Chapter 4 POV CARA

The weekend had passed faster than I expected, today was Monday and so I spent practically the entire day locked up in the home office, studying avidly for the final semester exam. Because our graduation arrives in two weeks; So I guess I'm a little anxious.

The night had soon arrived, the teachers in front of everyone called me forward congratulating me on my performance, dedicated so assiduously in all classes. So it is! I never and when I say NEVER, I'm not actually kidding about never having missed a single day of school. I needed to continue at my pace and I needed the Griffin couple to feel proud of me for my dedication to my studies.

''Congratulations, best student in the class,'' Jess says in my ear, letting out a small smile for realizing how embarrassed I was.

I shake my head no at her.

When classes ended and we walked through the gates, there was a commotion at the college entrance.

Jess and I looked at each other as we approached.

"Is this some bullshit? ''Her eyes shone with expectation, thinking it was some kind of women's fight, since it was just them making the fuss.

When we got close, my mouth dropped open as Jess mouthed a

''WHAT? ''

Can Griffin was sitting on the hood of the car with his arms and legs crossed, watching the girls throw themselves at him and taking countless photos, sporting jeans, his usual boots, a white shirt and a necklace around his neck. When he saw me he stood up, passing through them as if the sea had parted, while my heart rang in my ears.

I clutched the notebooks to my chest feeling my eyes wide open.

What was he doing here?

''Come on, I came to pick you up today'' And then he gave me a small smile, leaving me dumbfounded, even though he had a beard I could tell he had dimples.

I blinked a few times trying to get back to earth.

"Huh? ''

''Good evening Man. We'll talk tomorrow ''Jess practically pushed me onto Can as she passed us and waved heading towards her car. I took a step back and almost fell, but Can held me by the shoulders, preventing my shameful fall.

What was Jess's problem?

''Your friend of hers seems nice''

When I wandered my eyes around, everyone was gossiping and looking me up and down. As if I wasn't good enough to even be close to Can.

Something bad took over my veins.

''She is . She just seems a little crazy to me '' I smiled a little, swaying in place without being able to look him directly in the face.

Then he nodded for me to follow him.

Can looked like a magazine cover model, he went out waving to the girls who were sure to form a fan club due to the exaggerated way they shouted his name.

I opened the car door and got in while he did the same.

''Why didn't the driver come?'' I asked, putting on my seat belt.

''He was busy. So Brenda asked me to come in his place '' Shrugged around the girls with the car as they continued to scream and wave goodbye hysterically when they saw us walking away.

I immediately looked at him intrigued, why did he call his mother Brenda and not mother?

''I'm sorry about that, I don't want to bother you'' I said very awkwardly, looking in front of me.

But then my eyes were drawn to his fingers that were tapping rhythmically on his lap, where I noticed he had countless rings.

''You never bother me, Man. You're the only person who seems normal in that house'' Unable to bear it I turned my neck to face him. His jaw was clenched as he stared at the road with almost no blinking, and his tone struck me as bitter. "Shall we go to Starbucks? ''

He turned to me making me almost jump in my seat with his beaming smile.

'' Clear . '' I smiled shyly at him and so we continued our journey.

***

''Heads or tails ? '' Can looked at me mockingly as he threw a coin in the air, so that it fell into his palm.

I narrowed my eyes at him as I took a piece of the burger.

''I can't believe you're making fun of my name! '' Can laughed

''Never. But answer me, Heads or Tails? '' He gave me a wink, with his neck slightly tilted to the side throwing some fries into his mouth.

I blinked out of the trance.

''Dude, it's clear. But why that? '' I asked, becoming very curious.

''Because we're going to play questions and answers.'' I wondered why your eyes were shining so brightly. Crown, let's go!

He throws the coin and it lands in his palm.

Can looks and stares at me like his eyes are boring into me

My throat dries up.

Why does it suddenly feel like they turned off the air conditioning here?

''Man'' There sir! Why is he looking at me like that? I had a feeling that good things weren't going to come out of there. "I have wanted to ask you this since the first time I saw you. ''

I swallowed, picking up the glass of soda to give myself courage and looked at him, trying to remain steady.

''Ask ''

''Have a boyfriend ? ''

I opened my eyes wide, taken by surprise

''No..no'' I babble, feeling my heart in fits and starts.

His face is impassive as he continues tossing the coin up and down, catching it again without taking his eyes off me.

''And have you ever had one?''

Why is he asking me these things so bluntly?

I clear my throat, looking away from his and taking my hands to my lap, rubbing them together nervously.

''I've never had a boyfriend''

Then in my peripheral vision I see Can leaning over the table looking at me with greater intensity and curiosity.

I was forced to look at him directly into his eyes.

''And why exactly? ''His eyes were shining, but his eyebrows were furrowed, giving an air of mystery to his face sculpted by the gods.

''Well... because I don't have time for that'' I shrug, trying to act uninterested ''I study too much, I wouldn't have time for a boyfriend. ''

He says nothing, he remains studying me with his intimidating eyes, making me look away once again and watch people come in and place their orders.

''Your time . ''

Give me the coin and then I toss it in the air and catch it again, giving it tails.

I open a huge smile

Can holds his hands trying to look bored

''It came up tails, didn't it? '' I confirm with a shake of my head '' Send''

He places a fist in front of his mouth, strafing me with his gaze.

I clear my throat and then ask the first thing that comes to my mouth.

''Why did you call your mother Brenda? ''

''Step'' his once amused expression is now all closed off. As if this were a forbidden subject to talk about.

I immediately feel embarrassed.

What was I thinking? We're not even close enough for me to ask you something so personal.

''I'm sorry,'' I ask awkwardly.

Can lets out a sigh, along with running his hands through his hair, getting up and nodding at me to follow him.

I go outside while I wait for him to pay the bill

The way home was deafening silence. Can couldn't get the frown off his face and I blamed myself for having made that mistake. Why did I ask this when I had countless other questions to be asked?

When we got home he stopped the car, but didn't get out. I opened the door and looked at him hesitantly.

''Good evening Can, thank you for the burger'' I tried a smile. However, he remained serious.

''Good evening Dude. '' And then he left again, while I followed him with my gaze through the gate outside.

My heart was heavy, I started to feel guilty. Did I do something wrong? , Can was so cold to me.

When I entered, I was soon intercepted by Dona Brenda who was smiling from ear to ear.

''Can't who brought you? ''

I nodded yes

She smiled even more

''The driver was busy with some chores and so I was going to pick you up, but he offered to go'' I look at her in surprise

That wasn't what Can had told me.

"He was busy. So Brenda asked me to come in his place ''

When I remember my mistake, I excuse myself from Brenda and go to my room with the excuse that I'm tired and needed to sleep.

***

It was already 2 am and Can hadn't arrived yet, I decided to go to the office and stay there studying until I was tired. When I felt my eyes getting heavy after a while, I slept like I couldn't wait.

Hands touch my hair and then I feel myself being suspended as if I were a feather so light, I feel my head fall but then a hand catches me, trapping me on a strong and firm chest.

Some time later I am deposited somewhere soft, I think it's my bed. She sinks next to me as I feel the sheet being placed over me.

A few seconds pass, I think when I hear a voice that until then has made me dream every night.

'' She is not my mom . And this is complicated for me '' A strong sigh '' It's complicated Man, it's very complicated... ''

And then I didn't hear anything else, because I fell into a world of dreams where I could look at Can's face without feeling embarrassed and entitled to the sunset.