"Polluted by the mists of their downfall, they entangled in their universal lies. Gliding through vivid galaxies, they burnt like dying stars"

❃ B l a z e ❃

Summer's face was blotched with red spots, her nose a violent shade of crimson. However, her vulnerability was overshadowed by the sneer on her face directed solely at me.

"What the fuck are you looking at?" She moved to close the door but I slammed my foot in between. Even if she had helped Aiden cheat, I couldn't ignore the bruises on her arm.

"Leave me alone," she whispered hoarsely.

"What happened?" I reached my hand out in the gap, but she flinched away and déjà vu hit me like a truck. No, I couldn't let her turn into me.

"Summer, what the fuck happened?" I tried to keep the fear out of my voice as I was unable to tear my gaze away from the purple marks encircling her upper arm. They were like snakes coiling around flesh and I subconsciously ran my fingers across my arm.

As if finally realising what I was staring at, she angled her entire body away from mine.

"Did Aiden do that?" I gritted out and she instantly froze. Her hands shook wildly and her silence served as an answer to my question.

Summer's face crumbled and tears rolled down her face. The sight weakened me, invoking feelings that I had thought had turned stale.

Her cries morphed into sobs as she desperately tried to rub the tears away. When I made another move to step into the stall, she pushed against the door with a surprising amount of strength.

"Summer, what did he do?" My voice trembled, tortured memories attacking my brain. I needed to forget them for now because the girl in front of me looked terrified, despite the hostility on her face.

"Get out of here." Her voice lacked conviction and I gently grabbed her wrist before pulling her out of the stall. This time she didn't move away and allowed me to help her.

As soon as Summer was out, I wrapped my arms around her and hers fell around my stomach. Her tears dampened my hoodie, and I could feel them pricking my own eyes. She was quite a few inches taller than me, but the way she leaned down to put her head on my shoulder splintered a piece of my heart. She was hurting.

"When did this happen?" I was trying my best not to push her, but guilt and anger were roaring through me like a spreading inferno. I had never felt so murderously pained before.

"Third period. We skipped and Aiden got a call from his dad, he was pissed. I was trying to calm him down, and he just grabbed me." Her voice broke and my fingers clenched around her middle.

"He said he didn't mean to." Her voice was coarse, vibrating against my shoulder blade.

"That's what he always used to say," I whispered to myself but she was too dazed to even realise that I was talking.

"Summer, you need to leave him," I murmured fiercely and she froze.

Guilt rocked through me like a shattering earthquake. I was too engrossed in my own problems that I didn't even pay attention to whether Aiden was dating someone or not. It was supposed to be my responsibility to make sure he didn't hurt someone.

"My dad used to say the same thing to my mother. They're divorced now, you know." Her confession seemed sub-conscious and I felt guilty for preying in on a vulnerable moment.

As if sensing her words, Summer pulled away and walked in reverse until her back hit the wall. Embarrassment coated her cheeks and I winced as the softness drained from her features, replaced by vacancy.

I waited for her to say something, but she sunk against the wall and slumped to the floor. I moved away from her and locked the door to the bathroom.

Summer stared blankly at me as I handed her a wet towel, which she reluctantly took to wipe her face. There was no makeup on her skin, making her skin appear as if it had been rubbed raw. Paired with the way her limbs were constantly trembling, she looked like she had been exposed to a ghastly revelation.

She had finally seen what Aiden was like.

A quick scan of her arms and face told me there were no other bruises, but I knew better than that. He always left them where they couldn't be seen. I was naïve to think he was only intent on hurting me. This was my fault.

"Where are the others?" I couldn't meet her eye so I focused my sight on her arms, painful flashbacks tugging at my vision. I clamped my eyes shut, and when I opened them, I was met by Summer's confused gaze.

"What others?" she murmured, still looking distractedly somewhere behind me.

"The bruises, where are they?" she gradually realised what I was asking about and snapped her head up to meet my gaze.

"This is the first time this has happened," she furrowed her eyebrows, genuinely puzzled and I sucked in a sharp breath.

"Are you sure?" I asked hesitantly, and slowly the realisation sunk into me. I had unknowingly told her about Aiden's abuse, or at least dropped enough breadcrumbs to the truth.

Summer was steadily gathering bearing of her senses, and she nodded her head furiously. "Yes, he would never hurt me again."

"No, don't tell yourself that," I asserted harshly. Saying that was how I allowed it to continue.

Her eyes suddenly flashed with understanding, and she shot up, only to stumble over her own feet. I steadied her with one hand, careful to avoid her bruised arm.

"Did he hurt you?" she stared wide-eyed at me, and my throat dried at her question. This was something I hadn't told anyone because I wasn't ready but right now, it felt like I had stripped my own choice.

