"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud." – Coco Chanel

Chapter Three: Xanthic

M A X

"So," I begin, swinging my hands at my sides, finding something to do with them. The stilted, awkward silence is so visible once I've exited the maths class, walking shoulder to shoulder with Argent. Without Mr. Marcellus to lead the conversation, without my friends to fill in with their noise, I have absolutely nothing to say.

Argent stuffs his hands in his pockets. "Yes?"

A man of few words. Well, that's not going to work out, given I also suck at conversation. Small talk, human interactions ... yeah, they don't work with me.

"This tutoring thing, huh?" I ask, putting on my best business-like voice. I don't do friendly.

Clearly.

"What about it?" Agent cuts me a sideways glance, and I notice his eyes up close for the first time. They're not hazel, not exactly. There's something so distinctive about his irises – they appear jade at one glance but amber when exposed to light.

"I don't know," I admit truthfully. "I thought we should come up with some ideas."

"For what? Studying?"

" No, " I say and immediately regret opening my mouth. What happened to the confident, cool Max the whole school knows me by? "I'm trying to say, we need to organise somewhere to meet up if we're going to do this."

Argent doesn't say a word for a long time, and we simply walk side by side, in complete silence. I like the quiet, I generally do, but with Argent I feel uncomfortable. Like I need to say something. Maybe because I'm so used to listening to someone extroverted talk, it's hard for me to be the one pushing for conversation.

" Ah," he nods, at last, and I sag my shoulders in relief. "I get it. Like a rendezvous?"

"Yes," I agree because English is my strong suit and I know what that word means. Though, it doesn't seem like Argent is much of a nerd. In fact, by the way, he behaves and dresses, he'd fit right in with my friends.

Not that I want him to.

Argent, I guess, is one of those people who fit in anywhere they go. He could belong with the nerds, solving back-to-back calculus problems just for kicks. Or he could join the football jocks' table, tossing a soccer ball during lunch. He's lucky like that, having no specific role in the school hierarchy system, no classified box he has to belong to.

"My house is out," Argent states, and something flashes in his eccentric eyes. "Unless you don't mind visiting the institute for the crazy."

I know he's lying, of course, but I chuckle at his dark-humoured joke.

"That explains a lot," I smile slyly. "You do seem like you're from the madhouse."

He arches a sleek eyebrow, whiter than snow against his lightly tanned skin. "Oh? Are you also from there?"

"Maybe," I shrug cryptically. "If you ever go to the third floor, ask for room nineteen on the left."

"Okay," he says solemnly. "I'll know where to find you."

I hitch my bag further up on my shoulder. "My house is also out."

Argent furrows his brow, waiting for an explanation. I don't say a word because I don't know what to say without giving away too much information. My stepdad is a pain in the ass and verbally abusive, and my mum is an idiot for marrying him. I hate living with both of them. I wish Luke would find a place so we could move out.

I can't do anything until I'm eighteen. Four months and I'm home free.

Until then, I can't say a word. Especially not to some guy I just started talking to.

"Okay," Argent concedes, and I'm thankful he doesn't pry. He isn't as forward as other guys. I like that. "Maybe the library?"

I shudder. I hated the library.

I love English, but I hate books. Go figure.

"I guess," my voice trails off. "Saturday morning?"

Argent scrunches up his nose. "I'm only awake at twelve on the weekends."

I shake my head, fighting back a smile. "Fine. Saturday afternoon then."

"Deal," he sticks out his hand, and we shake on it. I try not to think about the tingling feeling of his warm palm encased in mine and the cold shiver when he lets go.

"Alright," I check my watch, determined not to meet his eyes.

"Dammit. Bell is about to ring," Argent shoots me a sharp smile, and it's fit for a killer. There's something so criminal in the sinister tilt of his lips.

"I missed geography class; I'll take that as a victory."

I hold back a laugh. Argent Rays might just be one of the most interesting people I've ever met, and if this is what it takes for me to get a pass in algebra, I'll take it. Tuition with a hot, dark-humoured, sassy boy? I'll take that as a victory.

***

I catch Zahra in the hallway before we head to lunch together. The cafeteria is bustling with activity, the ruckus of chaos being carried across the floors. The loud ruptures of mindless chatter as students catch up with each other. Everyone is either too excited that they finally get to see their friends or really tired that it's the first day of school.

There is no in-between.

My tray clatters on the table as I sit down between the Aswad twins. Mason pulls up shortly afterwards, complaining about physics. His parents are making him do the cursed subject, just like how mine is forcing me to do algebra – well, my horrible excuse for a stepfather is. And Mum, as always, just agrees with everything he says. Which is why, Mason and I, are failing so drastically.

"Why so down, Maximum?" Anas asks, snapping me from the invisible connection tethering me to daydreams. "You look sad."

