Array
(
[text] =>

ღ Finding Cinderella- 20 ღ

-Tristan-

I hadn't slept much these past few days. Ever since the piggyback ride, my mind had been divided between Kylie and Cinderella. I couldn't keep calm because I was honestly not sure I could handle the gnawing truth about them slowly making its way to the surface.

Fingers snapped in my field of vision, and I blinked several times.

"Earth to Tristan. Earth to Tristan," Grey chanted at my side. His voice sounded so far away because I had my earphones on and punk music was playing.

Meanwhile, the rest of our group was scarfing down half of my lunch like flies, and I made a half attempt to swat their hands away. I remembered the time when I used to run off with Kylie's lunch, and she'd get so mad, she'd start stringing curse words together that made no sense. I wanted to smile at the memory, but it didn't work.

"What?" I grumbled as I felt a nudge from Justin.

"Dude, quit sulking."

"I'm not sulking. I'm thinking."

He let out a curt laugh, almost like a scoff. "Yeah, right. Anyway, wanna come with us this weekend—?"

"Yeah, yeah," I cut him off so he wouldn't bother me anymore.

As I increased the volume on my phone, I was transported back to a deep part of my mind. And all I could see were different versions of Kylie in different timelines. When she was fourteen, in her ripped jeans and slanted baseball cap, smiling at me. Kylie in ninth grade, in an oversized jacket, her hair in braids, and she was humming Mario Kart Love Song while we were walking home together. Kylie in tenth grade, almost crying when, for the first time, she told me that she hated me. Then the present Kylie... in a white ball gown... no. No, no.

She couldn't possibly be the masked girl. It was absurd. I knew Kylie hated to doll herself up, let alone attend formal dances like the Valentine Ball. Aside from that, she was reckless and stubborn, whereas Cinderella was shy and graceful.

Those two were complete opposites.

But then again, I felt they were the same person.

I wanted to give it all up, but I had to push through the uncertainty. Doing this one last thing might be worth a shot.

-Kylie-

"I've been slacking off too much!" I cried, slamming my book against my forehead.

Julianne, Lacey, and I were sitting on the bleachers surrounding the track field since my lovestruck best friend had dragged us here to watch Pete playing frisbee with his friends. She was waving her hand up in the air like a manic fan in a sports event, totally ignoring my cries for help, and I winced.

I felt a nudge in my side, and I turned to see Lacey giving me a meaningful signal to look at the field. Heaving a sigh, I glanced over at the frisbee players who were running toward their target like a swarm of bumblebees.

The disc was thrown out high, and Erik leaped forward to catch it, a huge smile on his face. Seeing him happy made the corners of my mouth bend upward. His eyes suddenly flicked in my direction, and he gave me a 'what's up' nod, causing me to blush.

"Oooh," Lacey sang. "I didn't know Erik had his eyes on you."

Was that supposed to be a compliment or a joke?

I only rolled my eyes and returned to studying. My purpose had been to find peace in this place and carry on with my schoolwork, not stare at people, but I could hardly concentrate because of the noise.

Julianne let out another girly yelp, and I couldn't take it anymore. "You know what? You look like a silly, lovesick frog that's just waiting for some big old bug to fly in her mouth," I said.

Snapping her mouth shut, she turned to look at me. "Oh, hush. I just want to show my support for Pete."

"Right," I said. "You think you look normal from a distance? You actually look more like a stalker than anything. Watch out for the police dogs."

"A stalker? That's a strong accusation, Ky," she exclaimed, her hand flying to her chest like she was deeply offended. But I knew she was faking it.

"Whatever. Anyway, could you explain this part—" I was going to ask her about a math problem, but she automatically shot up from her seat as if there was a spring attached to her butt.

"Yes! They scored!" she was yelling.

I ran my hand over my face. "Julianne! Didn't you say you'd help me with this?" I said, tugging the hem of her shirt to make her sit down.

"Sorry, sorry." She laughed. Turning back to me, she added with a grin, "But it looks like you don't need my help anymore."

