Chapter 6- Who Are You?

TRYSTAN'S POV

"What're you thinking?" Nath asks pulling me out of my trance.

I haven't been able to remove Abigail out of my system. I mean, I know she always has been there as long as I can remember, but this time it's different. I always wanted her to notice me, but not like this obviously.

Oops!!

If you can't shut the hole in your mouth, the least you would do is shut your thoughts out, I found scolding myself.

Well, since the tea is spilt out in the open, there is no way I could hide it any longer.

Hey, that rhymed!

Back to the topic, confused?

Well, let's get a few facts straight and maybe rewind into a flashback.

I, Trystan Vincent Raphael Gonzales was in love with Abigail Paige McCarthy ever since she stepped foot in her light auburn dress on the first day of high school. Yes, in love. As pathetic as it sounds, I had fallen in love with her at the very first sight.

First Day Of High School...

"Trys, excited?" My best friend Nathaniel questioned. I bobbed my head up and down as we made it through the school gates.

Obviously, I was excited, hell, I was ecstatic. It was the start of our high school, the start of a new journey where people did everything to prove themselves as worthy. Maybe I wanted to too, but I wanted to stay under the radar as well.

"Lil bro, seems a little jumpy aye?" My brother teased. Colton was my two years senior and the best brother one could ask for.

"Did you hear there's new kiddo joining us!" Ivan exclaimed, beaming like it wasn't a new kid joining but a unicorn.

"What's so spec–

My words die in my throat when the new kid stepped in. My mouth dried up, my heart raced, my stomach churned as if I had drunk spoilt milk that created fits, goosebumps ran down my spine and I felt music in the background.

What the trash?? My feelings were all jumbled and rambled.

Her glassy blue eyes that sparkled like crystalline water hypnotised me, well I wasn't the only one enchanted by her. Everyone stared at her, jaw almost hitting the ground. She clutched on her books tighter, moving amidst the scrutinizing stares; shy and timidly.

She wore a light auburn silk crêpon dress that complimented her curves, with her chocolate brown hair tied into a graceful ponytail. The dress was simple, yet it worked miracles on her. Or more like, she enhanced its beauty. Her eyes were filled with innocence, lost like a wanderer in a dense forest. I felt the sudden urge to protect her, to capture her under my wing and shield her from all the bad omens in this world. I stepped forward to approach her, but someone beat me to it.

With the blink of an eye, she was snatched away and captured under the arms of Daniel Craig Jones, the biggest jerk of CXHS. He was a total charmer; after all, he was brought up like a gentleman just to play with innocent girls. His eyes always worked miracles, and girls being the oblivious little dolls, often fell for his–"a little too good to be true, innocent act–".

That was the first-ever time I felt a loud thunderous beat in my chest, especially every time she was around. She wasn't this obnoxious, arrogant and egocentric girl who walked and talked to impress. The little 11-year-old back then only spoke to express, although her eyes spoke louder and deeper. She was different, she was unique in her own way.

"Helloooo." Nath waves his hand in front of my face.

"Nothing," I reply nonchalantly.

Right now, we're all huddled up in the cafeteria for our lunch break, and despite not having any dinner last night and no breakfast this morning, I'm out of appetite.

Will anyone judge me if I admitted the fact I was scared poop-less of a girl? I couldn't get rid of the closet scenario. The battle, the wink, the wicked smile. And despite the obvious devilish attitude, I feel utterly pulled towards her. Yes, I'm that whipped.

To my surprise, she wasn't in the cafeteria today, at least not from where I can see. Chase had a new girl under his arm and let's avoid the part where all I can see his hands grazing too.

As if to once again answer my questions, I feel someone's burning gaze in the back of my head.

Don't turn. Don't turn. I chant in my head.

I crane my head towards the eyes burning holes in my head.

You thought I wouldn't turn?

Curious is my middle name.

Okay, trust me that was a big mistake.

As if you didn't know that.

Abigail looks at me with a knowing smirk. She knew I would turn. She winks at me and blows a kiss on my way.

Well, that flying kiss definitely had some power, because I end up falling off of my chair.

