Chasing Hell

Chapter V: Oh That Egocentric, Self-Absorbed, Walking Death Threat...

CHAPTER FIVE: Oh That Egocentric, Self-Absorbed, Walking Death Threat...

“You should really come with me.” Errine said while practically dragging me somewhere I don’t know. I’ve been here for barely 3 days and I still haven’t got the chance to look around and be places where I’ve never been in this school. I heard there’s like a central market in here with lots of boutiques and shops for student’s convenience.

“Where are you taking me, Errine?” I asked her while trying to break free from her grasp.

She didn’t answer and kept on a hastily dragging me. A few students’ eyes were following us, and I know what’s on their little mind. Like I’m a stupid puppy being dragged by an uncaring granny.

I was relieved when she halted and turned to face me with a very creepy smile carved on her thin lips.

“What?” I asked. I am starting to be conscious and am wondering why we stopped at a ‘BHHS Cheer Squad Office’.

“I scanned through your f*******: account and I found this cute picture of you with cheerleading uniform and cute pompoms...” she stated gleefully and a smile never left her lips which kind of freaked me out because I think I know where this leads me.

I used to join a cheering squad way back when I was a sophomore at St. Bernard School in Hartford. If she saw the picture, she might have gone fangirling on me. Because as far as I could remember, that photo was on the bottom part of my album. What a girl.

“That was ages ago, Errine. And don’t tell me..” I stopped upon seeing her wicked smile. Yeah. Might as well put this on Errine Forbes’ character book; she’s also a silent conniving sweet girl.

“Yes, Heavs.” she said in pure delight as she held my hands. This means trouble, folks. And it’s like trouble is my friend in here, Lenka. Jeez. I’m like the butt of everything bad that’s about to happen. I always get stuck on the trouble road.

“Oh no! No, Errine. I am so not going to join another squad.” I said trying to pull my hands from her. Jeez! That’s something I want to bury in a chest because I seriously hated wearing skirts and have those perverted football players peek through my skirt while flipping mid air.

“Oh come on. You’re starting a new life in here. And this is just one of the few things you’ll surely love about Brooklyn Heights. Our cheer squad’s so awesome. And plus, we can be together! Isn’t that fun?” she squealed like a kettle. She looks so excited about this cheerleading thing.

“No, Errine. I won’t.” I said firmly and stating an authority. The last thing I want is to let someone other than Hell put me in trouble.

“Please, Heavs. We have practice after classes so that’ll be a great idea to.. umm.. avoid Mister Good Kisser.” she said while wiggling her brows. Yeah. She’s called Hell as Mister Good Kisser right after I told her how magical the kiss was. I wouldn’t want to deny the fact that that kiss was really a soul-stealing kiss. But she might be right. If I stay busy here in school, the Satan can’t come to me and rub it in my face that I’m in trouble.

I thought about it deliberately and came up with something. At least, I do have an excuse for not showing my blonde head on to him.

“Fine.” I said and that made her smile even more. “But in one condition.” I said while tilting my head a little to the side.

“Spill.” she said giggling.

“You have to take me to the Central Market later.” I said. I’m so curious about that place. Well, this is actually my first time on a school that has its personal ‘mall’ inside the premises. Wouldn’t you love that? Because I do.

“That’s it? Fine with me. Honestly I was also thinking of visiting the place with you. I know you haven’t got the chance to roam around, not with the presence of the Satan.” she said smiling. Wait. Now that she agreed with this, this is like a win-win situation. But I think I am on the disadvantaged league, because I get to suffer the wrath of skimpy skirts and pompoms.

“Speaking of the Satan, I haven’t seen him around since this morning.” I said while looking around the hallway. Yeah. True that. You all know that the Satan and I are classmates, right? And that’s given that we have same classes all the time. But it’s almost the end of the AM classes and I haven’t seen him. He’s absent, I guess. Maybe found himself with hangover and naked with a girl lying next to her. Now now, it’s not good to think nasty things about someone.

Right around the intersection, I saw Skye walking with hands on his pocket and he’s with this cute guy who I think is one of his best buds. Because they seem to be talking about something and is enjoying the conversation.

Skye and the other guy is surely one heck of an attraction around here. Because I can see eyes of the girls glued on them. Well I can’t blame them. They really are that attractive.

“Well, that guy’s a mushroom. One sec he’s here and then the next, he’s not. That’s why I’m telling you not to let your pretty guard down. Because who knows when he’s back. He might just snap at you when you’re too busy crushing on Skye Matthews.” she said with a hint of tease in her voice. I immediately averted my eyes from Skye and looked at Errine who’s hands are crossed over her chest and has a wicked smile on her lips.