My eyes meet his. "I'm not upset. This is my resting face."

"You were staring at the floor all gloomy."

"Was not."

Zahra nods, a smirk on her lips. "Totally were."

I mouth 'bitch' in her direction. She mouths back, "You know it."

"How was class?" I quiz.

Anas shrugs. "Same old, same old."

Mason curls his nose in disgust. "Can we talk about something else? School is like, very evil."

"That's like, so stupid," Zahra mimics his voice, way over-pitched, and we all laugh. The tips of Mason's ears burn red, but he smiles anyway.

"We have soccer practice after school, can you girls wait for us?" Anas asks, in between taking bites of his burger.

I frown, sharing a glance with Zahra. "Why on Earth would we wait for you?"

"Yeah! What she said."

Anas gives us a flat look. "I was thinking, we could catch a movie afterwards. The four of us but if you'd rather ...?"

I lift my shoulders. "Hey, I you pay for popcorn, I'm in."

"Deal," Anas grins. "And you guys?"

"Why not," Mason mutters and Zahra assents.

The three of them then start arguing about which movie to watch. Zahra is down for horror, but the boys want that new action car-chasing movie that just got in.

I lean back in my chair, surveying the cafeteria. From our spot, we have a clear view of the entrance, the lunch line, and the jock table. Well, it was really a jock table, so to say. More like where all the guys who thought too highly of themselves (sort of like, populars) sat with their girl counterparts. My guy friends would've been there, except they chose to stay with Zahra and me despite playing soccer. It's a good thing too because Anas is already ogling at the girls who walk past. Imagine how bad it'd be if he sat at that table.

See, even though my school offers sports, it's not all of them who think they're the kings and queens of high school. Those that act normal and not like self-conceited narcissists, sit with their friends at other tables. A few basketball guys, some swimmers, ping pong and netball girls. But most of them were soccer jocks. The girls and boys made up the majority of the popular table.

I watch, suddenly interested when the head cheerleader, Rouge leaves her well-acclaimed spot and starts matching towards the end of the cafeteria. Her heels clip against the floor in a staccato rhythm as she stalks with her head held high and her eyes forward, her long glossy brown hair swinging with each step as if she stepped out of a shampoo commercial. I follow her line of vision, my frown dipping on seeing her gaze pinned on ...

Argent?

Confused, I sit forward trying to get a better look. Argent looks at perfect ease as he sits with two of his friends. His whole posture seems so calm and the little smile lingering on his lips makes him look boyish, innocent even. A geeky-looking boy in a golf shirt and a perky girl sit on either side of him deep in conversation. Girlfriend? Not of Argent, she's too sister-friendly with him. Maybe she's with the other guy. Not that I care.

Argent can date whosoever he wants.

Rouge walks straight up to Argent and instantly I watch the ease on his face disappear. His brows crease and his eyes narrow. Ex-girlfriend? Seems like it. Rouge says something to them, and the other girl shifts up a seat without complaint. Argent's body stiffens when Rouge sits down, and he starts talking angrily. Back is that walled, wicked-looking boy with a dangerous mind.

"What you looking at?" Zahra asks good-naturedly, bumping shoulders with me.

"Huh?" I shake my head quickly. "Nothing."

Anas raises an eyebrow incredulously. "I don't believe you."

"It's nothing," I say defensively.

"You just zoned out for like two minutes," Mason puts in.

"Yeah, you were staring at that table," Zahra confirms, jutting her chin towards Argent.

"Quit being nosy," I grumble, dropping my forehead on the table with a quiet bang.

Zahra pats my head sympathetically. "There there, Max. We won't tease you about your crush."

Anas' smile is lethal. "Yes, we will."

"I don't have a crush on anyone," I groan. "But –"

They all lean closer. I roll my eyes.

"Is that white-haired kid there going out with Rouge Ambers?"

Mason spits out his milkshake. "What?"

"What what?" I shrug innocently. "I saw them together and –"

"Max, they're siblings," Anas fills me in.

Oh. They look nothing alike; how must I know they're related? But that means Argent isn't with the head cheerleader or his friend.

"Twins?" I ask. He nods.

"Huh," I say, impressed. "Would you look at that, there's another set of twins in our grade."

"I've seen them," Zahra chimes in. "I think the guy's name is Argent?"

Mason tips his head. "Yup. He's on the soccer team too. His sister does cheer."

"She's as hot as hellfire," Anas smirks.

"Has a temper like hell too, " Mason chuckles.

I glance at the table again with even more interest. So Argent plays soccer and his sister is a cheerleader. They must really love soccer. Not to mention, Argent is good at maths as well. What is that guy bad at? He has sports, academics and looks in the bag. Plus, he isn't that popular nor is he an outcast. He sits in the perfect position on the social ladder.

Argent Rays. There was so much to learn about him.