I wasn't ugly. That I knew. I wasn't saying that to brag or anything. I was just simply describing myself. Some people even considered me pretty, and by some people, I meant my parents. Shawn said I looked exotic in a good way. Like a rare breed of tarantula. I took that as a compliment.

Anyway, I never cared much about my looks. Why would I when I could step on the school looking like a cross between Shrek and a baboon's backside and my classmates wouldn't even so much as give me a glance? That was one of the perks of being invisible. A luxury I lost when I became Hunter's buddy.

Anyway, I was far from being vain. That was why it was a bit of a shock when I found myself staring at my reflection in the mirror the next morning. My chestnut brown hair was shinier than usual, my cheeks were flushed pink, and I was glowing. Even the dark purple circles around my eyes that usually put raccoons to shame didn't look that bad.

They said happy girls were the prettiest. I had to agree.

I like you, Skylar Davies.

Those words were on repeat inside my head ever since last night. I smiled. What a wonderful feeling it was to be liked by someone you love! Granted, Hunter was just probably on sugar high when he said that, but who cares? He liked me! I felt like I was on cloud nine.

Now all I needed to do was to confess my love to him!

I stopped smiling.

Confess... Love...

I suddenly felt like I was forgetting something really important. There was something about those words that made the warning bells inside my head tingle like a cat on heat.

Memories of that first night Hunter and I hang out together flooded my mind:

"I bet you fifty bucks you'll be confessing your undying love to me a month from now."

"Keep telling that to yourself."

"You're right, make it one hundred bucks, then."

I grabbed my cellphone and looked at the date.

Five days before the end of Hunter's deadline. I breathed a sigh of relief. Five more days to win the bet.

A small, almost creepy smile slowly returned to my face.

Confessions could wait. I wouldn't miss this chance to beat Hunter in his own game.

After five days, I'd have Hunter's one hundred bucks. And maybe also his heart.

***

"I am Switzerland and anywhere I currently am is neutral territory." I declared as soon as I spotted Cain and Hunter walking towards me from opposite directions. I was busy thinking about our music performance on Friday and I didn't want any distractions right now.

"You heard her." Hunter told Cain as soon as they were within earshot of each other.

"And so have you but you're still here." Cain replied coldly.

"I am her buddy. She needs me." Hunter said.

"And she's my school guide. I need her." Cain fired back.

"Stop talking as if I'm not here." I huffed in annoyance. We were in the middle of the school hallway and I didn't appreciate being caught between them while they were trying to create another scene.

"I apologize. I see my old friend here still hasn't learned his manners even after all these years." Cain said politely at me as he threw jab at Hunter.

Hunter's lips curled up in an amused smile.

"I'm sorry, I had several bad influences growing up." His statement held a lot of meaning that I wasn't surprised to see Cain grit his teeth.

"I would very much appreciate it if you leave Skylar and I alone. We have a scheduled school tour and you're in our way."

Right. I was supposed to give Cain a tour of the school today as what we had agreed upon at the principal's office yesterday. I was tempted to back out but I figured I should just suck it up especially if the alternative was having an assault and battery complaint on my school record.

"Why the sudden interest in my buddy?" Hunter asked.

"You don't have a monopoly over her, Dean." Answered Cain.

Hunter shrugged.

"Just curious." He said.

"Curiosity killed the cat." Cain stated coldly.

Hunter leaned in closer to me and whispered, "Gosh. I feel so threatened right now."

His expression was more amused than worried though. I rolled my eyes.

Why does every major confrontation in this story has to happen in the hallways, anyway? I thought grudgingly.

"I'm Switzerland, I don't care." I said. I adjusted my backpack before turning to Cain.

"Come on. Let's get this over and done with." I told Cain. I didn't want to give them any chance to reignite their rivalry again. I didn't fancy being caught in their ego-centered battlefield this early in the morning. Cain, to my surprise, took my hand and pulled me towards him.

"Can't wait." He simply said, shooting Hunter a sly smile.

Hunter's face was completely expressionless as his eyes travelled from Cain's face to his hand that was now firmly clasping mine. We were about to turn away from him when we heard him speak.

