by Karla Luna
Even I thought I was done with this. But clearly I wasn’t. And I was dreading what else would happen later on.
Would I be expelled? Get sent back to that Orphanage? Or would Stormy possibly keep me here with her until I was of legal age?
I sighed deeply and looked down, hugging myself when I felt a bit chilly. Looking back up, I noticed one of the younger officers looking at me as if he were intrigued or interested in me. I slightly frowned but kept staring at him, wondering what he was looking at me for and what exactly he was thinking.
He looked awfully young, maybe 19 or 20 years old. His dirty blond hair was a bit messy and his light blue eyes seemed rather mysterious as he kept looking at me.
After a while, he just smirked and looked down, shaking his head. That made me glare at him even though he couldn’t see me anymore.
Well, that was weird.
“Evelyn Jo?”
I raised my eyebrows when I heard my name and looked up to see the officer that Zavier was talking to earlier. I only looked at him but still saw Zavier and Stormy from the corner of my eye, watching me and mumbling something to one another. “You are free to go, Guillermo?” He called out to the same blond guy that was looking at me earlier. When he heard his name, he came right over with a pair of keys in his hands.
We were facing each other when he put the keys in and started opening the cell. I didn’t want to look at him, but when I did, I saw that he was staring at me, pretty much looking me over. I hated it. And I did notice Zavier looking over at us, his aura turning a bit dark.
“Can’t believe they didn’t notice you had the joint,” Guillermo whispered to me with a smirk and I just froze up. “How’d you do that if it’s so easy to smell?” he asked, but I didn’t even get to answer as he fully opened the cell up and motioned for me to get out.
I walked rather quickly over to Zavier and Stormy, not looking back at him. Though Zavier just unfolded his crossed arms and walked straight out the door without even acknowledging me. I looked down and then shyly looked up at Stormy, fearing she would have that disappointed look on her face, too.
But she simply looked as calm as ever as she said, “Let’s go Evelyn.”
In the car, Zavier ended up driving and Stormy went to the backseat. I was about to go with her – you know, to avoid some – but she shook her head and pointed to the passenger seat. I almost grumbled but gave in and sat there, looking out the window the whole ride to Stormy’s workplace, since she only went out to help Zavier bail me out.
Once she was gone… oh the awkwardness was back and it was as worse as ever.
Zavier gripped the steering wheel rather tightly on the ride home and I found myself feeling very nervous and a bit scared. Sometimes, it’s like he had this angry, frightening side of him. And even though it may seem pretty hot to me sometimes, I loved my good boy more.
The sweet one that would’ve hugged me when they bailed me out. The kind one that would've looked concerned while I was still in there. The gentle one that would be grabbing on to my hand right now as if he were afraid to let me go.
But he never did any of those things and it got me a little upset. Okay, I probably didn’t even deserve those because I could see why he hated me at that moment. I’ve done something bad and I got caught. And who knows what would happen now because of it? What if I had done worse? I don’t even want to think about it. I didn’t want to think about anything at all.
Zavier parked the car in the driveway, and I was about to open the door and run to my room and hide there forever. But he locked the car door, so I had no choice but to stay and look over at him with curiosity.
He stayed silent for a while as he stared at the steering wheel. I noticed he had clenched his teeth and fists. So clearly he was angry with me. I think I noticed that like when were still a mile away. But I understood why he was angry. And I was definitely going to let him do whatever to help him get it off his chest. Shout at me. Tell me off. Anything. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me, so this was fine with me – because honestly, I think I deserved to be shouted at.
“I thought you were done with this stuff,” he said in a cold tone. “I just… why do you keep doing this to yourself, Evelyn?”
I didn’t know what to respond with. Why was I doing this to myself? I was even angry with myself for this.
“This just isn’t you.”
“This is me.” Well that was a big, big lie. “This has always been me.”
