Love Mark

Lan

She didn't agree to going out with me. But neither did she refuse. Well, I guess she did refuse. But each refusal was weaker than the one before. She wanted to say yes. I could feel it in the slight hesitation before she turns me down. Maybe she was scared. Maybe she'd been hurt before. That didn't matter, before wasn't me.

I wanted to tell her she couldn't refuse me and yet look at me with those eyes. Big, round, dark brown eyes that simply pulled you in. It made you want to stare at them for hours, just to get a peek into her soul. A peak into the mystery that was Aquina.

I looked up at the clock, before sitting down in the far corner of the library. She had another hour of class. I had time before I intercepted her.

I knew she was trying to hide from me. She was trying to avoid any attention thrown at her. I got it. I mean, I got it now. At first, I thought it was just because she was shy.

No. She had a secret to hide.

I couldn't imagine what she was feeling.

I put my backpack on the chair next to me and opened up the leather crimson red book I checked out from the mythology section. The Cursed Ones.

My grandfather had been an avid reader and explorer or ancient texts, people and mythology.

I chuckled. Aquina must have been super shocked when I knew what she was. I hope that gave me points.

Grandfather didn't know much about the cursed ones. In fact nobody really did. They were more legends and myths, especially once the government got a hold of it. Even the program 100 years ago had been eliminated from every news media possible. Long since forgotten, treated as a fairytale. The only reason I knew about them, was these were the types of stories grandfather would tell me.

There was a famous bloodline of females. When they turned 12, their genetics changed, causing them to become deadly to any other human that touched them. They'd always been in hiding, until a manuscript had been discovered almost 150 years ago. This manuscript claimed to be a true recording of the lost Island of Atlas. Where humans with godlike abilities roamed the earth. Their power and knowledge far surpassing what we currently knew as a nation. The beginning of the curse. The devastation of a civilization. The loss of hope.

I looked up from the book. Could Aquina's bloodline be traced all the way back to the Island of Atlas? I mean an island that was more myth than real. Nobody had ever been able to locate it. There were only about 3 manuscripts that even mentioned it. An island where streets were paved with gold, where crystals powered the city, a place of no famine, no scarcity. Where each being held unique gifts? It sounded like fantasy.

Yet....I flipped through the pages.

I had so many questions. If these females became deadly after 12, how was the bloodline able to continue? I mean there had to be a way. There had to be someway people were able to consummate and continue...right? I'm not just thinking of sex, but....if the cursed people have been around that long....well somebody's touching them right?

I flipped through more of the book. Pages on the government trying to weaponize them. Sounds about American. There were some articles about a burned female village on the coast of west Africa. Location unknown. None of these were hard concrete facts. Most just assumptions....just----

I looked at the heading titled Water.

I blinked and read the caption.

Legend has it, water seems to counter the affect of the cursed ones when fully submerged.

Water. I chuckled. That's too easy. I looked up from my book and smiled....that would be nice.

**

Was she waiting for me?

I smiled and held on to my backpack strap. It looked like she was. She was outside her classroom, sort of pacing, looking down the hallway. She rubbed her hand against her long white maxi skirt, before looking at it. I watched as she reached into her bag and took out her hand cream. I took a step forward, when I felt a hard tug on my arm. I turned.

"Hey." Vera whispered, holding tightly to my bicep.

I tried to pull my arm away, but she latched on with the other hand. "Lan please..." Her bottom lip shook. Her eyebrows furrowed, just like it did, when she was about to cry. "I miss you. Can we talk?"

I sighed and moved my arm out of her reach. "What is it Vera?"

"Lan. I love you." She whispered passionately.

I looked her over, in her tube top that revealed her tanned flat stomach and pierced belly button. She hand on large oversized jeans, almost similar to what Aquina had worn a couple days ago.

She stepped into my bubble. "And I know you love me too."

I lowered my head.

"That just doesn't go away overnight."

"I do." I answered looking up at her. "I do love you, but..."

"But what?" She asked. "Since when does a pretty face, have you second guessing us?"

"Vera." I closed my eyes.

"You wanna fuck her?" Vera whispered taking a step closer to me. "I know you're attracted to her, but so what?" she grabbed my shirt. "You and me are forever."

I took a step back but she held on, tightening her grip.

"I don't want to be with you."

