Recap: Midnight's P.O.V.
And as I approached my next class, a voice came into my head.
Hello, Midnight.
My head shot sideways, sighting a figure leaning with his back on a wall. He wore an evil grin, but before I could get a better look at his features, I was shoved into class by other hurrying people.
Midnight
The party came quicker than I thought.
The entire day I had spent my time wondering who the guy in the hallway had been. All I could remember was that evil smirk of his. I had been shoved into class too quickly and so I did not get anything else.
Nothing.
But how did he know me?
Was he someone from my past? Someone who I couldn't remember?
He had spoken through mind. Had he telepathic powers, like my grandmother? Hold on . . .
Was he Terick?
He couldn't be.
That grin on his face was evil. Well, it looked evil and I did sense the dark energies he gave out.
The real Terick wouldn't be evil, since he was my cousin.
Then again, there was a thing called betrayal . . .
"Midnight!"
Mariene's voice snapped me from my thoughts.
Oh, yea. The party.
I let my sister into my room. As soon as she opened the door, she sprung in and began looking through my clothes, trying to find the perfect outfit.
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Ok. So the party was all right.
Brian nearly flipped when he saw me. Actually, almost all the guys noticed Mariene and I as we strolled in. My violetness, and her "cuteness."
This was how we looked:
Me:to the left. Mariene:to the right.
But as soon as she met with Ryan, the guys grew jealous. So they came on to me. Fortunately, they had heard of the event between Chris and me. Still, they grew more envious as Brian wrapped a loving arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.
I forced a smile in his hold. He smiled back. My eyes fell to the floor as everyone in the house danced. For a moment, I sensed eyes on me. I raised my head, but the feeling of being watched lifted.
The party went on. The music was awesome, but I only danced for a few minutes. When Mariene and I did, all eyes went to us. I h.ated it when that happened.
If only I had my spirit like Dusk. I would dance all night long.
There was a time when Angelika strolled in, shaking her hips to the sides as she walked. Her eyes were closed, since she probably expected everyone to get out of her way. Her head was held high.
Even if I wasn't Dusk, that didn't mean I couldn't do things she wouldn't do. In other words, there were some things I did that Dusk would never do. She's outgoing, but not that outgoing.
So, I waited for Angelika to approach me. And when the moment was perfect, I stuck my foot out.
. . . *knows what's going to happen*
Down she went, face first on the dancefloor.
Everyone broke into hysterical laughter. Mariene was laughing her head off. The music still blared, but the laughter was at least ten times louder.
I smiled, satisfied.
Brian broke out laughing, too. When he calmed down a bit, he pulled me into an embrace, saying into my ear, "That's one thing I like about you. You're too bold."
I couldn't help but smile.
My eyes fell as motion on the floor stirred.
Angelika stood, her face as red as ever. She turned to me, and I winked, grinning. She glared with so much hatred in her eyes, I just had to say, "See ya next fall."
She then stormed off in the direction of the front door. Her friends followed behind, glaring at me in turn.
So, yea. That's how the Monday night went.
After it all, Brian had asked me out. I had to say no. I had told him that I had to do "other stuff."
I could see he was hurt.
But I assured him of some other time.
So that's the reason why Dusk . . . er Midnight . . . is single . . .
Dusk
It was Tuesday night now, and I was outside, practicing my balance and spinning moves.I took step by step as I walked on top of a building's ledge that was six inches wide.
I had my twin-headed spear out, and I was spinning and twisting it on either side of me and around me.
And I was wearing a blindfold over my mask.
I wasn't scared of heights. I wasn't scared of falling off the high building. I had done this a million times before.
As I turned round, I did not get distracted as a new presence entered my area.
"You can fall doing that."
I grinned.
I said, "If I do, you will catch me, right?"
I sensed his smile.
I hadn't expected the Black Knight to find me and actually say something that had some care behind it. I actually didn't mind if he watched me. He was just seeing what I could do.
But what I did mind was what happpened next.
