Elaine
"So what you are trying to say is he drenched his hair with soda himself, but made it look like you did it on purpose?" blankly staring at the brownish maroon bed side wall of Riley's room I nodded pouting, cradling from right to left, the navy blue swivel chair creaking at the movement.
"That doesn't make sense" she sat up erect on her bed frowning, resting her back against the head board.
"It does, the trending Stuart's twitter tag is #JusticeForAlexander. If that doesn't explain his motive then you are too dumb for this hell hole" at that Riley threw the cropped dark grey pillow at her brother who was sprawled on the bed of Riley's roommate, who was for the time being out for the weekend. It hits him right across his face as he puffs a smoke of pain.
"That's one of the million reasons why I regret having a sister" he grumbled as we ignored him simultaneously looking at each other as what he said a while back surfaced in.
"That's so vile and evil and so not Alexander." Her nose flared at the beginning but contorted into a wrinkle of confusion at the end as she continued. "I get it you imprinted his shirt and all, but this is too much for a revenge. I don't see a valid reason behind why he hates you so much. Do you have any idea why?"
Where's the list?
Let's see, we have had an on and off, crazy, delusional, platonic yet romanticized and demonetized history behind us, some involving encounters that ended up in students getting expelled and recklessly dodging near death experience.
And did I mentioned he thinks I cheated on him with my best friend even though we were not in relationship in the first place. Does that make sense?
And yeah, he kind of has anger issues. Just the sensitive one were you make human pulp, leaving behind some gut wrenching mess.
But instead I settled for,
"No"
"Strange" musing she played with the ends of her short raven black hair. I pretended to agree with her while inside I wanted nothing but to coil my fingers around that perfect, smooth and domineering neck of Alex. I've never had such brutal thoughts in my life, but he makes me ponder deeply about the prospect of little practice at rupturing facial muscles.
"Strange indeed" Jared added scrolling through his phone. The kid would be satisfied if a life sized monitor would walk down the aisle wearing a wedding gown, he will have a better happily married ever after with it rather than an actual Homosapien.
"So you tutored Shaun Lee?" her accusing stare was darted towards me.
"He asked for help" I shrugged, showcasing the fact that It's not much of a big of a deal.
"He call's you Chingu Elaine for God sake, he was being nice to you" her voice raised an octave high as she tried to make her point.
"Wait, Shaun Lee calls her what?" we ignored Jared's question once again as I squirmed on my seat. My clutch grouping the leather armrest. The scenario was similar to a drowned puppy being confronted by a large angry detective dog.
"One week into the academy and you already managed to make a friend and an enemy. And not just any commoner. But from the forbidden group of The Clique" she exclaimed dramatically as I rolled my eyes, but my body reacted to her word as a shiver ran down my spine.
"You are over reacting Riley, I think I can tackle some hate if the end result being tagged as a stuartian graduate. I am here to focus on my studies so I intend to do just that" lying through my teeth I got up dusting my skinny tight black jeans of imaginary dust and cookie crumbs that I had scoffed down a while ago.
"Where are you going? I am not done with you yet" she whined as my gaze dropped to the digital alarm clock on her night stand, it read 4.55pm.
"I have a quiz to prepare for" the weekend resulted in most of the students endorsing their holiday outside of the school, that was one fluke which helped me avoid the Elite block since morning as I've been camping on Riley's room. But now there was no way out of this, other than to face Clarissa.
"What quiz?" she demanded with an edge, it was like she already has a hunch that I wasn't being entirely honest with her.
I dug the base of my heels in the flat tiled ground, pleating my nervous hands inside the pocket of my jeans as I abide to her question.
"Igotpartneredupwithclarissaforacompetition" My hurried jumbled sentence brought me a substantial frown from her, but it soon transformed to a flat comprehension and then her brows reached her hairline in realization.
Her lips parted and a loud what? Echoed, before I could face any more of her showmanship or footlights, I was out. Shutting the door behind me with a gentle bang.
The lounge was on the third floor of the building I had been residing since my day one here. And when I had entered the other side of the two way glass door I felt like I had been teleported to some high end exploded gaming parlor. Four LED screens were mounted on the black granite burnished wall, bean bags and baroque cot were aligned in a fancy decorative way. Gaming controllers were scattered carelessly on the large coffee table and one of the monitor flashed the introductory page of Fortnite.
This was a heaven for people like Nathan.
