soliloquy'

Repentance.

2008-12-12T06:14:00.000-08:00

As March ended and April came round, Damien had completely accepted the fact that Taylor was avoiding him. He knew well that she had every right to treat him like the dirt at the bottom of her shoe. He really had disrespected her and he was sorry that she was offended, but really, he never meant to do it. It came as a sort of revelation – after endless days after days telling himself he hated the girl, but Damien realized that he would never want to hurt Taylor. On the surface, with biting comments and sharp insults, yes, that brought him quite some sort of sadistic joy. But if he knew that he really had hurt her, deeply, emotionally, he would never be able to live with himself.
And that was what killed him. He was supposed to abhor the girl. She was supposedly the object of his consistent loathing. So why did he care so much about her feelings? He had a brief suspicion that he needed to place her as the one he couldn’t stand because he didn’t want to feel the other thing so close to hatred. They did say there was a thin line between love and hate. But that was ridiculous.
The possibility did nothing else but consume him and became a shell of what he used to be. He was distant with the twins and through Kat’s haze of worry and disappointment at Taylor’s lack of presence, even she managed to realize that there’s was something that wasn’t right with Damien. She’d tried to ask him about it many times, but he expertly avoided the subject like the plague and sometimes even resorted to stinging words and harsh comments which he never ever used on her. It shocked her at first, but Kat being a smart girl, knew what lay behind his callous demeanour. It was just an assumption, but however accurate she was, she would never knew. Kathryn Wu had an overbearing feeling that there was a lot more happening between Taylor and Damien than met the eyes. But what did she know?

It was another one of those lunches where Kat had begun pressing the damn issue again. It had become a sickening routine lately in Damien’s opinion. First she would rant on about how she missed the girl, then she would catch glimpse of Taylor laughing – although somewhat pretentiously – with the new girl, Cailin. Copious amounts of sighing would ensue and she would proceed to lament out loud, wondering what she had done wrong that Taylor was now staunchly avoiding them. At first Bryan and Damien had entertained her supposed ‘depression’ but now, it was getting out of hand. Bryan ended up in the foulest of moods after those lunches and Damien would just be the silent and brooding persona he had begun to take on shortly after Taylor had arrived on the doorsteps of Her Majesty’s School of Art and Design. Long gone was their laughter and playful banter and one day on a whim of revelation, Damien realized that it wasn’t worth it to sacrifice their good times over his pride. That was it. He had no other choice but to apologize. He’d made up his mind and there was no changing it.
Just as if on cue, Taylor had arrived with her lunch, Japanese again it seemed. He’d noticed all this, her affinity for raw fish and sticky rice. It was unimportant, but he noticed it nonetheless. He turned his nose up in disgust as he watched the lanky Irish girl cling on to her every word with her large dirty brown eyes staring at Taylor’s confident disposition pleading and hoping; no, dreaming, that she would somehow magically become like her newfound companion.
Damien watched with slight resentment as Taylor walked past him and the twins without so much of a glance. She had been spending more time with that new girl, Cailin, of late rather than with them like she should. Too much time in fact. It wasn’t like he wanted her with them. The distance gave him breathing room, time to think. Surprisingly, he found that he didn’t regret his actions that night. It was a mistake, yes, but was it necessarily a bad one? “…what did I do wrong. Did I say something? Why is she ignoring me?” Kat’s incessant ranting barely registered in his mind as he tried to push the thoughts that had been consuming his mind for the past month away. Stoically, he followed Bryan as he tiredly tried to assure his distressed sister that he was sure it was not her fault and Taylor was just making new friends. But Damien had a feeling he knew why she was avoiding them. And he knew, it was time that he fixed the situation. It was getting ridiculous. He had made up his mind about it and he was going to carry it out. No point delaying it now.

“Hey, guys, excuse me for a bit. I’ve got to go and look for Allen about my assignment,” he told them flippantly. Then, without waiting for a reply, he turned around abruptly and took off in the other direction. It was time to look for that damned girl.

He traversed the more popular school corridors, the ones near the classroom, the one near the library, and the one near the girls’ dormitories. But he was without luck, where could that bloody girl be? Damien was about to give up and return to the twins when he caught the sight of a slender girl with dirty blonde hair sporting an apple green shift dress. There she is, he thought, picking up speed as he tried to catch up with her. Taylor would be the only girl he knew to wear dresses in bright colours around the school. He’d always thought she was crazy to do so, but he knew that she was very fashion forward and would have it no other way.

His feet met noisily with the hard stone floor as he continued to pursue her retreating figure. Taylor turned around, her eyes widening slightly as she saw him coming after her and her pace quickened almost instinctively. What was her problem? This was ridiculous. “Taylor!” he called out, hoping she would stop. She walked even quicker, it almost seemed like she was running from him. He was reluctant to discuss what had happened between them, but it had gone too far. She had been distancing herself from him and the twins. With him, it was understandable. But what she was doing was killing Kat. He couldn’t bear to hear Kat go on and on wondering what wrong had she done to Taylor. It was bad enough dealing with what happened that night. But listening to Kat talk continuously about the girl was near unbearable. Furthermore, hell, it was annoying. Sure, he loved Kat to pieces. But when she got whiny, he’d rather throw himself into a pit of hungry lions. Well, maybe he was being dramatic but her relentless whining had driven him to a point of insanity. A teenage boy could only deal with so much angst. As much as he hated to admit it, he had his own and Kat’s was pretty much the straw that broke the camel’s back.

“For God’s sake, woman,” he muttered under his breath and he threw away all pride and took off in a run after the girl. People had started staring. Damien Winters, wealthy British stud running after… a girl? He slowed down as he reached her, stopping closer to her than he had meant to be; the sweet vanilla smell of her hair assaulting his senses. “Taylor,” he said, softly now. “Don’t walk away from me.”

~o~

Taylor froze in her place as she heard him, close behind her, closer than she wanted him to be. “Don’t walk away from me.” It was a breath, a whisper. He’d said the same thing to her before, but this time it was softer, less arrogant, more pleading. What had happened to the arrogant prat she had found so easy to hate before? She didn’t want to turn around, didn’t want to see his face; didn’t want to see his stormy blue eyes, always so conflicted. She had to admit, she’d been doing a good job avoiding him for the past month. And she’d been trying her hardest to erase that night from her memory. But every time she was left alone, her thoughts would wander back to that night. And now she’d almost pushed it all to the back of her mind. Would she let that all go to waste now? No, she wouldn’t. Letting out the breath she didn’t know she was holding, Taylor took a step forward and continued walking away from Damien, never looking back at him. She heard him curse softly and suddenly felt his hand around her wrist, burning into her flesh. His hand lingered there longer than necessary and it was unbearable.

~o~

She whipped around, cheeks heated and a fire in her eyes that hid her confusion and mixed emotions. “Why?” Her voice was soft but held enough emotion and power to put her feelings across. She was angry with him. Of course she was. What else would he expect? He still hadn’t let go of her wrist, but she flung him off her, anger still evident in her movements. Damien was stunned; he suddenly realized that he didn’t know why. He had never thought of why he did it, always of its consequences. And those were the ones that haunted him. What did she think of him? What did she think it meant? He stared down at his hand where her warm skin had just been, now feeling the cool spring breeze on his pale skin. Finally realizing he had been silent for some time, he looked into her cobalt eyes and answered, “I don’t know.” His voice was laden with apology.
“You don’t know?” There was a hint of incredulity mingled with her anger.
“I don’t. I’m sorry. But I really have no idea what made me do such a thing. And I am truly sorry.”
“You’re sorry.” It was a statement and she said it as if his apology didn’t matter, didn’t make a difference. Like it had no effect.
“I truly am, Taylor. It was stupid and please, don’t ruin your friendship with Kat because of this. She’s been killing herself over it. She has no idea why you’ve suddenly found such friendship in that Gallagher girl.” His tone hinted disdain, and he didn’t bother to disguise it.
“Gosh, Kat. Oh my goodness, I’ve been so selfish.” She was regretful; he could hear it in her voice.
“I really am sorry, Taylor. Could we please put this behind us? For the twins?”
She was silent for a moment, as if contemplating then what left her lips took him by complete surprise. “So it didn’t mean anything?” He was sure that he heard some hope in his voice. Did she really want it to mean nothing that badly? Was he such a bad person in her mind? His brow creased for a moment that could pass off as confusion but really represented an entirely different emotion – hurt. But that feeling was only fleeting as he answered too quickly, “Of course it didn’t. It was stupid. One of those spur of the moment things, you know. I’m sorry if I caused any confusion or anything.” His words came out of his mouth too fast and were cold and seemingly uncaring.
She smiled and replied, “Oh, okay. Good then.” There was an uncertain pause, and then she asked, “So we’re okay?”
“Yeah of course.” His replies were coming out too quick and emotionless for his liking. He watched as she extended her hand for a shake and brought his hand out to grasp hers. Her skin burned his and he almost didn’t want to let go. But he knew they had held on far too long than a normal handshake should be and he quickly dropped her hand. “So, see you tomorrow then. Usual spot.” He flashed her a smile and walked off back to the boys’ dormitories. He needed a cold shower.

~o~

Taylor walked steadily back to her dorm room and frankly was surprised at how stable she seemed after what had just happened. She had no idea why, but seeing Damien so unbelievably sincere, it had left her shaken. A nagging feeling at the back of her mind told her it was all an act and he didn’t mean a single word of the bollocks that erupted from his mouth. But if he didn’t mean any of it, did it mean that there was something? That it actually meant something? That it wasn’t just ‘one of those spur of the moment things’?
She pushed open the door to the room silently and let out a sigh of relief as the empty room beckoned her. As bad as she felt about ignoring Kat for the past few weeks, she really didn’t have the energy to come up with a heartfelt apology at that moment. She might end up coming of insensitive and callous and end up ruining their relationship for good. No, she was being dramatic. Shaking her head, she muttered a quiet curse. Damn that Damien Winters for screwing with her head. She had been perfectly fine before he had stepped into her life. Before their fates had seemingly collided. Taylor snorted half-heartedly as she recalled the first time they had met. She had ran straight into his well-toned body on her way to the boarding gate. It wasn’t pleasant, but she wasn’t going to forget that day anytime soon.
Smiling slightly, she felt the warm, comforting wave of relief wash over her as she accepted that the little strife she had with Damien had been settled and she could go back to intelligent company, witty banter and the off snide remark she shared with the boy who vexed her so. Finally relaxed after weeks and weeks of insomnia, she drifted into deep sleep.

She rarely flew across the island now. Every time it seemed, she ended up on its glistening silver sandy banks. She hadn’t visited the island in a long time. And she hadn’t seen the boy in her dreams either. Taylor didn’t realize it at first, but as she rose from the warm sand and traveled languidly around the perimeter of the large silver island, she realized that she missed seeing him. She missed the connection they had. She didn’t dare venture into the dark, mysterious jungle that lay in front of her nor did she dare to walk out into the black foreboding sea that surrounded her. She was stuck in the middle, stuck in a limbo of warm bliss. Honestly, Taylor seemed content lying on the beach waiting for her strange gentleman to come and escort her into an adventure.

It was different now it seemed. After her absence from the island, no longer was she itching to explore the vast expanse of argent foliage that grew wildly in the centre of the island. It was a strange feeling, and she couldn’t place it. Was it patience?

As she sat in the same, she turned her body to face the silver flora in front of her. A sharp reminder of that night had pierced her memory. Was this really lucid dreaming? It sure as hell felt like it. Cocking her head to one side, Taylor looked into the dark wilderness that shone with a lustrous gleam. Closing her eyes, she remembered him as clear as day. Damien… His name sounded foreign in her dreamy clouded mind. Strong arms around her, his musky scent enveloped her and in a flash, she was back in the garden again, in his arms. He made her feel safe.

She opened her eyes to black sky and jolted up to a sitting position, she faced the silver jungle in front of her and sighed as she remembered his exact words. ‘It was stupid…’ Taylor felt her eyes widen as his deep, honeyed voice emerged from the depths of the forest. ‘…One of those spur of the moment things, you know…’

“No,” she found herself saying. “Please, no.” She was pleading now, pleading with the forest that seemed to bring her memory vividly to all the events that involved the sodding Damien Winters. ‘…Stupid…’ A silent gasp escaped her lips. ‘…Spur of the moment things…’ ‘…Spur of the moment things…’ ‘…Spur of the moment things…’

“NO!” Taylor sat up rigidly in her bed only to find a wide-eyed Kat staring at her. She was shaken by the dream. What did it mean? Did she want the incident to mean something? What did she feel about Damien? What? How? WHY?!
This was beyond confusion and her hazy mind barely registered Kat’s presence until the Chinese girl had spoken. With an uncharacteristically meek voice, Kat had mumbled an apology. “I’m sorry, Taylor. Please don’t be angry.” Needless to say, Taylor was sorely taken aback. “What are you talking about Kat?” Her voice was laced with confusion as she continued. “No, I’m sorry. I’ve been a right bitch to you and Bryan lately. I’m sorry I’ve been distant. It’s just… My parents, you know.” The lie had formulated quickly in her mind and as her conscious thoughts grasped the idea, they intertwined with it, weaving a plausible story. That; indeed was the art of lying.
She could see the change in Kat’s face almost instantly. From moroseness it had evolved to empathy. “Shit, Taylor. And here I thought I’d done something wrong. Are you okay? What’s up with your family?”
At the rate she was going, Taylor thought she should join the drama department at MAD too. With a long dramatic pause and a quiet yet heavy sigh, she said softly, “I… I don’t really want to talk about it right now. Sorry, Kat. I promise. Tomorrow. Things will go back to normal.” She faked a soft hiccup and buried her face in her hands. Kat had begun to become flustered. It appeared that she didn’t do well with deep, angst-filled conversations. “Uhm… I’ll leave you alone,” she stuttered softly, getting up to leave Taylor alone.
“You’ll be fine, honey,” she added softly. “Remember, I’m always here okay?” Kat bent down for a quick and brief hug. “Hey. Hey.” She forced Taylor to look her in the eyes. “Don’t stress kay? You know I’m here for you.” With a small smile, Taylor nodded slowly before turning away from the girl.
When she heard the door close quietly, she flopped onto her back and let out a berated groan. She felt immensely bad. Kat had been nothing but nice to her. And she had to lie through her teeth to Kat’s face. It was a horrible way to repay such good friendship. “I am a horrible, horrible bitch of a friend,” she practically screamed at the ceiling. Why did she have to make up that stupid lie? But what else could she say?
“I think I am horribly and irrevocably infatuated with your best friend Damien Winters but he’s fucked me over, but we’re over it now and I can’t seem to get my head around the fact that that night meant absolutely nothing to him.”
The words rang through the empty dorm room and Taylor, with a groan, buried her face into the pillow, not being able to accept what she had just admitted out loud.