"I was jealous." She whispered. "You know how I get. I didn't mean those things I said." Her hand trailed underneath my shirt, and I felt the familiar sensation.

I grabbed her hand to stop her. She smiled. "Forgive me." She pouted. Bringing her hand to rest on the crotch of my pants, cupping me.

I moved away, putting her at a distance. Ignoring my body responding to her familiarity. "I don't want to do this with you. So stop."

She stared at me defiantly. "Lan."

I moved and she pushed me against the wall. Her hands firmly on my chest, as her mouth crashed against mine. Soft, plump lips that tasted slightly of cherry.

Fuck.

I moved my head, but she followed, deepening the kiss. I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her off.

She moaned and tried to lean in again.

"Stop." I whispered. I looked around at the people watching us. Whispering and smiling knowingly. I felt a drop in my stomach as Aquina's back disappeared around the corner.

Fuck. Had she seen that?

"Lan...."

"Don't do that." I turned to her angrily.

"You liked it." she whispered knowingly, her hand reaching for the front of my jeans. I swatted her hand away. Her mouth dropped open as her hand paused in mid-air.

"Just stop. This isn't getting us back together. This doesn't mean I want to be with you." I replied in annoyance. "It means we've been together for 2 years and my body fucking knows you." I tightened my hold on my backpack strap and stared right into her light brown eyes. "I do love you. But I don't want you." I admitted. "I can get over you. It just takes a little bit of time."

Lan!" I heard her yell my name as I hurried off.

Fuck where did she go? I jogged around the corner, to see those long braids, grey sweatshirt, long white skirt exit out the side door. I jogged after her.

She saw. I know she saw. What was she thinking? Does she think I'm trying to play her? Does she think I still want to get back with Vera? I pushed the door open and jogged faster after her.

"Aquina! Hey! Hey!" I tapped her back, as I settled in next to her.

"Hey." She responded calmly as she kept walking.

"Where you going?" I asked, clearing my throat and trying to slow my breathing.

"Home."

"Wanna grab an early dinner?"

"Not really." She replied. She had yet to look at me. She was staring straight ahead with the most neutral expression on her face.

Was she mad? Did she care? Should I bring it up, or let it go? It meant nothing. Would she believe that?

"Can I walk you home?"

She did falter in her step slightly, tilting her head in my direction. "I can get home fine...thanks."

What did that mean? Was she mad? If this was Vera...I stopped walking. It's not Vera. But all I knew for the past two years was how to navigate around Vera's emotions and feelings. How did Aquina react? What was she thinking? It was easy to know what Vera thought. Fuck! Why did I keep thinking of Vera. Because she kissed me. Fuck! I was still a little turned on. Fuck! Was Aquina mad or not!

I jogged up to her and grabbed her bag strap. Aquina slowed down, but didn't stop. I fell in step next to her, still holding on to her bag. "I know you can get home fine, but can I still walk with you?"

She shrugged. "If you want."

I watched the side of her face as we walked quietly. She made me nervous. I had anxious butterflies in my stomach, not knowing what she was thinking. I swallowed hard and stopped at the crosswalk with her.

"Uhm...so, I was going to get you from your class." I started as I watched her face for her reaction.

"Were you?" She asked.

I nodded, even though she didn't turn to look at me. "You left."

1 second, 2....3...

"You seemed busy." She responded.

Fuck.

The light turned and we stepped onto the crosswalk.

I swallowed hard and exhaled softly. "That uhm...that wasn't supposed to happen." I responded weakly.

She didn't answer. She also didn't visibly look upset. Was that a bad thing or a good thing? Was she mad and hiding it, or did she not care? Which was worse?

"It didn't mean anything."

We crossed the street, and she finally tilted her head upwards to look at me. She offered a soft smile. "You don't have to explain anything to me."

"I do."

"Why?"

"Because...." I tightened my hold on her strap as I continued following her. "I wouldn't want you to be upset, that I kissed my ex-girlfriend."

I shot a look to see her reaction.

Nothing.

"I didn't plan it. I mean I didn't want it. she just kissed me....I'm not with her. I swear."

Aquina's expression didn't change.

"I'm also not trying to play or rebound or whatever...I meant what I said the other day."

No response.

I sighed feeling my heart heavy. Fuck. It was over, even before it started.

