Chapter 15:-It's been a long time coming
A/N:-A few people have been confused about the rewind powers thing so I'm gonna address it here. There is no form of rewind, Max had something akin to a vision of the future. I thought it would be best to use her as she was the one in the base game who had the rewind powers in the first place. It was so I could have a switch back in time so don't expect it to be used again. As you read the chapter it will all make sense a lot more.
Max stared at the room, wide-eyed. Everything was just like it was and she didn't feel like she was dreaming. She was having a mad sense of Deja-vu and didn't know how to explain it. She figured Aaron would be the only one who believed her if she told him and that was when she realised. She had to save Kate. Max looked at the time on her phone and realised she'd have around fifteen minutes before Kate would end up on that dorm roof. She had to find Aaron, if anyone had a chance of talking her down, it was him.
Without wasting a second, Max jumped out of her seat and headed out of Mr Jefferson's class. She knew Aaron would be heading into the main building if he wasn't here already so she had to find him as quick as possible. Max realised she'd have to find him and get him to get to Kate before she did anything drastic.
Max turned the corner of the classroom, she looked out along the long corridor; she had to find out if Aaron was inside or if he was yet to enter the concourse. Max hurried past Ms Grant's class and made her way to where his locker would be. If Aaron was inside, he'd most likely be there. Max breathed a sigh of relief as she saw the skinny, black haired boy leaning against his locker, talking with Luke who was laughing at whatever he had said.
Max hurried over to him, calling his name out as she got closer to:
"Aaron" she called as he turned around, flipping his hair to the side.
"Oh hey Max, how's it going?" he asked as he greeted her with a friendly smile.
"I need to talk to you, it's important" Max replied, Aaron could sense that there was something wrong. Her tone seemed strenuous, like she had something that seemed very important to say.
"Uh, ok" Aaron said as he turned back to face Luke. "I'll text you the details, lemme know how you get off?" Aaron called as he bumped fists goodbye with Luke and followed Max over to the doors of the Academy.
"It's about Kate" Max disclosed, Aaron's change in facial expression showed he was gonna take what she was gonna say a lot more seriously. "I think she's gonna really hurt herself and you need to stop her"
"Max, what do you mean, where is she?" Aaron was confused as he placed his hands on the smaller girls' shoulders. "Where is she?" Aaron asked, he wanted to help as much as possible.
"She's not gonna come to class, I think she's heading back to the dorm. You need to find her and just tell her how you feel" Max stressed as she prayed there would be enough time.
"What do you-" Aaron was cut off.
"She loves you, you idiot! It's blatantly obvious how you feel about her so go and tell her before she does anything stupid!"
Aaron let go of Max and exited the building, putting up his jacket hood as he did so. He had the look of someone determined and a determined Aaron Heartfield was exactly what Kate needed.
Aaron ran across the school grounds as rain crashed around him; his converse were wet from the grass and his skinny jeans were sticking to his legs. None of that mattered, the only thing that mattered was finding Kate and making sure she was safe. Aaron headed to the girls dorm and as he crested around the gate, he saw a blonde haired girl entering the building. Her legs were moving quickly as her left hand covered her crying eyes. Without thinking twice, Aaron ran as fast as his skinny legs would carry him.
When he reached the door, her threw it open and ran up the stairs. His heart was panting and his lungs wanted him to stop and get some air back into them but he was focused on other matters. Adrenaline pumped through him as he reached the top of the stairs; Aaron figured Kate would be in her room as he ran down the corridor but looked at the end of it when something caught his eye. He saw the door to the roof close and felt a sinking feeling in his stomach. He took a deep breath as he ran over to the doors and looked up. The door to the roof at the top of the stairs was wide open, it had recently been opened, and Aaron was out of time.
He lunged up the stairs in desperation, nearly falling as he reached the top. There, in front of him, was Kate who was slowly getting closer and closer to the edge of the roof. Aaron just shouted out, he had to keep her from doing something he couldn't fathom to think about.
