Chapter 6:
Reggie shot awake in a panic; her hands fisting the blankets between her fingers. Sweat dampened her brow and forced messy strains of hair to cling to her face in odd amounts and various places. She took quick glances across each corner of the room with sharp, uneven breaths, tears falling down her cheeks. "It was just that stupid dream." She whispered into the darkness surrounding her, fingers slowly releasing the tight grip on the blanket. Hearing the soft whimpers she glanced down to look at Shadow whose yellow eyes met her, tail giving a lazy wag at the connection. This let her know that she was safe, that her nightmare had been just that; wiping away her tears she gave Shadow a gentle pat. The sound of gentle snoring reminded her she wasn't alone and she turned to face the noise, Twisters eyes shut, his head tilted up, facing in her direction. She gave a small smile, he looked so peaceful with Zodiac cuddled up against his chest with Twisters arms wrapped arm him. A flashing red light caught her attention, 0500 flashed at her from its position on Twister's side table. Quietly she slid out of his bed, careful not to wake him and silently headed downstairs, Shadow right on her heels. "Wanna go toilet, Shadow?" She whispered heading towards the backdoor.
The morning air was chilly, engulfing her skin in goose bumps. She watched as Shadow began her ritual of sniffing the grass to find her perfect spot, leaning up against the wall. "Since when are you and my brother banging?"
The sudden voice scared her and she jumped, spinning around to see Lars heading over to one of the chairs, taking a seat and pulling out his smokes. "We aren't 'banging'." She frowned, mentally trying to calm herself down.
"So you have pants on under his shirt?" He smirked watching as she reached down and pulled the shirt down. "You're spending an awful lot of time here, Rocket."
"He was gone for four years, that's an awful lot to catch up on." Reggie folded her arms across her chest.
Lars was smirking, pulling his lighter out of his back pocket and lighting it. "So then you're free game?"
Reggie stared at him, she wished she was 'free game' she wished she had never been stupid enough to get into a relationship, she had known at the time she only said yes because every day he'd ask her and on this particular day she was feeling sadder than others, when she had gotten yet another email from Twister saying he won't be back again. Would she be free from Trent soon? Otto had told her to dump him but his claws were in so deep she could feel them and even if she did manage to dump him, Twister would never be hers. Sighing she slowly took a seat beside him, reaching up and taking the smoke from his mouth. "This will kill you." She stared as the smoke dance up into the morning air before putting it out in the ash tray.
"Something has too." He said frowning at his now unlit cigarette. "I have to say, you've grown out of that dorky tomboy stage quite well, Rocket."
She could see him looking her up and down, mentally picturing her she could only assume. "Gee, thanks." She replied sarcastically, standing back up to take her leave now that Shadow had done her business.
"If he doesn't hurry up and take his shot with you." Lars called out after her, forcing her to turn to look at him as she reached the door. He was smirking as he placed the cigarette back into his mouth. "I'll take my shot."
"He doesn't want a shot." Reggie rolled her eyes turning back around and taking a step inside.
"You are delusional." He laughed, blowing the smoke out of his mouth.
Reggie paused in the doorway for a moment, feeling her heart pound against her chest. "He's just pushing your buttons." With that thought she went inside and headed back up to Twister's room.
Reggie led Shadow back into Twister room silently shutting the door behind them, Shadow jumped back up onto the bed and curl into a ball, settling back to sleep. Reggie walked towards Twister's desk, running her fingers along the smooth wooden surface, the wood cold against her fingertips. His books were sprawled open across the desk with pens and highlights everywhere, he was studying maths by the looks of it. Her eyes lifted to see the brown photo frame that sat in the corner of his desk, almost hidden by the large pile of text books. She reached over and grasped the frame pulling it out so she could see it, the picture was of the two of them when they were about thirteen; she was in his arms with her tongue hanging out and winking while holding up a peace sign. Twister had the biggest grin while she could make out Squid in the background about to fall over in his skates. She smiled down at the photo, she had never seen it before and couldn't even remember taking it. It was a lifetime ago. The butterflies in her stomach erupted the more she stared at the photo he chose to keep beside his desk, she quickly placed the frame back into its position and turned to scan for her clothes, she needed to go for a jog, she was going crazy. She scooped up the clothes, dumping them on Twister's desk before lifting his shirt up over her head, letting it drop to the side.
"Did he do that?"
The voice startled her so much she let out a squeal and leaned forward against the desk for support, her breathing ridged. Looking over her shoulder she saw Twister sitting up in the bed, staring at her half naked body and she suddenly felt both nervous and ashamed. She turned back to face the wall to allow her long locks to cover most of her back. "… I'm sorry… I should have left to go to the bathroom, I thought you were sleeping." Grabbing her shirt she quickly pulled it over her head before he saw anything he shouldn't and tugged it over her lacy undies as much as possible.