Aquina stopped walking and turned to me. It brought us a lot closer than before, because I held on to her backpack.

To say I was surprised was an understatement. Plus the fact that she didn't step back. I mean I could bend my head just a little more and actually kiss her.

"Lan." She spoke

"Yeah?" I whispered. Involuntarily looking down at her lips. Her lips were full too. Maybe not as shiny as Vera's had been but just as inviting. I bet it was just as soft. I could feel myself stir.

"I don't care if you kiss your girlfriend."

I shook my thoughts away. "She's not my girlfriend."

Aquina tilted her head.

"She's not. We broke up."

She shrugged. "Okay. But I don't care. You can kiss whoever you want." She turned but I tugged on her bag, for her to stop. She slowly turned her gaze back to me.

"I don't...." My words trailed off as my train of thoughts also evaporated. I didn't know what to say. I shifted on my feet. "You're not jealous?"

"Of what?"

That hurt. I lowered my gaze. "Do you want me to go back to Vera?"

"Lan, I never took you away from her."

I huffed in frustration and dropped her bag. "Why can't you----" I swallowed back my words and looked away from her, staring at the people passing by us, in the middle of the sidewalk. My heart was racing. Not just because I was annoyed, but because I wanted something else. I wanted something that I had no business wanting.

"You're mad at me." She stated.

"I want you to care."

"Why?"

"Because...." I groaned and closed my eyes briefly. I shook my head. "Whatever." I nodded towards the sidewalk. "Which way?"

Aquina gave me a curious look and turned around. She continued walking and I watched her go for a second.

Sighing, knowing I'd lost without even a chance to fight. I walked up alongside her quietly. We stopped at the next crosswalk and waited.

I stuffed my hands in my pocket as she crossed her arms. Her arms were covered today in that lightweight sweatshirt. In fact, every part of her was covered. I just thought that's what she liked. The most we ever saw was probably her arms. I'm noticing now that, I'd never seen her legs. She always wore long jeans or long skirts, or dresses. My eyes trailed down to her teal new balances. It was refreshing to see. People usually didn't wear the same shoes everyday anymore. She did. She had a favorite. I smiled sadly to myself as we crossed the street.

What the fuck was wrong with me? I should have pushed Vera away faster. I had hesitated slightly. I had reacted to the kiss, before I realized what was happening. Of course, Aquina didn't want any part of that. Maybe I couldn't let go of Vera.

"Are you upset that I'm not jealous? Or upset because you feel guilty?"

I stopped, surprised that Aquina spoke up. She was initiating conversation?

She took a couple more steps before she stopped and turned around. She must have sensed that I was no longer following.

And then she smiled. "You don't have to feel guilty about anything. I know you still love Vera. You just broke up. If you didn't, you'll be a monster."

I lowered my gaze.

"And it makes perfect sense for you to like kissing her." she softened her voice, almost as if she was talking to a child.

She might as well have been. Was I acting childish in her eyes? I lifted my eyes to her, but was met with a soft smile. "I'll say this again Lan...you can't have that type of relationship with me." She shrugged gently. "I can't be jealous of something, I can't give you."

I swallowed hard and lowered my gaze again. I nodded at her stiffly. I'm such a fool. I got it.

To my surprise, she chuckled softly. I looked up and she turned around and resumed walking.

I took a few steps to catch up to her and grabbed her arm.

She turned in surprise, and we both looked down. My hand around her lower arm...covered with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. She looked up at me as I kept holding on to her. I brought her arm up to my mouth and kissed the soft cotton material above where my hand rested.

She furrowed her brows in confusion, as I lowered her arm. Still holding on to it. "Keep going straight?" I asked, pointing with the other hand down the street. Her arm was warm. Warmer than a regular body temperature. I could feel the heat underneath my fingertips.

"Are you going to let go?" She asked slowly as she tilted her head to the side and moved her arm in my grasp.

"Can I hold on?" I asked.

She squinted slightly as if she couldn't see me very well.

"Or would you prefer, I hold your bag?"

"Do you have to....hold?" she asked.

I nodded. "I'm very touchy."

It took a second but to my surprise, she let out her guttural laugh. My lips immediately curved up into a smile. Fuck. I was falling deeper. She was so fucking gorgeous. Aquina's beautiful mocking laughter continued as she turned and shook her head. Her braids swaying. She didn't move her arm away, as she started walking and I followed suit, holding it by my side, with a content smile on my face.

