Disclaimer: I don't own The Covenant.

A/N: Thanks to those who read and reviewed. Italics is a flashback.

Wild Pagan Heart

Chapter 3: You'd Have Me Down On My Knees

"Get your shit off my side of the room!" Kira's shrill, annoying voice yelled first thing in the morning. A week had passed much too quickly since I got back on Spenser ground. Something groaned next to me. Aaron. Forgot about him. Great.

"Aaron. Hi!" she squealed, dropping her luggage immediately when she noticed him. I rolled over and looked at her as she ran to my bedside to hug him. What a perfect start to my Saturday morning. Kira's back form vacation.

Wonderful.

"Get off!" he griped, pushing her away. She pouted and walked away from my bed. Kira knew better then to argue with Aaron about sleeping with other girls. She especially hates when it's me since we've never gotten along. But if she gives him shit, he'll dump her like yesterday's garbage. And she's so hopelessly obsessed with Aaron that I think she'd rather die then lose her chances with him. That is of course, unless Caleb Danvers decided to give her the time of day.

Fsh, yeah right.

"Aaron? Baby can I go with you to the party at the Dell's tonight?" she asked in the most sickeningly sweet voice she could muster.

"Whatever. If you're not downstairs by nine, I'm leaving without you though," he mumbled, completely uninterested and unenthused by her request. He had probably been hoping for a morning quickie, but that wasn't going to be happening now that Kira was here. And hopefully he knew better than to try pitching his threesome idea again.

"Alright. It's just going to be me and you, right?" Kira tried to confirm, glaring at me.

"Don't worry Snider, I'm going with one of my friends," I answered, knowing she was no so subtly hinting at me not going with them.

"Who the hell are you going with?" Aaron snapped, sitting up and looking at me with those stern eyes. I rolled my own eyes.

"None of your damn business." I didn't owe him any explanation, and apparently I wasn't in the mood to sit passively and tell him everything he wanted to hear.

"Yes it is. Who. Is. It?" he demanded to know. Was he really that concerned with Garwin still? Does he really think I would voluntarily go anywhere with him.

"God, its just Melody. Get off my case. You don't own me Aaron." I can't stand his macho bullshit. I don't even know why I put up with him. It's been going on all week.

"Wanna bet?" he challenged me and Kira burst into a fit of laughter. I shot her a glare and rolled out of my bed in nothing but my panties.

"I'm going to the showers," I growled and grabbed some clothes and my shower kit. Wrapping a towel around my body, I exited and made sure to slam the door extra hard behind me. I walked down the hall towards the showers when I bumped shoulders with someone. I turned to apologize, but got caught like a deer in headlights.

"Uh… sorry— Lux?" he questioned, staring at me the same way I was staring at him. What was he even doing here? He doesn't stay in the dorms. I shook my head and turned around, quickly walking towards the showers. I didn't stop when he called after me. No way. I hate him. I hate him more than Garwin. More than anyone.

I don't hate him for the same reasons I don't like Garwin though. I hate Garwin because he's such an obnoxious, self-centered pig.

I loathe him for a completely different reason, the selfish bastard. He ruined my life.

We were sitting in my dorm room. I sat cross-legged on my bed, staring down at my fidgeting hands. He paced back and forth across the room, constantly running his hands roughly through his hair.

"This can't be happening," he said after what seemed like an eternal silence. "Are you lying to me? Is this one of your sick little mind games?"

"No! Why would I lie about this?!" I yelled at him. How could he say that? You think you know someone…

"This must be some stupid joke. What, did Abbot put you up to this?"

"Don't be stupid!" I can't believe he's accusing me of making all this stuff up!

"Well what the hell are we supposed to do? We're fifteen!"

"I don't know! It's not like I've ever been in this situation before!" I said putting my head in my hands.

Suddenly, his eyes brightened and he stopped moving. "Get rid of it."

"What?" I asked just above a whisper, looking up at him.

"Get rid of it. No one will know it ever happened. Just get rid of it."

"…Are you serious?"

He stared me straight in the eyes. "Dead serious." With that, he turned and walked out of my room, slamming the door behind him.

I leaned my forehead on the cold tile of the shower while the water pelted my back. My fist fell next to my head and I pounded it against the wall as sobs racked my body. I couldn't even tell what were my tears and what were the hot drops of water from the showerhead.

