2. Life Playing a Game

"You are such a nerd." Anna and stace complaint to me. It was lunch time and we were sitting in our usual seats. The whole cafeteria was full of people and I could hear the chitter chatter of everyone as I put the notebook aside.

"No I'm not!" I protested.

"Yeah? I don't recall anyone being stupid enough to study during lunch." Stace rolled her eyes at me.

"Hey! Don't say that. I'm not stupid! And what is it with you and the others calling me nerd? Let me make it clear, I AM NOT A NERD. God! Can this day get any worse?"

I swear I could see Anna and Stace watching me a little scared at my sudden burst of emotions. But you can't blame me! I don't like when people assume I am a nerd, just because I was reading something or the fact that I like maths.

"Relax girl, we were just kidding...Not really," I glared at her at this, "but yeah, as long as you say you are not a nerd. You aren't, okay?" She paused to look at me approving her, "But who is this 'other people' calling you nerd?"

The 'other people' I don't want to remember. The 'other' people annoying me, which brings me back to the moment during maths class.

"Amelia? Back to Earth." They waved their hands in front my face, "Give us an answer. Who?" They asked.

"Damien." I said casually shrugging my shoulders.

If their eyes could pop out they would have, but thank god they were still intact.

"Damien!? As in the hottest boy in school right now? It's gotta be him! There is no one named Damien apart from him." They squealed together.

Hehe. Girls ugh!

"So begin your story," Anna checked her watch, "your time starts now." She tapped it.

I looked at her weirdly before sitting straight, "Okay, so I was taking my books for the maths class when I came face to face with Damien." I held my finger out before they could say something, "Before you say something, yes it was a coincidence. Yes again. So anways it went something like this,

Flashback

"Hey is it your maths class?" Damien asked me coming and walking beside me.

"Fortunately?" He gave me a look, "You like maths?"

"Yes I do." I told him, "Who doesn't like maths?" I let out a chuckle, "Anyways I am gonna go or I'll be late for my class."

"Hey wait Amelia," Damien said catching up with me.

"Even I have my maths class, I think we are going to the same class."

I sighed, he isn't going to leave me anytime soon.

"Amelia?" He said waving his hands on front of my face--trying to get my attention.

"Yeah?"

"I was thinking about skipping the class. Would you like to come with me?" He asked wriggling his brows.

"What? No, ofcourse not." I gave him a look, "I literally just told you I love maths class. Why would you even assume I would skip it?" 

"Oh come on! It will be fun." He protested.

"You're such a nerd."

"No. Don't you dare call me a nerd." I glared at him. I hated when people called me nerd. Because I wasn't one! 

"Geez. I won't, okay Li?"

I nodded my head at him in approve before staring at him, "What did you call me? Li?" I asked.

"Well yes, you know Amelia, Lia , Li. I kind of liked it."

"Li, seriously." I couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

What a weird name to give someone. Li. I don't know if I hate it completely or like it a little bit.

"There was nothing to laugh about," he said with a straight face before breaking out into a smile, "but it feels nice to see you smile...you should often keep smiling." 

I cleared my throat before looking around awkwardly. I know he just complimented me but, it was still so weird to listen to a guy compliment me. Especially, after so long.

I cleared my throat again before pointing in the direction of the class, "I-I am gonna go or I would get late for the class."

"Bye Li." He said going to the other direction, "I am still going to skip the classes, so I will meet you tommorow in the class."

Present

"Wow." Anna and stace, both said silently.

"What is so 'wow' about the situation?" I asked tiredly rubbing my eyes.

"Girls out there are dying to talk to Damien. And look at you 'coincidentally' having meet cute with him. Not once but twice. Girl, he gave you a cute nickname too! If that isn't ship worthy, I refuse to acknowledge you as my friend." Anna shook her head.

" I don't know." I sighed, "I don't want to take a risk again." I fell silent looking down at the closed book now.

"We know after that inci-" Stace stopped mid-sentence noticing the change in my mood.

Sighing for god knows fiftieth time today I said, " I know."

"But Mia, you have to move on. Not all of them are the same." Anna said with softness in her eyes.

"I don't think so. Every guy is the same." Staring at my hands I said, " And please can we stop this conversation here?"

"Yeah sure!" Anna said in understanding while placing her hands on mine which were laying on the table. I noticed Stacey did the same when a small smile appeared on my face, "Just remember that we are always there for you Mia, even if that 'always' means us digging a pit to dispose a body off."

I laughed at that, "You know, I love you both so much. What would I do without you."

"We know we are irresistable." I rolled my eyes at that, "Luckily, we both love you too." 

I couldn't help but go and hug the life out of them.

***

I was just there, just a few more streets to go and I'll be home. God, it had been a long day. I just want to go home, take a hot shower and change into something comfortable.

I was walking down the streets when I heard footsteps behind me. I whirled around just to see no one there. I turned back and continued walking when I could hear the footsteps again. This time a little closer.

