-Location: Blacksburg Time: 11:24 am POV: 'Amber'-
If one were to mention 'Amber Porter' in the small town of Blacksburg, you'd get a mix of responses. The majority would give a scowl. A small stream of profanities or lecture on 'the embodiment of what's wrong with this generation.' following after. Still, you might just get a smile or a sad expression. This response was little to none, however, and aggression had been attached to the very name.
For example, the lady in the principal office right now probably thinks she's the spawn of satan.
With a sigh, Amber leaned into the palm of her hand and watched the insanity unfold before her.
"Do you know what your daughter has done to my poor Hector's face?!" The woman all but screeched. "And his broken arm too! How do you expect him to play football now?"
Amber rolled her eyes when her rambling continued. Mrs. What's her face was overreacting. Sure, his face was pretty messed up. Bloody nose, black eye but it wasn't as if she had broken his nose or dislocated his jaw. Also, his arm wasn't even broken! Sprained, ok yea it was definitely sprained but that would be healed in what? Like a week?
"Yes, I know Mrs." The tired and perturbed voice of Amber's father echoed. "We are very sorry. My wife, myself, and my daughter."
'No, you aren't, and neither am I'
If anything my father was pissed off that I had gotten in trouble again. Even more, so that it was because of a fight.
"I don't care about your apologies," She wailed, tears beginning to form. "Can't you see what your daughter has done to my poor baby."
Amber now knew for a fact the lady was being dramatic. If your son didn't want to get beaten into a pulp maybe he shouldn't have been picking on the freshmen. He could have just gotten by with a simple warning, but of course, the guy was a complete idiot. She asked him once, he laughed at her. She asked him twice, he told her to fuck off. She asked a third time, and he called her an ugly bitch. Pretty sure that was the breaking point, but Amber could have been wrong. All she remembered seeing was red, and a little girl wailing for mercy.
Oh wait, that was him.
She couldn't help but smile, whether it helped the situation or not. Probably didn't, with the bangs that cast foreboding shadows over her features. From the corner of her eye, Amber could see every living being in the room sending her disapproving looks.
'Hey, guess I was right.'
"While I believe Hector isn't as injured as you say Mrs."
Helicopter Mom gasped in horror.
"Amber's actions are beyond inappropriate. Over the past month, she has been in six fights on campus. God knows how many more outside."
"Fifteen," Amber and her father said simultaneously. The principal nearly choked on his coffee.
"You were wondering." Amber shrugs.
"Yes, but that's not the point Amber." He turned to Copter Mom. "That is all, Hector and you can leave now."
"But you haven't given her a punishment," She crossed her arms.
The principle sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "She shall be punished, you can count on that. But this is a discussion I can only have with her and her parents. So leave."
Instead of continuing to argue, she huffed and jerked out of the chair. Hector's hand was caught in her death-like grip, making him wince, and dragged out the door. After a vibrating slam, the principle turned back to us.
"Amber this has gone way too far."
"Really," she laughed "In my opinion, I don't think they've gone far enough."
"Enough Amber!" My father snapped. The teen bit her tongue and turned the other direction. The man in front of them sighed once more.
"Now onto another issue."
"It's her grades isn't it?" My father ground out from behind his hands. No surprise to the dark-haired girl, this was becoming a daily conversation for them. Actually, scratch that, this was one of the only conversations they ever had.
'Today must be 'bring out the bad in Amber day' or something. Do I at least get a lollipop for dealing with this bullshit?'
"Yes. You see, she is now not only failing two classes but five." Her father's hands became tense, close to the point of breaking the armrest into splintering pieces. "If this continues I'm afraid we're going to have to hold Amber back."
"Could you at least not talk like I'm not here?" She sunk deeper into her chair.
"I understand. We've been hiring tutors for her, but none of them have done any good. Let alone stay for long." '
'Guess not.' The girl ground her teeth. The rest of the conversation was drowned out, her thoughts and eyes wandering elsewhere. What was the point in listening to the same old thing over and over again?
Out of instinct, she found herself looking out the rain-splattered window. A relaxed smile curled along her face, and suddenly, all other worries disappeared. It had that kind of effect on Amber.
The rain was falling harder than usual that early Thursday morning. It drenched the sidewalk and flooded the streets. Gave the trees and flowers a well-deserved drink. Pushed civilians back into the warmth of their homes through its cold touches and frightening thunder. A dangerous beauty that she couldn't help but love. The rain tinged the sky in grey and the earth in shadows. It hid her footsteps, drowned out the soft thump of her heart, and masked her presence from prying eyes. Yes, the rain was the perfect ally for someone like her.
