Truth or Dare? [REWRITTEN]

¤Chapter 16¤

¤Chapter Sixteen¤

The last time I spoke to dad about this he gave me two choices. 

In a confrontational situation, he advised, put some distance between you and that person. On the other hand, in a combative situation...you must distract them. Essentially, I need to make the first move.

Knowing I might regret it later, I mumbled goodbye to my friends who left squealing and made a beeline to where he stood watching me with those eyes that I'm starting to get way too familiar with. His jaw was clenched and from the strained expression across his features, it's obvious he's tense or at the very least, unhappy. The question is why?

"Is there something you need to say to me?" I folded my arms and looked at a spot above his shoulder. What's the point in making eye contact when it doesn't work anyway?

"Hi." His voice was almost as gentle as the occasional light breeze that blew around us. The weather in this town is extremely inconsistent. It can go from sunny to rainy and cloudy to windy in a matter of minutes regardless of what the forecasters predicted on the news. But even the wind is extra careful not to aggravate the decorative plants around campus.

Out of these two guys, the only meeting I can actually call a confrontation is the one with Jace. He's wary of me and something tells me that's as much fear as I'm going to get. I've also observed that although it's not extremely difficult for me to read him, there seems to be something deep behind those dark eyes of his. I'm intrigued but there will be plenty of opportunities for me to have a one-on-one chat with James Dean waving over there. For now, figuring out Owen is my top priority.

Technically, we aren't in a combative situation but if I don't start picking up some kind of emotions from Owen soon then I'll probably end killing him anyway so it's basically the same thing. Therefore, I'll make the first move. I'll get under his skin just like he's getting under mine. Once I throw him off his guard, I'll definitely be able to understand more than his physical body language.

With each passing second I noticed his figure growing more and more rigid —especially when he glances in Jace's direction. Something is irritating him and I don't know what specifically but I do know he's definitely not a fan of my current visitor.

"You wanna get out of here?" I slightly shifted so I was obstructing his view. Instinctively I wanted to draw his attention away from the care free enigma behind me. He should be focusing on me anyway.

My theory is once I'm able to decipher whatever it is that's keeping me from fully analyzing him, I'll be satisfied. And once I'm satisfied, I'll move on and never speak to him again —similar to every other guy at this school. I will no longer be interested. Though I must admit, I've never been this fascinated by someone ever since—

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather hang out with him?" His calm voice was tinged with annoyance and something else as his head jerked in the direction I blocked. I watched in awe for a moment as another gust of light wind passed through, turning my hair into a nest and barley causing his to move an inch out of place —this is another object of my fascination. How does he do that?

"If I did," I turned and headed in the direction of his truck. "I would have gone to him now wouldn't I? Let's go, you're driving."

"Oh, right." He sounded uncertain. "Just let me go give Brittney her keys, okay?"

I didn't respond. Was he grabbing something from her car perhaps? Why is she still here this late anyway? Whatever the case I'm sure she would be livid if she saw Owen talking to me. Scratch that, she'd be livid if she found out we're leaving together. Luckily, I'm nothing like her and my time with Owen is strictly professional —for research purposes only. After all, I might come across someone I can't understand again. By putting these puzzle pieces together now, I'll prevent more mental anguish in the future.