Chapter 03 - For Better, For Switch

AVA 

I couldn’t go back to class and face everyone after what happened. Mostly because I’m not sure I can hold myself back from attacking Maddie if I see her. 

Settling under the shade, my usual hangout spot with my friends. I wipe away my tears with the back of my hand. Being one of the school student representatives would have done wonders for my college application and Maddie ruined that. 

I look up abruptly in a certain direction, feeling the air on the back of my neck standing as my senses heightens, giving me the feeling that I’m being watched. 

My frown deepens, and I disregard the thought. It's the early hours of school, everyone is in class. 

Some minutes later, the bell rings, snapping me out of my depression. I stand up, debating whether or not to attend the second period. That becomes a fleeting thought when Fallon and Avery rushes towards me. 

Fallon never runs anywhere, so when she starts running towards me, I know she must be so worried about me. 

“It’s fine,” I inform them. “The principal wasn’t that harsh with his punishment. I should have practise more self control—“ 

“What are you talking about?” Fallon inquires. 

Hearing the confusion in her voice, I blink. “I thought— never mind, why do you two seem so worried?” 

“Because Caden has gone completely mad.” Avery declares, her eyes fearful and wide. 

I frown. “What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“He’s crazy, that’s the only explanation I can think of. He’s currently attacking a teacher in the hall as we speak, you have to see it.” Fallon grabs hold of my wrist, stringing me along. 

I halt, still puzzle by her statement. “Did Asher put you guys up to this? I’m really not in the mood for one of his pranks.” 

Fallon let go of me. “Do I look like someone who finds any of Asher’s attempts at a joke hilarious?” 

“Alright, I’ll humor you guys.” My response is full of doubt. 

Arriving at the scene, nothing prepares me for what unfolds in my presence. Caden stalks out of the cafeteria, a chair in his hands. Without flinching, he hit the grown adult teacher on the head with it. 

He collapse, blood bursting out of his head. I clasp my hands over my mouth, wondering if I have been plunged into a nightmare. Like that isn’t enough, he gets on top of him, raining punches on his unconscious body. 

“Caden!” Asher's voice slices through the air. 

Other teachers arrive at the scene just as Asher is pulling Caden off the half-conscious teacher. I swallow, hearing the panic in the principal’s voice as he calls the emergency services. 

Caden shrugs, prying himself free of Asher. Too stunned to speak or react, I stare at him realising the way my friends had described the look on his face is an understatement. 

“What the hell, Caden!” Asher yells at him. 

Instead of replying, he storms out. I take after him, my body shaking from the aftermath of the event. I am scared for the poor man, what if he dies before the ambulance gets here? Did he think of that before attacking him? 

“Caden! Caden!!” I call out when I can’t catch up with him fast enough. 

He stops on the spot. I cautiously walk up to him, gulping nervously when he blinks at me. Then his gaze drops to the ground, like he suddenly becomes fascinated by the greenery carpet grass. 

My stomach twists into knots at the glimpse of blood on his shirt. I gag, almost throwing up. 

Also his obvious lack of remorse makes my inside shakes, disgust crawls up my system, yet a part of me refuses to believe that he will do something like this. 

He might be hateful towards me for whatever reason— which hurt the first few times I noticed. Imagine being singled out every time by someone, and I can’t even apologise because I don’t know what I did, to warrant his hate. 

“Why did you hurt him?” I blurt out, having no other way to phrase the question. 

He doesn’t react. 

“Do you even care that he might die before the ambulance gets here? What kind of human beats up another human to the point of unconsciousness? People already believe the worse of our families and you go ahead and do this? Why can’t you be more like Asher?” 

His head suddenly snaps up, stalking towards me. I instinctively take a step back, a startles cry escaping my lungs when he slams me against the wall, his hands closing around my throat. I choke, my eyes widening. 

He rears back as abruptly as he had advanced towards me. His eyes goes wide at me. When he took a step forward, I flinched, moving back. 

He halts, then flees in the opposite direction. I collapse on the ground, touching my burning throat while trying to make sense of what just happened!

“And I need the perfect earrings to go with the outfit—“ 

Hearing that voice, I jolt up my feet. Maddie pauses, looking at her minions then back at me with her mouth twisting into a smirk. 

Taking a deep breath, I try waking pass her, only for her to block my path. Folding her arms across her chest in an obvious way to intimidate me, her eyes drift to my ear. 

“Nice earrings,” she remarks, reaching out to touch them. 

My head jerks in the opposite direction. “Don’t touch me—“ 

“Or else what?” She snickers back. “You’re going to attack me? Everyone already thinks the worse of you and your family. Not to mention your fiancé going crazy and attacking a teacher, no one will believe anything that comes out of your mouth.” 

“What Caden did has nothing to do with me!” I yell at her. 

“Tell that to the entire school, poor guy. He starts losing his mind the second his life gets tied to yours. What does that tell you dork? You’re jinx.” 

“I’m not going to get into a fight with you, Maddie. Unlike you, I have something to lose.” 

She rolls her eyes, turning to her minions. “Girls, I found what I’m looking for.” 

My body braces up at her comments. Taking several steps back as her lackeys stalk towards me, pushing me into the wall. 

I struggle against their hold, trying to free myself. My heart races as Maddie approaches too, with her friends holding me prisoner against the wall, she takes off my earrings and dangle them in front of me. 

“These will look nice with the outfit I plan on wearing tomorrow.” 

“That’s stealing!” 

“More like I’m doing these a favour,” she holds them to her ears. “They look better on me anyway.” 

Her minions let go of me, I dash after Maddie but they block her from my view, preventing me from getting to her. Fuming as I watch her walk away with my favourite pair of earrings, I decide it isn’t worth it, besides I’m beyond exhausted!