~o~

The next day, everything indeed seemed normal again. Except one very small detail: Cailin Gallagher. Taylor didn’t know how to break it to her. She was never very good with confrontation having always had people to do her dirty work for her back in England. Slowly stepping out of the dormitory that morning, she braced herself for the routine Gallagher assault. And just as she expected it, she heard Cailin’s abnormally high-pitched squeal and the tall lanky girl came running to her side much alike a Labrador puppy running to meet its master.

“Morning Cailin,” she mumbled dully which was quite the opposite to the overly-cheerful chirping reply from the other girl. Stifling a sigh, Taylor walked down to the Cafeteria passing the spot by the stairs like she always did. For the past month it was because she had that ridiculous glimmer of hope that Damien would be there standing arrogantly, looking like a pompous arse as if nothing had happened, nothing had changed. But now, it was due to routine and because Cailin would so annoyingly question if she changed their route.
However, that faithful morning, Taylor had to blink twice when she saw Damien resting against the banister, a perfect smirk painted on his features and his commanding airs that showed that indeed he owned most of the school’s hearts. But it appeared that her eyes were not deceiving her because at that exact moment, she heard Cailin gushing. “..Damien Winters is looking at me!” She turned to meet his eyes with a confused gaze as she caught him winking at Cailin. What was he playing at? Damien eased himself off the banister and sauntered over towards the pair of them and instead of saying a single word to Taylor, instead he bent over Cailin and whispered something in her ear. Something so curious that the Irish girl let out a loud squeal and tittered shamelessly before running off with a rushed, “Uhm, bye Taylor. I’ll see you around… I guess…”
Suspiciously, Taylor stared after the girl and turned bewilderedly to the boy next to her. “What in God’s name did you say to her??”
All Damien did was laugh softly, keeping his cool graces as he looked down at her. He lowered his voice and bent down to reply, “Something very, very naughty.” A scandalized look must have overcome her own features because he proceeded to let out a smooth and deep laugh and continued to say, “Don’t you worry. Just know she won’t be bothering us anytime soon.”
Taylor laughed along with him, but she couldn’t stop herself from catching his use of the word ‘us’ in his sentence. She knew very well that he meant them and the twins. But really, was there more to it? All she could do was brush it out of her mind as she followed him into the Cafeteria for their breakfast.

They bought their food together. It wasn’t normal. She didn’t quite know how to place it because it felt perfectly normal, almost natural even. He had actually picked her plate for her. How did he know she liked salmon hand rolls in the morning? And when she had gotten his coffee, she just remembered how he liked it. Black, no sugar, no creamer. It was beyond strange because they had never discussed it, they just somehow knew.
Damien helped her carry her food as they made their way to their usual spot by the tree and it struck her as if he was being the perfect gentleman to her because he felt bad for playing her that night. But did he really? He had apologized so did it really count? She really did not want to think of it and just the solution came crashing into her in the form of an overexcited and excessively happy Kathryn Wu.

“Oh my GOD! TAYLOR! Yay!” The girl wrapped her in a tight embrace. “I knew you meant what you said. Omigosh I like totally missed you! Seriously! Ask the boys.” As she said it, she grinned cheekily at the two boys behind her.

Taylor laughed and hugged her back and they settled into comfortable chatter. She couldn’t help smile indulgently as she leaned back against the tree. She really had missed the twins and even if she had to reluctantly admit it, she even missed hanging around with Damien. She missed the witty remarks and sharp comments they shared that had not been present when she had Cailin stuck to her arm. It was good to be back. Contentedly, she took a bite out of her hand roll and held in her laughter at one of Bryan’s ridiculously lame jokes.

~o~

“So right, two peanuts were walking down a dark alley one night. And…”
“And?” replied Kat, half-heartedly entertaining her brother’s pitiable attempt at telling a joke.
“And one was assaulted!” Bryan burst out in a fit of laughter that seemed contagious because Taylor began laughing too. But she wasn’t laughing. She was doing that thing that she does when she was trying not to laugh. But he knew she secretly found Bryan’s stupid jokes funny. And it was little things like those that made her so… sweet. He thought she was sweet? Really? What happened to the annoying, loud-mouthed and self-righteous girl he saw in her before?
A hand waved obnoxiously in front of his face and he snapped out of his reverie. “Get it?” Bryan asked him, between fits of laughter.
Even though her nodded, Damien did not find a single thing funny in his best friend’s joke. In fact, he hadn’t even heard it. Why? Because he had been fixated singularly on one thing – no, one person. Ever since he had seen her that morning and seemingly rescued her from that sad excuse of a friend, he couldn’t stop looking at her. Of course, his glances remained discreet and nobody could tell but he had indeed become quite obsessed with her.
He didn’t know what he was feeling. It felt so… right to have her around. Maybe he was just getting used to her ever-annoying presence. As he sneaked one last look at her, he could have sworn he caught her quickly looking away, a hot blush forming on her pinking cheeks.

Contempt.

2008-11-03T01:08:00.000-08:00

The next day, Taylor walked through the foyer to get to her classes and noticed that Damien wasn’t leaning in his usual arrogantly casual style by the stairs waiting for her. He wasn’t even there at all. “Well, you have already mastered the school Taylor, you can’t expect him to be here every morning. Hell, you should be glad he won’t be breathing down your neck anymore. In fact, be glad you don’t have to see him after last nigh–” she stopped short as she collided into a hard muscular figure. She quickly stepped back to apologize when she saw who the figure was. Perfect. None other than Damien Winters – the person she had been dreading to see all morning.

As she stared at his still porcelain features, perfectly chiseled and frozen in surprise mingled with something else she couldn’t quite place, she couldn’t stop the thoughts of what had happened the night before from invading her mind. She’d stood there like a fool after he left her, confused and lost. She had been experiencing ruthless emotional turmoil and she still hadn’t decided what to feel about him yet, though anger and resentment had been winning the battle while she was swimming in embarrassment whilst rushing back to her dorm. However, the whole affair hadn’t actually sunk it yet and Taylor knew she was going to spend a lot of time obsessing about what had happened whether she liked it or not.

Trying to stop the magnitude of thoughts speeding through her mind, she held her head high, coldly looked him in the eye and walked away. She realized that she didn’t want to speak to him until she was sure of herself, sure of her feelings, sure of what actually had happened. And it took all the self-control she had not to turn around and look at him. She wondered. And that was the problem. She wondered whether he was looking after her, wondered whether he wondered why she was ignoring him. And especially, she wondered whether he was equally as confused as she.

Passing the dance rooms, Taylor gasped as she saw her reflection. She honestly looked like hell. Even at that distance, she could see the eye bags that threatened to take over her face. The large, purple bruises under her eyes were a sharp reminder of her ‘eventful’ night. Hell, everything she saw proved to be a sharp reminder to her today. It was as if her mind morbidly linked all visual stimuli to that scarring memory. Truth be told, she hadn’t had the time that morning to look in the mirror, she was too late and frankly too embarrassed to care what she looked like. Staring at her reflection now in the dance room mirrors, she wished she had been less worried about getting to class late. Now she had to endure the entire day looking something of Frankenstein’s bride in a turquoise Marc Jacob number courtesy his ingenious spring line.

Gathering herself together, Taylor walked as gracefully as she could to the literature classrooms; her body was already feeling sluggish due to the lack of sleep that was beginning to kick in. She took her usual seat near the back of the class and thanked God that none of the other three took lit since she was the only poet in the lot. This gave her time to think in peace and frankly, she couldn’t deal with seeing any one of them just yet. Unfortunately, the three hours had passed altogether far too quickly and before she knew it, it was time for lunch. In the given time span, she’d managed to obsessive compulsively narrow down what had happened.
One: he had held her hand; no, more than that, he had held her. She didn’t know what it meant and that was the gist of her confusion. She didn’t like being this confused especially when she thought about her second revelation. That being, she didn’t mind. When it happened, she didn’t do anything to stop it. She should have been feeling disgusted at herself for letting the Devil’s Incarnate ‘take advantage’ of her – well, so to speak. It wasn’t technically correct to call it that, but she couldn’t think of another more appropriate word. But instead, she didn’t regret it happening. And even worse – and she didn’t even want to go there – she wouldn’t have minded if it happened again. Worse still, a tiny part of her wanted it to happen again, but no. NO. She was definitely confusing herself. She hated the boy, why would she want that to happen again? No, she didn’t want it to happen.
The ultimate question however, that hung over her like a dead albatross on her shoulders was why – why and what. Why did he do it? What was he thinking? What did he feel? What was he feeling? Was he being tormented like this as well?

The only way to find out was to see him. And she had to anyway; the four of them had become quite close over the past months. Well, if one wanted to be technical, she’d become very close to the twins. A lot of tension and acrimony still lingered between her and Damien. They hadn’t gotten off to a good start and they never seemed to find compatibility in each other. Taylor traipsed down to the Cafeteria and admired the weather. It was a cool day, even for March and the light breeze blew the skirt of her summer dress as she made her way to meet the other three. She found the three of them by their usual spot under the tree and immediately realized that she had been such a fool. Anger welt up inside of her as she saw Damien laughing along with the twins as if nothing had happened. So he’d been playing her had he? She was just another pawn in his game of boredom. She didn’t know why it affected her so, but just the thought of it made her furious. Nevertheless, she kept her cool and steeled her expression as she walked towards them, balancing her tray of sushi as she went.

“Whoa, what happened to you? Rough night?” His honeyed, slick drawl brimming with amusement and his usual contempt filled her ears. Rage seethed through her mind as she registered his snark comment. How could he even make a joke about that? It was entirely his fault.
“Yeah,” she said, pure loathing dripping from her tone of voice. “I had a nightmare.” She looked him straight in his eyes with a glare full of hatred and disgust before turning to Kat, a smile plastered on her face. “Sorry love, I just remembered I had something to do for my lit assignment. Talk to you later yeah?” And with that, she took off with her tray of food towards the bustling Cafeteria.
She just couldn’t handle facing him now. Now that she knew that last night was nothing but something to amuse him. She was so close to actually thinking otherwise. He had hurt her and he had made a fool out of her. She could take this anymore. She couldn’t even look at him without feeling like a complete idiot. Taylor made a point to avoid him for as long as she could. No matter what it took.

She found a seat at an empty table near the school building and far, far away from that arsehole, Damien Winters. Absentmindedly eating her sushi, she let her anger boil and hatred teemed through her mind and envelope her. There were too many people around to notice her and she would be able to scream mentally at herself in peace. It was sorry to say that she was wrong.
“Hi, is this seat taken?” A soft, gentle voice brought Taylor out of her reverie and almost made her curse at the girl who owned it. She had been busy yelling at herself mentally for being so stupid and falling into that Winters boy’s trap. Now all she was was another conquest he could boast about. It really wasn’t the time to interrupt her. “Excuse me?” Sighing, Taylor looked up to find a tall, fair girl with dark brunette hair and a freckled complexion looking expectantly at her. She was thin and willowy and she carried herself with a certain awkward grace.
“Hell, I am so sorry. You must think me so rude. Just caught up in my own thoughts. Honestly, really sorry. Oh, no, yeah, you can sit here.” She offered a small smile to the girl.
“Thank you,” she smiled. Taylor noticed the heavy Irish accent in the girl’s voice.
“So, I’m Taylor Smith, international student here from London. And you are?”
“Oh I am so rude. I’m Cailin Gallagher. From Ireland, though I’m sure you can tell. I came in late January. It’s surprising that we’ve never met.” She laughed politely and Taylor thought her laugh was too quiet to be considered sincere but she brushed it off.
“Well MAD is a truly enormous school. It’s not that surprising really.” She laughed too, with forced cheer, as her mind was still preoccupied with that incorrigible Damien Winters.
“Yeah. Am I bothering you, really? Because it feels like I am. I should g–”
“No, no, no. Stay. So who do you usually hang out with here?” This time she offered a genuine smile to the girl.
“Not many people actually,” she replied, her voice quiet with a sort of sadness in them. “People don’t seem to like talking to me and I’ve always been quite shy. So yeah.”
“What? But you seem utterly pleasant. They’re just being dolts.”
“Thanks, really. But mostly what people think of me is true. As I’ve realized.”
“Oh come on. And what have people thought of you?
“Well, they called me a pushover, whiny, pathetic, annoyin–”
“Nonsense,” she cut the girl off. “They were being unkind. Ignore them. I think you’re a very nice girl.” Taylor smiled and patted the girl’s arm comfortingly.
Cailin smiled widely. “Thank you so much. That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!”
“Not a problem. Everyone should get to feel good about themselves.” And the pair began chatting amiably. Taylor thought Cailin was a nice girl, but rather too wishy-washy for her liking. But she couldn’t be picky. If she had to avoid the twins plus one – not willingly of course, damn that Damien Winters – she should be glad that she had acquired a new friend out of it. So what if she was a little vapid?

But just as Taylor thought she was going to forget all about last night and sodding Damien Winters, they were interrupted by somebody – a very male somebody.
“Excuse me ladies,” the distinct tenor of a very articulate British male rang through her ear. Taylor didn’t even have to look to know whom it belonged to. “I’m sorry, Miss…” He looked to Cailin for an answer.
“G-Gallagher,” she all but whispered, seeming very taken aback by Damien’s heavily laid charm. “Ca-Cailin Galla-lagher.” She giggled femininely.
“Ah, Miss Gallagher. Such a pleasure.” Taylor resisted a gag as she heard the silky smile in his voice. “Am I interrupting? Because I really need to have a word with Miss Smith here.”
“Oh no you’re no–” Cailin began to say but Taylor cut her off, “Yes you are interrupting. And if you don’t mind, we need to leave right now.” She glared ferociously at Damien and stood up.
“We – we do?” said the Irish girl, uncertainty lacing her voice. Taylor glared at Damien who looked undoubtedly amused. He gave her a knowing smile as if to say ‘I’ve got all the girls in the palm of my hand’. She made a huff or more like a sound, affronted by his blatant display of chauvinism.
“Yes. Yes we do. Come along Cailin.” Taylor’s voice held finality and an air of command and she took Cailin by the arm and stalked of purposefully towards the school building, never looking back at the boy who had ostensibly taken over her mind.

“Uh… What just happened?” The girl looked bewildered and possibly a little disgruntled about having to leave the good-looking, wealthy English boy behind.
“Nothing. He’s a prick and an arsewipe. Not worthy of our attention.”
“Oh, he’s worthy of mine.” Cailin giggled girlishly and Taylor groaned inwardly. God, of all the people in this school she decided to be chummy with another of Winters’ fans? “Uhm… If you don’t mind me asking… Were you two… together or something?”
Taylor paused in her stride and turned around giving the lanky Irish girl an appalled look. “You have got to be kidding right? He is singly the most repulsive person I’ve ever known and I loathe his every being.” Her voice was filled with so much vehemence and underlying passion that even Cailin was looking quite bewildered.
“Okay. Okay. Cool down. I was only asking.”
“That’s fine. So what do you like to do?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa. No changing the topic! So why do you hate that guy so much? What did he do to you?” She paused for a while as if reminiscing and said, “He’s yummy.” Cailin linked arms with Taylor and practically dragged her off to a table where she sat down and stared expectantly at her. “Come on, spill!”
Inside, Taylor could’ve died.

