An Angel's Bad Boy

Chapter 1

Angeline's POV

Scars on her face, slashes on her hand, a purple bruise imprinted on her tummy, and a black ring around her neck. This was my particular dread that I had no idea would happen, but now? It had arrived. Right in front of me. It's haunting me.

I watched as she coughed up blood, which ran down her pale chin and stained the tiled floor crimson red. It swept across her chest like wildfire. Her legs were outstretched in front of her, and her hands were clasped together.

Thirty-six times I screamed, thirty-six times it pained, thirty-six times she was stabbed, thirty-six times I hoped she'd wake up.

The bile in my throat, the rumbling in my stomach, the nausea, the anxiousness, and the throbbing headache. I could hear the thumping of my heart from a long distance away.

And they might have heard the cries for rescue from millennia ago.

Help...help?

What were those words when all you had in your hands was a dying body? Nobody could help you because your body went into shock, freezing every nerve in your body and preventing you from thinking or moving.

They were puzzled as to why I had become a "rebel." Why did I snap, why did things go worse? I was never able to recover.... I mean, how could I? When the sight in front of me kept haunting my existence. Repeatedly, unwaveringly, and mercilessly.

They were puzzled as to where the good girl had gone. And who set her off like dynamite about to explode?

If only they had known.

"Why!" I wailed as I clung frantically to my dying sister, her blood staining my clothes and sticking to my skin like tar, but my appearance was the least of my worries. What I was concerned about was my sister falling into the darkness beneath my fingertips.

"Mariah..." I mumbled, the sound of my horrible sobs ripping through my body as I clutched her shirt as if she were my lifeline. And then, as if a light switch had been flickered from within, I was out of my stunned state, the scenery had emerged from its haze, and everything was in motion.

"Help, help me!" I screamed frantically as I dug my hands into Mariah's body, shaking her gently as if she would miraculously awaken. I shook her once, twice, sobbing when she didn't respond or even when my fingers were pressed up against her snail-like pulse. "Angeline!" As my father stumbled into the bathroom, my ears were filled with screams.

"Daddy," I couldn't stop myself. The words slid out of my mouth like a shattered mess.

"Angel?" My mother's angelic voice called out to me as she entered the bathroom behind a shell-shocked father, except unlike him, she collapsed into a heap on the floor, a scream escaping her lips so loudly that I misidentified her for a banshee.

"Oh my goodness!"

It took no time for the color to drain from my mother's naturally tanned face, her eyes to roll to the back of her head, or her body to fall limply onto the ground. "Dad! Help her!" I shouted as I drew Mariah's barely functional body closer to me.

"I-I," he stuttered. Searching for words.

"Just call the freaking cops!" I yelled angrily at my father's puzzled expression. He fumbled nervously for his phone, pulling it from his pocket and dialing 911 and the police. He walked out of the room on shaky legs, and I could hear him frantically talking on the phone, but my thoughts were on my half-dead sister.

"Angel.."

"Yes," I gasped loudly, my gaze darting down to Mariah, whose own eyes struggled to even blink. Her weak hands had taken home in mine, softly squeezing it. "Wake up," she rasped, her blood-stained cracked lips.

"What?"

"Wake up!!!"

I blinked open my eyes, gasping as I took in my surroundings. I was cocooned in the canopy of my comforter, sweat beads rolled down my face, and sweaty palms indicated that I was living in reality. That night is imprinted in my memory, and every other night I have this nightmare, contouring differently and attacking me in its own unique way.

I sighed and rubbed my aching head.

Sometimes I wish these nightmares would stop, even if only for a brief moment. With a single snap of my finger, I was gone like the wind. But it was pointless, even ridiculous. After years of battling my sleep demons, they still believe they have complete control and are entitled to render my body.

My gaze shifted to my phone, which was ringing on my nightstand; I grabbed it and stared at the caller ID before picking it up, muttering under my breath. "Good morning, angel," my best friend said cheerfully into my ear at the other end of the line. "Good morning, Sebastian," I sighed as I got out of bed.

I pulled on my cotton braided bedroom slippers and strode into the bathroom, "Ah! It burns!" I screamed as the blazing lights above my head slashed deep into my eyeballs, temporarily blinding me.

"You're like a bat," Ian remarked, laughing. And that made me visualize myself in a dark tunnel, idly sauntering around aimlessly while my arms frantically looked for something to cling onto, or me screaming my head off in the dark. Yes, I am not a bat.

"Thank you very much, Ian; you made my day."

Sarcasm. The one subject I was an expert in, but others seemed to have completely different ideas about it. But my name is Angeline Smith, and I don't mind. "Oh, don't be a sassy pants. Get ready quickly; I'll be waiting for you outside," he replied.

"All right," I said, listening as the call went dead.

I eased out of my nightgown, seeking solace in the warm shower and allowed my mind to seek comfort and silence. When I got up, I didn't have any dreams. At least, that's what I attempted to persuade myself.

