The Dark Knight [Part One]

by L. F. Piper

  We spoke to Grandma Violet our first Sunday here to let her know everything was fine and that we had arrived safely. She told us she was in a bit of a rush as she was off to bingo and couldn't talk long. She's been out more without us there than when we were.

  ***

  When I leisurely stroll into the kitchen, wearing only a baggy top as the most pathetic excuse for a dress ever, mum is already sat at the breakfast bar with another woman. I’m in no way dressed appropriately for guests, but I wasn’t expecting my mother to be hosting get togethers first thing on a Wednesday morning. Jesus Christ! I hide my awkwardness as much as I can, smiling at them as I grab a can of pop out of the fridge. I’m just about to make a mad dash to the backdoor, but of course, my mum wants to make introductions this very second. My ass is barely being covered, there isn’t a stich of makeup on my face and my hair is replicating a week old bird’s nest. “Emilia, this is Rachael Mathis. She lives a few doors down the road. Her son is called Caleb, he's actually only two years older than you. He'll be here soon so you can meet him.” Great, mum is trying to set me up with an eighteen-year-old whilst I’m pretty much naked. She is utterly clueless when it comes to teenage girls. My dad would flip the fuck out if he just heard what I heard, but if he's cute it can't hurt to meet the guy. As long as I change first, I don’t want to scare him away.

  “Well, he's my foster son, Caleb Knight. He's been away for a little while and returned home a few months ago. He goes to Richmond High too, so he'll be able to drive you in tomorrow for your first day, if you like? Being the new kid is never easy. It might be nice for you to at least know one person before you get there,” she laughs nervously. Hm. “He doesn't live with me anymore, though. Now he is eighteen, he's not technically under my care, but for as long as he calls me Ma and I call him Son, I’ll look after him. He actually has an apartment that I pay for not too far from here. Well, Caleb does odd jobs fixing things around the house for me, so he earns it really.” She’s smiling. I’m frowning. She’s rambling and I’m not entirely sure why, but whatever. It’s none of my business anyway. I wonder where he went, though?

  “Nice to meet you, Rachael. I'm just going out the back for a cigarette,” I shoot the angriest eyes I can muster up at such short notice straight towards my mum, while Rachael is stirring her tea, and she recoils. I point at my outfit choice and silently scream, do not let him see me like this! Her eyes widen, and she nods, thankfully getting it. I smile as I catch Rachael’s eyes again before I walk past them both and through the laundry room, into the back yard. I hear my mum tut and tell Rachael she hates that I smoke. She's just doing her motherly duty, though. She doesn't give a shit that I smoke. She buys them for me.

  I've just lit up when I hear something behind me. “Shouldn't smoke. It'll kill you.” I nearly jump out of my skin. I thought it was someone inside the house, not actually outside with me.

  “Jesus! What the...” I trail off as soon as I see the Hulk – but less green – standing there, leaning against the side of my house with his arms and feet crossed. This kid must be Caleb, but shit, he looks more like a twenty-five-year-old man. He's built like a bouncer; I don’t doubt his muscles have muscles.

  His dark brown, shaggy hair is a little too long on top and falls slightly over his forehead, but in a really sexy way that looks like a woman has run her fingers through it for hours. His eyes are a deep dark chocolate brown, with thick lashes that fan out longer than they should on any guy, and he has some slight stubble on his sharply angled jaw. His bottom lip is pierced with a silver hoop and I suddenly get a swarm of butterflies nosediving in my tummy as soon as I notice it.

  He’s wearing a tight black top that shows off how defined the top half of his body is and some skinny black jeans that turn up at the bottom, worn Vans on his feet. His bulging arms are crossed over his broad chest and they are covered in artwork, all black and grey, but there isn't a patch of natural skin that I can tell. Even his knuckles have words inked onto them. I can’t read what they say from the distance separating us, but it’s mostly because I’ve already zoned in on a beautifully intricate blood red rose tattoo spanning the whole of his right hand. And let me tell you, it’s a bloody big hand! The lines and fluidity have captured my interest fully. It’s a work of art and has completely captivated me to my very being, I can’t remove my eyes away from the car crash affect its caused. It’s the only colour I can see, so far anyway, but it looks as though blood is physically dripping from his hand. It must have some serious meaning, I can feel it in my gut. But okay, morbid alert!