To my surprise, no laughter erupts in the room; that's a first. But definitely, silence surrounds us.

That's an alliteration.

Nerdo.

I dust my pants off and sit back on the chair.

But what I failed to notice, was the entire cafeteria gawking at the interaction between me and Abigail.

Oooooooookay, so they noticed.

Holly jelly tots.

I gulp and immediately turn around, looking down to my shoes. I could feel a pair of 20 eyes at least, that was piercing a hole in my body. As lame as it could sound, but I am no titanic. The amount of focused and judgemental stare was killing me and if looks could kill, I would be 100 feet below the ground. Total cliche line, with total clique situation.

I raise my gaze to come across two mouths, agape boys. Yeah, Ivan and Nath.

Oh, how I forgot about the two girls.

*face palm's mental*

"What was that?" Nath is the first one to break the silence.

I just shrug nervously in response.

"That-

Before Ivan could indulge his thoughts into the silence, I rush my way out of the burning cafeteria.

Drama free year, that's all I wanted. Too much to ask for?

I make my way out, soft hushed whispers filling my eardrums. This is not what I fruiting wanted.

Ignore them.

Not like I can do anything.

The corridor is empty, with a few students here and there. I make my way through them, hushed talks echoing through the almost silent corridor. I wouldn't be surprised if our school won the Nobel prize for the best nosy crowd.

All of a sudden, I'm greeted with an eerie silence. I glance back to find the entire hall empty. As if people had vanished into thin air.

"Boo!"

I jump 2 feet above the ground, clutching my heart melodramatically, throwing a lethal glare at the culprit.

"Aww, got scared?"

"You almost gave me a heart attack, you Baboon."

Oh, poops!!

"What did you call me?" She asks, bewildered.

"No-nothing," I reply quickly enough.

She scoots closer, tracing her hands over my body seductively, encircling her arms around my neck.

What is she tracing, I got no abs.

Are you a guy for real?

You gay guy!

My conscious was born to insult me.

"Your too precious sweetheart. Can't let you die that easily now, can I?"

I roll my eyes at her stupid answer.

And here I thought only blonds are dumb.

"What do you want?" My expression is totally void.

She leans forward, her face making its way to me. Her lips, just a few inches away from mine. A light push and my first kiss would be sealed. I could feel beads of sweat forming on my head at the proximity of our closeness. Surprisingly, I don't move away or push her away. As always, I was enchanted by her crystal blue eyes.

Both our chests heave up and down against one another. I could feel the rhythmic vibration of her breast against my own. Our eyes meet, tingling sensations running down my spine, just like the very first day I saw her.

I could feel my heart skipping a few beats.

I take this gifted time to have a close look at her beautiful face that she hid under that heavy layers of makeup. The fighter that she hid under this exterior. The sun-kissed face, that she hid under all this fakeness.

She was extraordinarily beautiful. Her eyes narrated a story, an untold story she never wanted to write to the world.

Involuntarily, my hand makes its way to her face and strokes her cheeks, caressing it. Do not ask me where did I grab the balls from, as far as I know, those surely don't belong to the Trystan Gonzales the world knows.

"Why do you hide?" My tone soft; almost a whisper, laced with concern. I don't know what got into me, but I didn't stop.

"Your beautiful.- she almost starts to lean under my touch- what happened to the little Abigail, what happened to that girl, six years ago? What changed her?" My questions caught her off guard as I wished to retreat my words that very second. She jumped back, away from my touch.

Her eyes lit with so many emotions. Hurt, pain, hatred, anguish, agony,

desolation, lost, etc. A flaming fire burning in her eyes, burning for revenge, burning for justice, burning for something more.

"She's dead." That is all she replied in disdain.

She ran away. Not from me but from reality. And once again I was left stranded with my thoughts.

Who are you, Abigail Paige McCarthy?

Abigail's POV.

"What happened to the little Abigail, what happened to that girl, six years ago? What changed her?"

His words rang in my head. He knew the old me, he noticed the old me, he observed the old me. Something that no one else did, something that no one else noticed and someone that no one ever cared about.

Each time I try to figure out this guy. He brings me to square one.

