Loving the Innocent Criminal

Chapter 3 Carbon Copy

Owen

I hated the students of Stumberson High. They want us either dead or executed in front of their eyes. To them, we are dirt on their shoes. I should hate all of them. They made us feel like animals, yet one of them caught my heart.

Angelic Cruella Patterson.

I still couldn’t believe she was there. And God, why does she always, always, catch me unluckily and in a not decent kind of way I don’t want her to know.

“What’s wrong?” My friend, Jake, one of Patterson’s labor workers, asked. We were sitting inside his trailer, and there was a bottle of liquor in his right hand.

“Nothing,” I answered, took the bottle from his hand, and sipped it.

“Woah, easy, dude!” He let out a baritone laugh and patted my back simultaneously. “You’re still thinking about her?” he asked, but there was no humor in his voice now.

“What do you think?”

“Man, she’s not for you.”

“I know.”

We fell silence.

Before he could say something that would snap me back to my reality, I stood up on my seat. “I have to go. My mom and baby Emily arrive today.”

His eyes lit up as soon as I mentioned baby Emily. “Oh? That’s good to hear. Are they done with their vacation?”

“Yeah,” I answered and chuckled. “I have to clean the mess or else my mom will kill me.”

“Sure,” he nodded and took a sip of his beer before standing up. “I’m going with you.”

“No.” My eyes wandered to my black leather jacket on the kitchen sink. I took it forward and grabbed it leisurely before locking my eyes on Jake. “I’m not going to let you see my mom in that state,” I nodded at Jake’s body.

His eyes were bloodshot red. He stinks because he had not been taking a bath for a week. He smelled alcohol, and both of us knew that he was not feeling well.

“Yeah,” he mumbled, more to himself, “Send my regards to your mother then, Owen.”

Without further ado, I went out of that trailer and jumped on my motorbike. I raised my hand to bid goodbye to my friend and drove out there as fast as I could.

“Mom?” I yelled inside of our apartment when the light was on. Looking at a middle-aged woman wearing a checkered apron, I knew that I wasn’t dreaming. My mom’s here after six months of waiting.

I couldn’t help but to run towards her and pull her into a tight hug. “Owen!” she shrieked when my biceps tightened around her shoulder. “You’re back,” I whispered to her.

She pulled out our hug and looked at me with teary eyes. “Yes, how were you?” she asked and her eyes looked at me up and down, gazing at my body and face. When her eyes squinted at the little tattoo on my hand she inspected, her smile immediately curled down.

“Owen, you didn’t – “

I cut her off. “How’s baby Emily?” I asked, looking at the three-month-old baby on the bed. She was sleeping, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. “She’s sleeping. Don’t wake her up.”

I didn’t answer my mother. My hand found the small hands of the baby in front of me. She’s not my blood-related sister. I’m an adopted child of Lacoste. That’s what I knew when my mother told me at the age of ten. She thought she was not fertile enough to have a child. That is why she adopted me when I was still a baby. Now that her husband became a fugitive, they were blessed with a baby. However, the situation with her husband that I refused to acknowledge as my foster father, becomes worse as the police keep on searching for him.

I’ve seen my mother cry every night. And I goddamned know the reason why. She was thinking about her husband – where he was hiding, and if he was eating, or even barely alive. She overthinks too much. So, when there was a chance given to go with her husband to a remote island, and to cherish every day together with their baby as one happy family, I let her go, even if I didn’t want to.

“Owen, school is coming. How much were the tuition fees again? How about your uniform? The miscellaneous things?”

“Don’t worry about it, mom,” I answered, still looking with admiration at baby Emily.

“Just tell me so I can budget it.”

“I told you, mom. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Why? Because you’re not going to school?”

I fell silence.

Then, I sighed. “Mom, you forgot again. School opened last month. I’m okay. For the third time, don’t worry about the money.”

“I’m your mother, Owen. Of course, I worry about my son’s future. Are you studying well? Please don’t be heavily influenced by your friends. They are bad influences on you.”

I didn’t argue because if I did, it was going to be a long sermon about how my mother despised my frat friends and how I should distance myself from them. Little did she know I was the one who led them.

Days passed by, I was busy with school and practice.

“There’s an underground fight tonight. 8 pm sharp. Are you in?” Coach Tim asked me one time, so I nodded and unwrapped my bondage. Jake looked at me, and my eyebrows were raised. “What about that?” I asked.

