∞∞∞
18
DANIEL
“No, Dad. Please stop exerting yourself,” I whisper-yell as people around me give me looks. I want a break from the hectic environment on the college campus, and I want to form a strategy for the upcoming match. It’s an important one for the team, and being the captain adds extra pressure, so here I am strolling in the garden, trying to find a peaceful spot where I won’t be disturbed.
“I am not doing anything, Daniel. Just picking up some boxes.” He grunts.
“Seriously, can you please give it a break? Ask someone else to do it,” I almost shout.
“Fine, fine. I will give up.” He chuckles. “You’re so much like your mother,” he says gently, sounding nostalgic.
“I know, but I would say I am a milder version. She would have beaten you up by now,” I joke. She wouldn’t have, but she was a strong-willed woman, and no one could say no to her. We had to do what she wanted us to.
“I will let you go anyway. I am a little tired. I will sleep for a while,” he murmurs.
“Yeah, take care, Dad.” I smile as I hear him ruffle around with the bedsheet.
“Yeah, I will, and you do too,” he says. I spot a bench near the lake. It seems to be empty, so I make my way there.
“I will, Dad.” My eyes land on a girl sitting on the nearby bench. She has her hair up in a tight bun, and if I am not wrong—and I don’t think I am because I have noticed her hair too many times—it’s Anya. The amount of times I have wanted to play with her hair is crazy but not crazier than the fact I’ve memorized her features.
I walk a little closer to confirm my suspicion. The smooth and delicate slope of her neck is exposed. Her outfit—a simple sweater and a pair of jeans—seems to hug her body in a flattering but comfortable manner. I see the mole on her right cheek. It’s her. My mood automatically brightens. As I get closer, her scent hits me, and I can’t help but inhale deeply. She’s too engrossed to even notice me as I sit next to her. Her eyes are focused on the book, a constant frown creasing her face. Her lips are slightly parted as if she’s about to say something. Suddenly, she lets out a soft sigh, and a frown appears on her forehead. I could just watch her read a book and be the most entertained and happiest man ever.
I can feel the warmth radiating from her body, and it’s taking all of my self-control not to reach out and touch her. “Hi,” I greet softly, not trying to startle her. Her head snaps up, her eyes widening. She looks at me and her gaze narrows. Almost immediately her attention is back to that damn book.
“Firecracker?” I ask. She doesn’t budge at all, as if I am not here. My brows furrow in confusion. Is she ignoring me? But why would she? I don’t understand. “Anya,” I repeat, trying to gain her attention, but still nothing.
There’s only one way to make her look at me now. I smirk. “Anya,” I say in a sing-song voice. “Anya,” I repeat. “Anya.” I raise my volume this time. She closes her eyes and exhales sharply. A muscle in her jaw twitches and she slowly looks at me, a fake smile plastered on her face.
“What?” she replies in a sing-song voice, her eyebrows raised. She shakes her head. “What is it, captain?”
“I knew you would notice me if I annoyed you somehow.” I chuckle.
“Congratulations. Do you want a prize for it?” she asks, sarcasm dripping from her voice. I laugh, and she rolls her eyes.
“Why were you ignoring me?” I ask, genuinely curious. She folds her arms.
“I was not.” She says, “I was just reading my book. It was an interesting part, definitely more interesting than you.” She smirks. My eyes narrow.
“Ouch, that hurts,” I retort, folding my arms across my chest. I pout and pretend to look wounded, but the corners of my lips twitch with amusement. I can’t help but be amused by her quick wit and sassy response.
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
I smile softly. “Just wanted a break, and I seem to relax near water.”And you.“So here I am.” I grin widely. “What about you, Firecracker? You following me or something?” I smirk.
A blush rises to her cheeks. It’s my favorite color and I love it. For someone who hates red, I sure am a hypocrite. “I was here first,” she replies haughtily. “And it will always be a mystery to me how one can be so full of themselves.” She huffs.
“I’m not full of myself; I just have a healthy dose of confidence,” I retort with a smirk.
She rolls her eyes at my cocky response, her arms still folded across her chest. “Confidence or arrogance.Potayto potahto,” she retorts.
I chuckle, enjoying her witty banter. “You can call it whatever you want, firecracker.”
“So are you enjoying yourself then? I mean, you are having fun by irritating me, but other than that, I mean toask.” She falters. “I mean, why did you want a break?” I smile at her attempt to hide her concern behind her usual sass.
I lean back against the bench, stretching out my limbs. “Oh, I’m having a good time here. Who needs peace and solitude when I can just bother you?” I reply with a cheeky grin. But her question about the break catches me off guard. I pause for a moment, my smirk faltering slightly before being replaced by a nonchalant shrug. “Eh, I just needed a breather from all the chaos on campus. You know how it is,” I say casually, keeping my tone light. “With power comes great responsibility.” I chuckle. “I am the captain, and I am not used to this, so it’s kind of overwhelming.” I shrug. I look at her, her eyes studying my face carefully.
