Chapter 3: The Decision
It was nearly the end of lunch now. I've been up here for forty-five minutes. The crowds haven't disappeared, but instead grown. News must've travelled round that I had been pranked into coming up here and now refused to come down. Johnny had tried and failed talking some sense into me. Holly was in a right flap, near tears. If anything, I was sorely tempted to come down just to comfort her, my sisterly protective gene kicking in pretty quickly. But I stayed put, convincing myself that Ray was doing a good job comforting her. It was Enrique's turn to try and talk me into coming back down. I was ignoring him. And it was pissing him off. But I'm pretty stubborn, and if Johnny hasn't gotten me down, then I doubt anyone else could.
Funnily enough, Kai hasn't actually tried talking to me yet. He simply watched me with a calm face, his auburn eyes staring right through me. It was unnerving. But I had my flute to keep me pre-occupied.
At the moment I'm playing the chorus of "Easier To Run" by Linkin Park. It's probably one of my favourite tracks on their latest album.
'God, Cass, can't you at least listen to me!?' Enrique snapped, finally losing any patience.
I stopped playing and stared at him. 'Sorry, what were you saying?' I asked politely. Enrique blinked, threw his hands into the air dramatically and yelled 'I give up! It's no use!', before whirling around and stomping off. Kara went after him, speaking to him quietly. Those two are really close; best friends. If anyone can calm him down it's Kara. I hate doing this to my mates but I have to get the point across. I was hurt, big time. I when I'm hurt, I lash out. I force others to listen to me.
I returned to my flute, letting my eyes drift close and losing myself to the music. In fact, I was so lost in the music I didn't hear anything else. To my expense, I found out. When I opened my eyes, I found myself staring into auburn eyes.
Kai was sitting right next to me, his elbows resting on his knees; slate hair falling into his auburn eyes.
We stared at each other for several seconds, but to me it seemed like an eternity. His eyes searching out my green ones, all emotion hidden. There was nothing but us, and for an entire second I lost all control on my thoughts, my feelings. If he had asked me to come down, I would've followed him like a puppy. If he had asked to jump off this beam, I would've...
I closed my eyes briefly, getting in control again, scolding myself for that collapse in my system. When my eyes opened again, he hadn't moved...but he was smiling. A small smile, a smile that stole my heart.
'You sure know how to get attention.'
'I'm not doing this for attention.' I replied, my voice firm. My mind was in jumbles, scattered and random thoughts whizzing around my head. What's wrong with me?
'I know you aren't. I think you're right to point out that you're not just a body. Never judge a book by its covers.'
I stared at him, eyebrows raised.
He shook his head, sighing. 'You're upsetting Holly. You're upsetting all of us. I think I know who did this. Will you come down if I got him to own up? Cos I don't like seeing Johnny that angry. It happens to be very nerve-wracking. You don't know when he's gonna blow up.'
I felt guilty. Majorly guilty. 'I'm sorry. I don't want to upset anyone, save perhaps Amber, but that's not the point. If...if you get the guy who did this to own up, I'll come down.'
Kai smiled again. God, I think I'm turning to mush. I sighed, reached into my bag and scribbled down a message to Holly.
"STOP! Don't be upset, please!!! I'm really sorry I'm upsetting you but I gotta do this. Besides, you know I'm not stupid enough to jump off this piece of wood. Jeez, what d'you take me for? I'll be okay, I promise. Love you sis."
I folded it up and handed it to Kai. 'Give this to Holly.' I told him, 'And tell Johnny to chill.'
Kai nodded and wandered back down the timber beam, sliding easily down the rope. I watched as a frantic Holly and all my other friends approached him. I sighed, lying down and leaving my leg to dangle over the edge. My hands lay under my head, keeping it from the rough wood. I lay there, staring at the high ceiling that was now only five feet away, and heaved a deep sigh.
'Lils.' A soft voice fluttered up the vast space between me and the floor, my special nickname that only Johnny used reaching my ears. I'm surprised I heard it with the racket from the crowd echoing in the huge gym. I rolled over onto my side, propping up my elbow and resting my head against my hand as I looked over the edge and saw Johnny staring up at me with his mysterious violet eyes.
