Elaine
"It's Halloween today" Nathan declared leaning his back on headboard of my bed.
"Thanks for reminding me, I wouldn't have known" I said scanning his costume, a black and white tuxedo complimented by a shiny pair of shoes, I wonder what he is?
"A-a-and you are here r-reading a book about whales mating" Noah grumpily stated sleeping on his stomach beside his brother who chuckled. He has been like that since April left. It's been a week and all I do is think about him and other times try not to think about him.
"It's about animal's behavior and psychology" I ducked my head turning into a new page.
"I see a whale on cover page who looks like its having the time of his life, I bet there's a chapter dedicated about it" Nathan crossed his arms behind his head sighing.
"Can we not talk about this" I shuddered and resumed reading.
I waited for them to leave, but the glorious period never came. Instead they snuggled more comfortably under my duvet. Frowning I sat up on the bean bag. Closing the book with force I gave them a plain look.
"Why are you guys here?"
"You know why"
"I am not coming"
"F-fine" Noah pulled the sheets over his head, his whole frame engulfed by the fabric as I rolled my eyes. Secretly I know he wished to be here rather than at the party. He still hasn't gotten over the fact that April left without a goodbye.
As if you are.
"What about you Nathan? Isn't it you who's throwing the party? You should be playing the phenomenal host like you always do." I encouraged him while he smirked nodding his head.
"Then go" I emphasize the latter but to no avail did he even as much as budge from his position.
"c-can you g-guys shut up, I-I am trying to get so sl-leeeeww" Noah's muffled words changed to a whine when I hastily tore the sheets off him. He abruptly got up, hands flying to cover his chest as if he was naked.
"Why do you want me to go to the party so bad?" I ask walking over Nathan's side and grabbing him by his wrist tugging his sleeve to levitate his ass out of the bed. But boy was he heavy. I ended up panting after the little tug of war with most effort by my part alone.
"Because we want to and we can" Nathan smirked, with that said he was out of the mattress in a lightning speed and hoisted me up on his shoulders. I gasped aloud screaming, watching an amused Noah sitting at the corner of my bed, may I add the fact that all that I saw was upside down.
"Put me down" I growled as he kept walking, I heard the clink of a lock opening before I was bought to my feet. I was in my bathroom. My head felt dizzy and before I could realize what was happening Nathan rushed out and locked the door from outside as I banged my fist, screaming mild profanities for him to let me out.
"Not until you come with us" I could picture him leaning his back against the door, impatiently tapping his foot.
No doubt I can spent the whole night here in washroom if I wanted to, I won't even complain. But was all my stubbornness worth the effort they are making for me to have some fun?
After that night I was severely grounded with some strict ground rules, I haven't seen Diana so angry since, since I met her. She was fuming and shivering at the same time, like she wanted to kill ten people at once.
Guilt flooded in me as I thought back to the ways I had treated her. But I was scared, frightened even to let her break through the walls I had built around myself. Steady the wall enough that no one dared to break it until he came in.
And left me the same.
The school buzzed with creative rumors about the sudden disappearance of the three mortals.
There were conspiracy theories, even the ones that involved alien abductions and whatnot.
Though it would have been entertaining for me if I was the bystander, but each word made me realize that they weren't around me anymore. I painted a strong posture every day of myself but my canvas was weak, it was already breaking apart underneath the smooth colourful texture.
The breaking point was yesterday when I stumbled across his room after I put Ashley to bed, I hadn't been to his room ever till this date. I went to his balcony where he had converted it into his own floral haven.
I sat on his bed, the light blue duvet still smelled like him. But the packet of cigarette upon the nightstand was like the last strike , I grabbed it feeling the weight of it on my palms. The golden receptacle reminding me of so many memories.
For some reason I turned the box to the side to see some inscription. Immediately I switched the night shade on and squinted over, reading it.
It'd be a shame if you were among them too
A breathy choke of laugh left my lips as the first drop of tear made its way out when I apprehended the day I had said that to him, under the tree when he had caught me singing.
Suddenly a desperate need to hear his voice surged through me, I scrolled down the contacts but stopped when I remembered not once did he attempted to call me or even text me. But I also knew it was me who made it clear that day, fight it. that's what I had said.
I can't be this weak, I had to be strong and determined for my perilous perspective, I can't be dependent on anyone other than me. Wiping away my tears I stood up, but a harmless debate later I shoved the packet on my jacket pocket and left the room.
"Are you even listening?" I jumped at the knock on the bathroom door followed by his question. I spaced out once again, similar to the ways I had been doing this whole week, which unfortunately didn't go unnoticed by Nathan. So I have a fair idea of what he's trying to do.
