Chapter 35

"It's ironic, but until you can feel those final monsters within the jungle of yourself, your life, your soul is up for grabs"- Rona Barrett.

~~~~~~

Many of us are afraid of people who wear hoodies. We regard them as criminals or stalkers, that's why we are wary of people who wear dark clothes or those who refuse to show their faces. In today's society all of us who use social media are stalkers and it's legitimate, not creepy at all. When people pass me by, most of them don't give me a glance, and some give me dirty looks. Others like Matthew, those who think women dress up for them, whistle. But I am sure none of those people believe or suspect that I am a stalker. A predator in a trapped in a teenage girl's body, praying on someone who is twice my size. Today is Justin's running day. Based on our investigation he has leg day, arms day, abs day and so on. And today he runs around the building. I don't know what that would do to his fit body, but it gave me a great opportunity to run into him.

I caught his frame from far away. He wore a gray hoodie and black track shorts with black snickers. I can't see his eyes, which are covered in the hat. He has an earphone inside his ears; I can see the wires peeking from here. He was getting nearer with every step he took towards me. I heard a horn of a car and it was Isa, flying her hands around, urging me to take action. I got out of the alley and started to slowly make my way to Justin's opposite direction. My heart was hammering in my ribcage, demanding to get free. I repeated the mantra, 'You can do this,' again and again in my head to get my feet moving. It happened so fast I had no time comprehending it. I was hit by a brick of muscles, and I fell to the ground, fire spreading on my thighs. It took me a few seconds to compose myself and lift my eyes. All I could see was the sun ray, burning my eyes, forcing them to close.

"Are you ok?" I heard a voice. When I lifted my eyes again, the sun was blocked from my view by the overwhelming presence. I didn't have to think twice to know it was Justin. I saw his hands, and offered to help me stand up. I tentatively put my hands on his. He easily pulled me up, resulting in me springing when I stood up. "Are you ok?" he asked again, and I was robbed out of my breath. His eyes are liquid blue, and his cheeks flushed due to his run.

"Ya," I forced the word out. All Isa taught me about being mean and sassy evaporating into thin air the moment my eyes connected to his.

"Sorry, I didn't see you." Justin smiled, removing his hoodie hat, giving a glimpse of his shaggy blond hair ruffled because of the hat he just stripped.

"It's ok." I attempted to move around him, which is part of the plan and also so that I couldn't spill things which are unnecessary.

"Do I know you?" Justin held my hands softly, staring deep to my eyes. He was trying to figure out where he knew me. I almost snorted. We shared the same class for three years with me sitting next to him. "Ahh, you are the girl they called Hestia."

"Hestia?" I asked confused.

"Ya, you know the goddess of Greek…"

"I know who Hestia is," I snapped. "Why are people calling me that?" I asked.

"Because there is a rumor that says you are not interested in dating anyone." It only took hours for Matthew to spit what I told him yesterday to the entire school and give me a nickname. At Least it's not a bad name.

"My name is Cassandra." I sternly said. Justin's brow frowned at my tone. I wanted to smooth the wrinkled line, but Isa told me to be mean to him to be a challenge.

"You have a nice name, Cassandra. So why don't I know you?" He gave me a million dollar smile. I broke eye contact so as to not get lost in him.

"I don't know ." I said. Him saying he don't know me makes me feel better since we are both stalking each other and acting oblivious about it.

"Let me know you. I am Justin Black." He stretched his hands, letting go of me.

"I know who you are. Everyone does."

"You know me?" He smiled, acting as if me not shaking with his didn't phase him.

"Yes, you are a rich boy who loves flaunting your daddy's money. You think everyone should bow down to you and girls will sell their soul to be with you.'' I finished. Isa made me repeat this sentence again and again. I know it by heart. Justin's smile fractured for a second before he regained his composure, but that tiny slip was enough for me to know that I got him. I left him standing with a smile creeping in my face. I can't believe my official meeting with Justin would go this way, with me being so mean to him.

"Wait," I heard his voice, but I didn't turn around. "Wait, wait." Justin stood before me. "What made you say that?" He asked. It seems my or Isa's word affected him really deep.

"What? Am I wrong?" I folded my arms. Justin veins popped out, and I gulped. I hit a nerve. "Everyone thinks that." I left him, increasing my pace.

"Who thinks like that?" Justin asked, jogging alongside me, his back to the road, his front facing me. Before I answered him, Justin knocked an old lady, her groceries spilling everywhere. Both our eyes bulged out. Justin turned around to face the woman, who was cursing him uncontrollably.

"Sorry," Justin said, crouching to help her gather her things. The women tried to shoo him away, but he insisted on helping her.

"Today is not your day." I grinned, jogging and left him there when everything in my body begged me to sit there with him and help him.

'Perfecto.' Isa texted. I got into the coffee shop where he always buys his coffee. I needed one for myself too. I was met by none other than 'Cutie' as Justin calls her, behind the counter. The shop was not crowded, so I was able to order immediately. Cutie, her name tag reads Taylor, narrowed her eyes when she saw me, trying to place if she had seen me before. I ignored her.

"The usual." I heard Justin say, standing next to me. I didn't acknowledge him. "So we meet." he said, his eyes ahead.

"Are you stalking me, Mr. Black?" I said, trying my hardest to keep my smile out of my voice. Justin chuckled at my question.

"Maybe." He laughed, and I turned to see him. His eyes were already on me. "So what does the school say about me?"

"Why are you so concerned?" I asked, cocking my hips. "Whatever they say doesn't define you, or does it?"

"No." He answered defensively.

"Here," Taylor gave me my coffee.

"Thanks." I said, going to the cashier to pay.

"For two." Justin gave her ten bucks.

"No." I protested, handing her another ten bucks. "I don't want him to pay for me." I said. The women thankfully listened to me.

"Why won't you want me to pay for you?" Justin asked irritated.

"Why would I?" I faced him. "We don't know each other. In fact, I insulted you. If you have a habit of buying things for people who insulted you, you need help." I finished. "Keep the change." I smiled at the cashier, getting out of the shop.

I breathed for the first time when I got inside Isa's car. I was sweating so much I didn't need a face makeup to pretend I had been working out.

"You nailed it." Isa punched my hands, pointing to the shop. Justin had his latte by his hands, his eyes frantically searching the surroundings. "You got him." Isa giggled. "Did you say everything I told you to say?"

"Yes I did, but I need shower before I go to school. I am sweating." I said.

"You need a car." Isa whispered, turning the ignition on. I don't know why that infuriated me.

"Sorry, if I am a burden to you, I will get out of your hair ."I shouted.

"Chill," Isa rubbed my knee. "I am just saying." I was so stressed about the whole thing that I snapped at Isa.

"I am sorry. I am tense." I reasoned.

"It's ok, but seriously. You have a great car. All it needs is pink. Why won't you use it? You can drive it." Blood and shouting flashed in my mind; a shiver running down my spine. How can I tell her that?

"I will think about it ,but a pink car? Seriously?"

"What?"

"Many girls in school have pink cars. I thought the point was to be different?"

"Ok, Yellow!" Isa smirked. "You will be spotted easily."

"We will see." I mumbled.

"What do you feel about talking to Justin?" Isa questioned. Euphoric. Talking to him felt euphoric.