“Hey. I am not crushing on Skye. I was just with him in the party last night.” I said while sneaking glances on Skye who’re now walking towards us.

Assuming girl, he’s just walking and it’s so happen that you’re on the way. Oh fudge, Ae. Stop it, will you? Dang.

“You were with him in the party? I thought you’re with the Satan?” Errine asked and she even blocked my eye view of Skye.

“Yes on the first question. And no on the second. Like I told you, Hell left me hanging on the dance floor, so I took the liberty to be a wallflower and sulk in the corner. That’s when Skye appeared in the picture.” I explained. I really don’t know why I kept on explaining things with her.

“You really are a magnet, aren’t you?” she asked while tilting her head to the side. Which kinda depresses me because I know for sure; she means sarcasm on that tone.

“Magnet?” I asked confusingly at her. I don’t know what she’s talking about.

“Yes. You attract those who are dangerous. I told you, The Devil Three is the sole notorious gang of sexy douche bags here in school.” she said while shaking her head in disbelief. The way she does that makes her look disappointed about me having that careless gut to just shamelessly drag myself into the danger zone.

Now that she mentioned, I remembered Skye. He’s one of the Devil Three. But as what I see last night, he’s a nice guy. How come he’s in the group? Well, playboy schemes. Maybe that’s his some kind of technique to get the girl.

“Hey hey. Hold it right there, koala bear. I don’t and won’t intentionally attract them towards me. I mean, I was just being me, fearless and going all Angelina Jolie minus the thick lips. It’s not a sin to commit for me to have that gut to and I quote, stand up against them.” I said breathlessly and sounding rather rambling and I don’t know if she even caught up with what heck of a speech I just executed.

“Fine fine. Whatever. But look over there...” she gestured towards the guy who’s like walking in air as he gracefully glides through the marble-tiled hallway. ”...He’s sexy, isn’t he?” she giggled.

“You’re sure the one to tell that I’m crushing on him when you’re actually the one who’s been crushing on Skye Matthews.” I teased as I saw her looking at Skye with those twinkling eyes like she’s seen her best gift on a Christmas Eve.

“I-I don’t have a crush on Skye. He’s like super popular and he’s a bad boy for Pete’s pretty pants’ sake.” she rambled. And I think I saw a tinge of red flooding her cheeks. Ohh. My friend over here is blushing without herself realizing she is.

“That’s not what I saw last night. He seems like a nice guy, Rine. He even dropped me off to the dorm when that evil of a guy, Kohell, didn’t. Ugh! I’m so gonna strangle him to death the moment I see him and his dark eyes around!” I said fuming. But just thinking about strangling him, makes me shudder in complete cowardice. Oh for the love of God, where did my courage go upon mentioning that evil, conniving jerk head?

“He can be nice.” Errine chirped. She’s looking so dreamy as Skye’s moving closer to us, as well as his companion who’s really drop-dead and back alive gorgeous!

“Ohh. So there’s a counter-attack on all the cannon balls you’ve been firing at them. He can be nice, huh? I wonder if there’s also a counter attack for Kohell’s massive invading evilness.” I said while c*****g my head to the side while practically digging into the past experience with the Satan if he’s capable of being nice. But, err I don’t think so. Because all the fragments and pieces of memories or thoughts about him that I have are all so dark and evilly conceited. Not to mention the sudden jitters I feel whenever he’s around or near. Like how the heck did all that happen? Why am I such a peepants whenever he’s here or even the mention of his name. Ugh. Gotta go do power yoga and meditate. I need to focus on how to basically act normal when he’s around.

“Hi Heather.” said a familiar voice not far from me. Wuhoo. Too busy internalizing how badly I am in trouble and I didn’t notice Skye and his companion right in front of us. They’re looking rather smug at how they gorgeously are even just standing there and doing’ nothing. I don’t know how much they can actually pay to look this good. I doubt they had money problems.

“Hi.” I replied casually. Unlike my dear friend here who stands like Statue of Liberty. Yeah. She’s like super stunned right now while looking intently at Skye who doesn’t even notice Errine’s been fixating on him.

Just like that, my evil of a mind kinda worked. This is going to be good.

“Skye. I want you to meet my dear friend and roomie, Errine Forbes. Errine, meet Skye Matthews.” I gestured for the both of them. Skye turned to face the still stunned Errine and gave her a very casual smile and offered a hand. While Errine, being herself right now stuttered at saying ‘Hi’ to Skye and shakingly took his hand. This is comedy-gold! If you could just take even just a glimpse of how Errine looked right now, you’ll actually give me a high five, both hands. So that’ll be High Ten? Ugh. Nope.