Slowly I took steps inside, trying to spot the curly mane. The room itself was enormous enough to safely conclude that this was equal to the size of all the dorms downstairs combined.
"Elaine, here" someone hollered from my right as I jumped turning, there she was. Waving her hands frantically behind a window of an adjoining room at the far end that I had overlooked before.
I beeline towards it, on entering a fat grin automatically stretches across my lips as I scan the sector. Brilliantly comfortable yellow lights illuminated the study room which was impregnated with uncountable books. The spiced fragrance of old texts and the prolific view of such conversant beauty had me dazed for a second.
If what I saw back was Nathan's paradise, then this was mine.
"You like it?" I grin nodding at Clarissa who sat cross legged at the brown mahogany desk, pile of pages, stationary and a laptop on it accompanied by a small tower of thick books. She wore white rimmed reading glasses that sat smugly on the bridge of her nose.
"Very much" I say taking a seat on the other side, so that I was facing her.
"I Like your top" she commented adjusting her spectacle as she buried her nose in between rough dog eared pages.
"Thank you" I chirped overly enthusiastic that even my subconscious cringed. It was the first time I left my room in anything other than my uniform. Nathan's forced choice of clothing proved highly appropriate as there was not a single soul in this school who wore a washed, worn out but completely comfortable hoodie or jumpsuits.
I was proud of what I did with myself today as I donned a golden brown off shoulder halter neck top with black jeans, my hair was done up in a top donut bun. I was born with a natural tendency to adopt and learn things, and with the schools corridor displaying projectors better than Paris fashion week. I soon found my instinct picking up the codes.
Riley commented that with the bangs I adored, I resembled Dakota Johnson.
Though I admire the woman for her flawless beauty, the statement caused an unwelcomed not so much of a pg 13 thought to pop up in my head, which brought me to a decision that I should stop drowning myself in Netflix. With the free Wi-fi provided here it was kind of hard. But a girl can try.
Three hours, prolonged silence with exception of the crackle of crisp pages turning and rigorous wasted attempt at striking a conversation with Clarissa later I gave up. She was one tough nut to crack, and with her sole focus on preparation it felt next to impossible. With the fury of argumentative challenge in her frown as she read, it was embossed with a goal.
"I am hungry" shutting a book abruptly she stretched her arms leaning on her seat.
"When was the last time you ate?" I found myself asking, hoping for at least a straight reply from her. She was not the most friendliest person, I observed that much. she was more like get the job done and go separate ways kind. But the dark tiredness looming around her eyes told me she has had rough days.
"Morning?" my lips thinned down in disapproval.
"Don't over stress yourself" my advise was met with a disbelieving scoff as she chuckled sarcastically.
"You have no idea how important this is for me" interlacing her fingers on the table she sat up, in a business like demeanour."I have big dreams Elaine and one of them is making my father proud, when we clear up this initial round we get promoted to represent the academy in US national championship. And when it's finals goes on air I want to see myself holding the trophy"
There was strength in her words, it was drowned in thirst for success and determination. Though there were many differentiating subjects in her brainfelt confession I found myself latching my consciousness in mere one segment of her utterance.
"Goes on air? Like a broadcast?" I lick my lips nervously as she nods, adjusting the brightness of her study lamp. For many reason the idea of my face plastered on a giant screen bugged me.
"I'll go get something to eat from the kitchen" she sighs sliding her chair to get up. But I doubt she could even be able to stand on her legs. The dehydration was prominent in her breathing and sluggish diluted motions of iris.
"Tell me the way? I'll get it" my offer sparkles a speck of surprise in her eyes as I got up waving her to sit. When she sees my solemn accord, her shoulder relaxes.
"It's at the end of the hall, approximately ten steps to the right" I nod, after I asked her to list out what she usually gets in her sandwich, I explored my way out.
I might have got lost in the vast different sections if it wasn't for the sign board that hung upon the crown of the entrance of every partition. There was a gym, a clone room, a green room don't ask why, far away I could feel the titillating beams of scattered blue green lights from the indoor pool. Pushing away the nausea caused by my phobia I walk in the recommended direction, as soon as i found the kitchen I stepped in.
But when my eyes landed upon the back of boy in plain black polo shirt with contrasting white hair shuffling through the cabinets, my legs cemented against the plush mat on the archway.
His fingers seem to have grabbed what he was looking for as he pulled it out and shifted turning.
