Chapter 44 #2
My BMW door slams harder than I mean it to.
I stalk toward the blue bike, heat crawling up my neck like a flash of lightning searing into my flesh.
I'm not even thinking clearly, just reacting, all of my emotions on a rollercoaster ride.
A bitter pulse of pettiness flares up, ugly and satisfying.
They don't deserve the luxury of these machines, or the ease with which the world bends for them.
Their actions warrant having their world crash down around them, as mine has.
I flip up the kickstand without hesitation, my fingers trembling with adrenaline that I refuse to acknowledge, then I plant my large, booted foot and shove hard.
The blue bike crashes with a metallic shriek, slamming into the green one.
The chain reaction is instant, green takes out pink, and the pink bike collapses, with a crack that echoes across the asphalt.
A bright, destructive domino line of privilege hitting the ground, and destroying their precious toys.
All of it bought and paid for with the blood and misery of this town.
Gasps burst around me, from the students gathering at the edges of my vision.
I turn toward them slowly and deliberately, my stare sharpening into something feral, something daring.
Come on. Give me a reason. I'm begging for one.
A fight right now would be a relief, and a release I desperately need.
Anything to stop the pressure inside me from splitting my head open, with all the nonstop pressure I'm feeling.
For a moment, I almost hope someone steps forward and does something, or calls me out, but instead, the cowards remain silent and watch.
I stroll forward, a man on a mission, and my eyes trail over the crowd, looking for a hint of purple hair.
I have no idea what classes she even has today.
The realization that I don't even know what she's majoring in makes me stop in my tracks.
What the hell am I doing? I don't know this girl, and none of this makes any sense.
"Hey, fucker, you're going to pay for what you did to those bikes!
" A skinny, tall guy with too much frizzy hair taunts me, as he holds his phone in my direction, recording me, and all thoughts of what I know about Olly are redirected.
"You think that phone is going to protect you?
" I move toward him, and watch with amusement as he panics and stumbles backward, crashing into other fleeing students who recognize the predator heading their way.
All these guys now are the same, keyboard and screen warriors, only brave when they're not confronted face to face.
My arm swipes out, knocking the phone from his grip, and it skids to the ground.
I fist the front of his shirt and drag him closer, then lift him in the air, until only his toes are touching the ground, as he squeaks like a little mouse and attempts to dislodge my grip.
"You had something to say, right, tough guy?
Something about me paying for what I did?
" I shake him hard until his teeth clash together. "Who's gonna make me pay, you?"
Tears and snot slide down his face as his lips tremble with whimpers, his eyes grow too large in his frightened face, and the smell of piss fills the air.
I take one look down, and yup, the brave cunt has released his bladder, and a puddle is slowly growing below him, and soaking the soles of my boots.
Disgusting. "You're as spineless as you are stupid.
Run along, fucker, before I rip your spine out through your nose.
If I ever catch you even looking at me, I won't have mercy on you a second time.
" I drop him, and he immediately stumbles, falling on his ass, before crawling away like the cockroach he is.
If Cross, Damon, and River don't already know I'm here, I'm sure they'll be told shortly.
I have to find Olly quickly, before those three confront me, and I have to fight our way out of here.
My gaze falls on a beautiful, shapely brunette walking rapidly toward me, utterly distracted by her thoughts, and unaware of her surroundings.
I'm positive I've seen her at my fights, her body wrapped around Cross or River.
I reach out and grab her arm, halting her progress.
"What... the... oh!" Her high-pitched voice goes suddenly silent, once she gets a good look at who's holding her.
"Do you know a girl named Olly? Long purple and brown hair, bright green eyes, and a temper like a wrathful, violent volcano?" I question as my eyes scan her features, only to realize how dazed and flushed she looks.
"Olivia? Olivia Springhill, is that who you're looking for?" She questions as she wets her swollen lips.
"Yeah, you've seen her recently? I need to urgently find her." My eyes scan the nosy crowd around us, ears perked in case the three from Mayhem show up, and try to blindside me.
"Who are you to her?" Her features change from dazed, confused, and curious to hostile. Is she one of Olly's friends? Does Olly even have friends? Fuck, I don't have time for this shit!
"Listen, she's my girlfriend, and right now she's in a shit ton of trouble. I need to get to her to keep her safe. Can you help me or not?" I release my hold, and prepare to walk away without her giving me anything.
"She was in the cafe, twenty minutes ago.
Her stepbrother and his friends were trying to bully her, but it.
.. didn't work... that girl's not afraid of anything or anyone," she huffs and swipes at her mouth angrily.
"Look, if you're her boyfriend, I wish you luck.
She's got a death wish, and Cross will grant it.
Keep her away from me, and tell her to keep her lips to herself!
" She shoves past me without a backward look, and I stand and stare at her with confusion. What the hell was that about?
I don't have another second to spare, I change direction and head across campus toward the cafe, eyes peeled for my girl.
One thing is for sure: the brunette is right, Olly does have a death wish, and Cross won't hesitate to grant it.
I have to find her, ‘cause she may be in trouble, and it might already be too late.
Where are you, Lavender? I'm coming for you, baby.