Chapter 6 On the Rooftop

"Celeste?"

She turned to the counter to find her fellow friend and book store owner, Christine Kaira looking at her. Forgetting her thoughts, she walked towards her. She often came here to help out with Christine, a woman in her mid twenties,  who in return would let her read or borrow as many books as she wished, so long as she didnt lose or ruin them. Though she was a lot older than her, she had let her call her "Christine" instead of "Mrs. Kaira", since she thought it was to formal. They had been acquainted with each other when Celeste had first started high school.

Ever since then, she came to the book shop almost everyday, if she could.

"I wasnt expecting you to come, especially after the accident yesterday," Christine said leaning on the counter.

The entire shop was almost empty except for the three of them: Christine, Celeste, and a boy in a hoodie sitting in the corner of the room, reading a book.

The eastern part of the shop was lined with various shelves, all filled with books.On the opposite side where a few round tables settled, facing the glass windows.

"Sorry I came here late," Celeste said.

Christine shook her head. "Why should you be? Its not like you work here! And besides, you still need to recover. Are you alright now by the way?"

Celeste nodded, though she didnt know if she really was. Her right arm still hurts once in a while but it was much more bearable than before.

"I'm fine now," she lied. "It was just a minor injury."

Christine nodded understandingly. "If you say so...You must be here for your purse?"

Celeste nodded as Christine turned to get it from above a shelf.

She handed it to her. "You should really be careful of where your putting your stuff," she said. "If Kwan hadn't found it, I don't know if I'd still be able to return it to you..."

"Who's Kwan?" Celeste asked. From the corner of the room, the boy in a hoodie suddenly looked up from his book.

Christine laughed. "Oh, I almost forgot. Celeste"—gesturing towards the boy—"this is Kwan."

Celeste turned to the boy who, in turn locked eyes with her.

Kwan? She thought.

"And Kwan, she's the girl I'v been telling you about," Christine continued. "I always wanted to introduce you to each other, since I thought it would only be apropriate because you two are around the same age. But you two never quite stopped by at the same time."

Suddenly she paused and turned to Celeste.

"Does your father know your here? Its getting late now." She looked out the window and stared out the night sky.

"Yeah," she said, suddenly remembring Nick. "They know."

"Well, you better be careful on your way home. I've heard the criminal rate's been very high in the city, especially at night. But I suppose your dad already knows that."

Celeste nodded. If anyone knew better, it was her father.

Checking the time, Christine said, "I think you should get going now. I'm afraid something bad will happen if you go home any later. And, besides, I've had enough of your father's scolding."

Officer Johnson had given them an earful after Celeste had returned late from the bookshop a few months ago. And that was the same night someone got murdered around the same street. Ever since then, the two of them were careful not to get in trouble again.

"Kwan! You should better get going as well. Mind if you go with her? I dont want anything to happen to the both of you."

Kwan, who was about to return the book to a nearby shelf, nodded. He walked towards them, staring at Celeste on the way. She wanted to tell her that she was fine going back alone but decided to stay silent knowing that it was to risky. Too many unfortunate things could happen to her.

"Thanks, Chris," she said as soon as Kwan was right beside her.

They both waved to Christine before walking out of the store.

Walking down the street, Kwan gave her a quick scan before he spoke up.

"Your from Gallant Academy?" He asked.

Celeste nodded before looking up at him in surprise.

She had a pretty good view of him now, since he took off his hoodie. He had dark black hair matching his pitch black eyes; a long nose and tender lips that remained in a straight line. He possessed a gentle expression as he looked at her.

"How'd you know?" Celeste asked, completely forgetting that she was wearing her ID, which Kwan had happened to notice.

He smiled, looking pointedly down her chest. She looked down before feeling embarrassed after she, too, noticed it.

"Oh...hehe, yeah." She looked away, turning red. "What school are you from?" She quickly asked. "It's pretty clear we're not from the same school since I havent seen you around there before. Or ever."

Kwan shot her a surprised look before answering. "I'm from City High."

Celese nodded calmly. But deep, inside, she could feel her head screaming.

"Isn't she up against this guy called Kwan?" She recalled Nick say earlier at the cab.

" From City High?"

City High Academy (CHA) was their school, Gallant Academy's top rival, as they competed to be the best every year in almost everything. Their competition was mostly intense around the Intramurals, which was the roughest time of the school year.

