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7. Bad boys story

'Please be a dream please please' I mumbled to myself, clenching my eyes shut with hands into fists by my side. When I opened my eyes he was still staring at me with that ridiculous grin on his face. Why was he everywhere? I thought bitterly.

"Anya" My mother nudged me which was enough for me to snap out of my daze. Damon's lips quirked at that. Of course, he would find my misery amusing. Rolling my eyes at him I moved closer to my mother's side.

"This is my eldest...Top of her class-"

"Mom" I interrupted her before she could go on and on about my achievements. It was embarrassing to stand there not knowing what to do while she praises me, more likely flaunts but whatever.

My mom glared at me but laughed, "She's a bit shy."

Mr Smith gave me a look which made me shift on my feet. What was going on with him? I averted my eyes towards Mrs Smith who had a radiant smile on her face. How was she doing it?

Mrs Smith shook her head, "Aren't they all? You are smart and pretty, just like your mother then?!"

I awkwardly smiled while my mom blushed and shook her head in false modesty. My mother was eating it up, the praise and probably more excited than everyone collectively in the party.

"And this is my youngest, Aechia. She's in middle school and..."

I tuned out after that, feeling Damon's eyes on me. He was casually standing beside Mr Smith. Now that I noticed they didn't look much alike and Mrs Smith seemed too young to be his mother.

"Anya is in the same school" My dad clapped at my shoulder as if to bring my attention back. I gave him an apologetic look and focused back on the conversation.

"Is she? That's excellent news! Damon will finally have someone as smart as him to hang around then?" Mrs Smith laughed while Damon had no expression on his face at that comment. Did he not like me all of a sudden? I tried not to overthink about that.

Mrs Smith was waiting for my answer when I nodded my head. What more do I say to that? My mother, however, did not look impressed at my nod.

"Damon, hon, why don't you show these both around? I'm sure they would love to see your art"

Damon clenched his jaw tight, his eyes dark but he blinked back and turned towards me, "Sure"

Well, that didn't sound like the excited sure. Aechia did not even hesitate before trailing behind him. The only reason I followed her because I cared for her safety and not because I wanted to see his art.

"Wait!" I yelled behind her to which she increased her pace. That cunning- Damon looked over his shoulder at the obvious struggle I was having walking with the shoes. We were at the corner of some long hallway which led to the balcony.

"Thanks" I panted

When he brushed it off I turned towards Aechia and flicked her forehead. She winced, recoiling at the touch and immediately slapped my arm away, very hard.

"Some of these days you will get killed for real" I gritted staring down at her.

"Imagine that!" She made a joyful sound at that.

Damon stared for a second, lost in his own thoughts before he opened his mouth. There was a teasing glint in his eyes, "The dramatic streak runs in the family then?"

I sighed, "Unfortunately no we got Aechia from church steps"

Aechia gasped, slapping my arm away, "That's exactly what mom said about you!"

"I don't believe you" I rolled my eyes at her.

Aechia shrugged, "Too bad then you'll never know your real parents"

Damon laughed an unexpected cackle which he quickly covered as I stared at him. He extended his hand towards Aechia and they shared a high five. Great! That's the last thing I needed.

"I like you more than your sister"

Aechia shrugged nonchalantly, "Not the first time I heard that"

My mouth fell open at that. She really needs to tone down watching on those rubbish TV series. That's how she is getting that sass. Not like me who is genuinely funny.

"That's enough you two"

Damon made a face, "But we haven't even started yet"

Aechia's face lightened up. It's like the scene where Nemo finally meets his dad. She bobbed her head.

"Right! I have so many secrets of her that we can tease about-"

My palms covered her mouth before she could reveal something embarrassing, like my secret Tumblr blog or my obsession with cocoa puffs. Both of the things very harmful for Damon to know. I would never be able to live down the embarrassment if he finds out.

"Will you stop that?"

"Why? Are you jealous?" Aechia raised her eyebrow to which Damon smirked. His eyes were set on me, waiting for my answer.

I coughed, shaking my head at her ridiculous question. Why would I be jealous of her? Sure she and Damon bonded and decided to make fun of me. I mean he did say he liked her better than me - no I was definitely not jealous.

"You don't have to worry. He's all yours I don't date artists"

"Hey!" Damon made an offended sound.

I narrowed my eyes at her, "Are you done?"

"Yes," She pushed my hand away from her face. Fortunately, there was no one nearby the hallway who would justify that I was trying to shut up Aechia. Atleast she will not be able to play that card.

"What is your 'art'?" Aechia asked walking in between me and Damon. I was relieved at the distance.

"Eh, it's nothing" Damon ducked his head, stuffing his hands in the pockets.

"Come on! It can't be that embarrassing"

"Uhh...it isn't. I paint. Mostly acrylic but by graffiti's are best too." He answered staring at me.

I gulped nervously, "That's interesting"

"I would like to think so"

"Do they have a chocolate bar here?" Aechia suddenly questioned

"I bet they do in the freezer. Go straight and then left you'll find them"

"Thanks" With that Aechia patted my shoulder and ran past me.

"Aechia stop!"

"I'll be back soon" She yelled over her shoulder and then she was gone, leaving me all alone with Damon.


We chose to wait in the balcony instead of mingling back in the crowd. The air was crisp and hitting my face just gentle enough to blow the locks on my forehead. Damon, on the other hand, was quiet, silent. He stood beside me, leaning against the grills and staring at the skyline. The view was breathtaking from four storeys up where we were standing. If I got to witness something like that daily I would never complain about anything. I bet Mrs Smith chose the house for the very reason.

"Damon" I quietly whispered, breaking the silence. He didn't turn around but his quiet hum was an indication that he did hear me out.

"Can I ask you something?"

He was quiet at that and for a second I thought that I ruined the moment.

"Sure"

His reply was enough to make me go ahead with the question.

"So why this town?" I questioned, still staring at the view below me.

He breathed, "This is my hometown. My family used to live in this very pa- house."

My eyebrows rose in surprise. I had no idea that he was going, to be honest about it. This was my chance of getting to know him more. Find out the reason why most of the people in the school gossiped about him and were scared of him.

"Oh. Why did you leave then? This is a peaceful place to live in. Don't you think?"

I faced him. His side to me as his grip on the grill tightened.

"It is a peaceful place- quite beautiful too" He sighed before turning towards me.

"You really want to know the reason why I left this place? Why the students in school can't stop talking about me? Why they fear me?"

My throat tightened at that. How did he know that? How did he know that I was after the truth? At my silence and pale face, he let out a short laugh, shaking his head.

"I don't blame you really. Most of them want to know why"

"Tell me then" I cleared my throat, finally finding the right words to say to him.

He flashed his eyes at me, enough to have me take a step back.

"Are you sure you would be able to handle the reason?"

"Yes," I firmly replied, my heart beating faster in my chest. The sound of my heavy breathing echoed in my ears.

"The reason I left this town is that I served time... four years to be exact because I killed my family and lit our house on fire"

My eyes widened at that and I held my breath, waiting for him to laugh it off as a joke but that never happened.


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