Witt had a rather slim and tall stature compared to other players I have seen. On the court, he moved quickly and easily. Energetic to the point of annoyance. Perhaps it was only me who thinks so. His brown skin was darker than most of his friends and he had two-tone red and black low-cut hair and a pair of oval-shaped eyes with brown pupils.

“See you in home economics. Bring your A-game because I’m going to school you. Let’s see if you’re as hot in the kitchen as you’re out here.”

I shook my head, thinking I’m being challenged by someone who likely didn’t cook or boil water.

Just before the bell rang, I strolled into home economics class and took my seat at the back next to Witt. It was only after Witt learned my secret; we became partners. I wish we weren’t. There was nothing I could do to change this unfortunate situation.

“Witt, where is Linda? I haven’t seen her in school this morning.”

I held my breath and hope he would tell me she was in school. From the corner of my eye, I saw his eyes darken and his fists curl tightly. I knew something was wrong. I slowly exhaled, then turned to face him.

“She’s home.” He paused for a moment. “She got up this morning for school but passed out over breakfast.”

I suddenly felt a twinge of guilt shoot through me like a bombshell.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

I looked down at my hands, recalling Uta’s words vividly in my head. “I’m not a killer, Ji-Hye. I wouldn’t take it if I knew it would cause permanent damage.”

I believed him, but… No! What was I even thinking? Suck it up and calm the heck down. Getting worked up would only cause my hair to glow. Then the entire class will see, and it would confirm their theory that I was the freak they always knew me to be.

Guilt would blow my mind more than I could imagine if I allowed it.

“Why are you asking about my sister?”

“I have a report I need her help with.”

He nodded and gazed ahead. “Is that so?”

“Yeah.”

“Or is it an excuse to come to my door?” He had a smile that would melt millions of hearts, but only seemed to make me gag.

“Could you be any more delusional?” I asked.

“Nobody wants to keep playing games.”

“I am not playing games though.”

“No? Then what’s up with you trying to run away all the time?”

“Don’t you have a girlfriend, you little womaniser?”

Witt did a double-take. “Womaniser?”

“Isn’t that what you are?”

“You’re worried about my girl?” His voice sounded amused. “I sure as heck not worried about your guy.”

I would if I were you.

“Okay, class settle down. You know what to do. Get your ingredients out.” The voice of Miss Young rang out over the din. She stood behind her desk, away from all flaming objects. I couldn’t blame her.

“Tie my apron,” I told Witt, turning my back to him.

“What! Aren’t you going to tie mine? Nice. Leave a guy stranded.”

I tied his apron as tightly as I could, and he growled at me. Witt held up a box of pancake mix and a measuring cup. He seemed confused by it.

“Are you planning on measuring that soon? So much for your A-game.”

I took the mixture and began stirring the pancake mix, while Witt cracked eggs in a bowl. I thought about Linda being at home and in pain and wondered if it was worse because two vampires fed on her. I felt quite guilty.

Miss Young walked around the room, checking our progress.

“What was up with your weirdo boyfriend yesterday? Doesn’t he know he should not threaten me?”

I froze. My hands tightened over the mixer, and I exhaled. It puts me on edge whenever he talked crap about Uta.

“I don’t appreciate you addressing him as a weirdo, all right?”

“Answer me this. Why did we never get together? What do you see in him you don’t see in me?”

Was he this dense? I looked at him, uninterested in playing his game.

“I know you have a thing for me,” Witt added when I didn’t reply.

“Had. Past tense. If I wasn’t the least bit sober at your party that night, you would’ve had your way with me.”

“Don’t act like you weren’t into it.”

“I was drunk.”

“Who wasn’t?” His voice held no sympathy.

“What made it worse… when you found out my secret, you tried to use it against me. We’re better off this way.”

“And what way is that?”

I had to do what I could to ensure Witt kept a lid on it. But really, what could I say?

“I don’t know. We’re not even friends, not really. You’re just the guy that’s holding something over my head.”

We made six pancakes and two omelettes. Witt placed them on a plate and then garnished them. Everyone sampled each other’s pancakes. I reached over and sliced into mine.

“Not bad with the omelette,” I commented while chewing. It was an attempt to get the awkwardness out of the air.

Witt turned, so we were face-to-face. “What if I told everyone your secret?”

My body froze, and my breathing stopped. Moments ago, everything was all good between us. How did it get to this? I didn’t have time for Witt’s games. I had too much going on already. Now my focus was being driven into yet another direction.

“Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse.”

“Freak out much?” His lips curled into a smile. “It could always get worse. Look at it this way. Think of how famous you’ll become. Doesn’t that count?”

He had the exact grin as Yasu. Wild and devilishly mischievous. The more I looked at him, the more irritated I felt. I twisted my head to the side. He was quiet, and I wondered what he was plotting. Maybe I didn’t really want to know.

Witt collected his belongings and headed out. Just as he reached the door, he gazed back at me. “Don’t think too hard on it. You wouldn’t want your hair to glow.” He gave me a smug grin and wink combo, and then he was out.

I realised I’d been holding my breath and exhaled heavily. I was literally and sick to the pit of my stomach. I wanted to vomit all over this shitty place and everyone in it.