I put my hand on my stomach and closed my eyes tight. I wish I could just wake up from this nightmare called high school.

But I sucked it up like I always did, the horrible feelings of guilt and regret and just utter and complete emptiness, and spent the remainder of the day getting ready for the annual back to school party that was held at the Dells. And I was there before I knew it, dressed lightly even though it was already cold as fuck in Massachusetts, but it's not as if I was the only girl underdressed for autumn. I just had to stake out a good spot near the bonfire.

"So, anyone catch your eye yet?" Melody asked as we danced casually to a loud White Zombie song, our drinks sloshing around in the Solo cups being poorly balanced in our hands.

"Mel, school hasn't even started yet," I said, shaking my head at the petite girl. That's all she thinks about. Guys. One in particular. Tyler Simms tickles Mel's fancy. As much as it pisses me off, I know how happy she'd be if he ever asked her out or something. And I suppose she could do worse if she was trying to bag a Son. "I saw your boyfriend at Nicky's the other night," I teased her. She'd only just come in to school today.

"Really? Did he look as gorgeous as last year?" she wondered, her eyes lighting up in that dreamy way.

"Yeah, because I check them out all the time," I reminded her sarcastically. She was well aware of my distaste for them and all the reasons why.

Her head cocked to the side, red hair tumbling over her shoulder as her body continued to sway with the beat of the music. "They aren't that bad you know."

"Yes they are Mel. You wouldn't believe what Garwin did the other night! I was with Aaron and the boys and stupid had to bet Garwin at pool again. First, Garwin shoved their bet money down my shirt. And if that wasn't bad enough, he kissed me right in front of everyone! Called it a bonus," I explained, lifting my cigarette occupied hand and my drink clutching one up to emphasize air quotes on the last word. "He's a fucking pig!"

"Oh my God. Reid kissed you? You're so lucky! Can you put in a good word for me? Maybe he'll hook me up with Tyler," she babbled and I shook my head in disbelief. I've obviously taught her nothing.

"When pigs fly and Garwin and I start dating, sure I'll put in a good word," I humored her.

"Speak of the Devil," Mel added, gesturing to Reid and Tyler. They were hanging by the other two, who were talking to some new girl and Kate Tunney. Don't like that girl much.

"Come with me. I wanna go talk to Tyler." This girl must be crazy. Talking to a Son without full on confidence in a setting like this could be deadly. There were a lot of other girls here on the prowl, waiting for the right second to dig their claws in. And seeing another girl with the guy they were after usually gave them the kick in the ass they needed to approach.

"No."

"Lux, please?"

"No."

"Lux!"

"No."

"But I real—"

"No."

"PLEASE!"

"…Fine. You're lucky I'm drunk. But you owe me, big time. And if Garwin so much as touches me I'll make a noose out of his intestines and hang him," I caved, my words slurring just slightly as I tried to come up with a fitting punishment for the blonde Son. I knew she wouldn't let it go if I didn't go with her.

"Thank you!" she squealed, jumping up and down and hugging me almost spilling my half-empty cup. I hugged her back and then followed her over to the demon spawn, concentrating on the steps I took so I wouldn't bust my ass.

"Hey guys," she greeted the blonde and brunette who had fallen back slightly from the other two.

"Hey Mel, L—"

"Lux! How're you beautiful?" Garwin interrupted his friend, throwing in one of those little winks he thought made him pretty attractive, I'm sure. I was about to pull a face and head back where I came from until I caught sight of Mel's pleading eyes. I had made a commitment to endure this but why did hanging around Simms have to include Garwin?

"I was fine until you acknowledged me." Simms rolled his eyes at us and moved to the side, starting up a conversation with Mel. She just left me alone with Reid. She owes me big time.

"No need to be so cold. I'm just trying to be nice," Garwin explained. I snorted, hoping to contain my laughter.

"You? Nice? I think your nice quality was devoured by your ego a long time ago." I was about to turn around and ditch Mel. She looked pretty content at the moment and I didn't think she'd miss me. I had my phone if she did.

Unfortunately, I didn't get away fast enough. "Dance with me."

I didn't hesitate at all to turn him down. "Dream on." He has got to be delusional if he thinks that's happening.