The smile flattered when Amber's father stood up. Dragged back to reality, she noticed the hard look he was giving her. She sighed and stood up as well. After the principal dismissed them with a curt nod, the two made their way to Blacksburg High's deserted hallways. Not a word was spoken.
"So?" she chuckled after a pregnant pause.
"This needs to stop Amber." The blunt statement made her flinch. Instead of answering, Amber studied the dips and crevices the floor provided. She could feel his eyes burn into the side of her skull. "I'm dead serious." He stopped walking. She did the same, still not looking at him.
"I want to...but-"
"But nothing," he grabbed either of her shoulders, forcing them to look eye to eye. "Amber, you are playing a very dangerous game right now. And if you don't stop now you're just going to keep spiraling deeper, and deeper into it till there's no way to back out." His tone grew soft. "I just want to keep you safe Amber...You understand right?"
Of course, She understood. It wasn't as if her father's claims didn't make any sense. The fights, the dangerous stunts, the sneaking out, the failing grades. Every one of them was a thin wire she dared to walk upon. Yet, just like her father said, sooner or later she was going to fall. Then what? Would she be able to rise up, or continue to drown? Descending farther, and farther, till she'd end up where she first started. It was alright though. It was her own fault that she acted like this. Maybe Amber could be a better student, a better daughter, and a better person. Amber could be popular. Amber could be smart. Amber could be loved. Amber could be perfect. Amber could be anything she wanted to be. Though, what was the point in trying to be those at all? Either way,
"Ya, I understand dad…"
She'd be only pretending.
-Location: Blacksburg Time: 3:05 pm POV: 'Amber'-
"What do you mean you're grounded for a month!"
Well, she was going to go deaf…
Amber let out a groan and rubbed the bridge of her nose."Calm down Cass, and will you tone it down a notch. I swear all of China could have heard you."
It was the end of the day, and truthfully, Amber wasn't up for more yelling. Her dad had her finish the school day and seems news got around to the teachers. They had purposely made her day a living hell for the fight she caused 'our football prodigy, Hector.' Her bubble blond friend, on the other hand, pursed her lips in dissatisfaction. Those baby blue eyes narrowing dangerously low.
Cassandra Jupit was a small, doll-like girl. Her skin was pale and smooth, while her golden hair was a series of perfect, bouncy, ringlets. Lips a soft shade of pink, and eyes bright like a warm summer's sky. While the embodiment of perfection, she also wasn't cruel and tended to be very innocent. Sometimes too innocent. Amber had to protect her from many dangerous situations before, as well as answer one too many awkward questions she'd rather not. A little dense, and overly stereotypical, the teen still questioned how they even became friends. Cassandra, the smart, beautiful girl, and Amber, the dangerous, typical rebel. Not the most common due one would hear. Although, Cass wasn't always so timid.
"Shut up, and answer the question."
Like now for example.
"I got into a fight ok," Amber sighs, "Listen, I'm really sorry that I ruined our plans to hang out tonight, but I promise to make it up to you." Cassandra crossed her arms and huffed loudly.
"Oh really?" She raised a brow. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
The taller girl smirked. Reaching into her backpack, Amber pulled out five brightly colored tickets.
"How about five Kimi concert tickets for you and Jake." She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at the male's name.
Cass had a crush on the teen since freshman year, and Amber was pretty sure he felt the same feelings. Yet, neither one of the idiots wanted to make a move. So, Amber decided she could give them a little push, all while stopping Cass from chewing her ass off. Girl was worse than Amber's own mother.
The blond's mouth dropped in disbelief. While she blushed at Jake's name she didn't jump on it. "How, when, what!" She yanked the tickets out of Ambers's hand.
"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" she hummed. Cass sent Amber and her cocky smile a disapproving look.
"For now." She hung her head, "But!" She jumped up, her eyes lit up with fire once more. "You need to stop getting into so much trouble, Amber. You do know colleges look at this kind of stuff!"
She rolled my eyes. "Yes, mother."
The smaller girl balled her fist together and opened her mouth to retaliate. She wouldn't be able to as another figure caught her attention. Glancing over her shoulder, Amber all but choked on my own saliva. Waltzing her pretty little butt to them was none other than Jenna Hill. The she-demon in the flesh.
Cass caught onto Amber's change in attitude and nudged her side. A clear sign that she should 'behave herself' and 'try to act civil.' Amber growled but obliged.
"Hey Jenna," Cass said ever so politely.
"Hey, Cassandra, what's up!"
Amber had to stop herself from retching. No matter how she spoke, Jenna's voice always sounded so sickeningly sweet, to the point that it was like listening to nails against a chalkboard. Wait, no, that would be hurtful to the nails. Her voice was worse than nails on a chalkboard.
Continuing to ignore Amber's presence, the teen spoke again. "So are you going to the party tonight?"