"Kate!" He screamed, causing the shy girl to turn around. Her face was one of pain and anguish and it made Aaron want to cry. Her lipstick shined behind all the water on her face and her eyes were red from crying. Her tears were unmistakeable, even as the raindrops landed on her face.
"Aaron, what are you doing here?" She shouted back; her voice was plagued with emotion.
"I never want to see you hurt, Kate and I can't live with the thought of you hurting yourself!" He never thought things would get this bad for Kate, the fact that he indirectly played a part in it made him feel even worse.
Aaron had no idea of the masses of people that were converging below them, looking up in anticipation of what might happen next. Masses of Blackwell students had congregated in front of the girls' dorm as they looked up and saw the back of Kate, who was standing up on the roof. They were able to make out that she was talking to someone but they had no idea who. The initial shock had worn off due to them knowing there was someone up there trying to talk her down. Max had already guessed it was Aaron and had alerted David Madsen. The two of them quickly made their way through the crowd, followed by Principle Wells as they made their way to the building that Kate was currently standing on.
"Why do you care anyway, you haven't bothered with me when those vultures decided it would be time to make my life hell again" Kate took a step back, Aaron felt is heart sink, he knew it was time to be honest.
"Kate, why would I willingly let anything happen to you?! I kicked the shit out of three guys who wanted to hurt you. I spend every second I have with you, I invited you to a party, knowing you were still scared of them because I knew I wouldn't let anything happen to you. You are what my Autumn Portfolio is about, it's about YOU" Kate couldn't help but listen to what Aaron had to say. The cold rain was everywhere and the wind was blowing it all ways that were unpleasant but all she could see was this boy in front of her, pouring his heart out.
"What are you trying to say, Aaron?" Kate's voice was still emotionless, little did she know what warm feeling Aaron's next words would bring to her.
"I love you, Kate; I have for a long time. I was just afraid to say anything because I didn't want you to get scared or worry. I know it was stupid of me but I wanted to wait for the right time but I realise that it's now. I may not see God as you do, but I believe he put me on this roof for a reason. He put me here so I could tell you I love you. Kate Marsh, I love you!"
Aaron let tears stream down his face as he said the words he had been holding in for so long. It felt like a massive weight was lifted off of his shoulders as he exhaled. His cards were out on the table and he just prayed it was enough to get this girl that he cared so much for to realise that there were people out there who cared deeply for her.
"I just hope, you'll love me to" Aaron said with bated breath as he extended his left hand. He wanted to grab her and pull her away from the edge so very desperately but realised it had to be her choice, it needed to be her choice.
Kate continued to cry, continued to let tears escape her eyes as she absorbed all the words Aaron had just said but for the first time since all of this started, they were tears of joy.
"I didn't think there was anything that would get me off this roof" Kate began "Then you said the three words I didn't realise I needed to hear"
Aaron let out a soft smile as he slowly inched forward. Kate looked back at him and slowly let out a smile of her own. It was a moment that had been coming for a long time, a moment that everyone saw happening, Kate extended her right hand as she shuffled forward. Aaron just watched with baited breath, he was so close to keeping her safe, he couldn't blow it now. Kate placed her fingers into Aaron's and he pulled her into a warm embrace as soon as their palms touched. He held her tightly as if he was keeping the entire world out.
Kate held onto Aaron as she buried her head in his neck; she was safe. It was a feeling she hadn't truly felt in a long, long time but now that she was here, with Aaron, things were looking up. The cold, painful emotions she had been feeling were replaced by a welcoming warmth that was something that she needed. The two stayed locked in their embrace for a bit longer before finally separating and staring back at each other. Aaron could see the clouded pain being washed away from behind Kate's loving eyes and it made him smile.
"There's something else I've wanted to do and I'm gonna be damned if I'm gonna wait this time" Before Kate could say anything, Aaron had planted his lips against hers; it wasn't what Kate was expecting but it was magical. She kissed him back with just as much enthusiasm as he had kissed her.
