"Behind every flinch is a fear or an anxiety -
sometimes rational, sometimes not.
Without the fear, there is no flinch.
But wiping out the fear isn't what's important - facing it is."
- Julien SMith
"What-cha gonna do! Light us on fire? Burn us!" The boy asked 8-Year-Old-Amaya. He then began to fake panic. "Fire! Fire! Flamey is on Fire!" Next thing Amaya knew a boy dumped a bucket of freezing cold water on her head. She trembled and glared at them through the bucket that was on her head. She heard footsteps and knew that the bullies were surrounding her. They began to sing.
"Kagome! Kagome! The bird in the cage! When, oh when, will it come out!" The sang, dancing around her. Tears pricked her eyes but she refused to cry. "Int eh NIght of the dawn, the Crane and Turtle slipped! Who is behind you, to stab you in the back!?"
"Leave her alone." A boy with blonde hair and blue walked up, glaring at them and the temperature seemed to drop. Amaya lifted the bucket so she could see, and through her green orbs she was pretty sure she imagined the boys' feet were frozen to the ground due to ice.
"A new student?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at Kaien Cross. AKA The chairman/ Headmaster.
"Yup. If you would be so kind as to show her around and to her dorm?" I sighed dramatically, pouting.
"Fine..."
"Wonderful! Tsukigomori-san! You can come in, now!" I turned around a very, very familiar girl with silver purple eyes and short brown messy hair, braided at that sides walked in wearing the Day Class uniform. My Green eyes widened as they met with her bored, silver-purple ones. Let's go with lilac.
"Ai-Aiko..." She blinked emotionless up at me and for once in her life, an emotion crossed her emotionless face. Her face morphed into one of shock, surprise, and sadness.
"Amaya." She said.
"You two know each other?" Kaien asked confused, a question mark appearing above his forehead.
"Y-Yeah." I said hesitantly. "We-We used to be friends."
"But that was before you turned all boring and dull." She said monotone. In a way, she reminded me of Shiki and Rima. "You barely talked after the incident."
"I...You were never as close to her as I was." I told her, sadness and guilt creeping over me.
"No. But I still grieved and mourned. Don't forget, I was there at the funeral." I clenched my fists. "So tell me, is this really the Cross Academy. Vampires and everything?" Kaien's eyes widened.
I hesitated before answering. "Y-Yes."
"It looks like you've been bit by one." My hand flew up to my neck. "And judging by your reaction, I'd say more than once."
"Shut up, Aiko." I muttered.
"Oh yeah." Aiko started and looked at the Chairman boredly. "Can I become a prefect. I already know about the Vampires." Kaien sighed.
"I'll have to think about it."
"Cool. Come on, Amy." I flinched at the nickname. "You're leading me around the school, right. I might even get to meet Shiki." She still sounded bored and will probably sound like that forever. She, Yori, Shiki, and Rima. Jeez.
"Fine. The Night Class Dorms are this way." I grumbled annoyed.
Time skip
I was telling Aiko where not to go when I saw Zero walked towards the gate that leads to town. My eyes widened. Crap! Vampire Hunter assignment! I looked towards my former-friend and said,
"Stay with me and don't get lost!" And took off towards him, hiding behind trees so I wouldn't get caught.
"Why are we doing this?" She asked, bored. The same emotionless look never changed. "I'm bored."
"Shut it!" I growled at her, ignoring her semi-surprised face. I looked back to see Zero getting further away. We followed him into town and to some old house. We watched as he entered and Aiko poked my arm. I blinked and looked at her, only too look at the direction she was pointing. There stood Shiki and Rima, in front of a car.
"This is it." Shiki said.
"Hey, Senri." Shiki looked at her boredly. "You're going to get a sunburn without using an umbrella." Shiki looked alarmed slightly as he went into Chibi-face mode.
"I want you both to hurry up and finish your business or you're going to be late for the photoshoot!" Their manager barked from the car. "An Senri!" Shiki looked at her. "You get sunburns easily and you didn't bring an umbrella? So you get under Rima's too!"
"Huh?" Rima asked, alarmed slightly.
"You need to remember that you're a Professional model!"
"Fine..." Shiki said, bored and exasperated. The car drove off and Shiki got under the Umbrella as they walked towards the building. "Why do we have to hunt Vampires during the day?" He asked as they walked closer and closer to our hiding spot.