Suddenly, I was grabbed by the waist and twirled around.

I crashed against a hard chest. My eyes went straight to his eyes and as always I was mesmerised by his green eyes. 

I took a step back immediately, not wanting to stare at those green eyes again.

"Hi Amelia." he said.

"Hi Evan," I said still not meeting his eyes, "What are you doing here? You shouldn't be here."

He sighed, "Look Amelia, I know me appearing out of nowhere after god knows how many years is shocking."

"Yeah definitely. Much more than you think."

He was silent for a while,"I came here to talk to you. Talk to you about US."

This time I looked up only to meet his intense stare. He looked the same as always, just more muscular, and if possible good looking. Same sharp jawline, same green mesmerising eyes which once drawned me into them. But the person in front of me was not the same Evan I knew.

"I don't think there's anything to talk about anymore, Evan." I glared at him. After what he did. There was no way I was going to talk to him. Talk to him about us.

"Ofcourse, there is the need to talk." He looked down.

"Understand this, that we are done." I said trying to make it clear that I didn't want to do anything with him.

"No, we're not!" He said stubbornly.

Who is he to decide if we are done or not? Who gives him the right?

"Yes we are. Now please leave me." I closed my eyes. Avoiding to look at him.

"I'm not leaving until we talk."

God. How can one be so stubborn. Isn't a 'please' good enough? Do I have to go extreme measures?

"You can stay here for as long as you want." I mumbled, "But we are never talking about it." And with that I turned and stomped my feet. After a while I looked back again to make sure he wasn't there anymore. I sighed a breath of relief when I didn't see him following me anymore. 

Just five minutes more and I'll be home. Suddenly, I heard the footsteps behind me again.

I knew Evan was not going to give up easily.

As the footsteps grew closer. I stopped in my tracks. Anger was consuming me. Evan you are so dead. I tried to warn you. 

The footsteps stopped too. I turned around. Anger written all over my face, only to loose into blue eyes.

 Not what I was expecting. I was expecting green, not blue.

But then I took the appearance of the person. Definitely better looking than Evan. Meeting 'coincidentally' for the third time.

I suddenly looked down realising that he had noticed that I was checking him out.

"Are you done, checking me out?" He asked amused.

A small blush crept up on my cheeks.

Stop blushing Amelia! Are you stupid? You will make a fool out of yourself.

"What are you doing here? Ar..Are you following me? Again?" I asked trying to change the subject before realising the gravity of it. 

Damn. Was he really following me? Is he a stalker?

"First of all, I wasn't following you then, nor am I following you now, Li." He sighed, " what do you think of me? I don't have anything else to do other than following you?" He asked.

I looked down guiltily. I guess I was wrong, huh. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Li. I just wanted to clear your misunderstanding about me."

I nodded my head in understanding before looking at him in a questioning way, "What are you doing here though?"

"What would a person do after school?" He asked smilingly like I was dumb, "Go home. Right?" He asked.

"Wait! Are you trying to say you live here?"

He thought for a while and then answered, "Maybe," and with that he laughed, "Li! I'm here after school, telling you indirectly that I live here. And still you ask me if I live here." He shook his head.

I felt embarassed, "I'm sorry." I muttered again.

He looked at me intently and said, "Don't be sorry, it happens."

I nodded and started walking again.

Why does Damien need to live near me? Our coming across each other was already the talk of school. I did not want to give more air to the fire.

I hate my life. I seriously do hate you! Life!

Damien started walking beside me. I kept a little distance between us as we walked together. Strangely, it felt somewhat good and warm!

After a minute passed, Damien asked, "Li?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Is everything alright?" He asked concerned.

I fell silent for some time, "Yeah...why?" I answered in a mere whisper.

"Nothing." He stated but I could see him through my peripheral vision, watching me intently.

I hummed in response.

We were walking silently when he again broke it, "Don't."

Confused I turned to him, "huh?"

"What I mean is, don't be like this."

I stared at him, "Well thank you, Damien...but I don't need anyone's concern."

"See, this is what I was talking about. Be your feisty self." He smiled.

I shook my head smiling.

I stopped walking making him stop too, "I think it is time to say goodbye." I said pointing at my house.

"Really? I live there!" He said pointing at the house just in front of ours. "Maybe it's a coincidence that I got my house just in front of yours too." He winked at me.

What? Hahaha. Should I be laughing at my life right now. Is it really planning to play this game with me? Not even the same neighborhood. No. Freaking neighbors.

"Bye Amelia...see ya tommorow." He said turning towards his house.

"Bye Damien." I replied back, "and I hope we never cross each others way ever again but I doubt it's ever going to happen." I whispered too low for him to listen.

He turned his head and asked, "did you just say something?"

"No...nothing, nothing at all." I smiled sweetly.

He nodded and disappeared into his house.

And as for me...well, with heavy legs,  I too went and collapsed onto my bed.

__