Elaine
I had never been to a soccer match before, the only time I sat at the bleachers was in my old school. Sure I had been on the ground when P.E coach would make us all sweat blood during our junior year. It was also the perfect opportunity for students to picture me as a target disguised as flesh and bones. In all, this place held memories that were cringe worthy enough for me to avoid them as much as I could.
But here I was today, seated at the farthest corner, with the huge wall behind protecting me from the blazing sun, the shadow acting out as a shield while I chew on my apple. The zone was empty, except for some sports enthusiasts who were practicing over the field even during lunch.
I stretch my legs, resting them upon the head of the seat in front as I leaned back comfortably, scanning my tab once in a while as I crunch on the juicy goodness.
The multiple screens showed me the present status of high school, students in the cafeteria eating mysterious meat that was provided to them, some in detention, make out breaks for lovers across corridors and principal Hopkins in her office getting up from her seat to get a break for herself. An everyday common occurrence, nothing special.
I hacked into the security surveillance the day I finally had aced my training from Nathan, I can not just watch, but also control what the school's security base sees, who would in all honesty be doing their job. They could witness the same student running out of washrooms for three days straight if I want them to. Being a fast learner has its perks when you master an art thrice the time early as anyone else could. Though my behavior may sound creepy, the intentions are pure.
During my bullying years, I would use the footage to direct me to the safest route from where I could avoid the bullies, It was of use only till the whole school was turned against me. One must be wondering that since now the bullying ceased, what's the use of stalking the whole school population?.
Let's just accept the fact that it has to do with certain three homo sapiens who I would like to avoid at all cost.
A loud whistle cuts through the air as I narrow my eyes to the source, the coach has appeared in the scene making the jocks run laps across the arena.
I entertain myself in their misery for a while but soon got bored and returned to the tab on my lap.
The next bite of apple paused in mid bite as I saw two familiar faces enter, no scratch that sneak into the Principals office in her absence.
They both seem to argue over something before, Aiden stands by the door outside as April goes inside and wanders over to the computer.
Now that's interesting.
And also stupid, since they could get expelled if they were caught. Which they surely would have if I wasn't generous enough to have replayed the older footage for the guards in charge to see.
For some reason I found myself getting up, swinging the backpack in one of my shoulders I walked to the destination, as I did so my conscience questioned me about my crumbling profile of self respect. But I shoved them away into the corner of my head wishing I could do the same at night when sleep was too precious for my senses.
I had dumped the pills after Nathans outburst. It was time I do it. But I also know the outcome. In near future I see myself struggling, breaking and tiring the nerves which would always depend on those little white drugs for sleep and sensibility.
I wish I am wrong.
Ignoring Aiden who still stood in the same position leaning against the wall beside the door trying to be casual jumped a little when he noticed me go for the knob.
"You can't go in there" his hands were above mine holding my movements intact. I regarded him with a bored look. He frowned.
"I know April is in there?" his mouth opened to say something but before that, I already tore the door open and let myself in.
"Is she he-" startled Aprils words died in her thoracic cavity when she saw who it was.
Aiden stumbled inside too. The door closed behind him with a rusty groan.
"You guys seriously have the knack to get caught," I said motioning them towards the camera.
They looked at each other, then at the camera. The realization dawned upon them.
"Oh shit" they tried to scramble off the room when-
"Don't worry, the situation is under control" I mused as I walked towards the desk to pry on what they had been up to. For saving them it's what I think I deserve to know.
"What do you mean by it's under control" they both walked towards me simultaneously as I sink in the swivel leather chair of Mrs. Hopkins.
I look at their confused faces and decided to let it go. There's no gain or loss here, they made their selves crystal clear and I might just crystalize myself as well.
I slide the tablet with a force on the surface of the mahogany desk, Aiden picked it up to skimmed through the screen for a while, His face was that of in between shock and confusion.
"How?" he asked as April now snatched it from him to inquire it herself.
"Theres this thing called hacking" I grabbed the abandoned half devoured apple and took the bite. "You might wanna keep an eye on that screen for the principal" I nodded at April who watched with a look of awe etched to her face.
"You are a hacker?" Aiden questioned the obvious as I rolled my eyes.
"No, I am a joker"
"But how?" April asked biting her lips.
"What do you mean how?"
"You don't look like one" she gave me a ones over, taking in my dark orange full sleeved shirt and black skinny jeans. Okay' this outfit might have been inspired by the title orange is the new black but who is she to judge. "And never strike us as one" she reasoned.