"It's an order from the Vampire Association. They don't want those Vampire Hunters to beat us to it." Rima explained. "It seems that the Vice President got an earful from his Grandfather."
"So then, it's a race, is it?" Shiki asked.
"From what I'm told, our target has only become a level rather recently. SO he may have some intelligence. Still, I doubt he'd be any different." They stopped walking once they reached the tree we were at. I tensed and Aiko held her breath.
"Huh? Oh look, it's the Disciplinary Committee. And...some girl." Shiki said. Aiko let out her breath and I relaxed. We stepped out from behind the tree and I laughed nervously, scratching the back of my head.
"Ah-Hi, Rima, Senri!" I never did figure out if his first name was Shiki or Senri. "Ah...This is-this Aiko Tsukigomori! She's a new student."
"And old friend. Or at least I used to be." She said bored, still. I sighed.
"You never change."
"But you did." Aiko fired back calmly. "Your back to your old self, yet you still are blaming yourself for her death." I glared at her and yelled,
"That's because it is my fault! I promised I would protect her and I failed!" I went into angry chibi mode and had a fire background. "If I wasn't frozen still, then I could of pushed her away! She's still be alive!"
"Ah, but you'd be dead." Aiko finished, leaving me standing there dumbfounded. "And then she'd be the one grieving. She'd be boring and dull in your place. And then we'd be having this argument. Come on. We're looking for Zero, right?" I was shaking, fist clenched.
"Whatever." I muttered and began to walk towards the house. "Let's go."
BANG
"Was that-" Aiko cut Senri off.
"A gunshot?"
"Zero." I stated and took off running, pulling out Luna in the process. I entered the house and ran down a hallway but stopped when I saw the Level-E sitting on the stairs.
"Well, well. A friend of the Hunter are you?" He asked. Aiko came running in after me.
"Amy, what the hell is problem!?" Anger crossed her features but it was soon replaced by fear.
"Tell me, are you going to try and take my Desert from me too?"
"Aiko...get behind me." The brunette didn't argue. Next thing I knew, Senri walked up from behind me and placed a hand on my head, biting his index finger on his other hand saying,
"You're in the way." Aiko and I watched as blood leaked out and formed into a whip. Shiki swung his blood whip and it crashed into the spot where the Level-E was sitting. Senri then swung the whip over on the stairs rail and the Level-E quickly jumped out of the way. He swung it on the wall, then the ground. "Huh. Did he get away?" Rima put away her umbrella.
"You're taking forever. Hurry up." Senri looked at her while Aiko commented,
"That was..."
"Awesome?" I asked, grinning. She nodded, speechless.
"I really do hate playing chase." Senri told her.
"So? Just go get him." Rima said. I took off, Aiko blinked at the spot where I just was. I ran up the stairs and down a hallway, only to scream when something came out of the ground and wrapped itself around my ankle, making me fall and drop Luna.I flinched as my hands scraped against the concrete. I quickly looked behind me alarmed and saw the Level-E poking halfway out of the ground. He laughed.
"My luck just keeps getting better. You're number two today!" I stretched and attempted to grab Luna as the Vampire crawled out of the ground, dragging me father away from the weapon. "Come now, don't be scared. I promise I'll do my best to be gentle."
"Let go of me!" I screamed, attempting to kick him in the face with my free foot. I missed, obviously.
BANG
The Level-E quickly let go and grabbed his shoulder from pain.
"Get your filthy hands off of her now." Zero demanded, walking up. I looked at him surprised. Too be honest, I didn't think he would show up.
"Zero!" I exclaimed.
Zero walked passed me and over to the Vampire.
"How dare you!" The level-E growled trying to sit up. Zero quickly placed a foot on the Vampire's stomach and pointed the gun at him.
"This ridiculous chase, ends here." Zero said as I slowly stood up. "Your crazy desire for blood has turned you into a serial killer." At these words my eyes widened. Remembering that night.
"Amay! Quickly! The shortcut is this way!" Ten-year old Jasmine said as we ran down an alley. Her black hair was tied in a braid that day. Her blue eyes brighter then normal.
