Serena
The last bell of the school day rings, and I sigh in relief. The first day of school is officially done. I pack up my stuff and leave Mr. Labeau’s class with Evie. I can feel his eyes on me as I walk out, but I ignore it. I walk with Evie to her locker. Talking to Evie is easy for me because she does most of it. I listen and nod along. I have never been a big conversationalist. Cleo or Evan used to be the ones who talked while I just listened. Yeah, yeah. I know I need to say what is on my mind more. Evie grabs her stuff, and we head out to the parking lot.
Naomi and Grace are already outside, waiting by Evie’s car. They are talking to each other in hushed voices. I watch them closely as we walk closer. Their hands are touching, and they look super close. When they notice Evie and me walking closer, they jump away from each other. Both pretend like nothing is going on between them.
Evie invites me to go out with them. I decline, needing some time to myself. I tell them I am going for a drive around town and see what there is. Evie offers to come with me, but I shake my head. She already has plans with Grace and Naomi. I don’t want to get in between. I wave goodbye to them and walk to my mom’s car.
A part of me wishes I had taken Evie up on her offer or gone out with the three of them, but I feel so burnt out and overwhelmed after today. I didn’t know what to expect, but I never expected everything that happened. I assumed everyone would be curious about the new girl, but to get the attention of the three most popular guys at school was not something I was prepared for.
Hopefully, by tomorrow, things will have calmed down, and I can resume my plan of going unnoticed.
I pull out of the parking lot and start driving. I don’t have a destination in mind. I want to see what is around. I drive through the small town. It looks so different in the light of day. Families are walking around together. Stores are bustling with business. The local restaurants and café are filled with families and students enjoying the evening together. It makes me think of a Hallmark movie. Everything looks just so perfect and peaceful.
What It Is by Doechii ft. Kodak Black is playing loudly through the radio. I roll the windows down, taking in the fresh mountain air. My hair blows in the wind as I drive. The scenery is breathtaking. There are mountains and forests as far as the eye can see. I feel like I can fully breathe for the first time in a long time. The deep pine scent soothed a part of my soul I did not know craved it.
Three motorcycles quickly catch up to me and stay behind me for a few minutes. I look at them in my rearview mirror but can’t see who they are. Just three black bikes followed behind me. I take a turn down a random road, and they follow me. A sense of panic hits me, wondering who they are and what they are doing. I speed up, trying to get away from them, but they continue to follow at the same distance. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I have no clue what to do. Do I turn around and go back home? I grip the steering wheel tighter, trying to figure out my next move when the motorcycles pull up next to me. I keep my head forward, trying to ignore the panic brewing in me now that they are now beside me. They stayed there for a minute, looking at me. I can see them nod to each other out of the corner of my eye. Their loud exhausts startled me as they sped past me so fast that I could barely see them as they disappeared into the distance.
When I can no longer see them, I sigh in relief, but the panic still lingers. This excess energy in me needs a way out. My body screaming at me to get it out the only way I know how. I resist the urge. I promised myself I would never do that again. I won’t relapse. I need to find another outlet.
I pull in next to a crystal blue lake and exit the car. The air feels so fresh and warm against my skin. I take my cardigan off and it in the back seat before walking to the lake.
Peace and serenity washed over me the further I walked around. I have always felt drawn to water. It’s a happy place for me. I was sad to be moving away from the ocean, but being so close to this makes up for it.
I kick my shoes off and walk into the water, the bottom of my jeans getting wet. A sigh of relief leaves me. Heaven. I walk down the lake until I come up to a dock. The narrow wooden walkway is about ten feet long. I walk to the end and sit down, my feet dancing across the warm water.
The world goes quiet, and all I can hear is the nature around me.
I close my eyes and tilt my head back, soaking in the sun.
Without wanting to, my mind wanders to the Kings. Midas, Odin, and Zeus. They could effortlessly become a deadly temptation. One I don’t need or want. They are the snake, and I am Eve. Unlike her, I won’t bite the apple they are offering. I refuse to, and not even just because of Evan.
