“If you’re sure,” I whispered, and his presence brightened. When I glanced at his eyes, they shone with happiness and pride. My cheeks burned hotter, and I ducked my head in embarrassment. I would hate myself if someone in his other choir lost their seat because of me. I didn’t deserve the honor.
“Oh, I am. And, sweetheart,” Mr. Thatch waited until my eyes met his. “No one will lose their place. I look for a specific quality, not quantity. Your voice blows that out of the water, however. I’ve never heard such an angelic voice. So pure, yet so full of emotion. You’ve seen the worst of life, haven’t you?” I swallowed nervously, and he tutted.
Offering his hand, he helped me stand, and I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear before shouldering my backpack. Beaming, Mr. Thatch led me toward the office, and I kept my eyes on the ground while I navigated the full hallway. Once at the office, Miss Brines cheerfully switched my first and fourth classes so I could attend the advanced choir. With a cheerful smile, Mr. Thatch sent me on my way to honors history. My shoulders slumped in defeat, I left while Miss Brines spoke to my history teacher on the school phone.
He waited next to his desk when I opened the door after the tardy bell rang. The classroom wasn’t too far, but not used to the students in these halls, I moved a little slow. Smiling when I chanced a glance at his eyes, my history teacher beckoned me closer. “Hello, Angel Draven, I am Mr. Hicks. The only empty seat I have is in the back next to Mr. Cooper.” My chest constricted while I prayed that was a popular surname in this town.
Turning my head in the direction Mr. Hicks indicated, a hollow pit replaced my stomach when hate-filled amber eyes met mine. I dropped my gaze and gulped. This had to be a class with tables instead of desks. I hoped this was my only class with Kyler. With his build, I doubted he was in choir so that class should be safe from him. His devoted followers, however, well, that remained to be seen.
With a shaky breath, I walked by the row of students, feeling their hostile glares, and sighed inwardly. Another school of sheep. Once, just once, I would like to find a school where the students didn’t blindly follow the ram who bleated the loudest or had the most prominent horns. When I sat next to the vibrating Kyler, I steeled myself for hissed cruel words. Instead, his eyes glared holes through me, piercing my soul and leaving my heart pained. Why? Traitorous heart, picking this teenage bully to fall for even though he’s the fourteenth or fifteenth one I’ve met. What’s so special about him? Sure, he’s beautiful. So? Only kindness stirs my heart, not cruelty. I will not make my mother’s mistakes. While she was a saint, and my hero, my father was a beautiful, cruel, drunk. Give it a few years, and the high school hotshot beside me would be nothing more than a washout drinking away what might have been.
Immediately after thinking of Kyler so horribly, I cringed and silently apologized. Thankfully, my sarcasm and harsh thoughts seldom left my head. I didn’t want to hurt anyone, but sometimes, I couldn’t help my jaded thoughts. Scolding my heart, I steeled myself against my unwanted feelings and thoughts.
Once Mr. Hicks started teaching, it relieved me to discover that I wasn’t behind in his class. My last school was ahead. But that was before I was in the hospital for over a month. Still, I wasn’t behind in this class, at least. Writing notes I wouldn’t look at again, I sighed when it was time to put our things away. Once the bell rang, I lingered for a moment before venturing into the hall after the room cleared.
I stifled a cry when my back slammed into the metal lockers. Since I only used one shoulder strap, my backpack did little to buffer the blow. Agony skittered along my spine before radiating throughout my back, and I released my breath once I adjusted to this new level of pain. “I’m sure I told you where you belong, street rat,” Kyler murmured with a sadistic smirk twisting his lips. It turned into a grim scowl when I scoffed under my breath.
“That I speak softly, avoid eye contact, and do my best to not hurt others does not mean I am a doormat,” I warned. “I won’t hit you, nor will I try to hurt your feelings, but that doesn’t mean you say jump, and I do.”
Every student in the hallway stopped. I felt their eyes and swallowed nervously. It wasn’t bravado. Only I controlled my actions, and I’d be damned if I rolled over and played dead for a boy who didn’t understand the power he wielded. Not when my shadows would eat him alive. So, he could bring on his worst, I’d survive it. With what they put me through, there was very little I couldn’t adapt to overcome. Sure, it would hurt, but what’s a little pain?
New School, New Devil
At first, Kyler was stunned, then his eyes darkened before his fingers wrapped around my throat. Where our skin touched, mine was warm and tingly. What the hell is with this boy and me? Once he was sure I wouldn’t move, he smirked and drove his fist into my abdomen. A hoarse cry left my lips while my nerves screamed their agony. After several painful seconds, I drew air into my lungs, and Kyler chuckled before hitting me even harder in the same spot.
This time, tears escaped my