"That's a bit stereotypical and hypocritical coming from older people being paid to pretend as high schoolers." they both flinched a little probably recalling our current relationship status which was like a sinking ship. I should be embarrassed by the fact I was played, fooled, and betrayed by them. But as I said, I am way more feel curious than ashamed.
"Now tell me what are you guys are doing here? I was more than fine with the idea of you guys being kicked out of here. But I am a good person so I will just nag you for some answers in return for my favor." I smiled mockingly.
"w-we are trying to delete an email" Aiden hesitated but answered nevertheless.
"An enemy from the old gang we used to work in has sent an email to her about our real self, with proofs. And they were sick enough to give us a heads up so we could run around like a headless chicken until we were officially expelled." April sighed as she checked the surveillance for any suspicious alert.
"Were you successful?"
"Nope, the principal was stupid enough to leave her room unlocked but not the computer" he ran his hands through his hair frustrated. "If only Alex would agree to go back, none of this would matter" he muttered as I ignored the pang in my chest as I heard his name.
Without a word I started to reboot and work on the system, renaming magnifires shutting down rebooting again, modifying the accounts.
"What are you doing?" with my mind running the speed of a jet I hadn't realized that they both stood either side of me, crouched enough to see what I was doing.
"Helping?" I said not taking my eyes off the monitor.
"You will do that for us, after all the things we did to you?" Aiden asked tentatively, I could feel his gaze on the side of my face. I paused, my fingers stopped flying over the keys for few seconds.
"I am already doing it, so yeah." Deep down I know why I am doing this. I hate him, but for some reason even the hate in me demands for some questions to be answered before it amplifies. If he really is in danger, I don't want him to be alone. If the twins can protect him, the least I could do is make sure they are with him.
He is worse than Tyler.
And I am just an expert at dealing with the worst kinds.
By helping them live and trying to make them guilty by helping them. As selena Gomez says kill em with kindness.
Shaking the thoughts out of my head I press the ease access, the windows pops up.we find the message and delete it. then I cleared the system of any unexpected intruders activities, which was unfortunately me. But instead of being satisfied with the achievement all three of us jump on our place when the door bursts open.
"she'll be here i-" silence fills the room for prolonged seconds, Alex pauses mid sentence as he takes in his surrounding, he looks at me then at April switching it to Aiden then back at me.
"What's going on, why is she here?" he regards coldly and suddenly the air in the room is three times thicker and I want to punch him and cry at the same time.
That versatile block of a stone.
"That she here saved our ass" Aiden for some reason backed me up. I don't even need a back up since I was the one who helped them.
"what do you mean, Hopkins will be here in" he checked his watch, he did his best playing the nonchalant act, but the twitch of his lips and wavering gaze told otherwise "ten, I wasn't able to hold her for long" he looked at April completely avoiding my presence which as much as I hate to admit, it hurts.
"It had a password" April announced, Alex opened his mouth to say something when Aiden interrupted.
"And Elaine here hacked into the Pc thereby deleting the mail"
I felt myself sinking deeper into the chair as his intense eyes met mine, it held so many theoretical emotions and nothing practical at the same time. They were not hard or accusing, just intense, admiring and amused.
"she even tricked the cameras here to forge a fake footage, can you even believe how cool that is?" Aidens grin was wider than Texas, and my blush more crimson than the word crimson. There were many words people worked on to describe me and cool was something alien to the category.
"Now that's fascinating, you never mentioned your skills with computers before" I watched him as he raised his brow, amusement lacing his tone. It was first talk of his directed towards me after that night. The brown hair making him appear way more collected and level headed then he already appears. In fact the girls of this school made it a soaring topic as the treading tag of the town became #alexhotterinbrown.
They could make a pool out of the drools collected from them.
I got up, pulling the strap of bag over my shoulder and grabbing the tab back. Throwing the remains of the apple on the bin I walked past him, I could feel his gaze burning holes at the back of my head, till I pushed the door open and took a deep breath, as I stride to my next class not once looking back. I don't think he waited for an answer because he can't expect me to forget what he did. A punch or a knock of hammer on head, yes. But not a friendly conversation about sunrise and tacos.
I ignored them all over when history came, sat beside Tyler as huge gasps erupted in the class, my last seat, the signature seat of Elaine Winters lay forbidden, alone beside a guy with canon of icy blue daggers for eyes.
"Should I consider that my apology has been accepted?" he asked his voice low only for me to hear.