"I don't have a costume" I sighed defeated, well aware I've no way out.
"D-d-did you just agreed?" finally an excited Noah's enthusiasm bought a smile to my face. He had been depressed about going to this party alone though it's in his house, when I refused to accompany him he simply had been laying down on my bed grumbling about how stubborn I was. That is until Nathan barged in and the rest is history.
"Here" the door cracked open a little as a black pair of clothes were shoved on my face, quite literally.
Thanks Nathan.
Grimacing at the plain black long sleeved t shirt and black skinny jeans which were obviously mine, which also meant the fact that Nathan had rummaged around my wardrobe, without my permission. Once again.
"I am done" I said when the door was slowly peeled open, awaiting on the other side was two smirking boys and Diana grinning wider than Texas
"you are going to your first high school party" she stated so proud, even trump wasn't that gratifying when he became the president, which leads me to question why is he even a president again?
"You are okay with sending me with two boys to a party?" I asked tentatively emphasizing words that needed to be highlighted.
"Phss" she waved looking at Noah and Nathan who stood on either side of her "I know these two will look after you like brothers would, right boys?"
Nathan nodded with a forced smile, while Noah coughed muttering "y-you got s-sibling zoned".
Which earned him a slap at the back of his head by his brother.
"You have been such an understanding girl these past few days, taking the rules of being grounded so seriously that it even surprised me. It's all I could for you as returning the favor, by letting you go to a party" she said gently cupping my cheeks with genuine happiness in her eyes, I smiled ignoring the faint question of Nathan who asked why was I grounded.
God he was so nosy.
"I'll go if that makes you all happy" I said combing my hair through my fingers as Diana immediately popped open the tube of eyeliner and applied the cold liquid upon my lids as both the boys hovered above her watching her moves. I glared at them with the one eye I had open.
She did mild make up before she rushed down to her room to get a pair of boots that she presumed would go great with my outfit. But I was yet to ask the question so I turned to them.
"What am i?" I ducked my face to try make sense of my costume which was emergency DIY, but I still couldn't figure out what character was it.
"Wait a second" Nathan said as he walked to my study desk and pulled out a black marker. He opened the cap with his teeth and stood in front of me. Without a warning he pulled the neck of my shirt lower so it showed my collarbone and a little more than that.
"What are you doing?" I jumped away when his cold fingers brushed my collarbone. He rolled his eyes grabbing me by the shoulders asking me to stand straight as he drew some patterns over my skin.
He gave a satisfied hum when he was done, whirling me to face the mirror.
It was the three ravens he had drawn so perfect on my skin, if I hadn't known I would have thought it was a temporary tattoo that you could buy on stores. I don't think I need to think deeper as to what I was.
I was Tris.
I pulled my hair into a high pony tail smiling as Nathan straightened his tux, I would be lying if I said he didn't look attractive today. In fact his appearance was captivating. The arrogant smirk that Noah threw in the direction of his brother and me didn't go unnoticed by me.
Before I could question Diana barged in with a pair of heavy black biker boots which she explained was from her rebellious college days.
We three left when Diana made sure we promised to have fun but not too much fun.
The beats from music could already be heard even before the house came into view. Stepping out of the car I watched in awe at the sight before me. Sure I had seen those wild teenage parties, but nothing prepared me to be in one.
"There are so many people" I say leaning my back against the car door as both of them stood on either side of me.
"What's a party without people" Nathan grins at me and diverting his attention towards his house like a proud father admiring his kid's accomplishments. No wonder people talk about his parties for days.
"How do your parents even allow this?"his features grimed a little at the mention of his parents before he composes himself.
"They are in Ohio for some medical conference, won't return till the day after tomorrow" I nodded in understanding.
"What are you?" I finally ask the question that had been irking me since he barged into my room as he owned it.
He bit his lips smirking taking a daring step forward as I frown. He leaned in and whispered.
"I am Christian Grey"
My mouth opened wide as I stared at him.
"Wait I had the cuffs somewhere here too" he patted his blazer while I looked at Noah who was trying hard not to laugh at my red face.
Is he serious? I mouthed to him.
"H-he's James Bond," he said erupting into a fit of laughter. I turned to glare at sheepish-looking Nathan who picked out a bow tie from his pocket and adjusted it around his collar and tugged at the hem of his blazer to flash me a holster securing a fake gun. Which somehow brought in unwelcomed memories of someone just like every other thing these days.
"And Noah what are yo-" he wore simple grey polo shirt and dark washed jeans with black jacket, nothing seemed out of ordinary until he took out the ceramic fangs and popped them into his jaws.