I didn't speak, and that was enough of an answer for Summer as she sucked in a sharp breath.

"Blaze, I'm so sorry. For everything, I was unreasonably mean to you." Her eyes watered once again, and she gripped my hand tightly. I shook my head, that was all in the past.

"It was a long time ago," I grimaced and her face fell when I dodged her gaze.

"If I had just warned you, this wouldn't have happened." Inhaling shakily, I felt the panic rise inside me. What had I done? I should've just stayed with him.

"No," Summer shook her head furiously. "He's been angry for the past few weeks, and I should've just left him because he said some bad things as well. It was his fault, not yours." She didn't elaborate, and I didn't ask, even though I had an idea what he must've said.

"But still, I could've stopped that," I gestured at her bruise and she flinched.

"You weren't the one who put it there," she sighed softly and her bottom lip wobbled. A sliver of reassurance filtered through me, but the guilt was still overwhelming.

"You can't tell anyone about this." Summer's head suddenly snapped up and fear swam in her green irises.

"I'm not ready, my mum won't be able to handle it." She clenched and unclenched her fists and I understood. I wasn't ready either. It was unbelievably selfish, but I couldn't tell anyone else right now. Fuck.

"What if he does that to someone else?" I whispered, another bout of guilt threatening to pull over. A sad smile crept across Summer's face, and she shook her head.

"I'll make sure he doesn't," A flicker of confidence appeared in Summer's features and I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. How could she guarantee that?

"I'll handle it, I can make sure Alec tells me about every girl he talks to, I know some things about Aiden that he'd rather not be made public." A spark of anger flashed in her eyes and I wished I could be as confident as her. It had been months since he had hurt me, and I still wasn't okay while she was already much stronger than I was.

"Blaze? What are you doing in there? Are you okay?" A loud knock interrupted our talk, a voice I hadn't heard since the morning.

"Raf?" I widened my eyes.

"Why is the door locked?" Bree's voice interjected, and I tapped my fingers together nervously.

"I'll be out in a minute," I yelled back. Summer's face slackened as she looked down at her arm, pain simmering beneath her dispirited smile.

"I can't go out there like this." She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and clenched her fists. Her short-sleeved shirt displayed the entire bruise, and it was impossible to cover it.

I glanced down at my hoodie, an idea sprouting inside my head. However, I wavered. With a sharp breath, I shook my head and steeled myself. My insecurities could wait.

"We can swap," I smiled hesitantly at her, self-doubt trickling into my veins. If I wore this, there was no way I could hide my cuts. They had already healed, but they were far from being invisible. Anyone with good eyesight within ten feet could see just how horrible they were.

Having my friends know was one thing, but having everyone at school see them terrified me.

Summer nodded eagerly and I turned around so she wouldn't see the scars on my stomach. She followed suit and I shivered when I removed the hoodie, the cold instantly chilling my bones. I handed her my hoodie, and she gave me her top.

As soon as I pulled it over my head, my hands trembled as I looked at my exposed arms. My confidence broke down into a million pieces, and I wrapped my hands around myself. When Summer turned around, she looked shocked as she glanced at the healing cuts.

Her eyes met mine, and I looked away at the sympathy in them. She was about to say something, but I cut her off.

"I'm working on it," I muttered and she nodded her head.

The knocking became more furious and Rafael was now threatening to call a teacher because he was worried.

"So, um, does this mean we're friends?" she glanced at me nervously, and despite myself, I grinned.

"I guess so." However, it dropped when I remembered the circumstances of our 'friendship'.

Summer must have realised the same because she shifted on her feet awkwardly, and I took that as a cue to leave. Just as I was about to unlock the door, Summer called my name and I turned around.

"Thank you for all this," she murmured while fiddling with my hoodie sleeves.

"There's nothing to thank me for," I smiled and she nodded briefly.

As soon as I opened the door, I collided with Rafael who looked furious and worried, his hand raised to continue his persistent knocking. Bree and Jonah were standing behind him, their faces identical to his as they peered down at what I was wearing.

"What the fuck? I thought you did something," Rafael scanned my face, but I sidestepped him.

A tsunami of anger like none other was welling up inside me, thrashing like a wayward storm. Right now, it felt like something had dominated my body as I stormed down the hallway, dropping my bag somewhere in the process. The others were hot on my heels, confused yells reverberating against my ears, but I couldn't be bothered by their concerned questions.

As soon as I set foot in the Cafeteria, the rage bubbling in my veins reached an all-time high. I didn't even hear the few murmurs as I passed a few tables that got a personal look at the scars on my arm. My focal object was sitting just a few tables away, facing the opposite side and didn't even gauge my presence.