“It’s Jimmy. You can’t beat him.”

I ignored him. “How much will I be?” Instead, I asked Coach. He had an amused smile, and I saw his crooked teeth were “Worth triple of your tuition fees.”

I wasted no time getting back to the ring and practice. “Jake!” I shouted my friend’s name and, getting a slumped shoulder, he went inside. “You better think twice, Lacoste,” he smirked at my family name. “I know that Jimmy, man. You can’t beat him. He’s bulky, large, and it should be illegal that he joins underground fight. He’s supposed to be a summon wrestler instead.” I don’t know why but I laugh because of the last sentence.

“I can beat him.”

“It’s up to you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Jake looks serious and fuming mad. He knows I’m stubborn when it comes to money. And whenever there is an opportunity, I always take the chance, even though it’s 10 over 90. Time seemed to be pretty fast because night arrived.

My heart thundered in my ears as soon as I gazed at the ocean of people shouting my names on the bleachers. They weren’t sitting. They are standing and waging their bet. Most of the bets are on Jimmy.

Jake, even though he completely does not agree with this, he still stands behind me as my name was called. “I told you,” he hissed, and nodded to Jimmy in the opposite area of where we are, “he’s big and you cannot beat him,” he’s been saying this phrase all and over again I’m getting sick of it.

Looking at Jimmy sitting casually on the right side of the ring, I couldn’t help but smirk. Yes, he’s big. That’s my advantage. My upper cuts are fast and his body does not look proportionate, making him move slowly. But that’s only my calculation. We’ll see it once we fight in the ring.

“See? If you want to leave the fight, you have little time remaining. Come on, man.” I ignored Jake’s mumbles when I caught someone. A pair of green emerald eyes found mine.

A f*****g beat of my heart slammed my chest, making me feel electrified with lots, lots of voltage. I froze on my seat. I couldn’t breathe properly. My lungs suck the air out of me. What the f**k does the angel is doing here?

Angelic Cruella Patterson is looking at me with wide and shimmering eyes. That f*****g doe eyes. The heat shot straight to my groin, and I squirmed in my seat, feeling uncomfortable and hot at the same time.

Then, she smiled at me and raised her hand as soon as she knew I was looking at her. I c****d an eyebrow. Yes, she’s an angel sent by heaven to corrupt the devil. Why would she smile at me? Are we kinda friends now after that incident? For all I know, I insulted her. I shoo-ed her because she f*****g doesn’t belong in my place.

And now, why is she here?

Why is she in my place again?

“Are you listening to me, Owen?” Jake hissed in my ears again. “Man, I told you – are you f*****g with me? Owen! What are you looking at – “ Then, as if my friend already knew, he sighed. “Great. Great. Now, you’re looking forward to this fight now that she’s here. What a damned night. If you’re dead tonight, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

I saw Angelic mouthing words at me.

“What?” I muttered to myself.

It took me a minute to finally decipher what her mouth shapes.

Good luck, i***t!

I smirked and stood up on my seat the moment the fight started. It was a long fight. Excitement and fear mixed up in my system, but seeing Angelic shouting my name, enjoying every bit of my fight, I couldn’t help but to feel inspired. Maybe it was because she’s my lucky charm. Or maybe just her mere presence in the arena, her breath, her chants and yell to cheer for me, her eyes that shine in the dark, and her smile when the announcer muttered my name as the winner. It was all worth the punch and bruises on my face.

“Oh God…” That’s what I heard from Jake when I gave him a smirk. “You won…” he mumbled, like he couldn’t believe it and it was such a miracle he should cherish.

“Congrats, Owen!” Coach Tim proudly shouted and shook my hair. I let out a victorious laugh when he patted my back as he kept on muttering the word congrats. I excused myself for changing in the locker area. My hands started shaking when I was alone with my thoughts. Angelic is here. Why is she here? Is she with her boyfriend?

Then, my smile faded instantly when the idea struck me. Of course she is. Maybe it was Zach, her boyfriend’s, idea to attend this fight. I heard that guys always like to do extreme sports. I bet if he likes underground fighting just by watching one game, then he’s going to participate in one of them, sooner or later.

I shook my head to stop myself from thinking when I froze. With wide eyes, I swallowed a lump in my throat when I saw Angelic in front of me. Seconds ago, I was trying to call all the Gods and saints to bump up with her, and now, she has come here, in the f*****g men’s locker room, voluntarily.

