Crazy is the Name of My Game

(12) I hate him.

Erica Santos

Thank God, it’s Monday.

I was looking forward to seeing the guy that made me lose some precious sleep again. I must’ve been tossing restlessly, caused by the fuzzy dreams I kept on having. I was tired. Very, very tired. I could feel the powerful magnetic pull of Monsieur Bed just a few yards away, but sadly, I had to resist. The dragging force to go to school was dominant as of the moment.

Why? Because I knew Len would be there.

Everything was irrational – the attraction, the strange dreams, the events. Like I said, everything. Why was he having this much effect on me? Or the better question: why was I being affected by him?

Believe me, I've dated guys before. I've even hooked up with this half-Japanese, half-Brazilian model before. But this guy, this Leonn Adams who was a complete stranger to me, who showed a sudden, irrational interest in me, who lied to me on the very first moment we’ve met… Ugh.

Never in my entire existence had I felt this uncomfortable, tingling feeling.

Weird.

Did that guy drug me or something?

What’s with the Hans Verona thing anyway? Neo Verona? Romeo x Juliet? Creepy much?

Verona is a place in Veneto, Italy… that much I’ve researched. (Eek! I’ve turned into a cyber stalker now!) What, was that the place where he used to stay? Jen did mention before that Len went overseas for a time.

And what’s with the name Hans? Hansel and Gretel? The only other thing I knew was that Hans tomato ketchup I used. Oh, was that Heinz? Sorry.

Anyway, with so many questions buzzing in my head, I knew I had to confront him no matter what. I had my own problems to deal with, and I wouldn’t let him add himself in the hefty list. I had to eliminate him from my mind. To achieve that, I had to draw the line somewhere.

I blew my bangs off my face.

Jen wouldn’t say more yesterday. She was quick to notice her slip about Len and left without finishing my lunch. Partly, I was relieved that she left – I didn’t want her prying on me – but the truth?

I was royally pissed.

What the hell’s with them? What the hell’s with her?

She almost got me believing her. The fact that I'm awesome was just a bonus to her; the real reason of her intrusion to my bubble was Leonn Adams. Being the lovesick puppy she probably was, she didn't mind spying me for that guy.

Why?

Why me?

I locked my front door, made sure that the coast was clear and headed out of the apartment complex. Thankfully not limping anymore, I didn’t feel the need to bring my crutches. Honestly, I only used it once, and only after an hour long whiny session with Jen and the doctors.

Oh, how I hated that thing.

Besides, the pain was not intolerable, simply uncomfortable.

“Morning, darling,” a nasal voice greeted me from behind. Alarmed, my right hand caught the thin wrist of the reedy guy standing behind me – before he managed to grab my ass.

“Lucas,” I said in low warning. He only gave me one curt nod as my nails dug on his skin. He didn’t even flinch.

“Just Luke, darling,” he replied with a sudden vile grin. “How many times do I need to remind you?”