Zarek Black had been out of this world.

Stoning his brains out, smoking his lungs off, and locking himself in his room he called a black hole, Zarek was truly stuck in the horrible cycle of responsibilities and pure boredom. He was having the usual toxic thoughts roaming around his head despite the fact that he was high as fuck that even a special favor from Alisha couldn't distract him. Alisha was pretty good, just like Hunter promised, but it wasn't good enough because Zarek knew he fucked up big time.

He was rolling in his misery - the fuck am I so sad? Zarek was a dick, he was heartless and ruthless, he shouldn't care - no, he didn't care. Zarek knew the answer to that question, and he refused to admit it, but he knew it was inevitable because bad feelings always caught up to him, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it. When he admitted he was broken and needed fixing, Zarek expected it would've at least helped in his healing process, but it seemed like such realization did nothing but drag him further deep in this everlasting black hole.

Zarek got up of his bed fast enough to make the world around him spin and turn into a blur as he lost his focus for a moment, but such thing wouldn't stand in the way of a determined Zarek. Zarek didn't want to leave the house so soon, but one text message made him sober up so fast, the words in his phone bulging his eyes out just to make sure he hadn't read it wrong.

"This is Eva's boyfriend. Meet me in a half an hour in Donut Central Park for a man to man conversation."

The hell he is Eva's boyfriend - Eva didn't date, Zarek finally learned that, but he was still curious to know who was stupid enough to trigger him. It was probably some wannabe who wanted Zarek to hand him some money, Zarek was determined to hand him his set of broken teeth instead. Zarek had a bad feeling - this better not be Ryan. If it was, then all hell would break loose.

Zarek - fortunately - had enough common sense to walk instead of driving his precious car. He knew if he drove in his current angry and stoned state then he would've crashed his Mustang, resulting into more shit in his life with his father's possible punishment. It sounded stupid - the word punishment - Zarek was almost fucking nineteen, but his dad's rules had no boundaries, it seemed like. I should be fucking grateful, Zarek grumbled to himself, At least he's giving me a break and hasn't tested my urine lately.

Zarek was in The Donut Central Park, not being able to remember the last time he was in there. Parks and playgrounds weren't really Zarek's aesthetics, parties and dark alleys were. A quick scan of the area told Zarek that the said 'boyfriend' was a ginger tall guy, and he was leaning against his beige Jeep in the parking lot. As Zarek got closer to the surprisingly calm guy - he expected the guy would've been shaking at Zarek's dominance like everyone else - Zarek was able to make out his face and it was no one other than Ashton.

Of course it was him - rumors have been going around about them like crazy. Besides, Zarek had seem them in front of the school before. They were truly disgusting. Eva was such a whore - Ashton, Ryan, Hunter, and Zarek. One more and we'll make our own basketball team.

Zarek was at a loss for words. That awkward shit never happened to Zarek before, so congrats to fucking Ashton for doing the impossible. Zarek took a rigid breath, his poor lungs coughing in despair, as he took a step back from the still very annoyingly calm Ashton. "You and Eva?" Zarek's voice was the closest it sounded to a wuss than ever before. "A-are you together?"

"My text message already made that clear." Ashton snapped, "I don't like the way you treat Eva, Zarek, and I'm here to settle things with you."

Ashton's voice was so levelled compared to the wreck of Zarek, Ashton's body was so relaxed as if Zarek's mere presence didn't threaten him, and that ticked Zarek so much. He wasn't used to being challenged by other males. It wasn't that Zarek couldn't prove his masculinity - his encounter with Eva in his alley was a small proof of that - but Zarek wasn't in his best shape now. He didn't have a fair shot with Ashton, and that bothered Zarek so much.

Zarek almost didn't care about the entire manhood ordeal, his mind still not accepting that Eva was with someone that wasn't him. Zarek's electric green eyes lost their edgy spark as he tousled his blond hair, a deep pain crawling through his polluted veins straight into his sick heart, crushing it so hard it was about to burst. I swear, if this is how it feels to be heartbroken...

One thought was roaming in his head - why him and not me? Ashton was probably perfect for her, he had high grades, he was nice and he was probably a virgin too. Zarek on the other hand skipped school more than he attended, he was as rude as it got, and the only virgin thing about him was his attitude because he didn't give a fuck.

Zarek reminded himself not to care. He took another deep breath, the weight in his chest lifting off a little. He forced some of his anger to show, glaring at the composed Ashton despite his lack of focus. "For how long?" Zarek needed to know since when this had been happening and how he didn't see it coming - Eva is just as good as Hunter at what she did. She managed to play him while making him believe he was the one playing her.

"I don't see how that's any of your concern," Ashton stuffed his hands inside his pockets, looking at Zarek with a hint of mockery and pity. "I'm not here to discuss my relationship with my girlfriend, I'm here to tell you to leave her the hell alone."

