Demetri pulled out the stool tucked under the counter and sat down. Usually he wore an arrogant expresso, but right now in this moment, it was unreadable. It was troubling. I wasn't in the mood to try to crack the puzzle that was Demetri Garcia.

Sucking my teeth, my eyes rolled towards him.

"May I help you?" I asked. 

His eyebrows shot up.

"Do my ears deceive me? You're actually talking to me," Demetri said in fake shock.

"Yes I am," I said, slightly annoyed. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Well," And the smugness had returned. "Considering you've been avoiding me ever since Friday-"

I held my hand up to cut him short, inhaling sharply through my nose.

"I'm not avoiding you," I opened my eyes. "I was sick, remember?"

"Yeah, that sure explains why the second we bumped into each other by the bathroom, you ran out of there so fast-"

"Ok ok," I blurted. "What do you want?"

Demetri grinned in victory, knowing he successfully got under my skin. I brushed some crumbs off the counter as he spoke.

"Why were you talking to Torres?" His eyes narrowed.

"Adam?" I asked, my lips pursed. "Uh, because we're friends."

He raised an brow.

"I thought your only friends were the people in our group."

I scoffed loudly and blew the strands of hair out of my eyes.

"I could have other friends if I wanted," I lied, knowing I can't hold a conversation very long. "I'm just satisfied with the friends I have."

"Uh huh," Demetri said unconvinced. "You know he's just trying to come onto you right?"

My lips thinned. I swallowed thickly.

There's no way, he's him, and I'm me. I'm too... messed up for anyone to like.

The bell hung by the door rang and a family came into order. Once I took care of them, I answered Demetri.

"What would be so bad about that?" I said nonchalantly.

Demetri's eyebrows practically flew into his hairline.

"Well for one your brother could have a heart attack," Demetri explained with his fingers pressing into the counter.

Sighing, I tried to not stand so rigidly.

"He's got to learn how to not be so protective," I countered. "I can take care of myself."

Demetri's eyes filled with concern, something I rarely ever saw. There was something detrimental on the tip of his tongue. I knew he was thinking of the things I told him Friday night.

"No, don't you dare," I warned. "Because I can just as easily say the same thing about you."

His mouth shut and his jaw tightened.

"All I'm saying is you've barely even kissed a guy before other than me and whatshisface."

"James," I answered for him.

"Yeah," Demetri nodded, not looking too pleased. "Glad I wasn't here freshman year to see that mess."

"It wasn't a mess, it was short-lived. There wasn't anything bad about it. And Adam's the only other person I've ever had a slight interest in and," I paused, analyzing his face. It was hardened, serious, very non-Demetri like. "Wait a minute, why do you look like that?"

"What do you mean?" He asked, his voice not laced with usual amusement.

"Like that and you're talking about my nearly non-existent love life which is really really weird," My eyes widened in surprise as I realized what was happening. "Are, are you jealous?"

Things are even more out of wack than I expected.

Demetri's mouth opened and he immediately became defensive.

"Jealous? I don't get jealous, I barely know the feeling," He defended.

I ran a hand through my now tangled hair, shifting my eyes around in disbelief.

"Everyone gets jealous," I disagreed.

"Like how you were murdering some of those try-out girls with your eyes," Demetri accused.

I bit my lip nervously and looked away. It couldn't have been that obvious.

"I wasn't," I told. "I was just sizing up Serena's competition."

"Sizing up Serena's competition," Demetri nodded unconvinced. "That is the world's shittiest excuse ever."

My eyes squinted, hoping they would shoot lasers and destroy him. But sadly my life isn't a comic book.

"Seriously, don't you have anything better to do than sit here and bother me?"

"Not really," Demetri smirked. "Going back to what we were talking about before, try not to get too excited about Adam."

"This isn't even any of your business," I snapped.

"He's going to have you figured out sooner or later and realized it isn't going to work out."

My jaw dropped like I was holding heavy rocks in my mouth. I had to replay what he just said in my head to make sure I heard him right.

"Excuse me, actually, excuse YOU," I said with widened angry eyes. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"Look Luanna don't take this the wrong way. I'm only trying to be honest because everyone in your life treats you like a fragile piece of glass for reasons I've only just begun to scratch the surface of," Demetri said knowingly. I stuffed my hands in my pockets, biting the inside of my cheek. "You are shit at talking to people. You pretty much close yourself off to anything social. You have little to no romantic experience, and most of which are thanks to me."

"None of which were planned or wanted," I butt in.

"But still happened," Demetri pointed out. "What I'm saying is, you don't try. You stay in your little bubble of solitude to avoid as much social interaction as you can. For fucks sakes you don't even flirt. Look at those girls back there," Demetri turned his heads towards the girls that made the team. Both of them winked at Demetri and he flashed a grin. "See, those girls know what they're doing. Adam's going to find out that you're just not... enticing. Wow, Hazel's English flash cards are really helpful."

At this point my eye was beginning to twitch. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"So what you're saying is because I'm not easy, I'm not desirable," I crossed my arms over my chest. "I need to look up more synonyms for the word stupid because one word doesn't seem enough to describe how insufferable you are."