~o~

That night Taylor sneaked out of her dorm room and walked out to the swimming pool facility. She couldn’t sleep. There was no way that she wanted to see the island in her dreams when it reminded her so austerely of the garden than Damien had taken her too. Everything about her dreams seemed to remind her about the boy. She never wanted to believe the truth in it, but Taylor had to admit. Everything about Damien Winters was too familiar to her; almost as if she had known him all her life.
Clad in her silk nightgown and shorts, she had slipped a dark green hoodie and a pair of sneakers and made her way out of the school building. She had always thought the place calmed her ever since her first sleepless night when she had gone down for a swim. Her thoughts of the night before had consumed her for the entire day and Taylor felt that she really needed to sort this out with herself or she would die obsessing over it.
Armed with a flashlight and her notebook with a pen, she curled up in a corner of the large swimming area, under the moonlight and began to write. Her mind was still swimming with all the events that had occurred the night before and she was truly confused. It had felt so right, so safe. She almost didn’t want to believe that Damien was just playing her. But she knew better than to be so naïve. Damien Winters was the real life Casanova of the school. All the girls fell (more like threw themselves) at his feet and even though he rarely used them at his exposal, she knew very well that he could. She also knew that he hated her so no doubt this was a form of cruel sadistic torture he could inflict upon her. She reflected bitterly on the longing she felt when he had held her close. The safety she had felt, the involuntary smile that she had shared with the darkness when their fingers interlaced. It was a secret, it was their secret. But she knew it meant nothing to him, as it should to her. This was the Winters prick she was dealing with; he wasn’t worthy of her. With her mind so full of emotion, she brought her pen down to paper and began to write. Somehow, the words came freely with no hesitation and it was the most she had written ever since she got to the school.

Kill me now or never,
Let me haunt your mind forever.
What’s the use in contemplating,
When both our hearts have not done hating?
Confusion, derision, love and anger.
Can’t tell which emotion will conquer.
Leave me now and let this die,
Love me now but will we fly?
Kill me now or never,
Let me haunt your mind forever.

She’d spent so much of her time thinking about the entire ordeal and writing that she almost didn’t notice that the sun had begun to rise. Dawn was breaking and she had better leave for her dorm now before anybody realized that she was gone. Sighing, she gathered her things and stealthily made her way back to the school building.

Silently, she entered the dorm and did a quick change swapping her nightclothes for a denim skirt and a green polo shirt. She was quite impressed at how great she was becoming at sneaking around campus when she caught sight of the Asian girl sleeping soundly in her bed. Taylor looked at Kat, looking entirely peaceful and felt a pang of guilt. She didn’t have to be victim to this spat between Damien and her. But she couldn’t face him. Besides, she had spent most of her MAD life with the boys anyway. No doubt she would pick them over her. Taylor sighed and sat at the edge of her bed looking at Kat. She would never understand. Taylor would never whisper a word of Damien’s perfidy to a soul anyway. Without thinking twice, she crept out again and headed to the Cafeteria for an early breakfast.

~o~

Later in the day, Taylor had to diligently avoid Kat. She had no words to explain why she hadn’t turned up for lunch with the twins and Damien. She had no excuse as to why she was absent from their little ‘pack’ and she didn’t want to have to lie to Kat. Instead, Taylor spent her time with Cailin and unfortunately enough, she was becoming exactly how she had described herself when they first met – clingy, whiny, needy and annoying.

“… So anyway, then my sister was all ‘No, it’s her fault!’ And you know what? My mother actually believed her! That slimy conniving bitch…”
Taylor nodded and added an enthusiastic, “Bitch!” for effect. This girl was driving her insane. Who knew the Irish were all clingy whiners? But maybe she was being judgemental. She remembered all too clearly Annette’s reaction when she’d found out that Damien was her guide around school. First there was the boasting, which went along the lines of, ‘Oh, Damien and I are sooo in love, we’re practically going to get married!’ But when Taylor found out soon enough that Damien couldn’t stand the young lass, she’d moved on to clinging; pestering Taylor almost everyday about how amazing was it to be spending so much time with Damien Winters. And just when Taylor was getting sick of Annette, she’d moved on to her last stage, resentment. This involved giving Taylor death glares and whispering angrily with her posse when Taylor ever passed them. Frankly, Taylor had to admit that she preferred this stage better.
“Taylor! Are you listening to me??”
She snapped out of her reverie as Cailin shrieked all too demandingly. “Yes, yes. I was! Bitch of a sister.” She prayed that the girl was still ranting about her goddamned sister.
“I know right! Seriously…” She continued and Taylor sighed inaudibly. This was going to be a long and tiresome year if she had to spend it with this girl.
“Excuse me, Cailin, I really need to use the loo.” Taylor hurriedly got up and walked off in the direction of the washrooms near the Cafeteria. She really needed to get away from that girl. There was only so much teenage angst a girl could take in a day.

A peal of laughter could be heard from up ahead and Taylor cringed. She knew that laugh. They seemed to be fine without her. She couldn’t even bear to look at them being all happy as if she never was their friend. Stopping mid-stride, she turned around and took a different route heading into the building, a single phrase playing on repeat in her mind. Damn you, Damien Winters.

~o~

He’d seen her – the top of her dirty blonde head as she was making her way to the bathrooms. Of course he’d seen her. And it was pathetic of him, but ever since that night and ever since she’d been diligently avoiding him, he’d been diligently looking out for her. He noticed every slight movement she made, noted her facial expressions and followed her with his eyes every chance he could get. Great, you sodding stalker. He laughed half-heartedly as he heard Kat’s peal of laughter beside him.

He had noticed how she had stopped hanging out with them and how she had suddenly found friendship in that new Irish girl, Cailin Gallagher. And he even noticed that Taylor really couldn’t stand her. It was true, she was whiny and annoying. So why would she want to spend all her time with the girl who seemed to glue herself to anybody who showed her a little kindness? Was it because of him?

His mind flashed back to the other night, when they’d… He couldn’t even bring himself to think about that night. He felt foolish and confused and it was absolutely ridiculous. He was Damien Winters. And he was always sure about himself. Always. But did he really hurt her feelings? What did she think about him? More importantly, how did she feel about him? He didn’t even know how he felt about her. It was all a whirl of mixed emotions. No he still couldn’t stand the girl. The way her laughter was almost tinkling, like bells. It wasn’t normal. He couldn’t stand her ridiculously bright dresses and her colourful humour. But really, were those valid reasons to loathe someone? No, they weren’t.

But Taylor Smith was loudmouthed and overly sarcastic. Sometimes even more than he was and Damien didn’t like to lose, especially to a girl. She carried herself with too much self-importance to be demure and he’d realized that she was never there. Like she was there physically, but her mind seemed so detached all the time. It unnerved him. Damien caught himself and willed himself to stop thinking.

Why was he comparing her pros and cons? He didn’t like the girl. Period. And it was better for him that she wasn’t spending time with them anymore. He enjoyed the peace. Really, he did. Damien furrowed his brows uncertainly. He didn’t like that edge of doubt lingering in his mind.

“Hey, what’s wrong Winters?” Bryan playfully punched him in the arm, breaking him out of his reverie.
His eyes steeled unexpectedly. “Nothing, why would anything be wrong?”
“Okaaay, chill duuuude.”
Damien chuckled and shook his head turning to look at the twins. He noticed Kat had gone very quiet. “What’s wrong Kat?”
“What? Is it Ask-People-About-Their-Problems Day now?” She flashed them a cheeky grin.
“Since when did you have problems, Kathryn Wu?” Damien drawled silkily.
“Yeah, totally,” chimed Bryan before pausing to hold his stomach. “God, I’m like still hungry man.” He plastered on a comical look of confusion at his still full bowl of noodle soup.
This time Kat laughed genuinely, “You idiot. Now since you’re not gonna touch that…” She snatched the bowl away from him and took a large spoonful of noodles in her mouth.
“OI! I’M HUNGRY!” Bryan prepared to tackle his sister and Damien laughed to himself. He could clearly see the family bond between the two siblings. It made him sad sometimes that he would never experience that love. But he knew he was lucky to have a pair of such good friends like them.

Laughing out loud this time, he braced himself and moved forward to separate the two now wrestling on the grass, their food long forgotten.

~o~

Taylor needed an escape. She couldn’t keep running forever. It was ridiculous and she couldn’t just forgo her friendship with Kat because of that aggravating prick. Damn that Damien Winters. She was jolted down to her surroundings when she suddenly realized that everything at that moment seemed to remind her of the bloody boy. Everywhere she went, she heard familiar footfall, she caught scent of an all too familiar musk. It all seemed like they could’ve belonged to the object of her vexation. Taylor rolled her eyes and kept her steady pace as she walked aimlessly through the corridors of the school. She didn’t know where she was going; she just needed to get away from it all. Away from the Cafeteria, away from Cailin, away from the twins and especially away from Damien Winters.
“Taylor.”
She heard his voice, but she refused to believe it was him. Great, now you’re even imagining him around you, Taylor. No, she was being silly. It must be just her bloody imagination. Taylor could spot Damien a mile away now and much to her chagrin, she had been observing his every movement as far as she could without getting caught. It was definitely pathetic. But she’d grown this unhealthy obsession with the Winters boy.
“Taylor.”
She heard it again. Was she really imagining it? Taylor sneaked a look behind her and her breath caught in her throat. Damien Winters was following her. She stopped abruptly and whipped around furiously.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing,” he replied smoothly.
“Then leave me alone.” Taylor began to walk away from him again, picking up her pace the further she moved.
“You’re being childish.”
“I’M being childish? ME?! I’M. I am. Me. Childish?” she’d grown quite hysterical. “Go to hell, back where you came from.”
She never stopped her legs from carrying her away from him, but she couldn’t help but notice that he had no smart remark to counter her seemingly witless retort. And after what seemed like forever, she heard his faint voice carrying through the empty corridor of the school. “You’re just going to ignore me.” It wasn’t a question. No, it was a statement. And for some reason, Taylor felt strongly unsatisfied.

Uncertainties.

2008-10-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

With his long strides, Damien caught up to her with ease. “Don’t walk away from me,” he said, in a low voice, almost menacing. He reached out to grab her arm again to stop her, but she had already stopped. He stopped walking abruptly, almost crashing into her from behind. Damien gingerly took a step back and focused on keeping an infuriated expression even though curiosity had begun creeping into his mind.

The girl turned around wearily, arms crossing casually as she looked at him. “What do you want Damien? I’m tired, exhausted and I really don’t want to deal with you and your snide remarks right now.”

Instead of feeling the triumph he thought he would, Damien felt, surprisingly guilty. Here he was, cantankerous and tired from lack of sleep and he was taking it out on someone who felt equally as exhausted as he. He was surprised at her defeated expression and did she just call him Damien? Since when were they on first name terms? However, despite his racing thoughts, two words came capriciously rushing out from his lips, catching both of them off-guard.

“I’m sorry,” he blurted out softly and widened his eyes, staring straight into her azure eyes. Did he just apologize?? Her shocked expression told him that he wasn’t imagining it. Hell. He turned around unexpectedly and walked determinedly back to the school building. Pausing, he turned around and said, his voice unnaturally cold, “Foyer, 8 o’clock. Don’t be late.” And with that he strode off, mentally reprimanding himself. What did he just do?

~o~

Taylor stared after him, finally letting her jaw drop. There were three things that had just happened, well two actually – the third was more of a revelation – that were not supposed to have occurred. One, she’d called him by his first name. Now why did she do that? They weren’t chums, buddies, since when were they even on first name terms? Two, he’d apologized?? That was the most surprising of all. He’d almost seemed like a gentleman. And the third? His dark blue eyes, even mingled with the surprise he had after apologizing had been so angry, so troubled… so torn? It almost seemed like he was fighting an inner battle. And the most unnerving of all, to her, they looked so familiar. But no, it couldn’t be. The lack of sleep must be getting to her. She shook her head and checked her mobile. 6.30. She had time to kill. Maybe she’d explore the place on her own for a while.

As she made up her mind, she stood up and started walking towards nowhere in particular, her orange juice left by the tree forgotten. She walked aimlessly for a while passing the basketball courts, tennis courts and netball court until she came to a slow stop by the swimming pool. In first light, the waters seemed so dark yet so calm and so safe; she felt this strange urge to jump in. It was crazy, no she couldn’t. Not now at least. She made a mental note to come back later at night if she really couldn’t sleep again. Kicking off her dark purple Chucks, she sat by the edge of the pool and slowly put her legs into the cold, cold water. Taylor braced a shiver and sat there just staring into the dark waters of the pool.

…she turned away from him and faced the black waters of the ocean surrounding them.

“I’m sorry,” he said suddenly. His voice was rough and pained.
She turned to look at him and was caught by his silvery navy eyes. They were so full of frustration and anger. Taylor didn’t know why, but she just had to know what was wrong…

“No,” she breathed, suddenly sitting up straight. “No, no, no, no, no.” She had to be imagining it. There was no way that he was the boy from her dreams. Was she dreaming of him? No! It couldn’t be. The boy in her dreams was charming and kind. Damien Winters was nothing close to kind. She shook her head furiously and quickly got her legs out of the pool. It was the lack of sleep, she wasn’t thinking straight.

Grabbing her shoes and her mobile, she walked quickly towards the school building. She just had to get her mind off this issue. But how? How was she to stop thinking about bloody Damien Winters when she had to spend time with him every single day for the next few months? Taylor let out a frustrated groan and picked up her speed, purposefully striding towards her destination.

~o~

Damien was leaning casually against the banister of the stairs in the foyer waiting when he saw her. The first flash of thought that sailed through his mind was, this girl is mad. She was quite a sight. All haggard and pale, looking like she hasn’t slept a wink all night, walking barefoot while holding her sneakers, leaving a trail of wet footprints behind her. Yes, the girl was mad. He raised one eyebrow as he pushed himself off the wall to stand straight. “I suggest you put on your shoes and look less like some homeless wench if you want to walk by me,” he drawled.

She glowered at him and opened her mouth to retaliate but decided against it and closed it again. She walked straight past him into the girls’ bathrooms and came out in a few minutes, shoes on but still oh so very pale. Damien checked his watch and smirked. 8.03. “You’re late,” he said, his voice smooth. She tilted her head downwards by a fraction and gave him a look that clearly said, you’ve got to be kidding. He laughed to himself and began walking up the stairs, “Come along.”

