13. I*******m

VIENNE'S POV

Another uproar.

I didn't think much of this before doing what I did last night before going to bed. I was merely appreciating something that looks good, but it turns out to be working for me.

“Ha!”

The tiny laughter escaped my lips on reflex at the chaos I had caused again.

Not in the school group; maybe partially.

But on I*******m.

And Minerva's high school students were almost everywhere. As my followers.

Posting Damon's picture on my page last night had stirred another huge ripple.

This time, last night, without any ulterior motives, I had posted the picture from the store on my I*******m and it had gone wild below the post overnight.

I smiled as the seemingly endless notifications of likes and reactions dinged nonstop.

It had subtly hinted at something that even I didn't think of.

Mom and dad said I went on a date yesterday evening?

Minerva's high student said it was with Damon Calloway.

And they had moved the discussion to the schools group page. 

My eyes narrowed at a thought. Yes, I had quoted nothing but let the people spin out stories on their own. With a smile, I scrolled through the comments without denying or approving their assumptions.

It's just a matter of time…

Except if Ryan is a robot and not human.

Except if the two years with Ryan was just nothing, he would definitely feel the heat from all these.

Going out with someone else shortly after our break up, right under his nose should question and mess with his ego.

*************

The bell rang for lunch break and I threw a sneer at the empty seat beside me. Was Calloway trying to humiliate me by going on ghost mode today? 

He's got guts skipping three periods straight. I sourly wondered where on earth he might have disappeared to before making my way to the cafeteria. 

Just as I received my food order and turned to go find a seat, the sight of Ryan greeted me.

He was with Amelia again.

They had bothered to walk into the cafeteria with a friend of his. I want to believe it's because their relationship is still new that is why they are almost always together.

We weren't this close.

Ryan would call it unnecessary and childish.

I had forgotten myself while standing until a snort escaped from his lips. He threw me one of those bored and distant gaze of his before walking off with his crew to find a seat.

Blood rushed to my scalp.

That wasn't the reaction I was expecting…

Well, we shouldn't rush the process; I'm just in a hurry to get back together with him. Whatever result I get should be my guide to the next plan. I gripped my food tray before looking round the hall for a seat and my eyes fell on a secluded table by a corner.

With a brooding look, Damon sat there as he calmly devoured whatever he had in his food tray. nose instinctively scrunched up in disappointment. He had the nerve to skip classes but come running into the cafeteria for food as soon as the bell rang?

Before I knew it, I had already matched towards his seat.

“Skipped classes but nothing would stop you from stuffing your stomach?” I taunted and his finger hand paused mid journey.

He finally and calmly raised his head to look at me and for a moment, my heart skipped a beat. My eyes lingered a bit on the old scar that peeked out from his hairline while his piercing green eyes assessed me carefully.

“Never knew stalkers get to judge” his voice was hoarse.

It took me a moment to realize what he said and I scoffed.

“Stop whining. I'm not a stalker. And stop pretending like you don't like the comments. I did a great job taking the clean picture. Had you been present in class today, you would have strengthened the people's assumption that we were going on a date last evening.”

“Didn't realize.” He gave me a monotonous response again; but somehow that didn't seem to make me feel less or uncomfortable. Realizing I've been standing, I took a seat before him settling my food down.

He abruptly stopped eating without raising his head, like he was processing the whole thing. Even I, could not believe what I was doing. For years, he'd always eaten alone and must have been waiting for me to leave after talking.

He questioningly raised at me one of his perfectly shaped brows.

“We have to make this whole thing seem real. We're supposed to be dating. It wouldn't make sense if we're always sitting away from each other.

“Suit yourself”

“Also if you are upset about the photo I posted, my bad. It was the thrill of the moment.”

“Hm. A certain person had hinted about notifying me to revise my jotter before going to bed, but they were actually busy creating chaos on the net.”

“Trust me Calloway, whatever happened last night wasn't even part of the plan”

“So you had wanted to upload my picture for no reason?” he murmured with a tiny smirk.

My lips tipped down at how he had interpreted the situation.

“Easy on your journey to obsession with me, Reyes”

And I was practically scowling right now. “Never knew you'd be so full of yourself”

“You might want to smile and ease the tension on your face right now. Your ex-boyfriend seemed to be looking over here” he said nonchalantly, causing me to choke a bit on my dessert.

Ryan was looking over? Was he really?

Right at the moment, I could feel the heat of his gaze on the back of my neck.

“Is he still looking?”

“Yeah”

I adjusted my hair, not knowing why I was getting unnecessarily giddy. “I don't have a food scrap on my lips right? Do I look pretty enough?”

A few seconds passed before his deep low voice rasped out. “Gorgeous”