That’s when he turned to me, but I didn’t look at him just yet. “You just thought you needed to be bad. But that was never you! The one I fell in love with? That was you. You’re genuinely a good person, Evelyn. And I know that.”
“I hate that word being used on me.”
“Good? You are good, on the inside. Yes, you’ve done bad things but that doesn’t mean it has to define who you are. What would’ve happened if you were never brainwashed with so many bad things…” He pretended to laugh but then stopped right away. “I just… I don’t like it. I’m sorry but I really don’t. You know I love you. And that love for you is so strong that I need to do something about this. I feel like I should.”
“You can’t do anything about it, Zavier. But I’m sorry. I know it was wrong of me to do it.”
“Just don't do it again.”
That’s when I straight up asked him about what has been on my mind pretty much all week. Tonight, I thought I almost forgot about it. But now that he was actually talking to me? I just had to know what was up with him.
“Why have you been ignoring me? Do you think the video was my fault? Do you think us sleeping together was my fault?”
He rubbed his face with his hands before looking back at me. “It’s no one’s fault. I’m sorry I overreacted. I… I thought you’d hate me for it, honestly.”
“I could never hate you, Zavier. We did it. So? It wasn’t rape either. Clearly, I really wanted it. I wanted you. It doesn’t have to be a big deal.”
All he did was look down, and I felt like he didn’t really need to say anything else.
“I’m sorry, Evelyn…” He looked back up at me and my heart broke to see how his brown eyes were lighter, sad, and with no anger attached to them at all anymore. “I do have an idea who made that stupid video.”
I knew that when Zavier said the name, they were the cause of all of this. Really, how could I not notice it? Or maybe it was someone else I entirely hated. I don’t know. I guess I didn’t really look much into it. I just let it be, because I thought it didn’t matter.
Oh, Evelyn, it was just some creeper.
Wrong! How very wrong I was.
We do have guesses. But my first guess was the local bad boy, like Zavier had also said earlier. The stupid guy that I haven’t even heard from, or seen, in the past few days. I honestly didn’t even know if this ‘deal’, or whatever, was over or still going on. And a part of me was pretty afraid of what he could possibly be planning, since he left me alone so long. He was probably planning on ruining our lives, and this was just the start.
Absolute prick.
And just to add to my wonderful night, he actually called me up right after Zavier stepped out of the house to take a walk somewhere. I wanted to go with him but he told me to stay. His small smile told me he needed to be alone and I respected that.
But now? I really wished I hadn’t listened to him and gone anyway. Because I had a bad feeling. And at times like this, having a bad feeling meant something bad was obviously going to happen.
“Hi, bunny! Long time, no see.”
I glared at the wall when I heard his voice on the other line. I wanted to hang up on him and just go murder him instead. But I knew that he called for something, and I needed to know what it was in case it involved Zavier somehow.
“Did you like the video my buddies made? Aww… you guys slept together. How sweet. Let me go throw up.”
I wanted to say something back. But it’s like my rapidly beating heart was stopping me from doing so.
>
Go throw up all your intestines then. Please!
“Now, I really don’t understand why that happened. Really, bunny? Him? I’m twice the man, you know.” He made me sick.
“Oh, get over yourself. Most of your dick went to your head anyway. Actually, all of it did,” I snapped, making him laugh.
“Ooo. Ouch. There she is! Yeah, well, I just saw your Boo or Sex Toy, Geek Boy, whatever you wanna call him.” That made me angrier and a lot worried. Oh no. No, no, no!
“What…?”
“Yeah! I just saw him right now. He’s at the store and he just came back out with some stupid flowers. Then he shook his head and went back in. Aww… sweet, sweet nerd. I’d love to give him a surprise when he comes back out.” I could practically hear his stupid smirk.
“Why the hell are you doing this?”
He chuckled. “Bad guys just wanna have fun, bunny. I hate that dumb dork boy and he’s going to pay for what he's done, once and for all.”
My heart completely stopped when the line went dead after that.
Fuck, fuck!
Zavier!