They walked in silence for a while until they reached a long corridor of doors. “Malden gave us the day off so I could show you the classrooms first, so at least you won’t get lost.” She mumbled something noncommittally and walked quietly behind him. Well she seemed intent on ignoring him for the day. He shrugged slightly, better for him anyway. “This is the art room,” he said pointing to the first door on their right. “This is where you go if you have art,” he added, talking unnecessarily slowly as if she were a child. The art room was large, enough to accommodate at least twenty art students, with their easels and their canvases.

Pointing to the three large sliding doors opposite the art room, he said, “These are the dance rooms; One, Two, and Three. Each room is usually used to teach different types of dance, but it’s not fixed so really the dance teachers rotate between the rooms. There are more than a few types of dance taught here at MAD. Ballet, hip-hop, Latin, salsa and tango to name a few. It’s compulsory for all the students to have at least one class in each separate form of art, so we mingle quite a bit. You have equal hours of class in each ‘subject’ until you’ve found your talent. Then you see Malden, and she changes your timetable accordingly.”

“Hmm.”
Damien felt a slight twinge of annoyance at her indifference but said nothing. Walking down he pointed to a few smaller classrooms. “Here there’s literature, and journalism. And those are some of the music rooms. There are far too many to list. But the largest rooms go to the more popular instruments like piano, violin, and so on.” He gestured down another long corridor, “More instrument rooms and also, further down there there’s a percussion room.” He stopped and turned around.
“Aren’t you going to show me that corridor?” she asked.
Without turning around, he answered, “I trust you’re not completely tone deaf. Follow the noises, you’ll find your classes there easily enough.”
He didn’t turn to look at her, but he could just imagine her glaring daggers at his back and stifled some laughter.

They walked further, watching the students in the classrooms through the large windows in the doors. Damien stopped suddenly when he couldn’t hear her footsteps behind him any longer. Turning around, he saw she’d been transfixed in front one of the art displays. Sighing in frustration, he strode back towards her. “I haven’t got all day you know.” He moved behind her to see what she was looking at and drew a sharp inhale of breath when he realized she was staring at one of his paintings. It was a scenic painting of a winter’s day. He smiled wryly at his name, Winters, painted in white in his own hand at the corner of the painting, barely visible amongst all the blues and whites of the painting. It was ironic, yes, that is was. But that was what he loved most about that painting. That, and the fact that to him it was more than just a scene; it was his life’s story.

He would never tell anyone, but every single object in the painting meant something to him. The harshness of his childhood, represented by the harshness of the cold winter wind, the sapling trying to grow in the unforgiving surroundings was him as a child. And finally, the tall defiant pine tree, growing steadily and strongly during the severe winter was him now. The girl reached out to trace the lines of the painting, the thick oil paint and let out a small breath. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “So much emotion, so much pain.” She was talking to herself now, but Damien heard every word and he looked down sharply at her. How could she possibly know? He cleared his throat and said gruffly, “Let’s go. You have already wasted enough of my time.” His voice was cold and unforgiving, he knew she had hit far too close to home. The girl hadn’t made an effort to move, so he grabbed her wrist and started off in the other direction, dragging her along with him.

“Let me go,” she said, her temper evident in her voice.
“Once you learn how to walk like a normal person.”
“Let me go, now.”
“Then stop making me have to drag you.”
She wrenched her hand free from his grasp, causing him to whirl around to face her. He managed to catch her massaging her wrist lightly and his eyes widened slightly as he saw the beginnings of a bruise starting to form on her papery skin. He looked at her face, her cheeks starting to tinge pink with her fury.

“Did your wholly inconsiderate bloody mind ever think that maybe you just walk faster than me? And that maybe if you bloody let go of my hand you wouldn’t have to drag me along at your pace? ”
His eyes traveled down to her wrist which had started to show telltale signs that he had indeed been gripping her too hard. He remained fixated at the bruising, overcome with shock and horror that he had actually injured a girl. It didn’t matter that she was insufferable and completely annoying, he had physically hurt her. And he, being brought up as a gentleman, would never physically harm a defenseless girl. Despite his dismay, his pride had reigned and he slowly brought his eyes up to meet hers and said simply, “Fine.”

With that he turned around and started walking to the other classroom corridors on the opposite side of the hall, leaving her standing behind him in indignation and shock at his act of blasé indifference.

~o~

That night, Taylor couldn’t help but whine about her day to Kat. “Oh my goodness, it was horrible! Absolutely appalling. I had to spend my entire day with the prick and was being a complete pain in the arse! It didn’t make things any better that he was such a charmer in front of Malden. He’s got her eating out of his palm I tell you! Seriously, it nearly made me sick to the stomach.”
“Oh come on Tay, he isn’t that bad.”
“You’re his friend, you have no say in this!”
“Fine, fine. But I’m telling you, give him a chance. He’s a pretty nice guy. Really.”
“Ugh. There is no way in hell that he has a nice bone in his body. He’s bloody aggravating!”
All Kat did was laugh as she turned on her bed. “Get some sleep. You’ve got to brace yourself for tomorrow.” She paused dramatically, “And the day after that, and the day after that, and the day after that…”
Taylor threw her pillow at her newfound best friend and laughed. “Shut it okay. I am really suffering enough here.” She caught her pillow as it came sailing through the air back to her and burrowed in her comfortable bed, trying to sleep.

She was pacing around the sand. It was something she seemed to do a lot. And frankly she was getting quite sick of it. She wanted to venture the goddamned forest! But she couldn’t budge. She knew who she was waiting for. But where was he?

It was a long while and she was getting bored of pacing. Taylor had walked the entire circumference of the island, but she knew he wasn’t there. She couldn’t feel his presence. She was really getting restless and somehow she knew. He wasn’t coming.

She saw darkness. She was awake again. Groping around for her mobile, she wondered what time it was. 3.33. Great. Another sleepless night. She hoisted herself up and sat cross-legged. This had to stop. Suddenly remembering the pool, she jumped off her bed and rummaged in the poor light for her swimwear. She found a yellow two-piece halter and bottom and slipped it on, not bothering to run the bathrooms. Nobody was awake anyway. Pulling over her favourite black hoodie, she put on a pair of shorts and grabbed her mobile.

She was careful and quiet as she made her way down to the swimming pool. She pulled the hoodie over her head and chucked her shorts to the side, leaving her mobile on top of them and dived in gracefully. The water was ruthlessly cold and she shivered as the cold water enveloped her entire form. She laid in the water enjoying the feeling of the cool water against her skin for a while before starting to swim. Taylor swam a couple of laps before stopping to take a rest by the side of the pool.

“What do you think you’re you doing?” came an infuriated male voice from above her.
Taylor gasped and involuntarily swallowed water. Choking, she looked up and saw none other than Damien Winters. “Well I was swimming until you came and nearly shocked me half to death.”
“Get out.”
“Why?? I want to swim. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Fine. I’m coming in.”
“What the hell is your bleeding problem??”
“I want to swim too.”
“Oh.”

She pulled herself out of the water and sat at the edge of the pool as he dove in and she couldn’t help watching him. She watched how his muscular arms pushing water back as he propelled himself forward. He seemed to swim for ages, never getting tired and Taylor briefly wondered when he was going to stop. It was then when he suddenly went under water and didn’t surface. “Holy mother of God,” she muttered. Was he drowning? Panic coursed through her system. She dove into the cold water and swam quickly towards his figure in the water.

She stopped in front of him and tried to pull him up; almost unaware of how close she was to him when he suddenly opened his eyes, annoyance very palpable in his stormy dark eyes.

“Now really, what do you think you’re doing?”
“Bloody hell, I thought you were drowning or something! Well, I’m sorry that I’m a good hearted Samaritan and tried to save your life,” she countered hotly. He really was an ungrateful bastard.
“I wasn’t drowning. Do you just have to stick your nose in my business all the time? You’ve been like the plague ever since I met you. Except maybe, I’d welcome the plague more graciously.”
“Excuse me?” Taylor was taken aback by his tone of voice. There was no teasing or condescending tone in his voice. Just pure hatred and loathing. It was extremely disconcerting for some reason. “I don’t know just what I’ve done to earn your hate, but maybe you should try consideration for a change and think about other people for a change. You’re not exactly my cup of tea you know.” There was a tinge of hurt in her voice, and she didn’t like the fact that it was there. She could hear it and she was sure he could very well hear it too. For the first time in her life, Taylor was lost for words, so she pulled herself out of the water, gathered her things and stormed back to the school building.

~o~

The next few weeks, as she expected, was hell for Taylor. It seemed that Damien was not enjoying their time together any more than she was. Every time they had managed to come up with a few civil words for each other always ended up in a heated argument. Even Kat and Bryan had tried their best to reduce the tension between the two but failed miserably. When finally the twins couldn’t tolerate the resentment between Taylor and Damien, the pair reluctantly made a compromise to be at least civil to each other for the sake of their friends.

Slowly, the tension between the two deteriorated and the pair was back to snide remarks and tolerable dispute.

~o~

It was around March and Taylor was beginning to start to know the school considerably well. She hardly got lost anymore and could easily find her classes. Damien knew that it was soon going to be time that he would be free of the annoying girl. They were waiting in the Cafeteria under a tree the four of them had dubbed their ‘spot’ for the Asian twins.

“Well I suppose if I have to show you around school, I’m going to do a good job at it.”
“Oh, but you have,” she replied dryly.
“Tonight, at midnight, meet me outside the dining hall.” His tone was so serious; it caught her completely off-guard.

“Do I look like I’m joking?” He said in annoyance, but when he caught the look of poorly disguised horror on her face, he couldn’t help but smirk and add, “I’m not going to ravish you.” And after a dramatic pause, he quipped, “Unless you want me to.”
Her shock changed to indignation and she replied quite hotly, “I wasn’t thinking that, you git. And ew gross, definitely not.”
He couldn’t help the laughter rumbling from inside himself. “I’m serious. Midnight.” And with that he left her, staring after him in much confusion.

~o~

It had been almost two months they’d spent almost every day together. It wasn’t her fault that the school was so bloody enormous. She’d learnt quite a lot about him, not that she did it willingly of course. He liked to talk just to annoy her. And he usually succeeded. Also, much to her chagrin, she actually listened to him. For some inexplicable reason, she just couldn’t ignore the idiot. She’d spent a good lot of time thinking about him too. She really didn’t want to, but he just happened to find a way to wander into her thoughts. Like she’d be eating oranges for instance and she’d remember that he couldn’t stand orange juice. Who in their right mind couldn’t stand orange juice? She for one loved orange juice.

But that was beside the point. What worried her most was that sometimes, she saw him in an entirely different light. He wasn’t always the arrogant stuck up git she crashed into at the airport. Sometimes, she could swear that he was decent and a gentleman. She knew, deep down that there was more to him than meets the eye. But she rarely let herself dwell on it. The more she saw him in better light, she more she related him to the boy in her dreams. And that was being unwarranted. The past few months, she’d tried to keep her distance from him emotionally, but she was finding it harder and harder to find reasons to hate him.

And now he wanted to meet her at midnight? It was against school rules! It was dangerous. How if they got caught? How if he was setting her up? How if… And how if’s continued to rule her thoughts until midnight, judgment hour.

~o~

Damien strode restlessly outside the dining hall. Was she going to turn up? How if she turned him in? They were breaking a number of rules. How if she got into trouble because of him? How if– Hold up. Did he just worry about her? It must be the adrenaline. It’s playing with your mind, Damien. He was in the middle of mentally slapping himself when he heard the soft patter of footfall and he just knew it was her. She’d come.

Turning to see her expecting an annoyed expression, he was quite taken aback when he just found a face filled with curiosity. “What are we going to do?” she inquired, her voice a bare whisper.
“Come with me.” It was simple, straightforward. A command. And she acquiesced.

He moved stealthily to the large oak doors that opened to the outdoor compound of the school. Holding one door open for her, it reminded him of the first time they ‘officially’ met on the front steps of the school. He thought her a spoilt, shallow rich girl, and… he was right. He chuckled to himself. No, that wasn’t true; she was actually incredibly smart, witty, sarcastic, funny and everything he looked for in a girl. What was he thinking? Oh my dear lord, Damien. You’ve lost it.
“What’s up with you?” Came the slightest whisper.
“Nothing, sorry.”
“Where are we–”
“Ssshhh. Come.”

~o~

They moved quietly around to the back of the school, keeping close to the walls lest somebody decided to get some fresh air and walk out to their balconies. They walked in amiable silence for some time when Taylor felt something grip her hand and she realized that Damien had slipped his hand into hers. A rush of something she couldn’t quite place traveled through her entire being and she felt herself smiling in the dark. What was happening? She didn’t know what compelled her to respond to his grip – she should’ve pushed him away – but she didn’t and their fingers intertwined as they continued walking in the dark with only the dim moonlight to guide them.

They were reaching a gate. She’d never seen this gate before and she wondered briefly where he was taking her. She wanted to ask but somehow she didn’t want to ruin to perfect silence. Damien let go of her hand to open the gate and she immediately felt the loss of warmth. Her fingers curled up involuntarily and she wondered why she was reacting this way to him. She followed silently behind him and was shocked by the relief she felt when he took her hand again.

“A little more to go,” he whispered although she didn’t ask. He must’ve known it would bother her not knowing where they were going.

They walked on and he finally stopped abruptly causing her crash into him, losing her balance. He caught her in his arms and righted her swiftly as she muttered an embarrassed thanks. She looked ahead and saw a beautiful arch made of vines and leaves growing together. He led her under the arch and the scene that ensued made her breath catch in her throat. It was a gorgeous garden full of flawless flowers and everything shone almost silver in the moonlight – almost like the island. Taylor’s eyes widened slightly. There was no way he could’ve known.

Everything happened in a blur. One minute they were standing so very still, paralyzed by the beauty of the garden. Then the next, she was in his arms and he just held her as they stood there admiring the enchanting scene before them.

A million things were running through her mind at that moment. She shouldn’t feel so safe in his arms. What was happening? Nevertheless, she didn’t move to push him away and it was too soon before the slivers of sunlight began to pierce the dark of night. Dawn was approaching. He’d moved.

“I have to go,” he muttered gruffly.
“Okay,” Taylor replied, somewhat confused and torn between asking him to stay and asking him what he was playing at.
They shared a long, intense gaze, both not sure about what had happened and both unsure of their feelings for each other.
“I have to go,” he repeated. Her eyebrows knitted with the beginnings of what seemed like hurt but he had turned his back to her. And then he left.

She stood there for what seemed like hours before she knew how to move again.

Dispute.

2008-10-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Taylor was sprawled on her stomach, rolling around on her bed deep in thought. A very authentic green velvet notebook was left open at one end of her bed. She bit onto her pen unconsciously, a bad habit she had acquired over the years. Furrowing her brow at her notebook, she furiously scratched out her third attempt at a new poem.

