3
I bought a ticket for the only horror movie showing. The theater was located in the city's neutral zone, so fights or any confrontation between gangs were prohibited. I simply ignored the small group in line for another movie. They were laughing loudly and wearing black jackets with the Red Lily emblem on their backs.
They were members of the Lily Gang, rulers of half the city, involved in the illegal sale of weapons and drugs. To make matters worse, they had the police eating out of their hands. Well, that wasn’t even the worst part, but it irritated me to no end.
I ended up buying a large popcorn, chocolates, and two sodas. The smell of the theater was unique, and it felt great to know I still loved it.
I entered the cold theater, scanning for the most comfortable row to watch from. I chose a middle seat at the edge, avoiding a few people and couples. Excited and eager to shove popcorn into my mouth, I sat down, only to be confused when I saw the same guy from the diner sitting right next to me.
His brown eyes caught mine, his brow slightly furrowed, and his elbow rested on the armrest. We were the only ones sitting in this row, and before I could get up, the lights dimmed, and the trailers began.
I sipped my soda, forcing myself to stay quiet, and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the guy also remained seated.
"You can have this if you want," I offered, holding out the extra drink.
He hesitated but eventually accepted it. I turned my attention back to the screen, but I could still feel his gaze burning into me. He wasn’t even trying to be subtle about it.
As the movie went on, I started to relax, sinking into the seat and devouring the popcorn without stopping. Sure, we had a TV at the reform school, but the limited selection of shows didn’t even come close to a chilly movie theater with popcorn in hand.
About halfway through the movie, I offered the popcorn bucket to the still-nameless guy. He took some, and we laughed together during the jump scares. Anyone watching us would probably think we were good friends. It was a strange yet oddly pleasant feeling at the same time.
I left the theater as the credits started rolling. I didn’t say goodbye to the guy; I just threw my trash away and followed the crowd into the cold, star-filled night. The temperature had dropped enough that my breath formed clouds in the air. I pulled the hood over my head and stuffed my hands into my pockets as I headed toward the parking lot.
"Hey."
Someone called out, making me stop and turn around. It was the brown-eyed, handsome-faced guy.
"Do you like beer?" he asked, stopping in front of me, allowing me to see his face more clearly and catch the faint scent of his woody, minty cologne.
"Do you have beer?" I asked, frowning.
He smiled, transforming his once-tense face into something incredibly attractive and youthful.
"No, but I can buy some," he said, holding my gaze.
I shifted my weight between my feet, watching the crowd leaving the theater.
"Fine, but we’ll take my car," I agreed, seeing him shrug. "And you’re paying," I added, making him smile again.
"Fair enough, I’m the one inviting," he replied.
Even though I liked the idea of drinking beer after so long, I stayed still, staring at him, assessing his sharp features and inviting lips. I waited for him to tell me his name, but all he did was hold my gaze.
"Alright," I muttered and led him to Kenji’s car in the parking lot.
"Is this your car?" he asked, staring at the white Lamborghini in surprise.
"A friend’s. He lent it to me," I replied, opening the door and watching his eyes roam over the car with interest. "Want to drive?" I asked.
"Really?"
"I don’t mind." I tossed the keys in his direction, fully aware that Kenji would freak out if he knew I let someone he didn’t know touch his new prized possession.
"I’ve never driven a Lamborghini before," he said as he got into the car. It was hard to stop looking at him now that we were talking, and the anger over him stealing my burger had faded. "Can I go fast?" he asked, looking at me with a challenge in his eyes.
"It’d be boring if you didn’t," I replied as I walked around the car and sat beside him. "Let’s go buy the beer."
We were in an empty parking lot behind the convenience store where he had bought the beers. Leaning against the hood, I stared at the cold drink, while the guy beside me was already halfway through his.
For the tenth time that night, my phone started vibrating in my pocket, but I kept ignoring it, knowing I still had time before facing my dad and all the responsibilities waiting for me.
"I still don’t know your name," I said, turning to the guy. His brown hair shifted in the wind, and he absentmindedly ran his fingers through it, pushing it back.
"You can call me Mat," he replied in a husky voice.
"Ryu," I said, even though no one called me that. If he knew my real name, he’d probably walk away immediately.
"You’re new in town," he pointed out, studying my face.
I took my first sip of the beer. The taste was so strong and disgusting that I spat it out.
"What the hell! You’ve never had a drink before?" he grumbled, confused.
I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, glaring at the beer. Since when had it tasted so awful, and when had I gotten used to liking this crap?
"I haven’t had alcohol in months," I admitted, my voice faltering.
"Why?"
His blunt question caught my gaze.
"I spent six months in juvie," I answered without bothering to lie again. I took another sip of the beer, feeling it burn as it went down, my skin tingling with disgust.
"Seriously?" he pressed, still watching me.
I gave him a small smile, expecting judgment, but he just stared at me with even more interest.
