Chapter 15

Embarrassment ran to my cheeks with a heat similar to the way Shuichi's hands were wrapped around my wrists, I didn't want either. I knew who that voice belonged to although I wished I didn't as I felt my head slowly turn towards him in slow motion. "Your what?" A voice growled back towards him as I glanced up at Shuichi. He pushed himself closer, lines of yellow flashing throughout his eyes.

"That girl right there," Vincent paused looking as if he had the utmost confidence as he pointed towards me, "Is my fiance." Vincent growled back.

"I've never seen you around, so I'm sorry if I can't just agree to such details." Shuichi's tone seemed bitter and unusual.

Vincent's glare protruded a crossed the space, "It doesn't even look like you're friends from this angle." Vincent intimidated. Shuichi's grip loosened.

"Are you a kidnapper? I mean what else could that kind of proclamation mean in this century?" Shuichi was attempting to counter Vincent who only smiled back towards him.

"That she's my fiance." Vincent gave him a winning smile, as if there was an underlying argument that I couldn't quite grasp.

"Wouldn't that be you, perv? To me it looks like you're attempting to take advantage of her." Vincent's frown returned walking closer.

Shuichi sent me a pitiful glance, letting go of my wrists, purple lining the sides of them. My body shivered as I scrutinized Shuichi, feeling alone and betrayed.

"Oh you're going to be late to your next class, don't want your teaching marking you late on your first day now do you?" Shuichi sent him a fake smile.

"Isabel, come with me." Vincent growled outstretching his hand. I glanced between my wrists, Vincent's hand, and the newspaper. What would it mean if I left now?

That I was afraid of Shuichi?

That I was the arsonist that burnt down the school? That I had meant to let them burn? The tears crusted their way onto my face leaving their after trials.

I grabbed Vincent's hand, letting him pull me along back towards my classroom.

"I'll pick you up this weekend." Shuichi sighed his eyes darting away, seemingly considering the situation that had just gone down.

"She's not going anywhere with you arrogant bastard." Vincent growled tightening his hand on mine as he led us down the hall. "Psychotic bastard." He continued, various other curses under his breath.

I tugged on Vincent's sleeve, "That was my fault. He found out about something I wasn't ready to tell anyone."

Vincent swung around, hands reaching for me before putting them down in consideration of the situation that he had just witnessed, "That's no reason to treat anyone like that. I'm sure he should've asked you your circumstances before becoming a psychopath." Vincent lectured as I nodded.

Shuichi didn't return to class, nor did the teacher mention his lack of returning, but I did receive the various scowls from students and curious glances from others. While also hearing the whisperings of the possibility that we were dating and must've gone through some harsh break-up, he was the one that demanded my attention after all.

I met Vincent at the door watching as his furious glare darted throughout the classroom. There was no way he didn't know by now that Shuichi was in my class. "I'll walk you home. That ignorant freak can stay far away." He hissed.

I shook my head, every fiber of my being ushering me to speak up for Shuichi, he wasn't like that. It was as though something was wrong with him, I wanted to defend him, I wanted to speak up for him. "He's not usually like that." I whispered, Vincent's eye twitched.

"Usually?" I felt my heart pulse understanding the meaning.

"No, I mean he's never done that before. Something was definitely wrong." I stuttered the words out struggling to defend him. My entire being was begging to defend Shuichi, but with one glance at my wrists I knew that Vincent wouldn't be listening to the words I was saying.

Vincent walked me home in silence, the squeak of the gate opening was louder then the noise he was making. "Vincent? He was my friend." I whispered wondering what I would achieve from talking about it.

Vincent shook his head, "The keyword is was. He's probably cracked by society. Tell me you haven't given him a good look lately?"

"I don't understan-"

"That's the point. His hands have several knife cuts on them, his uniform has various scratches on it, I couldn't believe how unkempt he was. That guy's dangerous. Stay away from him, you'll die."

I shook my head, Vincent didn't understand. "He was the person I could rely on when I got here."

"Isabel." Vincent whispered, I attempted to meet his pitying gaze, "See you tomorrow."

I pushed my way into the house, uncontrollable emotions swirling within my chest.

"And he asked me out!" Elizabeth's voice squealed from the kitchen as Aunt Anna jumped up and down from joy.

"I'm so proud of you! When's your date?" Aunt Anna's voice asked.

"Tomorrow at 8!" Elizabeth shrieked.

Betrayal was still running through my chest. I felt a terrible rise of coveting, jealousy, and envy towards Elizabeth. It had been a long while since I had had a single moment of happiness with my own mother and here she was celebrating with her mother.

I grinded my teeth and ran up the stairs. I swung my door open suppressing tears not even questioning the image in front of me: Youko.

He looked up from one of the books I had brought with me dropping it to the floor and outstretching his arms towards me. I ran towards him pressing my head into his chest.

"Youko...These feeling what are they?" I whispered my hand reaching up towards me face as he pulled me into his lap, gently stroking my hair.

"They're part of being alive." Youko whispered softly. I didn't want to upset him too, I struggled to place a smile onto my face, "Stop that charade, emotions are part of being alive."