Undercover: Book 3 — Chapter 33

“I should have all of your essays back to you by next week,” my dad said looking around the classroom,” I hope those of you who didn't do the assignment get it in by our next class."

“You're all dismissed,” he said after checking his watch. Standing up from the old creaky desk I looked over at Nick who was already heading my way.

“I have to get to my next class. I'll see you later,” Nathan said and I nodded giving him a quick hug. Nick and I exited the classroom not exchanging a word at first.

“I feel like shit,” he said once we got out of the building,” Caiden hasn't talked to me in a week after the whole Waffle House situation,” Nick said running his hand through his dirty blonde hair. My thoughts ran back to Halloween at the park after Caiden and I, released our embrace.

No words were shared between us and to most it probably looked awkward as we just stared at each other in the middle of a path in the park. My thumb lightly wiped the remaining tears on his cheeks making him jump as if the just the touch was foreign. Right as I was about to remove my thumb he grabbed my hand placing my whole palm on his cheek. I didn't hide my surprise and instead spoke on it," What are you doing?" I mumbled my voice soft, almost as if I was afraid to break the silence.

“Tomorrow I'll go back to hating you but right now I'll enjoy the fucking comfort,” he said his eyes no longer the coldness and hostility. Instead the beautiful colors turned soft. I felt as if I just watched his facade - his wall drop.

“Why don't we go back and finish eating?" I suggested and almost automatically he became defensive again and removed his hand.

“I'd rather go to hell."

Perfectly good food going to waste. Why do they always take it out on the food?

Ignoring myself conscious I sighed and headed toward the bench. I didn't look having a feeling he would follow.

I picked a flower that was next to bench letting a small smile appear on my face as I looked at the long white petals and the yellow middle. It was innocence, happiness and purity all in one flower.

“Whenever I see a daisy I always think about my childhood,” I said aloud twirling the flower with my fingertips. Not once taking my eyes off of it.

"Why?" I could feel his eyes burning the side of my face but I still didn't look up.

“A daisy represents innocence, purity and your childhood. I remember when I was fourteen and had what I thought was my first love. I found a meadow not too far from here and all there was were daisies. Everywhere you turned you would see white and yellow. I would go there after school and just picked the petals. “I grinned at the memory causing a small chuckle to come from Caiden. My eyes snapped to his watching as he rubbed his chin making me notice the small prickles of hair.

“So you were one of those little school girls, “He said smirking. It was weird seeing his smirk not look so threatening. "He loves me, he loves me not,” he mocked at the end making my jaw drop. I smacked his hard chest huffing.

Definitely a six pack underneath that grey shirt.

“I was not! I just liked picking the petals."

“Yea and I like going dress shopping,” he said sarcastically.

“Whatever,” I say playfully glaring at him.

“You know, Martez I never thought you could be so deep."

“Well Anderson, it's not like you've actually taken the time to get to know me."

“Hm what's there to know?"

He had a point. My life is about as interesting as a brick.

A very dull brick.

“Not much," I agreed." Only the little things."

“Okay, baby doll. What's your favorite color?" I raised an eyebrow on the nickname, but didn't comment in it. Oddly enough it didn't bother me much.

“Red. Yours?"

“Black."

“I don't even know why I asked. I could have easily guessed that,” I shake my head grinning,” siblings?"

“None. You?"

“One younger brother,” I replied scrunching up my nose.

“Do you have a thing going on with that friend of yours?" I raised an eyebrow at the random question.

“Nathan?" He nodded.

“No? We've been friends for years. We're just really close."

“Do you even get tired of going through girls like candy?"

“Never,” he responded without hesitation. I narrowed my eyes.

“Why?"

“Girls are about as innocent and evil as any male,” he said ominously. He must have known I wasn't going to comment because he asked another question.

“Why do you like Halloween so much?"

“I never told you I liked it,” I said with a raise eyebrow.

“Even a blind man could tell you like it."

“In general I just like the season,” I said looking at the red and yellow leaves on the ground. “The plants may start to die but as sickening as it is to think this it's beautiful. The death of plants oddly have its beauty,” Looking at the daisy in my hand before looking back at the man next to me," It seems as though only the strongest survive though,” I said and something flashed in his eyes.

“Why do you hate Halloween?" I knew it was a touchy subject, but I couldn't help it. His eyes noticeably darkened as he let out a bitter laugh, “It's such a long story that may even just turn your heart into stone just by hearing it,” my curiosity heightened.

“How so?"

“Baby doll my life story isn't roses and daisies. It dark, haunting, callous,” his dark smirk returned," Did I mention merciless?" I bit my lip removing my eyes from his face and looked up at the sky.

"I don't know if I want to know,” I said honestly,” I may be curious but I don't know if I'm exactly ready to hear about it yet."

"Curiosity killed the cat but this time there isn't anything satisfactory to bring it back."

*****

"Claire?" Nick interrupted my thoughts." You've been silent for a while,” I frowned realizing we were now sitting on the grass not that far from our dorm building. I was so lost in my thoughts I didn't even realize we walked over here.

“I think Caiden is just being cranky. He's probably afraid of losing his best friend,” I say rolling my eyes and he put the palm of his hand on my cheek.

"Dammit, Claire.” I raised an eyebrow giving him an amused smile,” how is it possible that you're so beautiful?" I couldn't help but bursting out laughing.

“So I look attractive dressed as a guy? Well then I should really change my wardrobe. Maybe that's why a girl tried asking me out the other day when I was with Eddie!" I said and it was his turn to roll his eyes before he shook his head.

“You know what I mean,” he said removing the cupping my checking and flicking my nose causing me to scrunched up my nose a little.

“Well you are very handsome,” I said smiling and he smirked.

"Please tell me something I don't know,” he said in a posh voice before grabbing my hands and intertwining them with his. He brought them to his lips and placed a light kiss on them. He suddenly smirked moving his body over mine so we were laying on the grass with him on top. Our hands were by our heads still intertwined. He lightly kissed my lips before pulling back smiling.

“Nick, we're in public,” I mumbled after he placed another light kiss on my lips.

“No one's around,” he said before placing butterfly kisses all over my face.

“Nick,” I giggled trying to move my face to get him to stop.

“Well this is an interesting sight." We both froze at the very familiar voice. Shit.