"Got out today."
"That explains you eating that burger like you were starving," he teased, tilting his head.
My eyes were drawn to the small smile on the corner of his lips.
"You really were starving," he continued, laughing softly.
I rolled my eyes, trying not to smile along with him.
"Screw you," I muttered, taking another sip and avoiding his gaze for too long.
"Why were you in juvie?"
I stayed silent, staring at the sea of stars above us. Mat chuckled quietly, realizing I wouldn’t give him that answer.
"Is this your first time in town?" he asked, shifting beside me and grabbing another beer.
"No, my family lives here," I replied without hesitation. "But you’re new here," I noted, finishing the beer and tossing it across the small parking lot, shattering it against the brick wall.
"I was living farther south," he explained, studying me. "I got here pretty much when you left," he added, forcing me to look at him.
I blinked, feeling trapped in the intense brown of his eyes. A cold wind blew past, carrying his tempting scent. A shiver ran down my spine, leaving me dizzy and acutely aware of the heat radiating from his body.
I didn’t know how long we spent staring at each other, but the desire to feel his touch hit me hard, so strongly that my heart pounded painfully.
"Do you have a girlfriend?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.
"No," Mat replied, suppressing a laugh.
I shook my head, feeling my heartbeat in my temples. Mat studied me as I stepped away from the car, positioned myself between his legs, and touched his neck. He didn’t react, only tilted his head and lowered his gaze to my lips.
"If you don’t want this, just push me away," I murmured, feeling his breath mix with mine.
I waited for a reaction for long seconds, but Mat didn’t push me away. Taking it as an invitation, I kissed him softly. His lips were warm, and he smelled so good that it made me even more aroused—or maybe I was just too deprived, and any touch from a handsome guy was enough to send my heart racing.
I shuddered when his calloused hand slid under my shirt, touching the feverish, sensitive skin of my waist before moving to my back. I cupped his face, appreciating the sharp line of his strong jaw. With my thumb, I tilted his chin up and ran my tongue across his lips. Mat followed my lead, deepening the kiss without hesitation.
Even with the bitter taste of beer, kissing him was incredible. Mat knew exactly what to do and didn’t seem to mind my desperate, eager movements. My heart skipped a beat when he pulled me closer, letting me feel his hard-on against my thigh. I smiled against his mouth, relieved I wasn’t the only one excited by something as simple as a kiss and some touches.
I nibbled his lower lip, gripping the back of his neck, but when his slightly cold hand brushed my throat, I melted against him, lost in his kiss and the feel of his body. I was so consumed by desire that I startled when he suddenly pushed me away, snapping me back to the cold night that reeked of alcohol.
"What the..." I began, but the words died when I noticed his scared expression and tense body.
"Are you one of them?" he asked hoarsely, his voice dripping with disdain. That’s when I saw my beanie in his hand.
Still disoriented, I touched my hair, feeling the unruly strands under my trembling fingers. Who in this damned city didn’t recognize the Hebi gang and its members with platinum-blonde hair, white leather jackets, and sharp, angular eyes like mine?
"No," I lied easily, taking a step toward him.
Mat stepped back, not breaking his gaze from my hair, and the fear in his expression made me nervous.
"I’m not one of them. I just wanted to do something bold after being stuck in juvie for so long," I said with a sheepish smile, reminding him where I’d been. "Maybe it wasn’t the best idea, huh?" I joked, forcing him to meet my eyes.
My heart pounded as I waited for his reaction. I didn’t want him to leave—I still wanted to kiss him more, to know what his skin tasted like, and, if he agreed, to screw until we couldn’t move.
I swallowed hard, watching him exhale deeply.
"This..." he began, taking a deep breath. "This is a mess," he finally said, looking back at me.
I smiled, feeling a bit more relaxed.
"Yeah, I know," I agreed, watching a soft smile take over his lips.
Mat leaned against the car again, still holding my beanie in his clenched fist. As much as I wanted to, I didn’t approach him. I stayed on the opposite end of the hood, my hands itching to touch him. A tense silence fell between us, and I licked my lips, sneaking glances at him, wondering if he could still taste me on his.
"Are you going to the public school on the other side of town?" Mat asked.
"No, the Elite Red Fox," I replied, knowing I should’ve already been re-enrolled.
The Elite Red Fox was the most prestigious private school in the state, filled with smart students with promising futures. It was also home to the Lilies, who got in thanks to the massive donations made every month. The school was in neutral territory, where fights and disputes between gangs were strictly forbidden.
"Really?"
"Is it so hard to believe I’m smart?"
Mat laughed, completely breaking the tense atmosphere between us.
"Here," he said, stretching his hand toward me.
I smiled at him before reaching for the beanie, but Mat didn’t let go of it.
"Want to come to my place?" he murmured, stealing every beat of my heart.
"I do."