Nocturnal

"Good morning," I said when Dawn gave me a squint of her eyes. She kept staring, biting her lip trying to make some kind of deduction—I tried to flip pages of the Bio textbook without feeling bothered. It didn't last long. "Do I have something on my face?" other than the makeup I decided to apply to cover the half-moons under my eyes.

Dawn cleared her throat straightening—like she'd been caught peeping in the guy's locker room.

"Well... you haven't complained once or made fun of Greg." Greg was the geek totally in love with our Bio teacher—I kept in a laugh. "You always complain about school starting out too early," she whispered. "And normally halfway through class we have ten new jokes about lover-boy." Dawn deadpanned a little too loudly—our eighteen century-old teacher shushed my lab partner with a sharp glare of her eyes. "Sorry," Dawn grinned innocently. As Mrs. Mayfield resumed on pinpointing the difference between mitosis and meiosis. "Should I be worried? Are you going to turn into a different person?" before I could put a word out her sweet face molded into a plead. "Vanessa's behavioral chance was enough for a lifetime—not you too!"

"Ms. Villars, if you keep talking I'll have to ask you to step out." The heads turned to our table on the back of the class—Greg was snickering, his thick round glasses almost at the tip of his nose.

Dawn pushed down the urge to mutter 'dork' at Gregory.

"I was... discussing cytokinesis—I don't really remember what that was...?" she covered up by sneaking a glance at was written on my notebook. I'd been reviewing concepts from last year's Biology, she could thank me later.

"Oh," said our elderly teacher with a more than happy smile. "I would be glad to explain it to you, Ms. Villars. Is there anything in particular you don't understand?"

Dawn shrugged guilty, "Pretty much the whole thing." There had been a stolen glance my way, though. I think what she didn't understand was my non-complaining, and non-mocking mood—and she probably didn't remember what cytokinesis was either.

With a slight let down heave, Mrs. Mayfield embarked on a journey to explain cytokinesis—which was, in summarized words, the process in which the cell divided itself into two. Dawn nodded every now and again, I wondered if she was listening to a single word.

I jumped when my phone vibrated. I couldn't slip it out with Mrs. Mayfield's attention completely devoted to our table. I set my chin on my hand sighing lowly—hand itching to grab the cell. I knew who the text was from. I also knew he should be paying attention just like I was—or was trying to.

After that soothing kiss out in the beautiful wilderness, Phillip took me back to school where my Toyota had been waiting. He wasn't as willing to let me go home—like he'd been on our first date—I couldn't say I'd wanted to say goodbye either. When I got home and managed to avoid answering compromising questions from the Inquisitor—mom—Phillip called. And we talked about stuff, normal things—and I swear Phillip had to be the one guy that didn't feel slightly interested in buying a car. He liked bikes. No cars. I told him my dad was obsessed about cars—making sure to change the subject, since his parent situation was delicate. We talked until mom decided it was time to eat the take-out.

We spent the weekend texting. He texted faster than I could respond—I giggled at that. He'd texted me four questions in a row. I shook my head lightly.

"Tell me," Dawn popped out the words like they'd been bursting her lungs. "Tell me what's gotten into you." She demanded as I inserted my locker combination. I side-glanced her funnily, earning a exasperated sigh. "Please?"

"Hmm, no." I grinned at her annoyance.

"Pretty please?" I twisted my lips around in thought—shaking my head, grinning a little more when she cemented both hands on both my shoulders. "Pretty please with sugar on top?" her lashes batted sweetly.

I laughed, "Okay, fine—but promise not to tell?" I held up a finger once she stepped back.

Her hand settled over her heart, "I promise—cross my heart and hope to die." She smiled widely making it a little hard to believe someone as comical as her could be serious. "So, what's the big event?" she tugged on my arm.

With a secretive smile I pulled her close, whispering in her ear—briefly—what had happened with Phillip.

"Oh my—I told you, I sooo told you!" She squealed in a hyper manner. My hands waved telling her to quiet down. "I told you he was into you, I knew it! He was flirting with you from day one—I was right."

"Are you done gloating over my personal life?" I joked trading my Bio stuff for Trigg.

Dawn scrunched her face for a while.

"Yeah, I'm all out." Her hands fell onto her hips, a grin in place. "So?"

"So?" I repeated with a steady tone.

She leaned forward, "You guys are like... together?"

She was so-cupid. With a light blush I shook my head, hair covering the rosy cheeks.

"But..." she mumbled. "He kissed you—you kissed him. You two kissed."

