Two

Skylar's POV

"Why aren't you eating?" Alex asked, eyeing my lunch tray.

He was my only source.

••••••

So here I was.

Sacrificing my only free period to talk to the most unwelcoming person on the planet. I would've chosen any other period for this but my craving for Nutella had gone unsatisfied for too long.

I sighed and headed for the other side of the school where I knew he'd be. Caden was usually seen around one person only and that was Shane Perez –another senior here in Crestmont High, who I sometimes spotted in my Biology class, and Caden's supposedly best friend– the only person he seemed to go along with.

Once again, I found myself wondering why Caden even cared to come to school? Maybe one part of him actually cared? Unlikely.

Maybe it was because of his parents? I didn't know who they were, but according to the rumours, they were just as sketchy as he was.

I looked across the grounds, trying to spot him. He wasn't in his usual spots like the bleachers by the football field or the trees that surrounded the tennis court. I didn't find him, not even in the parking lot.

He was heading towards the parking lot earlier when we had collided into each other. Maybe he left after we crossed paths?

Feeling happier with that thought, I turned around and headed back inside the school. Alex would just have to deal with the fact that Caden wasn't here for me to speak to him. And since I did in fact have honest intentions to talk to Caden, he would still have to buy me my long overdue Nutella.

Unintentional, but it still sounded like a great revenge plan.

I had almost entered one of the hallways again when I caught an unmistakable figure in the corner of my eye. He was leaning against one of the pillars in his classic black leather jacket, with another guy who was none other than Shane himself.

It was in times like these that I wished my social skills were better than my social life. I had never tried to talk to him or his friend ever in my life. This was making me nervous.

I would say it was just jitters, but this was Caden Miller. He gave the jitters, jitters.

But I walked towards them anyway, mentally regretting every life decision I'd made up until this point.

It looked like they both were in a serious conversation, and as much as I wanted to eavesdrop, I didn't. That was mainly because of the tense atmosphere around them, or maybe even Caden's threatening aura.

You can't blame me though, I wasn't the only one intimidated by him. I didn't see him around that often and when I did, he was either in a fight or deciding to rush out of school for some unknown reason.

After much contemplation, I stopped few feet away from them in case I needed an easy escape. I cleared my throat, figuring that it was a much more appropriate move than actually speaking words. But instead of gaining Caden's attention, I only caught his friend's.

Caden, on the other hand, didn't even look in my direction. He had a paper in his hand and there was this murderous look on his face which almost, almost made me back off. I wanted to say as little as possible and leave as quickly as I could.

"Hello, beautiful. You must be Stacey." His friend's gaze lingered over me with a smirk. I would've been lying if I said he wasn't hot. Because he was.

"Um, no. I am not...Stacey." I said, a frown slowly forming on my forehead.

How come he even thought I was Stacey? She was a cheerleader with an unforgettable face, a girl who had looks. Not to forget her blonde hair. I, on the other hand, was rocking the no-makeup look with the dark circles under my eyes and my brunette hair.

Was Stacey really supposed to meet Caden here? Wasn't she Alex's girlfriend? Oh gosh, was she cheating on him?

I mentally laughed at that. Alex really needed to be here.

Shane looked confused, but kept a smile on his face. It made him look cute.

I stopped ogling him and jerked my head towards Caden. "I have a message for him." I avoided any eye contact with Caden himself, who looked like he wanted to stab the paper repeatedly.

If only looks could kill.

What was on it that was making him so angry? I was aware of the fact that he had certain anger issues, but still, there must be a reason behind it.

"Sure. I'll leave you two alone." Shane took his leave and I stared at his retreating figure in disbelief. How could he have left me with someone like Caden all alone?

Had he never heard about something called 'stranger-danger'?

I mean, he was also a stranger. But he looked like an approachable one, and Caden did not. I wasn't exactly scared of Caden, it was just that the situation didn't seem nice enough to have a small talk with him. Especially when he looked like he might just kill someone. And since Shane was gone now, I didn't like the thought of being killed.

I plucked up all my courage and called out his name, "Caden?"

He didn't do anything to acknowledge my presence except for raising an eyebrow, with his focus still on that paper. A bit offended, I wanted to snatch it away from his hand just so he'd actually pay attention to what I was here for.

I didn't think talking to him would be so awkward. Why did Alex have to trap me in this awful situation and not do it himself?

"If you're going to talk, talk then." He still didn't look at me, "I don't have all day."

I eyed him unbelievably, a lot more offended than before. This was exactly why I never liked social interactions. Some people were really mean.

"Right," I muttered, "You must know Alex from the football team." I waited and he actually cared to give a brief nod.

"Well, Alex, from the football team, asked me to pass on a message that he couldn't have told you himself because-" I stopped once again before I could've blurted out the next few words. What was I even about to say? "Never mind. The coach wants you to go to practice tomorrow."

Hoping that I had made it clear, I took a small step back, ready to leave when he looked at me. And I mean, he actually looked at me, right in the eye. For the first time since I joined this high school.

I never made eye contacts in general, only because it was so awkward. But right now, right here, I couldn't help but look back in his eyes. And surprisingly, his gaze held me hostage, not letting me look away.

God.

The first thought that came in my head was, how in the freaking hell is he so hot?

Just his eyes were enough to make me swoon over him. They were green, the most beautiful green I had ever seen. His disheveled hair almost falling over those same eyes, a shade that exactly matched his black leather jacket.

I had always wondered what it would feel like to be in a position like this, to be staring at someone like this. It felt strange. However, the strangest part was that there wasn't anything to see, no emotion in his eyes. It would've been romantic if the situation was a little different, with probably a different guy.

"What?" He asked rudely, breaking me out of the stupid trance. Of course he was hot, but he was also very extremely rude.

"What what?" I asked back.

"What the hell did you just say?"

Had he just asked me to repeat? I frowned at that, realizing that I should just shorten it up. "Coach wants you to come to practice tomorrow."

I looked at him for a response, but all I saw was a blank expression on his face. Similar to the one a few seconds ago, but somehow having a different energy.

"Do I look like I give a shit about the Coach?" He asked.

Before I could've replied, he crumpled up the paper in his hand and walked away, leaving me speechless.

"No," I murmured, a little taken aback as I watched him leave. "I guess you don't."