Wrong question to ask, Eden realized. After all, she wasn’t the only one with things she’d rather not talk about. She didn’t fail to notice the distant look in his eyes, nor the dark look that appeared just for a second. She let him change the subject.
“I like the animals,” she answered slowly. “I hate the zoo. Most of them.”
group
She didn’t press him about it… Interesting. He would have thought that she, of all people, would try to get under his skin and expose his weaknesses. But she didn’t, and that was a mystery in itself.
“You don’t like the zoo? How come?” Sterling asked, tilting his head to the side curiously.
Eden heaved a sigh, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. “No one likes being caged up,” she murmured, not knowing why she was even elaborating. “Chained down, put on display. No one likes that.”
group
Sterling blinked, watching her carefully. It was cute when she did that, twirled her hair around her finger. He wondered if it was even a conscious movement or if she did it out of habit.
“Right, of course… But you know that some of these animals wouldn’t even survive in the wild, right? Some were brought here because they were abandoned as babies, or their parents died or something, and then they were raised here and can’t be released into the wild again because hey wouldn’t know what to do. They never learned how to live on their own,” he explained softly.
Eden swallowed thickly, not noticing the way he looked at her as she took in his words.
“I know,” she answered quietly. “But does it make it any better? Being used for public entertainment… it would have been a different story if it was something otherwise, no? If they’re here to be conversed, why keep them for amusement? Human socialization isn’t a necessity for them to survive.”
group
“Right. Of course,” Sterling hummed, nodding slowly. “And I suppose they could have put some of them in other places where they could have rehabilitated them…”
Eden merely shrugged, ceasing the twirling of her hair and instead taking off her glasses, cleaning the lenses again. She breathed, feeling a little nauseous. She should have at least eaten something. She still couldn’t stomach anything, not unless she was sure she wouldn’t create suspicion.
“What about you?” She quirked an eyebrow, though she didn’t look up at him. “Are you enjoying so far?”
group
“I am, actually. It was cool getting that kid back to his parents,” Sterling said with a small grin. His gaze followed her movements as she cleaned her glasses, just… observing her. “What did you think of that?”
Eden shrugged, remembering his small arms around her neck. It also made her remember the times she was attached to her own mother. Crying when she went to work, waiting for her to come home every day. And then having Lucas trying to distract her and her father being… her father. She blinked the thoughts away.
“It was unexpected,” Eden responded quietly. “But I suppose it was nice that he was able to find his parents.”
group
“It was… I’m glad we could help them,” Sterling mused before taking another bite of his food.
“One more hour here,” Eden murmured. “Where haven’t we gone yet?”
group
Sterling glanced around for a moment as he finished his burger. “The aquarium part, I think. Do you want to go there?”
Eden furrowed her eyebrows. "There's an aquarium?" she peered up to look at him. "This is my first time coming to this specific zoo. I didn't think it had an aquarium."
group
“It’s on the map,” Sterling mentioned with a shrug. “We could go check it out?”
Eden set her glasses back on her face. “If you want to go, you can join another group. I think I’ll stay here for a while.”
group
Sterling frowned slightly and leaned back in his seat. “We’re supposed to stay in at least groups of two… I’ll stay with you if you don’t want to go.”
Eden merely shrugged. "Hasn't been the first time I've broken a rule. Won't be the last. They'll likely not care if it's me."
group
Sterling shrugged and simply looked across the table at her. “There’s nothing I really want to see, so I may as well stay.”
"Suit yourself," Eden murmured as she rested her head on the table, closing her eyes. She didn't bother taking off her glasses. Why was he so intent on sticking with her? She wasn't interesting, save for her title. There wasn't anything worth appreciating. So why was he so intent on uncovering her?
Eden exited the bus, stifling a yawn. Finally, she'd be able to go home. She was tired and all she wanted to do was curl up on her bed, hugging Razor close. She wouldn't be able to fall asleep–she didn't bet on that, but at least the presence of her cat would calm her nerves. Sterling had once again sat next to her and the close proximity had bothered her. Eden still couldn't tell whether it was a bad feeling or a good one.
"All right, that's it for today," their teacher smiled. "Good job, students. You all behaved excellently! Get home, now, and rest."
group
Sterling stretched, yawning as he stepped won from the bus. He glanced around and said goodbye to the other students before finding Eden and catching up to her.
“Hey,” he greeted her with a grin, hands stuck in his back pockets.
Eden nearly smiled back, his grin far too contagious for his own good. She managed to keep her lips in a straight line. She was trying to get away quickly, she wasn't going to lie, but leave it to Sterling to intercept her before she could make her getaway.
"Hey yourself," she murmured, crossing her arms over her chest.
group
“Did you end up having at least somewhat of a good time, even though you hate the zoo?” Sterling asked, partially teasing her, partially curious.
Eden looked at him for a second before shrugging.
"I enjoyed it," she answered honestly, not bothering to lie. "And I don't hate all zoos. Just… some of them. This one was nice. The animals had enough space."
group
Sterling chuckled, nodding slowly. “Cool. It’s great that you had a good time. I guess I’ll see you later, then, since I’m sure you’re wanting to go home right now.”
Eden merely nodded, releasing a breath through her nose.
“Yeah. See you later, Ainsley,” she dipped her head in goodbye, turning around to walk away when she paused, turning around slightly. She bit her lip before opening her mouth. “I guess you’re not so bad after all, Sterling.”
She didn’t bother waiting for his reply.
group
Sterling blinked in shock. Eden had just said… What?
“…Not so bad after all…”
A grin split his face, and he couldn’t hide it. He had to turn away to make sure she wouldn’t turn around and see it, shaking his head as he chuckled to himself.
“Not so bad,” he mumbled to himself as he made his way to his car. “Not so bad…”
[TIME SKIP:]
Eden had the worst luck ever. She hated it, hated for walking to school and not driving. A peace of mind, she said. She always did this to herself. Always. It would have been easier if she had her car. Heck, it would have been better had Lucas not gone to Ashley’s after his class ended. if it thundered… Eden shut the thought down immediately. She could handle it herself, so she shook her head and stepped out into the intense rain, teeth chattering as the water hit her, wind blowing heavily. Five minutes into the rain and she was already drenched.
It didn’t help with the fact that there was a new bruise forming on her left cheek. But nothing new, right?
group
Sterling has just made it to his car when he felt raindrops on the back of his neck. He shivered at the cold feeling, quickly unlocking the black Mustang and slipping inside. A few minutes later, it was a full-on downpour outside. Thankfully, he could still see well enough to drive.
And he could see well enough that he spotted a familiar figure walking along in the rain. He slowed down and opened the window as he pulled up beside Eden McArthur.
“Need a ride?” he called, offering her a small smile.
Eden looked up in surprise, wet hair pasted to her face. She pushed it aside and released a shuddering breath.
“I’m good,” she responded, though her voice wobbled a bit. Why was it so damn cold? She sniffled, looking ahead of her again. “My place isn’t far. I can walk.”
group
Sterling shook his head and glanced forward again. “Eden, it’s pouring rain. I’m pretty sure it’s only going to get harder. And I think there’s going to be thunder and lightning soon. Please, just get in. I’ll drive you back to your place.”
