Crudele Part One
They all called him heartless.
However, none of them could imagine how wrong they would be. The whole body system is dependent on the overemphasized organ. No, not that one; the one a little further up. Yes, that one. That lump in our chest that keeps our blood in motion.
A very interesting topic, hearts.
It's bewildering how much time we take part into this one organ. At times, we speak of them as though they are Chinese porcelain, breaking and shattering at the tiniest drop. At other times, we speak as though someone had lit the poor thing ablaze.
What's it called? Heartache, heartsick? No matter, it's always flaming a vibrant red, burning.
But whatever situation a heart is stuck in, it all comes down to the fact that those people are not talking about the heart. That overused flesh cannot do those things, and certainly can a body not live without one.
No, what those people claim to be heartless is just desire.
Yet, there is one special case, where no other word can explain such a man. This is where the word heartless seems to find it's one and only home.
And this is the story of how Alice Parker fell for that heartless bastard, Gary Smith.
.:=:.
"Honey, don't pout so much," The voice chimed rather smoothly, as the owner skillfully scraped the side of a curb with the car, "If you keep scowling, you're face will permanently stay like that."
"Just like your face, mother?" retorted the teenager as dark hazel eyes glared into the rearview mirror defiantly
"Excuse me, young lady, but I did not raise you to insult your own mother in such a way." she replied coolly, as though this phrase was simply a routine in her daily life
"In such a way?" Alice questioned, delicately raising her eyebrow, "Would you rather me insult you in a sarcastic way? Or would you rather it be blunt and brutal?"
Her mother didn't bother to respond, keeping quiet as she continued to drive. The situation had gone from frustrating to uncomfortable silence in a matter of seconds. Alice was glad that the conversation had ended, leaving her to wander into the confines of her mind, which felt roomier than the car she was help prison in at the moment.
"We're almost there," her mother spoke up suddenly, taking a sudden turn which caused Alice to shift to the right involuntarily, "I suggest you unbuckle and fix yourself up."
Alice could almost feel the annoyance radiate off her mother. Nonetheless, she was able to brush it off as nothing. Unbuckling herself, she quickly swept her hand over her shirt to smooth out any possible wrinkles. Tucking a strand of auburn hair behind her ear, she mentally cursed at her mother. Sighing quietly, she felt the car come to a stop.
"Okay, we're here," her mother announce, forcefully pushing the car into brake. It was obvious that her mother was still irritated, but Alice could care less, "Looks like there are some people waiting for you."
Glancing out the window, she noticed three boys standing near the entrance of the gate, boredom evidently plastered onto their face. Scoffing, she knew that they wouldn't be of much help with her accommodating to her new school. Or as she would now call it, home.
"I'll see you whenever." Alice mumbled under her breath, stepping out of the car
Reaching in, she quickly grabbed her backpack and slung it over her back. With much more needed force, she slammed the door closed. She didn't bother going near the trunk, as all the possession she needed to bring fit fine in her bag. Turning on her heel, she heard the roar of the engine.
"And there she goes." She claimed, turning her head to see her mother racing down the road
"Uh," a voice stuttered quietly, causing her to snap her head back, "Do you have any other luggage?"
The voice belonged to a rather small and undersized boy. Alice didn't bother to say anything, instead just shaking her head softly. She had to fight to hide the frown growing on her face. The boy was polite and had manners, what bothered her though was that he seemed frail. By the reputation that she has heard of this school, a boy such as himself should not be anywhere near here.
"Well," the boy spoke up a little more confidently, "I'm Pete Kowalski."
He stuck his hand out in front of her, however, his face turned to the side. His introduction filled more with bashfulness than it had intended to. She smiled nevertheless and took his hand, shaking it.
"Alice Parker." She introduced herself, releasing his hand
She glanced around Pete's shoulder, looking at the other boy that stood silently behind him. Odd; he reminded her of a deranged and brute Buddha. However, what should be a smile on a Buddha was a scowl that reflected hers toward her mother. She knew though that his was more lenient.
"And you are?" she questioned hesitantly
"Jimmy Hopkins is his name." A rather rough voice stated as an arm was placed lazily over his shoulder
Alice stared blankly at the young boy that stood beside the so called Jimmy. Apart from two things, he would be the all average boy you could find in any other school.
Firstly; a rather deep and penetrating scar ran down his right eye. This made her imagination run wild, as to find a logical explanation as to why someone his age would look as though he had escaped a feral attack from a bear.
Secondly; his eyes held a perilous gaze. His facial expression was rather stoic, other than a smirk that proclaimed his mischievousness. His eyes were rather disturbing though, telling her a different story; one that created an urge within her to avoid him at all costs.
"Okay," she nodded in acceptance, "Now who are you?"
"The name is Gary Smith."
"Well, now that we have our introductions done and over with, mind telling me why you three are here?"
"We're here to bring you to Dr. Crabblesnitch, the principal." Pete informed
"Shouldn't a teacher or someone…older be doing that?" she questioned
"Miss Danvers is usually the one to do that," Jimmy started, his frown growing deeper, "But she's too busy with something so she asked me to bring you."
"That explains why you're here," she replied. She nodded her head to the other two and said, "Still doesn't explain why they're here."
