every word that came out of his lips hit her in the gut or it felt as if someone just threw a bucket of cold water at her. she knew. she damn well knew that every word he said was true and only made her feel… stuck. normally, she would find it easily to retort back with such coldness and harshness that kept people away from her for years. that unyielding walls of fear and cautiousness that kept her strong and independent for years just shattered down by a man she barely knew. if her expression showed any proof of her slight apprehension, she didn’t know. but it didn’t meant she’d back down easily. no. gods, no. she had spent years in building up this walls, tucked inside with this love she’d been hiding and hoarding inside just to be broken down by a man she just met. oh how long it grieved to be liberated. so much love to give yet rejected so many times.
her eyes lingered on him for the longest she had ever stared at someone. she tried to find the right words to say. think iris, think. she’d scream at herself inside. you are better than this, again she reminded herself then she retorted. [ i don’t see why i should tell you anything about me and i believe that it would be for the best too. it’s not like we’re going to meet nor see each other again. this night was obviously a mistake, we never should’ve crossed paths to begin with. so again, there’s nothing else in there but a simple accident and mistake. so if it’s alright, i’d very much appreciate it if you leave me alone. i have no further business with you. ] just when she was about to take her leave… for the third time. what he wanted next surprised her and made her still.
really? was he really just—did he really just—? she could not believe what was happening and it pissed her off all the more and the fact that she even gave him a smile? god, how can she be so stupid? she sighed and signed. [ really? like are you serious right now? blackmailing? damn low for someone like you and what if i did say no? you’d really tell people? ] her fear had always been stronger than her pride and she knew, she had lost this battle. sure, she’d talked to him as if his little blackmailing wouldn’t affect her… but it did. she didn’t want to risk it. god, she could already here the look of disbelief on her father’s face would give or maybe the people around her when they knew about her passion? despite how society has grown and changed, there will always be some left who’d deemed it impossible for someone like her to produce music, she knew that.
so with another, who knows how many times she did it, sigh leaving her lips, the female gave the other a jerk of her chin, enough to let him know that she was going with him but not because she wanted to but because she had no choice, and hopefully that would make him reconsider his decisions. what she didn’t understand was why… why was he doing this? why was he so persistent in talking to her or at least wanting to know her name? she just don’t get it. there are people out there that was just like her who could play and create music so why? it was frustrating to think about it… and the terror of her wanting to open up to the man in front of him and actually give him a chance.
given the space she needed, the female went on with her walking. not too fast and not too slow, just enough to have kaleb walk beside him. she didn’t mind the awkwardness slowly filling the air, no not at all and this was one of those times she felt relieved of her inability to hear. at least she didn’t have to do much talking. her hands held tightly on the strap of her bag, eyes darted on the floor as she kicked and played with the rocks on the floor. she could only hope and pray that he wouldn’t let more of his curiosity ask her questions. she was fine with just tea and that was it. please, just please because she wasn’t sure if she’d actually be able to keep everything to herself especially when he had already caught her attention.
instead of giving an answer, the boy just wore a mischievous smile that let her know that he was, in fact, blackmail her. kaleb was sure that he actually wouldn’t do such a thing, knowing he wasn’t the type to actually be as evil as the act he was now pulling. but she was interesting. it was hard for him to look past what had just happened without a million questions running through his head - wondering why she was so secretive and why she was so set on him leaving her alone for good. still not knowing the girl’s name, kaleb let that fact roll off of his shoulder, figuring that at some point, maybe when the new face was ready, she’d tell him her name and he’d have something to actually call her. even knowing her name caused the boy to grow as curious as ever. it was seen as a curse by kaleb, how bad he needed and wanted to know things he had no business knowing, but this was nothing like that. he didn’t wanna know more about her just to know. she was interesting and no matter how cold she was set on being towards kaleb, it obviously wouldn’t work.
surprisingly, the mystery girl had agreed to go with him. though he initiated it, kaleb wasn’t quite sure she’d fall for it. he wasn’t sure what to do next, his eyes widening momentarily as the devilish smile fell from his lips. he watched the girl take more steps, knowing that this time, he was suppose to be following next to her. it took a moment to process, but eventually - the taller boy started with his own steps. he lead himself to her side, making sure to keep an appropriate space between them as they walked, his head fell, eyes staring at the ground - but only until they veered over to the girl. looking at her, kaleb couldn’t help the small smile that stretched across his lips. why was she like this? it was none of his business, of course, but it kept drawing him in. this is probably a bad idea, he thought to himself, pulling his attention from her and letting it linger across the cement as they walked over it.
he had to say something to her. the boy didn’t invite her for tea just o they can sit in silence. his body straightened as is head lifted up, turning in her direction slightly as he signed to her. “[ do i get to know your name yet? ]” he asked, hopeful look on his face, hoping to get something out of her. “[ what kind of tea do you like to drink? the brew makes an excellent earl grey that they top with a vanilla foam. it’s amazing. ]” if there was one thing kaleb was good at, it was creating conversation without an awkward haze covering it. with this one, though, he figured it might be a bit more difficult than the other strangers he’s spoken with. he hoped he’d get answers that weren’t harsh and that he can at least speak to her as if he wasn’t worried she was in the mob or something. the mystery surrounding the girl was something kaleb desperately wanted to decode, but he knew it wouldn’t be easy. hell, he figured he might not even see her after this.
“[ or their matcha is amazing, best i’ve ever had. ]” more hand movements as he communicated with her, eyes veering to her and away, almost scared to read the expression on her face. she might’ve looked ready to kill him. she might’ve looked as if she warmed up to him. it was something he’d figure out if he just glanced at her instead if watching the ground as he signed. but once he was finished, his hands slid into the pockets of his pants, head lifting as he glanced around his familiar surroundings. eventually, he did what he was wanting to do. looking over at the girl, eyes intently trying to read whatever he could from her.
annaxmalina
titsay
blakekathryn
stormborns
ellievsbear