Feeling elated, I shifted on my feet as we stopped at the next crosswalk. "Did you wear long sleeves for me?" I teased, leaning into her face. She smelled good. I loved when a women smelled like paradise.

She didn't answer and stared straight ahead.

I was going to tell her, I was joking when she turned to me. "Yes." She turned back around and crossed the street after the yellow car passed, leaving me with my jaw to the floor.

I chuckled, as a way to tone down the excitement that little one syllable word created in me. "Really?" I whispered, getting closer to her. Moving my hand a little more up her arm. The heat was getting a little warmer in the spot my hand was before. I wonder if she knew that her body was hotter than average. She probably didn't. I wasn't going to tell her. she'll probably stop me from touching her at all. Besides, what's a little heat? I liked it hot.

She nodded again. "I didn't want you to do anything stupid."

I nodded. "Is this your way of telling me you like me?"

"Stop being obsessed with me liking you." Aquina replied. "It won't go anywhere."

I grinned and lifted her arm. "I beg to differ ma'am."

She rolled her eyes.

"You like me." I stated proudly.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"You help me sleep at night."

She stopped and so did I, my chest pressing into her arm accidentally, her hand pressed against the front of my jeans. My hold on her arm tightened just slightly.

It wasn't more than an accidental brush, but I felt it. No, like I felt it...and my body turned instantly responsive as if I was a boy just hitting puberty.

She didn't move her hand. Was she aware? I stood really still. Maybe if I don't move, my body won't betray me.

Aquina smirked. "Are you insinu----" she stopped and looked down.

Fuck, that turned me on more.

My dick seemed to arch for her hand.

She pulled her hand away, blinking rapidly. I released her, a second passed, and then another before she looked away. I stuffed my hands in my pocket and cleared my throat. Moving slightly to adjust myself.

To my surprise, she turned back to me in confusion. Her gaze drifted down.

"Look up." I whispered, swaying and turning slightly away from her.

"Isn't that fast?"

I shifted my gaze to her. "What, are you bragging?"

She narrowed her eyes at me. "I just think that was pretty fast."

"Compared to who?" I asked arching an eyebrow.

She smirked and rolled her eyes. "You're probably still thinking of that kiss with Vera." She walked away and I rushed to grab her arm.

"I'm not thinking of the kiss with Vera."

She chuckled.

I pressed my body against her arm, stopping her from moving, making sure her hand could feel the rise in my jeans. "Trust me, I'm not thinking of Vera." I whispered in her ear. "Your body's warm and you smell good." I inhaled her neck. She quickly moved her head to the side, which only caused our faces to almost collide. Her breathless exhale caused, my blood to travel further down, where it thought it need it most. Her nose was less than a centimeter away. I could feel her breath on my lips. Both our eyes moved to the other's lips. My lips parted.

Fuck, those lips...I leaned closer but she pulled her head back.

"Wanna die?"

I nodded, leaning again into her.

She slapped my crotch and I jolted, releasing her hand and covering myself. Not because it was painful. It was unexpected, and kind of nice... fuck she was making the situation worse. We were in the middle of the sidewalk. She turned and I stood behind her, looking down at myself and moving my t-shirt.

I looked at her back, the way her skirt swayed with each step. The shape of her ass, even in that flowy material. I licked my bottom lip and followed her to the apartment complex ahead. I knew where she lived. Half an hour from the school. 10 minutes from mine. Perfect.

She stopped and I "accidentally." Ran into her from the back.

She turned and I gave her an innocent smile. "Sorry, you stopped so quick."

She held my gaze, she didn't believe me. My smile grew. I wanted her to call me out on it. she didn't. I grinned. She resumed walking and I followed her again. my gaze once more going down to her ass swaying in that skirt. It wasn't even a fitted skirt. It didn't have to be. I could imagine.

She stopped again, and I walked into her once more. "Lan!"

I chuckled, and moved away. "Sorry."

I turned and looked at building 103. "Is this it?" I walked up to the door. "What floor?"

She stepped up. "That's information for another time." She smirked. "Bye."

"Awww come on." I groaned, leaning against the door. I smiled at her and bit down on my bottom lip. God, I wanted a taste of that.

