[MARGARET]

I really couldn't believe how time passed by so fast. And judging by the cold weather -- colder than usual since winter was approaching, I could feel that Christmas was definitely coming.

If it was just like before wherein I didn't have any Christmas wishes, this year was different. That was because of my list of Christmas wishes that seemed to had been piled up starting from the time I never really gave much of a thought about those kind of things.

First, I wanted to see my half-brother again. I hoped that brother of mine would soon realize that I missed him. This was crazy. For some reason, I couldn't help feeling bad about this.

Second, I wished everything about me and Oliver would be resolved soon. After all, I agreed to talk to him that day right after my last class. He did ask me in a nice manner, even though I was still confused as to why Oliver was that sad the last time we talked.

Third, I hoped I'd be able to find answers to all questions bothering me about that Brent Jerk. Everyday, he was really acting weird -- at least in my opinion. It seemed like... his image about being a flirt turned worse. I would surely be surprised if ever I found out that he was still a virgin despite his image.

But then...

Why should I care about that guy in the first place?

That question never left my mind until in the afternoon. It was a surprise that I still managed to concentrate on my class even though, to tell the truth, my mind was in pieces at the moment.

Seriously, I could've shouted to the world that "This is torture!". But I wasn't that insane to do it. I was still in my right mind somehow.

I hurriedly gathered all my things placed on the table and put them all back in my backpack. I needed to hurry since this was the day that Oliver and I agreed to talk and I didn't want to be late.

Aside from that, I didn't want anyone to know that we would talk. That I agreed to what Oliver wanted about us talking things through just to clarify everything that had happened in the past. It would only make things even more complicated if someone found out about it.

Once I had my things all set, I immediately placed my bag on my shoulder and left that area. But then along the way, even though I wanted to avoid so that no one would try distracting me, he was there and grabbed my hand without a word just to stop me.

"What's wrong with you? Let me go!" I did my best to pull my hand from his tight hold with as much force as I could muster just for me to get away from this guy. But I wasn't sure why it felt as if Brent's hold on me was as hard as steel. "What's your problem?"

"You! You are my problem!"

What? Hah! And he really used me as a reason? This guy was seriously the one who I should consider as someone crazy between us.

"You know, if you don't have anything sensible to tell me, then let me go. I'd definitely end up punching you if I won't be able to restrain myself," I said as a threat with gritted teeth to this jerk. Seriously, what was the matter with this guy for him to act like this towards me?

I tried to pull my hand from his grip once again but to no avail. Damn it! Why was it that this guy was this persistent--not to mention really strong--today?

"What kind of craziness were you thinking and you agreed to talk with that Santiago guy, huh?"

How did he...

"You really made it a habit for you to interfere with my life, do you? That's not even your concern, to begin with. What I decide for myself is none of your business. The truce has ended so there wasn't anymore reason for you to meddle with my decisions and anything that I do."

"You really think I'm doing this just because of the truce? That I only decided to have at least some care in your life was because of that damn truce? Did you really think of me as a shallow person, Margaret?"

This was seriously confusing. Why was Brent doing this?

"Will you stop referring to me by my first name all of a sudden? We're not even that close."

"I won't!" Brent blurted that really surprised me.

He was facing me with those hard stares. What the hell was going on? Why was it that he looked... angry?

"And why not? You started referring to me by my surname. Now that the truce is over, I don't think you have any more reason for you to call me in any other name aside from that."

"I don't care if that hell of a truce ended or not. No one can stop me from calling you by that name. I'm the one who decided to call you like that ever since we started the truce. I don't give a damn care what you or the other people would think, but calling you by that name will give me the feeling that you're mine. So don't you dare stop me!"

I wasn't sure anymore as to what happened to me after hearing all that. Surprise wasn't even enough to describe how I felt because of that. My mind kept on shouting "was that for real?" as my mind kept on repeating the words that Brent said.

It did sound possessive. And to be honest, that was the first time I saw that side of him.

But that couldn't be. It shouldn't be enough me. With all the will and strength I had, I tried to free myself from his steel-tight grip once again.

Painstakingly, I succeeded.

"You really have the guts to say that to me. Anyway, what should I expect? No one could even stop you and you never let them, as well. That's why you're like that. You can't even stop yourself from hurting other girls' feelings. I think that's why... no one dared to stop you. Only because you never let them. You were the one who surrounded yourself with a barrier. It only made you decide not to give a damn care about the people you keep on hurting. But that doesn't give you any right to meddle with my business. The truce had ended for the both of us. So it's up to you on how you will return everything to the way it was before. I'm doing my part of the bargain. It's time for you to do yours."

After that, I left that place. I left Brent because I had to.

My goodness! Perhaps I said too much. I didn't even try to stop myself from doing so. Now I would be definitely doomed!