~~Where did you go?~~
~~The light you brought,~~
~~Drove the darkene~~

“Terrible. Horrible. Atrocious. Ugghhhhh. Hell, I haven’t written a single line since I’ve gotten here.” Slamming her book close, she sat up and stared out the window. The sun was setting and it was a beautiful sight. Her eyes took in the large orange ball of light in the sky and the immense colours blending in altogether artistically in the purple sky. The large window of the dormitory showed a vast expanse of the school’s large campus. There was the fairly large grassy area with many shady trees that connected with the Cafeteria. Then not too far right was a basketball court, a tennis court and a swimming pool. On the left of the Cafeteria area was a football field and an athletic track. She had to admit she was impressed. The school was no doubt huge and very well equipped with all sorts of sports facilities.
She spotted a pair of boys and a girl, unmistakably Kat, with her large metallic trucker hat glinting in the setting sun. She deduced the other two must be her brother and the prick. They were playfully messing around, chatting and arguing amiably and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying each other’s company. A small sad smile crept onto Taylor’s face, she had never been so carefree in her life before and watching the three just lying there on the grass without a care in the world made her quite sad.
All her life, she’d always been the leader. She told people what to do and they always just seemed to do it. She never just had fun amongst equals. She was always the upper hand. The richer one; the more beautiful one; the wittier one. Her friends used to look up to her and when she came to think of it. They never disagreed. They always seemed to do what she wanted to do and they never fought or argued because that was how it was. It was then when she realized that even though she was surrounded by friends, even though she could be considered the most popular girl from her previous school, she was lonely. She never had real friends to confide in. She only spoke of her family problems to her bloody chauffeur for God’s sake! And she had always stayed in that comfort zone that reality had never hit her before. It never hit her this hard and this fast.
She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the three below her. And somehow she knew. She knew she wanted friends. Real friends. Friends like they had. It didn’t matter that she couldn’t stand Damien Winters for the life of her. She had a feeling Kat was going to be an amazing friend and she knew she shouldn’t let some idiot prick stand in the way of her finally having real friends. Woah, what a revelation, she thought. “Bloody hell,” she muttered as she fell back onto her bed, flipping her notebook open again.

There’s a new beginning for this story,
And it depicts a different picture.
For my mistakes I am sorry;
God let me start afresh, let me begin right here.

“Hmm. Not too bad. Not satisfactory. But well. I think I’m going to keep that for this moment.” She dropped her pen onto the bed and rolled onto her side. She didn’t know what it was but she was so unbelievably exhausted and slowly, Taylor began to drift into sleep.

Taylor was lying in the sand. Silver, warm sand that sparkled all around her. Oh, how it was comfortable. She sighed contently and stretched indulgently in the warmth around her. She’d never felt so safe in some foreign place before. Yet, everything was muted it seemed, she tried to take in everything at once, expecting a flood of vivid senses to assault her mind, but everything was subtle and controlled; almost as if her mind was holding back. As if she was afraid to reach out and grasp her new surroundings. It was confusing. How could she feel so comfortable and yet feel afraid at the same time? It was… surreal. There was no other way to explain it than that. There was an itch at the bottom of her stomach and it was really annoying. She couldn’t place it, but she really had to get rid of it. Taylor tried to stand but she couldn’t bring herself to. She was wracking her brain about it when suddenly she got it. It was curiosity. She was curious. That was the itch.

“Hey you,” she heard a faint familiar voice coming from her right. She turned with a subconscious smile on her face. It was him.
“Hey. I thought you’d never get here.”
“Wow,” he breathed. “You waited for me?”
“I don’t know why, but I had to.”

There was a moment of silence where the two just reveled in each other’s presence. Taylor tried to get up yet again but she still couldn’t. Sighing in frustration, she contented herself with studying the boy. He was casually dressed in some black slacks and a black shirt. Looking down at herself, she had never noticed it before, but she was wearing a peach summer dress nothing like all her clothes in her wardrobe. She reverted her gaze back to the boy to find that he was studying her as well. She looked down and blushed.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just…”
“Just?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Oh.” Taylor didn’t know what to say. The sincerity in his voice had overwhelmed her. Nobody had spoken to her in that way before. It was amazingly humbling. “Th-thank you.” She smiled demurely.
He flashed her a boyish smile, his previous humility gone. “Come, I remember we said we’d explore this place together.” The boy held out his hand to her.

Looking up into his dark eyes, – greyish blue, she noticed – she took his hand and then all she knew was the overpowering feeling of security he brought her. There was something there; something unknown but immensely powerful that enveloped the pair. And she knew he must have felt it too because he seemed entirely dazed when she turned to look at him. “What just?” she began, but decided against continuing and said, “Let’s go.”

Hand in hand they hesitantly edged towards the silver foliage in front of them. “Are you afraid?” she whispered, eyes still glued to the silvery sparkle of the trees that shone before them. When he didn’t answer, she tore her eyes away from the mesmerizing sheen to look at him. “Not with you here,” he breathed. And her heart melted.

A light tap on her shoulder woke Taylor up. “Morning, sunshine!” came a bright, cheery voice from above her. She reluctantly opened her eyes, blinking three times then rubbing her eyes vigorously. “Huh? Morning already?” she mumbled in confusion. “No, silly,” replied the shadow above her, followed by a peal of musical laughter. Did anybody ever tell her that she had an amazing laugh, Taylor wondered. As her eyes adjusted, the cheeky, smiling face of none other than Kathryn Wu came into view.

“Honestly, woman, you sleep like the dead!”
“I was tired,” whined Taylor. “Jetlag!”
“Yes, yes. Nobody’s blaming you. Time for dinner though.”
“Mmm. Thanks for waking me.”
“No probs. Come, let’s.” Kat mimicked and giggled helplessly.

Taylor rolled her eyes and hoisted herself off her all too comfortable bed. Finally getting a clear view of Kat, she noticed that she’d changed. Now donning a denim mini and a racer jacket zipped all the way up, Kat was sitting lazily with her legs crossed waiting for Taylor. She was sporting yet another bright trucker hat, red this time to match her Chucks. Knitting her eyebrows in confusion, – hadn’t it only been less than four hours? – she said, “Kay, one sec. Let me change too.” Once again, Kat’s giggles filled the room. “You must be wondering why I changed again. Well, I’m not some fashion psycho, if that was what you were thinking. Damien pushed me into the pool just now. The ass.”
“Couldn’t agree more,” muttered Taylor under her breath.
Kat simply laughed again and shook her head. “Obviously you two got off on the wrong foot then. Don’t worry, I’m sure you guys will work it out sooner or later.”
Taylor couldn’t help but snort. “Please. He’s an intolerable prick. How you guys are best friends with him is beyond me. Honestly.” She grabbed a flowy green skirt and a white MNG tank, changing quickly. She also swapped her Jimmy Choos for a pair of Lacoste flats and in less than five minutes, she was good to go.

They chatted amiably as they slowly made their way down to the Cafeteria. Getting their food, the pair took a seat at a random table and continued their chatter. It was uncannily peaceful and Taylor began to wonder about the lack of students at the school. Swallowing her mouthful of pasta, she said, “Kat, just wondering, why are there so few students here at the school?”
“Mad bot a gorbin skoo,” replied Kat through a mouthful of her Thai fried rice.
“I’m sorry, what??” answered Taylor amusedly. “I suggest you swallow first.”
Kat flashed a cheeky grin and promptly swallowed very deliberately. “I said, MAD’s not a boarding school. The American students come during the day and go back home to their families. The dorms are only for us international students, Malden lets in about 30 kids like us every year. So right, it’s usually super quiet during dinner time.”
“Ah. I see. So who’re the international students here?”
“Me, Bryan and Damien are the usual ones who’ve stayed on here for forever. A lot of the international ones are mostly foreign exchange so they like change every year. Sometimes high school grads take a break before college and come here to do art before they throw themselves into full time proper studying. But that’s a different case.”
“Honestly? How odd that there are only three of you that are permanent international students here.”
“Oh no no no. There are a few more. Like there’s this African kid who started like two years ago. He’s young and reeeaallly quiet. I swear to God, I’ve never heard him say a word. Nobody knows anything about him. It’s so weird!”
“Don’t be cruel. Maybe he just isn’t confident making friends. Have you guys ever tried talking to him?”
“Oh my God. Like loads of times. He just looks at you. Damien tries to make friends with him like everyday. Then I think he gave up. The kid is truly weird. Serious.”
“Okay okay. Who else?”
“Oh, there’s Leslie. She’s Australian and she’s in our dorm. She’s really nice but awfully straight. As a ruler! She doesn’t bend any rules one bit. I’ve tried and tried to get her to go out with us but she’s always too afraid to break the school rules.” Kat rolled her eyes dramatically.
“Then there’s Annette O’Reilly. Year 10 and fancies herself Damien’s number one fan. She’s seriously obsessed with him. To a point it’s freaky. Honest. Hates me of course. She hates any girl Damien pays more attention to than her. Which is coincidentally half the female population of our school.”
She paused and swallowed a giggle. “Look, there she is.” Kat gestured discreetly to her left. Turning to look, Taylor spotted a small, very fair, petite girl with rich red curls about shoulder length. She was seemingly preaching to a group of about five other girls, gesticulating dramatically and gushing about something. She managed to catch a “Damien…” in the girl, Annette’s mini speech.
“Oh God…” she caught herself saying.
Kat turned to regard her with another melodramatic roll of the eyes. “Told ya so.”
“Ugh, I’m going to be nauseous. She practically worships him!”
“She’s in our dorm. Better practice holding in your food,” chuckled Kat.

Taylor laughed along with the Chinese girl as she took another spoonful of the pasta, which was really good it so happened. Her smile widened as Kat pulled another joke about the whiny O’Reilly girl. I think I’m going to like it here after all.

~o~

The next morning, Taylor woke up to the sound of brushing. They had gotten back to the dorms late that night, her and Kat, and there were a few people already sleeping. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, stifling a yawn as she stretched. Everything was still blurry from post sleep consciousness. Brush, brush, brush. The noise vaguely registered in her semi-conscious state of having just woken up. Brush, brush, brush. Was somebody brushing? Brush, brush, brush. It was really to begin to annoy her. What the hell is that infernal brushing noise?? She whipped around, scanning the room only to spot an amused Kat sitting on her bed, brushing her teeth and watching. Taylor realized belatedly that she must have looked a sight with her confused expression and horrendous bed hair. Before she knew it, she was lying back on her bed clutching her stomach and laughing. When she’d sat up again, Kat had gone off to gargle or something.

Sure enough, Kat’s telltale bouncy footsteps echoed down the hall coming towards their dorm. Taylor crossed her legs and sat up, waiting for Kat to come in. There was a sturdy knock. Huh? Why was Kat knocking? Taylor chuckled. Her and her antics. “Come in!” she shouted, in a singsong voice. She was beginning to burst out in giggles again when she looked up and saw a muscular male figure instead of the tall slender build of Kat. Her eyes traveled up the body to see the unknown male figure’s face, but before she recognized the boy she had heard him.

“Oh shit! I am SO sorry. I thought Kat was in. I was ju–”

Taylor recognized the heavy Kiwi accent and realized it must be Kat’s brother, Bryan. But why was he apologizing? And why did he stop mid-sentence? She opened her mouth to ask when she followed his gaze and looked down at herself when realization hit. She had just woken up. Which meant that she was still wearing her nightgown, her very thin silk nightdress; which had coincidentally ridden all the way up when she crossed her legs exposing a good deal of her creamy white thighs.
Blood rushed to her cheeks as she scrambled to gather her blankets to cover herself. Just as she managed to cover all of herself she heard a shriek and looked up.

“You bloody pervert!” Kat had begun whacking her brother on the head with her pillow. The identical expressions of incredulity on both the twins’ faces were too much and before she knew it, Taylor had forgotten her embarrassment and was laughing again.
Bryan had been overcome with shock at the sudden attack and the expression on his face was priceless. “WHAT THE HELL KAT.” He’d resorted to tackling her to stop her assault. Wow, this was like a movie, Taylor mused.
“You perve! You came here to ogle at Taylor? In her underwear?? Oh my GOD. I am disgusted to call you my brother!”
“I didn’t know! I freaking apologized alread– GOD DAMMIT KAT, STOP HITTING ME.”
Kat was sitting on her brother repeatedly whacking on the head with her pillow when she stopped and looked down at him in shock. “Why are you yelling at me?” she said innocently. She pouted melodramatically and jumped off her brother, running to Taylor. “Taaayloorrrrr! My brother was SO mean!”

Taylor was pretty much stunned. Wow, this girl is like bipolar. “Are you okay?” she asked the girl, confusion quite evident in her face.
“Oh ignore her,” Bryan replied. “She’s always like that. Works on Damien all the time. Seriously, I need someone on my side here.” He flashed her a boyish grin.
“Ew Bryan! Don’t hit on my friends!” whined Kat.
“I wasn’t –” Bryan stopped and sighed, shaking his head. Kat jumped at the opportunity of his defeat and began shooing him out of the room, turning to flash Taylor a cheeky grin. “Get dressed you bum, it’s almost time for lunch,” Kat called out to her from the hallway. “Meet you in the Caf!”

“Lunch?” Taylor mumbled to herself. It couldn’t be that late already could it? Stretching languidly one last time, she got up and walked over to her dressing table looking for her mobile. 12.30. Oh damn, it was late. The jetlag must have really gotten to her. She sighed, grumbling at herself for being such a pig as she rushed about freshening up, brushing teeth and carrying out her daily morning ritual of cosmetics and facial care. When she was done, she stood at the foot of her bed in her bright kimono bathrobe, akimbo, contemplating what she should wear.

It was tie between either her colourful Zac Posen summer dress or her favourite Calvin Klein jeans and a simple princess cut top. She opted for the dress and slipped on a pair of flats, grabbing her favorite handbag as she took off towards the Cafeteria.

On her way, she wondered why she hadn’t met any of her new dorm mates yet. Well, if you’re getting back ridiculously late and waking up ridiculously late, you can’t expect to meet anybody who goes by a normal clock, can you Taylor Smith? She sighed and made a vow to herself that by the time school started she would get to know at a few of her school mates other than Kathryn Wu and her brother. Oh, not to forget that Winters boy. She sighed heavily remembering that she was going to have to spend a whole lot of time with him when school started the next day.

~o~

Damien stood impatiently at the Cafeteria, tapping his feet as he checked his expensive Cartier watch for what seemed the millionth time. Where the hell were those two? He casually leant against a wall when he saw the pair walking down in his direction. Bryan looked vaguely ashamed while Kat seemed animatedly livid.

“You sexual predator! Oh my god! I am ashamed to be your blood relative!”
“It was an honest mistake, Kat! And how was I supposed to know you girls wore such… revealing nightwear?”