"Just a simple reminder, Cain." Hunter said as his lips twisted into a too-innocent smile.

Cain threw him a menacing glare.

"I don't need any reminder from you."

Hunter scratched one of his eyebrows. "Oh, it's for your own good." He stepped forward and stared at Cain with cool eyes.

"Make Skylar cry again and I swear, I'm going to make you regret ever showing your face in this school." He didn't sound threatening, in fact, he sounded more like he was just stating a fact but it made me nervous as hell.

I was prepared to step between them to stop whatever's going on but Cain already turned his back on Hunter and pulled me forward. Strangely, he looked victorious.

"Touché." He simply said.

I threw Hunter one last furtive glance and saw him waving at me cheerfully like nothing happened. I gave him an anxious smile before turning my attention to the boy beside me.

Hearing Hunter threaten Cain made me nervous and worried. It didn't take a genius to understand how powerful the Moriarti's are. If there would be an all-out war between Hunter and Cain, Hunter would surely be at the disadvantage.

"If you're planning to use me against Hunter, stop right now. It won't work." I told Cain as soon as Hunter was out of our sight.

Cain acted shock.

"Why would you think that?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Hunter already told me everything."

Cain stopped on his track. He was still holding my hand so I had no choice but to stop as well.

"Did he really?"

I pulled my hand out of his grasp and gave him a stern look.

"Yes. So if you're thinking about using me to have your revenge, then sorry to say, it won't happen."

Cain crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"And what made you think I'm here for revenge?" He whispered softly.

I met his eyes and tried my best to look intimidating.

"Aren't you?" I challenged.

Cain smirked.

"You're watching too much CW teen dramas."

"Then why are you here?"

The amusement in Cain's eyes vanished in an instant and was replaced with frightening intensity. I only had a general idea of why he was mad at Hunter but seeing his expression now, I figured it wasn't just a simple case of anger. There was something more... something darker.

"I'm not here to take some petty revenge, Skylar." Cain calmly said. The barbel on his lip sparkled as the sun rays hit it. "I'm here to take back what's rightfully mine, and you're going to help me get it."

I let out an incredulous laugh.

"You're crazy if you think I'll help you."

Cain took a step forward and I cursed myself for taking an involuntary step back. I absolutely didn't have any reason to be afraid. So why did I feel so anxious to be near him?

"So adorable." Cain murmured, regarding me intently with his silver eyes. "What made you think you have a choice?"

"W-what do you mean? What do you want me to do?"

Cain's smile widened.

"You don't have to do anything. Just stay as you are, and I'll do the rest."

Something suddenly clicked when I heard what he said.

"You want to steal the virus!" I blurted out, eyes wide.

Cain's face remained impassive.

"I don't think stealing is the right word. It was your buddy who stole it from me. Cerberus is mine."

Cain's stare was intense but I refused to be intimidated.

"I don't see how I fit in with your plan." I told him.

Cain pinned me to the wall, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he ran a finger on my cheeks.

"You'll see." He whispered, sending shivers down my spine. His eyes were glaziers capable of freezing everything in its path. He was the ice to Hunter's fire. I preferred to burn.

I pushed him away from me, hating myself for feeling something.

"Stop it." I told him.

"Stop what?"

"Stop acting like some edgy, mysterious villains from CW teen dramas who seduce innocent girls just to get what they want."

Cain let out a booming laugh. That was the first time I saw him doing something that didn't look carefully planned and constructed. His laugh sounded genuine, like he really found me ridiculous.

He didn't say anything more, and just continued chuckling as he walked forward, a few steps ahead of me.

"Ah, the things you do to me, Skylar." I heard him mumbled. I didn't know if he wanted me to hear that but he sure sounded like he was just telling it to himself.

***

I was happy when the tour finally ended. I wondered why Cain insisted to have a school tour when he obviously held no interest in this place whatsoever. He looked at our facilities like they were trash and often laughed at how "low tech" we still were. I was annoyed I had to skip Physics just to accommodate his request. I felt like I just wasted time.

