9. Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Presley
Waking up, I get ready as silently as I can so as not to wake the others. Harley is the first one to meet me downstairs as I grab a banana before trying to dip out, but the old man catches me.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He asks, and I huff.
“Heading to school. The last thing I need today is my boyfriend seeing me with Mav, plus I’m pissed at him so I’m out. I’ll see you after school.” I say, hoping my reasoning suffices him.
“I’ll drop you at the bus stop. I don’t want you walking around alone.” He says and I nod.
“Fine, but don’t tell your brothers.” I plead, but of course the fucker pops up out of nowhere.
“Too late Beauty. We need to talk.” He says, yawning as he gets up. My eyes automatically find his hard-on and I leap into action, getting my shit and trying to leave the house as fast as I can. Jesus Christ. I cannot deal with them today. Before stepping out, I turn to him,
“Talk to this bitch.” I smirk giving him the finger and slamming the front door behind me. I climb into Harley’s truck and wait for him to come out. Taking out my phone, I see I have a missed call from Stan. Fuck that motherfucker. Three missed texts from Jacob Lee and one from Mav. Fuck all of them. Putting my phone on Do Not Disturb, I place it in my bag and wait for Harley. Just fuck it. Fuck everything and everyone.
Harley dropped me off at the bus stop as promised and I played the game all morning. Putting on a happy fake smile and lying my ass off along with avoiding all the Cyprus brothers.
Standing in the girls bathroom, I fix my mascara and lip gloss as the door slams open. A pissed off Jacob Lee storms in and cages me against the sink. Fuck.
“Why haven’t you answered my calls and texts? You’ve been avoiding me since yesterday and I don’t fucking like it.” He spits. I take both hands and put them against his chest, pushing him away from me and walking towards the door. I am not in the mood for his bullshit.
“Don’t fucking walk away from me, Presley!” He growls, but I keep moving to the door when he slams into the back of me, my forehead bouncing off the wood. Momentarily seeing stars, I try to focus but he spins me around, slamming me against the door and getting in my face.
“When I fucking call, you answer. When I text, you answer. I don’t know what is going on with you, but you need to cut the shit.” He says and I spit in his face.
“Fuck you. I’m done. I’m sick of playing this twisted game with you. I want fucking out.” I snap and he laughs, wiping the spit from his mouth only to suck his fingers clean, making my stomach turn in disgust.
“You want out? Ha. There is no out! The minute we walk across that stage with our diploma’s in hand, you will become my trophy wife. You will do as I say, when I say it. You will obey my every fucking command, bear all the children I want and most of all,” he says with a sly grin, “You will be the sex slave for whoever I choose. This is your life now. You sold your soul to the devil, babe. Welcome to hell.” He gloats as tears form in my eyes.
“And if I say no?” I whisper as he grips my chin roughly, forcing me to look at him.
“I’ll cut your fucking tongue out.” He threatens as tears fall from my eyes.
“Awee, Pres. Don’t cry. It just makes my dick hard seeing your tears fall, smearing your pretty face. Only my cock stuffed down your throat is allowed to do that baby. Now, go get cleaned up and I’ll see you at lunch.” He smirks, stepping away and pulling the door open causing me to stumble a bit. I fucking hate him. I want to put a knife right through his fucking neck. This is not the life I want. I need to run. I-I need to get away. So fucking far away. I slam my hands against the cold porcelain sink, cursing at how stupid I am as I let the tears fall until there’s nothing left.
Looking up at myself in the mirror, I’m a fucking mess. I clean myself up and plaster a fake smile on my face as the bell rings for the next class. Walking out, the hallway is packed with students as I head for the art room. It’s the only place no one will find me during this hour and I can get peace for a little bit.
As I walk down the busy hall and down the stairs to the basement level, I see a few of the guys from the football team fucking with Axel, throwing his bookbag back and forth at eachother, spilling his contents all over the landing.
“Awee, look at the mute. Cat got your tongue trailer trash?” They taunt and I don’t fucking like it. “Too bad you’re mute and can’t scream for help. Fucking idiot.” They spit and I’ve had enough. I step down the stairs slowly, reaching for my keys in the side pocket of my small leather black bag and wrap my hand around them.
I push Duke into the wall causing him to stumble as Drake tries to push Axel down the stairs. I gasp as Axel rights himself and I rear back punching Drake in the back of the head. His head snaps forward and he whirls on me as I send a jab to his nose and one to the throat. His nose instantly leaks blood and he bends over choking. I spin feeling Duke coming for me.
“Pres, mind your business.” He spits, and I molly whop him upside the head, causing him to stumble.
“Fuck you. Leave him alone, dirtbag.” I spit, shoving him again. Strong arms grab a hold of my waist and hauls me down the stairs.
“Let me go!” I spit, not realizing it’s Axel whose dragging me away from the two fuckers messing with him. He keeps walking with me until we are far enough away in a dark corridor before he gently sets me down on my feet. I spin on him and am greeted with a smile I’ve never seen before. His dark eyes light up with pride as he takes me in. My heaving breath shudders as adrenaline flows through my veins. His fingers come up to my face and I flinch slightly causing his eyes to narrow in confusion, but he doesn't stop. He moves a lone curl from my face, tucking it behind my ear before tracing the frame of my face like he did last night. I shut my eyes, reveling in his warm touch setting my body alight.
An electric current sparks through my soul as he thumbs my bottom lip, not saying a word. The current gets stronger and stronger the longer he touches me, causing my chest to heave and my heart to beat wildly, and then it's gone. I shiver at the loss and open my eyes only to be met with sad ones, making me wonder why they are so dull. The light was there for only a second and now they are completely void.
Taking a step back, I look around as he fiddles with his bag.
“Thank you for getting me out of there and I’m sorry they were being mean to you. You don’t deserve to be treated that way.” I say and he nods.
“You wanna come hang with me in the art room? I need some peace and drawing is the only thing that helps.” I admit and he smiles again. I swear our souls know one another because his smile speaks to me deep within my chest, making me feel solace in this moment.
“Is that a yes?” I ask, giving him a little smile of my own, and he nods. I grab his hand, but he pulls away, shaking his head.
“Ok got it, you don’t like to be touched. Noted.” I say as I spin, heading out of the corridor and down a few rooms.
Entering the classroom with Axel in tow, it's completely empty this time of day. All the art classes are at the end of the day which I love. It puts me in a good mood before I have to head to work.
Shutting the door behind us, I find my sketchbook and sit by the half window above me. Axel grabs a few colors of paint and brushes he wants to use and sits in the stool next to me. Ripping a new piece of paper, he tacks it to the board and I watch in awe as he dips the brush in the black liquid and glides it across the paper, creating a background. I watch for a few minutes then look down at my sketchpad.
Taking my pencil, I work on the drawing of myself looking in the mirror and the reflection of a dead girl. Skin disintegrating from the page. It’s horrific, which is exactly how I feel. I get so lost in the sounds of Axel painting and my own drawing that I don't realize we’ve missed lunch. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I pack up my things in a hurry and Axel watches my every move with a look of concern written on his face.
“Hey, I gotta go. This was awesome. I’ll see you soon.” I say and he nods, still looking at me like he’s worried for my safety. I exit the classroom without a backwards glance. Why do I feel so guilty leaving him? If I could stay with him in this moment forever I would.
Complete silence, but yet my heart was happy being near him. No words needed to be said. I felt safe and calm but I know that feeling is a farce. Nothing good lasts forever and I’m not meant for happiness. Not as long as Jacob Lee is still breathing.