The who; turned around, his messy black hair shined in the lowering rays of the warm sun, his skin had a glow about it that showed he had no blemishes just pure perfection. His piercing eyes met mine making my heart skip a beat. His eyes held me and yet soothed me as he no longer stood out of reach. They were so...mysterious, they glowed in an animalistic and controlling way yet filled with a stare that said its one of protection and safety. This who, i realised is Rylan.
Just as i realised who he was he left. I blinked and he was...gone. He didn't walk off or run away from me he just vanished just as if his presence had never been as if he had never been standing in front of me.
I looked around me trying to see evidence that the assault had happened, that Rylan had been standing in front of me. Only i was alone. I turned around in confusion, what had happened? Rylan had saved me, right?
I slowly walked towards my room; this day really needs to come to an end along with my stupid mistakes. I cannot slip up again; i just have to get out of here. Otherwise i may slip again and say something i will regret.
As i got changed into my pyjamas i slipped in between my sheets and rested my head on the many pillows on the bed still in complete confusion. I did get rescued that I'm sure on but after the pervert's weight coming off my body, i didn't know what happened. The ass-hole pervert was 10 feet away from me. How? Rylan couldn't throw him that far and that fast, it's not logical so that was something that left me confused. Then the look on my attackers face was one of complete terror as if Rylan was an animal that would eat his eyes out, but Rylan didn't have a look of a killer towards me but one of a dark mystery that intrigued me to him only leaving me even more confused.
I turned on to my side on the bed and felt something hard under my pillow, my hand searched for it and pulled out the red leather book i stole from the library. I smiled i needed a distraction and opened to the long chapter of 'Visions'. Slowly i drifted from the book to the deep mystery of Rylan that soon turned to darkness of sleep.
It had been two weeks since my arrival, my time in the library had been nothing but pleasant as it gave me an excuse to disappear at breakfast and sometimes lunch and every dinner. It was an escape from my friends, a silence that gave me a sense of peace. Ms Richmond left me to sort out books sometimes allowing me just to sit and read when i was done allowing me to stay in the library until late often asking me to lock it if she wanted to leave early only making more the happier. Heath, Eloise and Heidi are tolerable but Skylar has been annoying me with his antics and constant flirting towards me, why? I have no idea considering he has many girls on their knees practically begging him to talk to them. Liam has warmed up to me surprising, we don't fight as much but still have our disagreements. Rylan hasn't so much as looked at me since the incident two weeks ago today, i have tried to approach him only to never catch him when i muster up enough courage as the same questions still bug me. We have English together but when we sit together he can't stand the sight of me, like i repulse him only making me annoyed.
The bell rang signalling for the lunch bell. I gathered my books and walked towards my locker. I slammed my books in not caring about the damage I'm doing to them and grabbing out my Biology book and my library book. "Hay Arabell" Liam said as he walked towards me, i smiled "hay"
We had next class together, which i enjoy his joking antics oddly. We talked briefly about the upcoming English yearly assignment for 'Romeo and Juliet' and he joked about rather doing a play instead of a book report on it.
"Come on" Liam said leading me to the dining hall. The silence between us was awkward so i took the safe option "I'm going to the library" i said as we reached the staircase leading to it. Liam stopped and gave me an annoyed look "Why? You spend every day there" he asked
"Because i like it" i replied with a harsher voice then intended. "Whatever sees you in class" he grumbled in reply. I turned on my heel wanting to get far from the situation as possible. I entered the almost always empty library with a relief. I nodded to Ms Richmond who nodded back. I walked towards the study area; the back desk is my favourite deep in the darkness and abandoned much to my liking. I got out a black leather book i found this morning 'Morning Star' was the title that i borrowed unlike the other book i stole which i hadn't been able to read for a while.
I opened it and let my mind wonder in the book. A soft breeze made me shudder as i read some time later; i looked up and was surprise to see Rylan standing in front of me. He looked so handsome standing in front of me. His uniform always a perfect look for him, the black pants that fit him nicely especially around his ass; 'Rylan you have a nice ass' i had thought when he was doing weights in the gym, i remember how he was lifting a large amount and not even breaking a sweat. The white shirt and tie the boys wore made it harder for me to tear my eyes off him. Then well his hair i loved as it held a soft shine i often pictured touching his hair, feeling how soft they would feel at the touch but his eyes always left me stun.
"Hello Arabell" he smiled widely. God his voice is so handsome, deep and manly yet with a light melodic edge. His smile made my stomach flutter in a way i had never experienced, i felt my cheeks warm at his stare, and thank god I sat in darkness!