I felt possessed by a viciously aggressive spirit because as soon as he turned to me, I reared my fist back and punched Aiden straight on the nose. A loud noise echoed through my ears, amplified by the blood boiling in my veins.

Destruction bubbled in my bones, an emotion wildly foreign to my body, and before he could even react, I landed another blow on the side of his face.

He moved just in time and my punch landed on his cheek instead of his gushing nose, causing a trickle of his blood to run down my knuckles.

My fist throbbed with pain, but all I could see was red. If hatred was tangible, the atmosphere around us would be stained crimson.

Before I could land another punch, arms wrapped around my waist, constricting all movement. I wildly thrashed in the person's arms, the wrath still not subsiding. I wanted to rain hellfire down on Aiden. The accumulated anger of a year was savagely begging to be released.

"Blaze, calm down." Travis' voice seemed distant in my ears, and I realised it was his hold that I was fighting against. From the corner of my vision, I saw Rafael glowering murderously at Aiden, barely being held back by Bree who was furiously saying something to him.

"I'll fucking kill him." The words came from my own throat, but seem voiced by another part of me, an identity suppressed by the very monster in front of me.

"Not in the school cafeteria," Travis murmured and I elbowed him, which loosened his hold and I took that moment to spring free.

Before I could land another punch to his face, Aiden's hand dashed out and circled my wrist in a bruising grip. The venom in his eyes was insurmountable, and it brought me back to the times when it was his fists lashing punches instead of mine.

"Fucking touch me again, and you know what'll happen." His words were a mere whisper, meant only for my ears and I hesitated, my anger stilling.

My hand trembled in his hold, and his fingers dug into my skin, leaving nail marks on my scars and my bottom lip wobbled. No, I wouldn't let him win, not this time.

"Let go of me, or I'll tell everyone about what you've done, and not only to me," I hissed the empty threat, but Aiden's face dropped as he believed it.

When his grip went lax, I landed another surprise punch to his jaw, my fist throbbing in response. From the look in his eyes, I knew it was only a second before his own fist rose.

However, Jonah stepped in between us, his forearm against Aiden's chest as he pushed him back.

Jonah was glaring at him, uncharacteristic anger simmering beneath his eyes and Travis pulled me back by my upper arm before I went psycho on Aiden again.

All the emotions I had refused to acknowledge these past weeks simmered beneath my skin, threatening to break loose. I slumped in Travis' hold as the rage gave way to hurt.

I met Rafael's burning gaze who stepped beside Jonah, and by his clenched fists, I could sense he was about to pummel Aiden, finishing the job he had left two weeks ago in the driveway.

"Rafael," Travis' voice was like a whip, a sternness that I never expected from him, and Rafael turned to face him.

"Get Blaze out of here before any teacher sees," He gestured towards me, and I was of a  mind to argue. However, something in Travis' voice told me he wouldn't budge until Raf hauled me out of here. I felt like cargo right now.

Rafael clenched his jaw, anger pulsating in each of his muscles, but he eventually stepped away.

When I glanced around the Cafeteria, embarrassment built up inside me when I saw the students looking at me in pity and horror. Some were looking at my bloody knuckles and others at the scars on my arm, and I wrapped my arms around myself self-consciously.

Annikah and Bree shot me small smiles, but they didn't come closer, sensing my need for distance. I now noticed that all of my friends were crowded around Aiden, except Rafael who was now branching away and edging towards me reluctantly.

Bree, Travis and Jonah were saying something to Aiden who was still glaring at me, his bloody nose swelling and bruises blooming on his nose and cheek. The sight sent satisfaction pulsing through me, and that thought was enough to send me reeling.

No, I was becoming like him. Since when did I indulge in violence?

He was turning me into a monster, just like him.

Immediately, my breathing picked up and my blood pounded against my ears. I had stooped to his level, the one thing I was never supposed to do.

I hated how I revelled at the sight of blood on his skin, the way it instilled confidence in me. It was wrong on so many levels.

I clenched my fists, pain shooting through my knuckles at the movement. However before my panic could escalate into an attack, I felt a hand grazing the curve of my spine. Rafael looked down at me in concern and barely concealed anger, but I knew it wasn't for me.

"Let's go," he gritted out, and I didn't resist before letting him pull me out of the Cafeteria. The entire walk to the door seemed to stretch on, interspersed by judgmental whispers and my mind feasting on my own insecurities.

Rafael took me to the same place where we had stepped out in Lunch yesterday and the garden shed reminded me of his words.

I like you, Blaze, so much that it's hurting me.

When he turned to me, I wrapped my arms around his torso, the first time I'd willingly touched him in two weeks. His initial shock wore off, and he reciprocated, his hold tight and comforting against my waist.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," I whispered, basking in the warmth of his body. Dr. Lincoln's words thumped against my mind, and with a deep breath, I uttered my next words.