After the very awkward handshake, Errine nudged me a little and I know what she meant by that. I just tried so carefully not to snort or even stifle a roar of laughter. Because really, that was epic. And I might want to add that to Errine Forbes’ character book; she’s a walking sound system but a silent speaker when she’s with Skye Matthews.

“Oh, this is my friend, Hunter Sullivan. I bet Errine knows him, right?” Skye gave Errine a quick glance before looking at me. Okay? Why is he looking at me? And why are we freaking talking to the Devil Three minus the Satan? Err, aren’t we supposed to be on precaution after all the reminders Errine practically stuffed on my ear?

Errine smiled sheepishly and said, “Yeah. I know him. He’s one of the band members of Crimson X.” she said with her voice cracked. Oh Errine. I’m so sorry. Haha.

“Crimson X?” I looked at them rather confused on what I’m missing around here. Yes, I know I’m new here. So might as well, have some knowledge on how things are working on in this school. And plus, if I had to encounter the Devil Three all the time, I must know something about them.

“It’s a band.” Hunter said and gave me a stern look. Okay? I don’t think he likes me that much. So his mood changed from the laughing cow he was before to this uncaring hippo. Well well, I don’t give a pretty damn thing if he doesn’t like me. It’s not like I need every damn breathing living thing in this place to actually like me. I can live alone with no friends at all, yeah I can do that. I said, I can. I didn’t say I want to. Hell, it’ll be boring. So thank God I have Errine.

So this cute guy’s in a band. Sweet. Must’ve added up to the fame he has here. I wonder what other things that Hell guy does other than pissing the heck out of me and smooching with different girls. I shove that last thing away. Jeez! Just thinking about that makes me want to gag.

“So, uhm, you gonna audition for the cheer squad?” Skye asked and with a little hint of interest in his voice.

“I’m on the squad already. But Heather here has some talent with flip backs and somersaults. I was going to encourage her—”

“You mean, force me.” I butted in. She’s so polite to use encourage when she practically dragged me.

She eyed me before continuing, “I was really going to convince her to join because of this cute little picture.” she said with a mischievous smile as she took her phone, scanned something and handed it to Skye. Who really took it and smiled upon seeing something. And since I can’t see what that is, I nudged Errine.

“Payback is a bitch.” she mouthed. And my eyes widened as Skye held the phone in front of me, with my freaking picture wearing those skimpy skirts and pigtails!

“No you didn’t!” I said while giving Errine a death glare before trying to snatch the phone on Skye’s hand. Students around are watching every bit of the scenery in here right now, and I don’t give a damn if I look funny and embarrassing. I’m so damn desperate to get that goddamn phone!

“What’s happening in here?” said a very firm and manly voice in which I reckon came from the back.

Slowly, a guy with dark eyes is walking his goddamn way sexily towards us. Oh s**t. Female hormones stop it!

“Hell.” Skye acknowledged his highness’ arrival with a huge smile and they did some kind of a handshake. Hunter did the same. Okay, that was too old school.

“What’s that?” Hell took the phone from Skye’s hand. Oh no! No please! Not you! Especially not you! And as the adrenaline rush through my veins, I immediately snatched the phone from his hand that even a robber would be too envious of my snatching skills.

“Some secret you have there, Blondie?” he said while walking slowly towards me. And I can tell, the banging in my chest was a sign of the threatening explosion in me. Goddammit! C’mon body, cooperate! Stop acting like a peepants again!

I felt the cold concrete wall on the small of my back after taking steps backwards while this jerkhead’s been walking towards me and is ready to do something heart attack-ish. Oh no, this is so wrong.

He caged me with his hands and slowly he inched his face on me. All I did was to squeeze my eyes shut.

“Whatever secret you have, Blondie, it won’t be long before I’ll know it.” he said in a whisper that really sent chills throughout my body.

Oh god. Help me. It sounded like a death threat only a little tame. But heck that is, it really made me shudder! Like every teeny tiny bit of my courage, if I still have those, went straight to the drain and left with no single trace. Oh that egocentric, self-absorbed walking death threat is so gonna be my sole nightmare in here. Like I told you, I always exaggerate things.

“Hey Heavs!” Errine’s voice snapped me out and that made me open my eyes. To see no one’s in front of me but Errine’s face. Yes, no sign or trace of the Devil Three. Or maybe there is, the nonstop erratic pace of my heart beat is an absolute proof that a Satan was once with me.

Oh good Lord, why do I always have to feel these kinds of things?

“What were you thinking?” she said while c*****g her head to the side and posing like the way she always does, giving me a skeptical look, like I’ve done something really wrong.

