My Monster
Prologue
As he looks at me, those ugly brown eyes shining in triumph. I can only think about how much I hate him. With shock I realized I want to kill him. This monster shall pay for the things he has done. The last thing on this earth he will ever know is my eyes. I will be the last thing he ever sees.
Chapter 1 - We Are Introduced
I looked in the mirror and smiled. So my hair had decided to adapt to the cold after all. I had it down today, nice and wavy, my bangs pinned back, and my nice warm brown eyes without any redness. The only problem was this awful rain. But that's Wisconsin for you, rainy one day, ninety degrees the next. I sighed and put up my hood, god knows the rain would ruin it. As I got my things together, I glanced at my moms covered painting in the corner, thinking of my weekend plans with Brandon. Who was my official boyfriend thanks to Facebook. This weekend was my moms art show, and maybe even Sam and Kathy could come, if Kathy didn't decide to be a bitch and flirt with Brandon all weekend. 'Thank god it's friday.' I thought. And headed for the bus stop. There Kathy and Brandon stood talking to the new kid Jared. Okay he really wasn't new, Brandon has been friends with him for months, but no one stops being the new kid until another one comes along.
I saw Kathy smack Brandon and I simmered. It was one of those flirty-I-like-you-but-can't-have-you hits. I decided not to invite her. Two can play at this game bitch. Sam would nag at me, but whatever. 'They're just lucky I'm tolerant' I thought grudgingly.
I snuck up behind Brandon, "Boo." I whispered and he jumped and turned around laughing. He pulled me into a hug and I had to stifle a really girly giggle. As the school bus pulled up Jared and Brandon started talking. 'They really did hit it off.' I thought. As I eyed Kathy with jealous eyes. I thought about inviting Jared to my moms art show, Brandon would enjoy his company. But I didn't really know Jared all that well, it's not as if I was friends with him. Would he think the invitations weird and too forward? And what if Brandon couldn't come? Then I would be stuck in an Awkward situation all saturday. Which would suck majorly for both parties if Kathy wasn't going. I would totally bring Sam but she had plans...eh I'd talk to mom about it. She would know what to do. It was that first bus ride that made him want me. I wish the bus never came. Maybe then I wouldn't have lost her…
I looked at Brandon and nudged him with my shoulder. I was excited to go to school despite the crappy weather. I smiled and thought about how hyper sam would be, she loved the rain. Everyone else would groan a lot and drag their feet, but she would skip down the halls. Except she doesn't skip. But she smiles and she loves to make people laugh.
"What are you smirking at?" I almost jumped when Brandon spoke.
"Oh nothing. So you can come this weekend right?" I used my ever crippling eyelash bat and managed to look like a puppy. He chuckled.
"Yes I can. You don't look begging now deary. I wouldn't miss Lilies art show for the world." I didn't stifle my eyes as they rolled. Brandon insists he call my Parents either mom or dad or by their first names. Doesn't bug me much. It just makes him more of my family. My boyfriend could've been my sibling form what he knows about my family. Hell if he wasn't a ginger with blue eyes I would be weirded out that I was dating the boy. But I suppose that was just one more thing I loved about him. I saw Kathy look at me with envious eyes and fought an urge to stick my tongue out at her. Of course I didn't but I wanted to. Instead I made a very sweet boy kiss me, very intimately. Kathy just huffed, flipped her hair and turned away. I smirked.
"So I'm not inviting Kathy and Sam can't go." Brandon frowned and I saw his eyes flick to Jared. I followed his gaze and stifled my sigh.
"So how about Jared?" he asked after I didn't say anything.
"Is he really part of our inner circle now? I could always ask May, or hell even Zak." Brandon gave me a pointed look.
"Alright good point." I mumbled, chewing on my cheek.
"And yes, I think we can say he is. He sits at our table." I nodded.
"Alright, but if it's weird I'm complaining all I want and you can't nag me." I said, giving his hand a squeeze.
"Deal." He chuckled and his hand tightened on mine. So as we drove to school I swear I feel eyes on my back, but I shake it off. I'm paranoid.
When we get to school the first thing I do is go straight to my locker.