"If it isn't obvious, I like you, a lot."

His arms stilled at my statement before he let out a pleased sigh and burrowed his head into my hair.

"Thank fuck, I thought I screwed up," he muttered nervously and his breath warmed my scalp. Despite myself, I couldn't help chuckle at the relief in his tone.

The cold was barely tangible against the warmth of his body, his heartbeat synchronised against mine and I realised Dr. Lincoln was right. I deserved this.

Reluctantly pulling away, I dodged Rafael's inquisitive stare on the side of my face, my cheeks heating up from the way I had openly confessed my feelings for him.

"You're beautiful, even more when you punched the asshole's face," Rafael cheekily commented, his previous anger long gone. When I met his gaze, there was an admiring twinkle in his eye and I bit my lip anxiously.

"He deserved it," I murmured, and a corner of Rafael's lips tugged up in a proud smirk. His gaze dropped down to my arms, glazing over the cuts and my bloody fists.

"Are you okay?" He took my hands into his and perused my bruised knuckles. I nodded my head uncertainly, my head still racing from what I had just done.

"We need to put ice on that later," he murmured, pulling my hand to one of the taps jutting out of the side of the shed.

Without a warning, he opened it and cold water gushed over my knuckles, soothing my burning skin. I watched as Aiden's blood mixed in with the stream, flinching at the memories of my own blood trickling down the drain.

Rafael observed me with a keen eye but didn't comment as I looked away, unable to stare at the concrete that was now stained red.

He turned the tap off and walked around the corner. I followed, only to see him ramming the side of his shoulder into the door. Before I could stop his random act of violence, the wooden door gave way and he grinned at me.

"Was that your hulk imitation?" I muttered as I stepped into the darkened shed behind him. He grabbed my hand before turning on a light, casting the walls in a dim orange glow.

Garden implements lined the walls, and I turned to him with widened eyes.

"Are you going to murder me with a rake?"

He furrowed his eyebrows at my question, and then I saw a large shovel inclined against one wall.

"You're going to use that to bury my body, aren't you?" I backed away a few steps before he pulled me back against his chest.

"I knew it, you were just trying to charm me to my grave," I huffed against his neck.

"You're really paranoid, babe." He smirked in amusement, relishing as my cheeks flushed at his teasing.

"Isn't this damage to school property?" I glanced at the splintered door and Rafael just shot me a cryptic smile.

Still holding my hand, he turned around and ruffled through all the drawers. Finally, he pulled out a relatively clean cloth and grinned triumphantly at me.

Walking out of the shed, we slumped down on the side of the shed like yesterday, this time his knees grazing mine as he sat in front of me.

He gently brushed the cloth against my hand, and I sighed in relief when the only colour on my knuckles was that of busted skin and not Aiden's blood.

"Does this look like a murder weapon to you?" He smirked cockily and I frowned.

"You could still choke me with it," I muttered and a devilish twinkle sparkled in his eyes before he shook his head, muttering to himself.

I winced when his fingers accidentally pressed too hard onto one of the bruises.

"Sorry," he murmured, gently brushing his fingers on my wrist.

In a sudden move, he lifted my hand and kissed the unmarked skin just above my knuckles.

My breath caught in my throat, and when he looked up at me, his green irises swam with so many emotions, it was hard to catch onto one.

"I feel so fucking lucky right now," he murmured against my skin, sending vibrations through my entire body and I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth before noticing the way his gaze scanned every inch of my face.

He smiled softly before pulling away, placing the cloth beside him and shifting right beside me. His side pressed against mine, and as if instinctively, I placed my head on the crook of his shoulder.

"Did the meeting with Mark go okay this morning?" I asked and Rafael grimaced.

"No." He bit on his bottom lip harshly.

"The case?" I mumbled and his lips parted in surprise before he nodded.

"It's bad, and the person refused to drop the charges or settle." The dejection was evident in his tone and I skimmed my fingers over his hand.

"Did you do something bad?" I immediately regretted my question, but instead of closing off, Rafael looked me in the eye before answering.

"Yes."

It should have pushed me away and made me run for the hills, but I instead snuggled further into his side and closed my eyes, hoping I could drive away his worry as he did with me.

"Can I ask you something?" I murmured after a while of just soaking in the sunlight and the comfort of Raf's arm around my shoulder.

He hummed in approval, and I mentally worded my question to make it sound casual.

"Why do you never get in trouble? Like real trouble? You sent Aiden to the hospital and you still got a one-week suspension. That was pretty easygoing." I wondered if I went too far but Raf just tilted his head and rested it upon my own.

A few strands of his hair tickled my forehead and I laughed as he nuzzled his head playfully into my hair.

"Is it because you're rich?" I smiled cheekily and his face lit up, a smirk tugging at his lips.