"Is that-"
"y-your fangs that you l-left? yes" Noah beamed awkwardly and on my bewildered expression he added.
"Don't worry i-i-I washed it t-t-throughly before using"
"Wait so it was you who scared my little brother shitless enough for him to plead me to let him sleep in my room for three days until I literally kicked him out when his snoring got loud enough to compete a satellite launch?" Noah and I shared a blank look with each other before nodding in unison at a really surprised Nathan.
Noah resumed back to sprinkle golden glitter from a cartridge that he had bought along with him, smearing it on his face. After he was done, tilting his head he asked
"Guess what I am?"
"Edward Cullen" now it was Nathan and I who blurted in unison.
"You guys didn't bothered actually dressing up for your own party did you?" I chuckled while they snorted.
"we know how to make things in handy work finer than any retails, and blessed with sexy genes like mine and cuteness like my brother here , it isn't that difficult" he said swinging one of his arms across my shoulder as another one of Noah's from right made me slump due to the weight of their arms alone. It was sad that how they towered over me so easily, even Noah who is as high as I would predict is not more than five ten.
"I-I am not cute, I-I am sexy too" Noah declared attempting to deepen his tone, but with the fangs it was hard to take him seriously.
They both looked down at me, quite literally.
"Are you ready?"
My chest constricts with unknown emotion but i shrug it off believing it as adrenaline pumping in me. I give one last glance at the two story building, frowning at an almost naked man with a batman mask jump into the pool. Maybe this is something that'd help me blur my overthinking conquests on things I don't have control over.
With a deep reassuring breath, I nodded.
When we stepped inside like a small mop of dark-clothed clique the bouncer came up to Nathan giving him a manly hug and praising him for everything he's done for this party. While I contemplated over the fact that how the party was such a controlled feat even in the absence of host who was busy dressing up a girl a while back.
One word to sum up the actions unfolding in front of my eyes was wild.
The furniture had been shifted to the corner and each stand with food and drinks were thoroughly guarded by buff men in penguin costumes. Don't ask why?. The crowd was silhouetted with colors and shapes of all sizes and costumes, from skimpy barely dressed Harley Quinn to the one that'd take an entire back passenger seat of the car. Everyone danced and grinded as if they had no care in the world.
Wish my life was as easier as theirs.
Wait.
Stop throwing a pity party inside your head when you are at an actual party. The least you could do is live for a day, maybe regret it the next.
Far away in between the dark neon flashes of lights, I saw the Dj pause the music to pick up the mic as the masculine voice vibrated through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the next song is dedicated to the man behind this unforgettable night in the process. Nathan Ross everybody"
People stopped to notice us, some cheering another hollering, and a few curiously scanning me and Noah.
"I get it, you are famous"
"In the town yes. But you'd be surprised if you come across the glorious reputation I've outside of Summersville" he said as he walked towards the dance floor smiling and nodding at people, yet having a contrasting conversation with me.
The party gores giggled and acknowledged his presence parting like the red sea to give him space.
"Why? was it that bad?" I frowned pondering over his words, the two years he had spent at the academy in the city were filled with achievements as per Noah who always used to grouchily inform me about his parents bragging about their elder son.
He turned to face me with a crooked smile and pinched my nose, "That El, is a story for some other day. And now you my dear friend are going to let go of your stoic persona and feel the rhythm of the beats" with that he twirled me unexpectedly as a small giggle erupted from my throat.
"I don't know how to dance" I screamed in between the vociferous metal tempo.
"N-neither do I" Noah joined jumping in while we both laughed as we watched him hop excitedly."B-But You know what? I d-don't care."
We copied his motions and movements and soon we all three were at the center putting Elvis Presley and John Travolta to shame.
It lasted for minutes before I lost count of what song we were in. But the DJ seems to root for a valentine theme allurement for his next choice of song as Girls like you by Maroon 5 began to play.
As if a silent agreement everyone found their partners and started to slow dance around us. Scratching his head with a smile Nathan offered me his hand which I took, we stood awkwardly moving till we saw Noah dancing around in the arms of a penguin bouncer with a calm serene expression.
"Is he?" I asked amazed as Nathan circled his arms and placed them gently at the small of my back.
"Mom's going to kill me if she ever found out he got drunk" I chuckled as the I bit my lips trying not to laugh as Noah caressed the beak of the bouncer with the excitement of a child in Christmas.
"How is the bouncer even agreeing to be treated like that by him?" I asked as he once again twirled me, bringing my back to his chest as we moved in sync.
