Eight

~Jace

Trouble and I were old friends. No, scratch that — we were practically soulmates. You'd find me anywhere you found trouble, and I was notorious for this fact.

I walked into Mrs. Turner's math class late, not bothering to offer any word of apology to the big ole lady.

"Hey, where were you?"Jaxon asked in a hushed whisper.

"Nothing serious. Just pacifying Nyx from doing something crazy,"I shrugged and he smirked, understanding what I meant by pacifying. I would never do anything if it wasn't going to benefit me.

"Mr Jace Finn,"Mrs. Turner's angry voice rang through the class and I rolled eyes.

If there was one teacher I detested with every fiber of my being, then it was Mrs Turner. The lady was so annoying, I sincerely looked forward to her getting fired.

"Yes, Mrs. Turner? What did I do this time?"I asked boringly.

"What, you think your dad owns this school? You can't just waltz in here twenty-five minutes late, without notes or textbooks. Just doing as you please in a care free manner!"she snapped, glaring at me through her oversized glasses.

"First of all, I don't need my dad to own this school. I could buy it. And second of all, I can waltz in anywhere anytime I like. I thought this was America? Where's our right to movement?"I asked, resting back on my chair as I stared at her with a smirk.

"This is a new semester, Mr Finn. Your final one, might I add and I expect you to do your very best other than sticking with the last position as usual. Even the poorest college wouldn't take you in!"she spoke, her high-pitched voice slowly making my ears itch.

"Easy there, Mrs Turner. I'm not the reason you're loosing hair, am I?"I shrugged and the class chuckled lowly at my words, trying to avoid being punished.

"That's it,"her lips thinned into a grim line, as her face reddened madly. "Detention after school!"

I adjusted myself on my seat, my arms crossed as I put my leg over the table.

"Pass."

"Excuse me?"she looked like she'd explode from anger at any moment. Oh, I enjoyed annoying the teachers like this.

"What, you need glasses for your ears too?"I mumbled sarcastically, but the class heard me and boy, the laughter was massive.

"What. Did. You. Say?"she asked, looking like she could kill me if I repeated my words.

"I said, I'll pass. I've got better things to do,"I replied, keeping my voice casual.

The class fell silent, everyone waiting to see how this would lay out. Saying no to Mrs Turner had never been heard of in history. And Mrs Turner was the scariest being I'd ever seen. But instead of saying anything, she pointed at the door.

"Principal's office. Now."

I stood up, grabbing my phone and sauntering towards the door with whispers following me. Before I walked out the door, I turned around to meet eyes with a certain girl. She gave me a look of disbelief and I passed her a wink before walking out completely.

Judgemental stares followed me down the hallway that led to the principal's office. It wasn't new. I was that guy who wrecked havoc in school, the guy who didn't take tests or exams and was therefore assumed dull. Well, they weren't wrong to judge, cause I was all they thought me to be.

Anyways, it wasn't my first visit to Mr Howard's office and it definitely wouldn't be my last.

"Sup, old man,"I grinned on barging into the office. The man didn't even bother with the usual lecture. He just gave me a long disappointed look before assigning me to clean up the cafeteria after school.

"Yeah, no thanks,"I spoke, and turned to leave.

"You walk out of here, Jace, and it's suspension. Plus, I'll tell your dad,"he warned and I shrugged.

"Suspension? Sounds like a vacation to me. And about telling it to my dad..... you're free, aren't you?"I called over my shoulder as I walked out the door.

I wasn't about to spend my afternoon scrubbing tables like some obedient little puppy. Instead, I made my way to my favourite place in school that had been deserted. A place no one would dare to bother me.

The old basement.

It was dark dingy, and reeked of mildew, but it was quiet. And more importantly, it was my sanctuary.

I moved towards a certain part of the room and stepped on it making it roll downwards as a ladder. It revealed my personal secret space.

I came here to hide....no. To be away from anything that might make me go crazy. It was her idea to have built this small place. Everything was put into place by her.

