MINE

VIELLA’S POV It burned. The aftertaste of heartbreak burned my throat and it tasted like s**t. The city of New Orleans felt cold, and lonely, although the buzz of people were still lively around me. Stares I got made me know that I must be looking pathetic, sad, and miserable. I mean, who wouldn't think the same? Walking down the street with disheveled hair, a half bottle of gin, heels in hand and a makeup stained face, anyone would think you're crazy. “Well, I can thank Jalyc for the attention” I thought in my head, as I climbed the stairs to my apartment. Drunkenly, I opened my door, immediately went to the room and collapsed on my bed. My heart hurt and so did my head. I started and ended sophomore year in a happy relationship, but three months after, and I'm beginning my penultimate year with a broken heart and possibly a heavy migraine. This is about to be a wonderful academic year… **** Sun rays burned through the slits of my curtains and filled my room. I rolled to the other side once a misdirected ray hit my eyes. I groaned deeply, as my eyes began to flutter open and the f*****g mind-blowing headache from last night resurfaced. “f**k you, Jalyc” I stared at my solar system designed ceiling, as last night replayed in my head. My boyfriend and my f*****g best friend. Two most important people in my life and they had to stab me in the back. I was too angry to cry last night, so instead, I got drunk. But now, laying awake sober, the tears threatened to fall. The beeping sound of my alarm jarred me out of my self pity, as I hit the snooze button. I rolled off my bed, showered and got ready for school. I was excited three days ago to resume my penultimate year, excited to be on the journey with my best friend, Louisa, and my boyfriend, but now as I walked out of my apartment, I wished i could walk into a moving truck. “One more year, Vi. And you'll be done” I walked into campus, dragging my fatigued being into the administrative block to get my schedule. Then I sighted someone, blonde hair, and pink shirt skirt. My veins burned with anger, the closer I got to where she stood. And my tongue rancid with disgust and wrath. “Hey b***h!” I scowled, the moment I was three feet away from her. Slowly, she flipped her hair and turned back to look at me, her lips in a devious smile. “Oh, the girlfriend that got dumped yesterday?” Bafflement clouded my features, but anger filled my vision making me see red. I scoffed, dropped my backpack to the floor, and stared back at her. “Well, if you weren't such a low, cheap conniving slut who stole her best friend’s boyfriend, I wouldn't be the girlfriend that was dumped yesterday” I fired back at her, as I crossed my arms over my chest. “Who. The. Hell do you think you're calling a slut, you bitchy Viella!” She screamed and launched at me her hand reaching for my hair. Before she reached me, I sighted Jalyc amongst his friends coming down the hallway and an idea entered my head. I dodged Louisa’s attack, and ran towards his direction. Clouded by her rage, Louisa didn’t take time to think, as she launched at me again, reaching for my hair. I dodged once more, but this time, Louisa tripped, her hand flailing towards Jalyc’s joggers. And down it went. Gasps and shocked screams filled the hallway, as Louisa and Jalyc's joggers hit the floor. Clicks of camera followed shortly after. Jalyc stood there frozen, his face red with embarrassment. His uncovered genital was on display, but the crowd didn't seem to give a f**k as they continued capturing them. “You both thought you could rub my heart through the mud. I took y'all to hell” I scoffed, as I picked up my bag. This time Louisa was on her feet, her pale skin void of blood. She looked like a ghost. “You…!” Jalyc rushed at me, but tripped on his own joggers, which made the whole crowd snicker in amusement “See y'all later!” I tsked, and walked away from the embarrassed couple. I rolled my shoulders as I left the block, right after collecting my schedule for the session. The air outside hit different, and my chest felt lighter, but it didn't dismiss the dull residue of heartbreak. Now, that was revenge. I didn't bother sticking around school, as I began walking to a nearby diner. My thick, long wavy auburn hair danced in the wind and on my face, blocking my vision for a bit which made me lower my head. My head ached as it came in contact with strong muscle, forcing me to look up, as I put it in a ponytail. “So sorry, didn't see you” I apologized, and turned to leave, but the disgruntled man held my arm and pulled me back forcefully. “Hi, sweetheart. Hitting me there, I thought you wanted some fun, huh, what do you say?” I furrowed by eyebrow as my lips fell open for a reply, but the man yanked off my hair scuffle, and pulled my hair, leading me to an abandoned alley. “What the hell do you think you're doing?” I fought against his hold, but he didn't budge. Reaching the deeper section of the alley, I was thrown against a dumpster. Mind numbing pain shot through my spine, making me close my eyes in agony as I felt the pain flow through my nerves. “f**k!” I hissed, as I writhed on the floor. The man's shadow loomed over me but I didn't open my eyes. Soon, I was being pulled up by my hair. The forceful drag sent pain to my brain, which added to the spine ache from moments ago. “Come, let's have fun!” I whimpered, as I forced my eyes open and saw the lustful gaze beneath the man's black orbs. I didn't wait to be told the type of fun before I kicked him between his legs, which forced him to free my hair. Falling to my knees, I immediately grabbed my bag and bolted away from the scene. Hearing footsteps behind me, I turned to look, but my face collided, yet again, with another strong muscle. My breath hitched in my throat as my mind raced with an ugly thought that I'd run into his accomplice. Slowly, I turned my head, and looked up to the face of the person in front of me. Brown eyes shone brightly with hues of gold, as his features settled into a deep frown. Cold air hit my skin, leaving the hair at the back of my neck alert in its wake. There was something about his aura. It was intimidating, like something that can't be challenged. “I–” “Run!”