"Wait up Jasmine! I can't run as fast as you can!" I told her. I got a phone-call from the hospital, telling me that Mother was going into labor. Jasmine knew the way to the hospital better than anyone, so she knew the long-ways and the short-cuts. Jasmine stopped running and I slammed into her, confused. "Jasmine, what's wrong?"
"A-A-Amaya..." Jasmine began, shaking with fear. I blinked confused and looked to where she was pointing. I stepped to the side and blinked, eyes widening. There stood a man with messy black hair, pale skin, and extremely unusual red eyes. He was wearing a scarf and held a blade that was covered with blood. No...There was said to be a serial killer going around but...No.
"J-Jasmine..."
We froze in horror as he commented, "Such pretty girls. How about you give me...your blood." He charged, blade in one hand. But the strange thing was, it didn't look like he was going to attack with the blade. It look like he was going to attack with his bare hands. I couldn't move, I was frozen to the ground. And I watched in terror as Jasmine was lifted up and forced against a wall. The man grinned, revealing bloody teeth, and bit down on her neck roughly. SHe screamed and blood poured down her neck, staining her clothes. The man, when he was done, stabbed her through the stomach with the blade and dropped her to the ground, turning to me and grinned.
My eyes flashed, not remembering this part.
When he grinned, he revealed fangs. Fangs so long, so bloody and covered with red, I knew I was going to die. Jasmine died...Jasmine died. I didn't do anything and just watched as he drank the life out of her. I'm a monster. I'm a monster in human form. The man charged- the man with fangs charged- and lifted me into the air. And I flinched- knowing the inevitable- as he licked my neck. He opened his mouth, ready to bite down and tear out my throat when-
BANG
BANG
BANG
The man in front of me turned to dust and I dropped to the ground. I stared. mortified at the blood pool gathering around Jasmine. I could still feel that man's nails digging into my shoulders, into my arms.
"Your never ending thirst for blood turned you into a serial killer." Another man said. My eyes went wide and I looked to see a blurry man with dark hair and one eye. Beside him was two boys...two...blonde? boys. No...not blonde. Silver. "It's over, Vampire." Everything was blurry and that was when I realized I was crying. My breathing started to go shallow, my body went numb, I could barely heard, and my eyes sight started to go black.
I fainted from shock.
I gasped, panting. What the hell!? Does this mean...No. I refuse. I refuse, I refuse, I refuse! I won't believe it!
"It's over then, huh?" The level- E asked Zero. "I guess that means...I guess I can finally stop killing people." Zero fired the bullet and my eyes went wide as the Vampire turned to dust.
"AMAYA!" I screamed and broke out of my trance as I was tackled to the ground. "What the hell just happened!?" Her emotionless personality broke and her other personality appeared. Oh...did I mention she had a Split-Personality or did I forget? "You were just frozen and you look as though your going to cry! Who did this too you!? I'll murder them with my own hands!" I laughed lightly.
Rima pointed to the girl slung over Senri's shoulders. "Hey Disciplinary Committee. We picked up a girl in another room. You want her? She's still alive."
"Ah, Y-Yeah." I told them, and pushed Aiko off. I stood up and dusted off my uniform. I then look at Zero. "Thanks...for Saving me." And for some odd reason, I wanted to add "Again" at the end. I quickly turned around, embarrassed- face heating up- and looked out the window only to see a Raven with blood red eyes. I glared hatefully at it.
Shizuka/Maria.
The raven squawked and took off.
X.X Two months later.
"Hey, Amaya." Aiko asked in her bored tone, back to her usual personality. "How long have you been here?"
'Eh? Oh um..." I thought about it, trying to keep the fangirls back. "I've been here...SIX MONTHS!?" My eyes went wide at the realization. OH hell!
"I've only been here for 2." She replied calmly. "Agh!" She grunted as she nearly got ran over.
"Everyone get back!" Yuuki cried out, pushing the fangirls back. "Is it me, or is everyone more excitable than usual today!?"
"This is worse than Valentine's Day!" I complained. I then blinked when I remembered that Takuma says the almost exact same thing.
"It's that stupid event that's got them like this." Zero explained and glared at the fangirls. "When that gate opens, make sure you're all ready."
"Ai-AI, Cap'n!" I grunted, being pushed back. I screamed as I was thrown out into the middle of the side-walk, the doors opening the Night class walking out. Why me!? I quickly got up- not noticing my bleeding palm- and glared at the Day CLass. "One more step and you're all done for!"
