Holy****!

I gasped and turned towards him in astonishment. He had his hands in his pockets. My eyes were wide with shock. Me and him paired up for project?? Unbelievable!

Very naturally, he raised his eyebrows, shrugged his shoulders and in a low voice, he told me,

"I won't eat you up, Miss Claire. Breathe."

And I saw Roxen Dale wink at me then. Damn. I really can't breathe!

I bit my lower lip and bent my head down to hide my blush.

"Damn." He muttered under his breath.

That was it. My heart picked up pace and started hammering against my rib cage. I hurried towards my seat in confusion. And there I saw Marrie sitting with Max Collins! He hurriedly made place for me by shifting in the middle of the three seated bench and gave me a cute dimpled smile. Oh no! I giggled and ducked in beside him.

I saw Roxen pass by my seat in the aisle and the silver in his eyes flashed furiously as if he would eat me up! Dammit! What have I done wrong now!!??

I looked helplessly towards Marrie and what?? She was glaring back at me too!! I groaned in despair.

***

We spent the whole day together. Max, me and Marrie. He was really cute, actually! And we enjoyed alot. The day went by easily except for the stares of guys and glares of girls around me. I ignored everyone. Max was new here. I wanted him to have a good impression of the people around here. Besides, what could I do anyway? Max, on the other hand, seemed much immune towards such things for he took things lightly and dismissed them easily. I liked him. He had a big heart. Marrie, however, kept passing me secretive glares. If looks could kill, I would've been probably dead by now!

Also, the professor told us to submit the name of our novel on which we had to make our project report. We had a deadline of two days for the submission of the name. I was sitting in the cafe with these guys wondering how in the world would I manage working with him.

"I think we need to discuss the report, Miss Claire. Would you mind accompanying me to my car?"

I looked up. Think of the devil and the devil is here..only..he's so handsome and enchanting. Phew.

"Oh please, why can't he stop calling her Miss Claire!" I heard Max complain under his breath to Marrie who was scrutinizing every inch of Roxen as if looking for a hidden dagger or gun. I rolled my eyes at them and stood up.

"We don't discuss reports in cars. We have the classrooms for that." I tried to reason.

"Who cares?" Having said this, he began strolling out of the cafe with his hands in his pockets, clearly dismissing my idea of going to a classroom. I sighed. This boy won't reason!

"So, now you're going with him?" Marrie glared. I could understand, she was being protective of me.

"I need to. It's work, Marrie." I pacified her. "Besides, good luck to you both for your report. I'm glad you're paired up for it." I winked. She threw back a smile.
"Gotta go." I picked up my bag. Max stood up immediately and held out his arm for me.

"Shall I escort you, lady?" He bowed slightly and winked.

I couldn't help thinking how cute he was! But then, I remembered the glare from Roxen in the morning. He clearly had some problem with Max. Or wait a minute! Was he jealous of him?? Oh no Haze! I wanted to slap my self.

Roxen doesn't give a damn about anyone in the world, Haze. For God sake.

Then I remembered Doris..and I smiled. I'll find a way to talk to her. Somehow, I had a feelin' that it would help.

"Where are you, Haze?" Max waved his hands in front of me.

"Oh! Nothing, Max." I coughed, ashamed of being caught at day dreaming. "Need to go, enjoy." I gave both of them a farewell smile and ran towards the parking lot.

***

"You're late, Miss Claire." He stated as I hurried into the passenger side of the silver Volvo. He already had his place behind the wheel.

"We didn't have a commitment." I tried to sound serene and disciplined.

"We don't need a commitment, never forget that." He dismissed the argument. Phew. His words left goosebumps on my skin.

With that, he started the car and reversed it with a screech. Not again!

"Where are we goin'?? I thought we were going to discuss the report!" I exclaimed.

"My place. We discuss it there." He stated in a authoritative tone leaving no place for objection. Ugh! Why does he have to be so bossy?? For God sake, we just went to his home this morning!

I sat back in the seat. He turned on the car stereo. Demons by Imagine Dragons.

~I wanna hide the truth
I wanna shelter you
But with the beast inside
There's nowhere we can hide

No matter what we breed
We still are made of greed
This is my kingdom come
This is my kingdom come...~

Fine. He is such a soul! I love this song but why? Why does he have to listen to such songs? I felt sad. He seemed like the King of a dark Kingdom, the only door to which was his eyes, devilishly striking grey eyes.

~When you feel my heat,
Look into my eyes
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide..

Don't get too close,
It's dark inside,
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide..~

My heart grew heavy suddenly. Why does he behave this way? He's got everything in life. Money. Beauty. He's got a life actually. Then why? This "why" was slowly starting to wound my heart. Slow torture.

~Don't wanna let you down,
But I'm hell bound
Though this is all for you
Don't wanna hide the truth..~

I need to know. Maybe we need to talk. He won't talk. Ugh. I need to get into his system without even letting him know. Then I'll explore his heart. Hmm. System. Damn. Where are you heading, Haze! I scolded myself. I seriously needed to keep hold on myself. I needed to dig these words in my heart with a knife, "He doesn't give a damn". Stupid me.

~They say it's what you make
I say it's upto fate
It's woven in my soul
I need to let you go

Your eyes, they shine so bright
I wanna save that light
I can't escape this now
Unless you show me how...~

Finally, I registered that I couldn't do anything except for waiting and listening to him. I knew I needed to make him feel home by dissolving into the background, by taking his orders. He would open up then..someday. I sighed and for the first time in the whole ride, turned to look at him. What I saw, broke my heart!

Tears crashed against the edge of the ocean of his grey eyes. From the side, from where I was watching, the corner of his left eye glimmered with the hint of salty water. My heart went out to him! I wanted to hug him and tell him that I'll be there for him. His grey villa came into view. His Adam's apple moved up and down, clearly in an effort to stop his tears from falling. My heart broke. I knew he was so absorbed in his pain that he had forgotten my presence.

~When you feel my heat
Look into my eyes..
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide...

Don't get too close
It's dark inside
It's where my demons hide
It's where my demons hide...~

The car halted in the driveway. He got out of the car and went inside the house, leaving me sitting in the car. A tear rolled down my cheek. I wiped it away with the back of my hand and smiled sadly.

So, here we are, so close yet miles apart.

He won't even show me his tears and here I was thinking of exploring his heart. I finally knew, that I'd got my heart broken by Roxen Dale and I'd let it happen myself. I hated myself.

I got out of the car and went inside. It was same as before. Sleek and modern with reflecting floors. I had no idea where to find anyone in the house so I headed towards the only room where I had been before; his room. The grey room with white drapes and windows. I loved it. It was the most peaceful place on the entire planet. I went upstairs and knocked at the door. No response. I opened the door slowly and peeked inside. His territory. Grey and sad yet so heavenly.

But I couldn't see him anywhere so I went inside and quietly sat on the chair, the same chair on which he sat for the sketch. My heart twisted. His oh-so-heavenly scent encapsulated me completely. This room had the most beautiful and maddening fragrance. It smelled Roxen.

"I'll see you tonight at the Ladies' Club." I heard him snap...probably into the phone, outside the door.

Club!?? Ladies Club??! I felt a bitter taste roll down my throat. He entered the room. Our eyes collided..grey and brown. Dead eyes. I composed myself. He looked..well..tough. Back to his cold self.

"So, I was thinkin' about the novel..." I started.

"That's the fault in our stars..." he spoke softly.

My heart stopped. He had left it unsaid. He thought there was a fault in our stars? Was he finally opening up to me? I felt breathless.

"We can hope to fix the stars..." I replied back hopefully.

"...by John Green." He gave his one sided smile.

Damn.