She was lucky I was the only one inside. Or was it the complete opposite?

“Hey, nice fight!” Angelic said with glittering eyes. If I didn’t know she had a boyfriend, I would’ve concluded that she was in love with me. But she’s not. Wake up, Owen!

“Thanks,” I answered. I was supposed to get dressed, but she’s here. I need to tell her to get out sooner or later. Men will change here, and when she’s smart enough to know what the locker room means.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, squinting my eyes at her. Her eyes roam around my body, and when she stares at the flex of my abs, she looks away. I c****d my head at the side. “Take your time. I don’t mind.” I smirked at her and pointed to the stool in front of me. “Sit.”

“Uhm, no thanks. I’m not staying for too long.”

“Why are you here? Who’s with you?” I asked a little bit in a harsh voice. Just the thought of his boyfriend letting his girlfriend sneak into the men’s locker room irritates me. When I have a girlfriend, I won’t take my eyes off of her and just let her see any men.

“I’m here because I purchased a ticket,” she raised her arm to let me see the ticket for this fight. VIP. “and… I’m alone. Hush. Don’t tell anyone I came here, okay?” she asked me like I was one of her friends. Crossing my arms, I looked down at her. “So you’re not with Zach?” I asked.

“How did you know my boyfriend’s name?” she asked, her eyes going little by little. Oh come on! She knows how to turn the tables. “I was asking you, Angelic. Where’s your boyfriend? You’re not supposed to be here.”

“What do you mean by ‘You’re not supposed to be here,’ mister?” she muses and copied my gesture. She crossed her arms on her chest and I had to look away when her breast bulged out even more with her tiny crap top. That’s one thing, too. Why is she wearing so little that her skin shows off more than the fabric?

I step forward, locking my gaze at her, and she steps backward, looking at me confusingly. No, I can’t let this girl corrupt my head every f*****g night. I should end the obsession here. “Hmm, what do you think? I thought you were a smart girl?” I asked, whispering and trying to invade her personal space. I challenged her, and she took it. f**k.

“I’m here because I got a ticket. I didn’t know it was you, by the way.”

“Hmm…” Really, Angelic? That doesn’t seem to me. She must’ve noticed the suspicious expression on my face, so she laughed. “Okay, fine! I know that it’s you. Owen Lacoste. That’s why I bought the ticket.”

“You bought a ticket for my fight?” Damn.

She smiled. “Yeah. And no regrets, I enjoyed and won the bet!”

“Hmm. You don’t look like the type of girl who’s into underground fighting.”

“Well, now you know.”

“Where’s your boyfriend, pretty girl?” I asked, tucking the hair behind her ears. She froze in her place and I saw her breathing hitch. Her eyebrows furrowed because of my small gesture, and she pressed a thin line of her lips, looking up at me. I’m 6ft’ tall, so her high heels don’t scare me away.

“And why did he let you come here, alone? Hmmm?” I whispered in her ear. She gasped and her hands weakly pressed them on my chest. f**k. I stepped backwards immediately as soon as she did that. I won’t let her know how she made me feel. The moment her hands touched my body, I knew it was going to be over.

And I’m no saint.

If she shows interest, then I’m going to go for it. Then, a thought struck me. i***t! She won’t give in to you. I’m damned with my illusions of f*****g Zachary Herren’s girlfriend.

To cover the tension settled between us, she chuckled. “Actually…” she whispered. That’s it. There is a hidden agenda for this predicament. She didn’t come see me to see my fight. There’s something about it.

“I came here to ask you personally. Someone told me you knew about this Vaulter thing. You see, my boyfriend isn’t around. Yes, you’re correct. He doesn’t know I got here, so do me a favor and don’t tell him – “

I cut her off immediately. “Just get straight to the point. Why are you here, Patterson?” My voice with utter coldness and firm. She noticed the change of mood, so she heaved a deep sigh. “I was thinking maybe you could help me – “

“And for what, princess of Stumberson High, can this mere dirt help you with your problem?”

She looks annoyed. “Don’t say that.”

“Why? Don’t you and your friends call us that term? Dirty. Stinky. Poor. i***t – “

“I said, stop it!” she yelled, and I saw guilt ridden on her goddamned flawless face. My jaw clenched. “What do you want from me?”