"I brought them with me." He responded bluntly
She scoffed slightly, not caring whether or not they were dragged here or voluntarily came. And for the first time, Alice took in her surroundings. They stood in a open area, autumn leaves swaying gently on the ends of branches, waiting for their time to fall. Fences were placed geometrically on all sides around her, fencing in what seemed to be a castle. She knew that once she stepped into those fences though that it would change from a castle to a prison.
"Let's not stand here any longer," Gary announced, releasing Jimmy and walking over to Alice. Quite nonchalantly, he draped an arm over her shoulders, leaning partial of his weight on her, "Shall we lead our new student to the office?" he questioned the other two
Before the others could speak, Alice interrupted, shrugging Gary's arm off her. Whipping her head toward him, she glared into those hazel eyes with a pair of her own.
"I'd rather you lead me there without touching me."
"A little touchy, eh?" he mumbled, stuffing his hands into his pockets, "No matter, let's just go."
.:=:.
"Dr. Crabblesnitch?" Alice questioned, shifting in her seat uncomfortably
She had been incarcerated in his office for around 15 minutes now. Every once in a while, she would glance at the clock, only to seethe with anger realizing that only a minute would have gone by. She had waited for the lecture to finish, not interrupting once. There was no point in hurrying the principal at first; as it would either send him into a longer lecture or into a rage of fury.
"Yes, what is it girl?" he snapped harshly, his pacing cut off as he stood there watching her
"May you please spare me the lecture," she quietly asked, "Jimmy already explained everything on the way here."
"Jimmy-boy?" he questioned. It was more aimed toward himself then at her, "Well, if he has told you everything, then I suppose you know what happens here?"
She nodded, leaning back into the chair. He already knew the answer, he just wanted that reassurance.
"Good," he nodded, "Well then, you can leave girl."
Sighing in gratitude, Alice rose from her seat and was prepared to leave. She cringed though when she heard the principal clear his throat and call her name. What in gods name had she done in those mere precious seconds to gain another lecture?
"Yes, sir?" she questioned, turning her head to face him
"Remember, you have a clean nose as of now, so keep it clean, or we will clean it for you."
She nodded, turning on her heel and exiting the office; all the while rolling her eyes. Soon after, she closed her eyes, trying to intoxicate herself with the smells of the school. Maybe this way, she would somehow take pleasure in her surroundings.
"Miss Parkers, is it?" A female voice assumed
Blinking open or eyes, she turned her head slightly towards the front desk, eyes catching site of a female authority figure.
"I am Miss Danvers, the secretary." She introduced
Inwardly sighing, Alice nodded.
"Now, young lady, you must change into proper clothing. This school is prompt on all students wearing a uniform."
Stiff with hostility, she clenched her teeth. If it would not have been the school rules, she would burn any evidence of that wretched uniform. Who in their right minds decided that all girls should wear a skirt? Alice made it a priority to find out that person and rightfully give them a piece of her fist.
"Yes, ma'am."
She felt like an obedient puppy in the chambers of this office. Yet, she would be given no treat, only a strict and demanding glare. She sneered at the authority, finding it ridiculous how they insisted to have total control.
"Now, here is your schedule."
With little care, Miss Danvers practically tossed her the schedule. Without another acknowledgment, she turned and walked away, her heels clacking on the tile floors. Shrugging it off, Alice walked out of the office. Strolling over to the railing, she looked over it to get an overview look of the bottom floor. Students walked about, a few of them standing in a group talking.
"What is my first class?" she muttered to herself
Biology 101. Alice was momentarily taken aback. What a great way to start the first day of school, dissecting an animal. It was class though, which meant she had to do it.
Still – it left her uneasy.
.:=:.
"Where in the damn blazes do I go?" Alice yelled frustrated
The bell had rung about five minutes ago, signaling that students should get to class. She would have been in the mixture of students running through the halls… if it wasn't for the fact that she didn't know where to go. The prefects were of no help to her, as all they did was point behind their back and said that way.
"Okay, maybe it's not on this floor." She explained to herself
Quickly, she made her way to the first floor, only to stand in the middle of the area staring blankly at her schedule. Faintly, she heard the front doors open, but she didn't bother to pay any mind to it.
"If teleporting is your way of getting to class, you're doing a horrible job at doing it." A voice echoed through the school
Finally snapping out of her daze, she looked up and was met with the gaze of Gary. He stood there watching her with his eyes glazed with boredom. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and he was slightly leaning to the right.
"Why aren't you in class?" she asked him quickly
"I could ask you the same thing." He retorted
"I have no idea where my class is," she defended, "It seemed to me earlier that you've been here for a while. So shouldn't you know this place already?"
"Of course I do," he stated bluntly, shifting his weight on his left leg, "Doesn't mean that I want to go to class though."
"Can you at least tell me where Biology is?"
He snickered at her as he walked over to where she was. Snatching the paper from her hand, he scanned over her class schedule. An interested look crossed his face for a moment, before it returned to the same bored look.
"Great, we have most of our classes together." He declared in a sarcastically dry behavior
"Doesn't matter to me; just show me where Biology is."
"Just follow me," He demanded, shoving the paper back at Alice, "Might as well go to class with you."
Staring at him for a moment, she contemplated whether or not she should follow him. Then again, she did want to get to class and he was the only one there to help. Rolling her eyes, she jogged after him.
"Here," he said, waving his hand towards the closed door, "Biology."
Nodding at him softly, Alice thanked him and shoved the door open.
.:=:.
Heartless; unfeeling – having or showing no pity or kindness