Guys, it feels so good to meet you all after so many... er... months. How are you all? Okay, I won't take much of your time. Just my usual rant. This is not read-proof chapter, so there will be mistakes, there will be editing later. Actually, I was too busy lately, so outcome is not what I had expected. I am not reaaly happy with the way it has turned out. Anyways, hope you enjoy it :) Thoughts are in itallic but doesn't appear itallic. :D

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Taste of Revenge

Our faces were just an inch apart, just an inch... and to close that distance, I leaned in...

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Can anyone hate someone so much, that they feel like kissing each other?

Alright, that sounds weird. I guess I should put it in a different way. How about this?

Can someone who hates each other passionately, may want to kiss each other when being close intimately?

Wow, that rhymes and sounds better than the previous. But whatever, I was reflecting Trystan's feelings, or was it him reflecting my feelings?

Ugh! Why was I even entertaining this BS?

Was it normal or was I losing it? I couldn't think this, not at this stage where I had already taken a step. It was too late to back away now. My mind was in chaos. I couldn't even decide what I should do. My brain was turning into jelly as we stared at each other.

I hovered by his lips, partly unsure whether this was actually a good idea or not, but hey, I was already here, so I decided I should just go with this and finish it off quickly.

But would I really survive through this? I mean, my plot still had cracks and holes, considering my, well... considering my corrupted thoughts. And his eyes, which stared back at me with undefined intensity, weren't helping either. It caused adrenaline to rush through my blood. I almost confirmed my theory that Trystan could hypnotize, because whenever our gaze met, I found his eyes intimidating. His eyes spoke for him whether he was happy, angry or whatever.

I didn't want to look in his eyes, but I needed to...

I didn't want to bring my lips close to his, but I needed to...

I didn't want to be even here stuck to him, but I needed to... needed to do this to survive in this school and not just like an invisible person under the radar, not like a coward, who couldn't face a bunch of butt-headed, self-proclaimed popular.

There was this tiny, balanced moment where it could have gone either way, but when I leaned in, to my surprise and horror, Trystan leaned back.

A smirk turned the corner of his lips up. "You don't want to do this," he stated, coking his head at left, not in a confident way that said I would not do it, but in a tone that challenged me to prove him wrong.

His words caught me off guard, but I composed myself quickly. Was it possible that he could read my thoughts as well? In that case, it would be so much horrible.

I had taken a dangerous decision of playing this game and now I couldn't afford to lose it. No way! My whole existence depended on this plan. It felt as if the air itself was holding its breath to see what happens and I was sure, every eye in the surrounding was on us. If I make a mistake now, it would humiliate me even more than what Trystan intended. I couldn't give him that satisfaction. Shattering his glassy reputation was my only motive, even if that meant sacrifice of some things of my own, but only if that great sacrifice would prove to be worth. And failing my morals wasn't the best 'give and take'.

And for the fact, I didn't want to end up kissing Trystan in any way. Period.

At this moment, I simply needed a glance at Bianca, who was standing right behind Trystan and then there it felt like it was the just three of us, Bianca behind Trystan at arm's distance and me in front of Trystan with no distance. Ironic, I agree and this situation just couldn't get any better. It was hard to hide my smirk as Bianca shot daggers at me through her eyes. She stared at me in consternation, her green eyes practically bulging out of their sockets. I pictured her with smoke coming out through her ears and nose and if I continued my act, I could actually see that happening.

I snapped back to being Kiera, focusing on nothing else but revenge... sweet revenge.

I gave him my best look and laced my voice with seduction. "Oh, Trystan, I very much want to play this game with you..." I let the words trail off and leaning in, I softly blew a breath on his lips. But he didn't give me reaction I expected. He didn't turn on. He was not even partly seduced. Instead he laughed. Trystan Evans laughed. Any other guy would have fallen for my move, but here he was laughing?

Shit, shit, shit. I should not have done that. Oh, God. Did I play disgusting? Wasn't I supposed to make that move?

