Dark Chocolate Candy

Leaned against the concrete pillar near the vehicle exit, Klein glanced at his wristwatch and then to his bandaged hand. It made him conscious of every little twitch and itch he could feel in his body.

What would make of him after getting scratched? Would he turn like a werewolf too? Or would he just get an infection like rabies? Neither theory sounded plausible, but he'd rather it was the latter because he was vaccinated with anti-rabies.

Klein was sure there's no such thing as anti-werewolf vaccine in the market. Unless it's something not available to the public just like how the existence of werewolves.

No.

The myth about werewolves were famous worldwide since the ancient times, so their existence was not entirely hidden. But they were cloaked behind fables and fictions. No one had ever seen them walk in broad daylight and accepted it as something normal, like seeing a dog on the street.

Or maybe it's just Klein because he had never been interested in them. Did he miss the memo that werewolves can now enter universities? Because there was one inside the school behind him right now, and he only learned about it yesterday.

Klein stared at the passing crowd of people on the busy street of Manila. His heart started pounding heavily in his chest at the realization that if they couldn't be distinguished from ordinary people, then... werewolves could be everywhere.

They're just lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect opportunity to bare their fangs.

"What happened to your hand?"

Klein yelped at the familiar voice, his heart almost leaping out of his mouth as he stared wide-eyed at the silver-haired man that gave him a mini-heart attack. His brows pinched together in annoyance. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing is wrong with me," Calix replied with a shrug. He grabbed Klein's bandaged hand and lifted it close to his face, inspecting it. "What happened? Did you hurt yourself?"

"It's nothing. Just a scratch."

"Scratch from?"

Klein's back went stiff as Calix's prismatic eyes met his stare. He could get lost in them if he stared long enough, so he snatched his hand back. "Nothing."

"Klein."

"From thorny bush in the garden. Nothing major, okay? Stop being nosy."

"I'm just worried." Calix still look unconvinced, but he didn't press further. He sighed. "I hope it won't leave a scar. It would suck if it did. You have a beautiful skin."

"Hah?"

"I said, your skin is beautiful. I saw no scars anywhere in your body," Calix said in the most casual tone, then wriggled his hands. "It's smooth and soft to touch, too. Like a baby? Even your butt."

Klein's mind shut off for a second, his cheeks combusting in embarrassment because Calix just blurted it out while some students were passing by them. The glances he received ignited fire in his eyes.

"... and your legs, too. If you didn't flash me in the bathroom, I would have assumed you're a—what?"

"Are you asking death today?" Klein hissed. "What are you even doing here?"

Calix blinked twice before he smiled and pointed at his motorcycle illegally parked near the school gate. "I came to give you a ride. I just thought you may need someone to drive you home in case that... you know who, decided to show up."

Klein raked his fingers to his hair in distress. It baffled him how Calix can be secretive when it came to werewolves, but he couldn't even be subtle about his skin and his butt.

"So... you wanna go now?" Calix asked with a jerk of his thumb behind him. "Or do you wanna get dinner first? I know a place—"

"No," Klein cut him off because he was so done with Calix's bullshit. "I have someone taking me home."

"Oh. You sure?"

"Yup! My teacher. He's a close acquaintance of my mom, so... I'm good. Thanks."

Calix's expression fell a little, but he smiled again and nodded. "Okay. As long as you get home safe."

Klein returned the smile and glanced through the metal fence for any sign of his teacher's car. What was taking him so long? Did Mr. Villanueva forget he offered him a ride?

A quick glance at Calix as the other retreated to where he parked his motorcycle, and Klein almost considered taking his offer. But he worried Mr. Villanueva might wonder if he disappeared without notice, so he stopped himself from calling out to him.

Just as Calix swung his leg onto his motorcycle, a distant scream echoed inside the campus, followed by a blood-curdling roar. They both froze, and stared at the herd of students rushing towards the school entrance, then looked at each other.

Without further discourse, Klein sprinted towards Calix and hopped onto his motorcycle. "It's Khalil. He's here at school. He cornered me earlier while I'm alone in the men's room."

"What? Why didn't you tell me?"

Klein rested his injured hand on his chest. "I'm sorry. I didn't think it's necessary. He seems... okay."

"That doesn't sound okay to me." Calix unmounted himself from his motorcycle and walked to the fence, leaving Klein in the passenger's seat. He fished something out of his pocket and threw it into his mouth. "This is bad. It looks like there are still students inside the campus."

"Should we call the police? Those are probably students with night classes."

"The police can't do anything." Calix walked back towards him and reached for what looked like a metal briefcase attached at the back of his motorbike. "I will go."

Klein almost forgot this guy wanted to play the hero. He didn't think he can be of much help to whatever Calix was planning, so he's not going with him. In fact, he's boarding the train as soon as Calix went inside. It's not like he had the license to drive his motorcycle.

"Hey," Calix called to his attention. "That wound in your hand. It's from him, isn't it?"

Klein didn't respond right away. Though he knew it was already obvious from the start. "What if it is? You mentioned a scratch can turn someone into a werewolf. Would you kill me because of it?"

Instead of answering, Calix rolled his tongue over whatever he had popped into his mouth and made a thinking sound. Just as Klein thought he would say yes, he stepped closer and grabbed his chin, pressing his lips against his.

Amidst the chaos in the background, Klein let out a surprise gasp and felt Calix's tongue pushed something sweet inside his parted mouth.

"It's dark chocolate candy," Calix said, wiping his mouth with his thumb. "If you don't die from it, then there's a high chance you won't turn into one. So, try to stay alive until then."

Klein only felt himself nod dumbly as Calix climbed over the school fence and ran inside the school. He touched his lips, blood rushing to his cheeks at the late realization of what just happened.

That was his first kiss. And Calix just stole it.