I hurried to get to Music class. Rush and I only had two more days to practice for our performance on Friday so we had to make the most of it.

My steps faltered when I saw Maria walking towards my direction. She also seemed surprise to see me. Her expression quickly turned guarded.

"Where's my brother?" She demanded when we were close enough to talk. She was looking at me as if I was a monster who eats big brothers for lunch.

"Room 108, Advanced Computer class." I told her.

I continued to walk when it seemed like she wouldn't say anything else but she stopped me by grabbing my arm.

"Let me make things clear for you," she said, squeezing my arm tightly. "Hunter belongs to me. I need him and I will do everything I can to make him mine again."

Instead of being annoyed at her, I felt admiration when I heard the determination in her voice. There was nothing sexier than a woman who knew how to fight for what she wanted.

"Uhm, okay." I told her.

She obviously didn't expect my reaction because she looked confused for a few seconds. Her grip on my arm loosened.

"That's it? You won't even get mad at me?" She pouted.

I shook my head, smiling.

"I don't have the right to be mad." I said. "I have a question, though..."

She composed herself and tried to once again put up a haughty facade. I felt like I was starting to get to know her a bit. She may be a brat but it seemed like she wasn't mean spirited like Rachel and her squad.

"What is it?"

"You said you need Hunter. Why?"

She held her head high and looked at me as if the answer to my question was obvious and I was dumb for even asking.

"Hunter is a computer genius. I need him mine so he could help our company. It's dangerous for us if our enemies get a hold of him." She stated matter-of-factly.

It was my time to be surprised. So it was all business for them? I thought she was in love with Hunter!

"But what about love?" I asked.

She looked at me like I just said something in an alien language.

"Love has no place for an heiress." She said. "So if I were you, I'd willingly give up Hunter to me."

Her logic was making my head ache. I felt sorry for her for thinking she couldn't give love and receive love in return. What kind of upbringing these rich kids had for them to feel that way? On the other hand, I was also annoyed at her for making it look like Hunter was just a rare piece of item she needed in her fancy collection.

"No." I simply said.

Hunter deserves someone who will give him genuine love. I didn't know if I was the right person but it definitely wasn't her either. I walked forward.

I was already several steps away from her when I heard her shout.

"I hate you! Why can't you just give Hunter back to me? We're meant to be together!" She stomped her foot on the ground.

We were the only people in the hallway so her voice produced a loud echo around.

I grimaced. It wasn't a good feeling to be hated by someone.

"You're noisy." A familiar voice said.

I looked around and saw Cal walking out from inside a broom cupboard.

What's up with these boys and broom

cupboards?

Cal gave Maria a bored stare, his hair was all over the place and his eyes were puffy from sleep.

Maria raised one of her eyebrows at him.

"So?" She challenged.

Cal looked at me.

"Is she bothering you?" He asked, his handsome face was expressionless as always.

I looked at Maria and saw her giving me a worried look while shaking her head. Getting her meaning, I shook my head to answer Cal but before he could see it, Cal already turned around.

"Let me handle her." He said. He walked up to Maria and without any warning, bent over and picked her up, bridal style. I was too shocked to quickly process what was going on.

Maria's screams filled the entire hallway as Cal carried her to God-knows-where.

"You idiot! I'm going to kill you! Bring me down! My father will hear about this!" I heard Maria shouted at the top of her lungs.

Callan ignored her and continued to walk until they disappeared from my sight.

I was left there all alone, confused and amused at the same time.

Callan and Maria, huh? Didn't see that coming.

***

"What happened to him?" I whispered as I sat down on my spot came lunch. Everyone was already there but instead of the usual, fun atmosphere, it seemed like a dark cloud was hovering over our table. Everyone was looking at Hunter with concern.

Hunter was staring at the empty space in front of him, looking so forlorn and devastated. He didn't even spare me a greeting like what he usually does.

Was he mad at me?

"Something terrible happened earlier this morning." Shawn informed me. He discreetly pointed a finger at Hunter.

"This is bad." Natalie was nervously chewing on the insides of her cheeks, shooting Hunter with anxious glances every now and then.