  I kind of feel like if I was to ever get a tattoo, that would be exactly what I would want on my skin. It’s stunning. Perfect, really.

  His neck is showcasing a large and rather detailed skull, it makes me squirm just seeing it. Skulls are like, dead and evil, aren’t they? It gives me the heebie-jeebies. He looks so rough, but smooth at the same time.

  I think I’ll call him my Dark Knight.

  I've been staring at him for so long, taking in each and every detail I can, my cigarette has burnt out. Before the heat catches my fingers, I drop it into my flowerpot ashtray thing – I think I’ll just name it flowertray. It’s something my mother insists on it – and light up a fresh one.

  “Well it's not bothering me, so why should it bother you?” I cock an eyebrow at him and look up under my thick eyelashes. Yeah, mine are long too, Darkness. He is so tall and even though I’m currently sat down, I know he will tower at least two heads above me. I'm really short and really skinny. I have boring hair, long black and poker straight. My green eyes are way too big for my slim face, cheek bones that are obvious stick out with sharp edges. I have a long slender neck, which leads straight to the bane of my life. My boobs. They are huge and so is my ass. I got my skinny body from my mum and her mum, but my chest and butt are from my Grandma Violet. I'm so out of proportion, it's not funny. I don't think I'm ugly or gorgeous, but if I wanted to blend in, there's not a chance of it happening. I look too different that I automatically stand out, and it's not out of choice.

  Who I'm still guessing is Caleb, because introductions don’t seem to be important to either of us, lights up a cigarette and smokes with me, still glaring at me. It's making me feel tense. “I don't care. I was just saying,” he finally replies.

  I stand up and move around the patio table just to give me something to do. “Well smoking is going to kill you too,” I shoot back at him. I hear him mumble, 'that's the least of my worries' under his breath, but I don't comment on it. What am I supposed to say? “So, are you Caleb?” He grunts at me. Right, I’ll take that as a yes. “Your mum is inside talking to my mum. She said you'll be picking me up for my first day at school tomorrow?” I take another drag of my cigarette and shuffle my bare feet on the cool concrete, checking the time on my watch not for the first time. This guy is making the ends of my nerves begin to frazzle.

  “Not out of choice, but I can't say no to Ma, so I guess I'll be in your driveway at eight. Don't be fucking late.” He flicks his cigarette end and it narrowly misses my head and then he turns around and storms out of the back gate. I’m dumbstruck for all of five seconds. What a rude fucking prick! I march back inside to tell Rachael that her son is a freaking A-hole and I won't be going anywhere with him, but she has already left. “MUM!” I shout as soon as I've slammed the back door. She comes rushing into the kitchen to see me.

  “God, What the hell is it, Emilia?” She looks panicked. Maybe I shouldn't have scared her like that. Once she sees I'm fine, she takes her hand away from her, no doubt exaggerating heartbeat, and starts to tell me what a nice boy Caleb is, that she just met him when he came to pick Rachael up. I’m about to tell her that’s a load of bullshit, when I realise what I’m wearing. Or rather what I’m not wearing.

  What Caleb saw me wearing.

  Mother fucker.

  ***

  It's seven forty-five, Thursday morning and I’m dressed – thank God – and ready, waiting for Caleb. I’ve had a
smoothie for breakfast and dad gave me some money for lunch this afternoon. I don’t understand the dollar. It looks weird and it’s too thin. Whatever though. I put it in my purse and sat on the porch swing, still waiting. I decided to wear black skinny ripped jeans, my white high-top Converse trainers with a plain tight white t-shirt. It looks like it’s going to be a nice day, but I’ve got a hoodie in my shoulder bag just in case. My makeup is on point and my hair is in its usual middle parting, poker straight. I painted my nails a deep purple after dinner last night, just because, and I’m glad I did. In the sunlight they’re all sparkly and cute. I’ve tried to dress down as much as I can, and I hope I’ve succeeded. Being the newbie, I know people will stare, but I hope it’s not because of my body and looks that they do.

