The party

.."Please accept my gift. I figured you'd love chocolates, so I got you the vest there is" Layla said handing Blake a box of chocolates.

Blake's gaze lingered on Layla's face, his expression cold. Then his eyes dropped to the box, his jaw clenching.

"You love it right? I knew you won't reject it" she whispered smiling sheepishly, linking her arms with his.

Blake glared at her hands with so much disdain in his eyes "stop being too obvious,its annoying" He yanked his arms away from hers "I hate chocolates too"

Whispers spread like wildfire, as Layla stared down uncomfortably.

"Awnnn poor girl" Charlene whispered.

"Serves her right. Layla's pompous and annoying always flaunting her rare powers" Hazel snorted.

"Is that jealousy I smell?" Charlene raised an eyebrow, wondering what kind of guy will treat a lady that harshly worst of.. In public.

"I'm not jealous. You'll see soon enough, Layla isn't worth anybody's sympathy" Hazel rolled her eyes.

Charlene frowned "still that's no excuse for disrespect."

Hazel shrugged. "Forget them, let's party!" She yelled tugging Charlene to the dancefloor.

"I hate parties" Charlene protested

"You'll love it" Hazel grinned not willing to let her go.

Charlene tried to move with the rhythm of the beats as she looked around uncomfortably through the crowd.

Suddenly Ocean-blue eyes locked onto hers, and her heart skipped a beat.

"It can't be..those blue eyes" she breathed, her voice barely audible.

Without thinking she turned around and fled the auditorium. Everything that transpired with the blue-eyed fellow running through her mind...

Charlene, wait up," Hazel called out, rushing after her. "Gosh, you walk too fast," she complained when she finally caught up with Charlene.

"I think I'm hallucinating. Those eyes..."

Charlene muttered.

"Okay, I'm lost. Which eyes?"

Hazel murmured and sat on a bench.

"Once upon a time, someone offered me a handkerchief to wipe my tears. His ocean blue eyes were so unique, I could recognize them anywhere.Minutes ago, I saw the same pair of eyes, but instead of being cheerful, they were cold,"

Charlene mumbled.

"You're weird," Hazel scoffed.

"That's all you have to say?"

Charlene asked.

"Maybe you're really hallucinating, or just confused. Anyone could have blue eyes," Hazel shrugged, knowing who Charlene was referring to, but what she wasn't clear on was what transpired between her and the blue-eyed fellow.

"I know what I saw, Hazel. What are the chances two people will have exactly the same blue eyes?"

Charlene asked.

"So that's why you ran out of the auditorium like someone being chased? How dramatic," Hazel rolled her eyes.

Back in the Auditorium, the party was still on, almost everyone seemed to be having fun.

"I hate you! I wish I never birthed you! Because of you, I lost the only person I ever loved, now it's finally manifesting."

These venomous words echoed in Blake's mind reminding him of the pains he'd left underneath his pillowcase to enjoy the party. He slumped into his chair ruffling his hair in frustration,sipping slowly from his drink.

"For how long will your words continue to haunt me? Can't you just forget me?" He chuckled painfully.

Clenching his teeth against the turmoil in his head, his grip on the tumbler tightened, and without warning it shattered. The tumbler seemed to be a mirror of his heart, once shattered.

Layla, seated across the room, noticed what was going on with him, seeing in between his facade. She wanted to comfort him badly, to erase the agony and pains he seemed to be hiding behind the cold aura. Yet, her legs refused to move, still bearing the scars of his public rejection.

Blake's gaze dropped to his palm, where blood seemed from his palm onto the broken glass. He sighed and shut his eyes.

But then, a faint blue glow emanated from his palm, healing the wounds. The broken glass reassembled, forming a new tumbler. Just like his heart, but no matter how much you try, you can't rid your mind off the fact that the tumbler has been shattered once.

***

(Back in the human world)

Pearl sat alone in the crowded cafeteria characterised by beauty, wealth and elegance. The sound of laughter, chattering and clicking of utensils filled the air. She stared at her modest lunch; Spaghetti and meat balls, lost in thoughts.

Mrs. Craig enrolled her into Oakville Highschool earlier today, she has an affiliation with the principal, so it was quite easy registering and resuming without taking any tests.

She'd never imagined attending highschool, not to talk about one as classy and expensive as Oakville High.

As she gazed around the cafeteria, she felt more than grateful for having bumped into Charlene when she did. Knowing that if not for her encounter with Charlene she'd have been back on the streets.

Pearl noticed a group of wealthy looking students taunting a poorer kid. They mocked her outdated shoes and backpack. The kid's eyes dropped, her face reddening in embarrassment.

Pearl's heart ached, remembering her own struggles. Those nights when she would go to bed on hungry stomach, and days when she'd be sent to hawk under the rain by the lady that used to tend for the homeless kids.

Just then, a calm voice called her out of her reverie.

"Hi, Pearl"

She looked up to find a pair of Caramel brown eyes staring at her.

"Hey, Pearl" the voice repeated louder this time.

Pearl's gaze locked onto the speaker's his chiseled features and charming smile causing her heart to accelerate.

"Hi...you know my name" she replied amusement clear in her eyes.

"Yeah, we're in the same grade" he replied "I'm Smith J. Smith, see you around" he winked and flashed her a bright smile before walking away.

As he walked away, Charlene's gaze lingered on him, then she noticed the guards trailing behind him. Their discreet earpieces and stern expression seemed to Pearl, a total contrast to Smith's nature.

"Smith J. Smith" she muttered, with piqued curiosity...

"I'm here now" Somebody whispered from a table across her "If I don't have Smith, no one else will"...