"Your beautiful."

I close my eyes, feeling the euphemism behind those words. To some it might just be an adjective, to me, it had more meaning than words like hot, sexy or bomb.

His words felt like bliss in my black and white life. It felt like those decorations on the cakes that made them look more beautiful. For the first time, in 6 years, Abigail McCarthy blushed.

Shit!

What's wrong with me!? Yep, the cliche dialogue.

"Cause baby now we got bad blood

You know it used to be mad love

So take a look at what you've done

'Cause baby now we got bad blood''

Music breaks me out of my trance as I look down at the source.

Its my phone blaring through the back yard of the school.

Harry's name flashes on my phone screen. Don't tell me, I groan inwardly.

"Hey Champion. " Harry greets, a bit too nicely. Obviously, why wouldn't he greet me a little too nicely, he got money on me.

"Har, you know I'm at school right," I respond to him blankly, obvious to the reasons

"Yes, Paige. But you see, there's this guy from Boston, who claims to be the best in his city and can defeat you in less than two minutes. He is so confident that he is ready to give up 10 Grant if he loses."

Holly flying fuck!! Should I take the offer? If I don't they'll call me a sore thumb and I wouldn't take any tags. I contemplate my decision before giving in.

"I'll be there in half."

I don't have an ego, but sure enough, I know the difference between winning for ego or pride and for respect. I played to smash the ego's of egocentric men to the ground whilst for those who didn't have their heads up their asses, I treat them with utmost respect and appreciation.

I race down the pale white halls; that I hated ever since I stepped into them, rushing towards the entrance.

Aah, fucking crap! I exclaim and stop on my tracks when I realise I had carpooled with my sorry excuse of a boyfriend today morning.

I can't ask the douchebag to drop me anywhere. According to him, picking me up in the morning was a way to apologise without actually asking for it.

I would love to kick his sorry ass. Why can't he be like Trystan?

Woah Woah Woah. Put a break on your thoughts, Abby.

That's when a fabulous idea struck my head. You're a genius, Abby.

I surf through all my contacts until I reach his.

"Hii. Trystan Gonzalez speaking. Who's this?"

This son of a dead slut did not save my number.

Rejection!!

Shut up!!

"It's your girlfriend strawberry."

"Paige?"

I don't know why, but it seemed right running down his tongue. Even better compared to the times' Harry called me Paige or my fans did.

Control your hormones, nasty bitch.

"Yes, baby. Meet me in the backyard in 5 mins. Do not dare to question."

"Okay." He agreed nonchalantly.

Wow, that was a first.

After waiting for a good 10 minutes and making me bite my anxiety alive, strawberry arrived.

I actually started to believe he rejected me all over again.

"Your late," I state the obvious.

"Thanks for waiting," Strawberry replied.

My eyebrows perked in surprise.

Any other person would have apologised with a sorry to keep you waiting. He instead thanked me for waiting. This guy is something. A small smile tug at the edge of my lips.

" You can smile, you know. It's not a sin."

I throw him glare at his remark.

"I need you to drop me in my fight zone."

"Why?"

"I have a fight in half an hour."

"Don't skip school."

"Listen, strawberry guy, you don't get to question me okay. Just shut the hell up, and follow my orders. Your no one in my life to command me."

For a split second, I saw a flash of pain in his expression, until it turned blank again. I was sure that he would abandon me and I wouldn't have an option or choice to get him to agree to my demand.

To my surprise despite my rude behaviour, he just nodded his head in reply and gestured me to follow him. We walked towards the parking lot in total silence. He didn't utter a word.

What is this guy? How is he like this?

As we approach his car in the empty parking lot, he slowly opens his car door, gesturing me to sit.

"Aww. Such a gentleman." I mock him. He doesn't respond a word.

Uh oh! I didn't like the non-responsive and non-blushing Trystan.

After taking his seat, he drove us out of the parking lot. The silence was killing me. Did my words actually hurt him? But who the hell gave him the right to meddle in my life.

Then, why're you feeling bad Abby?

My conscious asks.

I look out of the window, as the trees zoom by, the sun at the top shining so bright. I glance at Trystan, looking straight on the road.

