~gloom's POV~
I saw them go downstairs before I got up to shut the door. I collapsed on my bed and tried to process all that just happened. Was I really sick? And why did Uncle Kael react that way?
I heard footsteps coming up the stairs so I shut my eyes. I didn't know why but I didn't want to face him alone. I heard the door knob and I shut my eyes tighter, pretending to be asleep. I didn't hear anything but the screeching sound of a chair being adjusted. Was he gonna hit me with a chair?!
Adrenaline pumped in my blood but died down after nothing happened. I opened my eyes slowly and saw him straddled on my reading chair again, looking at me with a deadpan expression as he studied my face through squinted eyes. My lips parted in an attempt to say something but no words came out. He beat me to it.
'Paige said therapy would be best for you' he stated plainly. I hated the thought of him listening to that Paige lady, to the extent my wordlessness was replaced with a mild anger.
'Paige said huh?'
'Yes and unlike you, Paige knows what she's talking about'
'Really? So you trust her more than you trust me?' I asked and he looked away.
'Besides, I don't even trust any drugs anymore' he stated ignoring my question. 'Therapy would be best'
'So you're gonna get me a therapist?'
'Yes. Paige is also into therapy but she figured you already didn't like her' she guessed right, I didn't.
'She's your girlfriend, isn't she?' I asked and he finally looked back at me with an all-knowing smile.
'You saw….'
'The kiss, right' I nodded. He seemed to be in a slightly better mood so I took advantage. 'Why'd you get all worked up earlier?'
'Because-' he straightened. 'I made a promise to your dad'
'A promise?'
'Yes. I promised that I'd take care of you no matter what'
I wondered how they made this promise, because my dad's death definitely wasn't predicted. Neither was my mom's.
'How? My dad didn't know he was gonna die, did he?'
'....He did. Just not in a car'
'What do you mean?'
'...Your dad actually had a similar disease. His was just worse. He knew he was going to die; it was just a matter of time'
'He never told me that'
'He wasn't intending to. He didn't want you worrying about him. He didn't want what happened to him to happen to you too. He wanted you to grow up happy, not depressed'
'Dad was depressed?' I asked and he nodded. 'B-but he never looked depressed'
'Exactly, he hid his depression away. From you, Dolores….and even me' he paused for a while. 'I only found out when I caught him attempting suicide one day' he said in a throaty voice. My eyes became moist and my throat closed up as tears threatened to fall.
So dad was suffering from depression and didn't bother to let us know about it. He would have died anyway, even if I told them about my nightmares. Waves of helplessness followed the tears that began to flow down my cheeks.
'That's why he was bound to die. He hid it away, so he died in silence'
'No!' I croaked.
'I shouldn't be telling you this' he mumbled getting up from the chair.
He really shouldn't have. It only burned deeper into my abyss of sadness. Still, I was bound to find out; I had to know. Now, I was suffering the same fate as my father. Only God knew what had driven him into this same hole of depression. He even tried to take his own life. Lucky for him, Uncle Kael was there.....Uncle Kael was always there. No wonder dad trusted him so much. I did too.
I sprung up and rapped my hands around his waist in a tight but loving hug. He reciprocated and placed his chin on my head. That was it. I let the tears flow like a river. They gushed out like a broken dam, damping his shirt. He didn't mind though.
'I'm sorry' I sobbed.
'No, I'm sorry I couldn't keep my promise' he rubbed my back affectionately and I shook my head hysterically.
'You did. This is all my fault'
'It's okay, it's okay' he rubbed my head with his chin.
'…I love you'
'I love you too'
~rage's POV~
This was the first time in a really long time I had had a friend over.
Hm. 'A friend'
I had really had a friend over today.
I smiled widely at the thought of it. We made chit-chat, had soda and even had dinner together. Just us....well, Levi was there too; the annoying third wheel. Or, was I the annoying third wheel. Smile and Levi did look cute together. My mood shifted as realization dawned on me. I had watched enough movies to know that friends remained friends unless one meets the other one's older brother, and they start dating, leaving the once best friend as a third wheel.
What if Smile and Levi started dating? Then I would be the third wheel...I had never been a third wheel before.
A frown settled on my face as I realized our blossoming friendship might wither early. I mean, no-one had ever not fallen for my brother. Just like no one had ever not fallen for me. His case was different though, at least he didn't have to go out in public…I did.
I had actually hoped for a friend that wouldn't be head over heels for my brother. I actually hoped Smile would be that friend. It wasn't too late though. I just needed to trust her, and to talk to him about it without sounding like a villain. I didn't want to be the antagonist of their adorable chemistry.
'Hahh' I sighed and shut my eyes, trying to shut my brain along with it. I retired from thinking for the day. Luckily, I fell asleep in a matter of minutes.
/the next day/
I pried my eyes open the moment sunlight hit my eyelids. I yawned then stretched a little before getting out of bed. Within minutes I was out of the bath and in front of my walk-in closet. I pulled out a white button-up crop-top and held it to my chest. It seemed too jovial for a Thursday, and remembering what had happened yesterday with Ace, I decided to wear something more…....BACK OFF!
