Chapter 6

Vianne

I watched the door close behind him, everything wanted to scream, follow him and apologize for something I have no idea about. “Fuck this, I'm not gonna feel bad for anything, I did the right thing…he is my brother, at least step and that kiss was a mistake.” I said to myself as I let out a sigh before walking out of the classroom.

I was deep in thought when my shoulder bumped into a figure. “I am so-” I was about to say when the water splashed on me.

“What the hell?” A feminine voice broke through my confused state.

“I am….sorry?” I replied, confused about the whole situation.

“Don't you dare say you're sorry, you ruined my outfit already.” She said…I looked down on my stained white T-shirt then back to hers and saw a tiny stain on it.

“Okay.” I replied while looking at face just then I remembered who she was, the same girl Levi was fucking the other night.

“Oh, it is you.” She said as her facial expression became more irritating than her mouth spoke. “How dare you spill my drink on me?”

“I–I wasn't looking and I am sorry I bumped into you but–” I was still trying to explain.

“Shut your mouth up and stop saying a lot of nonsense….you ruined my outfit already, what the bloody hell?”

My eyes darted from my outfit to hers simultaneously, and I was still in a confused state wondering which outfit had more stains. “Not to be rude but your outfit has the tiniest stain and mine has a lot, technically my outfit is much more ruined than yours, don't you think?” I patiently explained.

She scoffed, folded her arms and took a few steps closer. “You don't wanna start a war you can't survive in with me…the very best thing you can ever do is–” she took another step, lowering her mouth to my ear and whispering into it. “Shut the fuck up and stay away from Levi.” She said, hit my shoulder while walking away.

“What the hell.” I muttered underneath my breath before walking off to the bathroom.

I took out my handkerchief and tried to clean up the stained part of my outfit but the more I scrub softly, the more it spreads.

“Fuck, my shirt is ruined.” I said with pain behind my voice.

After a while I walked out and headed back to the classroom. Diana was excited to see me but immediately her face turned worried.

“What happened to your shirt?” She asked.

I sank into the seat beside her and let out a sigh. “Candice happened, she spilled her drink all over me but acts like she is the victim.” I responded.

“I am so–” she was about to say when a man walked into the room.

“Good morning everyone, I am Kelly Grape, your substitute teacher, I will be taking you History.” He said.

“Good morning Mr Kelly.,” they chorused it like it was a song.

“Today we'll start with knowing ourselves before I proceed with what we have to discuss about.” He said. “Shall we?”

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The rest of the day passed on so fast that I could barely concentrate.

I couldn’t get the image of Levi’s cold stare out of my head. It clung to me like a shadow, making every step I took feel heavier.

Theo drove us home in his usual calm silence, his hand gripping the steering wheel while the radio hummed quietly in the background.

But Levi? He didn’t ride with us.

Not once did he look my way after that humiliating scene at the diner. He just… walked off, like I was some stranger who didn’t matter.

I bit down hard on my lip, staring out the car window as streetlights blurred into streaks of gold. My chest burned with questions I couldn’t ask.

‘Where did he go? Why did he always vanish like this, leaving me hanging in the middle of nowhere, like I wasn’t worth a goodbye? but how could he say goodbye when I practically waved him off.’

Theo cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

“You’re quiet,” he said.

“I’m fine,” I answered quickly, too quickly.

“Doesn’t sound like it,” he replied, but didn’t push further. Typical Theo, observant, yet careful.

“You don't need to worry about me, I am doing well.” I lied through my teeth, I wasn't doing fine, every fiber in me want to ask questions and then questions are about Levi, why he wasn't riding home with us and why he hasn't been in the house in the last few days.

No one seems to care about his disappearance, as his father has gotten so used to it…he barely even talk about it.

The drive home felt endless. By the time we pulled into the driveway, I could already tell Levi’s motorcycle wasn’t there.

My heart sank lower than I wanted to admit.

I tried to play it cool, slinging my bag over my shoulder and heading straight for my room, but the truth was, every nerve in me was wired to the thought of him.

‘Where was he now? Who was he with? What is he doing’

And why the hell did I care this much?

“Arghhh” I groaned as I angrily walked off to my room.

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Hours later, I was pacing my room like a lunatic. My phone sat on the nightstand, mocking me.

“Should I text him? Ask where he is? No, no way. He’d probably ignore me anyway, just like he did earlier.