46: We’re Going Down
• Zavier •
I wanted to look for Davne and deal with him once and for all. It’s been too much waiting already. And with Christmas break already here, I wanted him gone. Having him in my life just made things worse and I was done with it.
What would’ve happened if he never even entered my life? Or Evelyn’s? That probably would’ve caused less damage and anger between everyone involved.
I also felt like getting Evelyn something, to apologize for how rude and unfair I’ve been this whole week. People were treating her horribly and me being the ‘best boyfriend ever’, I just stayed by and watched things happen like I didn’t care. I didn’t talk to her, nothing. One thing was true though. I felt pretty bad for making that request that night of the stupid video. I now realize it was a bad move.
So I decided to be nice and get her some colorful tulips.
But of course, when I came out of the store, I remembered she didn’t really like getting flowers, so that made me go back inside.
Well, where was I supposed to get drugs or whatever? From the stoners? I honestly wouldn’t even want to give her that. Definitely not. Maybe something else. Something more appropriate.
Once I went back in, the girl at the cash register looked at me with a frown. I just gave her a small smile and pointed to the flowers. “I’d like to return these please.”
She stayed quiet for a few seconds, but then pressed a button on the cash register and nodded at me. “Sure… as long as they’re not dead yet. Do you have the receipt?”
I put one finger up to indicate I needed a second, and then started searching my pockets. After a couple more seconds, I nervously chuckled and kept looking. I even took my beanie off and looked in there but nothing.
The girl only giggled at me and my cheeks started burning a bit from embarrassment.
“I-I might’ve thrown it in the trash on my way out,” I said, but then pointed at the trash outside. “S-should I go get it?”
“No, no,” she covered her mouth to stop her giggling but even when she continued talking, she couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ve just never seen a guy buy flowers just to return them two seconds later.”
I pouted for a second and then shrugged. “It happens.”
“Sure,” she said as she smiled at me.
I shook my head.
“Actually, I don’t want any money back. You keep it. Just, here, give them to your boyfriend or something. I’m sure he’d like them.” I went over and put the tulips on the counter. She looked down at them in confusion and picked them up.
“I don’t have a boyfriend. Would guys even like tulips?”
“Well I… maybe, who knows? Give them to your grandmother, a sick friend, your dog.” Dog? Really, Zavier?
That made her giggle again. Seriously, what was so funny? I just wanted to get my angel something nice. Something she’d actually like. “Why don’t I keep them for myself?” That almost made me choke. “I-I’m not trying to… I-I wasn’t…”
“Oh, not like that. Chill. Don’t worry. I’ll give them to my girlfriend instead. She loves tulips.” I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just nodded at her. She raised her eyebrows at me and then giggled. “People hardly expect that.”
I gave her a crooked smile. “Nothing wrong with it. Hope she likes them. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go get my girlfriend some fried chicken.” Because really, I’m sure everyone knew by now that in order for Evelyn to feel forgiving, you just had to say sorry and before she yelled at you, just close your eyes and take out that big bucket of fried chicken.
Yeah, sounds about right.
I came back out of the store and looked up at the night sky, then down at my watch. I really don’t know why I decided to walk instead of taking the car. Because around here, it was pretty dangerous to be out this late.
All right, I was considered a smart kid, the nerd, but that’s mostly in school. I think it’s only in school actually. Because outside of it, I can make some pretty dumb mistakes and decisions. I wanted to laugh at them right now, but I just kept walking and looked around a few places. I placed my hood over my head and put my hands in my pockets because the air was getting a little chilly.
Passing by a few people made me a bit paranoid because I sort of had a bad feeling about something. I don’t know, maybe it was because I’m hardly ever out, or because I actually felt the need to do something about Davne. But come on, what could I even do to that guy when all he’s done these past few years is hurt and scare the hell out of me?
At this point, I was feeling more paranoid about it all, and I decided I needed to go home already. I figured I just couldn’t do this, especially alone.