"That too, and my father is friends with the principal. He makes a pretty hefty donation every year to make sure I don't get expelled or worse," he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly but his posture stiffened.

"Must be nice to get away with stuff like that," I murmured and he shook his head.

"I don't support it, but Jason likes to believe he can still save me." I furrowed my eyebrows when he smiled vacantly.

"Jason's my father." I didn't comment on the detachment overpowering his tone.

"You're doing great, Raf. You're sober and you haven't punched someone in a month," I stated proudly and he nodded absently.

"Don't be so sure of it," he shook his head, pulling his knees up.

"Which part?"

"All of it," he smiled hauntingly and my heart chords tugged at the pain in his eyes.

"You're still sober, aren't you?" I asked desperately, and he nodded his head without meeting my gaze. He shot me a sad smile and I was about to press him further, but Travis' head poked around the corner.

"Let's go lovebirds," he chirped brightly, handing me a gel ice pack and our backpacks, and I pressed it against my knuckles. His eyes twinkled as he glanced at Rafael's arm around my shoulder.

"The coast is clear, no teacher saw our little Mike Tyson throw down on the bastard," Travis' lips quirked up in a smirk and I narrowed my eyes at him.

Rafael gave me a hand up, and we walked away from the garden towards the back of the school.

"Our spot, remember Rafael?" Travis smirked at Raf while pointing to a brick wall that branched out to a staircase leading to the roof.

"Why? Did you two make out here?" I pointed jokingly between the two of them, and Travis burst out laughing.

"I don't do hot-headed delinquents," Travis' grin only brightened when Rafael glared at him.

"We used to smoke pot here sometimes," Rafael muttered, avoiding my gaze. "We don't do that anymore, for clarification," he added.

"I believe you," I nudged him and he swung an arm around my shoulder.

"Where to now? We already skipped one period," Travis whistled lowly, and slowly the reality of the situation sunk in.

There was no way I could stay in the same house as Aiden anymore, especially after the stunt I pulled today. As if sensing my trepidation, Raf rubbed small circles on my shoulder and I relaxed into his touch.

I needed to move out today, before Aiden came home, to be specific.

"You have to take me to the Marshall's house. I have to get my stuff," I muttered and both their gazes settled upon me as they nodded.

"Where will you live?" Travis asked and before I could answer, Rafael butted in.

"You can stay at our place." I frowned at the excitement in his voice and shook my head. He resembled a kicked puppy at my rejection, so I sighed.

"I'm staying with my aunt, I just need somewhere to keep my stuff till she gets home at night."

Rafael raised a hand to volunteer as if he was in class, but Travis rolled his eyes dismissively.

"Our rich boy's Maserati can barely fit two people, there's no way your stuff's getting in there," Rafael glared at Travis, who smirked.

"You can keep it in my car, we'll chill at Raf's house till your aunt's home," Travis shrugged his shoulders, and Rafael's face lit up again.

"I'm keen." He tried to act noncommittal and I grinned while poking his ribs playfully.

"Let's go," he grumbled, pulling me towards the parking lot and Travis winked at me meaningfully. I glared at him but then felt a familiar fluttering in my stomach as Rafael opened the passenger door to his car.

Once we were seated, he swerved out of the parking lot, Travis right behind us. Our hands collided when I went to turn on the heater, and instead of pulling away, he wrapped his fingers around mine, resting them against the gap between the seats.

"I'll get you a hoodie once we're at my home," He murmured as he glanced at my shivering arms, Summer's top doing basically nothing to stop the chill from running into my bones. My initial bout of adrenaline had long vaporised, and I didn't object by saying I could just get my own hoodie from my stuff.

The rest of the car ride was silent with alternative music playing through the speaker. Rafael hummed along and I silently observed the way his fingers curled around the wheel, prompting green veins to pop up around his arms. His jaw ticked time and time again when someone was rough on the road, and instead of honking, he just glared at them once we passed by.

When we pulled up at the Marshall's driveway, I sighed in relief at the absence of cars in the driveway. At least I wouldn't have to face Andrea or Mark.

I traipsed nervously to the front door, the two guys right behind me and I heard an angry noise from Rafael's throat. Fishing in my bag, I pulled out the keys and was met by silence once I opened the door.

The emptiness in the house resonated within me and I gulped deeply before rushing to the staircase. The entire house looked like a grove for past evil with the darkness, and I sighed in relief when I hit the switch inside my bedroom.

"I still have some stuff left to pack, I'll get it later," I shuddered at the thought of coming back here. Rafael, however, shook his head.

"We'll help you pack the rest." His tone left no room for argument, and I grimaced.

"I'll get the boxes in my car, you two can pack." Travis grabbed a filled box from the corner and smirked at me slyly. He was having way too much fun with this.