Aquina stepped up to me, her head tilted up with a smirk on her face. "I think you're horny, and you need to go home, before you hurt yourself."

I stared at her lips and licked mine again, imagining I was kissing her. she parted her lips and I couldn't look away.

"Lan?"

I was jolted back to reality, licked my lips again and swallowed down the desire. I nodded. "Okay right...right...I should go." I turned and walked down the three steps, before turning back around. She was watching me.

"If you could have...you would have...." I asked carefully. "Kissed me...right?" I bit down on my bottom lip, nervously waiting her response.

"I wouldn't have made that mist----"

"But if you could." I cut her off.

Aquina exhaled softly and looked upwards off to the side. "I guess you've perfected this whole kiss me face...so it would have been hard to not...kiss you."

I chuckled and ran up the stairs. I grabbed her arm and kissed the sleeve again, a little longer than last time. I let go with a satisfied smack of my lips. "Bye." I waved back and went down the small steps.

"Bye." She turned around.

"Wait..." I turned back around at the bottom of the steps as the lobby door opened. she put her FOB down.

"What?"

"Do you want to go swimming with me?" That's what I had wanted to ask her ever since class let out and forgot.

To my surprise Aquina's eyes widened in horror. "Absolutely not."

"Why not?"

"I can't swim."

"I'll teach you."

She shook her head vehemently. "No. I don't even want to learn." she laughed in disbelief. "It's actually super funny, because I dreamed about swimming with you---"

She dreamed about swimming with me? My heart raced.

"And after I realized. That's not something I would like to do at all."

"So you have dreamed about me." I whispered. She had lied. She'd said no the other day at the ramyun shop. I smiled. "We were swimming?"

Aquina looked a bit surprised that she'd let that slip. She shrugged. "I don't really remember. Bye." She entered her lobby and I watched as the door slowly closed behind her. through the glass door, I could see her heading to the elevator. I put my hand up and waved, hoping she would turn around as she pressed the up arrow button. She didn't turn. She was checking something on her FOB. I still waved. I willed her to turn around. She finally did and blinked at my eager hand wave. I couldn't really see if she smiled. I imagined she did, because she actually waved back briefly.

I chuckled. Feeling a strange sensation, I rubbed my left eye. I looked back up and she was gone. Satisfied, I whistled as I made my way home. I was liking her more and more each day.

**

I pressed my hand against the wet wall, as the shower head sprayed water down my back. My eyes closed. I was a million miles away as my left hand, slowly but confidently stroked my enlarged member.

"Vera, stop." I broke the kiss, holding her at arm's length. I wanted it, but I couldn't. not anymore.

"Vera?" My mouth parted as Vera's face and body transformed into Aquina's. She smirked. "I knew you wanted to fuck your ex-girlfriend. It's okay."

"I wanna fuck you." I whispered crashing my lips against hers.

She pushed her hands on my shoulder. "Sto---"

"Please..." I cupped her face, kissing her more intently. Feeling my body react instantly. She kissed me back. Wrapping her arms around my shoulder. Her tongue grazing mine. Her lips just as plump as I had imagined. I moaned and turned her around, pressing her against the wall as I deepened the kiss.

Aquina moaned and I trailed my teeth down her chin. I bite and kissed her neck. Her body moved against mine wantonly. Her fingers moving up my biceps, around my shoulder.

"Lan..." She moaned.

I trembled as lifted my head and pressed my forehead against hers. Her big eyes looking up at me needy. She wanted me. She wanted me as much as I wanted her.

I hurriedly reached down to unzip my pants and she looked down.

"That's so fast." She whispered and looked up at me teasingly. "You're so hard."

I gasped as I crashed my lips against hers. "Please...." I whispered against her mouth. I shoved my pants down and scrunched up her long white skirt. I was almost salivating in anticipation. "I want you so much."

Aquina cupped my face as she bit down on her bottom lip. I hoisted her up as her legs wrapped around my waist. "You're so ready aren't you?" she whispered.

I nodded as I ran my dick around her hot wetness.

"Want to fuck me?" She whispered biting my ear.

I groaned as I pressed my dick against her entrance.

"Fuck me."

"Aquina." I moaned, moving her head to kiss her hard. I rammed inside her and she gasped loudly. I closed my eyes as I gripped her thighs, fucking her harder into the wall. "Aquina.." I whispered breathless against her neck. She smelled so good. Like fucking paradise.