I can already tell they are dangerous. I won’t get mixed into that. I know nothing about motorcycle gangs, but I have watched Sons of Anarchy, and if that show is even half accurate to what life is like for them, I wouldn’t survive it.
I won’t be like my mom. I never asked what trouble she got into growing up, but based on her warnings, it had to be awful. I know if I ever dipped my toe into their world, it would suck me in. Deep inside, I have felt this dark need that was never satisfied.I felt like I suppressed that side of me and if I let it free, I would never be the same again.
When I saw the Kings today, I knew they could feed that darkness in a heartbeat. It was the first time in a long time I felt that secret longing creep up in me. They are a poison that I would never be able to put down until it killed me. I refuse to get my heart broken by them because they would completely obliterate it. Those boys are heartbreakers through and through.
I picture how they each looked today. No eighteen-year-old should look like they do. It is obvious they spend most of their free time in the gym. They have far too much muscle, but it works on them.
“Ms. Gold, are you all right?” I jump out of my skin and turn around to see Mr. Labeau behind me. His eyes are searching mine, seeing something in them.
“H-hi, Mr. Labeau.” I nervously say.
I thought I was completely alone out here. I didn’t even hear him coming. I need to start taking in my surroundings.
“Tate. My name is Tate. You can call me that outside of the class.” He says. Tate points at the empty spot next to me, and I nod. I shimmy over, creating a bigger space for him to sit. Tate sits down beside me quietly.
I look over at the man next to me. He has a strong jaw and beautiful, cut cheekbones. He looks down at me and smiles. We say nothing to each other. Just sit and enjoy the peace until I hear footsteps running down the dock.
“What the fuck is going on?” Midas yells at us.
How the hell did they find me?
I don’t bother looking back at him. I refuse to let him break my peace this time. Tate looks over and scowls as the three Kings stomp over to us. They stop behind us, and I feel a hand grab my arm tightly and pull me up. Midas is glaring at me before turning his gaze to our teacher. If looks could kill, Tate would be dead on the spot.
I try to free my arm, but Midas tightens his grip on me and stares daggers at our teacher. I want to tell him off, but before I can open my mouth, Midas throws me back into Zeus.
Zeus gently catches me, making sure I don’t fall. When he is satisfied that I am not hurt anywhere, he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in close to his side. His scent invades my senses. It’s strong and masculine with a hint of motor oil. I melt into his side and let him hold me. Odin comes up on the other side of me and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together. I look up at him, and he gives me a genuine smile.
Evan.
The thought of my fiancé startles me. I jump back from the two men currently holding me. Odin and Zeus look at me quizzically. I shake my head at them when they try to take a step toward me. I push through them, ready to storm away. Midas tries to stop me, but I push past him.
“I will see you in class tomorrow, Mr. Labeau.” I give him an apologetic look.
He looks like he wants to say something but nods his head. I storm away from the four of them. I can hear Midas raising his voice, but I can not hear what he is saying. I don’t even care now what he is saying.
How dare he think he can grab me and push me around the way he did. Who the hell does he think he is? We don’t even know each other.
What is more concerning is how I felt something when he touched me. This sense of protection and excitement coursed through me from his fingertips. I have never felt like that before.
The whole drive home, I could not get Midas out of my mind or any of them, even Mr. Labeau. I don’t know anything about Tate, but there is something. I can’t tell if it”s good or bad yet. I pull the car into the laneway. My head is still a mess of thoughts that I can’t sort through.
I don’t see my mom when I walk in, so I head to my room and toss my bag on the floor by the door. I quickly change into black leggings and an oversized hoodie before tying my hair in a messy bun.
Shit. I just remembered I turned my phone off earlier.
I rummage through my pile of stuff on the floor and grab my phone.
I quickly hit dial on his number. I already know he is mad at me no matter what. The phone rings twice before he picks up the phone.
“What the actual fuck, Serena?” He screams into the phone. I can hear someone in the background, but I can’t tell who it is.Must be his roommate.
