CHAPTER 46: I'd rather be pecked to death by hummingbirds

Anger is an immensely powerful emotion. It destroys even the strongest foundations because once harsh words are exchanged, nothing done can take them back or even rectify the situation. Thought otherwise, anger can be termed off as absurd since people do not really think twice before reacting. They do or say anything they feel like because, in that moment, something in them is triggered. And that trigger stems from some deep, concealed emotions that the person cannot control even if they try to.

Finding out the truth that was played along all this time certainly managed to wound me. Again. And the worst part? I admitted to myself that I liked him. I actually did. Once again, what my mind thought to be true – that feelings are bullshit – actually proved to be right. But the lesson came along with lots of pain. I feel like beating and criticizing myself to the point where it finally enters my head and I could forget all about Caleb and what he did to me.

But alas, I just know that this will take a really long time to forget and banish from my thoughts because he did really leave a mark in my life.

"Thanks, Maddie. For everything."

"Why? This is what I'm here for, you idiot. For you." She smiles at me and I hug her, glad that at least one person would be permanent in my life. Pulling back, we both get out of her car and walk towards our classes. After the horrendous scene, I witnessed yesterday evening, I could not be able to utter a word even and I fled from the house. Luckily, I did not have to spend the night on the streets since Maddie called me and picked me up from the park where I sat like a loner.

I might as well be one now.

Seeing that woman at first did not remind me that she is our mother. But the photographs Jason used to keep of her until dad died still registered deep in my mind. The same hazel eyes, the same blonde hair. She smiled at me when she stood up and at that moment as I entered the house, the last bit of my strength evaporated into the air and I was left weak. I could not go in front of anyone as a weak person! So of course, I ran. I did not care about Jason, Aaron or Draven's calls and messages since Maddie promised to take care of it. All the poor girl got from me was that my mother was back and she understood.

"I have to get early to class. I'll see you later?" She rubs my arm as I near my locker and gives me concerned looks. Why wouldn't she be? I'm practically deep in a hole of depression and it is definitely visible considering my appearance. My glum face with raccoon-like eyes paired with a pair of baggy sweatpants and a hoodie does not exactly scream happy now, does it?

It certainly feels absurd to stand alone here considering – ironically - there are hundreds of people swarming the corridor. There was no room of argument about the fact that there is no way I would be attending today's Literature class. I cannot even bear to harbor any more thoughts of the grey-eyed devil and sharing a class with him, breathing the same air he is in, knowing he will definitely try to talk to me?

I think I have had enough of torture recently to be able to endure some more.

Corralling all the things I require so that I could hole up in the library the entire day, I shut my locker and plod down the corridor, not bothering to push away the crowd. Just as I spot the liberating and life-saving exit, a face comes into view.

How lovely to see the devil in action.

At first, the rational part of my mind obviously decided to ignore her and continue wallowing in self-pity and depression but I think it's pretty conspicuous by now, that there really is nothing rational in me. So, the next dominant emotion in me – fury - invades my mind as soon as she twists her face into a wry smirk and shoots imaginary victory arrows at me with her stupid eyes. As if on cue, all her past doings and shenanigans come rushing to my head and my feelings towards her are heightened dangerously. It's like she is trying to say 'I win' with that signature bitch face of hers.

Much to my chagrin, she sashays towards me with her imbecile posse tagging alongside her.

You better have prayed to your gods today, sweetie.

"Look who we found." Veronica crosses her arms over her enormous bust and stares at me through her fake lashes.

"Your brain. I hope?" I quip, inwardly smirking at the way her features harden at my remark.

"I heard about your brother's little debacle." She grins and my fists tighten. "It is so sad, honey. Can we do anything for you?"

"You can get out of my face."

She chortles annoyingly and I grimace at her entire appearance. Choke on your spit, bitch.

"Look, I know you're not in a good position right now. But on the bright side, the soccer team now has a better captain. My boyfriend, Caleb." She giggles like a stupid school girl and I take two long strides towards her, suddenly aware of the crowd gathering and quieting their conversations to listen to the latest piece of drama.

"Last time I checked, he is not your boyfriend. And my brother still is an amazing player than anybody here."

"Well, he isn't yours either, is he?"

"Why did you do it, Veronica?" I ask while gritting my teeth. The slight knowledge that Veronica is the one who landed Jason in such trouble was enough to calm my mind and assure me that my brother could never do such a dreadful thing.

"Do what, Summer?" She innocently blinks and my phantasm of gouging her eyes out is something that my soul finds pleasurable but at the same time, I hate that it is a precarious thing to do. That is if I still want to live my life without ever going to jail.

"You very well know what the hell what I'm talking about. If you have a problem with me, it stays between you and me. What sick part of your brain convinced you to drag my brother in between?"

She smirks but sighs and shakes her head at me.

"I cannot believe you would think such low of me."

"Well, I'm not the only one, you know?"

"Oh really? You really are silly, you know. But okay, let's assume your accusation on me is indeed true. How low do you think I am? I bet not really as low of your mother who ran away on her own family for an illicit affair."

My tongue gets tied as I fumble for words in my head, desperately trying to look for a comeback against her. But I feel languid. She just outed the secret I hold so deep down, and in such a way that anyone could be judgemental towards me.