My hands were still tangled around his neck and not because oh-so-comfortable-position, but because I couldn't bring my hands down. It felt as if there was no life in my arms; I couldn't feel them attached to my body. Trystan probably noticed it and taking the advantage, he wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me harder into him. My breath hitched in my throat as I barely managed to avoid our face-clash. That would have given him an easy access to my lips. No, Thank-You-Very-Much!

He gave me his barely there smile and said, "You're sure, Bennet, you want to take it to that base?" He raised his eyebrows, looking amused every second and added, "I mean would you be able to handle so much happiness?" His smile turned into smirk, while I heard snickering from behind Trystan.

Douchebag. How could someone be so... annoying? I was boiling with rage, but I covered it up with a smile I was expert at pulling. Hard times had taught me to conceal my emotions very well, and at times like this it just proved to be worth.

"I knew it from the first that you want me," he continued smugly.

Arrogant bastard. Smile.

"No one can resist me. Every girl here wants me."

Well, you will be surprised to know just how many girls don't want to have anything with you. For example, me? Smile.

"And now see, you too couldn't wait to kiss me," he made a vague gesture with his hand, "but you are not as lucky as those girls who had the grace to come close to me. You see... you are not my type."

Yeah, right. As if I care. Buckle up and get ready for the unforgettable ride, asshole.

If you are thinking his words hurt my ego, then well you are absolutely right. It did bruise my ego. Don't forget that I am a girl too and inside every girl there is a girly-girl, which we might keep hidden, but grounds sometimes when it is being hurt. Does it make sense?

I was fighting hard against my urge to strangle him to death. Every passing millisecond in his arms was like being tied to thorn tree, poking and piercing my skin continuously. On the other hand, Bianca smirked on Trystan's comment. They all exchanged a bemused look.

Few more minutes...

Hoping I didn't look disgusted, and hurt, and angry, I carried on my act. I smiled at him suggestively, batting my eyelashes. "Why not?" I asked him in a voice I didn't know my vocal cord could form. It almost made me gag on my instincts.

I trailed my right hand from his neck down towards his chest-- the material of his apple green t-shirt felt soft and smooth, while my other hand still secured its place behind his neck. This move seemed to work a little as Trystan let out a sharp breath.

He grasped my hands in the mid of its sultry business. "I have warned you this earlier. Don't try to start something you can't finish, Kiera," he stated, boring his eyes into mine.

I stared back, unflinching. "If you know what you are doing, you can always find a way to end it and trust me," my voice dropping a tone lower, "I want it to finish in a most innocent way possible." I bit my lower lip and pressed my breast against his chest, even though all I wanted to do was push him off.

Ugh! Can someone get me a barf bag? Or oxygen supply, because I can't breathe either.

May be I was taking it too far, but somehow I was enjoying playing this game. Desire for revenge was just overwhelming.

Trystan tensed. I could feel it under my touch, though he didn't show it. He had his perfect signature smirk on.

Brave.

But I was determined to wipe that off.

By the way, he was turned on. Way turned on.

Kiera, relax. Don't think about that. Do not think about that, I ordered my brain to ignore his buddy, poking my thighs and the fact that I was wearing shorts, which left my thighs exposed wasn't helping a bit.

And another fact, we were dangerously close to each other, my breast pressed against his chest. The only barrier between us was a thin layer of our clothes. The thought itself made me squirm.

Ugh! Shoot me now!

Ignoring these facts, I continued. I buried my fingers in his brown hair- which I might add were soft enough to run my hands easily through it. All the while, I was aware of the crowd I was gathering.

I looked at him through my lashes, batting them for full effect. "You know, I love the game you are playing," I tilted my head at side, "but why play alone?"

Rolling in my lips, I parted them as I looked in his eyes, while my hand played with his hair. Instantly, all the remaining traces of playfulness vanished from his face. His smirk faded. His whole body tensed and pupils dilated. I knew I finally succeeded in seducing Trystan, who proclaimed himself as Mr. Hard-To-Get-Popular of 'Joseph Sanford's Academy'. I don't really complain about him being Popular, because apart from being arrogant, self-centered, douche, and a big asshole, he was quite okay to be tagged as Mr. Popular.