"He's either as drunk as him or he's Gay" I laughed out loud once again when I recalled what had happened in his room the day we broke in. Though it was hurtful to remember his face, I let the pain slide out for the night as I wondered over the probability of Noah always ending up in a situation as such.
"You have a beautiful laugh El" Nathan said, his voice a breathy whisper.
"Thanks?" I said not knowing how to take the compliment.
"I am glad you are enjoying tonight" I could feel the satisfaction vibrating off him. But right then a girl in dressed as wonder woman did a wonderful job of stumbling over the legs of her dance partner and spilling the drink she had in her grasp all over me.
"Shit, I said that too soon" Nathan pulled me away as I dabbed the wet patch with a tissue I found on the counter.
"It won't go away till you wash it" Nathan said annoyed still glaring at the stain on my shoulder.
"It's fine, the shirt is dark. It's not even visible expect for the sticky sensation" I cringed at the last part as he sighed running his fingers through his sleek gelled hair.
"Come on, I'll lend you one of my shirts, you can wear it till it dries" I was about to argue when he added.
"I insist." I nodded and followed him to his room. I waited till he took out the keys and opened the brown oak door. Fidgeting uneasily on my feet for some unknown reason.
"I want to give you a heads up before you enter, don't judge me I just didn't have time. Okay" I nodded confused, but when he flickered on the lights I took a step back outside the door frame.
"What the hell happened here?, a freaking exorcism?" mess and disaster was an understatement of vocabulary to describe the view before me.
Food, clothes, gadgets, books sprawled all over and even rugs which were supposed to be beside the bed on the floor was in much complicated position near the window and I had no idea why.
"I said don't judge"he said sharply walking over to his walk-in closet and a moment later his head poke out.
"Don't touch anything" he warned.
"I wouldn't dare" I raise my hands in an action of surrender as he vanished once again.
I took a moment to look at the room. It was spacious, with rich interior and a black king sized bed in between. The dark blue sheets however was so crumbled and wrinkly that it made me question what actually happened there.
The walls were painted an atheistic pattern of grey, black and dark blue giving the place a vibe of mystery. One of his desk held three monitors and a jumbled ball of wires, modems and booklets. crushed notes angrily decorated the marbled floor and yellow stickies with codes on the large flat screen LED TV, would appear gibberish if you had no clue about computers. But if you neglect the disturbing turmoil this place was every teenage boys dream.
"This is ironed, finally something you can wear" I looked at him as he walked out carrying a red shirt.
I thanked him and went to his washroom which was spacious and awe worthy enough to compliment his room.
I stepped out feeling smaller than before with the shirt reaching till my knees.
He grinned when he saw my irritated expression.
"How tall are you?"
"Really taller than you" he tried hiding his smile by placing a fist upon his lips as I rolled my eyes as I walked over where he stood, at the foot of his bed.
I frowned as his calm expression baffled at something he saw on the floor.
"Watch out" he screamed but before I could put two and two into understanding I felt the surface skid under my legs, literally as I fell.
But unfortunately for him I flailed my hands on air to grab something and that something turned out to be his collar.
He grunted as I dragged him down with me. My back hitting the soft matteress and his impact causing it to bounce a few times.
We both let out a painful growl he immediately used his arms to create some distance between us.
"Alright?"he breathed
I nodded gulping, noticing for the first time how close we were.
"You stepped on the roller ska_
"What the hell is going on?"
My whole body went rigid, as if the cells that make me up froze. I was too shocked to even move as I craned my neck to witness him at the door, the knob at the at the notch of breaking under his grasp.
Suddenly the weight lifted off me as a gasp of breath left my lips.
"Alex, what are you doing here?" I said getting up, but my question was ignored by him as he intently stalked every move Nathan made, like a predator.
"Alex_
Whatever I had in mind quivered and died inside when he strides in and grabs Nathan by the collar and lands a punch on his jaw as I screamed. Even over the music the sound of a fist meeting the bones was eminent.
But unlike other times when Alex had the leverage of upper hand this wise Nathan pushed him back as he stumbled, before he could compose himself Nathan bought his knees to his stomach, Alex choked on air. But when he got back to his feet he wasted no time punching Nathan.
I clutched the headboard so hard feeling the numbness even when my nails groaned in protest as I watched them kick and throw punch at each other like some psychotic dogs.
I wanted to scream for help or do something. But all I did was stood there shivering and practicing the art of being useless.
Like every other time when someone needed you.
"Stop it" they didn't.
"F_cking stop this" with all my energy I screamed and as If realizing for the first time of my presence they looked at me. Nathan had large nasty bruise forming under his jaw and supported a swelling eye while Alex spitted blood and wiped it with the back of his hands, few specks falling on his shirt.