  ***

  I've been waiting on the porch for forty minutes by the time Caleb pulls into my driveway. His car is out of control loud and it looks like something you would race. I know nothing about cars, though. To me, his is just a noisy dirty white thing with black-out side windows. I know he can see me through the windscreen because I can see him looking directly at me, but he blares the horn anyway, shouting for me to hurry up. Me to hurry up? Fucking dickhead! I shake my head at him, call out to my mum that I'm leaving and make my way over to the car. As I'm walking around, I see a badge on the side that says Camaro. I guess that's the make? Fuck knows.

  “Get in the fucking car. I've got shit I need to do before classes start.” I huff and slam the door closed. Caleb turns and growls at me. “Watch what you're doing, Doll.”

  Doll?

  Jesus Christ.

  “You told me to be ready at eight, Caleb. I've been sat there for nearly an hour. What the hell?” I’m annoyed with him.

  He chuckles. “You misheard me. I said eight-thirty, not eight. School starts at nine and it takes fifteen minutes to get there. Why would I pick you up at eight? You were ready way too early.” He laughs at me. He is such a prick. I was up at six-thirty this morning getting ready and I know full well he told me eight.

  I totally ignore Caleb on the ride to school. I'm uncomfortable, nervous and hot. I tried to open the window once and he did it right back up again. By the time we arrive, I'm practically sweating. I'm about to jump out of the car when Caleb locks us inside. I turn to him frowning, about to ask him what he's doing when he speaks. “Ma wants me to take you home so make sure you're here as soon as the bell rings. Don't make me wait.” I frown and give a sharp, sarcastic laugh.

  “What, like you made me wait this morning? I'll make my own way home, thanks.” I twist my body, so I can unlock my door when he grabs my wrist tightly, halting my movements. I stare at the word Lost scrawled across his knuckles.

  “Watch your mouth, Doll,” he grinds out between his teeth. I pull away and before I can say anything else, he opens the driver door and slides his long body out. I sit there for a few minutes catching my breath and rubbing the red skin around my wrist, eventually climbing out.

  “Who the fuck is she, Caleb?” Brilliant. He has a girlfriend and she hates my guts already. What a wonderful start to my first day. I'm tired already.

  “Shut the fuck up, Anya.” What? I'm literally speechless and I'm sure I can feel gravel lodged in my jaw from it hitting the pavement so hard. Who in the hell does this guy think he is? Before I can pick my mouth up and head to class, Caleb, his girlfriend and all his groupies walk off, leaving me on my own, still standing by the car.

  ***

  After having some kind of tutor period for the first hour of school, I’m now sat at my desk in English class. My tutor, Mr Prescott, seemed nice. He’s really old, white thinning hair and trousers that come up to his armpits, but he has warm, kind eyes that made me feel welcome. My class mates are average, maybe I’ll make some friends by next week. Now though, Mr Rogers is running late, and the room is being filled with loud and obnoxious noise. Students are shouting at their friends on the other side of the room, paper is being flung all over. It’s fucking chaos!

  “Damn,” he sucks his teeth, “look here, Caleb. We’ve got us a hot little newbie.” There’s a tall, muscular guy with gelled back hair and electric blue eyes standing above me and he’s leaning his weight on the front my desk. If he’s not careful, it’ll topple over. I guess he could be quite good looking, if you’re into real pretty boys with perfect eyebrows, teeth that look paid for and baby smooth virgin skin. Not like Caleb, I shock myself when I think. I drag my eyes up his toned body and smile nervously when I reach his face again. Where do these kids workout? “Hi. I’m Emi...” Caleb doesn’t let me finish.

  “No one fucking cares.” All of his groupies and most of the class laugh. I can feel my cheeks burning up. This is quite possibly the worst day ever and it’s barely begun.

  Just before Mr Rogers enters the room, a tall skinny blonde girl, wearing the same cheerleading outfit as that Anya chick, sits in the pretty boy’s lap. “She’s not as hot as me though, right, Ellis?” He smirks at her before shoving his tongue down her throat. What a gentleman.

  “Settle down class. Mr Carter, please remove your tongue from Miss Harrison’s mouth. Please take your seats and everyone, turn to page three hundred and sixty-two of your books. We’re reading Shakespeare!” Mr Rogers takes me to one side and talks to me privately, which I’m so grateful for. An hour earlier Mr Prescott singled me out to the whole class, which sucked ass.

