murmured. He nodded his head in agreement. We just sat there in silence till he broke it, "I missed you so bloody much. I thought I will never get to meet you again. All those years away for you felt so empty. I had a lot of friends, but none even came close to you. That feeling I had with you, I didn't feel it with anyone else. I seriously thought I will start searching for you after high school. To at least see you for one last time or hopefully, more. When I saw you in school, you have any idea how happy I was? But I could see you didn't feel the same way. Something was holding you back. You even looked scared. You put this invisible wall between us. You think I didn't notice? Is something wrong, Kat?" I didn't reply. My mind was reeling to find an answer. If I lie, he will know. If I tell him the truth, he will die. "I do not know why you are hesitating. Maybe you are not as comfortable with me as you were than. I know you are not the same Angel I grew up with. I'm just asking for a chance to get to know you." Jacob continued. I looked up at the clear black sky with dozens of stars scattered around.