I put my tray on the table before facing Hunter.

"Hunter, are you okay?" I asked.

Hunter didn't answer, instead, he took my hand and pulled me into a tight hug.

I wasn't the only one surprised. I heard gasps coming from other students who liked to religiously watch whatever's happening on our table. My initial instinct was to run away but I decided to ignore the prying eyes and the burning in my cheeks. I put a hand on Hunter's back.

"What's wrong?" I asked him gently.

He buried his face in my neck. I tried so hard to ignore the violent thump of my heart as I felt his warm breath caressing my sensitive skin.

"I'm banned." He sniffed.

I heard Rush and Parker sniggered like they were stopping themselves from laughing out loud. I shot them both a confused look.

Parker just shrugged while Rush shook his head. I rolled my eyes at them.

"What do you mean banned? Where?" I asked Hunter.

Hunter sniffed again.

"Cain..." he said, sounding so devastated. "Cain banned me from every single place in this town that sells food."

Uh oh. We're fucked.

My eyes flew to the other girls and the helplessness I was feeling was reflected in their eyes.

This was bad. Probably the worst. That was the cruelest punishment someone could give to Hunter.

Hunter wouldn't last a day without eating at least ten kilos of hamburger meat.

"How do you know it was Cain?" I asked. My brain was already working for possible solutions to this problem. Surely Cain couldn't ban Hunter from everywhere, right? There should be some establishments who would be willing to accommodate Hunter's food addiction. Besides, Hunter's family should be able to help him with this dilemma. Speaking of which, where were they anyway?

"The Moriartis basically owned half of this town. That's how rich and powerful they are. Cain is the only person here powerful enough to ban Hunter from everywhere." Pen explained, quickly dashing my hope.

Hunter suddenly released me from his hold and dramatically stood up. All of the students including those who weren't watching us before turned their attention to him.

"Don't worry about me, my friends, die-hard fans and supporters. I will be a better person and won't let Cain get to me!" He announced in a loud voice.

A lot of students clapped at his sudden declaration.

"You'll get through this, Hunter!" I heard someone shouted from the jocks' table.

"We believe in you!" Encouraged one from the arts club.

"We know you're a survivor!" Said one of the cheerleaders.

"The Hunter Fan Club got your back!" Said a guy in glasses sitting just a few tables away from us. He looked like one of Shawn's friends from Magic: The Gathering club. I raised one of my eyebrows at Shawn but he just gave me a sheepish smile.

I didn't expect that a lot of people cared about Hunter and his shenanigans.

Ridiculous as it may sound, I felt relieved now that Hunter vowed never to fight with Cain. I was proud of him for choosing to be mature despite the situation. If banning him from all of food outlets in this town didn't result to Hunter's retaliation, then I guessed no other provocation would succeed.

"How cute."

We all looked at the cafeteria's entrance when we heard that voice.

Cain was standing there with Maria, Levi, Seth and Roe.

"What is she doing with them?" Parker cursed beside me, staring daggers at Roe.

"They're schoolmates, of course she's with them!" Said Heather, rolling her eyes.

Cain and his group walked towards our group until Cain and Hunter was face to face.

Maria sneered at me before giving the sleeping Cal a hateful glare. At least it looked like her hatred for me was now entirely redirected to Cal so I had that going for me. Cal was still sleeping soundly, unaware that someone here clearly wanted him dead.

"There's nothing you can do that will make me fight you, Cain." Hunter said.

Seth laughed.

"Is this real life? Hacker extraordinaire, Hunter Dean Cole is afraid of Cain Moriarti?" He sat on the vacant seat next to the sleeping Cal and took a banana from Parker's tray. Parker didn't take it kindly.

"Shut up, midget." Parker hissed, snatching back his banana before Seth could take a bite. Seth pouted and looked at Levi for back up.

"Don't start, Fray." Levi warned.

"Don't tell him what to do, man." Rush warned. He tried to stand up but Heather immediately grabbed him by the arm to stop him.

"Shut up, everyone!" Pen said, glaring at the boys. "I will not allow any kind of provocation or fight while I'm here!"