This boy had been there for her when no one else was. He showed her that good people do exist in this world and he got up on that roof to make sure she didn't leave it. She was almost exactly where she wanted to be in life and as she kissed the only thing that mattered to her, she felt as if time itself had stopped.
Principle Wells paced back and forth in his office; this whole situation would have to be dealt with in the right way. Aaron, Max and David were in front of him as he turned to begin saying what he had to say.
"Now this is a very serious matter" he began "Miss Marsh is with her parents now and they will be looking at checking her into Arcadia General within the next week"
"There's nothing wrong with her" Aaron interjected as he raised his right hand to his forehead.
"Is there something you wish to say, Mr Heartfield?" Principle Wells asked as he stroked his chin.
"She was bullied up on that roof; she'd have the piss taken out of her for days on end while you all sat around doing nothing" Aaron was easily frustrated, as his tone suggested.
"Aaron is right, Principle Wells" Max joined in "Kate was dosed at a Vortex Club party and people filmed her doing things she wouldn't normally do"
"Hmmm, I have heard reference into this video in question and it is possible we may have been negligent in the matter" Principle Wells added.
"Negligent!" Aaron called out "No one did anything to stop that bitch Victoria and her heathens from openly humiliating her and she could have died!"
"Aaron, we are all grateful for the part you played in saving Miss Marsh's life but please refrain from insulting other students"
"But it's ok for them to insult her?! I'm not even gonna comment on that" Aaron just leaned back in his chair and shook his head.
"If I may, Sir" David chimed in as he uncrossed his arms "I've been looking into drug trafficking on the campus and it is highly possible Kate Marsh was dosed. By who, I can't say but I am working on the matter"
All the answers were out there, the pieces just needed to be put together. How long that would take, who could say. All that mattered was Kate was safe and everything would change accordingly.
Aaron left Principle Wells' office with a scowl on his face. Max followed him, trying to engage in conversation to take his mind off of it.
"Aaron, there's nothing you or anyone can do; it's done and we should all just be glad that Kate is safe" Max stated as they walked out of the reception and into the main corridor.
"There is, I can find out who the fuck dosed her" Aaron stopped and turned to face Max. "I don't know how long it will take but I will find out who the asshole is and I will punch his fucking head all the way to Iowa" Aaron was tense and Max knew he didn't wanna get angry.
"Ok, I get that but Kate would want you to take it easy for the rest of the day. Calm down, take your mind off of this and we'll go visit her in the hospital tomorrow, ok?"
Aaron just sighed and took a breath: "You're right Max, it's just the fucking bureaucratic bullshit laws of society people are branding her with. 'She's ill' and 'there's something wrong with her', fuck off will you?! There's nothing wrong with that girl ad it pisses me off how people are so easy to ignore all the bullying in the world"
The two of them just revelled in the silence for a few seconds before Max hugged Aaron in an effort to calm him down. "Chloe's taking me for taco bell in few, wanna come with?" Max asked as she retreated from her hug.
"I'd like that, thanks for looking out for me, Max" Aaron smiled as he exhaled again.
"Today has been hella crazy" max stated as the two left the halls of Blackwell.
Marcus walked into the large room that he was so used to seeing, the large, decorated fireplace to his right was a welcome warmth that would have felt odd if it was anything less than warm. The smell of the burning logs, mixed with the aroma of the old paper pages of the books that littered the shelves all around the room was a sent that was so unique that Marcus wished he could spend longer here…just so long as he was alone.
He approached the ancient desk that was in front of him, taking in the scratches and chips in the wood, some were more recent than others. The top of the desk had the wood encroach in about 2 inches all around the desk before a large green square of leather covered the majority of it. It was old and faded, just like the wood but brought colour to something that was ultimately dull. It had its fair share of marks but most where covered up by files and binders that were in the process of being read.
Behind it was a large chair, composed of red leather with a dull brass frame. It was in better condition than the desk but was till as old. The figure that was sitting in it was obscured by shadow, all that could be seen was her right hand that tapped impatiently on the table with abnormally long and sharp nails. Her clothes were covered by the folder that she was reading in her left hand.