"Yeesh, when you put it like that you make it sound harsh," Demetri's lips formed into a straight lime. "I'm not saying easy easy, because that gets annoying. I mean, the girls over there aren't going to let me get what I want so simply. They're going to tease me, seduce me, make me want it more. When Adam sees that you're just, you, I doubt he's still going to be very interested. Chasing can be fun, but it can get boring very quickly if the other person isn't doing anything."

"You still continue to chase me even though I don't do anything," I countered.

"Reasons for that is a combination of pride, enjoying pissing you off, amongst other things," Demetri folded his hands and cocked his head to the side. "I'm being blunt here Luanna. You're just not the type to make guys want to kiss you. And it doesn't have anything to do with appearances, just, you know, what I explained before. See how I got you to kiss me at the club. You don't have what it takes to do that."

I flinched. Feeling like someone just destroyed what little hope I had for anything happening between Adam and I. Demetri has said and done a lot of things within the years. But never have I felt as insulted and disgusted and... hurt, as I am now.

I always try not to take what he says personally. His opinions are irrelevant. I know he's right about me needing to open up more, but to do things I'm not exactly comfortable with just to get a guy? I'm inexperienced when it comes to guys and I thought that was ok. That maybe a guy like Adam would understand and just like me for me. Not all the little bullshit that Demetri was talking about. It all just sounds like more games.

Games games and more games. Why do people like Demetri and Allison thrive off them? There are other ways to cope with pain that don't have to involve hurting and toying with people. Or persuading and seducing and manipulating to get what you want.

I'm so sick and tired Demetri throwing his unneeded opinions around and butting into my business. In fact, I'm sick and tired of him toying with me period.

Everything in my head was clicking. I knew Demetri was always trying to get under my skin, but I was missing the big picture. As much as he says he respects my brother and wouldn't do anything to me out of respect for him, his words don't mean shit. He continues to flirt and taunt and do all this crap to I don't know? Fulfill his pride? Know that he could get any girl he wants even his best friend's little sister? Sickening.

At the club, I thought I saw something else to Demetri. A more human side, but even then he admitted to hurting people for fun. No matter how hurt you are, it doesn't give you an excuse to hurt other people.

Demetri doesn't have any respect for me, my brother, or for himself. All he sees me as is his little plaything. And for a second, I almost fell for it. I kissed him. I perhaps got a little envious of those girls he was flirting with today.

My head was spinning round and round in circles and the more I thought, the more angry I became. My hands clenched, digging into my palms again. The little voice inside my head was screaming for me to stop but I couldn't. This was the only way for me to be some sense of ok.

The toxic thoughts started pouring in, one dangerous one in particular. One manifested out of pure bludgeoning anger and vengeance.

Demetri deserved to know what it was like to be played, to be embarrassed. To be on the other end of the spectrum where you're shamed for getting fucked over. His victims that he's played with to boost his ego, that he just fucked and dumped, deserved justice. I deserve a little justice too. For all those years of torture and embarrassment, for actually trying to get me into his fuckboy clutches!

"You know what Demetri," I leaned my elbows down on the table. "Since you're the expert of getting people to want you, 'fall in love with you' as you say. How come I still don't have heart eyes for you yet?"

His face looked a lot more hard and rigid. I knew I was playing with fire but I didn't care. As the blood trickled down my hands, I knew there was no going back.

Then, he smirked.

"Oh Luanna, I got you to kiss me Friday night. And you didn't even know who I was," Demetri said smugly. "I got you just like I said I could."

I growled like an angry beast.

"You had to rely on the mask to help you. But no mask, and you're as repulsive as a cockroach," I snapped. "I bet I could do a better job without the help of a mask, and by just being myself, using my own tactics."

Demetri snickered.

"Sure you could, good luck when you embarrass yourself in front of Torres."

"I'm not talking about Adam, that's something I can deal with on my own. Right now, I'm proposing a deal between you and I," I said with confidence, something very out of order for me.

Demetri crossed his arms on the table and leaned in.

"You calling in a deal?" Demetri asked. "Go on."

My brain was screaming. Don't do it! Don't you dare-

But it was too little too late.

"Simple, the person who can get the other person to willingly kiss the other, wins."

Demetri's eyes widened, shocked that something this drastic came out of my mouth. Usually he was the one to commence our many little deals we've made over the years, but none of them had been this extreme before. But he keeps trying to make me his chess piece. If he wants to continue to play his little ego boosting games with me and the rest of the female population, then fine, let's play.

"Two deals happening at the same time. Wow, maybe I am becoming more of a bad influence, I'm so proud," Demetri's lip curled. "Any rules, prizes, tips on what chapstick brands you prefer? I know you're a sucker for anything flavored vanilla."

I grimaced at thought of him thinking about how my lips tasted. Maybe I should switch to coconut.

"Rules are, you can't force a kiss. Like you can't just grab the person's face and make it happen. If you do, you lose. The other person has to willingly make the move," I said. "No one can know about this, especially my brother. Or our relationship will be strained and your relationship with him will be over," I stated, Demetri started to look a little nervous. "Scared, want to back out yet?"

