Chapter Thirty One

"According to what the textbook says Torin, we are to get a lot of tea bags because the process is long," I protest as I look at Torin who is standing beside me.



He immediately looks at me sharply. "We only need five types of tea."



We are purchasing some of the materials needed for our group project in Biology. We are to show which kind of tea preserves the lives of fruit flies.



"But it's not a loss to get more, is it?" I retort.



He sighs. "Fine. Do what you want."



I leak a smile with contentment and begin to pick different types of tea packets into the basket. Soon enough, we walk out of the store and Torin is gentlemanly enough to carry the two bags we have.



He places the bags in the trunk of his car which I forgot to talk about earlier. Torin drives a fancy red mustang and as much as I know, he is one of the richest kids in school.



"You know, you still owe me a confession and an apology," I say as I settle into the seat beside him.



He does not reply at first and I think he is not even going to. But after he turns the ignition and the car jerks to start, he looks at me.



His brows are drawn and even though he has not said anything, I can tell he is frustrated by me yet unable to shun me.



He begins to drive and without looking at me, asks, "What do you mean?"



"Which one do you not understand?"



"You can start with the confession."



I smile. "You haven't told me what went on at the tower that day."



He turns quiet. Not that he is a talker anyway but he is even quieter.



He looks at me. "Why are you so bent on knowing?"



"Why wouldn't I be? I fainted without knowing the reason. Moreover, I feel as though I'm missing something. Something happened that day that I do not remember."



He seems to be mulling over my words in my head. Eventually, he says, "What happened is a little mysterious and I can't exactly tell you. Not that you will believe it anyway."



" You can tell me first. I'll believe you."



"No, you won't. It's not something meant for you to know. Don't pry." He turns his gaze toward me. "Sometimes, it's better to be ignorant."



"But, I want to know."



" How about we do it this way?" Torin asks. "Let's show you what happened instead of telling you."



His words immediately make me sit up. I ask, "You recorded it?"



"No. I'm going to show you gradually."



I relent upon hearing this. Torin is not a rash person so he will definitely keep his word.



I nod as he pulls up in our driveway and parks the car in the garage. I unlock the car doors to step out but his voice makes me halt.



"And..." He pauses a little and when I turn to look at him, I see that his expression seems strained and uncomfortable.



"I'm sorry for yelling at you the other day," he finishes.



And without another word, he steps out of the car leaving me there in shock.



He just apologized. It is shocking and unexpected too. I smile lightly, realizing that Torin and I are getting along well. He seemed very uncomfortable earlier but he still managed to apologize.



It is an unexpected movement. It seems we will be getting along well in the future.



***



I pull up the sheets over my bed and breathed out. I just finished taking a shower so I'm preparing to get to bed.



It's been quite a long day. Torin and I have been practicing and monitoring the flies all day long after school and it was quite stressful.



But nevertheless, it was exciting and insightful. Especially with Torin around, it was quite interesting.



It has been a month since I arrived at the school. In such a less time, however, I have made a lot of friends. Kevin, Kayla, and some other girls at school. And even, Torin the quiet fellow.



It is going quite well and I am happy. I don't even think about the people in NUC any longer except occasionally when I come across news about them on social media.



But unlike before, I am no longer bothered by them.



I pull up the sheets to my chest and shut my eyes, intending to go to bed. I soon doze off but it isn't for long.



I wake up to the sounds of howls. It is loud yet I can tell it is from a distance. I listen carefully to the sound.



It does not sound like dogs. Moreover, why will there be so many dogs in the neighborhood?



Whatever it is, I don't bother myself about it and turn back into bed, intending to sleep again.



But before I do, I notice a figure standing in the distance. A tall male figure is standing on the rooftop of the tower. My heart constricts and I reach out to grab my sheets out of fear.



Not because the person's appearance is scary. But rather, because I can feel their gaze on me. I can feel the man's gaze on me.