Chapter 2 Taming The Beast

Jane's POV

Sarah and I were currently leaving our lockers and heading towards the cafeteria. Turns out, we also had lunch break together.

Ever since she told me about Luca and how 'dangerous' he is, I couldn't get him out of my mind. A very big part of me didn't believe what Sarah said. After all, they were just rumors, and him saving my life today, made me believe that they were all just lies. However, there was still something about him, something I'm very curious to know.

As we rounded the corner, my eyes caught a glance at him going up the stairs. It looked like he was heading to the roof.

"Uhmm... ah... Sarah... I-I..."I stuttered trying to look for a convincing lie.

"I... I forgot something in my locker. I'll quickly go get it. You should head to the cafeteria and ill be there shortly." I lied with a smile, hoping that she will believe me.

She smiled at me and nodded her head. I inwardly let out a 'phew' and watched as she started making her way to the cafeteria. When I made sure that she left and that she won't see me, I started making my way after Luca. If he's heading to the roof all alone, then maybe that'll be my chance to thank him.

I opened the door and peeked my head inside. There he was standing behind the railing. His back was still as straight as a wall and he was holding his notebook, sketching again.

I took out my juice box from my lunch bag and slowly made my way towards him. I got the juice box and brought it right in front of his face. He stumbled backwards a bit in surprise, his notebook and pencil falling on the ground.

I chuckled lightly at his reaction. He in return looked at me in shock. I composed myself and waved the juice box in front of him. His gaze moved from my face to the box and he furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

When he didn't attempt to move and take it from me I took his hand, opened his palm and placed the box in it then closed his fingers on the box. I looked up at him and smiled. He still had that shocked and confused expression.

"What it is?" He asked after a couple of seconds.

"My thank you." I replied, still smiling at him.

"It was nothing." He shrugged and bent down to pick his notebook and pencil.

I gasped dramatically. "What do you mean by it was nothing. You saved my life. I would've died." I scolded with a pout at the end.

"Why are you talking to me?" He asked a bit weary.

I frowned at him. "You don't want me to talk to you?" I asked shocked. "I just want to thank you. Geez. I'll leave if you want."

"N-no. That's not it." He replied almost instantly. "It's just that everyone here is afraid of me and won't talk to me, afraid that if they said the wrong thing I'll beat them up or something."

"Oh." Was all I could say. He really didn't like the situation he's in. Apart from his intimidating aura and tensed muscles, the guy actually had the looks. His body was perfect too and can make all girls swoon over him. Maybe in a parallel universe, he's actually a very popular guy.

"It's not afraid of you. If anything, I think you're cool." I said after some time. He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. It was hard seeing it from his hair though. Maybe if he got a haircut and showed his face better, he'd look less intimidating.

"So, what are you drawing?" I asked, changing the subject. He quickly closed his notebook.

"Nothing." He replied. I narrowed my eyes at him. He averted his gaze to the opening in front of us. I was holding onto the railing that reached only to my belly button, but Luca was still standing straight.

"I wanna see that nothing." I told him with determination.

"No you don't." Came his reply.

"Yes I do. Come on. Show me." I nagged and he just shook his head.

"It's just a drawing. It's not like you drew me naked or something." I said and let out a mocking laugh, but it quickly died down when I saw Luca's pale reaction. My face paled in return.

"Oh no you didn't." I whispered out in shock. "You actually did draw me naked?!" I yelled this time.

"No, no... I didn't. I-I..." He said but was cut mid-sentence when I quickly pulled the notebook from his hand.

"No, wait..." He said but I didn't listen and moved back a bit so he won't get his notebook back before I look into it.

I opened the cover to be met by a very beautiful sketch of a waterfall. It was drawn perfectly with the details that I felt like I'm looking at the real thing. It wasn't colored though. I looked at it in awe for a few minutes before I got the heart to turn the page. Next, I was entranced by the beautiful birds he drew. Two humming birds were flying in front of a tulip. The details drove me crazy. I kept on flipping through the pages and stare at each drawing for what seemed like hours before I was able to move my hand and turn the pages. I looked at almost ten pages before I came across a picture of a girl. It was still incomplete but he still got to sketch most of it. But that wasn't what caught my attention most. It was a sketch of me. I was standing on the cliff, wearing my white dress. It reached mid-thigh and its sleeves only reached my shoulders. It went was blowing from my side, making my hair fly with it. I hand one hand down while the other was tugging a strand behind my ear and I was smiling widely.