Damien quirked an eyebrow in amusement. Stepping front to meet the two halfway he said, “So who have you been playing Peeping Tom on this time Bryan?” The Chinese boy gave him an aggravated glare. “Not funny.” Despite the awkward tension between the two siblings, Damien couldn’t resist a hearty laugh. “Right. Right. I’m famished. Let’s.” Kat giggled helplessly, earning her strange looks from the two males. “Oh nothing. And hold up. We’re waiting fo– Ah there she is!”

Kat waved to somebody behind Damien and he had a sinking feeling he would not like what he saw when he turned around. Nevertheless, he fluidly turned to look behind him and his suspicions were confirmed. That annoying little arrogant twit from the plane – Smith was it? – was walking towards them dressed in a ridiculously colourful dress.

“You,” he said simply, annoyance quite evident in his voice.
“What about me?” she answered innocently, elegantly raising her eyebrows, challenging him. But before he had the chance to answer, she’d turned to Kat and began to chatter genially.

Damien scowled at her back and decided he would just ignore her presence for the day. School hadn’t started and he was going to enjoy his last day free of that girl no matter what it took. A quiet chuckling at his side reminded him that he wasn’t alone. Turning, his scowl still apparent on his face, he was greeted by Bryan trying his hardest not to burst out in laughter.

“WHAT exactly is so funny?” he snapped.
This time Bryan laughed freely and turned to look at his sister and Taylor walking off to buy food. “Oh nothing. It’s just that I’ve never ever seen you lost for words before. And at the mercy of a girl? Wow. She sure is something. Kat picks the right friends.” He chuckled again and started off towards to food.
Damien folded his arms and glowered fiercely at his best friend. “I was not lost for words.”
“So were,” Bryan called out. “And come on. Weren’t you ‘famished’ just a while ago?”
“I think I’ve just lost my appetite,” muttered Damien as he strode domineeringly towards the direction of the food stalls.

Two burgers, a bowl of Japanese noodles and a slice of pizza later, the four of them sat at the foot of a large tree, laughing and talking amiably. Well, that could be said for three of the four. Damien hadn’t managed kept his vow of ignoring Taylor. The pair had been exchanging biting comments and bickering all afternoon.

“I gotta pee,” exclaimed Kat quite suddenly. He heard the girl laugh freely, observing her shake her head. “Kat, you are awfully straightforward you know that?”
“Oh I’m sorry. I need to use the loo,” countered Kat, putting on a ridiculous British accent.
Even Damien couldn’t resist laughing at that and added, “We don’t sound like that you know.”
“Oh I know. But don’t you think this is funnier?” she flashed him a cheeky grin and stood up. “I wasn’t kidding. I really need to pee.” She extended her hand to the other girl sitting daintily to his side. “Come with me?”
The Smith girl laughed again and Damien couldn’t help but notice she had a nice laugh. Sort of twinkling with a chime to it. He shook his head. What was he thinking? As she got up and the two walked off to the bathrooms, he couldn’t stop his eyes from admiring her frame as she retreated. He had to admit, despite the overdose of colour, the dress was very tasteful and well cut. Zac Posen by the looks of it. He was shaken out of his reverie by Bryan’s voice at his side. “Man, you got it bad.”

“I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about,” he replied brusquely.
“You’ve got the hots for her. It’s effin’ obvious dude.”
Damien turned sharply to stare at the Chinese boy. “You have got to be kidding. Her?! Of all people, the one I can’t stand, you think I like her??”
“Yeah.”
“You’re dreaming.”
“Am not. You know it too. You just don’t want to admit it yet.”

Damien didn’t get a chance to reply because he heard a loud, sickly sweet voice. A voice that never failed to make the hairs on his neck stand.

“OH DAMIEN!”
“Bugger,” he muttered under his breath and looked straight ahead to find Annette O’Reilly, his young stalker. “Why hello Annette. Nice day isn’t it?”
She nearly squealed and tittered shamelessly. “Now that I’ve seen you it is!” She leaned forward to plant a kiss on his cheek but he’d jerked backwards hitting his head on the trunk of the tree. “Buggering hell!”
“Oh you poor baby!” She reached out to check his head for bumps but he smoothly evaded her and quickly stood up. “Hell, this feels really bad. I’d better get it checked. See you… uh… Yeah. See you.” He strode briskly towards the school building without looking back.

~o~

That night, Taylor lay in her bed thinking about her day. She had to admit, she really was starting to like the twins. They were fun and funny and overall really good company. She supposed she could tolerate that bigoted Winters boy. He had been so arrogant that afternoon that she couldn’t even believe it. And it was rather rude of him to leave so suddenly without reason. When she and Kat had gotten back from the bathrooms, they found Bryan laughing by himself by the tree. He’d said that Damien just left unexpectedly. Rather shifty if you asked her.

She’d manage to catch Leslie when they got back that evening. She seemed very nice to say the least. She was soft-spoken and awfully polite. Taylor figured that she would make quite a decent roommate. Most of the exchange students would only be coming the next morning. Or so Leslie had said.

Leaning against the soft down of her pillows she turned on her side and made herself comfortable. The cool Egyptian cotton against her cheek and the unbelievably feathery lightness of the comforter over her didn’t make it very hard. She smiled as she saw Kat starfished on her back sleeping soundly. Slowly but surely, her eyelids drooped and she succumbed to the bliss of sleep.

She was sitting on the silvery sands of the island waiting. She had no idea why she was waiting or what she was waiting for. But she had a vague feeling that she was waiting for the boy.

It had been a while before he appeared next to her. He was frowning and looked extremely irritated. “What’s wrong?” she whispered, and reached out to touch him. He jerked back harshly and scowled at her. The hurt she felt was so immense that it was foreign to her. Bringing her hand back to her side, she turned away from him and faced the black waters of the ocean surrounding them.

“I’m sorry,” he said suddenly. His voice was rough and pained.
She turned to look at him and was caught by his silvery navy eyes. They were so full of frustration and anger. Taylor didn’t know why, but she just had to know what was wrong.

“What’s wrong?” she repeated.
“Nothing.” His voice was distant and unfamiliar. It was like he was a completely different person.
Turning, she grabbed his arms and looked him in the eyes. “Tell me. Please.”
His features seemed to soften after hearing the pleading tone of her voice and he hung his head down looking dejected. “I don’t know,” he said softly.

The ache in his voice was so clear-cut, so real, that Taylor’s eyes flew open. “That was surreal,” she breathed. There was a dull throbbing pain in her chest as though she felt the pain that the boy in her dreams was feeling. She didn’t know what to think. Could it be love? Could she be falling for someone her subconscious mind had conjured? It was ridiculous. But somehow, she had no other explanation for what she was feeling.

And no matter how hard she tried, she could make herself fall asleep again that night.

~o~

The next morning, she washed up and slipped on a denim miniskirt and a Polo shirt and made her way down to the Cafeteria. It was preposterously early so she didn’t want to wake Kat. Maybe she would make some new friends today.

When she reached the Cafeteria, she realized she was very wrong. There was not a soul there save the food vendors setting up stall. She bought some juice and proceeded to make her way to the same spot under the tree when she heard a low, honeyed male voice from her side. “My, my, don’t you look like hell.”

She turned and glared at the source of the voice, already guessing who it belonged to. None other than world-class prick, Damien Winters. She began to come back with a sharp retort when she noticed his face. His perfect features looked exhausted and there were dark circles under his eyes. “The same could be said for you,” she said, surprise lingered in her voice. “Didn’t you sleep last night?”

“Barely a wink,” he replied in a low voice.
“Me neither,” she found herself saying as she looked at his tired expression.
There was a significant change in his posture and movement as his facial features gathered into a haughty sneer. What had looked like a tired angel to Taylor became the face of the Devil. “It’s very obvious,” he drawled.
She scowled at him. He was almost sincere a while ago. Sighing, she decided to ignore him but as she started to walk away, he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.

“Didn’t your mother ever tell you it’s rude to walk away while a person is talking to you?”
“Well, you’re not a person.”
He rolled his eyes at her and said, “Well, as of today, you are sadly my responsibility. So it’d be fitting for you to at least be polite to me.”
Taylor shook off his hand; it was beginning to burn her skin for some reason, and fixed him with an icy glare. Her voice was soft, barely a whisper, but the power behind it was clear. “You’re not worth it.”

And with that, she walked away, stalking towards her destination. She closed her eyes when she was far enough from him. These first few months are going to be hell. “Bloody hell,” she groaned.

~o~

Damien stared after her. The nerve of the girl! He glared daggers at her retreating form. And he had to spend at the least a month or two showing that girl around? “Bloody hell,” he groaned.

And with that, he braced himself and strode purposefully after her.

Introductions.

2008-07-04T18:08:00.000-07:00

Damien looked around as he straightened and noticed a fine white limousine parked behind his black one. Hmmm, two obscenely rich kids attending this school, they must be pleased. He briefly wondered who the expensive automobile belonged to, when the white limo pulled up in front of him and out stepped none other than…

“You??” he blurted out in shock. It was that girl from the airport, the one who annoyed the heck out of him, the one whom he had been thinking about just moments before…

Taylor ignored him with a dignified iciness; well, she wouldn’t be acting that way if she hadn’t seen him earlier. She suspected she’d be gawking like a foolish baboon just as the boy in front of her was doing. More like one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces you mean, came a tiny voice from the back of her mind. She frowned. I can’t believe you’re having thoughts like that about that obnoxious arse, she scolded herself.

Damien managed to compose himself in a brief moment, and then he voiced his thoughts. “What are you doing here?”
The girl continued to pretend he didn’t exist. And it was starting to piss him off. His anger was well hidden behind a decorous façade however and he continued, “Oh right, forgive me. You know, when someone shows up in a striking vehicle such as yours, one would think that such person would have exceptional etiquette. But curse my memory; I seemed to have forgotten your rotten manners.”
“Why you little –” she began, when she was cut off by an excited voice.

This seemed to be another recurring event, he noted. Their arguments always seemed to be interrupted and it was a smidge annoying for they would never know who the winner of the argument was. He knew it would be him though, but it was always nice to be sure. They both turned to the large oak doors to find a short, plump woman decked from head to toe in plum purple; from the over-the-top plume hat that adorned her head right down to the plum purple pumps she wore on her feet.

“Why Mrs. Malden, how very nice to see you again,” said Damien, a charming grin plastered on his face. The woman, it appeared, was their principle.
“No, no, no, it’s my pleasure to see you back here, Mister Winters,” she replied with a genuine beam. Her voice was very high-pitched and reminded Taylor somewhat or a mouse doing the opera. “I see you two have become acquainted,” she added.
“Well, not exactly Mrs. Malden, we–” Taylor spoke up, when she was cut off yet again; this time by Damien who still had that ridiculous forced smile on his face.
“Oh, I was just introducing myself to the new girl, hoping to help her around,” he said to the principle. Turning to her he said, “My name is Damien Winters. Pleased to meet you. What might your gracious name be?”
Taylor caught on quick; he was sucking up to the principle. Despicable. Giving the boy a well-disguised glare she replied, “Taylor Smith. I’m new here.” “Obviously,” she added under her breath.
“Why, how very congenial of you Mister Winters,” said Mrs. Malden with a touch of pride. “And welcome to Her Majesty’s Academy of Art and Design, Miss Smith.”

Two can play that game, Mister Winters, she thought, plastering on a dazzling, award-winning smile. “Thank you so much Mrs. Malden, you are so very gracious.” Turning to the boy, Damien, it seemed, she looked at him almost coyly, “Yes, very congenial of him to make acquaintance with poor me, friendless on my first day. I really appreciate it, Mister Winters.” Damien nodded nonchalantly and he didn’t seem to be paying much attention to the conversation going on. There was a lacing of sarcasm coating her flattering words but whether Mrs. Malden noticed or not, she beamed enthusiastically and continued to titter like a mother hen of sorts.

“Oh, don’t feel that way Miss Smith. I assure you that everyone will be very amiable here at Her Majesty’s Academy of Art and Design. It is one of the important things we stress upon.”
Taylor smiled demurely and said, “Thank you, Mrs. Malden. I am much assured.”
The principle continued animatedly, “However, this is a large school and there are many instances where I’ve gotten lost. So, I think it is best that you should have a guide to help you get around the school for the first few weeks.”
All that was running through Taylor’s mind was, how does one get lost in one’s own school?? So she didn’t think when she answered, “Of course, that would be ideal.”
Principle Malden’s eyes lit up mischievously and it was then when the pair of newfound foes realized that they’d just been thrown to the lions – or more like at each other.
“Perfect. Mister Winters, you will be Miss Smith’s guide and aid her through her first few weeks here.”
And all the pair could do then was smile and nod.

~o~

Damien held open the large oak doors for Taylor in a gallant act of chivalry. Act being the imperative verb. Great, the chit has gotten us into this and now I have to be nice to her around Malden. Roughly the same thing was going through Taylor’s mind at that very moment. Great, now I have to actually be nice to this pompous braggart in front of the principle. She sighed audibly and moved further from him.

“Yes, because I’m positively teeming with germs,” Damien muttered dryly.
“Oh, I’m glad you noticed. Saves me the trouble to tell you to shower,” she replied in an all too sweet tone.
“Well considering I came into contact with you, I am going to have to wash myself.”
“So, you wouldn’t wash yourself otherwise? I’m glad I’m making you hygienic.”
“I didn’t say tha–”
“Aha, point to Taylor Smith.”
“You can’t just give yourself points like that. Since when were we keeping score?”
“Since now.”
“You are so immature.”
“Smith one, Winters none.”
“Grow up.”
“You know you’re playing this game too.”
“Am not.” It came out a slight bit too petulant sounding for Damien’s liking.
“Grow up,” she mimicked in quite a respectable fashion.
Damien somewhat growled in frustration and stalked off in the direction of the boys’ dormitories.
“Oh, but Mister Winters,” came a sickly sweet voice from behind.
“What,” he snapped. This girl would kill him with frustration.
“Why, that is no way to treat a lady. Especially one whom you’re supposed to be aiding. Orders from the principle. No?”
He turned back to her and gave her a charming flash of teeth, mockery clearly evident behind his pearly whites. “May I escort you to your dormitory then?”
“Oh, no thank you. I think I can manage,” she managed to choke out before dissolving into a fit of laughter. “And another point to Taylor Smith. My, you are terrible at this.”
“I am not playing your childish game!” He replied in measurable annoyance.
“You already have Winters. You already have.” And with that she left walking in the definitely right direction to the girls’ dorms.

~o~

Damien stood there fuming while he watched her fluidly carry herself up the meticulously polished marble steps that lead to the girls’ dormitories. With commandeering presence, he strode almost arrogantly towards boy’s dorms. He passed a group of fawning girls on his way, all tittering and giggling. One almost swooned. He couldn’t contain an irritated eye-roll at the blatant display of female affection towards him. Sickening, he thought, barely able to stop a grimace from forming on his perfectly sculpted face. He picked up his pace just incase one of the girls decided to be so forward as to actually talk to him. “Daaamiieennn.” Ugh, he groaned. Too late. Bugger, he knew that voice anywhere. Damien cringed noticeably, wondering how anybody could make his name sound so unappealing.