"Oh, Lan...oh...fuck...yes.." Her fingers dug into my back, almost painfully.

I licked her neck as I dug further and further into her essence. Her walls squeezing my dick, desperately begging me to release inside her. I gasped.

"More."

I slammed into her. Digging myself inside her wet tunnel with a desperation, unmatched. I could barely breathe. No matter how much I gasped, it wasn't enough air. She was air. She was my air. Her, I wanted...no... needed her. Just her. I gasped as my hips moved uncontrollably. Over and over, each stroke building on the previous. Our breathing more ragged. Our movements more desperate. I wanted to be one with her, in every sense of the world.

"Lan!" she gasped, rocking with me. "Lan!"

"Aquina!"

"Lan!"

"Aquina!"

"Laaannnnn....uuuuuhhhh."

I shook as I came inside her, feeling like my entire spirit entered her. I gasped against her neck as I held on to her hot body. Her walls pulsating around my dick, squeezing every drop it could.

I shook as I came. It felt like my spirit had left my body. I gasped against her hand as I held on to the wet wall. My body shook, abs crunched as I rubbed out until the last drop.

I moaned loudly, as I pressed against the wall of the shower. My toes curled. The water brought me back to life as it splashed all over my face. I took deep gulps of air, sputtering out water as I slowly opened my eyes. I looked around the whites of my bathroom, being transported back, instead of in the hallway of the school. I tried to slow down my breathing as I looked down at my receding erection in my hand.

"What the fuck." I gasped as I ran my hand over my wet hair and stood under the shower. I felt like I was hyperventilating. It took a couple more seconds for my heartbeat to slow, as I wiped the water off my face. I rubbed my left eye unconsciously and moved my head out the shower. I pressed my hand against the wall, still trying to collect myself. I looked down at my naked body and rubbed my smooth chest, resting my hand over my heart. It had felt so real. I slowly turned off the water and took a couple seconds before grabbing my towel. I passed it over my face, as the images resurfaced. Even my dick twitched at the memory, even though we were done for tonight. I couldn't cum again after cuming that hard.

I stepped out the shower, and ran my hand over the foggy mirror. My breathing still a little unstable. I squinted and rubbed my left eye. I looked in the mirror and blinked rapidly. my eyes were playing tricks on me. For a minute there my left eye had looked a hazy blue. But it was normal again. I touched it cautiously, before covering my right eye. Fine my vision was good in both eyes.

I wrapped the towel around my waist and stepped out the shower. I paused as I heard my front door open.

My heart dropped. No....

Vera grinned as she swung the door open. "Hey baby!" she giggled and stumbled in, tripping over her red heels and falling right to the floor. The door closed slowly behind her and she laughed.

I sighed. "Vera!" I stormed over to her and grabbed her arm.

"Ooohh you're wet..." she slurred, running a finger down my abs. "I likey..."

I turned my face at the pungent smell of alcohol on her breath. How much had she drank? "What are you doing you?"

"I misssshh you..." she swayed and hiccuped. She hiccuped again, her face contorting as she turned to me.

I closed my eyes. "Don't." I grabbed her arm, pulling her fast and yanking her across the room. Barely making it to the bathroom as she vomited all over the bathroom floor. She heaved and retched again. the smell of alcohol and chicken making my stomach churn.

"Sorry...sorr---" she cried and hiccuped as she threw up again.

I pulled her hair back, wrapping it around one hand and rubbed her back with the other. "It's fine...it's fine...just throw it up."

**

I sat on the edge of my bed phone in hand. It was 9:30. Should I text her? I looked at my phone and then back to Vera sleeping soundly beside me. Before, seeing her in boxers and t-shirt would have pulled at my heart strings. But now, I was annoyed...and felt guilty. I rubbed my face and sighed.

I had showered her, vomit had gotten on her dress. She'll be pissed about it in the morning. I changed her and put her to bed.

How would a woman react to that?

I mean I knew if it was Vera she would have cursed me out left and right before falling into a fit of tears and accusations.

How would Aquina take it? did she care? I mean obviously she was naked, obviously I touched her, but would she believe that I felt nothing but pity, annoyance and sadness. I mean Vera was still hot, and she'll always be hot, but even as I had looked at her naked body...that's all it was...a naked body.