"shit, I am so sorry" even in such condition Nathan tried walking up to me concern lacing his tone when_
"Take one more step towards her I'll kill you" I shuddered at his words as dread pumped through my veins at his promising utterance. While Nathan stood in between us frowning.
"You know him? You know Alexander White?" He asked.
I nodded in acceptance when Alex said
"How the f_ck do you know my name?"
The venom he spat in his utterance could kill an entire population if it were convertible.
"I studied in stuart, and you_ you just happen to be the bane of existence for students like us" Nathan said disgusted while Alex even hardly acknowledged his presence, as his eyes were trained on me which felt like a strong nail to a coffin.
The new information of how Alex didn't even bothered to notice someone as favoured and notorious as Nathan made me wonder for a second as to what kind of crowd did he actually grew up in.
"I don't care how you both know each other, this crazy man leaves my room right now or I call nine one one"
"I am not leaving until I talk to her, and you can call freaking FBI or whole of military base for all I care" those icy blue orbs glared at Nathan which did nothing to budge him, as if he was used to it.
"I am not going to let you get an inch closer to her than you already are. Get out now or you'll regret it. This is my house and not some petty constructed school corridor donated by your father that you could rule on" he smoldered but relaxed when I placed my hands on his shoulders, well aware of the burning ice following my movements.
"Don't worry he_
"It's okay, he won't hurt me" I said my voice croaked and small.
He looked at me as if I grew two heads and a cheery for nose.
"Are you crazy? You just saw what he did right.?"
"Please trust me, we just need a moment to talk that's all" I requested pleading with my eyes.
He was silent for a long time the faint buzz of music was the only thing that filled the room with life.
"Fine, but I'll be right outside and if he does anything just_"
I nodded with a reassuring smile, which must have appeared as a grimace. He sighed and directed an intimidating glare towards Alex which effected as much as gentle breeze would to an iron bar in Eiffel tower, he left.
When the sound of closing door resonated, it was then my heart beat decided to pick up its pace tenfold.
We simply stood maintaining a good distance from each other, but it doesn't mean that his stare made me feel any less uncomfortable.
"First his jacket and now the shirt"our eyes met, the accusing tone angered me more than I wanted, how could he not even let me explain?
"I don't have to explain any of this, it was an accident and you were here on wrong time. Why are you even here anyways?" My courage and patience condensing by each second.
He let out a dry laugh "To see you of course. " he took some steps forward when I warned him with my hands to stop.
"Really? Now you are afraid of me?" He chuckled humorlessly, but continued to stalk towards me not caring about what my wishes were, and it scared me.
"You can't just enter someones room and start hitting them for fun Alex, why are you here?" I said taking a step back, I ask again.
"I was in the nearby town to meet someone, thought of seeing a girl who won't leave my f_cking mind even for a second. But to my surprise I found out from Diana that you already are in a party with that boy. Moving on with life so early Elaine?" He said tilting his head to side a venomous smirk masking his face as my back hits the wall behind. He places his hands on either side of me, angling his face so the our nose almost touched.
"You are taking it all wrong" I felt pathetic as tears slipped over my cheeks as the boy in front of me took no notion of it with sympathy or even contrition.
"Trust me I thought I was, I wish I was. But not after what I saw was happening here" he spat each word at me and it traded in right like a knife through my heart.
"Nothing happened" I shout as I try to push him away, but he roughly grips my wrist pinning it above me head. I hiss in pain as his nails dug onto the injured wrist from the accident.
"I should've known what people like you usually turn out to be. He has a nice house, I bet lot of money too right? now that I was gone, you also needed a distrac_"
"How dare you?"I said gritting my teeth, embarrassed and furious at his accusations.
"Why? Does it hurt when someone else says it? Let me put it simply. In my society people like you are called gold diggers, if you just wanted money I could've provided you with more than you could've imagined. You just had to ask_
Before he could even utter a word more I drew my hands back and slapped him. The sharp hit of my palms meeting his cheeks echoed.
"You disgust me!" I cried scrambling to make myself seem small enough, wishing this to be a nightmare.
He glowered at the floor, his face still angled low due to the impact and cheek reddening.
"And you start praying that we never meet again. Because if we do, I don't think I can hold back from beautifully destroying every aspect and delusions you believe in" he seethed pinning me to the wall with his hard ruthless stare as he strides out, with each step becoming more stranger than before.
Leaving a destruction behind he was gone like a storm. The one I chanted and hoped to never see again. But little did I knew the game of fate was never played fair when I was involved.
Nonchalant to the fact that this night was just the beginning of something more destructive.
***