Everyone who knew Marcus, knew him to be a fearless, aggressive person who was reserved and calculating at the same time. He was always able to execute his mission to the highest standards and was the Beta for a reason. But if there was anything that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up…it was the woman sitting before him…Alpha.
"This is everything you've been able to gather in the last few weeks?" She said from the other side of the table, not looking up from the file. Her voice was low and reeked of someone who was not amused.
"Yes, ma'am-however an incident has happened today involving Kate Marsh. She attempted suicide but was stopped by the target" Marcus was used to dealing with her by now but anyone could sense the uneasy-ness in his voice.
"Hmmm, I see" Alpha replied.
"Request permission to continue to observe due to these new circumstances?"
"We'll see, it all depends on how our newest Omega is doing. If everything is green across the board with her, you may proceed.
"Thank you ma'am" Marcus replied before turning around to leave.
"Marcus, don't fuck this up. You know I detest failure but this is the one you cannot afford to fail" Her tone was the same as it had been, she was an incredibly hard woman to read.
Marcus just bowed his head in understandment and quickly left the room. The Goosebumps all over his body were telling him he'd had enough.
Kate's hands shook as she wrote out the list of things for Max to do in her absence. Kate would have never left Alice on her own but she knew that Max would take good care of her. Taking care of a rabbit was something that gave Kate a purpose; she enjoyed and took pride in looking after others who would have a harder life than her, it gave her a complete feeling, a feeling one usually gets from finishing a jigsaw or getting 100% on a test.
She had never envisioned herself going to hospital, if anything, she figured she would be dead by the time she got there. She was so sure her life was at its end and she had accepted it. She didn't like it but would have rather the small instance of pain and then have everything be over than endure day after day of pain. She had come to terms with it and ready to take the next step in her existence, it just turns out it was a different one than what she was expecting.
Aaron had shown her the light that she didn't think existed in the world anymore; for a dude who always dressed so dark, you couldn't help but associate him with the light. He was just so kind and always wanted to help people, sure he could be a bit extra at times but that just made you appreciate him in small doses and look forward to the next time you saw him. He was someone who wanted nothing of anyone, other than for them to be happy and smile.
Anytime Kate thought about him, she would always think about him trying to make everyone smile. If he saw someone who looked like they were down, he would chew their ear off until he made them smile. Whether he was making them laugh by being funny or by brightening their day, he was just thoughtless. He was always going out of his way to make sure she was ok and as Kate placed her bag on her shoulder, she let out a faint smile.
Her shaky hands held her phone as she read the text he had just sent her:
It's total bullshit that they think you need to go to a hospital! I'll be there to visit you tomorrow if you're cool with that? Xx
They weren't technically official but it was going that way, Kate could see that Aaron would want her to be comfortable before he proposed any form of going steady. Her parents weren't the type of people to talk about this to and seeing as this was the first time she had seen them in a long time, she just wanted to enjoy their company again. Hospital was the next place for Kate, hopefully she won't be there long but at least she would have a boy waiting for her when she got out. He wasn't just any boy, this would be the start of something that everybody would love.
A/N:-OK, Act 1 is officially done! Act 2 is gonna be a lot more wholesome and cuter and shit but it's gonna carry over the plot points that have been present in this Act. It's a 4 Act story so yeah, there's a lot more to be added. I don't plan to leave a lot of time between this upload and the next one but I've been ill as fuck for the last week and I'm still not 100% but this chapter needed to come out to bring Act 1 to a close.
As always, Follow and Favourite the story…or me…or both, be the hero I'd love you to be. I would really appreciate a Review as it would let me know how you guys like things and what you'd like to change going forward. I just wanna make this story as good as it possibly can be as we still have a hell of a lot more left to go. Advertise the shit out of the story if you want, it'd mean a lot to me and the more demand there is for it, the faster I can pump chapters out. Thank you for making it to the end of the first Act, see you all in Act 2!