"Fuck." I whispered and put the phone down. No woman would let this shit fly. I was digging myself a deeper hole. I rubbed my face in frustration, and looked back at Vera. I pulled up the cover, knowing she tended to get a bit cold. I picked back up the phone.

Hey. What are you doing?

I held the phone tightly. Aquina wasn't the quickest of typers. Sometimes going hours, so I shouldn't get my—my heart skipped at the response.

Uploading reference photos for my next project.

Any idea what it'll be yet?

I chewed on my bottom lip. At least if I kept asking questions she'll keep answering.

No.

I looked at the two syllable word and sighed. How do I open up with another question. Would she think I'm probing too much. Is she done talking?

What are you doing?

I blinked and slowly smiled at her double text.

Getting ready for bed.

The sheets rustled and I turned to see Vera swing her arm out as she moved her head to the other side, mouth parted as she snored softly. My fingers faltered as I looked back at the phone.

Goodnight.

No. her goodnight message hurt. I sighed and rubbed the side of my face. I put my phone down, but immediately picked it back up again. typing without giving myself a chance to chicken out.

I have to tell you something.

Sure.

I don't know if you care.

I waited for a couple seconds but she didn't type back. Probably just waiting for me to tell her.

Well, Vera's at my place right now.

She's dead asleep.

Nothing happened.

She was drunk and passed out.

Aquina didn't respond so I texted again.

You know,

just in case you hear tomorrow

or something that she slept over.

Nothing happened.

I sighed and put my phone down. She probably didn't give a fuck. That would be a good thing right? But... I wanted her to give a fuck.

I picked my phone back again and she'd texted.

I guess Vera trained you right.

You always feel the need to explain yourself.

I read the text again slowly. There didn't seem to be any anger behind those words. She sounded amused. I smiled, feeling myself relax as I texted back.

I just don't want any misunderstanding,

especially between

the woman I'm pursing and my ex-girlfriend.

I rubbed my thumb over my bottom lip as I wondered how she was going to respond to that. I waited, tapping my foot on the floor.

I chuckled at the simple thumbs up. She accepted it. That was good. That meant she cared.

Goodnight.

Ahhh come on. She was so quick to stop texting.

Goodnight?

Why are you in a rush,

so you can sleep and

dream about me quicker?

I chuckled at my own text and waited excitedly in anticipation.

Nobody's dreaming about you.

A guy can wish.

Sure. Goodnight.

I sighed. I shouldn't push it. she didn't seem too eager to talk to me.

Fine Aqu---hey I like that,

do you have a nickname?

No, I don't have a nickname.

Goodnight Aqu.

I grinned.

**

Aquina

Goodnight Aqu.

I looked at Lan's text message. My index finger tapped the phone several times before I typed back.

See you tomorrow.

He replied with a grinning emoji.

I smiled and stared at the phone for a couple more seconds.

Don't do it. Don't. Remember what mom said. Don't get close to anybody. This was a rare opportunity. To be learning among normal people her own age. She couldn't fuck this up. Last year's incident was the one and only warning. Don't get close to anyone. Learn what you have to learn and come back in hiding. With my skills, I'll be able to earn a living and help my family. Family was important. Family was the only thing the cursed ones had. If that professor hadn't auctioned my warrior statue 2 years ago for $78,000. Mom wouldn't have worked so hard to get me out in the 'real world'. To convince Uncle Morris to get me this identity. Besides my name. Nothing else about me was true. Born and raised in Rangeley, Maine. Lies. It was just the smallest most unassuming town. Nobody would double check. Transferred in from Maryland Institute of the Art? Lies. Great, not the best, but good enough for recognition? Sure, who's going to double check? Uncle Morris got her name in the database, got her transcript sealed and delivered. Besides with a background of selling an art pieces at 20 for thousands of dollars. Nobody was really checking for truths. Professor Shannon was eager to mentor me. No questions asked. So, no Aquina. Don't. And don't think it's adorable for him to call you Aqu. People like you don't get nicknames.

My finger hesitated, but moved on it's own.

I have a quick meeting with Professor Shannon.

I'll be a bit late to lunch.

I texted and chewed on my bottom lip.

I'll wait for you.

I smiled, my finger moved slowly.

Okay.

He sent a winky face emoji.

I put the phone down feeling my heart rate rise. Stop texting him.