Girlfriend... Zarek's knees got weak upon that word, collapsing on one of the benches. His hands were holding his head as he gazed ahead at the colorful followers. The beautiful flowers stared back at him, mocking him, and all what Zarek wanted to do was step on them, and then he'd proceed to drown the motherfucker that claimed Eva was his in the lake that sparkled against the shining sun. However, Zarek knew that that would be taking things too far, crushing whatever opportunity he had left of Eva miraculously forgiving him.

Who am I kidding? Eva couldn't forgive his verbal bullying and that was harmless teasing, what Zarek did however, belonged to a whole different dimension. So expecting Eva to put everything behind her wasn't stupid but pathetic as well. Zarek loved Eva's high standards, it was what earned her a special place in Zarek's eyes, but in moments where Zarek fucked up, he hated it.

Zarek realized that there was no point in drowning Ashton or handing him his set of teeth because it would never bring Eva to him but only distance her further. Besides, it wasn't like Zarek wanted Eva anymore - I don't do leftovers. Whatever special spot Eva had in Zarek's heart because of her dignity and respect was immediately erased due to Eva's whoreness. Zarek really needed to move on.

Everytime he tried though, the kiss he shared with Eva in the abounded cafeteria would flash in his mind - just like it had been everytime he blinked. Zarek did shamefully marvel over the memory of her soft lips and tender kiss, but he also hated it so much because it was a solid proof of how twisted he could be.

Zarek was done. He stood up so fast, making the oh-so-composed Ashton flinch. That mere action fueled Zarek's strong stance further. "Fine, I'll leave her alone," Zarek shrugged, impulsiveness gone and replaced by strategy, "But I expect something in return, fire crotch,"

"What do you want?" Ashton spat, hiding how his crystal blue eyes - that looked shallow in comparison of Violet's pretty eyes - widened, seeping some of his insecurity out. Zarek swam in his triumph, finally piercing through Ashton's calm demeanor and holding something against him.

Zarek eyed Ashton's almost-cool Jeep and put-together outfit and concluded that he was okay financially. "I want five k," It was the money his 'girlfriend' owed Zarek when she made him lose the bet.

"What?" Ashton shook his head, bright orange hair hurting Zarek's eyes as it met the shining sun. "I don't have that much, Zarek, I'm not rich like you."

"I forgot you're poor," Ashton could fit in the elite if he tried a little harder - he even managed to fool Zarek that he wasn't among the commoners. "Fine, whatever. I want one grand."

Ashton squinted his blue eyes. "That's a lot of money, I don't have that much." As Ashton talked, Zarek could pinpoint a British accent in between his letters - it was so faint and faded that a normal ear wouldn't have picked up on it. "I think I can manage five hundred from my college funds, but only if you give me your word - from a man to a man - that you'll never bother Evangeline again."

"Whatever you say, fire crotch." Zarek eased coolly.

Ashton didn't appreciate Zarek's insult, but he was smart enough not to fall for Zarek's trap. He drove with his Jeep, and a couple minutes later, he came back with an envelope in his grasp. The second Zarek got his hands on his rightful money, he ditched the wannabe boyfriend and went to the one place he wouldn't regret spending his money in - Hunter's house.

Hunter was cleaning his house's front lawn with his mom, Diana. Hunter must've hosted another party that Zarek was too intoxicated to show up to. Diana was Hunter's only parent, and she never minded her son partying as long as it was done under her watch. Zarek had a feeling that if she knew her son's ways with the girls - especially after she was knocked up and dumped by Hunter's father in highschool - and his drug dealing then she wouldn't be so supportive.

Hunter tied a big plastic bag filled by empty paper cups and random garbage and threw it in the trash can. He then sat on the steps of his porch, sipping at what Zarek guessed was his favorite ice latte as he spoke with his mom who was holding a similar drink to him. Zarek made his way towards them, and once Hunter noticed him, he immediately tensed.

"Hey, Zarek," Diana smiled, her glinting grey eyes welcoming. She was too young and sexy to have an eighteen-year-old, her magnificent body a solid proof, but she was also Hunter's mom, and Zarek wasn't twisted enough to want anything with her. You almost sound noble, a demon that colonized Zarek's soul spoke to him, You could've fooled me if I didn't know about Charlize.

Zarek managed to gross himself out, so he muted that annoying demon. "Hey, there, Diana," Zarek didn't even cast her a glance, focusing his gaze on the stiff Hunter.

Diana picked up on it. She grabbed her latte and entered inside the house. "I'll be cleaning the kitchen if you need anything, boys."

Hunter waited till his mom was out of hearing range. "What the hell, man?" Hunter roared, despite him speaking through gritted teeth, "You're gonna get mom suspicious, and if she finds out, she'll convince me to quit and you'll have to find yourself another dealer."

