06

Saint's POV

I didn't think I was a completely horrible person.

I just made some rather interesting mistakes. And the biggest mistake I've made was now standing under me with laboured breaths.

Luci's eyes were red. Not in a-I just cried for two hours kind of red but the kind of red that glowed like a traffic light.

She stood still in my grasp and studied my face for a second.

"We should get to class," she said.

She attempted to push out my hold but J held her tighter against the wall.

"You didn't respond to what | said," | began, "will you come with me to Azure?"

She let out a low melodious giggle. Placing her hand on my shirt, she gripped it by its collar and pulled me down to her face.

"Why would I ever go anywhere with you?"

I could feel the heat from her fingertips through my shirt. Her eyes were still red but not as vibrant as earlier.

I pulled her wrist off my shirt and took a deep breath. If this was going to work out, | suppose I should be nicer to her.

"Because, if you come with me then I will owe you a favour of some kind."

The colour of her eyes changed almost immediately. She crossed her arms over her chest and I could see the gears in her head turn.

She didn't say anything, she just stared at me in deep thought.

"What kind of favour?" Her voice had turned an octave higher and became sultry. Her eyes seemed to challenge mine as if daring me to

make a great offer to her.

I didn't know what she was playing at but 1 knew I had to hold my ground.

"Depends on what you want."

Luci huffed under her breath and leaned her body up against the wall. | loosened her from my grasp and ran a hand through my hair.

"I want a new camera." She announced.

She crossed her arms and clicked her foot impatiently up and down, awaiting my response.

"Fine," | said, "I'll get you a new cam-"

She lifted her hand in the air cutting me off mid-sentence, "a new, expensive camera."

I rolled my eyes and cleared my throat. "Fine a new, expensive camera. Now that we have an agreement-"

'Tm not finished," she said, "I want more favours." I clenched my jaw and tried to calm down. | didn't like her tone of voice, nor the way she was cutting me off, but unfortunately, I needed her help.

"Fine." I said through clenched teeth, "what else do you want?"

"New clothes."

"Why would I get you new clothes?"

She scoffed and unzipped her jacket. She held the flaps of the jacket out, showcasing her torn shirt underneath. It was cut right down the middle and her bra was very visible.

I stared for a moment longer looking at the outline of her chest. I could see a part of the red flowers tatted underneath her breast, and I studied more on the intricate detail of it. She noticed my staring and immediately zipped the jacket back up.

"It's just one shirt. | don't see why I need to buy you clothes." I retorted.

"It's not just one shirt," she seethed, "For the past three years, you and your friends have ruined many of my clothes by pulling ridiculous pranks and tormenting me. I've had to replace my wardrobe many times."

I rolled my eyes and groaned in frustration. "Fine. New camera, new clothes... what else?"

"I want you to help me get my photos back."

I scoffed and chuckled to myself. | wanted to tell her right then and I still had her memory card, but I was curious to see what she would make me do.

"How am | supposed to do that?" | asked.

"Join the photography club and take me around the city after school so | can retake my pictures."

I looked at her in disgust and shook my head. "I'm not joining the fucking photography club."

She glared at me and her nose flared. "Why not?"

"Because it's for people who have nothing better to do after school," I said, "and |, darling, have plenty to do."

She grabbed her backpack off the floor and slung it over her shoulder. She gave me one last look before attempting to push past me and head towards the door.

Instantly I grabbed her by the arm and pulled her body back towards me. Her backpack came in contact with my chest and she latched onto my arm for support.

"Where do you think you're going?" I said lowly.

I grabbed her shoulders and turned her body towards me for a better angle.

"If you won't agree to all my terms, then I'm not going anywhere with you."

I stared into her eyes and let out a deep breath from my nose. "I'm not joining the photography club, Luci."

She let out a sigh and clasped her hands together. "Fine. But you at least have to drive me around the city so I can take more pictures."

I contemplated the ultimatum for a second. All I needed to do was give her back her memory card and none of this would even be up for discussion. But a part of me knew that doing this favour for her would come in handy later.

"Alright, I'll do it."

Her mouth formed a rare smile and she fixed up her hair a bit since a few pieces were sticking straight up, out of place in her bun.

"Great! We have a deal then."

Luci stuck out her pinky towards me and looked up from her hand to my eyes.

"What are you doing?" | asked.

She groaned and grabbed my hand. She pressed four of my fingers down into my palms. I felt her pause for a second and quickly trace the outline of my middle finger ring before sticking my thumb and pinky out.

"Pinky promise." She said. "Are we five fucking years old?"

She rolled her eyes and brought my hand closer to hers. She looped her pinky around mine and stared deeply into my green eyes.

"No, but | need to know I can trust that you'll hold up your end of the bargain."

"You're making a bigger deal out of this than it has to be," I replied.

Our pinkies still hung intertwined together in the air. Her nose flared and I could see Luci trying to regulate her breathing.

