Rhythm Of My Soul- Chapter 2

After debating with myself for what seemed like forever, I decided not to run away. Someone was hurt and knowing that this place was abandoned, no one would be able to hear his cries for help.

Holding my breath, I looked around and finally found him behind the big oak tree. He was wincing in pain, holding onto his ankle. I recognized him as the new student that has recently transferred from Canada.

How long has he been there, watching me?

"Can you please help me?" he pleaded, his eyes looking as big as a puppy's that I almost melted.

Yes, there goes my initial plan of shouting at him for secretly peeking at me.

For the first time, I see him up so close and I have to admit, he is really good looking. No wonder the girls were following him everywhere as if they were his shadows. I silently wondered where were his shadows now. How ironic that they chose to disappear just when he needs them the most. Before I can control it, I could feel my cheeks burn when our eyes met.

Wait, am I blushing?

No, it's just the heat...I think.

I quickly looked away and took a deep breath,. I don't know what's wrong with me today. My heart beat literally felt as fast as the bullet train in Japan. It's his eyes....they were so beautiful....almost like Shawn's. At the thought of Shawn, I immediately snapped out of my trance. I shook my head vigorously, scolding myself mentally for feeling the way that I'm feeling now.

"Are you okay?" he asked, worriedly.

He's worrying about me when he's the one in pain. Isn't that sweetest thing ever?

Arrgghhh! I've got to snap out of this!

"How long have you been here?" I said, coldly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to watch you secretly. I...I just didn't have the heart to interrupt" he explained quickly.

"Interrupt what?" I asked, defensive.

"You being yourself, Chelsea" he answered, casually.

Who does he think he is? We don't even know each other and yet, he's here talking about me as if he knows everything about me! I felt like slapping him or better still, just leave him there by himself. I was so prepared to leave him there when a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

I've never heard anyone calling my name before except the lecturers in my class. Everyone else prefers to 'worship' me as their Snow Queen. He couldn't have known from the lecturers either because we were not in the same classes. Guys like him just wouldn't know her name, let alone remember it but he did.

Chelsea....

Gosh! My name sound so nice when he said it.

"Or do you prefer me calling you Snow Queen?" he teased, with a chuckle.

"How did you know my name?" I asked, my smile instantly turned into a scowl.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out" he replied, with a wink.

"You are so going to walk out of this place by yourself" I said, turning away.

I heard him trying to get up a few times but he never succeeded. Hearing him wincing in pain was enough to make me abandon my initial plan of leaving...again. I heaved a sigh and reluctantly helped him up. When he put his arm around me, I could feel my cheeks burning again.

I looked away from him and made a pact to myself that I will not speak another word to him. I've only met this guy for a few minutes and already he's making me feel really uncomfortable. There's just something about him but I was too afraid to find out what it is. They walked back in silence, neither speaking a word.

"Look, I'm really sorry for spying on you but I only wanted to return this to you" he apologized, breaking the silence.

I turned around and saw him holding my pink notebook. He quickly explained and I was surprised to know that he was actually the person that I've bumped into earlier. He had tried to call me but I've ignored him. Come to think of it, I did hear someone calling my name. He was left with no choice but to follow me in order to return the book. I snatched the book from him, still keeping my mouth tightly zipped.

I know that the only reason he was even speaking to me was because I'm the only person here who can help him. Guys like him and girls like me just don't become friends. We're from two different worlds.

If I had not bumped into him

If I had not dropped my notebook

If he had not followed me

If he had not gotten hurt

But wait...isn't this Fate? I couldn't help but to wonder silently.

"What? Not even a word of thanks? Look, God has already punished me for this so I guess you can forgive me now, right?" he asked, hopefully.

Silence.

"Chelsea, you can stop pretending that you're that Snow Queen that everyone talks about? You may be able to fool everyone but you can't fool me" he sighed.

Silence.

Usually it takes only a few minutes to reach the campus but today, it seemed as if we will never reach. I quickened my steps but soon I had to slow down because I was too tired. He was definately heavier that I've thought. He kept trying to strike up a conversation but I showed no interest.

I know it was really rude but I really didn't want anything to do with him. In fact, all I want to do now is to run as far as I could away from him. I was afraid of him because of the way I'm reacting to him. The whole blushing and heart skipping a beat thing is just too weird.

Without any warning, he started tickling me. I was so surprised that I jumped away from him, screaming. In the process of doing so, I dropped him hard on the ground. He screamed out in pain as his hands grazed on a sharp stone. I panicked when I saw blood oozing out from his hand.

I quickly took out my handkerchief and applied pressure onto his wound. Although I know it was only a minor cut, I was worried. I checked and rechecked his wound and asked him numereous times if he was feeling okay. Suddenly, I realized that he was staring at me so intensely. I quickly let go of his hand and stood up abruptly.

"Why did you do that?" I asked, looking upset.

"Is that how you treat an injured person? Dropping them everywhere?" he teased, almost at the same time.

I almost let out a smile but no, I'm so not going to let him win.

"It wasn't funny" I said, coldly.

"Sorry, I just can't stand the silence any longer. Hey, at least I made you speak. This is all worth it" he replied, showing his now injured hand.

"Let's get you back to campus" I sighed, helping him up again.

"Why do you always act so strong and cold?" he asked, curiously.

Silence.

"Do you want me to cut myself again to make you speak?" he challenged.

"No!" I cried, horrified that he could even think of such things.

"Chelsea, it's okay to make friends you know" he said, softly.

"I know but I just can't" I replied, shaking my head.

"But why? I don't understand" he asked, concerned.

"It's a long story" I sighed, forgetting my earlier pact to keep silent earlier.

"I have all the time to listen. Go on..." he urged, softly.

"I....."

Before I could even finish my sentence, we were suddenly surrounded by a group of his friends who had stayed behind to wait for him. Apparently, he was supposed to give them their rides home. I suddenly found myself wishing that the walk from where we were to the campus was longer. It was funny because just a minute ago, I was wishing the other way round.

I've never spoke about my past since that day Shawn left me but here I was, on the verge of spilling out everything to this unknown stranger. He is the first and only person I have spoken to in a very long time. I don't know why but I felt as if everything would be okay if I just told him the truth.

When his friends saw him limping, they immediately came to his aid. I let go of him and was pushed away from him. No one even seemed to notice that I was there. I felt like grabbing him and chuck him into my bag and run away so we can be alone again. Luckily, I managed to stop myself from doing that because I'm sure he wouldn't fit into my bag!

I burst out in fits of giggles with that thought but quickly stopped myself when I realize that everyone around me suddenly fell into an awkward silence. Great, everyone now noticed me but in all in a wrong way. No one was smiling, except him. It was as if he knew what I was thinking.

We were standing just inches away but suddenly, I felt as if we were separated by an ocean. He started to say something but I quickly walked away, not giving him a chance to say anything. Just before I turned into a corner, I turned back, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. I really didn't want to do that but it seemed as if my body and head suddenly have a brain of its own.

Our eyes met but only for a second before he was pushed into the car.

He's back in his own world

And, I, back into mine.

This will be the last time we meet.

Boy, how wrong I was.