I made my way back into my room after a much-needed bath, not experiencing the troubles that a typical 17-year-old adolescent girl would have in the mornings because I wore uniforms.

I put on my dress shirt, which I paired with my particular attractive black skirt, a black tie, and my black high heels to make them look less terrible.

I grabbed my handbag and phone and staggered down the stairs into the house's foyer, where Ian leaned quietly against the wall, his hands jammed down his pockets.

"Hey, Ian," I said, smiling as I drew him into a tight hug. Allowing his warmth to embrace my body. It felt good to hug him; I felt protected and comfortable. In the safety of his arms, I felt as though no one could damage me. I'm curious if he felt the same way when he hugged me.

"Good morning," he said as he nuzzled his face in the crook of my neck.

Sebastian, or Ian if it's not evident, is my best buddy s***h neighbor; with his witty good looks, he's practically what we call the boy next door. He wasn't tall, but he wasn't short either, standing at 5'8 and having magnificent brown shaggy hair falling over his hooded green eyes, freckles covering his entire face, and pink plump lips that screamed 'Kiss me!' '.

His jawline is as sharp as the heel of my stilettos, and his nose is as broad as Angelina Jolie's. He was a stunning human being, as seen by the way he drew girls in with a single glance.

But there was nothing about Ian that drew me in. I regarded him as more of a brother to me. There is nothing more or less. Maybe I've thought about being with him once in my life, but those thoughts are long gone. For a lot of different things.

"Are you ready for another dreadful day of school?" he smiled as I walked into the kitchen. "Yeah?" I stated which sounded more of a question while stuffing a granola bar into my mouth.

I don't eat breakfast, so a granola bar is pretty much all I eat. As my wise ole sister once said, a bar a day keeps the fu—I suppose you can fill in the blanks -boys at bay.

And it doesn't appear to work at all.

"Let's go, I'm stuffed," I muttered as I tossed my granola bar, which had served no purpose in keeping the bugs away, into the garbage. "What the heck dude, you didn't even finish it yet!" he screamed exasperatedly, his arms outstretched.

"Uhm... okay," I chuckled softly as I staggered down the walkway of the house, unconcerned about whether he was following me or not. Ian soon got up to me and gave me a puzzled expression.

"Aren't you going to say goodbye to your parents?" he asked, casually draping one hand over my shoulder and letting the other brush a strand of my hair away, tucking it behind my ear and giving me a perplexed smile.

"They'll live," I said casually. I didn't care if my parents got my good-byes; they were sometimes more concerned with their work than with their daughter, so it isn't really a negative thing on my part to not say good-bye when I go to school or elsewhere. It's a win.

I slid into my car's driver's seat, followed by Ian, who slid into the shotgun seat next to me. He slid his bag into the rear seat and smiled at me. "You realize that's where Lia sits, right?" I questioned, motioning towards the shotgun seat, already feeling sorry for him.

"As you said, babe," he smirked before moving in and putting his kiss on my ear. I shuddered as I felt his warm, wet lips on my skin. "-they'll live," he said quietly.

He walked away with a smug expression on his face, and I couldn't help but laugh at his new persona. "What are you trying to do there, buddy?" I inquired as I exited the driveway.

"What do you mean?" he questioned, his brows raised, clearly perplexed.

I hurriedly glanced back at the road to make sure we weren't about to kill ourselves or anyone else before giving him a knowing look. "I mean, when did you become that... sure of yourself?"

It's a strange question at first, but if you knew Ian as well as I do, you'd know that practically kissing my ear was something he avoided. Despite his great looks, he was shy, especially with me, who had been his best friend his whole life.

When I heard shuffling next to me, I realized he had unbuckled his seat belt. He leaned in closer to me, as before, but the closeness between us was becoming horribly suffocating, and I don't think he realizes it.

He casually placed one hand on my thigh, and I tried to focus on the road, but the discomfort I was feeling was overwhelming.

When I came to a red light, I slammed my foot into the brakes hard and parked my car on a sidewalk devoid of pedestrians before turning to face him.

He appeared puzzled at first, but soon returned to his seat after I caught a glimpse of disappointment and guilt on his face. "I'm simply trying to be different," he added, his voice barely audible. "Why are you attempting to be different, Ian? You're fine just as you are!"

"Well, you have a peculiar way of demonstrating it to me," he snarled bitterly, his voice rising with rage. I furrowed my brows and peered back at him, trying to figure out what he was talking about.

"What exactly are you saying, Ian?"

"Nothing," he cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact with me and instead looking out the window. "Let's just go get Julia."

I nodded, not wanting to get into a fight with him this early in the morning. For the next eight minutes, I drove silently away from the sidewalk. Throughout our ride, Sebastian refused to look at me. Even when Julia got inside the car, things were tense, and you could cut through the heavy tension with a knife.