"Practice for the future," Travis whispered smugly in my ear as he passed and I stared wide-eyed at the wall. My cheeks heated up, so I coughed awkwardly when Rafael looked at me weirdly.

"So what's still left?" Rafael stepped in beside me.

"Just some clothes, and my entire desk," I shrugged and he nodded.

After that, he turned to my desk and I grabbed handfuls of clothing and started rolling them before shoving them into boxes. We packed side by side. Rafael was humming softly and when he caught me staring, he flashed me a dazzling smile that sent an eruption of nerves throughout my body.

"What?" I dodged his gaze when he didn't move away.

"It's pretty crazy that you like me, you know?" He grinned to himself, and I blushed at his bluntness.

"I mean, have you seen me? I'm not the sort of guy girls usually like. They didn't get an addict with family issues in the memo." He was now talking more to himself and I flinched at his self-deprecation.

"I don't know, it's like I never really fit in with people, and all of a sudden there's you and it's hard to believe."

I cut his ramble off by placing my hand on his mouth.

Without thinking, I kissed my hand at the same spot where he had earlier, coincidentally where his lips were beneath my fingers.

His hair brushed against my eyelids, his lashes unbelievably close to tangling with mine. As if taking control, he placed his forehead against mine and I could feel the warmth of his lips beneath my fingers. A gentle kiss was placed on my palm and I sucked in a sharp breath as Rafael's eyes locked with mine.

Up close, I wanted to do nothing more than run my fingers over every crevice of his face, memorise every scar and freckle and kiss his problems away. His eyes were gilded with green flecks and golden swirls the colour of the twinkling stars that he swore by.

He mumbled something, his muffled voice sending tingles throughout my entire arm and I was about to gently slip my hand away and remove the only barrier between us.

However, a loud thump in the hallway made me jolt away, brown curls peeking out from the doorframe.

Travis was muttering curses under his breath as he sheepishly entered the room, and I resisted the urge to bare my teeth at him like a rabid dog.

"What the fuck man?" Rafael ran his hand through his hair angrily, glowering at Travis who looked like he wanted to jump into a rabbit hole and trap himself in Wonderland.

"Fuck fuck fuck, I just stubbed my toe. You guys continue. I'm invisible." Travis made weird flailing motions with his arms and I groaned inwardly.

Was he the designated kissblocker or something?

Rafael glared at Travis and Trav took a few steps backwards, bumping his head into the doorframe in the process, before running down the hallway.

Once he was gone, I stepped back from Rafael, embarrassment trickling through my insides. What the fuck was I thinking? I just punched my ex, told my crush I liked him, and now I wanted to kiss the hell out of him? I was acting like a crazed teenager.

Rafael pursed his lips, smiling at me softly before returning to packing. He was muttering something under his breath the entire time. From what I could gather, I heard stuff like 'Travturd' and 'I'll gut him with a pencil'. After hearing that, I stopped eavesdropping.

When Travis came back to pick up the rest of the boxes, Rafael glared at him and if eyes could burn, Trav would be incinerated.

We packed in silence, the tension curving upwards with each passing second and I exhaled loudly when it felt like it was burdening my chest.

"All done," Rafael stood up after a while, holding two boxes with my stuff and I nodded.

When I glanced at the boxes in his hand, I reeled from a sudden reminder.

"Fucking hell, we still have to do our Chemistry project," I looked in bewilderment at Rafael who just chuckled jovially at my panic.

"I already did most of it, just have to make the final touches" he cocked a proud eyebrow, and I furrowed mine. Why hadn't he told me?

As if sensing my thoughts, he answered with a smug smile on his face. "You forgot about it, and seemed a bit tired these past few weeks." He looked at me meaningfully and I stared at the ground.

"Sorry about that," I muttered. Guilt soared through me, I had just dumped my entire workload on him unknowingly. Even if he had done our project, I still had half a month's worth of schoolwork and assignments to catch up on. My grades were tanking, there was no way in hell I'd get them up without submitting all my missing work.

Great, just another pile of shit I had to deal with today, the first being Aiden.

"Blaze?" A hand waved in front of my eyes and I jumped when Rafael stared at me.

"You zoned out there? Thinking of something?" A corner of his lips tugged up and I huffed.

"I have schoolwork to catch up on," I muttered and he chuckled in amusement.

"We can help you with that," he shrugged and I stared quizzically.

"We'll do it while waiting for your aunt to come home," he grinned and I shook my head.

"You're not doing my homework," I crossed my arms over my chest to prove my point but he just smirked like an arrogant prick.

"It wasn't a suggestion."

"Do you have to be stubborn? I'll keep feeling like I owe you," I muttered truthfully, staring at the wall behind him.