"I know, Dawn, I was there." I sarcastically remarked making her elbow me gently.

"I'm serious," I closed the locker door. "You kissed, I didn't peg you for the open relationship-type."

I wrinkled my nose, "We're not in a open relationship, because we aren't in one—not as girlfriend and boyfriend, anyway. I... want to take things slow. See how it goes." I shrugged.

"Ah," she sighed dramatically. "Can't you do that while inside a relationship?"

"Nope," I turned into our Trigg class's hallway. "He agreed, so, we're taking it slow." I finally reached for my cell.

Bored to death. Think I'll need CPR.

I nearly faced palmed myself. He could be such a cliché. I typed a reply quickly since I didn't think I'd see him during this break.

My phone buzzed not one minute later.

"Are you texting him right now?" Dawn perked an eyebrow. My lack of answer and pink cheeks made her stare. "Do you want me to tell you where this is going? I can predict it."

"No don't worry—"

"You two will be dating in less than a—"

"Cameron." I said all too abruptly, stopping.

Dawn conjured a frown, "No," she glanced at me like I was an alien life form. "I was going to say in less than a week. What does Cameron—" I jerked my chin—in what I hoped to be a discrete way—to the front. "Jerk-off at six o'clock..." She muttered glaring dead-ahead.

I didn't laugh or snicker like all the other times I did when Dawn insulted someone—it was strange to see, hear, someone with her bubbly attitude swear—I didn't do it because... it was Cameron. I had the sense he always knew what went on in my head. It was probably because of how his eyes devoured mine.

"What is he doing here? Geography is on the opposite side of school." It was true.

"I don't know," he was walking down the hall with the deadly-sexy swagger—impressive how every girl's head turned when he walked by. Sounded stupid, like I was overselling him—but God I wasn't. He was... there was just something about him—more than the obvious fact that he was drool-worthy. "I'm partnered with him." I mused.

"Shoot," Dawn cringed momentarily. "I forgot about that. You are so lucky—" I gave a weirded out look to my auburn friend. "And unlucky."

"Why am I lucky?"

"Right," she blinked. "Sometimes I forget you're new. Feels like I've known you forever." She cracked a smile, I joined in. "Cam can be a selfish bastard all he wants, but he's the one you want to get partnered with. Normally it's him and Phillip." That seemed obvious, they lived in the same house it was easier to organize their tasks. "Anyway, Cam's assignments and projects always get top grades—understand what I'm getting at?" she whispered when he wasn't too far.

"I think so." I muttered. Basically, people wanted to work with Cam so they'd get a grade boost. "That seems..." unfair, I left out when Mr. Leather Jacket arrived blocking the path. "It's still early Cameron, clock in later? Plus, I'm in a good mood." I cheered lifting my shoulders as I said it, sweet mask on—my expression fell somewhat when that hot and cold tickle ran down my spine.

One black eyebrow rose. My eyes accompanied its movement and my eyes fell on the perfect tousled hair—smooth and thick. He sneered to the side before facing me with a more calm, snarky expression.

"Good morning to you, Ms. Sunshine." I blinked my eyes at the mock-name. It was the same nickname mom called me every morning for the last seventeen years. Great. "You can withdraw your claws," he leaned a strong shoulder on a locker. "I'm just here to remind you we're on for today."

"On for what?" I shook my head tearing my eyes from his charming grin.

"On to start working on our assignment? I told you on Friday, good thing you have such a long term memory." I rolled my eyes readjusting the strap of my bag before it left an ugly red mark on my shoulder. "After school, my house—"

"Yeah okay—wait. Your house?" I balked mouth ajar.

A subtle snicker made it out of his more than soft-looking mouth. Were Cameron's lips as hard as Phillip's? I frowned upon the thought.

"Yes, my house—it's a place where people live. I think you have one of those."

I scowled deeply, "I know what a house is. I just didn't think you'd want me to go fifty-feet near it, that we were going to study in the local library or something." I crossed my arms tightly, looking over his shoulder avoiding the eyes.

Dawn shifted beside me—Zeke was coming. She smoothed the curly surface that was her hair then fluffed it. Her eyes detoured to me and Cameron who seemed to be having a mute discussion.

"You seem to have this under… control. Mind if I…?" she tipped her head toward the kindhearted American guy.

"Nope, go." I could picture her leaping from happiness.

"See you in class." She said to me. "You, behave." Cameron ignored her.

I faced him, "Don't you have to get to class?"