"H-hello Rylan" i managed to spit out my head spinning at his smile. The fluttering in my stomach increasing making me feels so light and almost sick at the same time.
"May i sit with you?" he asked with a smile that made my heart miss a beat.
I nodded not being able to speak, god he had just disarmed me with that smile. I moved over allowing him to sit beside me. As he put his books on the table i recovered from the shock. I had wanted to talk to him, but i had never figured he would come and talk to me! And yet here he is, beside me!
I turned back to the page i was reading now having lost complete concentration with an intriguing, mysterious, sexy guy sitting beside me.
I leaned against the cold stone wall and thought about the many questions that had taunted me since i was attacked. I looked down at the open book that had my interest "Rylan?" i asked allowing my hair to cover my face as it fell from my shoulders as i looked down at my lap "Arabell" he replied, god that voice!
"What happened that day?" i asked after some silence between us. He sighed softly "I saw you with that human boy on you. I saw you struggle against him, i couldn't do nothing so i had to step in and make sure you were safe" he said in angered tone "he hasn't come near you has he?" he asked as some time passed, his tone was filled with worry. I looked at him surprised by not only his tone but the look in his eyes. "N-no" i replied looking at him now. I wanted to ask him so many questions but only none of them came out just a remark that shocked me and him "But you haven't" i muttered, my cheeks burned after the words left my lip, it was low, i hoped, maybe he didn't hear me.
"i didn't think you would want me to be considering i must have scared you to death that day" he answered, which shocked me more. I remembered that look on his face that day, so animalistic...so mysterious. I shook my head "no, i just find you intriguing" i told him in truth. His eyebrows rose in shock making my stomach flutter uncontrollably "intriguing, don't entertain the idea" he said in an annoyed tone again. "why?" i asked bluntly.
"Because I'm not something to be intrigued about far from it" he replied with a hard tone although it didn't bother me. Something that word ran through my mind again and again. I decided to change the subject not wanting to get into an argument with him. But Rylan changed it before i could "what is it you do here every day?"
I shrugged "i read, anything really that gives me peace" he seemed surprised again, no intrigued as he leaned towards me "You don't find peace with your friends?" he asked, i shook my head "at times yes but i like to be...alone" i confessed. He smiled slightly "i understand the need, but why do you wish to be alone?" he asked. That is something i will not answer him. "Why do you wish to be alone?" i asked quickly, he smiled knowingly but decided not to pursue it "My brothers mostly but sometimes to get away from myself" he answered, i nodded. The need to forget about your mistakes, your problems was a factor why i wished to be alone.
"Brothers?" i asked
He straightened up stiffly "Ahh yes two" he replied "no sisters?" i asked, he shook his head. I remembered what Skylar had told me about his mother-dying-but he had never said anything about another brother "Where is your other brother?, I've met Skylar" i asked
He clenched his jaw tight, i must have said something wrong, but what? "What about you, your siblings?" he asked tensely, i didn't fear him being tense but intrigued again. " i have none" i replied
"Where is your parents?" he asked "why did they send you here?" he asked another. i tensed now, should i reply? Change the subject?
The bell rang saving me from whatever it was i would have done, he sighed "perhaps i could walk you to class Arabell?" I smiled widely, hell yeah! "Ah yeah" i replied. He smiled widely; well both of us did oddly. He shuffled out along with me following him. He grabbed his books and crooked an elbow as if he was asking for me to loop my arm through it, i smiled and obliged by the offer as i grabbed my book 'Morning star'. Rylan's arm was cool much to my surprise, but none the less i held on to his arm. I heard him sigh softly again, i looked up at him-his height now more profound now I'm standing beside him. "May i carry your books?" he asked politely; God the fluttering in my stomach increased by 10 fold with the closeness of him. "Arabell?" he asked looking down at me with his intense glowing blue eyes. I smiled "Ahh no I'm fine" he frowned at my refusal but then smiled. 'This wasn't like me' my mind yelled at me in protest as we made our way to me Biology class annoyingly not far from the Library. 'What the hell are you doing?' my mind yelled 'you're getting too close' one part screamed but the other side was yelling 'she's having fun! Plus she wants to know about him' i smiled liking the last thought. "I believe we have last class together" Rylan said softy as the sight of my class came up. "We do, maybe we could sit together?" i asked trying not to sound desperate. "Arabell;!" Liam called ten feet away. I looked at Liam who seemed shocked for a second then he seemed furious, no he is furious, What about? He walked over to us in a hurry as he tried to cover his anger but i had seen his tight line of lips before and the clench of his jaw when we argued not over a week ago.