"Babe, aren't we gonna eat?"
"Well you can but I have to get my stuff." I say, stopping in the hall.
"I think you're hiding. Maybe Sam's antisocialness is rubbing off on you." He teased.
"Ha ha. Are you coming or not?" He followed. "And Sam is not rubbing off on me." I grumbled. Sam hates people. If someone looks at her in a crowd for more than a few seconds she gets twitchy. Imagine hallways. She usually has a migraine by the end of the day. Now Brandon, he loves people. And people love him, that's why I practically have to pry Kathy off him half the time. The boy knows how to turn a crowd of hostiles into a crowd of friends. It's a gift, a gift that's gotten me and my friends more than just the oddities in my school. Now I know what you're thinking. An oddity in school, how cliché right? But this isn't that kind of story. I know who I am and where I belong, or I did before all hell broke loose. Actually school isn't half bad. Middle school was hell but that's in the past. In high school, us Wisconsinites know the difference between poking fun and hurtful words. Well the smart ones do, and that's what counts. Still cliques form. It's mostly, the freshman who are disliked. But in the lunch room, it's a different story. Sure the grades stick together, but once you pick a table, or cluster of tables, you stick to it. Anything else, if you're looking for a friend, if you stick out more than a little, you're looked at weird. It's not that hard. But I think that's why Sam avoids the commons area so much. She stands out. She has bad hair, always pulled back, that's dark. She always has her knee high black boots on and 80% of the time she's wearing a turtleneck. Sam's thin, with her hazel eyes behind glasses. And the scowl on her face is her trade mark. She's unique all in herself, and from what I've learned, different is bad. So yeah, maybe I was avoiding them all, but not like Sam does.
I didn't realize Jared was tagging along until he spoke. It's funny how much I noticed him later.
"So where are we going? Jared asks in a friendly tone.
"I need to get my history binder." I mumble and jog up the stairs. Jared isn't under my "radar" yet. Which means I haven't got a good read on him. He has dark grey hair going down to his shoulders. Big brown eyes and is built like a linebacker. He usually has no emotion on his wide set face but when you catch him off guard by making him frown or smile he's actually pretty cool. He wears large hoodies and baggy pants, so I don't know if he's overweight or simply shy. And for someone so big he moves like a freaking cat. All I know about him is that he is a year or so older because he got held back in first grade. So before I muted him I would have to be more than an acquaintance. Right? Or was that too weird? I shook my head and unlocked my locker, checking my schedule and grabbing my history binder. Again I felt eyes on me. I just sighed, sure Brandon was staring-
"Hey Drew hold up." I froze. Brandon scurried after his friend and Jared...I turned and forced myself to smile. Those eyes...
"Hey Jared, could you go drag him back here?" I forced exasperation into my tone and rolled my eyes. He nodded I swear I saw anger and danger flash in his eyes. 'Danger? Come'on Brae, get a clue. You're so paranoid.' I had the urge to slam my locker, but instead I just sighed and tried not to scowl as the bell rang. When I got to first hour I expected a full friday of normal boring classes. Boy was I right. The only highlight was going to be lunch and choir, but they were hours away. Poor me.
Jared POV
As I walked to get Brandon, I had to fight myself, as I did whenever he and Braelyn were alone. Oh Braelyn. A goddess in herself, so perfect and so out of reach! My anger spiked but it didn't show. It never showed. If it did, people would never trust me, and then where would I be? Not within Braelyn's social circle. So I settled for my usual frown and went to my first hour. I loathed people more than school. People were too understanding, they saw too much. For one such as myself being seen would ruin everything. So I avoided people. So it wasn't my fault that Brandon couldn't find me and tell me that Sam was coming to collect me for lunch in two hours. Why I needed collection in the first place pissed me off.
"Mr. Rogers, pay attention." My teacher snapped. My eyes bore into hers until she continued teaching. I mentally slapped myself. Now I would be on all english teachers radars. It was a mistake I couldn't make. If I ever succeeded in my plans, they could never have suspicion of me. I had to be normal. If not lower. I had to be the one no one really thought about. Only then could I accomplish my plans.