I collapsed on my bed, staring up at the ceiling. “Why do you do this, Levi?” I whispered to the empty room.

My chest tightened, and I hated it…..hated how he made me feel like I was chasing someone who didn’t even want to be caught.

“Vian, come down for dinner.” My mom's voice broke through my thoughts.

“Argh, what a sly bitch.” I said to myself. “I am coming.” I replied in a much louder tone.

At dinner, we sat at the table like a perfect family. I stared so long at Levi's empty seat and it felt like my mom was reading my thoughts.

“So Vian, tell us how was your first day in school?”

“It was fine.” I answered sharp and cold.

“Anything fun?” She asked and the sound of that irked my ears, the fact that she was acting like she cared made my blood boil.

“No, nothing fun happened…just classes.” I replied.

“Are you comfortable going the–” she was about to say but I interrupted her immediately.

“Mom, please can we not? I am not in the mood for this.”

“I am just trying to bond and ask much about you.”

“Well as you can see, I am okay and school was fine too.”

There was silence afterwards, I knew I had hurt my mom's ego and I didn't care, I wasn't just in the mood for anything she has up her sleeves…the bullshit mother's affection isn't coming from my mom.

“Excuse me, I'm done eating.” I said as I took my plate and headed to the kitchen.

After I was done washing the dishes I went up to my room. “Good night Theo, good night mom.” I said before going to bed.

“Are you okay honey?” My mom asked.

“I am fine for God sake.” I responded much colder.

__________________________________

It was past midnight when I heard the faint growl of an engine outside. I rushed to the window, my breath catching, it was Levi.

He finally came home. His black motorcycle rolled up the driveway, headlights cutting through the darkness, he killed the engine and swung off with that same effortless arrogance.

A leather jacket hung loose on his shoulders, and I noticed bruises on his knuckles when he shoved his hands into his pockets.

What the hell had he been doing?

I pressed my forehead against the glass, trying to make sense of it. He didn’t even glance toward the house.

He didn't hesitate, he just walked through the side gate and disappeared into the night like some kind of ghost in horror movies.

My stomach twisted painfully.

I wanted to run outside, demand answers, scream at him for making me feel this pathetic, but I stayed frozen, watching until he was gone.

And in that moment, I realized something I didn’t want to admit, I missed him.

God, I hated him and I missed him, both at the same time.

I barely slept, every creak of the house had me hoping he’d show up at my door, but the silence stretched on, mocking me.

By dawn, I’d given up on rest completely.

When sunlight finally spilled across my floor, I dragged myself out of bed, my chest heavy from the weight of unanswered questions.

Downstairs, the smell of coffee lingered faintly. Theo and my mom were already gone, his car wasn’t in the driveway.

That left one possibility, it was Levi.

I heard him before I saw him. The clink of a spoon against a mug, the lazy shuffle of footsteps, my heart betrayed me by speeding up.

When I walked into the kitchen, he was there shirtless, hair damp from a shower, bruised knuckles wrapped in a makeshift bandage.

He didn’t look surprised to see me. He didn’t even look up.

“Morning,” I muttered, forcing my voice to stay casual.

No response, he just sipped his coffee like I wasn’t standing three feet away, like I hadn’t spent half the night worrying myself sick.

I leaned against the counter, crossing my arms. “Where were you last night?”

His eyes flicked up at me for a split second, sharp and unreadable, before he set his mug down. “Not your business.”

The words stung. I laughed bitterly, shaking my head. “Right. Of course. Why would I even ask?”

This time he looked at me fully, and it was worse than indifference. It was a challenge. “Exactly. Don’t.”

Something in me snapped. “You disappear, you come home looking like you’ve been in a fight, and I’m just supposed to ignore it?”

His jaw tightened. He didn’t answer, but the silence was heavier than words.

“God, you’re impossible,” I whispered, my throat tight.

He pushed back his chair suddenly, the scrape against the tile making me flinch. He stepped closer, close enough that I could smell the faint trace of smoke and leather clinging to him.

“Stop caring, Vianne,” he said quietly, almost like a warning. “You’ll make your life a whole lot easier.”

And just like that, he brushed past me, mug still in hand, leaving me standing in the kitchen with my heart pounding and my eyes burning.

But the truth was, it was already too late.

I did care and I don't think I want to stop myself from carrying that weight, I don't know why.