[Chapter 10] : Good luck
This video lives rent free in my head.
The following week flew by in the blink of an eye. Between school, the study group and impromptu outings with Mikey and Draken, the days flashed by in a matter of what felt like mere seconds. Sunday - the eve of exam week - had elapsed and is now drawing to its inevitable conclusion in utter dread.
There was no meeting scheduled for today and rather than cram as much information as humanly possible into her already overloaded brain, (Y/n) devoted the last several hours preceding her finals to doing nothing but lounging around, binge-watching whatever was playing on TV while cuddling Mittens, the household's cat. It was a tranquil, uneventful day, in which she only wishes to rest. The calm before the storm.
A drama show of some sort is blaring through the speakers as (Y/n) lays sprawled on the couch, barely registering what's going on. A bored yawn slips from her lips, instantly disrupted by the buzz of her phone: a new text from Draken.
Mr. Worldwide
Hey.
Hey, sup?
Are you busy right now?
No, why?
I'll be here in 10 minutes.
Get ready.
For what??
You'll see.
Although puzzled - and slightly (very much) irked by the short lapse of time she'd been allotted to get dressed while having not the slightest inkling as to where they were headed - (Y/n) complies nonetheless, donning a casual outfit complete with a pair of sneakers.
The clock ticks as she twirls in front of the full-length mirror, giving her reflection one final once-over before exiting the apartment complex in order to wait for Draken outside.
It's late in the afternoon and the weather is pleasant; clear skies, balmy temperatures, lively residential streets... It doesn't take too long for her to spot -though hear would be more accurate- Draken's motorcycle speeding into view, soon braking right in front of the girl.
''Hey.'' As cold as always in his greeting, the tattooed boy beckons her onto his motorcycle, gesturing to the rear of the vehicle with a brief nod.
''Good evening to you, too.'' Heaving a deep sigh, (Y/n) settles down behind him, clasping her arms tightly around his waist.
Without a word, he grasps the throttle and, as quickly as he arrived, as quickly as the both leave.
The blond is driving much faster than is customary, compelling her to cling to him more firmly. For once, she is thankful for his tall stature, which now serves as an ideal windshield. Cocking her head slightly to the side, (Y/n) peers up at her driver's countenance from the comfort of her seat, noting nothing but his trademark composure and stoicism; piercing inky irises transfixed on the smooth, gravel road stretching far ahead and thin lips drawn into a fine, straight line.
''So, where exactly are you taking me?''
''You'll see.''
Arching a brow at his vague reply, the younger teenager rolls her eyes in exasperation. Such secrecy... and for what?
''That's fishy.'' She teases. ''You trying to abduct me or something?''
A faint hum escapes his lips, his stoic countenance remaining rigid and unwavering. ''Maybe I am?''
''Admitting to your criminal endeavors so early on, huh? Pretty cliché.''
''I'm sooo sorry. I didn't know I was dealing with a critique.'' Draken retorts sarcastically. ''I'll make the suspense last longer next time.''
She smiles. The atmosphere is mellow as a profound sense of peace washes over her while the bike weaves its way through suburban streets and onto a highway. Eventually, after a couple of kilometers, Draken slows down and drives off the road and onto a dirt track that (Y/n) recognizes all too well.
''Are we going to the hill again?''
He nods, switching the engine off once he's properly parked the vehicle at the foot of the mount, just as he and Mikey had done the previous time. (Y/n) dismounts the bike, and the driver is quick to follow suit.
Looking at the uphill trail again... (Y/n) can't help but lightly chew her bottom lip in anticipation of the aching pain she'll feel in her ankles upon reaching the summit. Reluctantly, and with considerable effort, she sets off on her arduous ascent to the hilltop up the steep, battered path. Draken is walking alongside her, matching her pace, as opposed to the last time when he and Mikey took the lead while she and Takemichi struggled to keep up.
Turning her gaze to the side, she casts a brief glance at the boy next to her. Draken is quietly staring ahead, unbothered as ever, striding languidly towards the peak. It's a much more leisurely and far less strenuous experience as they slowly make their way to their destination.
