Chapter 12

Raiden's POV

"Okay so Raiden and Cedrick come with me, I'll drop you off at the school since Luke's car is full," Dana said as she picked up her car keys heading to the door.

"Thanks, Dana," Cedrick said before running upstairs to get his bag.

"Alright guys wearer heading out, I've got a meeting this morning and the twins want to prey on the cheerleaders after their morning practice, so bye," Luke told us before walking out the door with the twins hot on his trail.

Closing the door behind them, I slipped on my shoes, got my jacket, placed some of the dishes in the dishwasher and yelled for Cedrick to hurry up. He came down after the third shout, scowling at me. Chuckling to myself, I alarm the house then lock the door before getting into the passenger seat of the car.

After a few minutes of driving, Dana finally broke the silence. We were at a traffic light waiting to go when she turned on a little black device.

"So, now we can finally talk, this device emits static or white noise so any listening devices won't pick up our conversation," she said before accelerating as the light turned green.

"Did Jared contact you, Cedrick?" Dana asked.

"Yeah, he said that he's looking over the case file for Kris' parents' murder and will get back to us if he finds anything," He said.

"Good, so until he gets something, Raiden as much as you'll hate the idea, we have to wait and play Luke's twisted game, the top priority is to keep your family safe, when we get more information then we'll formulate a plan in which both Kris and your family are safe, so please be logical and don't let your emotions rule you," Dana told me as she pulled up in the school's parking lot.

She turned off the device, looked out the window, I followed my gaze and saw my sister staring at us.

"Showtime babe," Dana said, sending a smirk at my sister who glared at both of us.

My shoulders sagged at what I was going to do. I'm sorry Cindy but if it keeps you safe then so be it.

"Thanks for the lift babe," I told Dana facing her and looking into her eyes.

Maybe in another life, I would have dated Dana. She's really beautiful and has changed a lot since high school. I placed my hand under her chin, tilting it up a bit, leaning in and kissed her.

When I pulled away, my sister was nowhere to be seen. Pulling back, I sank into my seat, sighing. I just hurt my sister, betrayed her trust, she's never gonna talk to me again, she's gonna hate me.

"Hey," Dana said softly pulling me away from my thoughts, I faced her.

"I know this is really hard for you and that your relationship with your sister will be a bit strained after this but remember that you're doing it for her, so please don't worry, you can fix this," She told me.

I stared at her for a while before nodding and getting out the car.

"Thanks, Dana," I told her closing the car door and walking onto the compound.

....................................................................................................................................

Throughout the whole day my sister ignored me, even Kris' friends shunned me. I sat with Luke and the guys at lunch, getting glares from my sister and her new friends. Kris hasn't even replied to any of my calls or returned my calls.

Sulking into my chair, I moved around some of the peas on my plate and blocked out everyone at the table. Not feeling hungry anymore I excused myself from the table and went to the library.

I ignored the bell since I don't really go to any of the classes and I'm not helping any teachers till the seventh period. I look through the shelves looking for "The Rule of Mirrors" by Caragh O'Brien.

I've read it numerous times, it's a really good book series, I started the last book but I haven't got to continue it since I arrived here.

Grabbing the book, I chose the seat in a secluded area, I didn't want to be disturbed. Halfway through the book, I get a bit sad as I remembered why I loved this series.

It was Kris that got me hooked on reading. I could have cared less but the way she described how she felt, I wanted to feel that way too and maybe have something in common with her.

FLASHBACK

I was at the community library, bored out of my mind. I was looking at the shelves for something to read but nothing screamed out "READ ME!".

I moved to the YA section, and a book caught my eye. The title had something with rules, so I pulled it out but another hand was on it.

"Umm, can you please let it go, I had it first," I heard a timid voice say.

I looked through the hole to see Kris standing there, I let go of the book and went over to her side of the shelf.

"Thank you," she mumbled but her gaze was on the book, she was flipping through the pages.

I stared at her, she was pushing her hair behind her ear, adjusting her glasses that were sliding down her nose.

I looked down, she was wearing blue jean shorts that showed off her long tan legs, a maroon off the shoulder sweater and white converse.

"Ahem!"

My head snapped up, my gaze meeting her angry gaze, her arms were folded across her chest. Don't look down, don't look down.

I was trying to keep eye contact with her but I couldn't. Her scowled deepened and she unfolded her arms.

"My eyes are up here Raiden," She said, mad at me.

"I'm sorry but it's not my fault that I saw those," I said motioning to her chest area.

She scoffed at me, " So it's my fault? I'm not the one who forgot to lock the door," she stated, folding her arms again.

"Lock the door, it's my house, I don't lock the door and the shower was running, so you could have heard the running water," I told her getting irritated.

"You know what, I think you did this on purpose, you have some silly crush on my and decided to seduce me," I accused her, she glared at me.

"Please don't inflate your ego, you're not my type," She stated, rolling her eyes at me.