Deciding to not mop around in memories of her, I walked down into my safe Haven and pushed back the ladder, blocking the entrance.

Heading for the single long sofa in here, I plopped down on it, grabbing a joint from my pocket and turning on some music. I got a lighter and with a practiced flick, the joint got lit. The familiar burn filled my lungs, the tension in my chest easing with each drag.

If you haven't figured out, I was an addict. This was how I.... chose to deal with the constant chaos in my life. The expectations, the whispers, the fake smiles. None of it mattered here. The world above my small space faded away as the high settled in, leaving in a haze of quiet rebellion.

But my peace soon got short-lived.

The sound of calculated footsteps echoed down the hallway, growing louder with each passing second. Was it funny that I could tell who it was just by the footsteps? I still remained on my spot, not moving or doing anything other than smoking.

The door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped in.

"Seriously, Jace?"he stood there, hands pocketed as he gave me the usual judgemental stare. I returned his look with a blank one, perfectly concealing the hate I felt for him.

"Oh look who we have here. Is it Daddy's boy?"I asked, giving him a lazy grin. "Since when did you become my babysitter?"

"I'm here because I care! You already know how fucked in the brain you are. Could you please stop making it worse?"he spoke in a tone that made me feel like cutting through something.... Or someone. And something in my brain told me he'd be my victim if he wasn't careful.

"I've told you time and time again, Sage. Mind. Your. Fucking. Business,"I snarled in gritted teeth. "The fact that you're alive is all thanks to your brother, Jaxon. Stay the fuck away from me if you wanna live long,"I casted him a hateful glare before taking a long drag, letting the smoke work on my brain before exhaling through my nose.

"Jace, believe me. I didn't....."he was saying.

"Get out,"I mumbled, resting my head on the wall with my eyes shut close. It was an act that helped me stay cool for just ten seconds.

"Jace..."

"Get. Out."

Four, five, six.....I counted within, seriously hoping that he left, for both our sakes. I wasn't willing to go to jail yet. Just shortly after I hit ten, I heard his disappearing footsteps.

I opened my eyes, sighing out softly. It was all too messy. The joint wasn't working anymore. I dropped it on the floor, putting it out with the sole of my shoe.

Walking towards the mini bed I had in there, I fell flat on it, wanting to take a long nap. Prolly till the school closed so I could take Kïttên home.

"Kitten,"I whispered to myself, a small smile resting on my face.

While I hated her, she reminded me a lot of her. But I guess I had to live with it.

My eyes went shut.

★

I woke up to the feel of someone touching my face, but I didn't open my eyes. I pretended to still be asleep.

The person smelt of chocolate. And just one girl smelt of chocolate.

"Whatchu doing here, Kïttên? Missed me that much?"I asked and I felt her hand immediately withdraw from my face so I instantly grabbed it, pulling it back but she came falling on me instead.

I opened my eyes to see our faces were just an inch apart. I smirked.

"You look hot from this angle,"I commented and I saw her cheeks turn crimson. I almost laughed.

The girl literally blushed at everything. Whether a compliment or not, as long as you talked to her, she'd surely have a blush on.

"What're you doing here?"I asked, helping her  lay on me properly, my hands locked around her waist.

"I....I uh...."she stuttered, looking around trying to look for a distraction.

"You what, Kïttên?"I asked, loving the reaction I was bringing out of her. "Can't talk?"

"You... you're too...too close,"she spoke quietly, fisting on the part of my shirt she was holding on to.

"I haven't even gotten close yet,"I leaned in closer and our noses touched.

"I...."

"Shhhh,"I hushed her. "Just follow my lead, okay?"I whispered against her lips and she seemed to swallow before slowly closing her eyes.

I gave her a close look. Her small baby-ish nose and her now slightly pouted lips.

While I was tempted to taint those lips of hers, I moved my mouth towards her ear as I whispered.

"You're pouting, Kïttên. Want me to kiss you?"