"Come on we're late" he said in an angered tone. "No we're not" i said confused letting go of Rylan's arm and looked around "see everyone's still going to class" i pointed out. Rylan chuckled softly beside me at my comment, but that made Liam even more angry; But why?
Strangely Rylan stepped in front of me and stood toe to toe with Liam "You have a problem?" he asked harshly "don't take it out on her" he said as a warning, much like the one that he gave to my attacker but Liam didn't budge. I rolled my eyes, guys, so confusing. Liam had told me many times how he hated Rylan and Skylar but i never understood why. As much as i didn't want to leave Rylan i walked away from them. To be honest i needed to, the fluttering in my stomach when Rylan chuckled made me blush i really need to get away from him, the way he made me feel when he is around me was like a fever, a fever that i wanted, one that would flirted with danger.
I walked into the Biology room thankful Heidi had saved me a spot but annoyed that there is one for Liam. I sighed and took the seat anyway "Hay missed you at lunch today" she smiled "Yeah i went to the Library" I added, she smiled softly "You could have asked me, i would have came instead of you being alone" she suggested but i shrugged "Actually i wasn't alone" i began as she raised a perplexed eyebrow "Rylan was there so" i finished but i knew she wasn't "Oh give me details!" she exclaimed "i haven't even heard him speak, what's he like? Is he nice? I bet he has a nice body" she babbled on making me roll my eyes. Liam came in a couple of minutes later with a glum face i hadn't seen in a while. I decided to ignore him, his just being a jack-ass with PMS issues i concluded.
I walked to my locker grabbing my Ancient history book for my next class as i heard a familiar voice "hello Arabell" i rolled my eyes as i turned to Skylar. He stood their gorgeous as ever with a smug smile. If he stopped hitting on me i may actually like him. Might. "I was simply coming by to see if i could walk you to class" i almost laughed, almost. So much like each other, such brothers; i thought of when Rylan had walked me to Biology "why?"i asked slamming my locker door. "Simply being a gentleman" he replied smugly. I snorted "you, a gentleman?" i asked. He nodded "Is that so hard to believe?" he teased, i rolled my eyes again as i leaned my head on my locker "tell me Skylar, why do you annoy me every day?, do you like flirting a girl to death?" i asked but received a boom of laughter from him which made me more annoyed "I wouldn't want to flirt you to death, there would be no mere fun in it" he teased. He-although my continuous objections-walked me to Ancient history. I gladly walked in and sat next to Eloise, i had only had this class three times over the week. The snob whose nose i broke has yet to return and my attacker has done everything in his power to arrive late and leave early for every class, not whispering a thing during either; which i will have to thank Rylan for later.
English came much to my excitement; i walked in surprised to see Rylan already seated at the back with a seat next to him beside a window spare. I smiled to him which he returned making the fluttering in my stomach go into a riot. I sat in my chair and turned to him, although i was surprised to see he already had his eyes on me. "What was Liam angry about?" i asked. He shrugged "Who knows Liam has issues" i held back a giggle which Rylan noticed making him smile wide only having my stomach flutter like crazy. "Rylan, i never got to thank you" i smiled genuinely to him, he looked at me confused "for what Arabell?" god i loved the way he said my name. "For saving me that day" i replied. He nodded "i would have ripped his head off if you weren't standing there" he added. I looked at him for a second before asking "why would it matter if i were?"
He looked at me with a serious face "i would never want you to see such violence" he replied. 'To late Rylan' i thought a memory of my father crawled to my attention that I wish it rather wouldn't. I shuddered at the thought. "You're not like your brother" i said more to myself then to him. He leaned his head on his fist as he studied me "We're not really brothers, i was adopted" he confirmed. I looked at him surprised, well that explained the black hair and blue intense eyes that Skylar didn't have; But what about the pale skin?
I looked at his arm, his veins when i looked were purple and easy to see like his skin was just a clear layer. I decided not to ask about his resemblance with his skin. "What happened to your parents?" i asked sympathy and understanding clear in my voice "they both died years ago" he simply replied not interested in the conversation. "What about your parents? You avoided the subject before" he said raising a perplexed eyebrow. Crap! I should have known he wouldn't let this drop. I bit my lip...crap! What do i say?
"Arabell please don't try to hurt yourself" Rylan's soft voice interrupted me in my mental babble; i looked up at him "Huh?" i asked stupidly. Confusion had washed his face, he looked confused and...Aroused?