It was like seeing him for the first time really. He stood out like a solitary figure among half the school students in the gym, his fiery red hair flopping messily into his eyes. His eyes. A deep and mysterious violet that one could lose themselves in, swirling with hidden feelings and desires. They were so dark now, glimmering not with anger, but with a deep sadness and fear. And they were staring right through me, seeing the very depths of my soul, somehow unlocking the key to my being and letting loose a whole load of things I hadn't even known were there. Feelings I hadn't noticed before, desires I hadn't wanted, needed. But then my breath hitched in my throat and my heart rammed against my chest when I felt a sudden desire to have Johnny's arms around me, holding me close to him, his lips on mine.
It was wrong. Wrong on so many levels. Johnny was my best friend, my closest. He was practically my backbone, my rock. Our minds and feelings knew each other so goddamn well, there was nothing left that wouldn't've been noticed. To get physical...
'Lils, promise me, promise me you'll come down when Kai's got the guy who did this.'
His voice was so sad, filled with anxiety that no one else could've caught. Physical...with Johnny...I just couldn't...
'I promise.' I honestly felt like crying then. Seeing Johnny so angry, upset, it was as horrible as watching Holly bawl her eyes out over someone who had hurt her.
Johnny nodded, with some relief, before scowling in the direction of Kai. He was heading back towards us, frowning, tugging Amber's hand as he practically dragged her through the crowds. They stopped next to Johnny, and Kai began prodding her slightly, hissing something in her ear. This was quite weird, I gotta tell ya, since Kai is always gentle with girls, a bit cold, yes, but usually tries to avoid being hurtful. Kai is usually muttering sweet nothings into a girl's ear, not prodding them and-
'Alright, alright, I don't know why you're uptight about it anyway.' Amber sighed, before looking up to me. I stared at her, confused. 'Willow, I have to admit, it was me. I stole your flute out of your locker and got Kane to stick it up there. I'm awfully sorry.'
'You broke her wrist for god's sake!' Mrs. Jackson, our Head Mistress, screamed. I slumped in the uncomfortable plastic chair while I listened to her waffle on. '...climbing school buildings...awfully dangerous...begging for attention...unprovoked attack on another student...quite defenceless Miss Trendson was too...you know she's not as strong as you...'
'Look, Mrs Jackson, let's get a couple of things straight here.' I cut in, annoyed. 'Firstly, I was pranked none other by Amber Trendson into climbing up to the timber beam since she and Kane stuck my flute up there in the first place. Secondly, she didn't seem awfully sorry about it to me, and was quite patronising about it, so I reckon it was a provoked attack. I was angry, my friends were upset and my sister was in hysterics by then. And lastly, Amber's not as weak as you think! She landed a few punches herself, where d'you think the bruises are from?!'
Mrs Jackson was silent. For about two seconds, I reckon. A record if you ask me.
'Those bruises could come from the boys you hang around with. I wouldn't be surprised, being best friends with McGregor and Volkov. Nasty pieces of work they are.' She snarled. It was then I lost my cool.
'Don't you dare say that about Johnny and Tala. You have no idea what goes on in their head!' I shrieked, jumping to my feet.
'Oh ho, I don't do I? I've put up with them for five long years and what I've seen isn't very impressive! No wonder your sister's been caught in this teenage whirlwind of yours. What a bright girl too, with loads of potential, but in the end, it'll be you and those boys dragging her down!' she spat, her dirty blonde hair crackling with anger. Her hazel eyes were narrowed in sheer hatred. Hey, I've never been her favourite.
'You cow.' I said slowly, breathing deeply in hope my anger would bubble down somehow. 'What Holly does with her life has nothing to do with anyone else. I want her to do well; I've always wanted her to do well. You're right; she's got great potential. But, never ever say that I'm dragging her down.' I snarled, before whirling around on my heel and storming from the room.
'TWO WEEKS DETENTION MISS TATE! MCGREGOR WILL PROBABLY BE JOINING YOU, KNOWING THAT IDIOT!!' Mrs Jackson yelled at my retreating back as I hurtled through the reception area and out into the playground. It took all my will power to not go back and break some more bones.