But once I turned around, my heart almost stopped beating at the sight of the guy with dark clothing and a smirk I’ve seen for years… in both real life and my dreams.
It seemed like I saw him only a few days ago when he actually hasn’t really been around much. I mean, I was glad for it. But really, right now was when he decided to show up? Right when there were barely any people around? Then again, that’s how he usually worked. He was quite smart with these things.
Clenching my jaw, I glared at him. But on the inside, I was drenched with fear and shaking everywhere. But I didn’t want him to see how scared I actually was. Because even though I knew I wasn’t, I wanted to be brave tonight, for once.
Davne kept his smirk on and then smiled at me almost genuinely.
“Hey, Zavier. What are you doing around here so late? Good boys gotta go to bed.” He pointed down at his watch-less wrist and chuckled. “Bedtime, right? You got a bedtime?”
All I did was swallow the lump in my throat and clench my fists together. Dammit, what was I supposed to do? People didn’t really know this but I sort of started training myself how to fight after Evelyn showed me a couple of moves. I could try them now but I’ll most likely get killed here… and I didn’t want that. But again, as long as he left her alone, I was willing to do pretty much anything.
Davne was standing a few feet away from me. Just seeing him made me stop and want to retrace my footsteps and basically run away as far as I could. But there was no use for that, especially when I saw two guys coming to stand next to him. The same two guys I saw who broke into school with him a few days ago.
I faintly remembered him talking about a plan as well. Since he helped those guys with their grades, I’m guessing this was…
Oh no, this… this can’t be it.
This can’t be their repayment.
My breathing got heavier and I felt a strong pain in my chest. I felt sweaty and I must have gone pale and I just couldn’t think of anything else but my girl.
Evelyn… you’ll be okay.
“See, Zavier, I think it’s been very clear that I really don’t like you,” Davne said as he dug in his pocket and took a lighter ou
t. I thought he’d take a cigarette out next but instead he just kept the lighter in his hand and played around with it. “I do like how you got to bang Evelyn. My buddies right here gave me the evidence for that. Right on. What you didn’t know, is that she came to me first.”
“You’re lying.” Once I said that with a cold tone, he stopped smiling and put his lighter away back in his pocket, clapping his hands together.
“Well, sorry buddy, but I’m not.”
“I know you are. You think I would believe you? All you’ve done is beat me up all these years for something that was never even my fault.”
He was about to open his mouth to say something, when I interrupted him yet again. And I could tell his temper was only rising. But I was most likely about to die right now so I just wanted my last words to be good. Telling him things I’ve always wanted to.
“You think you’re this tough guy. A bad boy. Well, I’ll tell you what I think and know you are… an absolute prick.”
And suddenly I felt a rush of adrenaline through my system. My blood felt cold and I froze up, when he suddenly took a gun out from his jeans, as if in the blink of an eye.
Now I knew, I really was going to die in a matter of seconds. And I couldn’t do anything about it. I was basically surrounded.
All I did was keep my eyes on that gun and hoped that the trigger wouldn’t be pulled.
“Now I made a little deal with Evelyn a while ago,” he said, and I watched as his eyes turned even more demonic. “Yeah, she’d stay with me so I wouldn’t hurt you. Obviously I couldn’t do that so I stopped calling her after a while. She is one hot, bad girl, Zavier boy. She does not deserve someone like you. I can’t just pass up the opportunity to finally get rid of you when you’re standing right in front of me.” He chuckled and looked around. “No witnesses around, just me and my guys, your nerdy self, and this gun pointing right at you.
“You think you know the life of someone who’s been this bad his whole life. Sure, losing someone is bad. But losing someone else before that and having people ruin your lives because of those that you lost…” that dark aura around him was just getting darker and he chuckled almost evilly. “… now that’s not fun. I hate people like you. Living a perfectly normal life, with nothing bad happening to them. Because they’re good people. I hate it. You and all those others make me sick.”