Silence coupled with us. No one moved and no one wanted to move either so that they don't miss anything. This was my first assumption, anyways. I eyed his friends for a second. Some were bravely maintaining smug face, which was about to fade any moment, and some were standing with mouth agape; their eyes literally popping out. This situation was no different from penalty round in the football match, where everyone silently awaits to witness the about-to-be-great-history.

Our faces were again close to each other. Now, to work my plan, Trystan needed to make a single move or should I say a mistake?

As if reading my mind, he did. He did a mistake of leaning forward with parted lips. Apparently, I backed just as he was about to kiss me, because obviously I had no intension of kissing him.

Trystan's eyebrows furrowed as he stared at me with a mixture of emotions. I knew exactly how to end this.

Grinning creepily, I brought my lips close to his ear, so that they were almost touching it.

"Two can play this game, Trystan," I whispered in his ears.

My words took him by surprise. He released me as if stung. Taking the advantage, I slipped off from his arms. I couldn't help the smile that spread on my lips as I smelled my victory. I was certain, that by the end of the day, everyone would know who I am and what I am.

Trystan's expression was perfectly appalled. I guessed he realized my trick, but he couldn't just believe that he fell so easily for it. Confusion was noticeable on his friends' face too and Bianca... she just looked as if she was about to collapse.

When I had planned this, I had not even considered that it would escalate so easily. But now I could see it happening.

I took a step back and pretended to scrutinize him from top to bottom. And then pouting my lips I said, "I would have loved it so much to kiss you, but you know what, I think you are right. I am not your type..."I took a dramatic pause before adding, "I am not inflatable."

I heard a giggle from the crowd at the side, which diverted my gaze towards it. It was a girl, standing squeezed between two guys. She held a book in one hand and other hand cupped her mouth, her eyes wide. She must have not realized what she did before I turned my gaze to her. Specs that adorned her face made her eyes look bigger than naturally possible. No doubt she was a studious type of girl, pleased to stay under radar and hated 'It' group. That is why she could not hold back her giggle. I smiled at her, which relaxed her and she finally got her hand down, off her mouth.

Trystan glared at me, but it was for few seconds before his face turned blank, expressionless.

Again I stepped closer to him, bringing me in the same position I was earlier. I lowered my voice enough for only him to hear. "Don't try to play this game with me, Trystan. You don't stand a chance," I paused, watching the play of emotions on his face. "From the day one, you tried to prove that I am all over you. You could be right, but then how would you deny this?" Trystan gave me a hard stare, which simply widened my grin. "The truth is you can't resist me either, Trystan and you know it better." I smirked, tilting my head at side. I was enjoying it. I was feeling like I had won an Olympic Gold Medal for revenge. Um... wait a minute. Is there any such competition in Olympic Games? No, I guess, 'cause I have never seen or heard any, but they should organize it actually. 'Battle of Revenge', doesn't it sound interesting?

Anyways, I meant to say I loved being on the other side of the counter now. I imitated his hard look and added, "Dare to deny it." Satisfied with me bravery act, I walked ahead, leaving him rooted to the ground.

It took him several seconds to come out of shock. Before I could take my fifth step away from him, I heard him say, "I'm impressed; you are smarter than you look."

I stopped and turned around to face him. He was smiling as if he said wittiest comment. This was it? I expected him to say something wiser. Seem like I overestimated his IQ. I shrugged my shoulders and replied, "I have many more talents, which I usually keep hidden. To know them you will have to become smartass, and right now you are just an ass. But you don't worry; I will make it easier for you."

Trystan's friends' faces were worth looking at, but I couldn't understand why my comment didn't affect Trystan. Our gaze met. Amusement sparkled in the green depth of his eyes, as if he learned some of my secret. But that was not possible.

Didn't it affect him or was he just hiding it with that creepy smile? That smile was something I knew by now to be aware of.

Whatever, I had made a goal and I wanted to make best out of it. Smiling in triumph, I turned to walk, but I remembered something and wheeled around to face him again.