"Two minutes 'till it rings. I have time." Right, he only had to walk to the other side of school—but if he wanted to be late it was his problem. I didn't care. "I prefer to study in my house. It's quiet, I can think without me having to worry about… other people."

"Fine, whatever." I dropped my arms. "Where do you live?"

"Don't worry about that," he breezed it off with a hand. "Just be in the school's parking lot after school."

Ah… no? "Do you expect me to ride in the same car as you?" he gave me a look. "No way." I shook my head holding up my hands—there wasn't a cold chance in hell, no way. "I want to preserve the rest of my sanity and ego, thank you very much."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," I glared "Me and you are only going to spend the necessary time together."

Cam's sigh of impatience made my blood boil. He was the one taking up my precious minutes of freedom before I walked into Trigg-torture.

"How about you go with my brother?" my eyes were suddenly on his, showing off admiration. He hooded his eyes cutting off our contact.

My face flattered into something—something strange to feel around this boy. I couldn't exactly explain what I felt, just that my eyes lost—momentarily—their provoking edge. A second froze into what felt like a long hour. We just looked into each other's eyes and I wondered what made Cameron Leale mask his emotions all the time.

"I'm sure he won't try to sell me to a slave market on the way there." I managed not to stutter—earning a eager smirk.

"Feisty," his head bent a little, a raven strand dangled above my eyes. "Who knew?"

I threw my arms around, shrugging. "You bring out the worst in me." And I stepped back.

He made one step forward, lips diving towards my ear, "Or so you say." A wolfish smirk dazzled me—I backed up again. Cam didn't follow.

"Please," I rolled my eyes.

Cameron backed up into his void shell, cool veil slipping on. "I don't care how you make it there—just be there. I don't have a lot of free time on my hands."

I clasped my hands with a sugary-fake smile, "Ooh, I feel so lucky! You were able to squeeze me into your tight agenda."

He passed me by with sheltered eyes. Waves of anxiety flowed off him, crashing into me. My own eyes shamelessly followed him until he turned. I leaned on a locker thinking I'd never understand that boy.

I frowned, not like I wanted to.

***

When school was over I was out in the parking lot. I was early enough to see Cameron pull out in his shiny Camaro—shiny because the sun rays bounced off the black paint. It matched his personality and it made me want to sell my beaten-down Toyota a lot more.

I gasped as hands took my sides, "Hiya," I sighed with relief, looking over my shoulder. "Scared you?"

"Yes," I laughed turning around. "Let me guess," I seized his grin. "You didn't mean to?" rolling his eyes, Phillip leaned pecking my cheek—awfully close to my lips. I swallowed.

"I'll have to work on my greetings. Maybe stop sneaking up on you." He mussed.

"Hmm, maybe." I shook my head chuckling. "Did you have a nice lunch?" I asked as we walked to the Ducatti. Phillip hadn't eaten at the cafeteria today, neither had Vanessa.

He looked dead-ahead, "It was... okay." I frowned.

"Is Vanessa alright?" I didn't know her—at all, but I'd been doing my best to understand what it must have been for her. To see her father get killed... it was horrible.

Phillip graced me a tiny smile, "Just a little crisis—but she's good now." His hand held mine to his face, staring at it. "How was your lunch?"

"Same old," I crossed his blue irises. "Your brother didn't pick on me if that's what your wondering."

His sandy eyebrows knitted, then relaxed, "Good—or else I'd have to punch him." I turned my head pushing him. "I'm serious," but he laughed. Phillip's hand pulled me closer, chest to chest. "But really, I'm glad he didn't bother you." Cold wind whistled past us, making me drew closer to his warm body.

"We should get going." I nodded to his bike. "I'll follow you in my car—'kay?" I placed a palm to his chest. He hung his head as I walked to my car.

Phillip was dragging down the streets, probably dying to speed-up and leave me in the dirt. My car didn't go over fifty... When he made a sudden turn off the lane where most houses were, I nearly lost him. In the review mirror I watched the look-alike porch houses disappearing, getting further and further away—they weren't going anywhere, though. We were. About three minutes later, we were reaching the town's limits, closer to the wooded area belonging to Haven Hills—Phillip slowed down making a tight right into an ample pathway.

We were going into the thick woodlands. Just where did these two lived...?

The pathway was in rock, man-made. The wilderness around it was neatly cut, like some private garden, not at all like the wild part of the woods we'd been to last Friday. The foliage began to fade, leading us into a clearing where the only nature was cut grass on either side of the designed cobblestone path.