"I'm not your type, please I'm every girls' type," I told her stepping a bit closer.

"Yeah right, which girl is lining up at your locker? Please name one girl that loves the maroon pants, the red and black plaid shirt, buzzed hair and sarcastic comments?" She questioned.

"Well there's Tina, she's been dying to ask me out," I told her, lying through my teeth.

"Hmmm, Tina? That's a nice name, let me guess, head cheerleader, no you don't seem like that kind of guy, she's popular, probably dating the star player for some team, maybe has a high IQ but doesn't show it.

"Or she's an average student and she hasn't given you any attention since you started high school but you crush on her from far away," She told me, straightening her glasses.

I stared at her, how the hell did she know that? I never told anyone about my crush on Tina except my best friend Harris. Sure Tina is popular but someday I'm gonna get on her radar.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard giggling. I shook my head and glanced at her, she was giggling at me. Her laugh was sweet, almost like a melody from a bird.

"What?" I asked a bit mad at her laughter.

"Nothing, it just that your facial expression when I gave my speculation of Tina, gosh you're like an open book and I overheard you when you were talking, very loudly I must say to Harris," She told me still giggling a bit.

"Alright, so what is your type then?" I asked her a bit curious.

"Oh well, unless you have all day to learn, bye bye," She told me walking out of the aisle.

I turned around, following her to one of the couches, we were in the back of the library. She sat down, removing her shoes and raising her feet up on the couch.

I was shocked at her actions since it was a public library and she looked like she was at home on her own couch. I sat down on one of the single chairs and watched her.

"Staring is rude you know," she told me not looking up from her book at the side of her was about three more books.

"I'm not staring, I'm just observing the subject in her natural habitat," I told her while leaning back in my chair.

"Funny," she deadpanned.

"So what is your type? You never answered the question," I told her.

Her shoulders sagged as she closed the book, "Alright, I'll fess up," She told me.

She got up, walking towards me slowly, "the truth is, you're actually my type," she removed her glasses placing it on the table.

"I am?" I asked my voice croaking a bit.

I gazed into her grey eyes as she came closer, her body language suggesting that she's stalking her prey.

"Yes you are, you're sarcastic, smart, not overly muscular, saw that last month," she said standing over me.

I looked up as she glanced down at me, she smiled sweetly pulling out her hair tie and shook out her hair.

"And what I like most of all," she said leaning over me to whisper in my ear.

"Yeah? What's that?" I asked a bit breathless by her proximity.

"I really like....." she whispered, her breath hot against my ear, "that you're a gullible sucker," she said moving back with a smirk on her face.

I stared at her confused, what just happened.

"In the words of Sheldon, "Bazinga," She stated before sitting back down.

"Wait, so I'm not your type?" I asked at bit confused still.

"No Raiden, you're not my type and even if you were I would never tell you and your three years older than me, so no," she stated picking up her book.

I stared at her again, trying to understand what kind of guy she would like. I don't know why but I was actually hoping that I was her type, I mean I don't like her like that, she's my little sister's best friend but I'm a likeable guy.

"Alright, I'll tell you, stop killing your brain cells with your thinking over there," she joked, closing her book once more.

"I'm not really sure what type of guy I like but he has to be charming, funny, a bit athletic, have similar yet different interests, cook, likes to read, smart both book and common sense," she paused tilting her head to the side, a smile forming on her face.

" He should have time for me, however, I won't demand all his time, he has to at least have a spontaneous romantic side, yet doesn't do it all the time, I hate surprises, he also has to have a backbone, I don't want a yes man, I want someone who will fight for what he believes in.

"That's all I got so far but I'm being ridiculous, sure some guys with these qualties might exist but they're either fictonal or taken," she told me her smile turning into a frown.

"Is that why you read? You get the feels of being in a romantic relationship with the fictional boys?" I joked a bit.

She scowled at me, "no, I'm not some girl who's only life goal is to be in a relationship please, I actually enjoy being single, I get to ogle at the unlimited eye candy," she said giggling a bit.

Sitting up straight she gazed into my eyes, "No I read to explore other worlds without leaving my home, I expand my imagination and creativity as I read. I widen my outlook on life, see different perspectives, experience a whirlwind of emotions," she paused as a sad smile formed on her face.

"I sometimes lose a piece of me when it's over but still happy that I gave them my time to tell their story. I learn my dislikes and likes, I learn about other people's opinions.

"Reading just opens up a door to your mind and the outside world. It's just wonderful, the felling of getting a new book, turning the pages, becoming a part of their world....."

Her voice faded away as the bell rung, closing the book I look at my phone.

S**t! It's seventh period, I gotta go. I put back the book, the book that gave me my best friend.

The book that gave me the love of my life.

Author's Note

What do you think of the plot, writing style, characters? Point out grammatical errors or places where I need to show instead of telling, please and thanks. Anything that seems that needs to fix please let me know, I'm open to feedback and criticism.