This story of Darius evoked mercy and kindness in Jennifer's heart. She wanted to hug him. Tell him she was sorry he had to go through this alone. Tell him that she would fight of Kurt, even if it meant burning him and his family down to the ashes. Wait, this is exactly what Adrian did. From this perspective, Adrian was the hero of the story. All this time, Jennifer thought he was wrong, he wasn't. Only if Jennifer had given him a chance to explain before she created this monstrous version of him in her mind.
Oh my god, she was about to commit such a big mistake. Luckily, she had considered Darius. "I don't know how , but one day Adrian got to know about Kurt bullying me. He told me to get up and fight for myself. He told me that he would back me up. That I would not fight alone but at that time, I was too scared. I repeatedly denied him. One day, his patience ended. He told me that either I should fight for myself or he would hurt me till the time I stood up for myself. That day I went back home and cried. A lot. At that time, I thought that I was mistaken. None of the rich kids ever knew kindness. But now I understand, he was trying to help me. Only, that his way was too harsh. Adrian used to beat me up, a lot. I used to accept it, a lot. He sometimes beat me up in public as well. I understood it recently. After Kurt's incident, he was a lot better with me. All this time, I thought Adrian and Kurt, both were the monsters of my life. I was wrong. Adrian wasn't. He was an angel in disguise of a monster to camouflage better."
Jennifer realized that she had done the same mistake. She had taken Adrian to be a heartless creature but he was the complete opposite. He was the light in the sea of darkness. The only difference was, he was a lot more courageous in speaking his mind. He understood the difference between right and wrong and he chose to stand by it. Even if the cost was his own personal image. Suddenly, Jennifer was feeling guilty for harboring all this hatred against him.
In all this, if anybody was to be blamed, it was her. She had been so unthoughtful to have perceived him like this. She had been paranoid and petty. Jennifer had to make it up to him. Today, she had learnt a lesson. Do not jump on to conclusions too soon.
"Do you wish to talk to him?" Jennifer was afraid she would start crying right there. "Not right now. First, I wish to muster up enough courage so that I don't have second thoughts when I am finally into it." Darius was already at the brink of tears. His eyes gave away the sadness and guilt. "Jennifer, one thing more. You are also rich. But you are kind. I am already shipping you both together." Jennifer blushed at the last line. Although it was unintentionally.
"Thank you Darius for your time today. I wish to be your friend and talk more in future." At this note, Jennifer and Darius finished their meeting and went back home. Jennifer had learnt a lot about Adrian toady. She respected him a lot more than she did a few hours ago. She even adored him. She knew he was courageous as a knight in shining amour and he spoke his mind with full honesty. Jennifer almost treasured him now. He was too precious for this world.
Jennifer had been selfish and unthoughtful. She had been irresponsible and hurtful. This guilt inside Jennifer was growing by the minute and she knew she had to do something to let it out. Jennifer decided to pick up Adrian's favorite food on her way back. She knew that Adrian was rich but simple at heart. Something as simple as food could bring him happiness.
"I promise to stand by your side till my last breath. Adrian, you shall never be alone." Jennifer whispered to herself as she got out of the car in front of her house and stepped inside only to be met by silence. The butler informed Jennifer that Adrian wasn't home. He had gone out after a few minutes Jennifer left the house.
Jennifer convinced herself. It was weekend. He stayed in her house and was her friend but that didn't mean he couldn't visit another friend of his. What if it was the girl he fell in love with? Oh that girl had been haunting Jennifer for a week now. She was so envious of her to the extend that she could almost murder her.
Jennifer tried calling Adrian but he didn't pick up the phone. She left text messages but he didn't reply. He didn't even see them. Meanwhile, after Adrian had seen Jennifer and Darius go inside, he was almost close to loosing his senses. He knew if he stood there, he would not be able to resist himself from spoiling their date and he couldn't let that happen. If Jennifer was doing this on her own will that meant she was happy with it. He wouldn't disrupt her happiness for his selfish cause. Adrian left that place on his bike, not knowing where he was headed.
He just turned left and right at his will. He wasn't afraid of getting caught. Underage driving was a crime but it was not like police in this town could stop him. For that matter, police of any town could stop him. Adrian was besides himself in anger. Boiling rage rose up to the point that he couldn't see anything clearly anymore. He couldn't hear anything clearly anymore.
All his senses were shut down. All that left was the writhing coil of pure, black anger. But who was he angry on? Darius? No. Jennifer? Definitely not. The world? Well, no one could blame him for that. Himself? The answer was himself. He was angry at himself. For letting Jennifer slip away. For not even trying to claim her. For giving up what belonged to him without a fight.
The world around Adrian dissolved in a blur of speed. The wind slapped his face desperately, trying to awake him from this thunderous mode he was descended into. When the depression faded away, Adrian felt barely alive. He was drained. Drenched in sweat. In a place god knows where. Panting heavily on the ground.
Adrian could see the road, the lake, the trees but they were all engulfed in darkness. Night had set in. He had to go home. Jennifer would have been home a long time ago.