"Amaya!" Aidou exclaimed and captured me in a hug. I gasped, surprised.
"Aidou!"
THe girls screamed angrily.
"No! He's hugging her!"
"No!"
"Can't be!"
"Why do prefects get all the attention!?"
Aidou let go and turned me around so I was facing him. He then grabbed my wrist and lifted it up to his mouth. My eyes widened. Doesn't he realize that we're in front of the Day class!? "You're bleeding." He stated. I looked at my hand to see that, I was, in fact bleeding. He brought my palm up to his mouth and licked the blood and I could feel the glares I was getting. He removed his tongue and smiled at me. "You should really be more careful Butterfly."
"No! He called her butterfly!"
"It's not fair! He licked her wound! That should've been me over there with Aidou-Sempai!"
"Idol-Sempai No! WHY!?"
He grinned and walked off with the rest of the Night Class students. I turned around and nearly cowered at the amount of glares I was getting.
"It's no fair he licked your wound!" A girl growled.
"Yeah!" ANother agreed. "What are you to Idol-Sempai!?" Are they stupid or what? It's kinda obvious Aidou's a Vampire.
I glared at them- with Zero's help- only to see Yuuki and Aiko get carried off by Day Class students. I followed soon after, being carried over to the Moon Dorms. I screamed. The door was wide open and Aidou turned around, blinked. They stopped running and I was thrown forward. I screamed- feet being lifted off the ground. Next thing I knew I slammed into something soft, yet firm. An arm wrapped around my waist. I opened my eyes and I turned cherry red when I saw that it was Aidou who was holding me. He quickly grabbed Yuuki's arm with his free hand saying,
"You need help, holding them back?" He grinned. "Just kidding." He pulled us inside- Yuuki grabbing Aiko's arm at the last moment- the Moon Dorm. "Sorry everyone!" He apologized to the Day Class. In the Moon Dorm, Aidou leaned against the wall- Still holding me- and listening to the Day Class fangirls. He chuckled and I felt it vibrate against me. My heart beat quickened and my face went even redder. It felt like it was on fire. "They're really jealous of you three."
"Aidou. Can you let go of Amaya? We need to get back." Yuuki told him, sounding slightly demanding. What the hell am I doing to Yuuki! She's corrupted! She cursed, she glares! Now she's demanding!
"That's how you show your gratitude!" Aidou asked, tightening his grip on me. My heart beat so fast I thought it was going to explode. I placed a hand on his arm saying,
"Aidou! Let go." He looked down at me and leaned in close, making my face burn.
"What if I don't want too?" Our noses were almost touching. "I quite like this position." So do I-what! No! No, no, no! Bad thoughts! Aiko quickly took out a pocky stick and ate it. My eyes went wide.
"Hey! Those are mine! My choco! Give me back my choco!" I demanded, trying to grab it from the distance. She blinked at me boredly.
"But I like chocolate pocky." She pulled one out and stuck it in my mouth. I blinked, but sucked on the chocolate part happily. "Here. Eat."
"Mind if I have some?" Aidou asked. Why hasn't Kaname said anything yet? I shrugged, thinking he was talking to Aiko. But when he bit on my pocky stick, my eyes went wide. I sent him a look. What was he trying to pull? But he didn't bite the end off- no. He kept his mouth on the end of the pocky, slowly biting it, but keeping his mouth on it as the stick shortened.
"What-What are they doing!?" Yuuki asked Aiko, face red at the scene in front of her.
"Pocky game." She answered monotone. My face went red at that and when I went to let go of the pocky, Aidou connected our lips. My went went so red, I thought my head was going to explode. I froze and I could hear my heart beating. And I was fairly certain Aidou could too, for I felt him smirk. "Aidou won."
"Aidou." Kaname began. "You're bothering the Disciplinary Committee." Aidou leaned back and I inhaled sharply. "Yuuki, don't take your job so seriously, that you end up getting yourself hurt." I blinked, frozen slightly, and watched as Aiko took out two pocky sticks and tossed one to Shiki and the other to Rima. Shiki opened his mouth and closed it, catching one, while Rima caught one with her hand.