And that was all it required for me to snap and stumble around, wishing he wouldn't see me.
"Elaine?"
You expected a range shooter to have poor Eye sight genius?
I slowly turned back facing him, my lips twisting into a bitter snarl. But my appearance seems to have quite a disagreeing effect with my racing heart that acted immaturely when I heard him softly say my name, after such a long time.
If that was not enough, scorching gaze raked me from head to toe until amusement flashed in his features.
"You look different" if I was mentally snarling a second back now I adorned a visible scowl. How dare he appear so casual as if yesterday never happened?
I walk past him as I feel his line of vision follow me, it wasn't hard or terrifyingly bitter. They were analytical and intense. and this irked me more.
I worked on a fresh loaf of bread from the basket on island, from the edge I saw him toss the bag of popcorn into the oven and set the timer. Soon the atmosphere was buzzing with the vibration from the kiln.
Chanting a wishful prayer for him to be gone soon, I brutally sliced the onions sniffing as it tantalized my tear glands.
"Are you crying?" I groaned slightly as he walked to my side, leaning his back against the counter I was working on, with his hands shoved inside his pockets. I felt him lean a little to face me as I childishly looked away, wiping the tear with the back of my sleeve.
When I looked back at him angrily I saw him blink rapidly, his eyes welling up reddening by the second.
"Why the hell does my eye sting?"
"Ever heard of onions?" flaring I pointed the knife at him, he eyed the tip of the blade raising a brow, the aroma of butter from his popcorn filling the space.
"You fainted" it was a curious statement, the one he picked from the conversation between me and Mike. Though it shocked me a little that he remembered.
"Why?" I paused, the knife dugged till the middle of a ripe tomato. The feel of his burning orbs on my face as he waited.
"What makes you think I'll answer any of your questions especially after the stunt you pulled out yesterday?" sniffing I resumed chopping.
"Why?" he came again, but now it was strong and laced with thick persistence.
Sighing irritated I gave him what he wanted, if that would mean getting him out of my hairs then be it.
"I over exerted myself in P.E, happy?" I snapped. He didn't budge from his spot. His company was confusing to say the least, it made me feel things that I would be ashamed to admit but at the same time I wanted nothing more than to hit his beautiful forehead with a frying pan.
Beautiful forehead? Where is my sanity?.
There was a long, loud and really eerie silence before his confident theory broke it.
"Was it Edmund?" he didn't even bothered to try and hide the vexation at this point, and my silence was enough to answer him.
"Shit" I hissed when I accidentally cut my skin, the deep slit was soon coated by a layer of crimson as blood seeped out of it. But before I could bring it to my eye level to have a better look at it, a strong hand on my waist hurriedly guided me to the sink.
Alex seized my injured hand and brought it to the faucet. The cold water soothingly washed away the weeping skin. All this while I felt the close proximity we were in. his chest was pressed against my back as his arm circled around me, his thumb caressing the broken skin under the taps water.
"Can't you do just one thing right?"He grumbled, angry.
"Hypocrite" I muttered and I bet he heard it as well. Good.
I inhale relieved when his presence left me as he opened the drawers one after another, enraged as he disturbed the contents inside them until he found what he was looking for.
"I don't need your help" I said, attempting to snatch the first aid kit from him.
"Do I look like I bother about what you need?" Tugging the kit back he said, we played tug of war with the box for a while before I gave up. He was too stubborn and strong and confusing.
He coiled all of my fingers leaving the index, as he wrapped a bandage around it. His brows squinted in concentration.
"Why do you care?" I smoldered, watching his eyes dilate to a dark blue shade as he raised them to meet mine. There was a flick of something warm for a second and then it went hard and rigid, like a switch his posture changed as he took a step back. The air between us getting colder by the minute.
"Don't get your hopes high, the blood was staining the kitchen" I watched defeated and tired, as he walked back to the microwave and grabbed the bag, tearing it with both his hands he dropped the contents in a large white porcelain bowl.
I closed my eyes, counted backwards and assured my murderous self to calm down. I was too young for jail.
The familiar blaring ringtone from my mobile caused me to mid pause my meditation. I had kept it on the island near the almost done sandwich.
My phone seem to have some kind of element that seem to suck the already dead humanity from the eyes of Alex as he coldly regarded the callers ID.
Taking a step forward I saw that it was a call from nathan, and the picture of him pouting at the screen that he had once sneakily saved as his contact image.