I remember that day. It was the day right after we moved here. I asked my parents if I can take a look around town and they agreed. I took my bicycle and started cycling around the neighborhood until I found that cliff. The scenery was so beautiful and I couldn't help to look at it. I took off the jacket that my mom made me wear and made my way to the tip. I stood there for about two hours just watching the scenery below me and enjoying the cool wind on my skin. I remember how it joyed me and made me smile and laugh like some maniac.

I looked up at Luca in awe. "Y-you were there?" I asked him, still in a daze. He nodded slightly.

"I di-" He started but I cut him off.

"It's amazing." I told him, as I averted my gaze back to the drawing. I then looked back at him.

"Can I keep it?" I asked eagerly.

"It's still not finished." He replied back.

"No, I like it. Can I please keep it?" I pleaded again as I moved forward towards him. "Please, please, pretty please." I begged, moving forward with each word, pouting and giving him my puppy dog eyes. I even folded my hands in a pleading way.

He sighed deeply. "Okay."

I squealed in a high-pitched tone and without thinking jumped, giving him a hug.

I quickly pulled away when I realized what I just did. My face turned scarlet red and I looked at my feet like it was the most interesting thing.

"S-sorry. I-I didn't mean to... uhmm... I'll just go." I stuttered not able to face him. I pushed his notebook towards him and quickly turned around and left.

That was so awkward. I can't believe I actually hugged the guy. What will he think of me now. Some sluts throwing myself at him? I barely know the damn guy. Ugghhhh.

The rest of the day went by rather... awkwardly. I tried to avoid meeting Luca's gaze, afraid of the way he would look at me at. I wanted to be his friend and didn't want things to be awkward between us.

A bid Sarah goodbye and started making my way home. We have stayed back in the library doing our history home works since I suckered terribly at it and needed help.

It was dark outside but since my house was close, it was okay. As I was walking I noticed Luca being held by two boys, each one holding his arms, and another one was walking in front of them, smoking a cigarette. I hid behind a tree and slowly started following them as they entered the alley. I hid behind the wall and looked from the corner.

"You think you're so tuff huh?" The one smoking said as he turned to face Luca. He was still being held by the other two. The smoker took a deep breath from his cigarette before tossing it to the ground and stepping on it.

"My girlfriend is afraid to go to math class because of you and that's not something I appreciate." He said.

"I don't even know who your girlfriend is." Luca said calmly, not fazed by the three guys in front of him. They all looked big built but Luca was way bigger.

"Ha. You think my girlfriend would know a mister like you?" He asked mockingly. "You know maybe if left, people would be able to live peacefully and not be on guard from the monster living with them."

"We should teach him a lesson Henry." Said the one holding Luca's right arm.

The smoker smirked at Luca. "Maybe we should." He said and pulled out something from his pocket that glistened in the moonlight. After concentrating, I realized that he was holding a pocket knife.

I gasped inwardly. They're going to hurt Luca. Right on cue, the smoker brought the knife a slashed Luca's upper arm. Blood dripped down his arm and fell to the ground.

Luca seemed unfazed at the first but as soon as he saw the blood I saw something change in his face. He looked like someone that was possessed. His fists clenched and his body tensed. His whole body started vibrating and in less than a second, he kicked the smoker right in the stomach, making him fly across the alley and hit the wall. I thought he lost conciseness but his low groan proved me wrong.

I didn't get the chance to dwell on the matter as my attention was averted to Luca again. He brought his hands to the shirts of the guy holding him and swiftly flipped them over to the ground. He was free.

I thought he will stop at that but he didn't. He went on to the smoker and raised him by his shirt. He punched face hardly making him fly again to the other side, blood dripping from his mouth. I heard a cracking when his fist collided with the guy's face.

The two other guys composed themselves and lounged at Luca from the back but he quickly turned around and kicked the one to his right making him stumble to the back before falling to the ground. The one on his right looked scared at first but then aimed a punch at Luca. Luca, however, caught the guys fist and threw him over his shoulder.

The three guys had all their energy and power drained out of them but Luca still went on. I caught a glimpse of his face. He looked scared himself. like someone was going to kill him. I realized now why they call him a beast, but in my opinion he was far from it. He looked like a frightened kid that just wants to protect himself and live.

Luca was going to throw another punch at one of the guys but I quickly ran towards him and pulled his arm, making him face me and we both stumbled back before falling to the ground.

Luca's face was buried in the crook of my neck as I wrapped my arms around his head. I started patting his head and running my fingers through his hair as I whispered calming words into his ear.

"Sshh... It's okay. They're gone now. They're all gone now." I cooed.

I felt his body relax as he in turn wrapped his arms around my waist. He was back to normal.

The beast was tamed.