"The bruising… he did that?" He persisted burning holes into the back of her head.
"I… bruise easily…" She didn't have the confidence to turn and face him. "I got pushed up against a wall… that's all."
"Reggie"
"Maurice drop it." She snapped, grip on his desk chair so tight her knuckles turned white. Twister opened his mouth and closed it again a few times, debating what to say or whether to say anything at all, he sighed and decided to drop it. "I'm going for a run." Her voice was strained and she knew he had picked up on it as she quickly pulled her pants on. "Watch Zodiac for me." And with a click on her finger her and Shadow were out of the room before Twister could say anything.
Reggie ran ignoring the pain in her side begging her to stop, her mind so clouded she couldn't think straight but she refused to let the tears fall, she needed to stop being so weak! The rain fell heavily from the sky but she paid no attention to it, Shadow running at her side, both drenched. After another twenty minutes of pushing herself a pain shot through her side and she yelped, bending over pressing against the pain, gasping for air. She felt like her lungs were going to explode as the sweat on her brow mixed with the rain drops dripped off her face. She was thankful she had free periods this morning, she had no idea how long she had been running or what the time was. Slowly lowering herself to the ground she sat on the curb and breathed harshly, tilting her head back and feeling the rain on her face. Her mind was a mess, jumbled up like a puzzle that had over a thousand pieces and the picture was nothing but black. Twister walking back into her life felt like a spanner had been thrown into the works, she had been doing just fine until he walked in so casually and threw her world on its head. She had been in her own world that she hadn't noticed Twister pulling up in front of her.
"Need a lift?" He asked as Zodiac gave a happy bark from the back seat, Shadows tail wagging in reply.
"We're drenched."
"Yeah I can see that. Hop in." Reaching over he pushed the car door open for her. "You're a bit far from home."
Reggie pulled opened the door putting Shadow in the back before climbing into the passenger's seat. Twister turned the car around and drove back towards her house unsure if he should say something to her or not. "I'm sorry." Her voice was so quiet that he almost didn't hear her over the panting in the back.
"For what?" He asked.
"For everything, I've dumped my whole life on you and you haven't even been back for two weeks yet."
"That's what friends are for, right?" From the corner of his eye, he saw a small smile cross her lips. "I want to know everything that's happened and happening in your life, don't apologise."
"You do?"
"Of course, Reg! I have four years to make up for."
Reggie gave him a smile, the one that took his breath away and made his heart feel like it had both stopped beating and was beating so fast it would burst. "Thanks, Twist. I missed having you around."
"Missed being around, Rocket girl."
The rest of the drive back was quiet, Regina had been looking out the window, her mind all over the place but nowhere in particular. Twister had put the heater on for her, which she was grateful for as her wet hair continued to drop cold water drops on her legs. Twister had dropped her off at her house, receiving a thanks before watching her head into her house, dogs on her heels. He wanted to offer her a ride to school, if nothing more than to just have her in his presence but he didn't want to come across as too much so he simply drove himself to school.
Reggie looked at herself in the mirror, the bruise on her upper arm had now faded to an off yellow colour, her back still a purple colour but it was slowly starting to fade as well, it didn't hurt as much to move now. She put on a pair of skin-tight jeans and a black long sleeve shirt, throwing her hair up into a bun, she would probably be late at this point but she didn't care, she didn't even want to go to school. Trent would be there and she hadn't spoke to Otto since last night. Taking a deep breath, she pat the dogs goodbye and headed for her car to drive to school since it was raining.
Entering English, she had received a talking too about being late, earning her a detention but she didn't argue or cause a scene; simply accepting the detention and going to sit down in her normal seat beside the window. She felt her phone buzz and looked down at it.
[From Sammy]
[Received Mon Mar 15 10:30]
Hey Reg… can you just let me know if ur ok? Pls?
Reggie stared down at the message, part of her knew he had just been trying to protect her but another part of her was still so angry with him for tell Otto. The angry part of her winning as she left the message on read and closing his messages. Her eyes lingered on Trent's name on her messengers list, a shaky breath released without even meaning too, she clicked on the name and brought up a message.
[To Trent]
[Sent Mon Mar 15 10:32]
Hey, can we meet at the cafeteria?