"The only thing I had accepted so far is the fact I can't kill you, because I am too young for jail" I pretend to listen to the class, still the teacher with mysterious accent. I wonder how students even pass the subject.
"Woah, who are you? An alter ego?And where is the coward Elaine I used to know?" he held both of his had in surrender, as I shot him a look of superior message, which said shut up.
"I am sorry, I shouldn't have said that. You were never a coward. That was me"
"Shh, I am trying to figure out what he's saying" I motioned him with a wave of my hands. I could feel the curious look of the whole class on us.
"And I'll just go back to dodge the reality in which I am being imaginarily smashed into a pancake by a jealous guy" the urge to turn my head and witness it first hand was won over my pride.
I would have easily forgiven his pride had he not mortified mine.
For purpose unknown l, the quote from pride and prejudice flashed across my head.
Though I was not aspiring as Elizabeth Bennett and nor was he a snobby Darcy,though he could be if he wants to. But the only thing that's common between us is the lies we feed each other and truths we keep running away from. He did what he had to in order to save himself, but the way was fallacious. But what scares me the most is would I do such thing willingly to bent the situation on my will when the time comes. Will I destroy someone too, use their emotions as a tissue paper to stir things clear for myself.
The unanswered queries were up to the future as the sound of the bell felt like a lullaby to my ears. The day was over and home, food, and shower seemed like an amazing blueprint for the evening.
As I walked over the pavement with nothing but peace in mind when I felt the presence of someone behind, that someone was driving something that's suppose to roar its way like a leopard and not drag itself sluggishly like a snail beside me. Ignoring it, with hands under my pockets I continued.
The host rolled the glasses down and guess who it was? Go figure.
"Get inside" Alex said, it sounded more like an order. Wait, it was an order.
I pulled a gum out of my pocket and tossed one in my mouth.
"I will drop you and you don't have to see my face inside the car, you can look at the other side if you want" I chewed harder, a few people passing gave us a weird look, but said nothing.
"Stop being so -" his voice blended in with the blaring music of EMINEM as I successfully shuffled and found my headphones.
For a healthy minute I thought he gave up and left as I saw there was no fancy red car accompanying me, just to make sure I turned to see what I expected was an empty street, only to bump my nose into a black clothed chest.
"Ugh" was the sound I made when I saw his amused look. A controlled smirk threatening to escape his lips.
"You stubborn brat" he flinched a little and that's when I realized I had my headphones on and must've been pretty loud.
He yanked them away despite of my petty protest about human rights. He neatly folded them and tucked them away in his back pocket.
"You are coming with me" he said grabbing my wrist, as I immediately pulled it back. A whiff of something passes his features, like hurt. And then I got aware of who I was dealing with, it must have been his injured pride.
"Why do you think I'll let you drive me home?" I craned my neck, taking an intimidating step closer. He regarded me as if I was a bunny throwing tantrums to eat carrots instead of broccoli.
"You will come with me or else_"
"Or else what huh, threaten me? force me? gre-
"I will kiss you"
There was a long pause, a very long silent dreadfully painful pause. We could hear a distinct sound of complaints about the colour of boxers fading from a pissed off guy in neighborhood.
"You are crazy" I breathed angry. How dare he say something like that. How dare he even breath the same air as me.
"I've been told that more times than I could remember" he took a step closer while I retreated back " now don't play with my patience and come with me, I want to show you something."
I tried choking out a weak argument, when
"Don't even try it, I don't bluff" But then his jaw clenched, his gaze diluted to what I believe was a disappointment. "Forget what I said. I won't touch you without your consent. I am sorry"
The respect and guilt in his tone does the job that his stubbornness couldn't. Also the side of desperation I never knew he was capable of.
I gulp, and slowly followed him where he had left the car. He opened the door which I close it before opening it again for myself. He rolls his eyes making his way round the driving side. He starts the car and I don't question him. we were not going home,no. we were too far away to be on the same town.
To break the uncomfortable silence I turn on the radio. Darkside by Alan walker slowly fills the space. Not once I look at him but could sense his eyes on me whenever he got the break from his need to focus on road.
We're not in love
We share no stories
I rest my head on the glass watching the trees fly past us, present becoming a past, as I feel the sleep taking over me.
The shadows know me
Let's leave the world behind.
It takes me in its calm sense of nothingness, expecting a dream of euphoric life that i wished for, and not nightmares for once as the last few lyrics of song fades away.
Let go of the light
Fall into the dark side.
***