He stepped forward, his fingers brushing against mine and I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth nervously. Rafael's fingers grazed my jaw suddenly, his thumb dragging my lip out and I sucked in a sharp breath when his lips neared the shell of my ear.

"You don't owe us anything, especially not me," he whispered, his breath tickling the hairs on the back of my neck and my skin erupted into goosebumps. The smell of cinnamon warmed my nostrils, and I fluttered my eyelids shut.

His lips skimmed my left cheek in a fleeting kiss, and before I could even react, he was out of the door, picking two boxes up in the process.

Cheeky twat.

I stood frozen in my spot, my mind reeling from what just happened. The ghost of his mouth on my cheek sent a flurry of wings thrashing in my stomach, and I stared at the floor in awe.

A shoulder nudged my own, and I jumped, only to calm down when Travis looked at me in concern.

"Are you okay?" His confusion solidified the fact that he hadn't witnessed our second close encounter of the day and I nodded my head, still dazed from Rafael's intoxicating body warmth.

I glanced at my barren room, tears welling up at the back of my eyes, but I pushed down on them. I didn't feel the separation anxiety that I had expected, and I took a deep breath before shutting the door behind me for a final time, my eyes skimming over the last room down the hallway.

No regret or remorse filtered through me, and I didn't bother mulling over it. I was more than happy to be out of the house that sheltered monsters and birthed hell.

Rafael had replaced the bad memories with better ones. The memory of his hands bandaging my scars, his lips grazing my cheek and his breaths brushing my palm only calmed my racing heart.

He turned the darkness into starlight.

I followed Travis down the steps with the remaining boxes in my hands, and chose to sit in his car instead of Rafael's after locking the house behind me. He didn't protest, a knowing smile on his pink lips. I just stuck my tongue out at him and his eyes darkened.

Even when I slumped into Travis' passenger seat and his signature smell of tangerine wafted past my nostrils, the warmth of cinnamon invaded my thoughts, just like its owner who invaded both my mind and my personal space.

Not like I was complaining.

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"I really don't understand the use of studying reproduction in animals. I'm not a fucking beetle," Bree muttered angrily as she glared at the worksheet in her hand.

"You're not at the level of John Lennon," Travis rolled his eyes and everyone turned to him in confusion.

"The biological beetle, dumbass." Bree sighed irritably.

Travis wasn't doing anything besides watching a movie on Bree's laptop, muttering an annoying comment whenever someone asked a question about whatever work of mine they were completing. It was good that he wasn't doing anything.

I wanted my grades to rise, not tank.

We were all in the cinema room- Annikah was solving Math, while Rafael was doing Chemistry and Bree was completing Biology. Jonah was at home babysitting his siblings. History and Physics were the only subjects left to do, which I was doing right now.

We'd ordered pizzas just half an hour ago, and the bell chiming indicated that they were here.

Travis got up and raced to the front door, and then a minute later a yell came from upstairs indicating it was time for dinner. I packed all my stuff, slinging my backpack over my shoulder.

"Why do we always order pizza?" Raf whined and Bree rolled her eyes.

Rafael's upper lip was dotted with sprinkles from his fairy bread eating session. He had wolfed down probably ten slices. I reached my hand out and wiped them off and his eyes cast to mine, his lips curling into a smile.

Raf winked cheekily before tugging at his black hoodie which I was wearing, effectively squashing my back to his front.

"Told you we'd have your work done," he stated proudly and I hummed in approval when he rubbed absent circles on my shoulders.

"Thank you for that," I smiled at him but his lips curled into a frown before transforming into a cocky grin.

"We talked about that," he leaned in, a smile fighting on his lips and I puffed out a long breath before pushing him away.

Rushing upstairs, I plopped down beside Ann who was currently FaceTiming Serayah. She waved at all of us, and Bree and I smirked when Ann left the room quickly after without taking her dinner.

Rafael sat down in Ann's empty spot even though there was plenty of other places, which I pointed out to him.

"Your charm's irresistible," he grinned cheesily and I shook my head with a smile on my face.

Bree's gaze darted between us, a satisfied smirk on her face. She had been sporting the same expression ever since Rafael had said that he'd rather do my Chemistry work because that was one thing we were good at.

He was acting like he had been struck with a shitload of corniness.

"So, what's happening here?" She deliberately made a show of pointing between us and then made kissy faces when Rafael wasn't looking. Seriously, were we in primary school?

"Nada en absoluto."

"We're mutually crushing."

I glared at Rafael who looked proud of his answer.

"What? There's no point hiding it now," he grinned.

"He's been waiting to openly flirt with you for quite some time," Travis declared with a shrug, and Rafael's grin fell into a scowl.

Bree just rolled her eyes but didn't comment. However, her smirk gave it all away.