Celeste drew in a deep breath. Good thing he doesn't seem to hate me despite our school's rough relationship, she thought, relieved. She knew if someone from either of their school saw them together, she'd be in big trouble. Everyone was very touchy about stuff like that, especially since both schools had made it to the semifinals in the intrams.

"What a coincidence, eh?" She said with faint laugh.

Kwan opened his mouth to speak when he suddenly stopped short. He stayed still for a moment before suddenly grabnin Celeste's hand and dragged her further onto the street. Hè didnt stop until they turned to a dark, narrow alley.

"What's going on?" Celeste asked when Kwan suddenly clapsed his hand around his mouth.

"Shhh," he whispered in her ear. She felt gis warm breath against her neck as she tried to stay still. Though she had no idea what was happening, she stayed put, listening.

A moment later, they suddenly heard footsteps, approaching. Then came voices

"I'm sure I saw her here a moment ago," a low voice said.

"Well, you better be sure," came another one.

"You know I hate wasting my time."  The voices grew louder as they got nearer.

Celeste clenched her fists, hoping that the darkness of the alley would be able to assure their safety.

Something from what they said made her feel uneasy, as if they were in danger.

"She must be around here somewhere," said the first voice.

Kwan, who could feel that they were very near now, once again dragged Celeste, this time, further within the alley. He led her to what seemed like a dead end. But, after adjusting to the darkness, Celeste could make out a ladder built into the wall, leading to the rooftop. Unless you looked very closely, no one would be able to spot it.

Celeste and Kwan exchanged a quick look.

There were no need for words. They quickly climbed the ladder with Kwan at the rear. And just in time, too. Two nasty looking men with tatooes all over them had entered the alley. Of course, they couldnt see them due to the lack of light, but that didnt stop them from exploring the alley in the hopes to find something...or someone.

Kwan scrambled to the edge of the rooftop, panting for breath. Before him, Celeste was practically lying on the ground, breathing heavily.

Kwan glanced down the alley to find the men gone. Turning back to Celeste he said in between his panting, "It seems like they were after you, not me."

Celeste sat up, clutching her right arm, which was begining to hurt. She had slightly strained it while climbing.

"They were huh?" She said, but she already know all to well that they were. "Why would they be after you anyway?"

Kwan shot her another surprised look. Carefully studying her, he said, "Your not lying. You really don't know who I am, do you?"

Celeste raised an eyebrow. What's he talking about?

"Huh?"

He snickered at her confused look.  He stood up, pacing past her as he looked at the sky. They had a pretty good view of the moon from up here.

"Your...different," he said in a dazed tone. "Anyone would've known who I was from afar." He smiled.

Celeste fell silent staring at his tall figure.

Who is he? She wondered. Is he some kind of celebrity?

"Who are you?" She finaly asked after a moment of silence. But he didnt answer. He just smiled. Then, he slowly approached her, knèeling by her side. From a pocket within his hoodie, he took out a ballpen and took hold of her hand. Though she didnt know what he was doing, she easily gave in. She easily let him slid back the sleeves of her jacket backwards as he began to write something on her arm. She didnt flinch as she felt his warmth through his gentle hands. She stared at him.

"If you want to know, you can go and find out," Kwan said after he was done. He realeased her arm to reveal what he had written: his number.

"Your lucky, ya know?" He grinned. "I've never given anyone my number before."

With his remark, Celeste quickly looked away, turning red. He laughed.

"C'mon," he urged. "I better get you home before anything worse happens."

Celeste nodded. Deep down, she felt her heart flutter. Her face remained blushing as she attempted to stand up using her arms as support, when she suddenly fell back to the ground.

"What's wrong?" Kwan extended his hand, which she gladly accepted. She tried to hide her blush as she felt his warmth once again.

"I strained my arm," she said as she stood up.

"I can see why Christine was quite worried about you earlier," he said as he helped her climb down the ladder. "Your quite delicate."

"Well, she's always like that. She's always concerned for everyone."

"She's very fond of you, though," Kwan said as he, too, began climbing down.

"Why won't you tell me who you are?" Celeste suddenly asked, keeping her eyes on the ladder.

But Kwan ignored her. He just continued climbing, staying silent until they finally reached the safety of the ground and the darkness of the alley.

"If you wanna know, go check it out," he repeated and gestured towards her arm and walked ahead of her.

"Hey!" She ran behind him, trying to catch up. "Wait up!" She walked beside him as they continued their way home.