"Your lips it's bleeding" he said leaning closer to me as he lifted his index finger to wipe away the blood that was now spilling from my bottom lip. I didn't mean to do that!
"Oh sorry" i managed to say before his finger touched my lip, his touch was cool but the sensation that came from his touch was one that sent my legs weak as if my spine couldn't no longer support me my shoulders slumped forward leaning closer to Rylan. The touch sent my lips in a tingle of joy and sensation. I looked in his eyes; they were vibrant in the intense electric blue. His finger wiped away the blood but he didn't pull back only he leaned forward as his hand gently brushed my cheek, my whole body went in fits of sensations, my mind spinning in thrill, my stomach fluttering in uncontrollable excitement, my breath caught in my throat. But my eyes remained locked in his as his lips came closer towards mine, i accommodated the closeness by tilting my head to the side wanting his lips to brush mine, my whole body wanting it. 'You're letting him break through your walls!' my mind screamed. That thought stopped me. 'I can't do this; i won't do this' i thought.
I pulled away from his grasp just millimetres from his lips. I couldn't do this, as much as i wanted to i can't let myself trust him, anyone more so myself. I turned my head away from his shocked and disappointed beautiful face. Thank fully Heidi came in the room just as i looked down at my desk in complete shock and anger. 'Why did he do that? Why did i let him get that close?' i yelled at myself mentally.
"Hay" Heidi said sitting in front of me "hay" i said hesitantly. Heidi smiled but then she looked from me to Rylan and back again. She didn't say anything again as the teacher walked in and began the lesson. 'What did she think happened?' i thought 'did Rylan look upset?' god that thought made me feel so guilty, so cruel.
'I need to get out of here!' I yelled to myself
as the teacher continued with his lesson i felt Rylan's gaze on me but i never looked at him to return it, i was angry at him, he was coming to close to me, his becoming someone i trust and i can't let that happen. I can't let myself let that happen. It's hard now with Heidi, Eloise and Heath and in some way Liam but not Rylan. No i can't let him, his someone that i react to like i do to nobody else.
I need to leave! I have to leave tonight. How? Where will i go? I have money that i have saved up from when i lived with Becca, i could use that to get a bus somewhere and get a room in a hotel; but what then? How? I could climb over the gates and walk into town, it's far but i could do it or i could steal someone's car in the car park; But the gate? I would have to open it. How? Well it's the weekend some teachers leave maybe i could make sure it doesn't shut properly and make an escape. I didn't really care where i ended up but i couldn't stay here longer i can feel the attachment grow as i made plans to leave. I would miss the antique library i so often lost myself in, i would miss the old tree i so often liked to draw by, i would miss Heath and his sensible methods, Eloise and her childish blushes when she often gets something right, Liam and his constant mood swings, Skylar well i wouldn't miss him, Heidi i will miss, i even consider her as a dear friend wish is a mistake i shouldn't have made but Rylan i hate that i would miss him and the mystery he holds.
I stormed to my room after the class ended not waiting for Heidi or Rylan. I needed to pack and hide away from civilisation until i got my chance to escape.
I packed everything that would fit in my black backpack. I removed my school clothes and put on my black skinny jeans and a back hoddie while i let my hair fall down to my waist. I opened my door and checked up and down the hall thankful no one was in it. I speed walked past Heidi's room and Eloise's and took the detour behind the main building to the parking lot. A few BMW's caught my attention along with a black Mercedes but three cars caught my attention. One a black Viper, another a blue Cadillac but the one that caught my eye the most was the black Mustang. I loved mustang's i hid in the trees beside the car park and waited for a while as the sun came down. A few teachers left but none of them owned the sports cars. Night fell finally, no one would notice my absence at dinner as i never did attend at the dining hall, Ms Richmond often would give me food when she came back from the hall but if i wasn't at the Library she would assume i was at the hall myself; my friends would simply believe i was at the library.
Movement caught my eye some time later, someone with a black hoddie walked over to the Mustang while he flipped the keys in his hand. I stood up darkness still covering my identity. The mystery person turned much to my surprise, did he hear me? The mystery person turned... it was Rylan. Great! He had a way out and i didn't. But maybe i could get him to get me out of here. As i debated my chances i stepped out of the darkness and into the moonlight. "Arabell?" he asked, god that voice. His voice made my stomach flutter uncontrollably as it always did. I walked over to him as he made no movement to come closer. His handsome face washed with confusion and shock the emotions on his face making him adorable 'focus Arabell, just ask him for a lift out, that's it don't tell him anything' my mind demanded.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked softly. I didn't smile i just looked at him plainly trying to control my emotions. "I need a lift out" i said stiffly. He looked more confused "Why?"