As I stormed across the playground to the science block, I had managed to miss someone I've always considered impossible to miss. His large hand snatched my wrist, whirling me around. I was just about to sock him one when I realised who it was.
'Oh, Johnny, didn't see you there!' I said rather breathlessly, trying to cover my anger.
'There was me thinking that was impossible! You've bruised my ego badly now.' Johnny grinned. God, is he physic? I swear I was just thinking that a minute ago!!
'Uh huh. I'm sure it'll inflate again in 2.5 seconds.' I replied, rolling my eyes at him.
'Correction. 1.7 seconds.' Johnny corrected cheekily. You know what? Mrs. Jackson is right- I probably will be seeing him in detention at some point, but I guess that's why I love him, the cheeky bastard.
'Whatever. Why aren't you in class? Bunking the last lesson are we?' I asked him with raised eyebrows, knowing the answer before I had even asked the question.
'Double French can be soul-destroying.' Johnny told me.
I groaned in sympathy. 'Tell me about. I'm so glad I ditched it last year and instead joined Holly in Spanish. Did I mention I have Spanish ancestors?'
'Yes, Cass, you did mention it. Twice now.'
'Did I? Oh okay, where you heading now anyway? You can't hang around here, someone on patrol might catch ya.'
'Oh, just thinking of heading out to the park. You know, watch the golden leaves fall from their branches...' I knew what he was doing. He knows how much I love autumn, with its gorgeous gold and red colours...
'Okay, let's go then.' I grinned, looping my arm through his and leading him to the low brick wall where the security cameras couldn't see us and the wall was low enough to climb over, while Johnny laughed cheerfully and roughly kissed my head.
Did I mention that Johnny could succeed in getting me to do whatever he wanted? It's a rare gift, since I'm pretty strong minded and independent. But all he has to do is pout at me and look all sad and upset and I cave in.
Yes, I am officially losing it.
Yet while we walked through the park in comfortable silence, with his arm around my shoulder and me leaning into him happily, I couldn't help but not be surprised that half the school reckon we've got some secret passionate relationship going on. If some girl is bitching about Johnny, I'd probably punch her. Once a boy was making moves on me, moves that could totally land him behind bars for sexual assault. There had been nothing I could do: I was drunk, my co-ordination wasn't that great and I was drained from dancing too much. And I was scared. But Johnny had known there was something wrong, even when people told him to forget about it and I was probably just "doing some harmless making out". But they were wrong, and Johnny knew from the way I was pushed non-willingly from the main room into a bedroom. I remember...being so scared, his harsh lips on my skin and...his hands up my skirt...then he was pulled off me. I had fallen to the floor whimpering while Johnny gave him a reason to go into hospital, before gathering me up and taking me back to his place.
It's only been a month since then. It was during summer. A summer I'd never forget. But more importantly, it was the night Johnny and I became so close, even our friends began to wonder.
I sighed as we sat down beneath an oak tree, still refusing to let him go.
'Hey, what's up?' he murmured, sensing my sudden rush of emotion.
'Just...just thinking about...what happened...'
'...in the summer?' I nodded. 'Hey, Lils, he was a bastard. Besides, you got me, don't ya?'
I laughed. 'Yeah...I got you...its just that what he thought of me, is exactly what everyone in that school thinks of me. You saw what happened at lunch. But, y'know, it could happen again.'
'No way.' He stated with determination. 'There's no fuckin' way I'm letting that ever happen to you again.'
I smiled as he tightened his hold on me, pulling me onto his lap and kissing the top of my head.
'Thanks. You'll always be my number one guy.'
'What about Max?'
'Uh...don't tell him that...!' I said sheepishly, grinning up at him. He laughed, his violet eyes dancing.
'By the way...can I have a kiss now?'
'No.'
'Damn.'
I laughed at the face he had pulled at me. I love the way he can make me laugh and be generally happy in two seconds flat. That is what I call talent.
I stood up, stretching out my cramped muscles, before offering Johnny a hand. He took it, I pulled him up but he was quite heavy so I managed to slip on the crunchy golden leaves.