I caught the scent of magick in the air, and a cool slightly strong wind rushed at me.
With a gasp, I dropped my spear on to the building's rooftop and stumbled, still blindfolded. I lost my footing and fell the way I wanted not to fall.
Suddenly, I heard a whoosh of wind as strong arms caught me.
Oh. The Black Knight.
Still unbelieving, I stood myself as he landed back on the building and released me.
I quickly took off my blindfold, staring into his humorous eyes.
"I knew you would catch me," I said, pretending to be grateful. "Thank you."
He smiled, his white teeth revealing.
"But," I began, catching his attention again. "Next time, don't do that on purpose."
He stared at me, a confused look on his face. But I saw through it to the real truth.
I pursed my lips a bit, opening them to blow against his face. Along with that, I summoned a breeze, stronger than the one that had caught me by surprise. It pushed the Black Knight several feet back, his eyes wild with shock.
Before he could fall down, he spread his large wings, pushing them forward so that the wind flew back at me. But that aroused more excitement in me.
With my inner magick, I commanded the wind and it whirled around me, causing my hair to flow, not harshly, but magickally, in the air. My cloak did the same.
I stood as if in a pose, watching his every move.
I could see the Black Knight staring in awe. I even saw a small smile.
As the wind died, an "I told you so"-like smile appeared across my face.
He smirked back.
"Do not think I am not familiar with magick," I said coolly. "Have you forgotten?"
He folded his black wings again, still smiling.
I turned and went over to the building's ledge to pick up my spear. I felt his watchful eyes still on me as I pressed the hidden button.
The ends of the silver tips hid themselves inside the blades, and then the spear contracted into the shaft. I sheathed it behind my lower back in its case, securing the strap that held it.
When I looked back up, the Black Knight still watched me.
"How did you know I was the cause of that first wind?" he asked curiously.
I tilted my head. "Doesn't one with magick sense other magick created by another?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Yes," he answered. "But I didn't expect you to be able to sense it."
I sighed. "Why does everyone underestimate me?" I asked the air. I held out my right hand to the side. I pointed out, "First, the police underestimate me."
I held out the left hand.
"Then you underestimated me just a moment ago."
I looked up at the night sky. "Hmm . . . who else was there?"
The Black Knight's golden eyes were glittering.
"Oh, yes!" I recalled. "Those men at the G.ames Galore. They underestimated me, too."
The Black Knight broke into a smile. I noticed it, and I raised an eyebrow. "You were there, weren't you?"
He simply shrugged, still grinning.
I smirked, turning to return to the building's edge. He followed me shortly.
"You are . . . very talented," he said softly.
I felt a tiny blush rise to my cheeks. "Thank you."
My head turned to look at the unsleeping streets down below. I felt a familiar uncomfortable feeling inside me, the kind of feeling that I'd felt on that one night when he had saved that g.irl from those several harassers.
He did not take his eyes off me. I wondered why . . .
"I was there when I heard you tell those g.unmen that they should not underestimate you," he said. "I was wrong to have underestimated you this night. I'm sorry."
You better be, I thought, but then threw that thought from my head shamefully.
He continued, "I should have thought, because you had to have something, since you've been a hero for two years. And it seems that you have many talents I did not really expect you to have. And besides, I should've remembered how you took your arrows from me that first night we met. You had magick then."
I smiled. "Precisely."
It went silent for a few minutes. Finally, I felt the pressure of his eyes leave me. He stared down at the streets as I did.
"There isn't a crime tonight," I whispered.
He looked at me.
Suddenly, I regretted ever speaking.
But he spoke a little after.
"I wonder," he said. "Why is it that you came here to work as a hero? Is it . . . to impress me?"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I gaped at him. I tried to find something to say.
I came up with, "Well, I'm sorry you think that!"
I turned away, pretending to be disgusted.
Though, I didn't hear any apologies coming my way.
He was probably grinning like crazy.
I blushed.
Did I want to impress him?
No!
Well, maybe just a little bit . . .
Or even more . . . . . .