Kathy POV
I wanted nothing more than to knock Braelyn's bobble head right off her bony shoulders. I know Brandon has a hard on for me, why he panted after that unattractive cunt, I couldn't fathom. I was busy doing some seriously hot flirting. When the bitch distracted him. Then Brae goes on to make-out with him right in front of me. I thought as they all filed into school, that Braelyn would soon know what happens to sluts who play with what's mine. Suddenly my phone went off. It was Sam.
Come to the science hall.
I groaned. I usually flirted with Jon while I ate breakfast. But Sam usually had a good reason. Or maybe she just wanted to nag. Well it was either go now and have there be a possibility of not getting nagged or get there late and be nagged after five minutes. I got to science pod.
"I didn't think you would listen to me." Sam said from her usual table. I just sighed and sat down. Sam wore her hair back in a braid, her glasses pushed against her nose. She was pale with a tiny face. Hell, all of her was tiny. She wore a black turtle neck, her blue pendant hanging over the shirt, blue jeans and her favorite pair of black boots. Her style was bland, but made her look older.
"What did you want?"
"I have your poem. Next time I'm not doing the entire thing. At least Brae helped me a bit." I gave her a gross look and Sam returned with a look of sturness. "Be nice. Here." Sam gave me the sheet and I stuck out my tongue. Sam couldn't help but smile. I know Sam has a soft spot for me. I used it to my advantage. Maybe it was cause I had no other "girlfriends" that cared for me. Sam really was a good person. Too bad she couldn't see the bad in people, or well in my case that was a good thing. I can rely on Sam to save the day. They all could.
Sam POV
I sent the text and waited.
And waited.
And waited.
I seethed, if Kathy didn't show I would never stop nagging at her. The girl needed serious help. When she actually showed, I was genuinely surprised. Plus she had to come early before anyone else, so maybe they could have some privacy. I hated people more than I hated school, and people were the reason I hated school in the first place.
"I didn't think you would listen to me." I said as Kathy sat down. Gosh was Kathy trashy looking, the thought raced through my head and I shoved it aside. Kathy didn't look bad, just she lacked matching skills. With that ugly skin tight shirt and skirt. But surprisingly she managed to look pretty. Not unlike Brae, although Braelyn had natural beauty. Kathy looked bored.
"What did you want?" She asked in a tone that rubbed me the wrong way.
"I have your poem. Next time I'm not doing the entire thing. At least Brae helped me a bit." Kathy's shallowness got the best of her and I glared. The feud amongst her two best friends got old real quick.
"Be nice, here." I ordered and shoved the paper at her. Jeesh, why was she so bitter today? Kathy made it funny by sticking her tongue out. I couldn't help the soft smile that appeared on my red shapeless lips. I always believed in the best of people. I knew that even the worst person has a good side. So being friends with Kathy wasn't so bad if I remembered she could be thankful if she really tried.
"So Brandon wants you to get Jared so he knows where to go for lunch." Kathy said. I sighed.
"Okay we seriously have to stop shepherding him around. I mean really, I feel like a total bitch helping the lost kid out."
"I think Brandon likes him a little too much. He's kinda hot though."
I gave her look. "Are you okay?"
Kathy scowled, "Shut up." I chuckled and leaned back. She gave into the small moment of quiet and managed a small smile before the bell rang. Reluctantly I started my day. She truly was a selfish person, and you could find her indulging in things everyday. I enjoyed books. Books weren't loud, they never judged me and most had a happy ending. Life never had been good to me, with my mother sick and father absent, but I learned to deal with the pain of seeing my mom sick. I was loved far more than I deserved. It was the least I could do to return it and help people. Lend a smile when one couldn't be found. Be a good person and listen. But was it so hard for others to do the same? I didn't think so.
Brandon POV
I didn't think about Jared or even my girlfriend when I chased after Drew. But I'm not the thinking type. Maybe if I had been, things wouldn't have turned out so horribly. When I saw Kathy in the lunch line I hurried to catch up with her.
"Hey can you tell Sam to show Jared to lunch today?" I asked her. She giggled, as if what I just said was terribly funny and I have to admit, she was hot.