He leaned in closer, his breath fanning my face.

"Not a chance, I got this in the bag," Demetri said, his voice deepening.

"If I win, you have to stand on top of the thanksgiving table in the courtyard," I smirked close to his face. "And claim that you're off limits. That the great Demetri Garcia is... whipped."

Demetri visibly flinched. I could tell he was shouting inside at the thought of his precious masculinity being bruised.That'll hopefully turn as many girls off as possible to keep him from destroying anymore hearts.

"Fine, if I win, you get my name tattooed on your body in the place of my choice," Demetri menacingly grinned.

The blood left my face and I felt like I was going to pass out. My vision was dazed, as I tried to comprehend what words flew out of his mouth.

"Screw you-"

"Oh, scared and as pathetic as always. Things get too risky and you back out," Demetri taunted.

I exhaled like a bull through my nostrils.

"Fine, whatever."

"You sure Luanna? You're trying to beat me at my own game, meaning your way out of your element. Once we strike this deal, there's no backing out," Demetri's dark eyes stared into mine.

"I'm sure."

"Then do we have a deal?" Demetri stuck his hand out.

There were so many things that could go wrong. Maybe even a list longer than Santa's. Nobody in their right mind would approve of this. And I should back down right now.

But...

"Deal," I buried my hand in my sleeve.

I grabbed onto Demetri's hand and shook it firmly. As our hands shook, our eyes were locked, having their own private conversation. The matching smirks on our faces translated everything.

It's on.

***

"God, I thought today was never going to end," Kendall ran a hand through her hair.

I glanced at the leaves that continued to fall right in front of us. The scenery at Grove Park felt a lot like the night before the first day of school, only more red and yellow and colder. The grass was even browning.

I leaned back against the hood of Kendall's car, staring at the shiny lake. That was one thing that at least stayed the same. Surely that would change when winter freezes over.

Kendall went on and on about the annoying customers that came in today. I replied with little mhm's and yeah's and wow's, but it was clear that my mind was in a different place.

Ok earlier today, definitely wasn't my finest moment. And by that, I mean I acted like a crackhead.

What am I doing? It's not like me to be that impulsive, but it's just... Demetri. He brings out the idiot in me.

To make that deal though... I'm such a dumbass. I don't know the first thing about getting a guy to want to kiss me. I'm not flirtatious. I'm awkward and fidgety and the last thing I want to do is kiss Demetri anyways.

There wasn't a way to back out. If I do, I automatically lose which means a permanent stamp of Demetri's name on my body forever.

Other than that and the grueling moments we shared on the roof, I've got even more pressing issues. Like Allison. It doesn't seem she's going to be making amends with me anytime soon. It's so unlike her to stay dormant for this long, but I suspect she could be cooking up something big for me.

And then there's the notes. The thing that Aaron put on Mason's windshield saying I'm next. Maybe I wasn't reading into it too much, because I'm definitely being targeted now.

By the killer? Perhaps a weird ploy by Allison? Or a sick prank by Demetri?

I have no freaking clue.

I gulped at the way my hands felt. They felt damaged, bruised, mangled. The pain was deeper than the physical surface. Though I refused to acknowledge what was happening.

It's fine. I'm fine. I can handle this all. As long as know one knows what's going on, I'll be ok.

"And you're not even listening," Kendall grumbled.

I turned my attention towards her.

"I am too," I defended.

"Really?" Kendall tucked a piece of her coffee colored hair behind her ear. "What was I talking about?"

"About how you should get payed more?" My answer came out more as a question then an answer.

"Good guess, I really should though," Kendall nudged me before lying down on the hood beside me. "What's going on tiny?"

"What do you mean?"

"You ditched school today which is a very un-Luna thing to do. And you're a lot more nervous than usual," Kendall's eyes were worried. "Are you alright? Is it Allison?"

Deny deny deny.

"No, she's still leaving me alone. Aside from the dirty looks and maybe a few rude comments, that's about all the interaction we have," I said. It was true, until we're behind closed doors.

"Then what is it?"

"I don't know. I guess I'm a little on edge, these uh, these murders and accidents. Anyone of you at the club Friday could've been hurt Ken. Você entende?" I asked. "Caitlin is barely clinging onto life right now. Mary and JJ kept diverting the topics about what happened and nobody's heard from Cyrus who's probably crushed right now."

"Wow, take a breath girl," Kendall cracked a smile.

I couldn't help but smile a bit as I breathed and pushed my hair back.

"It's just a lot," I said.

"No kidding," Kendall agreed. "But we got to try to see the rainbow through the storm. Or else there's no point in trying to navigate through it."

"Pinterest quote?"

"Hell yeah, Pinterest is the shit," Kendall chuckled.

"What about you hun?"

"What about me?"

"Don't think I haven't noticed your energy being a little off too lately," I accused.

Kendall sighed and turned to look at the sky.

"You know, I never thought you could really hate anybody in life. Yeah, there are bad people out there, but to truly hate someone takes a lot," Kendall huffed. "And I mean this when I say this. I truly hate Veronica Rubio."

I frowned.

"Kendall, holding all that hate in your heart isn't good for you."

"I