'Party?' Amber's brows furrowed out of confusion, but Cass soon answered her question.
"Well since Amber and my plans have been canceled, dad will probably want me to go with him tonight." At the mention of her father, Amber knew instantly they were talking about a business party. She rolled my eyes and fell onto her back, head resting on top of her crossed arms.
"Sounds super fun," She said sarcastically. "Must have been hard to choose between hanging out at Magee's with me, or your dad's business party hu?"
"Amber…" Cass warned.
"It really was, but it looks like the decision was made for her," Jenna smirked and narrowed her eyes. "It's a shame you had to go and get in trouble again hu?"
Amber's body went tense. Bitch wanted a fight, she'd get one. In one fluid motion, the rebel rolled up and away from the ground and brought her face mere inches from the other girls.
"Ya, quite a shame isn't it?" she cracked her knuckles, a smile daring to appear. "Want to find out how I got grounded."
Jenna's pride refused to let her back down, but Amber could still see a flash of fear behind those brown eyes. And boy, did she love that look. It caused a small spark inside her to ignite into a flame. A flame that craved more of that same look, until it was a roaring fire. Untamable, and unstoppable.
Cassandra's hand gripped her shoulder, pulling Amber back to her side.
"You don't need to get into any more trouble than you already are." She scolded. "And Jenna, thanks for being so welcoming since my father was hired into the corporation. It's nice to have a new friend but," Cass frown deepened, "I'd really appreciate it if you didn't taunt my best friend like that."
Jenna's face contorted to an angry scowl. Then, looking at Amber, she let out a scoff and crossed her arms in distaste.
"Sorry, I'll try to be nicer. However, why you hang out with her will forever be a mystery. I hope you'll reconsider your choice of friends Cassandra." Jenna glared at Amber. "This stray is nothing but bad news."
Out of spite, said girl let out a low growl and hissed angrily at the teen. Jenna flinched back, a mixture of horror and disgust written all over her face.
"Thank you, but I like my friends."
Jenna shrugged her shoulders. Then, with a wave of her hand, she walked away.
Cupping her hands around her mouth, Amber took a deep breath and shouted at the top of her lungs.
"All hail professor Vin. Our great savior and leader."
"Amber," Cassandra screeched.
Jenna whipped back around, mouth hanging open in disbelief. She didn't retaliate. Instead, she gritted her teeth and continued her march back home. A series of profanities and curses following after her.
Amber grinned, a small chuckle vibrating in her chest. A smack to the head wiped it clear off. Bent over and clutching the back of her head, the teen let out a few profanities of her own. "What the actual fuck. The hell was that for Cass."
"You know exactly what that was for. You provoke her just as much as she does you." The bubbly blond placed a hand against her hip and jutted it to one side. An attempt to look both intimidating, and sassy. Wasn't working too well, since she looked more like a ticked off kitten then a roaring lioness.
"Ya, ya, I know."
A loud honk caught their attention, both realizing it was Cassandra's own mother pulling up.
"Impeccable timing." She muttered, then turned back to Amber. "See you later Amber, and please try to keep out of trouble."
She might have made some kind of snarky comment, but the small pout and look of worry on the other girl's face caused Amber to do otherwise. So she waved her hand in a dismissive manner and looked the other way. "Don't worry, it's not like I'm going anywhere while grounded. Parents are making sure of that."
"As they should." She huffed. The pout transformed into a radiant smile. "Just keep thinking about your freedom next month, and it's nearing winter break. Meaning annual cheesy Christmas movie night/sleepover, that should keep you in place for some time."
Amber scoffed. "Sure, like that's gonna stop me." She reached out and placed a hand on those curly locks. Ruffling them a bit, she smiled. "Now get going twirp, your mom's waiting."
"I know that,!" She snapped, then proceeded to smooth it down a bit. "And stop treating me like such a child. Just because I'm shorter than you, doesn't mean you're older."
"I'll stop it when you do, hypocrite." Amber laughed.
Cassandra stuck her tongue out, before running away. The laughter of her own following the blond.
As the car disappeared around the corner, Amber's smile flattered. "Reid Corp," she muttered. "Seems no matter where I go, that name follows me everywhere…" A gust of wind sent her hair into a crazed frenzy, nipping against her cheeks. Amber looked at the sky. Dark clouds began to form, promising the return of the raging storm. The trees bent and twirled under the wind's unrelenting push. All the while, birds and animals scurried away in a hurried manner. Their innocent eyes seeing something we humans could not.
Cracking thunder quickly joined them, like a warning signal to this little town. Cold and unnerving, the scene settled uneasily in the pit of Amber's stomach. It seemed her dear friend, the rain, was trying to tell her something. Amber pushed the feeling away. Whatever was to come couldn't be worse than what she was already in.