"Eh? O-Okay! Sure! I'll be more careful!" Yuuki told him, messing with her hair slightly. I refused to look at Aidou, but I did manage to notice the look Senri gave Aiko. Whoa! What!? Aw..there goes the RimaxSenri. Oh, well.
THe door then opened and Zero grabbed Yuuki's arm, who grabbed Aiko's, who grabbed mine, and dragged us out saying, "Don't let yourselves be carried off!"
"Zero!" Yuuki exclaimed. I however, was thank full. But now I'm missing Aidou...somehow.
X.X IN the CHairman's Office NExt day.
"Um...Good evening." The Door opened, revealing Maria Kurenai. My eyes widened.
"She's a Night Class Student!" Yuuki exclaimed.
"Please meet Maria Kurenai. Good evening Maria." Kaien said. "I would like you to meet my Daughters, Yuuki and Amaya." I sent the Chairman a surprised look. Since when was I his daughter!? Yuuki bowed as I waved.
"Ah, Nice to meet you." Yuuki greeted. I grinned and said,
"What's up?"
"Ah, they look so tasty..." Maria whispered to herself, finger on her lips. "And so healthy."
"You listen here! That's taboo at this Academy!" Kaien scolded, raising a finger. I shrugged.
"Hey, I'm taking it as a complement. Not the first time I was told I taste good." Yuuki and Kaien sweatdroppped.
"I'm sorry. Nice to meet you." Maria greeted, smiling and tilting her head. "Yuuki. Amaya." I couldn't help it. I squealed and hugged her shouting,
"You're just so cute!"
"Um, Warning." Chairman said a bit too late. "Amaya tends to hug things she finds exceptionally cute."
X.X Next day.
"You seem tired Yuuki, Amaya." Yori observed. Aiko just bit into another piece of pocky.
"Well, it's getting harder to control the fan-girl's outside." Yuuki explained. Aiko commented emotionlessly,
"Didn't you know the only way to destroy a fan-girl is to light them on fire?" I tensed up at fire. Zero noticed. Fire...
"Fire-girl! FIre-girl! Light them on flames! Fire-Girl! Fire-Girl! Never the same!"
"What'cha gonna do? Light us on fire? Burn us?"
"Ha! Look at her hair! She's on fire!"
"Her hair looks like flames! How horrible!"
"No wonder! She has fire for hair!"
I snapped out of my reverie when Aiko poked my arm. I looked at the brunette.
"Your doing it again." I looked down slightly.
"Sorry."
'That's because it's almost time for the ball." Yori said.
"Yes, but I'm more worried about the school's upcoming exams than the ball."
"And You're the problem, Yuuki Cross, Amaya Chouko, and Aiko Tsukigomori!" We turned around to see the CLass CHairman glaring at us. "The ball is a Cross Academy Tradition. And the class who scores the lowest exams...is the class who has to work the ball that year! And Yuuki, it's you who has been lowering our class average every single year!"
"That's a rather mean way to put it Class Rep." Yori told him.
"The ball is a precious event, in which both the Night CLass and the Day Class attend!" He turned around and glared at us. "If I don't get a chance to dance with Ruka this year..." He stormed off angrily. "I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" He ran off. Yuuki began to panic.
"Yuuki, you can always ask your Father to get you three tutors." Yori suggested. I looked at Aiko, who look at me. I failed at Math, while Aiko failed at English. I rocked at English, while she rocked at Math.
"You can't go that way!" My head shot over at the sound of Takuma's voice. "The Day class is still in session! Oh no..." Takuma whispered, looking around him nervously. "This could get...dangerous." He quickened his pace. "Maria!"
"Don't worry! I just want to look at the cafeteria!" Maria giggled and looked towards us. "This is fun."
"Hey!" Takuma ran towards her. "That's far enough!"
"What are Night Class students doing out here!?" Yuuki exclaimed and made to take off, but Zero grabbed her wrist.
"Stay away from that transfer student. The Vice-Dorm President can handle it on his own."
"Zero...okay."
"Amaya!" Came the voice I would recognize anyway. Girls started to squeal as Aidou walked towards us. "This is the second time we met during the day."
I turned my head. "A-Aidou!?" My heart pounded, remembering that one moment. Next thing I knew he wrapped his arms around my waist and torso, pulling me close to him. "A-Aidou what are you do-doing!?"
"No! No! He's hugging her!"
"This can't be!"
