Chapter 14 #2
“Seems like I’m not the only reason people don’t sit beside you.” He glances around to the empty seats near us.“They’re keeping their distance, and not just ‘cause of me. What did you do, Red? Kill one of the preppy bastard’s ponies or somethin’?”
I look around the room, watching the quick narrowed glances and glares aimed toward me before they hastily turn away, fearful of the person beside me.
“I guess I’m not the only one oblivious to the rumours–” I begin before he cuts me off.
“I don’t listen to shit like that, Red.” He shakes his head.“ Petty gossip ?” He scoffs. “I couldn’t give two fucks. The only thing that interests me is blood, blades and my brothers.”
His brows scrunch together as he glares at a group glancing our way before turning back toward me, the creases in his eyes relaxing a little.
“You're not like the other wimp’s here anyway, Red. They’re too afraid to move, to bleed, and to be free.
They’re only worried about shitty names and what they can get.
Where's the fun in living like that?” He leans in closer again, this time only a breath between us as he continues.
“Sometimes freedom means being the bad guy. Sometimes you gotta embrace the darkness they create in you and make it your own. Don’t be consumed by the shit they throw at you or inflict.
Instead, let the dark little soul in you break free and make ‘em all bleed.”
His eyes gloss over, the slightest of frowns pulling at his lips as a wistful look takes over his face for the briefest of moments.
“Words can hurt, wounds can fester, but even the most broken of bones can heal again, Red.”
Ah, and there it is. The reason I feel drawn to him and why I listen intently while he talks. Why, a part of me finds some slither of comfort in his company. Why, unlike all the others here, I feel no judgement, and maybe even some semblance of a connection.
Something pushed him beyond his limits, broke him. And he pieced himself back together, cracks and all. He accepts it, welcomes it, and allows it to create a new him.
Someone that doesn’t break, that won’t fall easily, and will continue to get back up, grinning even when bloodied and beaten beyond repair.
I’m not sure what he's been through or what he's seen, but something tells me he went through hell just like me. And he survived it, creating the boy with these piercing blue eyes before me. The one that seems deranged and unhinged but shelters something a little lost or broken deeper inside.
My breath catches in my throat with the realisation that Annex reminds me of myself.
I see a small reflection in his eyes of all the broken and bent parts of me that I’ve tried to bury deep within myself.
Years of pain and torture that I pushed into a deep hole within me, only using it to fuel my anger and force myself to continue moving forward.
Trying to exist in a world where I’ve only ever been dealt the worst hand.
I shake my head, trying to pull myself from my spiralling thoughts.
This life was my second chance, and this time I wouldn’t suffer like before. Even Annex himself was proof I had already changed my future, because he was never a part of my past.
I gaze at the vibrant blue eyes watching me, something dark and unreadable forming in them before, he too, shakes himself free of it.
“Just live the way you want, Red. Whether you're the good guy or the bad guy in someone else's story, everyone becomes a villain at some point.
It's only a difference in perspective.” He shrugs, leaning back in his chair and stretching his feet out in front of him.
“Not that I don't deserve the fear or title,” he grins, “I do. And I embrace that shit fully. I own it. Being the unhinged one at times has its benefits.”
He stretches his arms out above him, sending all the students nearest us shaking and leaning in the opposite direction.
Why was everyone so afraid of him? What kind of reputation did he have? Other than being a bit crazy or deranged.
And why was I the exception?
Why did everything that came out of his mouth sound like he was comforting me? And why did I genuinely feel some sort of comfort from them?
His words from a moment ago replay in my head as I open my mouth.
“So who’s bad guy are you?”
Suddenly his heavenly look turns devilish, something wicked forming in his gaze as his eyes turn more intense. “Hopefully everyones.”
The bell rings around us, signalling the end of class, and pulling us from our own little world.
Everyone begins to shuffle out of the room as I shift away from Annex. But suddenly his hand darts out, grabbing me and pulling me down toward him.
“Always give more than you get, Red. If they knock you down once, get back up and bury them.” He gives me a wicked grin, pulling himself up and brushing against me as he passes me.
“I might even lend a hand. I enjoy a good bloodbath from time to time,” He passes Mr. Finch whose eyes widen and begin to shake.“I hear it's good for the skin.” He calls over his shoulder, chuckling as he exits the room.
I pull myself up straight as a slightly lighter feeling fills me. And then I still my movements, my brows furrowing with the strange feeling.
I look toward the now empty doorway.
It had been a long time since someone had tried to comfort me, let alone offer to help me.
I guess even if he was deranged, psychotic, or someone's bad guy , he was at least better than all the others here.
Annex . A small grin stretches my lips. It still sounded like some kind of curse word to me.
But I guess it suited him.