Chapter 02 - For Better, For Merge

AVA 

Still hoping it’s one of Asher’s pranks, I step into the ballroom with bottle up nerves. My fingers fiddle together as I look at the crowded room. Earlier this morning, I try hinting at some questions that might reveal whether it’s true or false. 

Mom cleverly shut me up with ‘table manners’ which makes me start considering the fact that Asher might be right. Strong scents of perfume hit my nose as I brush pass men and women in expensive clothing. 

Usually, I will be at the corner rating outfit with Fallon and Avery, but not today. Someone bumps into me from behind, slamming me forward into another person. 

“I’m so— oh, hi Caden.” 

He freeze, blinking rapidly at me before his gaze drops to the floor. I look at him, not at all surprise by his reaction. 

He seems to hate me for some reason, which is why I find it hard to believe Asher. There’s just no way that’s happening. 

Only a year difference in age, and despite growing up together, I can count the number of times we’ve interacted. Whenever I talk to him, he just freezes up and looks down.  

I continue forward, humming the familiar tune that comes up next. I spot Henschel and Asher by the bar, arguing over something as usual. 

“Let Caden be the tie breaker, where is he anyway?” Asher muse, looking into the crowd. 

“I bumped into him a few seconds ago,” I replied. 

Henschel, being six years older. He snatches the drink from his brother and simply dips into the crowd. Asher scowls at him, making me refrain from laughing. 

The music died down as Don Tuhka steps onto the podium to give a speech. Once more, I remember the merge, and shake it out of my mind.

“Good-day ladies and gentlemen…” he clears his throat, breaking the ice. “Fifteen years ago, my brother was killed in a cross fire. He gave his life to protect what was ours. Without his sacrifice none of this will be possible today.” 

Despite knowing the history— it’s always told at every memorial anniversary of Dane Tuhka. The oldest Tuhka, and Caden’s Dad. How he fought, sacrificed his life for the Tuhka’s empire. 

“Of course, we made sure every one of those motherfuckers paid for what they did to my brother. Which is why we are able to mourn and remember him today. He was a great man, always ready to do whatever it fucking takes.” 

“While we are on the subject of a great man, I present to you, Dagger Heavens. My second in command, whose unwavering bravery and loyalty to the Tuhka’s empire. Which is why I hereby announce the emerge between the Tuhka and Heavens family—”

“Sealing friendship of more than fifteen years, his daughter Ava Heavens is hereby betrothed to the heir of Tuhka’s empire, Caden Tuhka!” 

Cheers and applause fill the air, rendering me numb. Conscious of the stares I’m now getting, I look up, finding Caden eyes on me. He looks sharply away, like my gaze burns him or something. 

“Hey, congrats! You two can be the world's dorkiest couple!” Asher laughs, pushing against me from the side. 

I force a smile, making my way back to the  bar. At the last second, I change my mind at the sight of Maddie Davis. However, it became too late to simply turn around and leave given the fact that she already spots me. 

“My, my…” she sneers, looking back at her minions. “What do we have here? The slut finally gets her fangs stuck on one of the Tuhkas.” 

Taking a deep breath, I step back. “Do you really want to do that here, Maddie?”

“What? We are simply having a conversation. I mean, it’s not really a shock given the fact that you’ve been thirsty after Asher for years.” 

“Asher and I are friends. Besides, it’s not my fault that he rejected you.” 

Her minions gasp, while she smiles. Everything else seems to happen in slow motion, one minute she’s holding her drink, the next she throws it at me, splashing it all over my dress. 

“Ooop!” She covers her mouth, a mock shock on her face. “See you in school tomorrow, nerd.” 

God, I hate her! For some reason, she makes it her mission in life to make high school a living hell for me. I tolerate her mostly because she’s a senior, and secondly my position as the school student ambassador doesn’t give me the opportunity to confront her. 

I hurry into the bathroom, wiping myself clean. I looked in the mirror, my mood plummet for the rest of the party! 

                                   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

The bell rings for the first period, making me let out a tiring sigh. I am about to shut my eyes while leaning into my locker for support when someone suddenly shoves at me. 

My eyes snap open, a wave of nerve stirring up in my body at the sight of Maddie. Judging from the look on her face, she still holds a vendetta against me for what happened at the party. 

“You sure do have a lot to say to me at the party, why don’t you say it now without the looming presence of the Tuhkas or your Parents” She hisses, knocking my book out of my hand. 

“I have nothing to say to you then, or now.” I roll my eyes, brushing past her. 

Big mistake on my part because the next thing I know, she grabs my hair, using it to yank me back. My vision goes unfocus due to the pain that explodes in my scalp.  

A small crowd forms around us, yet making no move to intervene as she slams me against the lockers. Looking at her, I know I have to defend myself against the pure rage she’s acting from. 

“Enough!” I cry out, pushing her to the ground with every strength I possess in that moment. 

Restraining her hands to prevent her from  overpowering me, I get on top of her, slamming my fists into her face. 

Remembering all the time she had bullied me. Like shoving my head into the toilet bowl, passing around my lunch and exposing the fact that I was on my period to the entire school. Recalling these only makes me hit her harder. 

“That’s enough!” A stern authoritative voice interrupts, forcing me to halt. 

The teacher pulls me off of her, shaking his head at me in utter disappointment. I’m not known to get into fights, in fact I avoid conflict at all times. So, seeing the disappointing way he’s looking at me, hurts a lot. 

“Oh my god!” Maddie cries, falling into the teacher’s arms. “She hit me, I hurt so much.” 

“What? You started it. You attacked me!”

“Miss Heavens, I had to drag you off her. What sort of exhibition of violence is that? As one of the school representatives you know violence is heavily frowned upon!” 

I drag in a shaky breath, spying the smug look on Maddie’s face. 

“To the principal’s office, Miss Heavens.” He orders, walking ahead of me.  

I know the Principal is going to be even more disappointing, and a few seconds later, and that doesn’t ease the effect when the teacher tells him everything that happened, at least the version Maddie told him.  

“Attacking your fellow student in the hallway? I know things are done differently in your house, but this is a school Miss Heavens. Such violence displays of behavior are not welcome here, especially as the school ambassador. Submit your badge and ID on your way out.” 

My heart drops, tears roll down my face at his final judgement. He writes down something on a piece of paper and hands it to me. I look down at it through my blurry eyes, seeing I get a week’s worth of detention for the first time, simply for standing up for myself!