"You mean, you don't like me?" he almost laughed, incredulous.
I looked at him. "Who ever said that?"
He silenced himself.
I smiled warmly. "I like you," I whispered truthfully. I felt him stir at this. I turned my head away to look back down at the streets. "It's just, I understand that there are a lot of g.irls waiting in line to be yours."
In the corner of my eye, I saw another grin.
"Why don't you just skip them?"
I shot him a disbelieving look. "I am just not that kind of a person. I would rather wait last in line."
We stared at each other for a few more seconds. When I turned my head away, he said, "That is very generous of you, to let others go before yourself. In fact, that is what makes a hero."
I smiled small. "Exactly," I murmured.
The silence that came after eventually grew uncomfortable again. I had tied my blindfold to my belt, and I decided to take it off. I stared at the dark cloth in my hand.
Then I raised it so my hand faced him. I let go, and summoning a wind, it flew over to him, like a feather floating in the air.
He caught it expectantly, examining it.
"Keep it if you wish," I muttered. "I do not need it."
I had more.
He raised an eyebrow at me, but I turned to retire for the night.
"Wait!" he suddenly started.
I continued to walk slowly, looking back before coming to a halt.
"I wanted to tell you that . . ." He paused. "That you were right. On the first night we met, you told me something. And, now, it is later. And . . . I am . . . I am thinking twice."
I didn't say anything. I didn't even smile.
Why?
I had no idea.
"And so, I was wondering," he continued, "if you would like us to work together."
I looked down.
"Please forgive me for my harshness back then," he said. "I-"
"No need for apologies," I suddenly said, looking up at him.
He gave me one of his confused looks.
"I understand why you acted like that," I said in a quiet voice. "Because you were worried I might do something bad to the Hupperis citizens. You didn't know who I was, so you were only trying to protect the people. There is always suspicion in those who care. That is what makes a hero."
He smiled warmly at me, his golden eyes glittering once again.
As I turned, he said, "You are one strange g.irl."
I turned back around, amused. "How so?"
"You're so . . . ironic," he replied. "You are such an ironic g.irl."
I grinned.
"I mean," he continued, "whenever I think or say something, you're always doing something opposite what I usually would expect."
"I like surprises," I said.
"When I underestimated you, you didn't really get mad at me, or start some tantrum."
I raised both eyebrows.
"When I told you that you could skip all those waiting g.irls, you didn't actually do that."
I grinned and distracted myself by looking at the building across the street.
"And when I started apologizing, you-"
He stopped.
I looked back at him, only to find he had not seen something, but was staring at me straight in the face.
"You did not rub it in," he continued, "but understood."
I shrugged one shoulder. "Aren't I suppose to when I protect others, too?"
It took a moment, but he said in a softer voice, "I've never met a g.irl quite like you before."
I smiled, looking down. "Well, of course not," I said. "Have you ever met a g.irl who jumped from rooftops, walked a building's edge while blindfolded, and ran from cameras?"
He chuckled. "No," he said. "And I would find that g.irl strange."
I swung my arm in front of me, as if presenting myself to him. "Here I am," I said.
His smile broadened.
I looked at the large clock that hung on a tall building to my left.
Five after nine.
"I must leave, Black Knight," I said.
"Please," he said. "Call me Knight. 'Black Knight' sounds too long."
"Why did you call yourself that, then?"
He shrugged.
"Don't worry," I said. "It suits you."
He smiled.
"Until later, Knight," I said.
"Until later, Dusk," he responded.
I turned to leave. As I did, a thought struck me. I had almost forgotten about that!
"By the way, Knight," I started. "Did you know, there were people who wanted to know if I was related to you. One even asked if I was your g.irlfriend."
I watched him narrow his eyes. "Really?" he snickered. "And what did you reply with?"
"I said, 'No. I barely even know him'."
"Truthful," he said. "Something a usual g.irl would never say."
I rolled my eyes. Did he expect every g.irl to love him?
Even me?
I said my goodbye and left.
