Masked Facade

Chapter 6: Magician

It pained me to admit that he was right. He made her see what I failed to show her. But the path he chose was never good enough to justify himself.

"Give me one good reason for your actions, Ryan. Why?"

He opened his mouth only to close it and he repeated it couple of times as if he wasn't sure how should he respond me. He didn't even try to have a decent conversation with her. Heck, he never spared a glance in her direction for that matter. So why this sudden interest? Why he felt the need to protect her from Luke? Why on earth he did whatever he did?

Possibilities clashed inside my head but shaking my head, I quickly shoved it off. I wanted to hear from him his reasons rather than assuming stuff.

"Cat got your tongue?" I asked him again, craning my neck to look him in the eyes.

"Here's the thing. How about you let this shit go and we can never clash paths with each other again?"

Please tell me he wasn't having an illusion of being my friend!

"Even I don't want to do anything with you but tell me the damn reason!" I didn't realize how my voice raised but I felt like it was necessary.

"It's just that... She isn't like others out there."

"What do you mean?"

"I know me and also... other guys who try their best to be me. Luke wasn't an exception. He is -"

"A douche bag? Like you?" I butted in to complete what he started. A rather loud groan left his lips at my accusation.

"You know what? Why don't you just get the hell out of this place?" He was trying to be my boss at that moment but he didn't know a thing about me. I am the boss of myself. I closed the distance between us and neared him dangerously close for my own good and poked him in the centre of his chest.

"You don't tell me what I should do, Ryan. You maybe the golden boy or the player but I don't give a damn about it. Just. Stay. Away. From. Thea." My words were clipped just so his mind could grasp it. And with that I made my way out of the locker room. While storming past few guys, I heard someone saying 'naive bitch'. I could care less about what those jocks thought about me.

This was me. I didn't need people's certificate on my behavior. I never believed in the popular and unpopular kids. For me, everyone were just students of Brown High. I'd be as sweet as honey when treated well. Once you walk over me for your advantage, I'll just plainly ignore your presence. After all, karma is a bitch.

But Thea was opposite of me. She was shy, reserved and a little bit insecure when it came to popular guys and girls. I didn't blame her but she should learn to see through someone else's lies.

I didn't realize that I marched in the direction of the parking lot. Rubbing away the slight ache in my temple, I slid into my car and left behind the school.

******

"Thea, please. Talk to me. Let me in. Do something!" I pleaded her desperately and hoped that maybe she'll come out her room.

"I don't deserve you or anyone in that matter, Alice." Her voice came out all groggy and I heard a sniffle from the other side of the door. At that moment, I wished for that door to be invisible. "I didn't trust you when you warned me numerous times. Again and again. My love for Luke blinded me from seeing what you were trying to protect me from."

"First, you deserve better than this. Better than him, at least. And secondly, the only person besides Zach whom I trust undeniably is you. I just want you to know that I am here and I am not going anywhere until and unless you don't come out."