[From Trent]
[Received Mon Mar 15 10:35]
Use ur manners next time. I'll be there
Reggie rolled her eyes before putting her phone to sleep, her eyesight turning back to look out the window, her teacher making nothing more than muffled sounds in her ears; she had no desire to be here. It wasn't long before class ended and Reggie basically ran out of the classroom before Sam would come looking for her, she knew he would, he normally walked with her between classes. She weaved her way through the crowded hallways of people moving to their next class slipping into the cafeteria area to wait for Trent. She tried her best to control the nerves but she felt nauseous, the overwhelming fear that he was coming to see her because she asked him too and she forgot to say please.
"Well, well. Aren't you looking fine?" Trent voice made her jump and she spun around to face him. "What did you want?"
Reggie stared at him; she was a giant ball of anxiety and for a moment she thought her voice wouldn't work until she managed to squeak. "I… want to… break up with you… I'm sick of you hurting me." Her palms were sweaty, heart pounding.
"You want to break up?" He sounded amused and that made her even more nervous.
"…Yes…"
Trent walked towards her and her feet froze in fear, she was cursing herself for being weak. He took a firm hold on her shoulder and held her against the wall. "It's your word against mine, Regina, you have no proof I touched you." He leaned forward putting his lips against her ear, breath hot against her ear as he kissed it. "And I have that video."
Reggie turned her head enough to look at him with a fear in her eyes, he was smirking at her and it made her stomach twist. "What do you want from me…?" Her voice was strained.
He moved his face forward, firmly keeping her in her place with his grip on her shoulder and kissed the side of her neck. "You want this ended? Maybe, I was getting bored of you anyway." He kissed her neck again and smirked as she flinched. "But it'll be when I want it and I don't want any lies about me 'hurting you'. Because that's what they are, right?" This time when he went in to kiss her neck her bit her, holding her in place with his grip on her shoulder, before sucking at the bite, giving her a hickey. "You're a liar right babe?"
Tears welled up in Reggie's eyes as she stared ahead of herself and slowly nodding her head, closing her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek as she felt him kiss the now aching spot on her neck. "Get off her!" Otto yelled making his way towards them. "Let her go right now."
"I'm having some alone time with my girlfriend here, do you mind." Trent yawned releasing his grasp on her. "You into your sister or something?"
"Shut up, I should beat your ass now for what you've done to her." Otto stopped right in front of Trent, hands in tight fists.
"I haven't done anything to her that she hasn't deserved." Trent smirked. "Right Regina?"
Reggie quickly moved between them and pushed on Otto's chest to move him back before anything could happen. "Leave it, please." She whispered staring up at him, she could feel Trent running a finger down her back and it took her all of her willpower not to react or tense her body. "Let's go, Rocket boy." Her voiced pleaded.
Otto gave a huff and took her hand into his own, turning around and walking away from Trent, he was losing the last of his restraint with that tool bag and it wouldn't be long before he was going to punch his lights out. Reggie looked over her shoulder to see Trent smirking at her, blowing her a kiss as her brother pulled her out of the cafeteria.
"What the hell was that Regina?" Otto pulled himself from her grasp, spinning around on his heels to face her.
"It's complicated…" Reggie answered chewing on her bottom lip.
"You were supposed to end it with him."
"Otto not everything is always so black and white." She sighed watching him pace back and forth in front of her, fists tight.
"You are not to be alone with him, promise me you won't do it again?" Reggie gave a small nod but she wasn't sure if she could keep that promise, this was far more complicated then Otto knew and she didn't want to drag her baby brother into her drama. "Regina, I mean it."
"Yes Otto I heard you." Reggie sighed. "I'm going to be late again; I'll see you later."
Otto didn't get to reply as she was already walking away from him and towards her next class. He watched her disappear down the hallway without even a glance back at him, her arms wrapped around herself in a protective hug. He let out a frustrated groan, he couldn't understand why she stay with him but she wouldn't open up to him, she was keeping him out.
Reggie went to the nurses office for a band aid to put on her neck, this had made her late again to Maths and received another detention, she probably could have argued that she had never been late before and with her marks they could have gone easy on her but she didn't have the fight in her, simply nodding and taking her seat. She hadn't written anything down the whole class but when her teacher called on her to answer a question she gave the right answer which was enough for the teacher to leave her alone for the rest of the class.
When the bell had signalled lunch Reggie had retreated to the girls bathroom and locked herself in one of the cubicles, she stared at her phone watching the messages from the boy pop up asking where she was but she didn't bother opening them, she just wanted to be left alone. She placed headphone into her ears and blast music from her phone, trying her best to mute any thoughts that were trying to go through her mind. After lunch she made her way towards music, silently regretting re-joining, she could be on her way home by now.
"Hey, Reg!" Twister called out spotting her walking towards the music room.