“What?”

“Why’d you back down from him?” she said rather too disappointed at me. What did I do wrong? Back down? From who?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Rine.” I said then looked around for the sign of them, but there isn’t.

“I thought you were brave, why did you let him walk all over you?” she said as she threw me a light punch.

“What? I didn’t. I was just taking precaution. If I had fired back at him, I’ll get into trouble and that isn’t wise.” I tried to reason out. But the thing is, she’s right. I did back down. Like I could do anything? Jeez. This is so hard.

“Yeah right, whatever. So let’s go. Let’s get you signed up for the squad.” she said then opened the door of the BHHS Cheer Squad Office.

It’s not that huge, but spacious enough to accommodate few students. There are cabinets with countless trophies and plaques, which I know are from prestigious cheer dance contests. And right now, three girls were at the couch, talking to each other and giggling. Talk about boys. Sheesh.

A dark-haired girl looked our way and stood up acknowledging our presence.

“Errine.” she said sweetly and then looked at me then smiled. I was taken aback by how gorgeous she is. She’s like an angel. ”And who do we have here?” she said politely. I can tell that she’s nice and really gorgeous.

“Kelly, this is Heaven Wessler. Heavs, this is Kelly Phillips. The Captain of the Cheer Squad.” Errine said.

“Hi Heaven. Are you here for the squad? We have openings.” she chimed. Wow. I don’t know I am capable of being envious about someone. But dang it.

“Yes, she is.” said my spokesperson, Errine Forbes.

“Oh good good. We have 3 vacant slots. And I would be happy to see you on the auditions later. It’ll be on the gym and at 4pm. wear something comfy and prepare a good routine, okay?” she said smiling. She’s so nice. I would love to have her as a sister.

“Okay, I’ll be there.” I said then gave her one of my sweetest smiles.

***

I’m getting nervous and palms are sweaty. I just finished my routine for the audition and I was happy and contented with how I delivered it in front of Sophia, Maurice and Kelly, the leaders of the squad. Right after I performed, they gave me an expectant look and smiled at me which actually kinda felt good because I thought I forgot how to perform a cheer dance. Good thing I’ve watched Bring It On for a gazillion times already.

We’re now waiting for the announcement of those who were picked by the judges, which are deliberating right now.

“Hey, you okay?” Errine asked obliviously. Really? She’s asking me if I’m okay, when she can see me all nervous and sweaty.

Before I could answer, Kelly spoke and that caught everyone’s attention.

“Okay, girls. We are going to announce the three lucky girls who qualified for the Brooklyn Heights High School Cheer Squad. Now this is not in order, okay?” she begins. And all the girls here are looking attentively at Kelly. “Congratulations to, Kayla Freight...” a pale blonde girl stood up with a shocked face and she stood right next to Kelly. “You are in, Summer Sanders.” A pixie-haired girl approached the front part of the crowd and stood next to Kayla.

My phone beeped and so I took it from my bag. It has a text message. From someone I really wish didn’t texted me, but did. It was from that jerk head!

So cheer squad, huh? That’s good. I would really love to see you cheer for me.

That’s the text message I got. I was confused for a while. What the heck is he talking about?

My phone beeped again and I read the text message.

Look around. Find me.

Say what? Find him? Why would I?

“You are greatly welcomed to our squad, Heaven Wessler.”

“Oh my God, Heavs! You’re in!” Errine nudged me and I looked at her with confusion.

“What?” I asked.

“You’re in! You’re in! Come on! Get up and stand with them.” she said then pointed to the girls right next to Kelly.

Wait. She said, I’m in. Oh my freaking God! I am actually an official part of the squad?!

Kelly gestured for me to come forward and I did just that. All eyes are on us now.

“Please give these girls a round of applause. And let’s welcome them to BHHS Cheersquad, wuhoo Hellhounds!” Kelly said and that made the gym echo with claps and cheers from my fellow aspirants.

I looked around. I just really have this urge to do so. And what I saw made me stiffen. Right there, on top of one of the bleachers, stood a guy with dark brown hair and is smirking evilly on me. He’s actually wearing what I recognize as a football jersey. And what’s in front of it really made me shock and dumbstruck.

HELLHOUNDS.

***

Hello there, folks. So yeah, this is Chapter 5. And I'm sorry if it took long enough for it to be posted. But here you go. I know it's not much, but I hope you'll like it.

So let's do this. I have a question to ask. I hope you could comment down your answers.

QUESTION:

What will be HELL and HEAVEN'S ship name?

Hahahaha. :D

Anyways, vote/comment/share!

Hunter on the right --->

Love and flying tadpoles,

Chachi Kantarias