When I arrived at school the next morning, all I could see was Marie, one of her blue fringes shining in the morning sun. She was standing near the evergreens, which lined part of the school, with coniferous trees along the pathways. I figured Eddward wasn't around yet, so I approached her.
She was giggling. I opened my mouth to speak when she turned, her eyes casting an evil glint as her smile shone wide.
"Kevy dearie, we've been waiting for you!"
She grinned ear to ear, voice dark, grabbing my shoulder before I could speak and pulling me back behind the evergreens. Cackling, hopped away, eyes peering everywhere but the darkness between the trees.
Still staring at her, I didn't notice the other person behind me, until a dark figure stepped in front of me. I barely had time to react as I was shoved back, hard, against the wall of the school. A hand was behind my head, cradling it to protect it from injury as two dark, stormy eyes caught mine. My breath, what little I had left after the impact, hitched.
He kissed me, hard and fast, only slowing as he parted, my lip still nipped between his for a moment as he pulled away. I was breathless, flushed, and dazed, all in a manner of seconds, but from the looks of it, that was exactly what he wanted.
"Mon Petit Rouge...tu me manques," he spoke softly, a predator in his voice, "ah, that expression...so rewarding."
I blushed darker, taking a moment to catch my breath, "...Damn Edd, you didn't have to...jeeze. And what was with that French? Yeah, I heard that, what was it?"
He tilted his head, a playful smile on his lips, "Tu me manques, mon cher. Parles vous."
I narrowed my eyes at him, fumbling things around in my head, "Tu me man...ques...uh, and that last bit was just you telling me to talk, right? I remember once when you said..."
"Oui, Little Red. I," he looked down for a moment, "I..." His eyes met mine, the hand from behind my head slipping down to cradle my chin, "I missed you."
"I, uh," I looked down, away from his piercing gaze, "I...missed you too..." The last three words barely crept past my lips, my embarrassment holding me back. My lips were quickly caught in another kiss, albeit a more gentle one, before Eddward backed away.
His eyes were soft and kind, his smile fading back into his hidden, thin line. I sighed contentedly, stepping forward out of the boughs of the tree.
"Wow, black-eyes, thought you would've lasted a bit longer-Ow!" Marie whinged, rubbing at her arm where Eddward had hit her. I had no idea what she found so funny, or why he was upset.
He scowled at her, "Well, pardon me, Maria, for my chaste endeavor...you insufferable tormentor."
I cocked my head, trying to understand what was going on, "Don't worry hun, I won't tell all the pretty boys that you didn't last long-"
"Marie." He accentuated the word with contempt, as I slowly started to catch the drift.
"Wait, but, he and I didn't..."
"Relax, Red; I'm just teasing ya," she smiled at me, giggling at the frustrated expression on Eddward's face, "I mean, you gotta admit; he's adorable when he gets like this."
My eyes unconsciously flicked over to Eddward, who was donning a slight pout, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Besides, I know nothing's gonna happen un-"
"Marie, please greet Nazz, you obviously have much to talk about. Depart. Adieu." He glared at her for a few moments before she groaned, rolling her eyes as she skulked off.
I tilted my head, "You upset with her?"
His shoulders fell and he sighed exasperatedly, "No more than usual. But, I must admit, her energy is a bit...taxing. And she doesn't seem to understand conversation boundaries at times..." He held his arms, looking down and away.
I gave him a half-smile, "Well, she was right. You're fucking adorable when you're pissy like this."
His eyes widened, and he stuttered out, "L-language, Kevin!"
The red on his cheeks was totally worth it, and that smile?
That smile totally made my day.
"Marie, please do refrain from telling Red about...things." I was embarrassed enough that I had to have Marie procure them for me, I didn't want Red to know I was, well, planning ahead.
She cocked her head, "Oh, what's that? Is Eddward shy about something for once?"
I growled inwardly at her teasing, "Marie," I paused, lowering my voice, "please."
She sighed, "Alright, alright, but you're gonna owe me somehow for getting that stuff for you. You already owe me enough as it is."
I nodded calmly, "More than that, even. Thank you."
I continued walking down the hallway, only to notice Marie had stopped walking beside me. I looked back at her to see a surprised expression upon her face.
"Marie?"
"I'm just...uh...wow. You're welcome, Eddward." She caught up to me, head held high, her smile true. I gave her a curious look, as the bell for the next class rung out. We said our goodbyes, and I mentally reprimanded myself for being late for my first period class once again.
"Ahh, Eddward. Just the boy I wanted to see."
I stopped, blinking momentarily as the voice crept up behind me. I turned my head to look over my shoulder, spying a certain blonde boy with a Cheshire grin sneering in my direction. I did not speak, content to let the cretin approach. I was already late; what was there to lose but my temper?
"Nothing? A shame. I was hoping you'd put up a bit more of a fight before I put you down-"
I cut him off, "Speak, you Preening Coq, I'd rather your pathetic little crow not interrupt my morning much further." My eyes bore into Jamison, but I didn't get so much as a flinch in response.
It took all of my will not to show any surprise as his pitiful giggle sounded out, "Straight to the point, yes, Eddward? Alright, so here's my proposition: you will help me satisfy my father's academic desires of me, and Johnny as well...and in turn, no one will find out about your, well...shall I call them tastes?"
Again, I held my emotions firm, only blinking in response. I did not bite.
"Oh, don't be daft, it's not becoming of a closet twink; no one wants a buffoon, right?"
My frown set, eyes staring through him, "Watch your tongue, Coq."
He didn't react, instead smiling and shaking his head, "You're so childish, thinking yourself immune to social pressures. But you're wasting my time, so let me make this clear: You help me, or these photos will slip into the wrong hands. Capisce?"
As he spoke, he raised several photographs from his pocket, splaying them out before me.
There I was, my head upon Little Red's shoulder, his hand over mine, the day Mother had come to visit. My blood ran cold, and I stilled myself before I did something rash. It was only my calculating nature that kept me from ripping the chain from my pocket and wrapping it around the shameless Coq's neck.
I looked at him, blinking, for several moments. Jamison seemed content to revel in my reaction, slipping the photos back into his pocket.
I swallowed, blinked, and looked away.
The grin was there, in the corner of my eye, "Good boy. Now, don't go tattling, or I might tell Johnny where I put the extras. My next assignment's due Thursday, so please, take your time. Make it look like my work. I'll slip it into your locker later."
His voice slid like light oil down my spine, smooth and coating, with a hint of something deathly ill about it.
"Ciao," he said, waving as he strode past me, the grin on his face putting a fire in my chest.
The flame burned, holding off the darkness so long as the wick held true. When I returned home, however...it would be snuffed out, by memories and reality alike.
Until then, I was alive.
I'm holding off on the rest of the 'day' until next chapter, there's just too much that'll happen, or, well, NOT happen.
And please, forgive the little Coq, we all have our secrets. But only the brave can use power correctly; cowards abuse it.
Until next chapter...the ball has started rolling, my dears. Enjoy.