Destroy Me Gently:Ex-Enemy Becomes My Lover!
Chapter 31: The tiger’s absence

Chapter 31: The tiger’s absence

Chapter thirty one

**Oliver West**

-

The next few days dragged by slowly, and soon enough, today was Friday.

The fresh cool morning wind caressed my face and hair. I wrapped my arms around myself, grateful for the warmth my long-sleeved shirt provided.

The moment I stepped into the crowded hallway, I searched around for someone in particular.

Kieran.

It had been a complete week since that day he had left my house. Since then I hadn’t seen him. He had not come to school either.

It shouldn’t be any of my business. These were the exact words that I had kept telling myself these few days.

Why should I be concerned about his whereabouts? But for some reason, I couldn’t stop myself from thinking if it had anything to do with our last meeting or anything to do with me in particular.

I couldn’t bring myself to ask any of his popular friends either. I didn’t want them to misunderstand anything. Something told me they wouldn’t be keen on telling me anyway.

A loud huff escaped my mouth as I tried to put the thoughts aside.

I began to shove my way to class when an arm wrapped around tightly across my shoulders. I didn’t have to look to know who it belonged to.

"Hey best friend, where are you lost!" William chirped in a voice too loud for my poor feeble ears.

"I’m thinking about Kieran." The words poured out of my mouth before I could stop them. I slapped my brain mentally when he shot me a disbelieving look as though I’d grown a pair of horns.

"N-no, I don’t mean it like that. I... I mean it’s great he’s not been around these few days, so I..." I fumbled nervously, trying to free myself of the attention I’d succeeded in gaining from him. "I’m just relieved actually!" I laughed but it came out as a squeak.

He let out a loud snort as he regarded me.

"Who cares about him? He could be sick, or maybe dead. It would serve him right, I think," he replied unfeelingly and nonchalantly.

For some reason, his words made me even more worried.

Did something horrible happen to him? Why was I being so worried? A narrowed sigh escaped my mouth.

Sure he had treated me so awfully, but the thought of him dying left a crushing bitter taste in my mouth.

I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to him.

"Don’t tell me you are worried about him? Are you?" His accusing tone made me flush with guilt even as I dished out the lie.

"Of c-course not. It’s just that... uh... never mind," I rushed out breathlessly.

We stepped into the classroom then, and thankfully he directed those dagger-like eyes away from me.

However, I stepped into the sharp spotlight of Amanda’s gaze.

It was becoming downright creepy. Ever since this past week, she had kept casting those unnerving glances my way.

On the better side of it, it had also come to my realization that her bad attitude toward me had lessened. She no longer blocked my way or taunted me whenever we crossed paths.

I wonder what brought about the sudden change. Either way, I hoped it would continue this way.

-

-

Lunch break was over. The hallway was beginning to get less crowded with each passing second.

I wiped my sweaty nervous fingers against my skinny jeans. My gaze was focused on Heath who stood by the other end of the hallway. He appeared to be typing on his cellphone.

I contemplated if I should approach him and ask him about Kieran. He was more friendly and familiar to me than Claude and Vince. He would be the perfect person to ask.

I took a few courageous steps toward him.

’Oliver West! What are you doing!’ my brain screamed furiously at me.

He chose that moment to glance upward to see me approaching. A small smile curved on his lips.

A little wave of relief shot through me. I couldn’t exactly turn back now. Besides, it wasn’t as though I cared about Kieran. I was just satisfying my curiosity... ’And worry for a guy who blackmailed you with your nudes and forced you to be his slave!’ my brain completed.

"Hi," I greeted, then awkwardly cleared my throat.

"Hey short legs,"

My brows deepened into a scowl, but I wasn’t angry. The way he said it always had a playful hint to it. Besides, I couldn’t afford to be angry, not when I was trying to extract a little information from him.

"Um... Heath, I... uh... you I..." I gave up when I realized how dumb I sounded. Why couldn’t I just spit out the words! This was so embarrassing.

"Are you asking about Kieran?" he drawled, giving me an amused look.

I gawked at him. How had he known what I came for?

"Well, what other reason could you have possibly approached me about?"

Shit. Did I say that aloud?

"Yes, you did," he replied, grinning from ear to ear.

My face flamed hotly. Great, Oliver. I can’t pass by a minute without embarrassing myself. I decided to delve into the real reason I was here before I further embarrassed myself.

"Um... is Kieran alright? I mean, is there something wrong?"

His gaze had an element of surprise as he regarded me. I wanted to clarify that I was just casually asking, but I think that would only raise his suspicion.

"Did something change between you two? I’ve always thought about what you could have ever done to him? He couldn’t possibly dislike you for no reason. Did you ever break his heart?"

Why was I the one getting questioned? It was supposed to be the other way round.

"Actually, that won’t be possible because Kieran is straight. He’s only ever had sex with girls," he mused aloud to himself, his gaze still regarding me.

I felt my teeth clench, and I bit down hard on my bottom lip. Of course he was straight, he’d only been with girls.

"Where is he? Did something bad happen?" I asked again, trying to keep my voice steady despite the weird ache in my chest.

"Bad or not, I only know his mother came back. He wants to stay away from everyone and everything... school included," he replied with a casual shrug.

His words slowly absorbed into my head along with a wave of relief. At least nothing horrible had happened.

Wait... His mother returned? I think Mom had also mentioned Mrs. Morrison’s return and something about having dinner.

I knew he never got along with his parents as a kid. After Ginny’s death we drifted apart, so I couldn’t tell if their relationship improved over the years or not.

I realized the hallway was now entirely empty except for me and Heath.

"So where does he stay if not at his home? Do you know where?"

One of his brows arched upward. I found myself sweating. I had also surprised myself when the words slipped free.

Why was I showing so much interest?

"He stays with Vince."

I quickly thanked him and started hurrying my way to class. I was already running about five minutes late.

I was rushing down the hallway when I spotted Amanda leaning against the lockers, clearly waiting for someone.

Me, apparently.

"What’s your game, Oliver?" she spoke bluntly, her gaze filled with hostility.

Had she been waiting here for me? And what game was she talking about?

"What do you mean?"

She rolled her eyes and crossed both arms around herself.

"Don’t play dumb. Between Kieran and Heath, who are you setting your eyes on?"

I gawked at her open-mouthed.

"Not that it’s any of your business, but I have my eyes on none of them," I said between gritted teeth.

She didn’t look convinced, but that was her business to deal with.

"I saw you both kissing the other day. Do you like him!" she suddenly fired. Her words took me by surprise.

She had seen us?

But it was Kieran who kissed me. It wasn’t as though I kissed her boyfriend on purpose. I was the one who got used as an experiment for someone who hated me.

"Tell me, do you like Kieran?" she demanded, stepping closer with that threatening look in her eyes.

"What’s it to you? I can like whoever I please" I said flatly.

"You’re such a fucking germ, you know that?" she spat suddenly, her voice dripping with venom. "You go around chasing after people who aren’t even gay, spreading your freak nature to others. That’s probably why Kieran kissed you—you infected him with your disgusting gay germs."

I nearly rolled my eyes at her words, this just showed how insecure she was in her own relationship.

"Remember what I tell you today. He belongs to me, so you can’t like him!" With these final words, she turned around and stormed off, leaving me to stare after her.

Kieran and I were worlds apart.

There was no chance he could ever like me. Heath had made that clear enough—Kieran was straight, had only been with girls.

And me? Do I like him?

Maybe long ago, when our worlds were still the same. I had liked that little boy.

Certainly not the grown man he’d become.

Right?