"No I'm not," she spat out, "do you know how much of a risk I'm taking by trusting you? Of course, you don't. So forgive me for trying to convince myself that you won't betray your promise."

I didn't want to admit it, but she was right. | guess I hadn't given her a lot of reasons to trust me.

I sighed and gripped her pinky. I turned my hand so our knuckles faced together and tapped my thumb against hers.

"We have a deal. 1 won't go against my word so long as you fulfil yours by coming with me this weekend," | declared.

She paused for a second and focused her attention on our conjoined hands.

"Are you happy now?" | asked.

She finally looked up at me and gave me a sad smile. "Yes. | am."

She picked up her backpack with her free hand and slung it over her shoulder.

"Why do you need me to come with you anyways?"

I noticed | was still holding her pinky and let it go immediately. "Because you know more about this stuff than | do."

In reality, I was terrified, but of course | could let her know that. As much as Luci thought that I wasn't fazed by anything of this; she was completely wrong. | didn't want to go to Azure by myself. Especially being unfamiliar with this new realm | found me in. | figured if she came with me, it would be the only way | could get detailed information out of her.

"Aren't you curious about my side of things? If my dad is there, he could explain more things for the both of us."

She eyed me suspiciously before nodding her head slowly. "I guess so."

She tightened her grip on her backpack strap and gave me one last look before pushing passed me to go to the door.

"Wait where are you going?"

"To class. Just like you should be doing," she replied. Luci quickly walked out of the red room and wasted no time slamming the door shut. I stood dumbfounded in the corner of the room before going out after her.

The darkroom door closed behind me and I could see her halfway down the hall. I speed-walked in a cool manner to catch up with her.

"Why are you following me?" she asked. She kept up her quick stride down the hallway and never once turned back to look at me.

"Because it's period one," I replied. I rolled my eyes, knowing she couldn't see me and kept a foot distance between us.

"So?" "We're in the same class, you idiot."

She halted her steps and turned her body towards me. "The hallway is big enough. Don't walk on my side."

She was testing my patience. Luci of all people knew I didn't like to be told what to do. I grabbed her hand and pulled her into my chest before pushing her off me into the lockers beside us.

I heard a loud smack as the back of her head met the metal locker door. I put both of my hands on either side of her head and leaned in closer.

"| don't like the way you've been talking to me lately." She scoffed and leaned in closer to me. Luci didn't seem scared, instead, she looked intrigued. "What's with you and invading my personal space?"

Her face was stoic but her voice was sultry. I could feel her breath fan my nose.

"Careful now, Saint," she whispered, "any closer now and people might get the wrong idea."

l immediately backed away from her and put my hands in my pocket. | didn't want anyone to assume that I was involved with Luci in any way.

Being around her still made my spirit feel uneasy. It was as if it knew that at any given moment Luci could do something unexpected that I would have to be prepared for. | couldn't explain it, but something inside my body completely rejected the idea of her existence.

"Look," I began, "I'll be nice for now since we're both doing each other a favour. But once this whole situation is over, you're going to remember who the fuck you're talking to."

I left her standing confused in the hallway, and walked briskly to class. I clenched my fists over and over in the pocket of my jeans.

I hated the smug look she carried.

I hated the way she tried to threaten me.

I hated how she knew how to control her powers. I hated her tone of voice.

I hated her unruly red hair.

| hated her stupid fucking camera.

I hated her dark brown eyes.

I hated her ripped shirt.

I hated her rare smiles.

I hated her red tattoos.

I hated how she had the upper hand and yet she didn't even know it.

I hated everything about her. Luci's mere existence irked every essence of my being and yet as much as! hated to admit it... | needed her this weekend.

I walked into the classroom and immediately all eyes fell on me.

"Saint, it's nice of you to join us," Ms Groves said.

I gave a half-hearted smile and walked to an empty seat in the back. I grabbed an apron and a pair of goggles and headed to the table.

"Alright class as I was saying, please work with your group and follow the directions listed on the papers in front of you. Please be careful when mixing the substances. If you have any questions-."

Ms Grove trailed off when a familiar redhead walked inside the classroom. She cleared her throat and shook her head in disappointment.

"Class started 15 minutes ago, Miss Black."

"| know and I'm very sorry. It won't happen again." Luci said.

Ms Grove shook her head and went to her desk and pulled out a bright pink slip. She started to write down information on it before tearing it off the pad and handing it to Luci.

"No excuses. You said the same thing earlier this week. Detention for you next week. Next time don't waste everyone else's time." She spat. "Now go to the back table and start on the assignment."

Luci feigned a wide smile and nodded. She took the slip from her and slowly headed towards the back table where I was.

She set her backpack on the floor and grabbed an apron and goggles. She didn't look at me, instead, she grabbed the paper that was in front of me and read the directions quickly.