Reggie slowed to a stop to turn and look towards the boy; he was smiling at her as he walked towards her and it made her heart flutter. "Hey… Twist."
"What happened to your neck?"
Reggie reached up to the band aid and cleared her throat. "I scratched myself and you know with my bloods I need to be careful so I covered it."
"Oh, okay. Where were you at lunch?"
"I um, just had some stuff to do, sorry I didn't reply to your message."
"That's okay, just wasn't sure if I was annoying you."
Reggie softly took a hold of his hand, giving it such a gentle squeeze before she could really stop herself. "You don't ever annoy me."
Twister had been completely winded at the action, the butterflies in his stomach felt like a bomb had gone off. She was looking into his eyes and the sadness he could see in her eyes made him uneasy, he never wanted to see her upset. "Likewise, Reggie."
The sound of other students rounding the corner to head towards the music room made Reggie drop his hand, turning and heading into the music room. Twister stood looking down at his hand for a moment, it felt tingly. God he was so hopelessly in love with this girl that her touch made him feel all gooey. Sighing he headed in after her, taking a seat beside her waiting for the teacher.
"I'm excited to announce that Regina has decided to re-join us!" Mrs Paed clasped her hands together in excitement as she entered the room. The excitement echoed in her classmates gasps as they all seemed to turn back and look at her.
Reggie gave a nervous smile, sinking just that little bit more into her chair beside Twister who was smiling at her too. "Um. Good to be back."
"Mrs Paed, Regina should sing us a song as a welcome back!"
Reggie frowned turning to look towards the owner of the voice. "Shouldn't you guys be singing me a welcome back?"
"I think that is a wonderful idea, Natalie." Mrs Paed grinned holding a hand out for her. "Come Reggie."
"Oh Mrs Paed I really don't think…"
"Nonsense! How better to get back into it by giving us a song? In the music hall of all places! We only get to practice in here once in a blue moon after all and you did miss a lot of classes."
Reggie frowned at that, now she didn't have a choice in the matter, she had to get up and sing for them. She felt Twister nudge her softly and turned to face him with a nervous look across her face, palms already sweaty. He gave a nod of his head in the direction of the stage to encourage her to go. Her legs felt like jelly, it had been the longest time since she had sung for anyone, she would normally just play any instrument they needed, especially lately. She made her way towards the piano running her fingers across her palms continuously to try and take away the moisture however it just seemed to make it worse. Her heart pounded against her chest so hard she thought it would beat out of her chest, slowly she sat down on the stool in front of the piano, hands lifting to rest against the keys. What should she sing? Could she sing anymore? It had been so long that she had even thought about singing. Swallowing the hard lump in her throat she allowed her fingers to pick the song, parting her mouth to start singing.
"I've been watching you
For some time
Can't stop staring
At those oceans eyes
Burning cities
And napalm skies
Fifteen flares inside those ocean eyes
Your ocean eyes
No fair
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scared
I've never fallen from quite this high
Falling into your ocean eyes
Those ocean eyes"
Her voice was that of an angel, the large room allowing the sound to bounce around the room and out into the open hallways. Her focus was on the words and the keys, trying her hardest to not panic even though her whole body felt tense at not only singing but singing a song that felt so personal to her. She didn't notice the random students that had come to watch her after hearing her.
"No fair
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scared
I've never fallen from quite this high
Falling into your ocean eyes
Those ocean eyes"
Sam gently pushed his way through the crowd who had quickly started to form, he knew that voice. He came to a stop in front of the crowd and saw Reggie singing up on the stage, she had a quiet confidence about her as she sung so stunningly, the echoes from the room giving her louder harmony parts an extra special sound. Her voice had matured a lot over the years that he had known her, however at this point her voice was so mature and hauntingly sad as the emotions poured out of each word. He caught every time she would glance up and in Twisters direction when she sung and it was more often than not, even if it was a quick glance or a longer stare. He thought he was the only one who noticed until he heard a whisper from one of the girls standing close to him. 'Looks like she's singing to that new kid.'
"I've been walking through
A world gone blind
Can't stop thinking of your diamond mind
Careful creature
Made friends with time
He left her lonely with a diamond mind
And those ocean eyes
No fair
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scared
I've never fallen from quite this high
Falling into your ocean eyes
Those ocean eyes"
Otto raised an eyebrow at the crowd he saw at the end of the hallway, hearing a faint song echoing down the corridors. His curiosity got the best of him as he made his way towards the group, the song becoming louder the closer he got and he realised he recognised the voice. He came to a stop at one of the pillared arches that surrounded the music hall to the surrounding hallways, climbing up onto the pillar base to get a better look, there he saw his sister sitting at the piano in front of her music class singing so beautifully, he had almost forgotten what it was like to listen to her sing as the more withdrawn she became over the last few years the less she sang. He glanced across at all the students that had gathered around the music hall, entranced by her voice, until his eyes landed on his best friend. Otto raised an eyebrow at the look that was on his face while he watched his sister sing, was this just an awe of how amazing her voice had truly become?