Alex slowly took the mobile under his grasp and looked at me.
"Is this water proof?" Out of nowhere he asked. Frowning I offered my palms for him to hand it over.
"No"
"Good" he nodded smirking, my palms never felt the weight of a metallic square as he tossed my mobile into a mug of water next to him.
The image of Nathan slanted as the water engulfed the gadget, helplessly and shellshocked I saw through the transparent covex glass as the it blinked twiced before turning dark. Dying.
"You bitch" I spat seething.
"You just called me a female dog. For being called a genius, you sure are stupid" popping a popcorn kernel in his mouth he walked past me, my laser eyes slicing his throat mentally.
As he was about to leave, Edmund in his Gym attire and a bottle of protien shake walked in. He gave the retiring Alex a look of confoundity.
When he was completely out of Edmunds vision he sighed to himself lowering his head as he helped himself inside.
He tilted his head and chugged down his shake and thats when he noticed my existence. And there must've been something really terrifying about it as he choked.
"El_ Elaine?" He croaked, clearing his throat as he wiped the trail of his drink that had sliped from the corner of his lips with the towel snaked around his neck.
I blinked at him.
"What's wrong? You look so....pale?" I chewed at the bottom of my lips, if I hear the word pale one more time, I am going to turn in to banshee.
"Is that your?" He asked when I didn't answered him his initial question. He had followed my line of vision which was glued to my demised phone.
"Was It Alex?" He resumed and this time I growled for an answer "I am going to kill him in his sleep"
My inner Elzina woke up to the funeral of her beloved, promising and reliable associate of a smartphone. And this wise, there was no taming her down.
"Can you do me a favor?" I divert my attention to him as he nods, sympathy and irritation swirling in his eyes.
"Give this sandwich to Clarissa and tell her I am done for the day"
***
There was no moon peeking through the clouds tonight. Only vast endless night sky shimmering with stars and moderate cold breeze caressed my exposed skin as I sat at the large plank of wood that was actually a counterfeit designed bench to look like a natural piece of trunk.
I was at the backyard of Elites, the building behind me which I was inside a while back, suffocated me.
sometimes I find myself wishing this all to be a nightmare, with a hope of waking up on the three room apartment in seattle were mom would barge into my room turning the blinds over as I whined, throwing tantrums about how much high school sucked.
Or how dad would bake us sunday cakes with vanilla frosting and all of us would end up having it for dinner. No matter how unhealthy it was.
I close my eyes letting the flood gates of my cherished memory to wash over me, because at times like these is when I wished for a shoulder to lean on, a loved one to care for me and understand me without me having to say it aloud.
I am desperate for someones care.
"The night Is beautiful isn't it?" Startled I open my eyes to see Edmund standing, looking deep at the sky. He has changed to a plain grey hoodie and jeans, but still managed to look like million dollar abercrombie model.
"It is" I said my mind wandering elsewhere.
"And you know what I do at such nights?" He says looking down at me.
"What?" I ask interested.
"I have to take you out to show that" he extends his hands for me to take as I look at it unsure.
"I am not sure this is a good idea, it's late and the rules suggest_"
"Oh to the hell with rules" he rolls his eyes as he grabs my wrist in his large hands and pulls me to my feet effortlessly.
"This is off school hours, you can't order us around Mr. President" though I tried to go for playful stoic persona but ended up adapting his contagious smile.
"Shall we, my lazy" his pun awarded him a big fat eyeroll from me as I walked by his side. But suddenly my skin pricked with an itch, a sense of someones eyes on me.
I scanned turning back but found no culprit.
"Are you alright?" I nod at Edmunds concern , sighing at my delusions, and that's when my eyes lands on the dark silhouette on the balcony of second floor. His white hair glistened inspite of the absence of moonlight as he leaned his body slightly on the thick bar.
My hand shots up, fingers curling on Edmunds biceps as I try to diatract him from looking up, as predicted he looks at the spot of our contact with amusement as I turn to walk along, Not once stopping to look back.
***
For readers who has been asking what the hell is wrong with Alex. I hope this chapter cleared your doubts. He is the kind of a boy who acts first and then regrets. It was the initial reason why he moved to summersville. To start a new life were people won't judge him for how he is. He has anger issues and acts on the spur of moment, ends up hurting the ones he loves the most, and when his anger intermixes with jealousy it becomes toxic.
Hope as his character developes you all will start liking him again....maybe even fall in love with him.