I watched her grab the substances we needed and she started to measure and pour each one into different beakers.

"Are you going to watch me, or help?" She said suddenly. She still had not looked at me once and she continued to work diligently.

"Looks like you have everything covered." | replied.

I grabbed a beaker and started to swirl the contents around playfully. | never really tried in my classes. | saw no reason to anyway since most teachers gave me good grades without me having to try.

Luci snatched the beaker | was playing with and placed it above the burner.

"This is a partner assignment. Meaning we have to work together."

"Why so serious?" | faked a pout and started to twirl a dropper between my fingers. The glass repeatedly hit my metal rings and made clinking sounds.

"Would you stop doing that!" Luci yelled in a whisper.

"Someone's crabby today. Don't worry darling once this weekend is over I'll get you your camera and new clothes," I cooed.

She ignored me and continued to do the assignment. | frowned when she didn't give a reaction.

Suddenly I got an idea. | crept up behind her and placed my chin against her shoulder. My body pressed against her back and I placed my hands directly on top of hers on the table.

Luci's breath hitched and her movements with the beakers stopped.

"What are you doing," she whispered slowly.

"I'm just trying to read the directions on the paper better," I said softly.

I pretended to read the paper while Luci stood frozen against me.

It was very entertaining teasing and messing with Luci. I guess that's why | did it so often.

"Get off of me," she said curtly.

The students in front of us were busy working, so no one noticed the promiscuous position that I had put her on. I got off of her and stood closely next to her instead.

"We still need to talk about this weekend."

She rolled her eyes and adjusted the heat of the burner. "I thought we did enough talking already."

"Yes I know, but! mean the specifics."

She went behind me carrying more beakers and set them beside me. Luci poured another substance into the container, turning its content into a light blue hue.

"Fine. Then talk."

| sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

"The first thing is we need to leave tomorrow after school. That way we save more time."

She nodded and didn't reply.

"Okay then," I grumbled. "Then if we leave on time and traffic goes well it shouldn't take more than 10 hours."

"You said 7 before." "That was before I knew exactly where we were going."

She let out a low hum and started to transfer our solution into the water tray next to us.

"After we get there, things are up in the air. If we see my dad, things may take longer than planned," I admitted.

"And if we don't see him?" This time Luci stared straight into my eyes and awaited my reply.

"Then we go back home and you get yourself a shiny new camera."

She let out a dry laugh and pulled the substance from the water.

"So what am] supposed to tell my mom?" she asked. "I can't be gone for an entire weekend with no explanation. She doesn't play like that."

I contemplated for a moment. | didn't even think about that. On weekends | was always hanging out with Bryce and Greyson. They threw parties almost every Friday and Saturday and I was always in attendance. If I didn't show up to the upcoming one, it would look suspicious.

"I don't know... tell her you're going to be at some sleepover or some shit."

Luci nodded and | could see her think to herself for a moment. "That could work. I'll just say I'm sleeping over at Celia's place," she said. "Wait what would | tell Celia then?"

I groaned and scratched my head. "I don't fucking know. Tell her you're sick. Make some excuses."

She didn't reply; instead, she started to clean up the table and put beakers and vials of liquid away.

"What about you?" she asked.

I turned my body and face and | crossed my arms to my chest. "What about me?"

"What are you going to tell your mom since you'll be gone for a weekend?"

"She won't care like that. I'll just make up some excuse."

Luci nodded and she stood still looking down at our assignment.

I picked up the beaker that was heating on the burner and held it up. It was a deep pink colour and had a swirl of purple infiltrating the middle of it. It looked exactly like the picture in the directions we were given.

Ms Grove looked up from her desk and noticed me holding the beaker. She smiled and eagerly walked towards our table.

"Wow Saint! Great job. You got the colour and right measurements down perfectly!"

She grinned at me and took the beaker from my hands and examined its content closer. "Always doing your best work."

She continued to compliment me some more before taking a look at Luci who had leaned her back against the wall.

"You know Miss Black, you ought to learn some hard work skills from your partner! Maybe next time you should help him out."

She grabbed the beaker and walked back to her desk. | turned around and noticed Luci's shocked expression.

Her fists were cleaned and her eyes glared at the teacher's desk before landing on mine with deep fury.

"You didn't even do anything! Why did you get all the credit?"

I laughed at her annoyed expression and shrugged. "Who knows."

"It's not fair," she mumbled.

She glanced at the clock, sighed, and then picked her backpack up from the floor, slinging it around her shoulder.

Like clockwork, the bell rang, and students began to flood out of the classroom. Luci went to follow them out but | grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Tomorrow. After school. Come with me and we will stop by your house. Pack lightly and try not to be obvious that we are going somewhere together." 1 begged. "I don't want anyone to take anything out of context. Especially with you.

She scoffed and yanked her hand from mine. "Don't worry,' she said as she began to walk out the door, "being seen with you is the last thing I want."