"Yea sure, I can do that." She practically purred. I coughed to hide my blush and took a step back. Her eyes narrowed, but she still smiled. Any girl would think she looked like a reptilian, but I thought she was pretty. Not beautiful like Braelyn, but hot.
"So. What are you doing this weekend?" She asked, but I knew the tone.
"Um Braelyn's mom has her art show." I said. Kathy's look gave me the creeps, so I looked at her cleavage instead. Better view.
"Of course. Well I have to go. See ya." She practically kissed me goodbye, after a hug like that seemed more of a hump. She walked away, her ass swishing from side to side. I shivered. Back in middle school Kathy hooked up with me at the dance. If it hadn't been for Brae, I would have lost my virginity and probably never recover. Kathy did things to people. I ran a hand through my crop of orange hair and sighed. Oh Braelyn. Such beauty. My warrior princess saving the day.
Braelyn POV
"Dammit dammit dammit!" I growled slamming my locker. I'd left my math homework at home. Gouged my finger on a sharp bolt in history while putting gum under my chair. And now, I had just found my first grey hair. At fifteen! A fucking grey hair! I really needed my lunch hour. As I tried not to stomp down the stairs I seethed. A headache formed in the middle of my skull. "Dammit." I muttered, rubbing it irritably. Could anything else go wrong? As if fates were listening, POOF! I just jinxed my day. I left my stuff at the lunch table and got in line. Tacos. Yum!
"Hey Brae!" I turned to see Roxxi, a good friend, come bounding up, Sam in tow.
"Hey guys." I answered filling my tray. Sam had a headache, her eyes were glazed.
"What do you have after this?" Roxxi asked, I sighed.
"An hour of study hall, finally. You?"
"Math." Roxxi said.
"English." Our conversations more banter than anything. We found our seats and I absorbed the zing of energy coming from around me. Sam was flirting with Zak, harmless and fun, and people joined in. Brandon wasn't here unfortunately, but neither was Kathy. I sat next to Ella, and Roxxi. Jared was talking to May. Everyone smiled. Ah freedom and friends, brings out the best in us. When May had to leave for her conflict, I took the initiative and sat across from Jared. He looked at me like I was a goddess. I could just see Brandon simmering at that.
"Hey Jared." I said. He smiled.
"Hey Brae."
"So...Brandon wants you to come to my moms art show this weekend. Can you go?" There was that flash of anger again.
"Sure, I'm not busy." I smiled, making sure to be light about it. My radar went totally nuts talking to him.
"Cool." And here comes the awkward silence...
"So Braelyn. That's an odd name. Where's it from? Great Aunt or something?" Or no. Cool.
"Um no. My mom found it was her great grandmothers name. Apparently if it wasn't for the first Braelyn Taylor, we would have never made it to America." He nodded.
"Where do you originate from?"
"Poland mostly. Dad was Irish though. So I'm a bit of a mutt." He chuckled a bit. I like his laugh. Odd.
"Hey Brae!" Brandon's voice carried. Jared didn't look over, but I could have sworn I saw his jaw clench and eyes narrow. I blinked and he was just scowling. I turned to see my boyfriend ambling up with...Kathy in tow. I got angry and felt my eyes narrow.
"Bitch." I muttered just as Brandon bent down to give me a hug. Over his shoulder I glared at Kathy. She smirked, eyes narrowed, nose wrinkled. God, how could anyone think her to be pretty?
"Hey babe. I'm skipping math, so sssh." I forced myself to smile as I glanced at the clock. Ten minutes since lunch had started. Ten minutes he had, alone with kathy. My anger spiked, and I was either going to cry or scream. But Sam saved us.
"Kathy, can I talk to you?" She whispered. Kathy rolled her eyes but followed.
Jared POV
The blonde girl wouldn't stop talking. I recalled that her name was May, and the girl Sam hated her, and that May was crazy. Finally she got up and left. Then the goddess replaced her. God she was so perfect. Wide brown eyes, but they weren't just brown, they were golden and perfect and could be ruthless. Her hair was silk, brown and pinned back. Her face came from the gods and I couldn't help but grin in her presence.
"Hey Jared." Oh god that voice.