She appeared to be caught between us, but I had a sense she understood what was going on with him, and it best not be about the secret feelings he has that I was apparently unaware of.

Julia's words, not mine.

I don't think I'll ever date Ian. He's far too good for his own good. I love risks and experiences, but Ian is the type of guy that will take me to a picnic date when I want to go scuba diving or get chased down by the cops.

I know I sound insane, but my life is monotonous. It's so prestigious that I simply want to be free and live a relatively fun and reckless life, but Sebastian isn't going to give me that.

He's a kind, uncomplicated, and endearing young man. That's what bothers me about him.

He's just far too nice and sweet.

"We're here," I said quietly as we drew into my assigned parking spot in the school's parking lot, and he slipped out of the car and entered the school without saying anything or even bidding me farewell.

That did sting a little, I must say.

"Boys... aren't I right?" Lia moaned as she flung her hand over my shoulders and followed my sight. Ian marched down the stony walk of the school, his hands jammed into his pockets, his head down low; I damaged him again. "Yeah.. boys," I muttered.

"What's up, babes!"

From behind us, a high-pitched ear screaming voice yelled. I grumbled inwardly as Julia and I spun on our heels at the same time, both of us feeling sapped by her presence.

"Hi, Yaz," I faked a grin, clamping down on my gums to keep from yelling profanities at her.

"Hello, Yaz number two! Hello, Yaz number three!" she exclaimed, grinning as she greeted us both.

That scumbag little-ugh! It takes everything I have not to smack her in the face. I often wonder why we continue to hang out with such a scheming snake.

But I'll never forget that, despite our differences, we've been great friends since childhood.

Angeline, get over yourself. You're well aware that that excuse has long since sailed away from the coast.

"My name is Angeline, if you want me to spell it out because you probably had not only your boobs but also your ears surgically enhanced, it's Ange-" She abruptly cut off my angry outburst by dismissively waving her hands in front of my face.

"All right, puta, I get it!" she snarled. I grimaced, pressing my teeth together instead of counting to 10 in my brain before attempting a smile. "Now we have a lesson to attend; don't want to be late!" I joked as I drove my nails into her palms brutally, dragging her towards me and smiling bitterly at her. She returned my smile, wanting to rip my throat out as much as I did.

Wicked witch.

"Yeah, since being late is such a huge risk for Angeline Nicole Smith!" mocked Julia. I tried to resist the impulse to roll my eyes at her, but my brain had other plans since I couldn't keep my displeasure in check. "Can you shut up? God, sometimes I wonder why I'm friends with you," Yaz exclaimed to an equally surprised Julia.

What is the matter with her today?

I mean, every other day she's a douche, but today she's overstepped the mark, so something is certainly bothering her.

"What is it, Yaz? You can tell us, we're your best friends, right?" No way. She paused for a minute, debating whether or not to tell me as she opened and closed her mouth, resembling a fish. And it did have a good look on her.

"Cat got your tongue?" someone's loud booming voice emerged from behind us. "Michael," I spat as my gaze fell on Yaz's on-and-off boyfriend, also known as the sexiest human being to walk the halls of this school.

He was tall, with dark hair, massive thick arms, and enough muscle to lift all three of us. The tiny stubble on his face just made him look older and hotter, and his cheeky grin revealed his white gleaming teeth, making him appear even more pretentious. He was our varsity football team's co-captain, and let me tell you, he's something special.

His eyes traveled over my body, leaving an uncomfortable yet biting sensation on my skin; it was as if he was undressing me with his intimidating gaze.

"What do you want?" Yaz said of her alleged boyfriend. His gaze slowly left my body, lingering on Yaz with a bored expression I'd seen him display far too often. She's not getting the hint, I thought. i***t, girl. "Can't I talk to my girlfriend?" he questioned, his brow furrowed.

"Girlfriend!? Are you deluded, or did that blonde b***h stupidity get into your head?!" she babbled incoherently. Yaz would spit phrases that made no sense to human ears whenever she was enraged. Blonde b*tch stupidity? Really?

He didn't appear bothered by her statements, instead offering her an entertaining smile. He was fighting back laughter because Yaz was the one who appeared insane, and she had blonde hair, so...

"Oh, you mean you?" he asked, an inadvertent snort departing his lips.

Julia and I both snickered, drawing a glare from Yaz. We straightened up, and I coughed awkwardly. "Well, this has been fun, but I suppose Julia and I have somewhere to be," I said, taking Lia's hands in mine and pulling her away from them.

"Yeah, you two just... work it out," she said with a smile. We went a few steps away from the toxic couple before busting out laughter. "I can't believe he said that to her!" Lia guffawed like a hyena in pain.

"I know right, it must have been a huge blow to her ego!" I exclaimed loudly as I made a blowing motion with my hands, I added the sound effect as I wiped away an imaginary tear from my cheek.

However, for what it's worth.

She is worthy of every ounce of it.

And I wish he'd hurt her even more.