Chapter 6: All you see
1266 Words
RAYE
My body trembles as I grip the sink hard. I'm sure my knuckles are white due to how long I've been in this position, grabbing the sink like it's my lifeline. The realization of what I did several years ago dawns on me.
I killed him.
I killed my own father.
The sound of his head being smashed on a rock still echoes, seeping into my ears like black smoke and I know I can't take it. Someone should make it stop. I can still see my mother staring at me like the goddamn murderer I am. I killed her husband. I deserve everything I'm facing. I'm a monster.
A sob breaks out of my throat for the hundredth time.
A different memory plays before me like a movie. It isn't my dad's death, it's Cassius pulling me out of the pool with his strong arms. His scent. His voice….why did I feel safe in his embrace?
And the thoughts in his head when he saw me like this? Definitely a weak, pathetic girl that doesn't know how to swim. Great. I f****d up my second party as well.
I'm starting to think Blackthorn isn't really for me, but I'm here for something else—my brother. So I wipe my tears harshly, fix my makeup and remind myself the only reason I'm here. Not for a night with Cassius. Not for new friends. But for Ja—
“Here you are!” Lena bursts into the bathroom, arms crossed under her breast. “I heard what happened at the pool, I'm so sorry I—”
“It's fine.” I give her a small smile, clutching Jace's jacket like my lifeline. “It's not your fault,” I head for the door, eager to return to my dorm room, but Lena suddenly grabs my waist as her grin fills my ears. “Since you're okay after the pool drama, there's something you need to see!”
There's this excitement in her voice.
But I still push back the idea of coming with her.
“No, Lena. I should head back.”
“Just when the fun is about to start?”
“What fun?”
Lena drags me out of the bathroom against my will and I groan inwardly. The cold wind hits my face as soon as we step out. I'm shivering like a bird tossed in an icy lake and Lena keeps urging me to walk faster.
“What's this about?” The curiosity bites into my skin like acid, I don't think I can take it anymore. Lena finally releases my wrist. “A bike race and it involves Cassius.”
My back stiffens.
I don't want to meet him again.
Not after what happened an hour ago.
“I know you've never seen him race. It's going to be a good watch, I promise.”
I shouldn't care.
But this curiosity….yeah, let's blame it on the curiosity. It's the only reason I nod even after the unease that crawls up my spine. Lena glances over her shoulder to stare at me. “Still in those?” She's referring to Jace's jacket. She takes off hers, urging me to wear it, but I shake my head slowly. “You're wearing something thin, too. I think I can manage.”
“I insist.”
I flash her an appreciative smile, take off Jace's jacket and wear hers slowly. Her scent hits me immediately and a laughter spills out of me. “Had a lot to drink already?”
She shrugs, pointing at the gathering of people a few meters away. “Hurry, we're almost late.”
The scene at the racing spot is wild. So wild my eyes widen as it takes in the magnificence of the whole space. Varsity students aren't sitting, they're all standing, holding small posters with names written on it.
“It's a race between the Vultures and the Outlaws.” Lena whispers into my ears and I swallow hard. Outlaws. Jace always mentioned the outlaws, calling them little boys on bikes who should be in their mother's arms. I wet my lower lip with my tongue, eyes never wavering from the lively moment. “Who are the Outlaws?”
“Cassius' group.”
What?! Jace was referring to Cassius' group as little boys? Do they….? No. That's impossible.
“And the Vultures?”
“Uh, some guys from Greystone University.” Lena replies swiftly. She tucks some loose strands of her hair behind her ears. “These guys don't play it cool. They break the rules, get things bloody and really messy.”
My throat tightens.
“Cassius seems to be the only one who maintains his calm on the racing ground. I've never seen him lose a race.”
“Like never ever?”
Lena nods. “He's like the god of bikers. He's that go—” she claps her hands excitedly as the sound of bikes fills the ears. She grabs my wrist again, and we push through the sea of people to have a better view at the front row.
Cassius is already on his bike. He's clad in leather from head to toe, and his blond hair is covered in his red helmet. He looks like a whole new person while sitting on that bike, and he seems to be spelling out the word avoid me or you'll be in trouble.
I rip my gaze from him to stare at the Vultures, and just like Lena had said, they sure look nasty. They're shirtless, covered in masks, and they're without helmets, too. Don't they care about getting injured?
Somehow, amidst all the cheering and loud sounds of engines screaming, Cassius meets my gaze like I'm the only one he sees. He diverts his gaze to the other group, and though I can't see his expression, I see the way he balls his hands into fists like he's itching to have a fight.
The engines scream.
Bikes lurch forward and Lena keeps clapping as she keeps her eyes glued to the race. Cassius takes the lead, gliding down the road like he's memorized the whole thing since his birth. While the Vultures are reckless, he's calm but extremely fast. In minutes, he reaches the turning point and starts racing towards the finish line.
The Vultures are right behind him.
God, he looks so relaxed, it's like a walk in the park for him.
He looks at me again and stares so long, my legs can barely hold up my body. One of the Vultures crash against Cassius' bike and he swerves away from the road, making a sharp gasp escape my lips.
Lena barely blinks as she keeps staring at Cassius.
The Vultures cross the finish line, but I can't help but wonder if Cassius is okay. He gets up slowly, removes his helmet, then takes slow strides toward me. I instinctively take a step backwards. Is he coming for me because I made him lose the race?
He shouldn't have stared at me.
Wait. What if he was staring at Lena?
Why am I even bothered about—
“You're shivering.” His cold voice drags me back to reality. He takes off his leather jacket and shoves it into my hands. “Here, wear this. It's warmer.”
Lena stiffens.
My heart literally stops beating for a second. He walks away before I can get any words out. Everyone's watching.
Cassius just lost the game.
The Vultures won.
And he was worried about me shivering?
What the hell just happened?
- Writer