She squared her shoulders and looked at me with serious eyes. “I want you to help me find out about this Vaulter thing. My boyfriend signed up for an upcoming illegal street race, and I’m afraid he’s going to get into trouble because of that. Not only him, but my family and his family’s name will be dragged once people find out he’s involved with illegal things.”

My hands formed into a fist, and I was trying to calm the f**k down not to throw tantrums in front of her. So, in the end, it’s for her boyfriend, huh? She loves that i***t that much?

“Well, you waste your time, princess. I know nothing about Vaulter’s things. Why don’t you ask your boyfriend instead?” I told her. I’m done with her. She should know it once I grab a t-shirt in my locker and slammed the door with full force, making her jump a little on her place. There was already a commotion outside the locker room, and it was her cue to get the f**k out.

But the princess seemed desperate this time.

“Please,” she pleaded. I gasped because of the way she said it. f**k. I should drag her out now. Right now!

“Get out – “

“I wouldn’t be here, Owen, if I had a choice. You’re the only one who can help me - “

“Get the f**k out. Don’t make me,” I pointed a finger at her. She squirmed when I cursed. Goddamn it. So what if she heard me cuss? Was it her first time hearing a curse word?

“H-how about I paying for your tuition fees? I heard you badly want to study at Stumberson University for your college degree. If you won’t accept the money, then I can arrange for someone for you to apply for a scholarship – “

“Angelic.”

“Y-Yes?”

“You’re making me angrier.”

“Owen!”

I gasped when she yelled my name. It was so loud that I stopped walking out from her. “H-How about d-dinner?” her voice stuttered.

“No,” I answered. Dinner sounds good.

“It’s just information that I want, Owen..” she begged like a little child. f**k it. It made my mind hazy, my stomach in knots, and my breathing irregular. This time around, if she ever, ever, beg one last time –

“Please..” she pleaded the second. And I heaved a deep sigh, surrendering and submitting to the angel. Turning around to face her, I clenched my jaw. “ Are you that concerned about your boyfriend?” I asked. “How concerned are you? Rate it from one to ten.”

“Ten,” she answered without hesitation. Great.

“You owe me dinner every time I get information about this Vaulter thing. Got it?”

She beamed a smile that showed her full and white teeth. “Of course, of course. You have my back at that.”

As if on cue, she immediately grabbed her phone in her expensive-looking bag and grasped it. With a reluctance on her face, she nodded at me. “Give me your number. I’ll text you the details.”

I grabbed my phone from my locker and almost closed the door and just told this girl I didn’t have a phone when I saw my Iphone 6 cellular phone. I haven’t upgraded it. Shame creeped inside my chest.

“Owen?” she asked, now looking wherever I stared into.

“Nothing.” I made a little smile and closed the door of my locker this time. “Give me your phone.” I gestured my hand at her.

“Why?”

“I’ll just text you.”

“You don’t have a phone?” she asked casually.

I shut my eyes. “Your phone or you get out?”

Her eyes widened a fraction. “Of course, my phone.” She immediately handed me her phone and I almost broke it in my hand as soon as I saw the lockscreen. It’s her and Zachary kissing in the sunset. What a crying sight.

“Password?” I asked.

“1, 2, 3, 2, 1.”

I smirked. “Your month, huh?”

She rolled her eyes. “Just get my number, Owen.”

I look at her contact list and memorize her number in my head. After a couple of seconds, I gave it to her. She looks shocked. “What about my number?”

“I got it,” I said, and dismissed her by grabbing my rubber shoes on the shoe rack.

“What? How – I mean, are you doing this, Owen, so that I won’t annoy you anymore?”

“What?” I said, amused by her thoughts.

She bit her lower lip and she looked like she was about to cry. “Please – “

“Stop at yours please. I’m tired of it. What did I tell you, princess? I memorized your number. Just wait for my text and register my number for our communication, alright?”

“You m-memorized it?”

“Yeah,” I said and shrugged my shoulders. When I still saw her high heels in front of me, I heaved a deep sigh. “What, now?”

“Oh!” She snapped back to reality and I saw her clutching her Iphone on her chest. “T-Thanks, then. I gotta go.” I just nodded and continued to tie my shoelaces as if the girl I'd been dying to talk to in person but didn’t muster enough courage wasn’t there seconds ago.

She was here.

For her boyfriend.

The next time she comes, I will make sure that it’s all for me. Not for anyone, and definitely not for Zachary Herren. The boy whom everyone thought was a carbon copy of me.