This time, the hilltop is different. The sun is still beaming down on the land; its blinding light tinting the verdant green of the grass with a metallic sheen, golden rays seeping through the dense foliage of the surrounding trees, cascading in an enchanted halo all around their thick, maroon trunks. The lively twittering of birds mingles with the faint whistle of the wind and the rustle of bushes as the vegetation sways to Mother Nature's rhythm.
Draken calmly walks over to the handrail, mutely urging (Y/n) to join him. And so she does. However, her gaze remains trained on the fellow teen and on the way his face glows in the sunlight, pale, smooth, skin soaking up the soft yellow beam, blond strands gleaming beneath the blazing star.
A lingering feeling of puzzlement prevails as to why the pair are now standing here, though it soon dissipates when she gets her answer.
''Look, it's starting.''
''Huh?''
His index finger points to the sun as it gradually dips below the horizon. The formerly azure skies fade to hues of reds, oranges and yellows, as if fire had caught in the heavens. And slowly, very slowly, the sunlight begins to dim and dim and dim while the city only seems to shine brighter, brighter and brighter underneath the pristine white moonlight.
The spectacle is not just beautiful, it's... ethereal...
(Y/n) is unsure of how long she's been marveling at the view, but by the time she emerges from her hypnotic trance, the expanse of warm colors had faded to a rich shade of indigo, the moon and stars glittering brightly in the firmament.
''Wow...'' Her mouth hangs slightly agape, lips parted in wonder.
''Pretty, huh?'' Slouching forward, Draken leans on the railing, both elbows propped up on the metal barrier to support his form, his gaze lost in the boundless beauty of the distant landscape.
''Yeah... It's... It's even more than pretty... Just... wow...'' (Y/n) remains immersed in the moment, staring up at the now speckled sky.
''Glad you liked it.''
A few more minutes tick by. Only the gentle rustling of trees, the distant honking of cars and the subtle hiss of the wind fill the air. It's all so placid, akin to an out-of-body experience, in which one's senses feel so numb yet so heightened at once. Before she knows it, (Y/n)'s eyelids begin to droop and, despite her best efforts to remain conscious, she finds herself stifling a long, tired yawn.
''It's getting late.'' Draken states matter-of-factly. ''I'll drive you home.''
She hums in agreement, but in spite of her words, no effort is mustered to leave the railing, to leave the tranquility of this moment. With her eyes firmly locked on the sky, (Y/n) is startled by the sudden sensation of something warm resting gently on top of her head. Draken's broad palm. Only rather than simply patting her hair, his hand lingers there, poised delicately atop her hair, its shape molding to her skull, its heat spreading steadily throughout her body. It's pleasant.
''(Y/n).''
''Hm?''
''Good luck for next week.''
''Huh?''
She's a little stunned by the unexpected encouragement. But perhaps it's not all that strange... Draken does have a (somewhat) gentler side...
His hand, which was resting snugly atop her head, plunges deep into his trouser pockets, retrieving a tiny object which he nonchalantly tosses to her. Her reflexes immediately kick in, prompting her arms to scramble to catch the item on the fly.
''A... keychain...?''
Squinting in the semi-darkness in an attempt to discern the tiny trinket, (Y/n) makes out a silver, metal ring from which dangles a cutesy plush toy. It's a small dog. A Chihuahua, to be precise. Its features are overly exaggerated in order to make it look cartoonishly angry: thick, furrowed eyebrows that look like they were scribbled in black ink, and a big, goofy pout.
''Saw it at the market the other day. Reminded me of you.'' details Draken bluntly.
''Oh... Thank you so much... It's really cute..''
''It's nothing.''
''I'm wondering though... What part of it reminded you of me...?''
Sure, it's a lovely present and a very sweet gesture... but something's not right... She could feel it.
''Because you're small and aggressive. Like an angry chihuahua.'' He smirks.
Oh. There's the catch.
''I'm never patching you up ever again.''
''Sorry. Can't really hear you from up here, munchkin.'' His warm palm reaches to ruffle her hair, disregarding the scowl patently meant for him. ''Now c'mon you angry chihuahua, i'll take you home so you can rest. You've got a big week comin' up.''
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