"No fair
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scared
I've never fallen from quite this high
Falling into your ocean eyes
Those ocean eyes
No fair
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scared
I've never fallen from quite this high
Falling into your ocean eyes
Those ocean eyes"
Her 'dada da da's harmonising beautifully with her fingers dancing over the keys. Her eyes lifted from the keys and within an instant they met with his and without even realising she was she was singing to him, giving the words all the emotions, she felt.
"No fair
You really know how to make me cry
When you gimme those ocean eyes
I'm scared
I've never fallen from quite this high
Falling into your ocean eyes
Those ocean eyes"
Twister never thought he'd ever heard a song sung so raw and full of emotion, it wasn't until he heard his fellow classmates clap and cheer that he realised that she had attracted more than just the classes' attention with her song. He hadn't noticed anything but her the whole time she had been singing, he knew she had always been good but she had just taken his breath away, if he had been confused about his feelings before they were no crystal clear, he loved this girl. He watched as she basically jumped up and moved away from the piano with a blush running across her cheeks, she was embarrassed; too many people had listen to her.
"That was wonderful, Regina! Thank you for sharing." Mrs Paed grinned patting a very embarrassed Reggie on the back with a grin. "You have passed the musical exam."
"…Thanks." Reggie muttered quickly making her way back to her seat, trying to avoid all eye contact she knew was on her.
"You all have class don't you? Off you go unless you want to join music." Mrs Paed clapped her hands at the observers in the hallways making them disperse.
Twister took a side way glance at Reggie, seeing her with an arm folded across her stomach, her other hand across her forehead almost shielding her eyes in embarrassment. He leaned over to her and spoke softly while Mrs Paed went over music history. "That was beautiful."
Reggie's blush never left her cheeks keeping her eyes ahead of her, she couldn't look at him; she felt far too embarrassed that she had basically serenaded him without her realising she was even doing it. She was praying no one else took any notice, him especially "Thanks…"
Reggie paid little attention to what was going on during the rest of music, all she felt like doing was crying, she didn't want to be here anymore. Twister looked over at her, like he had been doing throughout the class, he gently reached over and touched her arm. She flinched and looked towards him with scared eyes until she realised it was him and the fear vanished. "Hey, you wanna go get a milkshake with me after this?" He whispered.
"With Sam and Otto?" She questioned.
"We can invite them too if you want to, or just us." A tear slid down her cheek before she even realised she had lost her fight in keeping her tears at bay. "I'm sorry Reg, I didn't mean to upset you."
Reggie reached up to touch her cheeks, realising they were wet with tears. "Sorry." Her voice was broken and she tried her best to just breathe. "Can it just be us?" She whispered wiping at the tears.
"Yeah... yeah of course, whatever you want, Regina. I just want to make you happy."
Twister wished she didn't look at him in such shock every time he'd say things like that to her but here she was again, staring at him like he was crazy for even thinking she deserved happiness. The tears were streaming down her face now and nothing could stop them. She stood up and quickly ran out of the room ignoring the teacher calling out to her.
"Hey, Mrs Paed, Regina is feeling really sick, can I go make sure she gets to the nurses station okay?" Twister asked, he was already on his feet before she had answered, decided he didn't really care if she said no.
But Mrs Paed nodded. "Go."
Twister headed after her instantly, he didn't want to lose her by waiting any longer, she was fast. He left the music room but he didn't have to go far, she was sitting on the floor against the wall, forehead resting on her knees as she cried. Twister crouched down in front of her. "Hey, Reg, let's go okay?"
Reggie lifted her head to look at him through watery eyes. "Go?"
Twister nodded softly. "Let's just go." He stood up and held his hand out for her. "You don't need anyone see you right now, let me take you."
Reggie stared at him for a moment, he was giving her the smallest smile, waiting for her to take a hold of his hands. She reached out and took his hand and in one swift gentle movement he pulled her to her feet and into a hug. His arms wrapping around her in a secure manner but still so gentle. Reggie wrapped her arms around him and cried, she couldn't not, she loved this boy. Twister knew he had to move so he pulled her up into his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist, burring her face into his neck. He made sure there were no eyes on them as he carried her out of the school and out to his car.
"Thank you, Maurice." She spoke so softly.
"Anything for you, Regina."