"Hey Brae." No sign to the nickname. Automatic clue that I was her ally.
"So...Brandon wants you to come to my moms art show this weekend. Can you?" Anger stabbed me. Brandon wanted me there, she didn't. She made that perfectly clear. But SHE had asked. I tried for nonchalant.
"Sure, I'm not busy." Good.
"Cool." She sounded more relieved, than worried. Before the awkward silence I spit out a question. For a while I just listened to the sound of her voice. In perfect bliss, keeping the conversation going when HE interrupted. Why did Brandon ALWAYS have to in the picture. I forced myself to relax. Braelyn's eyes narrowed, her lips formed into an angry line. Ah yes, Kathy. Then he was hugging Brae. It was Sam who saved them.
"Kathy can I talk to you?" Her voice had a certain authority that Kathy couldn't ignore. I ground my teeth, made an excuse and went to the bathroom. In a wave of certain rage I punched the wall. Brick. Solid. Painful.
"Ow." I mumbled flexing it. Sprained. Whatever. My grief was more painful. Everyday I watched my goddess swoon over the flighty ginger while me myself was ignored. God I hated Brandon.
Sam POV
I didn't realize anything was wrong until Brae muttered bitch. I stopped flirting with Zak and stood up. Brae looked homicidal.
"Kathy, can I talk to you?" Kathy rolled her eyes but followed me.
"What?"
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"What do you mean?" Kathy said innocently.
"With Brandon, what are you doing?" I asked sternly. Kathy sighed.
"Nothing okay, god. Stop being so overprotective all the fucking time. She does stuff to me too." I raised a brow.
"Ya, like what?"
"Like throw her boy toy in my face!" Kathy screeched. I just shook her head.
"You can't keep doing this Kathy." I tried to be calm, patient, always patient. Kathy's eyes narrowed and I was scared. I wasn't a fighter, as much as I wanted to be one. And Kathy could drop me in a heartbeat.
"Doing what sam? You can't control me." I closed my eyes. Kathy stalked off. I had failed. Always failing. Couldn't help my mom from cancer, couldn't keep my father from walking out, and couldn't even keep Kathy in line. I was perfectly useless. A hand fell on my shoulder and I turned to see Braelyn.
"It's okay Sam." I wanted to weep in relief.
"I'm sorry." I whispered automatically. Brae frowned, gazing after Kathy with anger.
"Not your fault she's a bitch." I flinched. Brae frowned but didn't say anything. I sighed and looked over at my friends. Was it too much to ask for this to be enough? "Come on." Brae said pulling me back to the table. I saw Jared watching us with open curiosity and anger. Always anger. I understood anger and smiled at him. He looked taken back.
Brandon POV
I was walking to math when Kathy hailed me.
"Hey, come on let's go to lunch." I frowned.
"I have class." She pouted and I realized how low her shirt was. She put a hand on my chest.
"Awe come on, don't be so goody goody." She was close, practically hanging on me, dripping seduction. I swallowed and she grinned. I let her lead me away. My conscience was completely silent when she pushed me into a closet and started to kiss me. My trouser snake wanted to say hello.
"That's more like it." Kathy hissed. I couldn't think against my lust and Kathy knew it.
"We shouldn't…" She kissed me to shut me up.
"I won't tell of you won't." Her shirt was off, so was my brain.
"O-okay." Her grin was triumphant. I was never the thinking type.
Kathy POV
After the closet, Brandon seemed almost giddy. It wasn't like we had sex, but pretty close. Sam tried to control her, but I wasn't controllable. Plus Sam was weak. I despised weakness, you either got what you wanted through force; or manipulation, and if you didn't have the balls to step up to the plate, don't bother playing the game. That's why I hate Braelyn, the bitch had been spoiled her entire life and never worked for anything. I fought for everything I had, and wasn't afraid to fight for my right to own Brandon. Braelyn would either have to fight back or lose. Sam on the other hand, was obstacle. She thought she had a hold on me. No one had a hold on me, and Sam was just going to accept it. But she constantly protected Braelyn, constantly nagged me, and was always in the way. I had to do something before Sam ruined my plans. It was only a matter of time before Sam actually managed to get into my head.
