Three

v e r n o n

She had a boyfriend. I should've known. When a masterpiece is displayed for the public to see, one has to be able to pay the highest price and own it. I couldn't pay the price so I just adored from afar. Stupid how I tried to hold someone else's precious possession. 

"Never thought Vernon with a black eye would be so funny. You look terrible." Mingyu who couldn't be of better help to my already sour mood kept on spitting non sense beside me. 

"And I never thought you'd actually pass out with just one punch!" He burst out laughing. He kept on replaying last night like it was the best episode of his favorite gag show. 

"I passed out because I was already sleepy before he punched me." I glared at him as I tried to keep my chill.

Thanks to the drugs that already had me light headed and dizzy before I was even punched.

“I thought you don’t like Catherine? What’s that about?”

“I was high and a bit drunk.”

“Guess love makes you a bad liar huh?” Mingyu grinned. I could throw a punch if not for the teacher around.

"What's his name anyway?" I asked, a bit hesitant but the curiosity won't leave me alone. It's a shame thay I didn't get to his face after I passed out.

"Catherine's boyfriend?" Mingyu had the nerve to put emphasis on the last word. I clenched my jaw and nodded instead.

"Jackson."

Bleached hair, fair height paired with muscular body, fists made for fighting, studded lips and a reputation darker than mine, Jackson Wang is a football team member who got expelled last year after being caught dealing drugs on a party. Damn. Why won't Catherine date me instead if she's going to date someone not far from me?

"He's no good for her." 

“And you are?" Mingyu suppressed a laugh.

“You know, pretty girls like that has the tendency to attach themselves to problematic guys. You have a chance.” Mingyu tapped my shoulder and chuckled.

“What’s the conversation all about?” The Math teacher scolded us. 

About Jackson Wang and his supplies of drug, sir. I nearly answered. Mingyu and I both fell quiet as the class progressed.

I bit my lip harshly. The thought of Catherine and Jackson haunts me. I could feel anger seeping within me. Irritation and madness strangely grew into me over the fact that she's with someone bad for her, like some sort of a violent sense of protectiveness. 

As soon as the class was over, I made my way to the locker's area. When I finished arranging my things, my eyes suddenly became keen at the sight of Catherine from a far corner. She stood tall among her friends. 

Without reluctance, I walked towards them. With no intention of approaching her, I walked past them slowly to hear snippets of their conversation.

"Are you going to the party tonight?" 

"Yeah you should come. There's going to be a lot of hot guys there."

"I heard Matt would be there too. He's from my class. And he's really hot. You're both single so maybe you could date each other." 

My brows met in curiosity. Why are her friends selling her off when she has a boyfriend? Since my wonder won’t cease, I trailed after Catherine to the library. Thankfully, her friends has left her alone. 

Keeping my presence unknown, I managed to saunter by the opposite side of the self she chose. My eyes kept track of her from behind the books that separate us. When she finally laid hands on a particular publication, I did exactly the same, emptying a space on the shelf like a window for us to see each other. 

Her cold expression was briefly washed off with indignation upon recognizing me. Determined to avoid me, she took a seat on a desolate corner of the library. Me being the eager and nosy guy that I am, I still followed. 

“Hey.” I greeted, taking the opposite chair.

There was no response.

“Can we talk?” I faked the enthusiasm.

"What again, Choi?" Her eyes moved sideways from her textbook. I’d appreciate a glance but at least she talked to me.

I cleared my throat, gathering the confidence to speak.

“Well.. uhmm..” 

The silence stretched which I guess irritated her. 

“Come on, Choi. Where’s your balls? Quit wasting my time.” She retorted crudely along with the shut of her book. 

“Why do you keep calling me by my surname? It sounds so formal to me.”

"Because calling you by your first name would mean we're friends."

"Are we not?"

"We're far from it. Now, get to your point." Then a sarcastic smile.

I plopped my elbows down on the table and let my eyes leer on her. 

"You have to help me."

"Help you on what?" Her forehead immediately creased.

"On my Creative Writing project. The one where we need to make blog reviews for certain books. And also, write our own poetries. You see, I'm not that type of person--and you seem like, a bibliophile, perhaps, you're good at writing too. I mean, you're smart--" 

"What made you think I would really help you?" 

"Well, I could pay you."

"Money is the last thing I would need from anyone." 

My lips fell into a grim line. I instantly regretted what I just said. Of course, she won't need money, she's damn rich. How dumb of me. 

"You won't help me?" I looked straight in to her eyes, measuring her thoughts against her cold expression.

"Obviously."

"If you won't, I would have to tell your friends about you and Jackson."

Catherine’s face grew incredulous. 

"What?" 

"You're dating him, right? My swollen eye explains it. But your friends don't know about him.” 

Catherine remained tongue-tied. But amidst the cold façade, I could see her tension emerging uncontrollably. 

"Jackson is a douche. A man whore and a drunkard and he does drugs. Well, maybe you don’t know about these, or maybe you do. But the thing here is, why does your friends don't know? Are you that ashamed of your relationship with him?" I taunted. 

I did successfully got in to her nerves. By the way her jaw clamped and fists balled, I felt her last string of patience on the verge of breaking. 

“How did you know all of these?” She asked under gritted teeth. 

I shrugged my shoulders. 

“If you tell my friends about Jackson, I’d tell your friends that you’re a drug addict.” 

My lips curved in amusement. Of course, she won’t be threatened easily. I commend the effort to get back at me but it just isn't the right strings to pull.

“Maybe you should tell them something they don’t know.” 

Anger flickered in Catherine’s eyes. There was a silence of tension and restrained wrath until she spoke again. 

“Well, you tried to kiss me. I could sue you for an assault.”

I suppressed a grin. Why did I expect it will be easy convincing her?

“Without physical evidences of assault, a complaint for an attempt of kissing you falls under harassment and could easily be dismissed.”

Catherine clenched her jaw and pondered. Her sporadic breaths told me she’s not a bit amused by this banter.

“Why do you keep on bothering me?” She asked, obviously pissed.

I tilted my head hesitantly. Then gazed back at her, feigning confidence. 

“I think I like you.”

Catherine mocked a laugh.

“I don’t like you.”

“Not surprised, Cath.” 

“You can’t like me either.” she warned seriously. 

“Not asking for your permission.”

“You’re a stubborn guy.”

“I’ve heard the worst. Now, would you help me in this project?”

“Bold of you to ask as if I have a choice.” She turned to me scornfully before storming out the library.

I was left smiling in triumph.