I buried my hands deeper into the stack of clothes on the shelf and pulled out an obsidian coloured hoodie with the word 'bitchy' written in bold capital letters. Perfect! It would literally go great with my black and grey pleated skirt. I just had to find that.
'Rage!!' Gladys called from downstairs.
'Yeah, I'm coming!' I said running down the stairs, when a sweet sizzling aroma filled my lungs. It was the smell of eggs...…..and bacon!
'How'd you sleep honey?' Gladys asked scraping some bacon crust into the bin. I loved bacon crust.
'No, I want some!' I shrilled, ignoring her question and she smiled before serving it into my already full plate.
The aroma in the air, the sizzling sound of some more bacon being fried, the look of the smiling breakfast man on my plate, all made it impossible to skip breakfast this morning. One, I loved bacon. Two, I was hungry. Three, It was just 8:26, and four, I didn't want what happened yesterday at the cafeteria to happen again.
I took a seat and in a matter of seconds, the smiling breakfast man was gone. His two fried egg eyes, his bacon smile, his mustard-ketchup hair, were all in my stomach. Noah on the other hand, who had barely even touched his plate was staring at me in awe. He'd probably be thinking his daughter was such a food vacuum. Ha-ha, I was.
Getting up, I swung my bag over my shoulder and reached for my phone on the other end of the table...someone beat me to it though. It was Levi. He opened my 'definitely' passworded phone and seemingly browsed my contacts, with his phone in his other hand. He then sighed and looked up at me with a somewhat disappointed anger. He turned his back and left, not before handing me my phone back.
What just happened?
It happened too fast. I mean, one second he was with my phone and the next he had walked away. I was used to him switching and repressing his expressions or emotions quickly, but that...…that was new. My brother was just too difficult to read most times.
I checked my phone just in case he had done something and he didn't. Well, apart from hacking into my phone just now.
'How'd he even do that' I wondered before walking out the door.
Noah had already started the engine when I got into the car, so we just drove off….....this time without Gladys.
/at school/
I wasn't counting on seeing Smile at first. I didn't want to get my hopes up for the sake of this newly found friendship. She was the only friend I had made so far, so I'd rather not scare her away. Surprisingly, she was waving at me from the front of the school. Two girls were sitting next to her on the concrete slabs while she was standing smiling and waving at me. I pointed to myself just to make sure and she nodded with an expression that said 'obviously'. I hopped out of the car a bit excited, even forgetting to say bye to Noah. He reminded me anyway.
'Alright, bye! Have fun but stay safe! I love you!' he waved from inside the car.
'Bye, love you too' I waved in a hushed tone. It was a bit embarrassing. Thankfully, he didn't say so much before he drove away.
I nibbled on my lip as I strolled towards Smile and her….friends. I had only gotten familiar with Smile, definitely not the two blondes she was talking to.
'Hey!' the two blondes (that were actually twins) greeted first. They seemed unusually ecstatic to see me.
'Hi' I smiled back.
'This is Rage you guys' Smile almost whispered to them.
'Duhh' one exclaimed. I was shocked, how did they know me but I didn't know them?
'The only one who's successfully stood up to Skye' she stated.
'…and attracted Ace without even trying' the other twin added and Smile grinned at me.
Ohhh! So this is how they knew me; from the cafeteria and canteen fiasco. I didn't know that would make me popular.
'By the way, I'm Summer Halo' one of the twins (the one with golden blonde hair) held her hand out. I hesitated a little before I finally shook it. They already knew my name so there was no need introducing myself.
'And I'm Autumn Halo' the other one (the one with faint streaks of red in her blonde hair) grinned.
'Cute twin names' I thought.
We talked a little more before the assembly. They seemed really friendly, like they genuinely wanted to be my friends. I wasn't sure though, I wasn't sure who to trust yet. After all, 'All that glitters is not gold'. I didn't know whether they had smirks under those smiles, or eyes of distaste under those eyes of admiration, or an ulterior motive under that friendly atmosphere around them. I wouldn't trust them...…yet.
Periods and periods passed by quickly, although I actually found myself paying attention to the lessons this time. During lunch, Smile introduced me to more of her friends; Penny (short for Penelope) Wilson, Dawn Martinez, Ruby LeBlanc, Simon Rodrigo and Xander (short for Alexander) Gray. The guys were impressively cute, but just not my type. The introductions got so overwhelming I even hid in the bathroom...twice. I knew Smile was just trying to be nice, but she was really pushing it. Or maybe I'm just not tolerant or patient enough for friends yet.
The bell went for 7th period, which was P.E so I went to go change. Apparently, it was basketball practice. I had no ace in basketball…
..….AT ALL. My brother on the other hand was an absolute pro. He even tried to teach me maybe once or twice (or six times)…but, I was so definitely screwed in the game of basketball.
A deep intake of oxygen (that probably wasn't even oxygen) sent a sexy masculine scent to my brain, and I swear it glitched. I recognized the scent to belong to a certain someone I had tried my best to not think about the whole day...…well, until now.
Oh god! How did I even recognize his scent?!