I resort to my default and apologize, saying it will never happen again. There is no point in explaining what I was doing because how do I even explain what happened at the lake? I sit on my bed and listen to him lecture me about how much of a bitch I am- his words- and how I know what is ”expected” of me. He screams at me how I must live up to his expectations, especially now that we are engaged.
I roll my eyes as I take his verbal lashing. I knew this would happen if I ignored him. I really should have responded to him earlier to avoid this.
“I can’t fucking trust you while you are away.” He barks into the phone. I cringe each time he raises his voice, thankful I am not there, knowing the potential violence that would follow. “If this relationship is to work, you need some more rules. One, your locations have to be on at all times. I have to know where you are. Two, I want you in bed by ten thirty each night, and you must send me proof every night. Three, if you are ever somewhere that you can’t call or text, I expect a picture for proof.”
My whole body is tense, and I can feel myself vibrating with anger. I know how controlling Evan is, but this is ridiculous. I wish I could tell him that, but it’s just easier giving him what he wants.
“Yes, Evan.” I brokenly say to him, my voice just a whisper. The conversation doesn’t go on much longer than that. He is too upset with me to talk to me more, his words.
When we hang up the phone, I toss it to the end of my bed and curl into a ball, silently crying until no more tears fall. I do not move from that position. Time feels so endless at that moment. I don’t know how much time passes before my phone vibrates at the end of my bed.
I drag myself up and grab it.
I look out the window and see Zeus looking at me. Does he live next door to me? He tilts his head like a puppy, trying to figure me out.
I can’t help but smile at him. He may be labeled as an intimidating guy, but I don’t see it. Sure, I can see there is pain and something else in his eyes, but he isn’t scary.
I take my phone out and wonder what I should say. Do I tell him the truth or do I keep it hidden like I always have?
In reality, I didn’t want to tell them about Evan, especially not like this. I have always kept everything a secret, it was easier that way, but maybe if they know I have someone else they will finally leave me alone. I don’t need more of a headache when it comes to Evan. I have already upset him enough.
Zeus”s face hardens as he looks at the message. He snaps back to me, a look of pure anger on his face. Midas and Odin join him at the window, and he shows them the text. They both look confused until they read the message. Just like Zeus, their heads snap up and look at me. I want to cower under their intense gazes, but I hold my head high. There is already one man controlling me and making me afraid. I won’t let these three do the same without my permission.
They have a conversation with each other. I can”t hear them through the closed windows, but I try to read their lips. Something about a game and a plan. I am horrible at reading lips, apparently. I watch while they look like they are arguing, their eyes never leaving me.
Zeus places his hand on the window, a look of hurt and longing on his face. I have no idea why he looks the way he does, but it makes me want to wrap my arms around him until he feels better. My hand twitches, wanting to mimic his movement, but I can’t.
I look at the three of them and sigh. My heart breaks a little for them. It shouldn”t, but it does. Zeus is the first to break eye contact with me. He turns around, his hands pulling his hair. Odin continues to look at me like I am something he wants and is trying to figure out how to get me. Midas looks like he is ready to murder someone. If I had to guess, it’s me.
I straighten out my shoulders and stare back at them. I try to keep my face blank, not wanting to show them how they make me feel. I haven’t evaluated my feelings for them, not sure if I even could. I don’t know them, they are strangers to me, but there is something lingering. Something I don’t want to think about.
Midas glares at me with so much malice that I should be scared. They won’t intimidate me. They won’t take me down. I am not dealing with them. Not anymore. I shake my head and close my curtains before heading back to bed.
Not much later, I hear the loud revving from their motorcycles. A rumble of excitement washes over me before I tamp it down. It doesn’t take long before they fade away into the distance, finally leaving.
It’s only eight o’clock, but I suddenly feel so exhausted. I quickly take a picture of me in bed before sending it to Evan with the caption saying I am going to bed early.
I don”t wait for him to respond. I turn my phone off and put it on my bedside table. I turn the lights off and crawl under the covers. Sleep claims me quickly. Dreams of snakes, poison, and death fill my night.