'Because I'm running away!' i screamed to myself "I'm just going to town" i lied. "You're lying, Arabell" he shook his head. 'Rylan one, Arabell zero' i thought in annoyance "How would you know Rylan?" i asked more harshly then intended. He winced at the harshness, as soon as the words left my lips i felt guilty so i bit them trying to have some control.
"When you lie, your brows furrow and you don't look people in the eye" he replied firmly his edge of softness gone from his voice. I was stunned by his answer, i was a hopeless liar but he knew when i was lying even though Becca never could.
"Arabell why are you leaving?" he asked in a soft voice again, i felt tears weld up 'no don't cry, since when do you cry?' i asked myself. "Arabell, why?" he asked again
Oh god, his voice, his face, everything about him. I shook my head trying to shake the tears away only they welded up more. "I-i can't be here anymore" i replied my voice hoarse as i looked down at my converse shoes. The touch of his fingers sent my body in to the sensations that i had earlier as he pushed my chin to look up at his watery electric blue eyes. God when i looked in his eyes, it was filled with pain and confusion but that wasn't what made me lose control it was the understanding, the connection that we had. It was like he had known my pain, my heart through and through.
"You don't have to leave" he whispered. I didn't want him to see me like this, hell i didn't want the world to see me like this. But as he looked at me it felt as if he was taking the pain and hurt and aggression over the years away.
Warm tears came down my face. 'He knew! He knew about the pain i was going through!' the look in his eyes told me he knew. I had never cried in front of anybody but i didn't care. Rylan knew!
I didn't want to leave now! I didn't want to shut myself away now! But what if he hurt me! Could i trust him? The question made me step away from him. He looked more hurt this time but i couldn't get close to him, i needed space, i needed to...
"Come on" i looked up surprised by Rylan's words. "I'll show you something that'll change your mind" he said turning and unlocking his car. He walked over to the passenger side and opened the door. His messy black hair was covered by the black hoddie he wore and his loose black skinny jeans made him look more mysterious. "You can stay here?" he asked. Those words made me walk over to him and jump in the car. He walked over to the gate and opened it with his keys. 'Benefits of being the deputy's son' i thought trying to control myself as he jumped back in and started the car with a low hum.
We didn't say anything to each other as we drove out of the school and through what felt like a forest. We turned on an old dirt track and continued up it. I looked at Rylan with a confused look which went unnoticed. "Where are you taking me?" i asked
"You'll see" is all he said.
A small cottage soon came into view; the bushes around it were overgrown and unattended to. The wooden cottage was old almost ancient, obvious no one had been in here in centuries. Rylan stopped the car and got out without giving me a glance. He walked towards the house and stopped at least a few feet in front of it. I sighed loudly and got out following him as i shoved my hands in my pockets in annoyance.
As i stood beside him he began to speak "Years ago, a family lived here" he began "the father a farmer, the mother a young and respected woman with a son. Over the years the son grew up to be an adolescent. One night his father and mother were fighting. The father had signed up to fight in a war. The mother was distort and angry. Anyway the son too was to sign up as he was of age but he knew of the dangers of going to war so he refused only angering the father. So on this night his father became violent beating his son to unconsciousness. He raped and beat his wife until she was close to death." I gasped looking at Rylan then back at this house.
"The son found his mother dead with his father gone off to war" Rylan said with such sadness if it was possible i would have believed Rylan was the son all those years ago.
"For years the son never talked, never opened up to anybody. His life was one of sadness and loneliness" Rylan finished. I looked at him with sadness "What about the father?" i asked
"The son soon found his father, killed him with all the anger he stored but he still felt alone and hurt" he replied
"Why did you tell me this?" i asked as i walked up to the house gently brushing my fingers against the wooden veranda. He walked up the stairs with a sigh as he leaned on the wooden post "That son, he never let anyone get close, he was forever alone."
I related the story to myself; i was the son who was alone. I didn't know what to say. I wasn't angry or hurt by what he said but scared. I didn't want to die alone, i didn't want to be alone my whole life and never have happiness. I was scared of just being a mere memory of someone and not be mourned for if i ever died. But could i allow someone behind that wall I've had up so long? Could i trust them?
"Have i changed your mind Arabell?" he asked after some silence, his eyes glowing in the darkness. I smiled slightly "for now, but you will have to be patient" i said softly. He smiled back "does this mean you will stay?" he asked. I nodded "But i would like to stay here for a while" i suggested. He smiled "Maybe you'll like the pond down the back?"