Silence.
The sea of eyes shifted to them.
Jasmine blinked, and Evans could hear her heart beating faster than normal.
"Wh..what?" She stammered.
Evans stood there; he didn't move. His arm was extended, and the ball was still clenched tightly in his hand. Jasmine turned her gaze to the ball, then back to him.
"What just happened?" She inquired softly.
"Hey, nerd."
Evans' gaze shifted.
He recognized that voice.
Edward.
He was standing with a few others, and his hair was freshly dyed green. A smirk was playing on his lips, and his hands were in his trouser pockets. He had black shades on, and he looked healthy, as if he did not sustain any injury from that night.
"That was intentionally meant to hit," he said as he walked closer, while the group behind him chuckled. "I did not know our special nerd now has the reflexes to catch a thrown ball."
Jasmine's eyes darkened as she turned her gaze to him. "You are back, and the next thing you could do is create trouble, isn't it?"
Edward shrugged. "It is a game between my nerd friend and me."
"Do not call him.."
Evans caught her wrist firmly as she tried to move. "Let it go."
"Throw the ball back, loser," Edward said in a low tone.
Evans glanced at the ball, then at Edward. Without any response, he hurled it back precisely. The ball landed in Edward's hands with hard force that jerked his arms back slightly.
Edward's smirk faltered for a moment, then he straightened. "Nice throw."
"Let's go," Evans said to Jasmine as he released his grip from her wrist.
Jasmine frowned, still visibly annoyed. "We just go and let him continue his bullshit?"
"Please."
Jasmine hesitated, then they resumed walking while Edward and his friends watched. Evans adjusted his glasses. There was no doubt that he had grown stronger, but if Edward kept up with his rubbish, he'd be forced to reveal the growing force in him.
"I am not pleased that you let us walk away like losers. Who knows what else that stupid Edward would do?" Jasmine said, then added, "You caught that ball really fast anyway. Have you been working out?"
Evans didn't look at her. "Yes. Some push-ups and other exercises."
"Good for you. If possible, ignore Edward. That guy is nothing but bad news."
Evans nodded.
He could ignore Edward, but Edward would never ignore him.
They reached the lecture hall shortly after, and for the rest of the day, Evans kept his distance.
Later that night, Evans lay on the bed. His senses had heightened, and his gaze was fixed on the ceiling.
He had had a roller coaster day, and surprisingly, it was not exhausting.
He could hear the wind brushing past the window and his mother moving in the kitchen downstairs.
Then his own heartbeat, controlled and steady.
A faint sound caught his attention.
The arrival of a car, but not just any car; Ophelia's car.
He sat up instantly, then grabbed his jacket, which was across the bed. As he headed to the door, he stopped. He needed to think about an excuse to give to his mother. He couldn't just walk out without her questioning him. He made up his mind and walked to the living room.
He reached the living room and found her seated on the sofa, flipping a magazine in her hands.
She looked up immediately. "Evans? You are still awake?"
"Yes," Evans replied calmly. "I need to step out a bit."
Jane furrowed her brows as she shifted her gaze to the wall clock. "At this time?"
Evans nodded. "Yeah… There is a group assignment. It is a very important one, and we have to meet up early tomorrow, so we are finalizing a few things tonight. I won't take long."
Jane studied him, her expression unreadable. She did not look convinced, but that did not matter to Evans; he just needed to get out.
"You guys couldn't finalize during the day?" she inquired.
"They changed the schedule, Mom. We were very busy today."
A brief silence followed, then Jane exhaled.
"Is it the friend from the cafe?" she questioned as she closed her magazine.
"No… not..
"Come on, you shouldn't lie to me," she cut in as she rose.
Evans hesitated.
"Yes."
Jane smiled softly as she walked towards him, then adjusted his collar. "That is great. You are dressed differently, so I know. I don't know what you guys are planning to do tonight," she stopped closer and whispered to him, "Use a condom."
Evans knitted his brows as she stepped back. "No… no. I'm not doing whatever you're thinking."
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't mind… You are no longer a teenager, so don't forget, okay?"
Evans gave a small nod and then headed for the door.
When he stepped outside, his gaze landed on Ophelia's car. Her headlights were off, and she was leaning against the car. She wore a black dress and black boots, then waved at Evans as she saw him.
Evans walked towards her. "Why are you out? My mom is probably looking out the window."
Ophelia raised her brows as Evans got into the passenger seat. "Really? I'd love to meet her."
She slid into the driver's seat while Evans leaned back, his eyes calmer.
"Let's just get this over with," he said quietly.
Ophelia smiled, then started the engine. "So… why didn't you challenge Edward when he threw the ball?"
Evans furrowed his brows. "You were there?"
"Not really. I can hear well," she answered back.
"Edward isn't planning on letting me be anytime soon."
"It is obvious. Should we do something to set his head straight?"
Evans shook his head. "No. I think I can talk to him…
You can't talk to him, Evans," Ophelia interrupted firmly. "About your powers, you shouldn't use them in public like that. It will cause suspicion… it will draw attention to you."
"Jasmine's head was about to get crushed by that ball. I can't let an innocent person suffer in a fight between me and a crazy werewolf," Evans answered back.