"Why is it always her!?"
"Stupid flame-head!"
"What is she to him!?"
"Why is it always the prefects!?"
"I don't like it when you ignore me...I'm thirsty." Aidou whispered in my ear, licking my neck, making me shiver. "I really hope that you save me a dance at the Ball...Butterfly."
"Hanabusa!" Zero glared at the blonde. He sounded...angry. "If you have a moment, I'd like to have a word with you." Aidou sighed and I felt a shiver creep up along my side as his breath traveled down my neck.
"Your neck was always sensitive." Aiko commented. I felt my face heat up and I glared at her.
"Don't say that out-loud!"
"Oh, really?" Aidou asked, grinning. He then leaned down and bit my neck slightly, causing me to bite my lip in an attempt not to let out any sound. Well, it didn't work. I let out a sound between and grumble and a moan. He stopped and smiled widely. "So you do, Butterfly."
"He called her Butterfly! No!"
"She's possessing him! It's the only way!"
"Besides, I actually wanted to talk to you too." He let go of me and spun me around, quickly planting a kiss on my lips. My face grew so red, like so impossibly red you thought it was painted.
"NO!" Fan-girls cried. He grinned as he and Zero walked away, Zero handing his book to Zero and telling us,
"Amaya, Yuuki, be careful around Maria Kurenai."
"And don't get yourself into trouble either!" Yuuki called after him.
"That was suspense-full." Aiko commented, biting pocky.
"I'm worried." Yori said.
"Huh? He's-they'll be fine." I said, stuttering and placed my index and middle finger to my lips. I could still feel his on them.
"No...I'm worried about you." Yori told me. I looked behind me and paled, greatly.
"Sorry! Yori, Aiko! Take my textbooks!" I shoved them in their arms and took off running!
"OKAY DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE! YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" One of them cried out as I stumbled, turning a corner.
"Don't eat all my pocky!" I shouted before trying to fasten my pace. I quickly kicked open some doors and ran through them. I looked up and saw a rail. I thought quickly- and though I panicked slightly- I jumped up with all my might and held on for dear life. I closed my eyes shut and listened as their footsteps faded away. I crawled up and let out a sigh of relief.
"Hey!" A voice whispered quickly. I panicked and gasped, nearly losing my grip. "It looks like you're having a hard time being chased too!"
"Takuma!" I exclaimed and fell off the rail, landing on the ground on my back with a THUD. I cringed. "Where's-Where's Maria? Did you catch her?" He sweatdropped and fiddled with his index finger.
"Well...it seems that while the Day Class girls where chasing after me, she managed to slip away and...I haven't seen her since." I anime fell to the ground.
"Oh, joy...This'll take forever!" I groaned. Takuma looked up in thought before asking,
"Is it true you know the future?" I looked up surprised and nodded slightly.
"Yeah...kinda. I know everyone's except mine." I told him. Next thing I knew he was sparkling and had my hand clasped in his.
"Can you tell me what mine is!? For, a late birthday present!?" He asked.
"Ano..." I sweatdropped and thought over what I could tell him. "Your life will begin go downhill when you start to serve under some Pureblood girl name Sara-Sara...Shirabuki?" I said the last part with a question mark, not really remembering. "Yeah, Sara Shirabuki. Weird name if you ask me." Takuma let go of my hands and became depressed. I sweatdropped. "Oops?"
X.X My Dorm Room.
"So, what're you wearing to the ball?" Aidou asked curiously.
"My uniform." I stated bluntly. He anime fell off my bed and landed on teh ground with a thud. He went into chibi-mode as he exclaimed, sitting up,
"Seriously!? No dress or anything!?" I shrugged.
"Don't have one. Nor do I have the money to go shopping for one." I finished, answering his un-asked question. "So all I'm going to be wearing is my uniform! Besides, I won't really have time to dance."
"Even staff members have breaks to dance." Aidou told me. I blinked and one thing popped up in my mind. There was silence for a few minutes and his stomach grumbled. I sighed, sweatdropping. Then I titled my head, revealing most of my neck.
"Hurry up. And not too much." He grinned and pulled me to him. I yelped in surprise and shivered when he licked my neck. I didn't flinch as he bit down. My one thought scared me the most...
'Vampire eyes are supposed to be scary...Yet why can't I stop looking at his?'