"Are you angry?" I ask him out of curiosity.

No response.

"Are you pissed?" I ask once again.

No response.

"Are you hurt?"

No response.

"You fucking shit head strawberry boy, answer me," I yell at him, losing my patience.

No fucking response. I didn't like his dull demeanour. I sighed heavily, not believing my own choice of words.

"I'm sorry."

All of a sudden, I feel my body jerk forward as the tires screech due to the harsh break.

"What the fuck man!?'' I exclaim.

"What did you just say? I didn't quite hear it." I didn't miss the small glint of mischief in his eyes.

This asshole was enjoying my discomfort.

"I said, I. Am. Sorry." I repeat, emphasising each word, gritting my teeth in between.

He chuckles lightly, a full-blown smile making its way.

Ba-

That's where my heart stopped beating.

I feel something giddy inside my stomach. Something weird raced in my stomach, my heart did a small somersault once it started beating all over again.

"Your smile is breathtaking." I found myself blurting out involuntarily.

Once again, I'm thrown forward at the sudden halt of the car.

There are seatbelts for a reason.

I find Trystan looking at me in pure disbelief. His eyes were so close to popping out like Tom when he found Jerry as a white mouse despite making sure he was in his normal form.

"What did you just say?"

"Drive Gonzalez," I command, hiding my blush behind my chocolate brown hair. I hear another chuckle from the same source.

His confidence surprised me. He wasn't the timid, shy, quiet nerd. But a mix between a good boy and bad.

The rest of the journey passed away in silence with music in the background. My gears worked in the progress to unravel Trystan but I believe cracking IIT would rather be easier.

We reach our destination, as I make my out.

He doesn't move or drive away to my confusion. I walk back to his car.

"Why aren't you leaving?"

"There's no one to drop you back to school." He replies casually. "I can't leave you alone here, especially when you don't have your way back. The area is dangerous. Even though your a fighter, I don't believe you can fight 5 men, who're right now busy eye raping you." He responds in a rehearsed tone, carrying no emotions whilst eyeing in the other direction. I look at the 5 men, looking at me sickeningly, which wants me to puke.

My cold heart felt a little crack on its exterior.

"Go! I'll be here." He assured.

I don't know, but for some reason, his words soothed me soo much. I shake my head away from all the stupid thoughts jumping like a kid on a trampoline.

"Come in with me, I think I'll need extra support today." I offer as that's the least I could do.

Trystan' s head immediately shot up, as I see a small smile making its way, popping out a dimple. There was an unsaid bond between us, an untold faith that I didn't want to turn into a foundation of something that shouldn't exist.

Keeping my worries for later, together we walk in through the back door.

"Finally you here." Harry sighs in relief as soon as he notices me.

"Sorry, you're not allowed," Harry speaks politely as he sees Trystan making his way in.

" His with me Har." Harry's eyes lits in surprise. That is definitely an expression I had never seen on his

"Woah, that's the first time you brought someone with you. You must really trust him. Lucky man." He says patting Strawberry's arm.

Right now I would rather knock Harry off his senses than the Boston guy. How much does it take for a person to keep their thoughts to themselves?

I look back at Trystan holding up a grateful smile, a small blush tinting his cheeks.

How cute!

Abigail Paige McCarthy, your gushing over a guy? What's gotten into you...

Love is in the air.

My conscious mocks me.

I walk towards my room, as Trystan follows me in.

I change into some comfy outfit, pull over my satin jacket above it and throw the hood on.

"Let's go."

I motion for Trystan to follow me. I feel a hand encircling my arm, sending tingles through them. I look back to see Trystan holding my arm in his grip.

I express my confusion. He flashes' s my mask in front of me. I smile at him thankfully and make my way towards the ring.

Once again, I'm stopped by the grip.

"Best of luck. Be safe." He wishes me and moves past me, drowning in the crowd.

And in years, for the first time, I saw someone genuinely care for me. No hidden motives, no selfishness, no unsaid reasons, just a message out of care. And I felt ashamed for a second...

Who're you, Trystan Gonzalez?