Thorns of Roses

Wild One

SONG FOR THIS CHAPTER:

FIX YOU-COLDPLAY

CHAPTER 4

CORINNE

I was eating alone in the cafeteria while waiting for Diesel and Hannah to finish the class together and drawing some inspiration for what I can use in the annual art exhibit. But almost no inspiration comes to my mind. Actually, it has been two months since no idea entered my brain. To be specific, everything started happening since Gian. Since I witnessed what happened to her and can’t do anything about it. Maybe it is my conscience eating me alive for being so scared and selfish. I have some drawings but they are not the ones I want to use for the exhibition. It's not that I'm bragging, but I know that this is not what I can only do. But now I really lack ideas and inspiration. I told Professor McNeil that I want to compete with my sculpture this year, that is one of my specialties in art. And I can say that I am good at sculpture. I am confident in my works, but this time around I have to draw a deep idea for it. A very beautiful yet dark idea for this. I waited a long time for this. And I shouldn't waste this chance to get away from that mansion, away from them. And this is the only way I can think of to do that without neglecting Mom and putting aside my dream.

Staring at the sketch I made, an angel. But this is different from any other angels. This angel has clipped wings and dark eyes, he or she is looking at me intently from what I draw. In his or her eyes I can almost feel my own anger boiling inside the eyes of my own sketch.

If I my drawing will come to life, maybe I will make a monster out of it. A very mad monster and will be out for blood.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, is this what I want. To the people who will see my art and feel anger? Nothing hut anger?

Is this what I want them to remember when they saw my art?

My own demon and darkness?

I sighed and put down the pencil at the same time as the chair next to me squeaked. I fully assumed that Diesel had arrived because of the size and weight of the presence of whoever sat in the seat next to me. And Diesel is the only one who has the courage to take a seat with someone like me. I didn't look at him because I didn't want him to see the worry and doubt in my eyes. I don't want him to carry my own problems again with him. Diesel is carrying too much weight on his back and I want to be his rest. Not being one of the reasons why he was tired. Because he's the same when it comes to me. He will do everything to make everything light and easy in my situation.

I sighed and tried to regain my breath “What took you so long?”

I looked at him, but the man I was expecting is far from who is the one who’s sitting next to me, staring at my sketch then back at me again.

“That’s a lot of anger you have back there.” he’s referring to my sketch and I took the time to close my sketch pad abruptly.

“What are you doing here?” I snap. I didn’t bother to cover the poison in my tone.

I know we are gaining some attention, given what happen last winter. Eyes are on us, words are spreading so quickly.

He smirks, the one that I wanted to take away on his beautiful face.

I can’t deny it; even if I am beyond mad to this f*****g monster in front of me. Axel Matthew Mayhem had a look that God himself would be jealous of. His eyes held thousands of emotions that no one can quite pinpoint or should I say, no one will dare to. He has the face of an angel, but a very dark and broken angel. Almost the same from what I drew right now.

His height is a different story; He is a giant monster, 6’4. That is why the school football team is glad to have him on their team. A very bulky, competitive and ruthless monster in the field.

He can even manhandle anyone with his built and height. That is why he can do it easily to Gian.

My blood boils once again when I remembered Gian that night.

He looks at the scar on my arms and look back at me again “No snarky comments, Baby Girl?”

That nickname again. The nickname that sets my blood on rise every time I heard it.

“Don’t f*****g call me that.” I bark.

His lips twitch, as if hearing some snarky comments from mine makes him happy or challenged even. “There, there she is.”

“What the f**k are you doing here, Blaze?”

“Eyes were everywhere, mouth is poisonous.” He said as he crossed his arms on his chest that made his muscles squeeze.

“Should I decode your f*****g mores code, Blaze?” I snap and he chuckles.

“That’s not even a code, Baby girl. Look everywhere.”

I looked everywhere as I see all eyes on us.

“I am doing you a serious favor here. When everyone see that we are on a good term, they will leave you alone after the stunt you just pulled last winter.” He said as I roll my eyes to everyone who is looking at us and was ready to spread the words.

I looked back at him and he’s eyes were on me that made me swallowed hard, but off course I wouldn’t let him see that “I don’t need your help. Or anyone for that matter. So, leave me alone. I don’t care if they won’t leave me alone for what I did to you last winter. In fact, I will gladly do it again if given a chance.” I smiled at him, but it is far from being friendly.

Instead of being annoyed and mad, he smiled. “Is that a threat, Baby girl?”

I shake my head “It wasn’t. I would never ever threaten someone like you.” I say in full sarcasm.

His smiles grew bigger “Like what?”

“Evil.” My smile falls along with his as I said those word.