"What—?"

I almost jumped out of my skin when someone covered my eyes with their hands. I didn't have to wonder who that someone was because he'd done this to me so many times already that I had memorized the force and texture of his hands.

"Tristan, don't you have any talents or hobbies aside from being a royal pain in the neck?" I complained.

"If being awesome counts as a talent, then yes."

"Did you forget to take your meds again?"

Laughing, he removed his hands. I blinked a few times to regain my vision before I spun around to glare at him. He'd come here alone, and I wondered why his minions weren't with him.

"So what's up?" he asked, stepping down to our row to stand next to Lacey. "What are you girls doing here?"

"None of your business," I muttered. I caught Lacey giving us an amused look. She was puckering her lips as if she was trying to hold back a teasing joke or whatever. I gave her a warning glance.

"Don't tell me you're spying on him," Tristan spat bitterly as he directed his gaze to Erik on the field.

I gave him an 'are you crazy' look. "No, you idiot. I'm trying to study here." I showed him the book on my lap. "Whatever. No point explaining it to you. Look, if you're just here to horse around, could you at least do it some other time? I'm busy."

He gave me a devious smile, both of his dimples popping out. "Actually, I want to talk with you about something."

"I don't want to argue with you today, T."

"We won't argue if you just listen to me, Kyles."

I sighed, slamming my book shut and shoving it into my backpack. "Fine. What?" I asked.

He motioned Lacey and Julianne to leave us alone, and the girls complied without a problem. Hell, they were even smiling as he sat next to me, with only a few inches of space between us. I could feel his heat and smell his cologne.

"Well, you see—" he began.

"Tristan, will you please...?" I shooed him. When he didn't budge, I slid away.

"Did you forget what I said? Listen to me." He scooted closer.

I moved farther. "T, don't come any closer."

"Why?"

"Just don't come closer! You're creeping me out."

With his mouth tilting up in a half smile, he moved closer again, and my pulse started to race. "Okay, just once, hear me out. This may sound a little weird—"

Sliding away, I raised my hands to stop him. "Stay where you are," I insisted.

He only slid closer, damn it. "But I've had this question stuck in my head for the past few days..."

"That means you're finally thinking. Congratulations," I said, inching away. "Now would you back off? Our conversation would be much better if we were a meter away from each other."

Julianne and Lacey had been watching us from several rows above the bleachers. I tried to send them an 'SOS' look, but Tristan's heated glare stopped me mid-glance.

"I've wanted to talk with you about this for a long time, but I didn't have the nerve."

"I said back off," I demanded through clenched teeth.

"Then I thought I shouldn't waste my time anymore, so here I am."

I pulled myself away. "Dammit, Tristan, I'm warning you. Try to come near me, and you're dead. I swear I'm going to punch you so hard my fist will go through you," I told him, cracking my knuckles and trying to look as tough as possible.

My warning apparently sucked, though, since he continued to edge toward me, his eyes darkening. My body shuddered under his glare. This was about the Valentine Ball again, wasn't it? Now I regret having come along with Julianne. This place had smelled like trouble even before he had come here. I should've gone to the library instead.

"Don't joke about this, Kylie. This is very important. Do you understand?" he asked slowly, emphasizing each word. "Now, you have to answer me in all honesty."

"L-Let's stop this, Tristan, please," I muttered, casting my eyes down to avoid his. "I have to go."

I stood up from the seat and was about to walk away when he grabbed my wrist and yanked me down with force. My shoes squeaked against the aluminum plank as I twisted around, a loud gasp escaping me.

Before I could fall down the bleachers, his firm grip caught my shoulders. I looked up, and my cheeks immediately warmed when I saw Tristan's face a few inches away from mine. His gaze on me was so intense that if eyes could shoot out laser beams, they would surely pierce through my skull.

"Game over, now, Kylie. Tell me," he said, his voice unusually low.

I gulped.

"Where were you on the night of the Valentine Ball?"

[text_hash] => 70ccb7ad
)