Ex-Bestfriend*

Without my ex-best friend Riley's---I mean Gabriel's car to take me to school just like he used to do before, I had to ride my bike to school that morning.

It was a quarter to eight and I need to hurry up. It was supposed to be a cool and chilly January, but as soon as I woke up, I could feel the hot and humid air covering me like a thick fur coat.

Honestly, I did not want to get up and go to school when the heat was exhausting no matter how many times I drink full glasses of water. My dream of Gabriel's revelation added to my misery. I got my stolen memories back and it made me feel disconcerted.

Do I trust him when I don't even know where he came from and why he has magic like glamour and wiping or returning memories to people? Is he even human?

I saved his glamour, Riley, in that accident, and in return he saved me too by giving me a second shot at life, healing me and stealing my memories to forget the traumatic experience. I don't know what I should feel towards him right now.

Should I be grateful that he saved me when I saved him first? Should I be angry at the liberties he took upon my person when he touched my chest (which he described as flat, by the way) and kissed the life out of me during that accident? Should I feel embarrassed at my stupidity when I kissed him back?

I rubbed my lips with my fingers, deep in thought.

Did I secretly like it?

I've never kissed a guy before and I don't have a habit of kissing strangers.

Oh my god! I just realized that was my first kiss. Gabriel must be punished for stealing that also.

And what curse did he mean? Why does he have the compulsion to kill me before he broke this 'curse'?

I have so many questions in my mind. And he's not going to answer them because I have to avoid people like him. People with tarot symbols tattooed on their hands who wanted to kill me for no apparent reason.

I pedaled slowly so as not to sweat too much as I rode. As I traveled down the road, I could feel my hair dancing in the wind and it certainly relieved the heat I'm feeling. It was a short ride from my house to school when I used the shortcut. When I arrived, I locked my bike to the track at the school's back gate.

I remember Gabriel's warning on not attracting any attention and not talking to strangers. I already learned my lesson the hard way so, with a sigh, I swung my bag over my shoulder, bent my head, and hunched my way toward the door.

I thought it would be difficult not to cry every time I think about my awkward loner ass because I'm not used to not having Riley beside me all the time. Adjusting at school without her would take time when I'm so used to her company.

My future tears paused and made a rewind to my tear ducts when I saw Gabriel with Lauren Campbell, the one person I hate the most in this school. Gabriel officially came in second in my Hate List because of this.

Unfortunately, I got there before Gabriel who indeed was true to his word has taken off his glamour. My best friend, Riley, did not officially exist in this world anymore.

I remember confiding in Riley before how much I hate Lauren for tormenting me since grade school and now she's with Gabriel, having friendly conversations with him. And the worst part is I stood there, staring at them with my mouth open in shock while I hold the door open for them.

Seeing them together feels like I'm being sucker-punched in the gut. This is the ultimate betrayal!

I wished I haven't met Riley or Gabriel. My life would have been better without all this drama. Gabriel had gone out of his way to make my life suck.

Don't be hurt. Don't be hurt. Don't you freaking be hurt? He couldn't help it. I assured myself. He swore he'd act as my enemy from now on.

"Thanks for the tour. I enjoyed your company." Gabriel murmured as he gave her a lazy smile and leaned down to kiss her cheek. Lauren tilted her face to receive his kiss but then he stopped midway when he saw me.

Gabriel's soft gaze, as he made calf-eyes at Lauren seconds ago, turned into sapphire diamonds in an instant.

"I should look for my other companions who just moved to this town." Gabriel kept his expression neutral but a hint of color in his cheekbones made him look like a child who was caught stealing in a cookie jar.

"The other transfer students?" Lauren asked.

At Gabriel's nod, she squealed in delight. "I'd like to meet them too. Could you introduce them to me?"

I stopped the urge from rolling my eyes at the drama queen.

"Yes, I'd love to." Gabriel accidentally leaned closer to me as he passed.

The scent of some masculine soap -crisp yet rich emanated from his skin. It was oddly compelling and I'm annoyed at my unsolicited reactions to his presence.

"Thanks, nerd," Lauren said archly as she breezed past me.

I stood stupidly at the top of the steps, holding the door open for other students who walked past me as I work there.

I wanted to confront Lauren but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I flipped the doorstop down with my toe to leave the door open for everyone else.

A year of fading into the background has now begun.