The brown in his eyes become so dark that I thought I see it black. He’s mad. And I know it. And I am f*****g glad that I am getting on his nerves.

He leans close to me, as I can almost feel his breath and his lips so close to my ears “You don’t f*****g know me.”

I looked at him, and a shiver run down my spine as I saw his smile never faltered as his voice is full of darkness. Is he a f*****g psycho?

I nod my head “Yeah, you’re right. I don’t know you.”

He leans his elbow on our table and smiled at me again “Good girl. You’re already getting the point of this—”

“But I know Gian is your girlfriend before she died.” I didn’t let him finish what he’s about to say.

His pupil dilated once again, I know both of us is hitting each other’s nerve. And that is okay, we are not made to kiss and hug each other.

The night Gian died, he just made himself as one of the people I wanted to crash, even if he’s a f*****g son of an American Mafia king.

“How many times do I have to tell you that Gian is f*****g crazy, and she wasn’t and never will be my f*****g girlfriend?” His tone is mad. And the fake smile is gone too.

“Why would she lie to me?” The accusation on my tone never faltered.

“I don’t f*****g know, maybe you should dig her grave and have a chit chat with her if you want to.” He chuckles.

“Why? Are you going to kill me?”

“I can if I want to, we both know that, are we, baby girl?” He smirks.

My pulse quickens, this is a clue that he can kill someone. “Then better make sure you kill me instantly, not like the last time.”

He looked at the scar on my arm “I didn’t do that.”

“Says who?”

“Says me. I promise you, Baby girl. If I did something, I will gladly be announced it in front of everyone, even how dark it is. I will proudly boast about it.”

“You’re there that night, we both know that.”

“I am. But I didn’t even f*****g saw you—”

“Hey.” It’s Diesel and Hannah who interrupt us from our heating conversation, and this is the first time I am annoy a Diesel and Hannah’s presence, because I know I am close to hitting Blaze’s buttons when they decide to come and interrupt.

“Did we interrupt something?” Hannah asked as I saw how awkward she is seeing me and Blaze sitting together. Gian is her friend too.

“You are.” He crossed his arms again as he looks at Hannah annoyingly.

“Are you fighting again with Corinne?” Diesel was the one to asked.

“Nope, actually we are getting cozy here.” Blaze answered him. “Know what, I will head out.” Blaze looks at me then put his f*****g finger on my nose “See you, Baby Girl. And nice sketch you have there. It will be better if you sculped it as me being your model.” He winks then head off.

I looked at my wrist watch to see that we had been bantering for five minutes only, but why does it feel longer?

Diesel sat down beside me, replacing him. Hannah is in front of me.

“Hey.” Diesel bump my shoulder, seeing my distress. “Did he say something?”

I shake my head “Nope” I smiled as best as I could “I am fine.”

“What did he say, Corinne?” Hannah asked.

I sighed and massage my temple “That he didn’t date Gian.”

“Cory, I know he didn’t. believe me.” Diesel said.

“Die, a week before Gian died. She told me how great Blaze in bed. I even saw her having bruise everywhere, saying Blaze likes it rough.”

“Sleeping with Blaze doesn’t mean they are in a relationship, much else kills her? Why would Blaze do that, for that matter?” Diesel is getting annoyed defending his own cousin. Who wouldn’t, right?

“Because Gian f*****g told me two days before she got killed that she’s pregnant.”

“What?” Hannah and Diesel said in unison.

I nod “She’s pregnant.”

“But—” Diesel was lost for word. “But it doesn’t mean that it is Blaze’s, right?”

“Gian is in love with him for I don’t know how long. And I am sure that once she slept with Blaze. She was going to lose interest on anyone else.” I sighed.

“That’s f**k up.”

I nod “It is.

“So, you can't blame me for why last winter, when I saw an opportunity to do what I did, I did. Because I am the one who saw Gian gasping for f*****g air while bleeding to death. And I was the one who was taken away from her lifeless body by my own father that night and made me not to be in the same place where she died as if I did not witness everything that happened to Gian before she lost her life." I looked at Blaze with anger as he sat down with his football team, he’s looking at me too as if contemplating what my next move is.

“I’m sorry, Corinne. I didn’t know.” Hannah broke my trance.

I smiled at her sadly “It’s okay, I chose not to let you know.”

Diesel put his hands at the side of my face then kissed the top of my head thoughtfully, the gesture makes my heart flutter. “I’ll figure this out, Cory. Don’t worry.”

“You don’t have to, Die.”

He kissed my temple once again “I am here. I will always be.”

I nods and smiled at him, when I feel someone looking at me or us.

And when I looked at where Blaze’s is, he’s looking at me with his eyes wild.