The stranger propped his arm on the same post and leaned his forehead against it heavily, sighing exasperatedly to himself. The emerald tint in his eyes glinted warily as he observed the distant girl with… adoration? Infatuation? Love?
His jaw was firmly set as he probed blindly through his maelstrom of emotions, neither certain of the proper feelings he held for her nor the reasons for being exceedingly devoted to her in a way that every strand of his constant attention stays irrationally watchful over her. He remained unmoving as the girl lifted her head to scan her quiet surroundings. The sky was still gloomy; the students were still few. His gaze sharpened as her eyes lingered on him for a fleeting second just as she did yesterday. As usual, he left his post once dawn broke.
Pearlie pursed her lips as today's final lesson neared its end; Sir Ripin was just finishing the third chapter in History. Night made no move in starting a conversation with Pearlie. He did answer her futile questions that were meant to get him talking, yet almost seemed not to acknowledge her presence throughout the day. Pearlie mused over her thoughts silently as she trod down the corridors toward the school gates. Pearlie pursed her lips again as she recalled the strong features of his gorgeous face frowning in abstruse concentration. Night had left himself detached from the rest. Nobody bothered him, not even Eric.
'Why aren't you in the second class?' Night asked on the third day, slightly sociable than he had been the day before. His mellow voice revealed nothing but courtesy, not sounding like he wanted her to return to her former class. Every so often, he would frown in fervent absorption at a particular thought briefly before slipping his expression into the impassive facade again. His sculptured nose and lips moved obediently, taut when they should be, relaxing when he wanted them to.
Pearlie paused a while before answering, 'I'm too smart to be in 5B.' A spontaneous smile broke across her elfin face.
Understanding swept over his face, but his emerald eyes remained unyielding upon a distant notion. '5A never had more than twenty students.' Night's shrewd eyes flicked toward Pearlie's. 'You must've been striving to get accepted into this class…'
The school bell rang earlier, signifying the end of lessons. In front of the school gates, shady trees cosseted weathered benches from the glare of the noon sun. A girl sat on one of the benches and bent over a book, her face hidden behind a curtain of hair.
A boy stood in front of her with his hands in his pockets. 'Remember me, Pearlie?'
'Sure, Night.' Pearlie answered without lifting her head.
There was a gap before he continued. 'Barely knowing me for a day and you've been able to recognise my voice?'
'I'd wager you would easily recognise my voice as well, especially when you've been spying on me for two years.' Pearlie finally closed her book and looked up at him with her intense olive eyes, revealing her soft neck. Her auburn hair slid back naturally.
Night's unfathomable emerald gaze caressed her appealing beauty. He could never upset her feelings. Night remained externally calm and collected but very formal. 'I apologise for intruding on your privacy. Please forgive me. My attention keeps turning toward you without… sense. It's very frustrating.' None of the emotions showed on his face.
Pearlie trusted his words, somehow. 'You'd never speak to me once.'
'Never till now,' Night nodded in sombre agreement.
'I knew, yet let you continue spying on me. I have nothing to forgive.' Pearlie thought aloud, her hand reaching up to touch his hand comfortingly.
His palm flicked up swiftly to grasp her hand in his. 'Thank you. I feel like an egotistic, self-centred maniac, Pearlie, but thank you for not holding any grudges on me.' Night kept quiet for a while. 'Would you mind if I… continue watching?'
Pearlie stared into his emerald eyes to find him frowning again, but in an apologetic way. Night's gaze dropped to her hand as his thumb stroked her alabaster fingers.
Pearlie's mind became mush. 'Uh… I don't mind. In fact, it makes me feel safe.'
'I'm glad.'
A grey van turned from a corner. Night gallantly brushed his sensual lips across her fingers. 'The driver's a pleasant guy. He winked at me once when I…'
'You spied on me after school, too?' Pearlie asked incredulously.
'You don't like it? We'll talk about it tomorrow, he's waiting. Take care.' Night gently released her hand.