'Oh!' I said as the ground rushed up to meet me. I suddenly felt a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me up gently.
'You klutz.' Johnny said, setting me upright while I shook off the dizziness. I grinned sheepishly at him.
'Thanks.'
'No probs.' He replied carelessly, as if he swept girls off their feet every day. Okay, maybe that's being a little dramatic.
'Okay, school finished like an hour ago...where did the time go?' Johnny said, frowning at his watch.
'Flew out the window.' I replied.
'I don't see any windows.' He said stupidly, as he pretended to look around for a window and scratched the back of his head as though he was puzzled. If anyone else had done that, I would say it was childish. But Johnny, jeez, he could just about get away with anything where I'm concerned.
'Oh, really?' I said, playing along. 'Well, watcha know, neither do I.'
'Hmm...interesting that. So begins operation window!' he grinned at me, bouncing down the path and pulling me along as I laughed my head off at his childish antics.
Damn, what would I do without him?
'Where have you been!?' Holly snarled at me, as soon we got to my place, since Johnny had given me a lift on his motorbike.
'What, I'm not allowed to spend time after school with my best friend anymore?' I said, raising an eyebrow at her.
'No, it's a matter of whether I know where you are or not, dumbass!' Holly replied scathingly. Hey, did I miss something? Holly is never this sensitive about things like this anymore. Something is totally wrong.
'Holly, what is wrong with you?' I asked, concerned.
'Yeah, Holly, what's the matter?' Johnny added.
'Nothing!'
And with that, she stormed off into our room.
'Maybe she has the monthly curse?' Johnny suggested, noticing that I had a worried look playing on my facial features.
'No, she gets it a week after mine, and mine's only just started.' I replied off-handily.
'Explains a lot.' Johnny muttered.
I threw him a look. It was a good look too. Any one else would've backed off pretty fast, but Johnny barely batted an eyelid. Humph.
'Well, I'll let her calm down a bit before talking to her.' I sighed, turning back to the redhead beside me. 'Johnny, have you, um, actually told anyone about what happened at the party last month?'
'Not counting my mother, no.'
I knew Johnny had told his mother since it was her that had taken care of all my bruises and cuts.
I nodded. 'It's just that, I don't think I could stand all the boys checking every guy who flirts with me.'
'Understandable.' He replied shortly, and I knew we didn't need any more words.
There was silence for several minutes.
'Willow,' Johnny finally said, a serious look on his face. Uh oh, did I do something wrong? 'I've been thinking.'
About what? What!?
'Yes...?'
'What happened today, at lunch. You hate the fact you got such a bad rep. I think you need to change it. And there's only one way how.'
'Uh huh...that would be...?'
'You need to get yourself into a proper relationship.'
My jaw dropped. The thought, the sheer thought, of being with someone for longer than a week was weird: I don't do long term boyfriends. It was too complicated. It was tough. And your feelings and emotions were always in the way.
'Oh, yeah, and where am I gonna find a guy I won't be tempted to cheat on, huh?' I finally asked.
'You don't look. He's sitting right in front of you.'
Oh...my...god...oh...my...god...oh...my...god...
'I'm not saying you have to Cass,' he said quickly, probably having seen my totally surprised look. 'It's just that, we know each other really well, so we haven't got any problems there. And I'm fed up with girl's hitting on me cos of my rep and looks.'
I was silent. My mind mulled over the proposition he had made. It was so tempting...just to have him touch me...properly...
'You don't have to Cass.' Johnny repeated quietly.
'Can I get back to you?' I asked, well, more like whispered. 'I...I gotta think this through...if I can handle it...I'll tell at school tomorrow, promise.'
'That's cool. I'll see you tomorrow.' He said, quickly kissing my cheek and walking out. I sat there, in a daze, my fingers gingerly touching my cheek where he had kissed me. And I made my mind up.
Johnny was mine.
Well, there you go. A lil twist no less. So, what did you think? Liked it? I reckon Willow was being a little too heavy in this chapter and the end of the last one. Must lighten up the mood. Anyways, keep reviewing guys! And thanx for the reviews!
Ciao
Chiya