Zarek didn't understand why Hunter was so worried. "Relax, she won't know shit."

"Leave, Zarek," Hunter seethed with anger, jumping up and dumping his latte. "I'm not selling you anything, the shit I sold you in the parking lot was more than enough. Or did you already finish it? If you did then you have a serious problem-"

"Shut up, you're not my mom," Zarek retorted, "And chill, dude, I'm not here for that, anyways."

Hunter frowned his black eyebrows, grey eyes analyzing. "Then why are you here?"

Zarek knew why he went to Hunter's house despite the fact that he would rather die than say it out loud. He didn't want to be by himself after the fact that Eva had a boyfriend was revealed, and Hunter was the only person available, having lost everyone else around him.

Zarek shrugged. "I was around the neighborhood."

"Oh really?" Hunter saw right through his lie but let it pass. He handed Zarek a black garbage bag, Hunter's chest still vibrating from his chuckles. "Why don't you offer a hand? You owe it to me after all of your cigarette buds and Justin's blood I had to clean from the last party."

Zarek grumbled, but he still took the bag because he had nothing better to do. "I don't understand why you host these parties if you have to clean up afterwards."

"Popularity comes with a price." Hunter led Zarek to the backyard where most of the cups and cans were thrown. "Hey, are you going to Ryan's birthday party? It's tomorrow night, but I suppose you know that, you guys are BFF or something."

"I don't know about that," Zarek's growled at picking up strangers' mess, but he still bent down and started filling his plastic bag. He cringed when he found a pink thong, picking it up with the inside of the bag so he wouldn't touch such a disgusting thing. "We're not talking at the moment. Honesty, I don't think we're even friends anymore."

"Really?" Hunter's grey eyes widened at the juicy gossip. "But you're so close - I even suspected some bromance going on."

Zarek cringed. "I'd rather die than to be touched by a man."

"Is that so?" Hunter stopped what he was doing and glanced at Zarek. Hunter shrugged and continued his cleaning. "Anyways, I saw Eva today when I bought my latte. She was with Ashton."

"Of fucking course she was," Zarek growled. He bit his lip, his electric green eyes vulnerable; he couldn't help himself but ask the upcoming question. "How is she doing, by the way?"

Hunter chuckled, probably thinking how pathetic Zarek was for caring so much about a girl she didn't feel the same. "Oh, she's fine alright. Short hair really suits her, man." Hunter glanced at him, sending a wink. "I guess the credit should be going to you."

Zarek was triggered. "You were the one that gave me that idea, so don't start talking shit now."

"It's not my fault," Hunter's mischief was gone, his stance defensive. "I only suggested an idea. I didn't think you'd actually do it."

"Then why did you plant those scissors?" Zarek countered, ready to launch at Hunter if it led to it. Zarek wasn't fully sober but he was getting there - moving around helped with his focus - but his short temper tagged along with his conscious, apparently. "You knew I was stoned, yet you still gave me twisted ideas. Why?"

Hunter's lips quivered up, holding his hand in the air. "I'm a man of no regrets," He heaved with joy and mockery. "Besides, with this short hair, I got to see her neck, and damn does she have a nice neck. I had to control myself not to mark her, man, because I know she'll never be with anyone before marriage." Hunter grimaced, shaking his head. "What a waste of fine resources."

"You're wrong," Zarek threw the trash bag and leaned on the wall, fetching himself a cigarette. What was done was done, and Zarek had a bad enough headache to avoid any futile arguments. It wasn't like fighting with Hunter would fix anything. Zarek exhaled his best buddy into the air, glancing at a curious Hunter. "She has a boyfriend. It's Ashton."

Hunter's jaw dropped, his grey eyes widening as the gossip girl took over him. "You're shitting me, right?" Hunter dumped his bag as well, keeping a fair distance not to breathe Zarek's secondhand smoke. "Eva and Ashton? I can't believe it. I mean when I saw them at The Regular Ice Cream Shop I didn't put much thought into it, they're both nerds so I figured they were just friends."

Hunter took a deep breath, resuming his little rant. "That lucky bastard," Hunter looked at the distance, his mind thinking who knew what. "It makes sense since they were always rumored to be together, but I didn't want to believe it because that relationship would've been boring as hell." Hunter looked at Zarek, actual disappointment evident in his pupils. "Not gonna lie, I sort of wanted her to be with someone like me or you because that would've been dynamic."

Zarek fought the urge to claim her his and let hunter talk whatever he wanted because it was just talking anyways. In the end of the day, none of them could actually have her, only someone like nerd Ahston would stand up to her ridiculously high stabdards.

Yet one though was still in his head - why him and not me?

omg, i missed writing in Zarek's pov. aah, he's so fun to write about because he's so twisted and complex!