Nevertheless, he plastered a captivating smile on his face and turned around. “Why Annette, how very nice to see you again.” The twit virtually squealed. Hell. “Like ohmygod! You like remember my name!” Annette O’ Reilly turned to her band of twittering schoolgirls. “I told you girls, he loves me.” What the– Now that’s just a little bit worrying, thought Damien.

“Well, Annette. How do I put this. I don’t think that love is the appropriate word for this.”
“Oh nonsense. Did you miss me, sweetie pie? I know I sure missed you. Why didn’t you write all summer? I wrote yooouuu.”
“I’ve been… busy,” he said evasively. Annette O’ Reilly was a Year 10 girl who happened to have an unhealthy fixation with Damien. And he made his biggest and gravest mistake one day when he was feeling quite bored with life and decided to mess with the poor girl’s head by giving her a flirtatious wink and a compliment. Ever since then, she was convinced that the pair of them were meant to be together. For life. And then, what had been an infatuation turned to stalking and now bordered on full on obsession. It was very perturbing. Very perturbing indeed.
“Oh, it’s okay Damien. Like I just know you miss me, ya know? It’s like some psychic connection between us or something. Like how awesome is that?”
He pitied her. He really did. But right now he needed saving. Oh screw it. He would just make up some lie. “Right, I’ve got to go… somewhere. Bye.” And with that, he hurriedly stalked away from the gaggle of girls.

~o~

“Urrrghhhhhh. Bloody hell.” Damien groaned as he threw himself onto the first bed he saw.
“Oi, dude. That’s my bed you’re at,” came a voice from his left. Damien didn’t have to turn to know whose voice it was. For two reasons: one, the owner of the voice always and that meant ALWAYS took the first bed of the dorms every year. And two, the owner of the voice was none other than Damien’s best friend, Bryan Wu.

“Humour me,” said Damien miserably, groaning into the mattress.
“Let me guess, that Annette chick again?” replied Bryan, sounding all too amused.
“Not funny, tell me you know how to deal with stalkers like her.”
“Yes, because with you around, I am positively up to my brows with stalker chicks. Thanks, dude. You totally did me a favour by looking like that.”
“Ughhhh. Bugger off.” Damien shot a withering glance at his best friend.
Bryan held his hands up in mock surrender. “Chillax dude. I didn’t do nothing to you.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Hey man, how’ve you been over the summer? I never thought you could get any browner.”
“Hey! Don’t diss the tan, man. It’s got the ladies lining up to get a slice of Wu pie.”
Damien chuckled. “You did not just say that.”
“Well, I’ve got to work on them pick up lines,” replied Bryan with a sheepish smile.
“You’ve got to work on every type of line,” said Damien dryly and was promptly hit on the head by a well-aimed book.
Damien sat up, rubbing his temple. “Bloody hell, Wu. That bloody hurt.”
“That was the point.” Bryan flashed a boyish grin at him. “So yeah. Summer? Kat and I went back to Kiwiland for the summer. To see the parentals you know. We catched up on some tanning and some surfing… The shit.” Bryan was at Her Majesty’s Academy of Art and Design on scholarship; he and his twin sister, Kathryn Wu were New Zealand born Chinese who had been at the school for all their high school life.
“Dude, you don’t need any more tanning.”
“Shhhh. I said don’t diss the tan.”
Damien grinned at him. “So how’s Kat?”
“You can ask her yourself. I promised her we’d be meeting for lunch. I’m warning you. She might want to tell you about every summer snog she’s had.” Bryan shuddered dramatically and imitated the act of sticking a finger down his throat. “She so needs a girl to talk to man.”
“What? You mean you’re not a girl?”
“Ha ha. SO funny, dude. Hurry up and get your lazy ass off my bed and start unpacking. You know how Kat gets when we’re late.”

“Mmmm,” Damien mumbled noncommittally and lifted himself off the considerably plush single bed and looked around, scouting for an ideal sleeping spot. Three of the eight beds already had bags on them. Looks like he was fairly early then. The dormitories at Her Majesty’s Academy of Art and Design were very large and accommodating; with eight sumptuously comfortable single beds sheeted with soft Egyptian cotton and off-white goose down comforters. Each bed had a large chest of drawers in front of it for clothes and personal belongings, a small polished oak side table and a matching oak working desk equipped with a small shelf for books. The walls were white at the beginning of the year but always artistically graffitied or painted by the end of it. Mrs. Malden allowed it as long as the students repainted the walls themselves before they left for the summer holidays. She said she felt it was necessary to give her students “the freedom of art”. The boys of the two dormitories on the floor shared one common bathroom, which was large enough and had enough showers and toilets so that nobody had to fight in the morning.

Her Majesty’s Academy of Art and Design was not a boarding school. It was a prestigious private art school that allowed 30 foreign students to board each year. That explained the luxury of the dorm rooms and the lack of them. Damien had come to the school on a whim, rebelling against his parents who had wanted to send him to a school in France that focused mainly on etiquette. Surprisingly, he found himself rather talented at art – painting in particular – and stayed on at the school.

He had picked the bed directly opposite Bryan’s. Placing the last of his clothes neatly into the chest of drawers, he stood up and brushed invisible dust off himself. “Kay, done. Let’s get down to the Cafeteria.”

~o~

Taylor climbed up the steps to the girls’ dormitory with cat-like grace and peeked into the dorm room that she had been assigned to. It was pretty much empty with some bags already set on certain beds. Well, it was nicer than she expected. Everything was pretty much spacious. She picked the second bed from the door and threw herself onto the inviting bed. Oh heaven. The bed was gloriously comfortable. Especially after she’s spent almost a day on a plane. She hadn’t slept in a bed for a day and a half. She could tell that the pillows and comforters were of quality. Taylor stretched contently in the luxurious bed and just lay there basking in the comfort that surrounded her.

She heard a faint brushing noise, very strange, almost like somebody was brushing their teeth. She propped herself up on her elbows and unconsciously gasped in astonishment. An Asian-looking girl, very tall and slender, athletically built, was standing with one foot against the wall watching Taylor. She had long beautiful black hair that almost reached down to her tailbone and looked like something from a L’Oreal advertisement. Her clothes were quite street, so to speak; with her metallic trucker hat, bright abstract printed zip-up hoodie over a dark green tank top, dark washed skinny jeans and bright red Chucks. And she was brushing her teeth.

“Why are you– ” she began to ask but the girl had straightened and left the room. Presumably to spit and gargle. Taylor stared after her in slight confusion. “Okay. American people are so absurd,” she said softly, mostly to herself and the walls.

Footsteps signified the return of the odd Asian girl and Taylor watched the door. “Aaah, minty fresh,” said the girl, flashing Taylor a dazzling smile.
“I’m sorry, but. Uhm. Why are you brushing your teeth at this time of the day? Or is that just normal here?”
“Strong Brit accent. English are you? Yes, don’t answer that. Stupid question. Hmm? The brushing? Oh yeah, we brush every two hours here. Very normal. You don’t? How strange.” She talked very quickly, as if she had too much to say and too little time to say it.
Taylor was beginning to feel confused when she caught the edge of friendly sarcasm in the girl’s reply. She smiled genuinely. She liked the already. “Yes. Very much English. My name’s Taylor Smith. I’m new at this school. And you are?”
“Oh my god. I can’t believe I’ve been so rude. Slap me already. Jesus. The name’s Kathryn Wu. Call me Kat. New are you? Welcome to MAD. I know that’s like not the exact abbreviation for Her Majesty’s Academy of Art and Design, but it’s shorter. And much more fun to say. Plus, good ammunition for bad jokes about our school.” The girl was like a whirlwind.
“Goodness. Nice to meet you Kat. It’s nice to make acquaintances on your first day.”
“Yeah. It is actually. Well, now you know me.” She smiled.
“That’s grand. Well, I was wondering. Your accent. You from America?”
“That’s a first. These American girls take one look at me and they know I’m foreign. I’m a Kiwi. Born and bred. And proud of it.” Another flash of teeth. “My brother and I, we’re here on scholarship. He’s into photography and I’m a dancer. What are you?”
“Well. I’m not sure exactly. I guess I dance quite a bit. But I’m also really into literature and stuff.”
“I guess that’s why you’re here. They help you find your thing here. I was stuck as a ballet dancer thanks to the parentals for 5 years before I came here and found hip hop.”
“I see. Well, yes. I guess I do hope I’ll find my thing here.” Taylor began unpacking her things neatly into the shelves and drawers when Kat’s stomach growled audibly.
“Oh my god. That was so embarrassing. You totally didn’t hear that.”
Taylor just couldn’t help the laughter bubbling from her throat. “You really should go and eat something. I’m getting rather hungry as well.”
“Say, wanna come with me? I’m supposed to meet my brother and his friend at the Caf later. I’ll introduce you.”
She smiled at the Chinese girl. “That would be lovely.” And completely didn’t expect it when Kat started laughing in fits of giggles.
“What did I do? Was it something I said?”
“That would be lovely.” Laughter. “I’m so,” she tried to manage between peals of laughter. “So sorry.” More laughter. “It’s just.” Kat took a deep breath. “Sorry. Oh my god. I’m like so unbelievably rude. It’s just, the whole lovely thing. Sounds so grandaunt-ish. I guess it’s normal in England. But I’m so gonna have get used to that. I’m sorry. Really ignore me.” She was quite flustered when she ended her mini speech.
Taylor was quite confused. “Oh.” And she too was overcome by an unexplainable fit of giggles. “Okay fine. That was rather old-ish. I just didn’t notice.” She placed the last of her clothing into the chest of drawers and straightened, brushing dust off herself. She knew there wasn’t really any dust, but it was a rather bad habit that made her seem oh so very spoilt. She really had to learn to cut it out. “Right then. I’m done. Let’s.”
“Oh how English! Yes. Let’s.” Kat giggled and linked arms with Taylor, dragging her down the dormitory steps right to the Cafeteria. Taylor smiled and decided that they would make pretty good friends.

~o~

The Cafeteria was very large to accommodate the multitude of students at Her Majesty’s Academy of Art and Design. It was partially indoors and outdoors and expanded over the grassy hills of the campus. The school was no doubt a big one, with a plethora of school grounds to wander and explore. The Cafeteria had a huge variety of food choice for every type of taste bud. Be it Asian, there was sushi, Chinese food, dim sum, Thai and Vietnamese food, Continental being Italian, Mexican, whatever you name it. It was there.

There were groups of people sprinkled around the Cafeteria; some on the long tables, some on the round ones and some on a picnic blanket on the grass. The number was quite scarce as it wasn’t exactly lunchtime, and it was a day before school actually began so not many people were around yet.

Kat and Taylor traipsed down to the food stalls amiably chattering on about nothing. Kat was prattling about which food was absolutely delicious and which wasn’t so. Taylor was contemplating what to eat. Taylor decided on the sushi, it was after all, her favourite food. “So what’re you having, Kat?”
“I have absolutely no idea. I never can choose. Hell, I need my brother.” She stood between the Italian and the Chinese take-away, one hand on her hip, the other over the back of her head in a rather casual ‘thinking style’. “Help me?” She turned on Taylor with large puppy-dog eyes causing Taylor to burst out laughing.
“You are so melodramatic. Well, it’s almost four. So I suggest something light. Go with the take-out.”
“Okay, sure thing. Tay, you’re a dream. It’s okay if I call you Tay right? Or do you prefer Taylor? Anything really.” A small worried crease appeared on Kat’s forehead.
“Anything’s fine. Really.” Kat never ceased to be able to make her laugh.

Waiting for Kat to pay, Taylor looked around the Cafeteria. A brief fleeting wonder crossed her mind; I wonder where that Winters boy is at. What in the– You did not just think that Taylor. She shuddered and mentally slapped herself.

“Right. Ready?” Came Kat’s voice from behind.
“Mhmm. Where to?”
“Right there.” Kat pointed to a nice spot of grass below a shady tree.

~o~

They sat down and made themselves comfortable. Taylor took a hungry mouthful of her salmon temaki roll. “Oh this is delicious.”
“Told you,” replied Kat with a knowing smirk. “So, how do you like the school so far?”
“Actually, this is pretty much all I’ve seen so far.”
“Oh right. Have you been assigned a ‘guide’ by Malden yet? That is one right pain in the ass. The whole guide thing, not Malden. Well she is quite. But she’s old. So who cares?”
Taylor suppressed a chuckle. “Well. Guide? Yes, I have actually. And mines a real right pain in the arse.”
“Oh really? Who could that be? I know a fair amount of assholes in our school.” She grinned.
Taylor laughed, Kat was definitely was too forward. That girl wouldn’t know subtle if it hit her in the face. She stared at her sushi and replied, “Him? His name is–” But she was interrupted by a male voice with the same unique accent as Kat. Must be the brother. Then she heard another voice. A very familiar male voice, very condescending and arrogant and extremely familiar. No, it couldn’t be. The school was humongous. She couldn’t be that unlucky.

Dreading what would come into view, she looked up and her bright blue eyes met a familiar pair of dark blue ones. “You??” They both said simultaneously yet again for the second time that day.
“Why can’t you leave me alone?” Taylor nearly shrieked.
“Excuse me? Are you under the impression that I am” – he stopped so give her an incredulous look – “stalking you?”
“Well it sure seems like it.”
“Please, I have better things to do with my time.”
“Yeah, probably like wanking or something,” she shot back scathingly.
“Woah, woah, woah. Hold up. You two know each other?” Kat interrupted.
“Unfortunately,” muttered Taylor.
“That’s FANTASTIC!”
This time, all eyes shifted to her.
“Fantastic? I don’t see how that can even come close to fantastic,” stated Damien.
“Something we can all agree on,” added Taylor.

But Kat was already happily introducing her brother to Taylor, who smiled at her apologetically and muttered, “Her head’s rather in the clouds, forgive her.”
Taylor couldn’t help smile at this. It was true. Kat was unbelievably optimistic. She had already reverted back to their previous topic.

“So, Tay here was telling me about the guide Malden assigned to her. Apparently he’s a real asshole so I was wondering who it was and she was about to tell me his name when Bryan here so nicely interrupted us. So Tay, what’s this asshole’s name?”
Taylor couldn’t contain her smirk as Kat was talking. “Oh? His name? Damien Winters.” She said this looking directly into Damien’s eyes, her tone icy with a hint of malice.
“Oh.” Kat suddenly became speechless, Bryan burst out laughing and was rolling around the grass and Damien just fumed and glared back at Taylor.

