Truth

I slowly trekked along the track field in the park killing time until Smackle arrived. I sighed and checked my phone looking for any messages. The usually punctual Asian was twenty minutes late.

I'm losing good sleep here

"You know a lonely night with an unsuspecting victim is the perfect recipe for a tragic rape scene,"

I quickly turned to where the unfamiliar voice came from and saw a hunched figure sitting on the bench behind me.

"When did you get there?" I asked puzzled by how he managed to go unnoticed by me. He chuckled before getting up and walking toward me into the light of the street lamp.

With shaggy black hair, pale skin, and lanky frame he smiled at me exposing the gap he had in his teeth.

"Sup, my name is Anthony," he offered me his hand and I stared at it before glaring back at him.

"Anthony why are you developing thoughts of my involvement in a tragic rape scene?"

His smile faltered when I didn't accept his hand shake and he withdrew his palm shoving it in the pocket of his jacket.

"Don't get me wrong, I was simply informing you of how your current situation reminded me of a cliché,"

I quirked an eyebrow at him before snorting at his use of the word cliché.

"An interesting observation, but if you don't mind I would prefer you keep your lewd thoughts to yourself,"

A smirk then found its place on his face as he reintroduced his hand into the conversation. Staring back down at it I humored his gesture by steadily grabbing his hand shaking it for a short moment and releasing it.

"I'm Riley," I breathed knowing full well my name was the result he wanted from the hand shake. He nodded in understanding before looking around.

"Alright Riley, what's got you so worried?"

I blinked at him confused by his question.

"Does my features look as though it has been burdened with stress and worry?"

He nodded his answer staring at me

expectingly.

This was strange, a person that I have only been acquainted with less than one minute ago was able to detect the emotions I have worked on hiding so well.

"Thank you for the concern, but I can assure you that I'm doing well,"

He shook his head before moving his hand from his side to my forehead. My reflexes immediately came into play as I swatted his hand away.

"What are you-"

"It looks like you're going to be ill soon," he stated while rubbing the part of his hand I hit.

"Excuse me,"

"You have a slight temperature, trust me when I say you won't have any use to your self for about a week, two weeks the most"

I rolled my eyes at him, scoffing at his foolishness.

He was obviously crazy

"I said I was fine, so if you don't mind leaving me alone," I stated moving my hands in a fanning motion gesturing for him to leave.

"Okay I'll go, but when you do get sick and stuck in bed with no one to talk to you can call me up to talk about all your worries," he replied easily before slowly walking in the other direction away from me.

"I said I was fine," I stated loud enough for only him to hear. He then waved me off from behind before disappearing outside of the park entrance.

I let out a frustrated sigh and ran my hands through my hair.

Who the hell was that guy anyway?

"Hey,"

I turned my head toward Smackle who was walking toward me from the other side of the park. I straightened my posture and walked toward her meeting her half way in front of the bench. We took our seats and sat quietly next to each other for a while.

The silence was a familiar one and emitted a sense of tranquility.

"He's going to tell my parents," she started.

"What about the deal?"

Her delayed response racked my nerves and I fidgeted with the hem of my sweater.

"He's pissed," she answered simply.

At that I rolled my eyes, of course he is.

"Have you ever considered... I don't know not giving a shit?"

She shook her head and released a long exhausted sigh.

"I didn't even do better, he was the one who fell down," she mumbled.

"What?"

"The freaking exam!" She exclaimed "I purposely got ninety five like we agreed on, the idiot couldn't even meet his end of the deal and get something higher".

I stared at her tense form next to me. She was on edge, ready to attack anything that provoked her.

" how much did he get?"

Her head shot up to me and she eyed me in confusion.

"Ninety, why?"

"Just curious,"

Taking a breath she relaxed and leaned back in her seat.

"You know there was a time when he could achieve eight marks higher,"

"You messed up, with that faith of yours,". I mumbled.

" I know,"

I smirked at the dejected look she wore.

"He's not your friend,"

She slumped further in her seat and bit her lip.

"He can do better,"

"He's no longer your nemesis,"

"He was the only one I could compete against,"

"His brain is ruined by desire and greed,"

"I just wanted him to get back to where he was,"

I chuckled at her naivety.

"You scored one hundred didn't you?"

"I told him I was going to, I told him I wasn't going to allow him to get lazy, and you know what his response was?"

I shrugged, even though I'm sure I could have made a good guess.

"He said I didn't have the ovaries," She huffed.

It was at that point I bursted out in laughter, "who says crap like that?"

"He does,"

I cleared my throat in attempt to control myself before smiling at her. She smirked at me and chuckled a little.

"His words did make me laugh in a similar manner earlier,"

Nodding my head at her in agreement I began to look around our surroundings.

"This atmosphere does coincide with that of a tragic rape scene," I stated out loud

"Excuse me?"

"I'm going back home," I informed her before standing up. She stood up also and we both began our journey back to my apartment.

"Are you sleeping over,"

"Might as well make the excuse I told my parents to come out this late at night, a truthful one,"