'Arrrgh! That stupid shameless seductive magician' I thought and almost nearly blurted it out. I jammed my locker shut and turned, only to see him standing right there, leaning on the opposite lockers, arms and legs crossed...…in a towel. I couldn't believe my eyes, a little because…what the hell was he doing here!? But mostly because…..DAMN! He was hot. He was also silent but his bare shoulders and chest and torso stacking up fine abs already screamed what he didn't even have to whisper: I'm PER-FECT. His crossed arms even flexed his muscles.
He pushed himself forward, away from his leaning position and started walking slowly towards me. He was just a few inches away when I finally realised I had been staring. I darted my eyes at everything but him; I had gaped at him long enough already. I wasn't looking at him but I could tell he was smiling. Slowly averting my gaze back to him, I found out I was wrong. He wasn't smiling at me, he was smirking evilly and that dark lustful gaze had returned. I took a small step backward. He took one too. I took more steps, he followed. A last step had my head to the locker with a 'clank'.
'Dead end' I thought. I couldn't go back anymore. There was nowhere to go, run or hide. There was no escape from him or that ravenous look in his eyes. There was no more steps for me to take away from him.....unfortunately, there was for him. He took the last steps forward and our bodies were so close I bet he could feel my nipples on his bare chest. The fact he hadn't said a thing for so long grinded my bones to the core. His lips were sealed but his eyes were very outspoken; they said what he wanted in bold capital letters. At that very moment all I wanted to do was melt into the ground.
Where was my courageous anger when I needed it the most and why the fuck was I dumbstruck?!
'It has to be his physique' I said to myself, stealing glances at his perfect body. I had to convince myself that I wasn't falling for this sexy sorcerer. It just had to be admiration. It shouldn't.....couldn't...it wouldn't be anything else.
'You can touch…..if you want to' he finally uttered in the most restrained yet erotic voice I had ever heard. It sounded like he was supressing something or trying his best to control a certain urge. Like he was keeping something he shouldn't be intact. Before I could even move or open my mouth to say something, he had taken my hand and slowly placed it on his hard, bare chest, never lifting his intensified gaze off me; as if he was checking to see if I would react or submit to him. I didn't know which one myself. I actually surprisingly liked the feel of his chest under my palm. Cliché but C-R-A-Z-Y!!
'Wait-what! No I don't! What am I thinking!?!' I scrambled silently.
That's the point, you're not. Vy teased. His spicy scent intoxicated your brain. She was right, it absolutely did. Ooh feel his shoulders! Size them up, pleaaase. I wanna know how they measure.
She continued shamelessly.
How could she ask me to feel his shoulders!?!
He let you feel his chest, didn't he?
I didn't know how, but in the next second I was trailing my hands up his chest reaching his shoulders. There was both shock and precision in my movements. Size them up, huh? They were broad muscular shoulders and I couldn't help squeezing them. My actions made him press his lips together in amusement, then he burst out laughing; a charming genuine one, it wasn't sinister or mocking.
I flushed in embarrassment before his smile faded away (at least I could see traces of his expressions, unlike Levi). He lifted his hands to my semi-exposed belly; the place just below my breasts. My body stiffened at first and I was sure it would react now...…it didn't.
Not even a flinch. It was as if it was waiting for what he would do next. Anticipating.
Sure, he didn't say anything charming or seductive but just his touch shut down my systems. My heart skipped a freaking beat when he began caressing the lowest sides of my breast with his thumbs. He narrowed his gaze and studied me, as if waiting for a reaction. A sharp gasp was all he got and he seemed very unsatisfied. For the first time ever I saw a shade of determination in those usually prurient emerald eyes.
'You're beautiful, you know' he whispered in a damn sexy tone. I had been called beautiful almost all my life, and I knew I was but somehow, I felt a thousand times more beautiful now that he'd said it.
Hell! What had this guy done to me in a matter of minutes? What sort of 'hocus-pocus', 'presto-chango', 'abracadabra' was this. Did he cast some kind of magic spell, or was that scent of his a sprinkle of magic fairy dust. I just couldn't understand the effect of being alone with this guy for literally just six minutes (talk less about the two years I was gonna be spending with him).
He lifted his hand to my face and cupped my left cheek, caressing my cheekbone with his thumb. He licked his lips lowering his gaze to mine. Then he caressed my lips as well as if pondering on what to do with them. While all this was happening, I was busy wondering where my caged tiger was. I mean, she couldn't just have been tamed by this fearless magician. What on earth was going on for heaven's sake?!
I converted my attention back to him and realised that dark lustful glitter in his eyes was gone...…well, almost. It wasn't as profuse as it was earlier. I stared deep into his eyes in search of its replacement but I couldn't find it. I guess he could be hard to read too. He stared back into my eyes, as if he couldn't look away, as if he was being drawn deeper...….being sucked in. He didn't look like he was looking for anything, there was nothing to look for in these void eyes of mine. Instead, it seemed like he was trying to trap me in his, he wanted me lost in them. I couldn't say I wasn't already.
All of a sudden, he started leaning in. Yes! This had to trigger a reaction…..….something! Anything!! ...…nothing. He leaned in closer and closer and closer...….and then, I felt it. Well, I felt his nose, but just a split second before I felt his lips....on mine.
He finally kissed me.