She was done with her sushi. Picking up her trash, Taylor walked to the nearest trashcan, brushing past Damien as she did so. “And another point to Taylor Smith.” And when she had gone quite a distance, she broke out into a wide smirk.

Encounters.

2008-02-10T03:04:00.000-08:00

The first few rays of sunlight broke through the barrier known as curtains glaring at an adolescent girl, fast asleep on a large luxurious four poster. She turned in bed trying to avoid the assault of the sun, unsuccessful. Groaning, she sat up, rubbed her eyes and stretched. It was strange, very strange. Taylor had had a recurring dream for the past few days; she would be flying in pitch black skies over a beautiful mystical island gleaming silver, every night. But she would never set foot on the island, never know of its inhabitants or why it was pure silver. But it was only a dream and she tried to shrug it off. A loud pounding at her door told her it was past eight and that she was late. “Bugger,” she muttered under her breath and scrambled out of bed as quickly as she could. She hurriedly looked for something to wear from the remaining clothes in her large walk-in wardrobe. She finally decided on a pair of skinny leg jeans and a black polo paired with high heeled Jimmy Choo boots and her favourite Balenciaga.

Sighing, she heaved her luggage and made her way downstairs trying her best to avoid her parents on her way out. She couldn’t be bothered with petty goodbyes and hugs. She smiled at Ben, her chauffeur.

“Good morning, miss, it seems you are late.”
“Morning, and yes, Ben, I know. Now could you please hurry? I really don’t want to miss my flight.”
“Not a problem, young miss. Sit tight now and buckle up.”

Taylor could kiss the Gods because there wasn’t any traffic. Now she wouldn’t be entirely late. The black stretch limousine pulled into the airport and Taylor was surprised to find another similar one parked there. There weren’t many people who were rich enough to own these cars her part of town. Shaking off the thought, she got out of the car and made her way into the large airport. After checking in and making sure everything was set, she hurriedly hugged Ben goodbye and ran towards the departure hall. She had just about reached the place when she promptly slammed into a hard figure and fell to the ground. “Ouch, watch it,” she growled, rubbing her forehead. She glared at the person and boarded the plane. The boy, stood up and brushed off dirt, he took his time to board, his arrogance apparent. Taylor found her seat easily in First Class and made herself comfortable, her forehead throbbing slightly. She sighed, the arrogance of some people. He hadn’t even bothered to apologize. She took out a magazine to read when suddenly her light was blocked out by a tall figure.

“Excuse me, you’re in my li —” she began to say until she saw who it was standing there. “You again?! What is your problem? What did I do to you?”

She really was beginning to dislike the boy and she didn’t even know him. He remained calm although annoyance was obvious in his eyes. It seemed he didn’t like her much either. His voice was deep, she could tell, as he said something to her.

“You’re in my seat,” he said simply.
“Excuse me?”
“You. Are. In. My. Seat.”
“I am not,” she replied rather indignantly.
“You are.”
“I am not. Here, look at my boarding pass.” She showed him her boarding pass and he glanced at it and said nothing. “I told you. This is my seat.”
“It says 8H. You’re sitting in 8I. I know you’re sitting in the wrong seat because I always make sure I get the aisle seat. Now, I don’t want to say it again. You are in my seat.”
“Actually, you just did. Say it again.”

He looked at her and rolled his eyes. The girl couldn’t be anymore immature.

“Are you going to move or do I have to make you?”
“Goodness to Heaven, I’m moving,” she said.
“What have you got up your arse?” she added under her breath.
Unfortunately for her, he heard her. In a silky drawl, he said to her, “Nothing of your concern, but wouldn’t you like to know.”

Taylor just stared. The nerve of some people. She sighed and moved uncomfortably in her seat. This was not going to be a pleasant flight.

~o~

It was a long flight and Taylor was getting tired. Devil’s reincarnate didn’t make much trouble after their spat about the seating so she felt like she could relax a little. Taylor felt her eyes drooping; fatigue was certainly taking over her. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep and flying over the beautiful island once again.

She was descending. This was the first time ever. Excitedly, she set foot on the sparkling silver sands of the majestic island. The sand was powder-soft, warm and comforting. The silver trees stood looming over her menacing yet intriguing. She was somewhat nervous. She had never felt such hesitation to enter a new surrounding before. She had always been a chameleon when it came to fitting in. Maybe it was the fact that she was filthy rich and impeccably stylish; or maybe that she had natural charisma and irresistible charm, wit and sarcasm. She sat down in the warm, inviting sand and just lay there.

~o~

Damien had been far off in thought when he felt a slight pressure on his right shoulder. He turned to look in annoyance but his features softened when he saw such an innocent face resting there. She’s not so bad when she’s unconscious. He shuddered at the thought, what was he thinking? The girl made a soft noise and shifted slightly. He watched her and felt a wave of fatigue sweep over him. He closed his eyes and tried to get some rest.

~o~

Taylor was lying in the sand staring at the pitch black night sky when she saw a figure flying down towards her. This was something new; she had always been alone before. The figure, a boy it seemed landed a few feet in front of her. She propped herself up on her elbows.
“Who are you?” Her voice sounded small and hollow in this huge dark abyss.
“I would like to know the same thing.” His reply was casual; his voice was deep, melodic, like an angel’s. But somehow, very, very familiar…
“I’m not telling you my name if you don’t tell me yours.”
“Well, that’s fine with me. May I sit with you?”
This boy was very polite, well brought up it seemed. He was refined with finesse. It seemed to grow on her.
“You may.” She smiled and lay back down onto the sand, admiring the beautiful sky.

To a commoner’s eye, the boy and the girl innocently fast asleep against each other could’ve been madly in love. But little did they know…

They had been sitting there for a while. Neither knew what to do or what to say to each other. But both were comfortable in the silence as if they were used to it.
“Shouldn’t we do something?”
“I don’t kno-” she began to say when all of a sudden he was gone.

~o~

Damien awoke with a jolt. An air stewardess was asking whether he needed anything.
“Oh, just a shot of whiskey.” He didn’t care if he wasn’t legal; he needed something to clear his mind. The stewardess hesitated but he flashed her a dazzling smile and she nodded.
“Anything for the young miss?”
“Water. Perrier -- by the looks of her.”
The girl was confused, but she nodded anyway. She poured him his alcohol and set a bottle of Perrier on the table in front of him.
“Thank you.”
“Oh, my pleasure,” she gushed. He smirked. He always had the ladies in the palm of his hand.

~o~

Taylor awoke to the smell of a musky, very manly scent. She opened her eyes and realized she had fallen asleep on Devil reincarnate’s shoulder. She jerked her head back and hit it on the side of the plane.

“I see you’ve woken. Good thing too, I was beginning to think I would lose function of my shoulder, with your head weighing a small elephant and all.”
“You disgust me,” she fumed.
“Didn’t seem like it when you were cozying up to me.”
“Oh shut it and leave me alone.”
“Hmm. I got you some Perrier. Seems like you need some hydration anyway, your skin is a disaster.”
“No, you did not just insult my complexion.”
“I think I did.”
“Go jump out the plane already.”

She turned her back to him and looked out the window at the now dark sky. Her mind drifted back to her dream and the new stranger. She also wondered, as she took a sip of Perrier how this arrogant prat knew she loved Perrier. Must be a coincidence.

As the plane came into landing, Taylor smiled to herself. She was finally here – America. At last. And frankly, she was relieved to finally be able to leave Devil’s incarnate behind and never see his face again. Though she had to admit, his face was not exactly hard to look at. In fact, he was actually quite delicious-looking. She blushed faintly at the thought. Too bad he’s such an arse. She turned slightly and sneaked a look at him; he was reading a book. Sophisticated too. Hmmm. Dark ash brown hair covered his eyes as he bent over to read. She noticed he was gifted with an angular face and strong jaw with chiseled features – he was certainly one of God’s artworks. Her eyes were tracing the contours of his face when they met a pair of deep-set tempestuous dark blue eyes. Hastily, she turned away trying to control the blush creeping up her face.

“I’m sure you like what you see, but hasn’t your mother ever told you that it’s rude to stare?” A smooth drawl came from her left.
“Don’t flatter yourself.” She said huffily, mentally slapping herself for making it so painfully obvious that she was ogling at him.
“Oh I don’t have to; everyone already does it for me. And you don’t have to be ashamed, you know, I already know half the female population falls over at my feet.”
“You are so full of it.”
“If you mean charisma, charm and wit, I know.”
“No, I mean bullshit.”
“Sigh. Such crude language. One would think you were brought up by tramps.”
“Don’t you take a swing at my upbringing, you male chauvinist bastard. You don’t know anything about me.”
“There she goes again, mouthing off like a sailor. Obviously you have no class; I’m surprised they even let you in First Class.”
“Well, I didn’t know they allowed farm animals on the plane. So imagine my disgust when I find that I’m seated next to a pig.”
“Ouch,” replied Damien, putting one hand over his heart, his face contorted in mock pain. “That really hurt.” Sarcasm dripped off every word.

Fuming, Taylor was about to retort when an air stewardess appeared and said, “Excuse me, I’m really sorry to have to interrupt you both, but the two of you are the last passengers left on board and we have to get ready for our next flight.”

Taylor’s cheeks began to redden as she apologized profusely and stood up to leave when she realized that Devil’s reincarnate hadn’t made an effort to move. Through gritted teeth she said, “You’re in my way.”
“An ‘excuse me’ would do just fine, but I suppose your parents never thought you any manners. What with the staring and the swearing and all that.”
With a smirk, Damien got up swiftly and left, leaving the incensed girl behind. My, my wasn’t she fun to aggravate. However, he was thankful the pair of them would never have to cross paths ever again.

~o~

Taylor was boiling as she watched him leave. Scowling, she gathered her things and left as well. “Idiot boy, how dare he insult my parentage. No class? NO CLASS? He obviously has never seen class in his life.” She muttered furiously to herself. “Oh I already know half the female population falls over at my feet.” She mimicked exaggeratedly. “Egoistic arse. Thank God I’ll never have to see him again.”

When she was done collecting her luggage, she found a chauffeur waiting for her with yet another stretch limousine; white this time. Tipping the two cute Mexican porters generously, she flashed them a flirtatious grin as they carefully loaded her abundant, more importantly, branded baggage into the long vehicle. Seated comfortable in the limo, she began to drift off again; long flights tended to exhaust her.

She was over the island again, but this time she descended much quicker. As her feet touched the warm, soothing sand, her eyes scanned the boundless vicinity. Everything shimmered with such opulence that it was almost overwhelming. But what was more overwhelming was the urge to explore. However she couldn’t bring herself to venture into the jungle of silver foliage. It was as if some unknown force was holding back. But instead of feeling frustrated like she normally would if she was awake, she just felt immense disappointment. So, she contented herself with wandering the luminous shores of the island.

~o~

Damien was drowsy. He didn’t get much sleep on the plane. It was his fault mostly, or if he wanted to be a real ass of a male, he could blame it all on that girl. It was true though, because of her, he spent less time sleeping and more time watching her sleep. “Dear lord, Damien. You are such a stalker,” he mumbled to himself. She was really quite angelic when she slept though. The way her long, wavy, dirty blonde hair framed her heart-shaped face created an innocent picture quite contradictory to the fierce creature she was when she was awake. He had watched her insanely long eyelashes flutter while she dreamt. She was really quite beautiful, he remembered, smiling slightly. He shook himself suddenly, “Come to your senses, Damien. What is wrong with you? You can’t stop thinking about an annoying, spoilt stranger?” Shuddering, he turned on his side and after a long while, finally succumbed to sleep.

~o~

Taylor was roaming for quite some time when she came across the same boy from her previous dream pacing around the sand. Well, it might not be him, she couldn’t be too sure. She watched him pace for a long while before she decided to say something. But the longer she watched him, she just knew it was the same boy, she didn’t know how but she just knew.
“Uhm, why are you pacing like that?” Again her voice was soft and meek.
He stopped very suddenly, stiff and alert as he looked up. His entire body relaxed as he saw her. “It’s you.” He said simply, knowingly, as if he’d known her his whole life. It felt like that to the both of them though. There was a sense of familiarity in it all, like a feeling of déjà vu but somewhat different. Taylor didn’t quite know how to place it.
She was curious. “Why’re you pacing like that?” she repeated.
“I can’t enter the jungle. It’s frustrating.” He growled in reply.
“Oh, I can’t enter it too.” She said unhappily.
The irate expression in his eyes softened as her heard her dejected tone. “It’s alright. We can try together.” He said gently as he held his hand out to her.
She looked into his eyes, dark silvery blue orbs and she felt safe for some unexplainable reason. Taylor started to reach out for his hand when he vanished unexpectedly – again. Sinking down into the sand, she suddenly felt an overpowering sensation of loss that was new and strange to her. Why did she feel that way?

~o~

Damien awoke again. He would start praying for uninterrupted sleep if these things kept happening; he was having such an… interesting dream. “Thank you for waking me Baxter,” he said politely despite his exasperation. He stepped out the open car door and brushed himself, making sure he looked presentable, though who couldn’t look presentable in Armani and Calvin Klein?

~o~

“Miss, we have arrived.”
“Miss?” “Miss?”
“Whaaa-?” came a groggy reply from the back. “Oh right. Thanks for waking me, Tim.”
“Not a problem, miss.”

Taylor was still quite disorientated from her dream and she was experiencing a strange feeling, a throbbing in her chest, as if something – her heart? - had been ripped out. But that was a ridiculous notion and she quickly brushed it off. She was finally at the school, she realized, a wide smile tugged at the corners of her lips. But something was out of place; she saw windows not doors. It seemed that she was still very foggy, post-slumber.

“Why aren’t we at the front steps?” she inquired, finally grasping that they were quite far from the large oak doors of her new school which explained the abundance of windows and lack of doors.
“There’s another limousine up front, miss.”
“What?? Not possible!” she exclaimed as she rolled down her window to look at the car in front. True enough; a black stretch limo was parked right outside the front doors, a uniformed chauffeur was holding the passenger’s door open in an excessively formal fashion. “Who could possibly –” she wondered out loud when she suddenly stopped short as a tall, immaculately dressed, handsome and extremely familiar figured stepped out of the black limousine.
“No fucking way,” she cursed as the window closed automatically. Falling back onto the expensive leather upholstery, she wondered how she could possibly be that unfortunate.

2008-02-10T03:03:00.000-08:00

Argentum was a beautiful island that only came alive when the moon was up. The moon’s silver rays shone upon the island waking them from deep slumber. Argentum certainly lived up to its name; everything shone with metallic lustre. Shining silver trees shone under the glow of the moon, the dew catching the moonlight at moments causing the entire island to shimmer. The seas that surrounded it were deep; pitch black and foreboding, accenting the exquisiteness of the breathtaking island. It was a pity nobody who visited the island ever remembered any of it. Except for two people, and an unlikely pair they made…