All of a sudden, the air around me becomes hot and I envision the walls closing in on me, trapping me in their darkness.

"Oh, I heard she's back. What for, might I ask?" I notice her grin and tighten my jaw, crushing my teeth in between.

"Don't utter one more word if you know what's good for you," I whisper, a few inches away from her face. But unlike other times, I did not see any fear in her eyes today. It's like all of a sudden, she has this immensely powerful weapon against me. Angst fills up in me as I realize the information she currently held and I have no clue as to how she knows it.

"Oh, I do know what's good for me. You don't need to spell it out for me. But if you know what's good for you, then stay the hell away from me and Caleb. No need to be like your stupid whore of a mother."

The pounding of my heart, the heat in my cheeks and the crack of a bone, all register in my head as soon as I see Veronica's body slam into the lockers nearby. I push her off them, noticing blood trickling down her nose and tears streaming down her idiotic face.

I hate that face.

So I punch her square on the jaw. She cries out while her so-called friends watch in horror and recoil as I dare them to step up. I take in the gasps from the audience around me and the adrenaline – or immense anger – pumping through me convinces to kick her. But just as I'm about to kick her off all the way to the shore of Malibu, a pair of hands engulf my waist and pull me back from the fiasco I'm creating. I thresh violently against the people holding me back until I hear a familiar voice.

"Calm the fuck down, Summer."

"Summer!"

"What the hell happened?"

The urgency and anger in their voices somehow calm my body down and I just settle on glaring at Veronica cradling her face as she cries with her minions comforting her. Blake's face suddenly blocks my view of that vicious bitch and my glare shifts to him but it softens as soon as I see the concern swimming in his eyes.

"What happened?" I turn towards Noel who looked like he could use a cool drink. Am I that strong to handle?

"It's nothing." I sigh and glare at the crowd who quickly pack up their little gatherings and rush off to their classes.

"SUMMER JONES. PLEASE REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE. SUMMER JONES, PLEASE REPORT TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE."

"Are you okay? What the hell just happened?" Blake exclaims as he points towards me and Veronica.

"I'll see you guys later." I sigh, rubbing my fists and directing my trajectory towards the principal's office. Geez, I had no idea matters will go this far. But oh well, it's me. And I think today I might as well have crossed my limits of violence. Maybe.

As much as I enjoyed beating the shit out of Veronica and watching her recoil in fear, a small part of me regretted doing it mostly because I saw how everyone looked at me, including my own friends. The anger in me still is burning and I cannot, for the love of God, forget Veronica's words.

Great. Now everyone knows my family history.

"Summer Jones. Can I go in?" I ask the stout lady who sorts out all kinds of documents and is perhaps our principal's secretary. I would not know since I never really had to come to this side of the building.

"Yes. He is free to see you now."

Muttering a thank you, I knock the door of the office and walk in slowly, taking in the furnished room. Two couches lay beside the window and a bookshelf stood behind them. Right in front of me sat the principal, perched on his high chair like a cruel king. He kind of stared at me the same way even.

"Summer Jones?"

I nod at his answer and take a seat in front of him as he signals me to. He sighs and I steel myself for his next words. Possibly expulsion. The coach was also doing it, right? Why not just expel me right away for extreme violence?

I clench my fists as I observe his appraising eyes looking at me, his stony features hardening as he probably reckons I almost killed a girl.

A stupid girl, nonetheless.

Steepling his fingers, he sighs once more and finally speaks.

"Violence and random fighting is something I don't entertain in my institute, Miss Jones."

"Yes, but-

"I was not done talking." His harsh glare angers me but I somehow succeed in controlling it.

"Veronica West is a student whose parents have greatly contributed to this school. I think you know that. Was attacking her seriously sensible to you?"

"I didn't take notice of the consequences, sir. And I certainly don't care about her position in the school. The girl can do shit-

"Language, Miss Jones!"

I sigh and push away the urge to bang his head on the table even further away from my mind.

"Sorry. But, if you could just see or hear what she said, then you would want to hit her too!"

Okay. Insensible thing to say, Summer.

His glare shuts me up and he clears his throat before speaking.

"I have no interest in what you girls have to bicker about. But leading them into fights in front of other students is not something I can entertain." My eyes widen in vexation as he calls it mere 'bicker'. Does this guy even know what the fuck happens outside his four walls?

"So, as a punishment-

I could just knock him out cold. Right here.

"-you will apologize to Miss West-

I'd rather be pecked to death by hummingbirds.

"-and also face a two-week suspension."

"What?!"

"You heard me right. This is not something small I could forgive or something that can be fixed by detention."

"Why can't you punish her?"

"Because from what I've heard, she did not commence the fight. Did she?" He prompts.

"But she's the one who-

"I asked...did she?"

I sigh and grit my teeth. "No."

"Then, if I'm right, you are the one who precisely punched her?"

"Yes."

"Did she fight back?"

"No."

"You are free to go. We'll see you after two weeks." And with that, he opens up a file and peruses through the contents, completely avoiding me like a fool. I huff and get out of the office, eager to get out of this hell hole they call a school.

Well, two weeks areat least enough to contrive several murders.