"And yeah, take my advice if you will," I said with the most innocent smile I could come up with, "join some yoga classes, start doing meditation. It will help you to control yourself or at the least, will keep your boner in your pants."

I heard gasps and murmurs that suddenly erupted in the silent school ground.

That was my punch line. Ha!

My lips twitched to smirk, but I fought to keep my face as innocent as a dinosaur.

What? Dinosaur? Dinosaurs were never innocent, Kiera, my mind reminded me, but I shrugged. When did I say I was innocent, huh? I was just as awesome as flying giraffe!

Flying giraffe? Haha... Joke!

While I ranted in my brain-a side effect of victory-- I heard Trystan laugh, the sound deep and somehow able to stand loud against the buzzing bees that were the students of JSA and my crazy going head.

He was definitely going through the phase of denial!

He laughed for few seconds before brushing his hand though his hair. "Aren't you something?" he asked me, slipping his hands in the pocket of his cargo pant and cocking his head to right. His lips quirked in amusement. I almost rolled my eyes at him.

"Tell me something I have never heard. I might get flattered," I replied with a lift of shoulder and just like that, I flashed him a last lopsided grin before turning to exit the scene completely.

Now that I was going away from Trystan, I realized whatever I did wasn't that easy for me, especially in the middle of huge teen-crowd who just needs a gossip for breakfast, lunch and even dinner. I told you, I was good at creating drama.

And most important, I never knew Freaking Trystan Evans was so easy.

Not going to lie, I was doing happy dance in my head as I made my way towards the place where I had left Jennet.

"This is not yet over, Bennet." I faintly heard Trystan yell over the murmurs of students.

This time, I couldn't resist an eye role. Seriously, he could drink an ocean and never dissolve his arrogance.

I wanted to look over my shoulder, but I kept on walking until I was facing Jennet, who was watching me with open mouth. I knew Trystan was still watching me. How? I don't know. May be I did have some sixth sense power.

I chuckled when I finally acknowledged Jennet's presence. I had forgotten that she was also among the crowd to witness my act. I held her chin and closed her mouth. "Close your mouth, sweetie. Flies would not ask your permission before entering in."

She blinked her eyes several times, but showed no signs of moving. Must agree, she looked adorable with that pinch-me-or-hit-me-with-hammer face. I shook my head at her reaction and nudged her on shoulder. "Come on, you got to move." I gestured her to move and started my way towards beige coloured school building.

"What did just happen?" she asked me in an unveiled astonishment, matching up her pace with me.

Finally, Alice is back from the wonderland. This was sarcasm, if you didn't get it.

I gave her an innocent look and asked in return, "What?" Twining my arms in her, I dragged her along with me. "Oh, come now, I don't want to miss my," I glanced at my wrist watch, "my tea break."

Dazed with the events, I guessed, she followed without restraining.

We passed the gawking crowd of students, quickly. I was really in need of a break for a while before going for my next task.

All the while we walked through the corridor, my head spun with the images of today's events and the day was not even half.

One shot and three targets.

I couldn't believe I did it. Yes! I had successfully hit three targets with my one move. And it was certainly a great achievement for me. I wanted to clear Trystan's misconception about me. He had tried to prove that I want him. Didn't I just prove him wrong?

Not only he but I wanted to tell this to everyone that I was not an easy-peasy girl, the one not to be messed with.

Secondly, Bianca had vowed to make my life hell, and I had openly challenged her to stay away from me if she wanted to keep her status intact. Well, what could have been better opportunity than this? She wanted Trystan and succeeding even a bit in seducing Trystan was enough to send her my warning. If she was wise, she would get it and it was no-brainer that she already felt threatened by me.

Lastly, Trystan had given me two options, kiss or dance. He didn't know I had other options too. But I didn't choose them. Not because I was afraid of them. I didn't want to end up being called as backscratcher or bootlicker. I wanted to handle it in different way, my way. And the game was not over.

Yeah, it was certainly not yet over.

PS: I had heard revenge is a dish best when served cold. I just learned, it is awesome when served cold and hot!