Chapter 3
Catherine's POV
I stood in the overly crowded church, as the smell of burning incense filled my nostrils. The sound of echoing bells was heard from downstairs and the bright chandeliers a contrast to the dull light peeking in from the windows of the building.
I took in deep breath, and rolled my shoulders trying to free them from the pent up anxiety in my blood, but it was no use as I felt a drop of sweat trail down my back.
My eyes darted through the crowd so fleeting that it could capture every soul in an instant. And one shadow, one outfit, one smile made me freeze–that made the loud bells sound like a distant dream.
His long canines showed through his lips as his eyes grew smaller, and I could hear his deep humourous laughter although I wasn't next to him.
My eyes raked over his body, admiring his broad shoulders and toned body. His hands hid behind his jean pockets, as his bright eyes moved from the girl beside him to the front of the altar.
I immediately snapped my neck to the altar, cutting my stare short. I took in deep breaths but I could already feel my throat going dry, and my eyes beginning to sting.
I wasn't ready for this. His message, as carefree as it sounded still had it's vicious hold over me.
"You may seat" The announcement from the priest came to my rescue as I already felt my knees begin to buck underneath me.
The entire celebration went by, almost in a blur, and soon it was time to leave.
"You can do this. Act like he's not there, like you've not seen him" I whispered to myself but my eyes trailed to the direction he was seated before and I didn't know what emotion to feel as I saw the empty space.
We soon left the church and went outside, the cold air hitting my skin made me shiver. The blaring horns, sounds of footsteps and the smell of fresh bread made me feel at ease.
"Hi, Cath?" I turned to the voice calling me from the corner and I saw Xandon's younger sister, Lyra, smiling and waving at me.
I walked to her, my hand clutching the strap of my purse, and with a smile on my face I pulled her into a hug.
"Ly, what's up? Where are your brothers?" I closed my eyes for a moment like the rising air had blown particles of dust into my eyes.
Her brown eyes shown brighter with the aid of the lights outside the church building, as she cocked her head to the side.
"I'm fine. I don't know where Landon is, but see Xandon there" I didn't bother looking back because I had seen him already, just from a distance.
I smiled as we both talked about random stuff. I was loving the conversation with Lyra but a conscious part of me hoped that Xandon would come to her while I stood there.
But time passed and nothing happened, only the greeting of our mutual friends.
"Catherine?" I turned at the sound of my mother's voice but the bit of my eye caught a familiar brown one staring at me from a distance.
I quickly looked away and bit my lower lip, hard, as I walked to my mother. I tried to steady my breath, but the intense gaze of Xandon had all my efforts futile.
You don't text someone Later in life, I guess. Bye after having that look in your eyes anytime you see the person.
It's crazy.
I bit my lip harder and fisted my wrist. The thought that he could look at me like that after sending such cold hearted message had me in a fury.
It wasn't the first time I had seen that look in his eyes, actually he had always had it anytime he was looking at me, but none of us talked about it or acted on it.
The last time I asked him about it, he played dumb so I decided to let the matter be, as I didn't she amy problems with it.
But who knew the same look that I was comfortable with would have be in a distress stage each time I compared it to his message?
I shook my head, not wanting to think of anything Xandon. My younger sister, Rufina, stood beside me, her mouth over a pastry and I intentionally concentrated on that instead.
Soon, we were in our car and driving home. I exhaled as we left the gates of the church, feeling like a bag had been pulled off from over my head, and I settled into the seat, closing my eyes.
******
"No. Fucking. Way"
I fell to the floor, holding my phone on one hand. I looked up to my phone again, holding my breath and rubbing my eyes, to actually check that I wasn't hallucinating.
A reunion? A fucking High school reunion after yesterday?
I let out a semi-sob scream while covering my face with my hand. In three hours time, I'm supposed to be dressed and ready to meet someone I couldn't hold his gaze yesterday?.
"Did I do you wrong universe?" I threw my hands and legs in pure agony and unwillingness, as scenarios of how today would go played in my head.
I bit my lip. I had an option of not going but somewhere deep within me I wanted to have the end of our conversation done.
He said what he wanted–although it had me in my feelings, I still have a lot to say to him.
I picked up what little was left of my resilience and walked to my bathroom, going to shower. After close to an hour of showering and skincare, I got dressed in a casual fitted jean and crop hoodie.
Glancing at myself in the mirror one more time, I spritzed on a little perfume, and ran my fingers through my hair, making it messy.
I locked the doors and went into my car, and suddenly the mind racing that happened minutes ago, has developed into tummy tightening and racing heartbeat.
The cream coloured walls of the tall and still new building came into view and I could already feel the clamminess of my palms rising.
I turned off my ignition, and directed the rearview mirror to my face.
"You can do this. That message says everything about him. You are worth love and you tried your best"
Breathing exercises, positive self talk, and mantras seemed to dance away with the wind, immediately I walked into the occupied hall to see old faces, but a very perculiar one.
His eyes rested on me, as his gaze turned heated–and I don't know if it was in my head, but I saw his eyes flicker to my lips.
I blinked before I would start drooling. The sounds and chipper of people greeting and hugging each other filled the air.
I took an empty seat at the back of all the chaos, and began doing more self talk. I couldn't come undone with just his eyes.
"Catherine"
I felt my vein pop, as my saliva got hooked in my throat, and my neck began vibrating.
I slowly turned around to see a pair of brown, bright eyes staring back at me, the corner of his lips curved into a small smile.
His eyes rested on me, and with each passing second, his gaze heated up and turned intrigued.
"Xandon"