Throughout the entire dinner, I kept glancing at Rafael from the corner of my eye, only because he was doing the same. It would be weird if I didn't reciprocate, right?

However, all semblances of playfulness vanished when I got a text from Andrea saying my aunt was home. I had called her earlier to tell her that I had taken all my stuff, and she didn't ask why, just that she'd talk to Aunt Mary. She must have received the message loud and clear by the bruises and swelling on Aiden's face.

"I have to leave now," I murmured nervously, pushing my final slice of pizza around on my plate.

"You can stay the night," Bree offered and I shook my head. I'd just fit all the chaotic changes in my life to one day and deal with the aftermath later.

Recklessness at it's finest.

"I'll drop you off," Travis smiled at me encouragingly and gratitude swelled in my chest.

"I'm coming too," Rafael stated and I frowned.

"What? I'm getting a feeling you don't like your aunt. Of course, I'll be there," he glanced at me and I resisted the urge to kiss him right there.

I really needed to get my emotions and hormones under control.

"Don't you think about the petrol bills? Climate change and shit," Travis joked and Rafael pursed his lips sheepishly.

"Of course not, he's rich," I added just to annoy Rafael, which worked as a deep flush spread across his cheekbones.

"That makes you a sugar baby," Travis grinned teasingly and I glared.

I was about to retort that that made him one too, but pursed my lips. Rafael wouldn't appreciate the smart comeback, and there was no way I was outing him and Bree.

The mischief in the atmosphere worked at staving off my nerves, and by the end of dinner, I was feeling less anxious about meeting Aunt Mary.

Ann started her meal once ours ended, but she didn't mind as she smiled at us aloofly. It was obvious she was enamoured with other things.

"Ah, young love at its finest," Travis slung an arm around each of our shoulders, and Bree fought hard to suppress a smile. Rafael was down in the cinema room, searching for his car keys, otherwise Travis wouldn't have been so open.

"We were like this at a time, right Bree?" Travis grinned happily and I watched in amusement as her cheeks flushed.

"No, we weren't," she elbowed him away but then a huge smile spread across her face.

Ann shot an alarmed look our way, and Travis jumped out of the way just as the sound of footsteps drew closer.

Rafael turned around the corner and his eyebrows furrowed when he saw Travis attempting to look natural with his elbow on his head.

He just rolled his eyes before turning to me. "Let's go."

I nodded, seeing Bree sigh in relief. Travis and I followed Raf outside, and after saying our goodbyes, I settled into Rafael's car.

"You smell like cinnamon." Rafael looked confused at my observation as he started the car.

"I- um, thank you?" He stared at me weirdly, before backing out the pebbled driveway, his arm on the back of my seat.

"I like cinnamon," I hummed, staring at the night sky.

"You smell like blueberries and home," Raf peeked at me from the corner of his eye and I stilled, my pulse beating against my skin.

He didn't say anything after, and neither did I. The only feeling I perceived was his fingers rubbing circles on my wrists and the warm air blasting out from the vents.

It felt like a stretch of peace before Aunt Mary's house came into view.

The French country-themed house fitted right in with her gated community, oozing wealth from every corner. The garden was trimmed right down to the salvia shrubs, not even a weed in sight.

I wish all that money extended to her heart, but from all my experiences with her, she didn't have one. The only thing we had in similar was our blood.

Steeling myself, I got out of the car, followed by Rafael. I shook off my nerves as I grabbed a box from Travis' car, Raf offering me silent support by soft smiles.

I was acting crazy, it's not like I was going away to war but it sure felt like it.

The sound of our footsteps thumped against the cobblestone driveway and the wooden front door came all too early. I lifted my finger to the doorbell, nerves rising inside me at the thought of meeting the woman who was supposed to take care of me as a child, but had reminded me time and time again that I was nothing but an orphan.

I looked back at Rafael who grimaced at the sound of piano keys floating in the air. Was that really her doorbell?

"She's a rich snob, the anti-Count Olaf if  you will," I muttered to him, and his eyes widened in alarm as his eyes fixated behind me.

"Oh fuck," Travis muttered.

I turned back around to come face to face with Aunt Mary, who looked like she was about to burst a carotid.

This seemed like the start of a series of unfortunate events indeed.

howdy y'all. i don't have much to say tbh. thoughts on this chapter?

i just ate like three cheeseburgers as comfort food and now my tummy hurts so if you don't get another update within a month, i might have died from a ruptured stomach. it was fun writing for y'all.

no, but in all seriousness, updates might be slow cause uni's being a bitch and i'm just tryna keep up. i should've just dropped out last year in high school when i had the chance smh.

question: what's a really stupid dare you've done?

ciao you gorgeous aliens.

love
a