  ***

  Before I know it, it's lunchtime and I'm in the line to get some food. There's a girl in front of me dressed in another tiny cheerleading uniform. Damn, there’s so many of them. She takes one look at me and starts whispering and giggling with the girl standing next to her. I think it's fair to say they are talking about me. They make it pretty fucking blatant. Idiots.

  Once I’ve grabbed some French fries, a burger and a bottle of water, I do a quick sweep with my eyes around all the tables dotted about the room. They’re so fucking big, it doesn’t even take that long.

  This is so awful. I’m confident I've made it completely obvious already that I am the new girl and its only lunchtime.

  Kill me now.

  “What’s up, short stuff?” I turn to my left and see a group of people heading towards me, including Caleb Knight and Ellis Carter – he’s the guy that referred to me as short stuff. Now, I know I'm short and I'm not exactly offended that he’s pointing it out, but I think I'm gonna want to poke his eyes out if he keeps it up. I hate patronizing pet names.

  I don't have chance to respond in any way before Caleb walks straight into me, shoulder barging me so hard that I stumble, throwing my food tray into the air until it clatters to the floor in a heap of carbs. He continues walking by with everyone laughing as they follow his lead. Some of the students are trying to hide their laughter and smiles, most of them not so much; I just stand still, shocked and trying to lessen the pain in my left shoulder by lightly rubbing it. A dinner lady passes me a mop and bucket that I assume I need to use to further humiliate myself by cleaning up the mess Caleb created.

  “He's a jerk. Here, let me help you. My name is Kaydee Porter, by the way.” This girl, who looks about my age, takes the mop out of my hand and starts to clean up my food. She's seriously pretty, wearing hardly any makeup. Her mousey brown hair is pinned up high on her head in a messy bun with tendrils falling down. She's taller than me and has curves in all the right places that I would give up all carbs for.

  Kidding!

  But I’d be willing to work for them…

  Okay, probably not. I lied.

  Her voice was deathly quiet, but I’m not sure if it just seemed that way because of the rambunctious atmosphere surrounding us.

  “Thank you. I’m Emilia Gold. This is my first day and you're the first person that’s actually been nice to me, minus the teachers.” Kaydee smiles at me and grabs my tray. She passes the mop and bucket back to the witch, that is apparently a dinner lady during the day.

  She turns to me. “Do you want to grab a sandwich and eat outside wit
h me?” Fuck yeah, I do!

  “Sure. One second.” I grab the first packed sandwich I see and toss some change on the counter. Kaydee and I walk in silence to the courtyard outside and find an empty table straight away. We sit quietly for about five minutes, neither of us knowing what to say to the other. I break it first. “So, you know Caleb?” She looks up at me and squints her eyes against the bright sunshine and nods.

  “Yup. He's been a jerk to me forever. He acts like I don't exist since he's been back. He was away for a while, don't know where, but I was just thankful I had some free time from him. He never picked up where he left off, which I was thankful for, until I saw what he just did to you in there.” Her face looks sad. From the sounds of it, I have so much more to look forward to.

  We spend nearly an hour lounging in the sun just talking. I tell her about England, Phoebe and my family. She tells me that she's an only child, she's sixteen, lived here her whole life and it turns out her house only five minutes from mine. That news made me smile. I told her about my classes, but sadly she doesn't have any with me. She laughed at me when I told her Mr Prescott wears his trousers too high and told me they were actually called pants. Go figure. She also said that when we hang out next, she's going to teach me some new words and phrases. Kaydee is a real gem.

  ***

  I’m just taking the last sip of my drink when the bottle gets swiped from my hand and my head shoots to the side. Kaydee squeals and ducks just before she gets hit too. I let out a small scream, the liquid stuck in my throat rendering my voice box immobile for a few seconds and grab the back of my head. I can feel a lump forming already. I hear laughter and Kaydee asking if I’m alright and if I need the nurse.

  “Don’t worry, Miss Kaydee. I’ll take her to the nurse’s office. I’m heading that way already.” At the sound of Caleb’s voice, my body goes rigid and Kaydee’s face pales. Before I can tell her everything will be fine, Ellis walks right up behind her. He trails is fingertips lightly down Kaydee’s cheek and across the top of her chest, leaning his face into her neck afterwards and breathing in deeply.