Sunburnt

It was easy to ignore him at school before. It was such a rare occasion to find him in the middle of the bustling teen environment. But if her gaze happens to find him, he'd look like it doesn't take too much effort for him to blend with the crowd. Isla could pretend she doesn't notice him standing in her peripherals, or breathing down the back of her neck that one time they were standing in line at the cafeteria. Back then it was so easy to look at him like he's a mere stranger--just another student who topped his way through social status without lifting a single finger.

She makes little notes at the back of her mind the little things that he does she finds intriguing. The way his fingers tightened around the blade of grass whenever he feels like objecting to her uttered statement. The way he'd grip his hair while thinking, leaving it chaotic afterwards and not caring. Throughout the afternoon they were arguing. Opposing to each other's opinions with smooth-like ease like they are born to be in contradicting teams. That boy is compelled with stubbornness like a second skin, she thought to herself, wondering if he had other layers underneath that monotone voice and blank eyes.