Up ahead was a long, two-story house—make that mansion. Dozens of windows littered the floors, varying in size, a set of stairs led to a wrap-around porch. To the side, stood a garage big enough to be a small house.

The garage door was opening—Phillip was using a remote, I saw. On the inside I saw Cameron's Camaro but it was parked very far from the entrance. Phill motioned for me to follow. Guess I was parking inside.

Phillip was ditching his brown jacket when I climbed out, coming my way. Eying the tools on the walls; they could host a auto-shop class in here.

"Are we still in Haven Hills...?" I asked following him out the garage, the mechanic door coming down as we left. Trendy.

"Yeah," the smile crowded his face—I tilted my head.

"Why do you look so happy?"

Phillip cocking his head, "I just won a bet with Cam." He shrugged.

"What bet?" I crossed my arms. He reached for my shoulders rubbing softly.

"Nothing much, just... some stupid guy thing." He turned to the house. "Lets go in."

The main door was a tall, heavy thing. All made in hardwood. Phillip turned his keys twice, pushing it with ease. If anyone told him he wasn't working out enough, they'd be jealous liars.

"Is your uncle home?" I asked when the enormous door shut.

"Huh," he hanged his jacket on a nearby wall-hanger. "I don't think so." I hadn't seen any other car in the garage. "Wanna take it off?" I popped my eyes. His eyes twinkled with mirth. "The jacket?"

"Oh, right—yeah, thanks." He did put it beside his. "You're rich..." I gazed at the paneled walls, all made of polished, dark wood. "Like rich, rich." I let out a gasp of amazement stepping into an ample room off the hall.

He dipped his head, guilty. "Hope you don't hold it against me."

High ceiling, modern furniture—like a flat screen above the massive fireplace, a leather couch for four, arm chairs and coffee table—mixed with some old pieces like the expensive chandelier hanging above our heads and the...

"My uncle likes history," Phillip voice filled in the parlor-living room area as he saw my eyes caught on the tapestries. "He says these tapestries tell a story—a moment in time. Sorta like a picture book, I guess." They covered the walls of the entire room—ones had beautiful imagery, perfect looking people—beings encased in light with wings—angels. Others weren't so pleasant, representing what I thought to be a war, dark shapes all around, red colors splattered everywhere. "To me they're just rags." He laughed.

I blinked my eyes, his living room was three times mine.

"I would gladly give you a tour but I think—"

My spine felt shaken and my eyes target became the long stairway. Cameron was coming down. "No time for a tour." Cam jumped off the last step. "We need to start working."

"Yeah, that's what I thought." Phillip huffed half-smiling. Cameron was wearing the same tight black sweater from school, only now there was no jacket hiding all the muscles rippling underneath. Phillip patted his brother's shoulder, my gaze bounced off Cameron instantly. "I was right you were wrong."

"Congrats," Cam stated with an eye-roll. "Don't you have a report due tomorrow?" Phillip squinted his eyes like he didn't know what his twin was talking about— "About World War II?"

Phillip's shoulders slacked, "But it's so boring. I already know how history ends—everybody dies."

Cameron drew an arm around Phillip's neck, propelling him closer, "You know what else is dying?" the electrical eyes perked with confusion. "Your B minus." Cam smirked at his brother's sigh of discontent.

"You're the worst," Cam chuckled. "Can I read yours first?" I kept a laugh at Cameron's murderous glare—I'd never seen him act like... well, brothers. At school all Phillip did was keep Cam from creaming me with insults and rudeness. This was different. "I'm not gonna copy it, I'm not stupid."

"Sometimes I wonder how we're related." The older twin mused, narrowing his obsidian glossy eyes. "Fine, check mine. Just get it done."

Phillip grinned from ear to ear, "You're my favorite brother."

"I'm your only brother."

He shrugged turning to me, "Hope you had a good lunch, he's a slave driver." He settled both hands on Cam's shoulders shaking him a little—Phillip was smiling, though, genuinely, like he wasn't worried about me being alone with Cam. Very strange.

Pushing off his younger brother, he flashed a grin. "A slave-driver that got you plenty of A's. You're with Dawn, this time—good luck with that."

"Thanks," he called going up the stairs giving me a comforting face and turn of lips—

Cam's dark gleaming irises settled on me. Something about them seemed different—lighter. "Library's that way." A library? Of course, I joked, how could there not be a library in a humongous house? "Come on."

I groaned crossing the parlor to meet him. Glaring at the twisting shapes in the tapestry as I went.