The Challenge.

(SLADE’S POV)

Life can be a bitch you know!

After the first day I set my eyes on Makaira five years ago, I didn’t see her until the first day school resumed after the Christmas holiday.

My dad had invited some kids from my school to celebrate Christmas with us and so I automatically assumed that she was one of the kids.

I should have found out more about her but she provoked so much emotions from me that I didn’t want to know anything about her. Not even her name.

Maybe if I had done my research, I would have noticed the same surname she shared with Mrs Shanice. And maybe I woukd havw not been too blind ans stupid to ignore the striking resemblance they shared.

Maybe I would have not been such a jerk and a terrible person to her.

If I had known that I would have a shot at being so close to her, then maybe I wouldn’t have been such an asshole—

“That was so great!!” Makaira exclaimed as we feel in to step with each other. We had just finished a ride at the Ferris wheel, an experience I didn’t enjoy.

“You looked like you were about to die.” I replied not looking up from my emails I was checking.

She snorted at me. “You looked like you were about to die.”

“I was.” I agreed putting my phone away. “About to die of boredom.”

She rolled her eyes and my eyes fluttered at how beautiful they were.

“Everything has been boring to you.” She replied. “It wasn’t just the Ferris wheel. There was the carousel, the swing chair and even the zipper.” She turned to me with a raised eyebrow. “I never imagined someone could be so stiff in the middle of a chaotic scene.”

She looked genuinely perplexed and I found that hilarious. If I was any normal person, I may have laughed.

“Wr should get goung home.” I glanced at my wristwatch but when I looked at Makaira’s face, I knew she didn’t like that.

“We have been her for two hours.” I said to her disagreeing expression.

“One hour, thirty eight minutes.” She corrected me with her finger held up and then her strict face, softened. “We can stay a little more. Don’t you want to do the archery challenge? It looks like your vibe.”

“No, I’m not interested in that.”

I expected her face to fall but it didn’t, instead, she raised her chin slightly harder but kept that pouty expression on.

“Well, I am. I saw a lot of studies whej we passed there, you know, on our way to the soda stand.” She explained.

I frowned. “You saw a lot of what?”

“Stuffed animals.” She replied me with a sheepish smile.

Silence.

She is such a doll! Where did she get that from? I mean, who says that? Stuffies??

“Just the Archery challenge and we can home. Please.” Her bottom lip was sticking out now and her eyes looked so adorable I wanted to take a picture.

I narrowed my eyes because I was worried I would grab her cheek if I stared at her for one more second.

“Fine. Just the archery.” I murmured.

“Yay!” She squealed excitedly and then she grabbed my arm. “We have to hurry then. There may be a queue.”

She was chattering about something as we were on our way to the archery stahd but to be honest, I wasn’t even listening to any of that.

I was starring at her hand on my arm. If she had an idea of what her touch did to my body, she would be running away frim me at every chance she got.

“Great it’s empty.” She said as we approached flower.

I said nothing, somehow unable to stop looking at the way she grasped me. I liked it. And I hated that I liked it.

“I’ll be fucking damned!” A familiar voice made me look up. “Wow! Is this Slade Horton or am I being deceived by jist two cups of baby cocktails.”

Harry Oswold, a second year senior intern at My dad’s company.

He was dressed like he came from the office, buttoned up shirt tucked in tailored pants and he was starring back at me with a cocky grin and his mischievous brown eyes.

My teeth gnashed one another and I wished I hadn’t melted for Makaira’s cute face. Because I would do anything in my power to avoid crossing paths with this annoying hypocrite.

“Nice to see you man.” He grabbed my hand and shook it. I took my hand out in no time.

“This isn’t anything like your scene? What are you doing here?”

I didn’t get a chance to answer because his eyes flickered to Makaira and his mood shifted instantly. The shift of expression was too clear. His mouth was slightly left agape and his eyes… they were eating her up in my front.

I took an impulsive step forward and that seemed to break him out. He cleared his throat, smoothened his stupid black gelled hair and slipped his hands in his pocket like he was supposed to be cool.

“You must me Kaira.” He said taking her hand in his and bending over to give it a kiss.

Kaira looked at me confused and just as I was about to react, Harry released his grip.

“You look even more beautiful than the media presented you to be, My God.” He gushed.

Kaira’s eyes widened and her cheek turnef red. My chest tightened, was she enjoying the compliments? Maybe she likes him.

“I’m Harry Oswald but everyone calls me Oz. I work at Mr Horton’s company.” He introduced placing one of his hands on his chest. “It’s a great pleasure to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Kaira said, softly. Too softly.

Oz gave Makaira another deep look and then glanced behind us, at the stand. “Are you here for archery?”

“Yes.” Kaira nodded and I hate the polite way she smiled at him.

“Are you any good?” He asked.

“Not really.” She said with a little laugh that annoyed me further. “I just want to have fun and see if I can win a little stuffed bear.”

“Well, don’t worry about that. I’m a good shot.” He said raising his shoulders high.

“She’s with me, Oz.” I didn’t even know when I spoke up, but I wasn’t ready to stop. “I’ll win the toy for her.”

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Makaira look up sharply, probably wide eyed but I didn’t even look back at her.

Oz was wearing a stupid smile on his face, that smile that said ‘you’re only doing this to compete with me’

“Really? You think you can?” He challenged.

I glared at him.

The bastard knew I hated playing games. I never did at the company parties.

“Step back.” I challenged and took a step forward.

I sounded confident, even though I had never played this game in my life.