Chapter 4

I left Mr. Ark's house early so I could still be at school at the same time as usual. Really, I could enter the school grounds with Smoke... what is Smoke to me... just because he kissed me and asked me out, does that make him my boyfriend now? I'm not sure and... I'm terrified to ask. I was standing just outside the school gates when,

"Good Morning." Smoke whispered into my ear, sneaking up behind me. I screamed then turned and hit his arm,

"Don't scare me like that!" He laughed as he patted my head.

"I'm glad to see you're as spirited as usual." He commented. The people around us were taking notice, whispering, and sneaking glances, they were used to seeing us together by now but not without Ibij. Plus, the only other girl Smoke spends so much time with is Buba... and she's a lesbian.

"You..." I started to whisper so the nosey people couldn't eavesdrop "Really... cheered me up, I..." How much should I tell him... I'd rather be truly alone before saying too much, there are too many people eavesdropping right now, "You make it hard to stay sad." I stated, I feel like that's the most honest way to keep my statement vague. In response, Smoke placed his fingers under my chin, tilting my head upwards then he pecked my lips.

"No, you." He commented then he grinned widely at my stunned face. I heard gasps and whispers all around that's when Ibij arrived and I turned away.

"Hey.... guys... good morning." I refused to look at him then Ibij patted my shoulder and walked away from us, "And good luck." He yelled while waving bye... What does he mean by that?

"You... wanted to see that new superhero movie right?" Smoke asked once we were semi-alone again while scrolling through his phone.

"Yeah." I'm surprised he remembered that. I forgot I had mentioned it to Ibij about a week ago,

"Let's go together, this weekend." He offered, then he put his arm over my shoulder and pulled me close, lifting up his phone to take a picture of us together.

"I'd love that." I used the word love so he wouldn't take my short reply as indifference, I'm so nervous right now I don't know if I'll be able to keep talking. I really need to get used to feeling like this, if I'm going to be with him all the time. He pulled his phone back and said,

"I thought you'd smile for the photo but... you're cute no matter what face you're making." How can he say stuff like that with such a straight face?!

"I... go... class," I stated stiffly. He laughed and then kissed my forehead before removing his arm from around me.

"I'll see you in the afternoon, then." I walked away, but my limbs felt like Jell-O. I don't know how I even made it to class without falling over. I had no idea it was possible to feel this happy. We had no assignments, classes were mainly reviews of the things we already learned and instructions on what we will be doing for graduation. Once all that was over I went to see Qon Ark in his classroom. His crimson hair was pulled up into a topknot today and he was wearing glasses and reading. Eye problems are almost nonexistent on Infaniya, he must be wearing them for aesthetics. The glasses were slightly tinted, making his yellow eyes look golden. Since everyone on Infaniya stops aging when we reach full maturity he looked no older than me, but he's been around for centuries longer, that's how he's made so many friends in high places. A lot of them were former students.

"Oh hey, I didn't hear you come in." He commented while putting his book down.

"I didn't want to disturb you," I replied, glancing at the book's cover. He then stood up, blocking the title from my sight.

"We're practicing in the auditorium today, I got permission." I felt so excited that I thought about hugging him but I stopped myself... what if someone saw and word got back to Smoke... I don't want any misunderstandings between us. Plus with Smoke's senses, he'd probably be able to tell if I let another man embrace me, even if no one saw. Today, I stood on stage for the first time, singing a remix of our school's song, and dancing in sync with the music. My powers followed my lead, swirling snow around me but moving with the beat of the music, I could see the faint light coming from my snowy white hair as it flowed around me as it would if I was submerged underwater. I practiced for 2 hours before Qon said we should wrap it up, then he added "You can practice more at home... use the piano if you want." I smiled and raised my hand to offer him a high-five. He accepted.

"Thank you! I'll see you later!" I yelled as I got ready to leave,

"Wait... I can take you home." Qon stated. I paused then shook my head.

"I have plans, it's alright," I replied then I rushed outside to fulfill those plans... walking home with Smoke. Once again it was just him outside, he was smoking this time. Once I was 10 feet away he turned to me and smiled, His perfect white teeth seemed to glow in the sun.

"What took you so long?" I walked over to his side, my fingertips tingled with the urge to hold his hand but I resisted with all my might. I wish I was brave enough to initiate something with him, but I can't.

"I was practicing," I answered. Smoke then held my hand and intertwined our fingers.

"You think... I could watch you practice tomorrow?" I wanted to scream, YES! but instead I said,

"Yeah if you want to... by the way... why did you just grab my hand?" I asked him because it was like he read my mind. The timing was much too perfect... We started walking together before he replied,

"Your eyes were purple again and you kept staring at my hand." I blushed brightly and hung my head, "Your feelings are always so obvious, it is what I like about you." Telling me something that was a direct assault on my heart. This man does not like me! He's an assassin trying to kill me with a heart attack!

"Oh... I think I should start wearing contacts," I said while pouting. I thought I was very aloof, guess I was wrong.

"Don't do that! Your eyes are beautiful! Don't hide them from me." His voice was so forceful, and sadly it seemed that he knew my weakness... if he complimented me like that, I definitely couldn't refuse him anything, not even as a joke.

"Okay! I won't." I yelled that with too much passion but Smoke didn't seem to mind, we spent the rest of the walk talking about stuff that happened in school today and even earlier in the year. He then told me a bit about what his family is like and I realized that his life is tough too. As the second strongest in his family, he's next in line to the throne, even though he's the youngest. That's why he always pushed himself to do well in school. Every day he's challenged by family members who haven't given up, hoping to boost their rank in the line of succession. I got overwhelmed with the urge to hold him and confide in him completely. Maybe Smoke can sympathize with my situation, even though his parents seem loving, his siblings sound like a nightmare to deal with. Before I could make up my mind on what to say, my phone vibrated, I checked the message and it was Qon telling me to hurry home. He had errands and the door would be locked if I didn't get back soon. "I have to hurry, I guess we'll split up here." My voice reeked of disappointment, it's obvious to me but, no one has ever noticed when I was disappointed before, and if they did, they didn't care.

"That's too bad." I looked up in his eyes, it was a nice surprise to hear his disappointment matching my own... What did I do to make him care for me? I must have been a great person in my past life. "Call me, when you get home." He said it sweetly but... that statement doesn't give me any options other than,

"I will," He hugged me and lifted me up slightly, then our lips met once again and I could tell he didn't want to let me go, even more than I didn't want to leave. I felt him watching my back as I flew away but when I turned to look back at him there was only a thin cloud of smoke left, where he once stood.