"C'mon, I promise not to do anything. Just dance." He held up scout fingers, like that was supposed to be reassuring coming from him.

"No." I'm drunk, but not that drunk. Never that drunk.

"Why not?" He honestly looked like he had no clue as to why I would want to steer clear of him at all costs.

"Because, you drive me crazy!" He's acting like he doesn't know that the things he says and does piss me off. Well, the innocent act sure isn't going to fool me.

"Bet I do," he answered with a smirk. This was a perfect example. A smart remark for everything. He thought he was so damn funny.

"Oh please." I'm sure he had some great comeback, but he got distracted. And soon enough so did I along with a collection of other people close by.

"What the hell," Garwin groaned looking over at his other two friends and the girls who had been graced with the presence of Kira, Aaron and his boys. Why does Aaron always have to start? Garwin made his way over to his friends to intervene most likely. I figured I'd better get Aaron out of there too before he gets himself into trouble.

As soon as I got over there, what do I see? Aaron shoved Caleb Danvers back for whatever reason. Danvers wouldn't be so bad because he's a nice guy. He's just an insufferable know-it-all. He's just too perfect. It makes me sick.

Some guy I didn't know got in between Aaron and Danvers though before much could happen and said, "You were being kind of bitchy," to Kira. Hell, I like this guy already! I looked over at Garwin and saw what must have been the reflection of the bonfire in his eyes. It was hard to tell though because I turned away though as Ryan suddenly puked, getting it all over Aaron. I couldn't help it. I laughed. Aaron saw me. He was about to say something to me about it too, but he was interrupted by the DJ.

"Guys, Dylan just called. He said he saw three cop cars headed this way on Old Dell Road." And that was everyone's cue to get the hell out of here.

I ran over to Mel as she said her goodbye to Simms. He took off with his friends while Mel and I ran towards her car. We were laughing and talking about how Aaron got puked on as Mel drove back towards the dorms, both boisterous and way too full of energy not to at least take our time getting to campus.

We made a pit stop at a gas station to get some snacks and coffee then headed back towards school. I needed to wear off the alcohol I'd consumed. Loud hair metal from the eighties blasted through the speakers of Mel's sound system as she sped down the road. I loved driving with Mel. She had a Roadster and we always blasted music out of it with the top down. I undid my seatbelt and started rummaging in the back seat through my bag for chapstick.

"What are you doing?" Mel yelled at me, but she was laughing.

"Getting something, I assured her confidently. It probably wasn't a safe decision to drape myself over the seat of her convertible with my seatbelt off at this speed, but clear thinking wasn't exactly in the cards, and I really needed that chapstick.

"You're crazy! You're gonna fall! Hope I don't crash!" she warned. When I finally found what I was looking for and turned back around in my seat, we'd pulled up alongside a Hummer. A very familiar Hummer.

The Hummer's window rolled down but I was too busy to notice. "Sing it ladies," Garwin's voice called from next to me and it was followed by a wolf whistle. I was too drunk to care so I just continued to belt out the Heart song on the radio with Mel, sending him a middle finger for good measure. I wanted him to know just because we had coexisted for ten minutes alone didn't mean we were friends or something else now.

Garwin was hot on our tail as we pulled into the parking lot of the dorms, securing the parking spot right next to us. As soon as Mel stopped, I jumped out of my seat and over the door, landing perfectly, luckily. Not a good idea for me to be jumping around drunk probably, but no harm, no foul.

But I yelped as the Hummer pulled in next to us, brushing right by me.

Garwin and Simms hopped out. Guess they got rid o the other two. "The voice of an angel," Garwin said with a smirk, toying with his lower lip while he locked up. I think he thinks it looks sexy when he does that. Well, maybe it does. But I'm under the influence of alcohol right now. One time a dog treat that resembled a Slim Jim seemed like a good idea when I was drunk too. Guess what? It wasn't.

"You two heading to bed?" Simms asked Mel and me (but more Mel) as we walked towards the boarding house. I shrugged. I wasn't really tired, but I didn't want to hang out with them. I still don't like them.

"Probably. I want to be in my room before Kira gets in there with Aaron," I said making a face.

"Thought you two were friends?" Garwin asked. Tyler and Mel had walked ahead of us, making plans to hang out in the common room and watch TV before they headed to bed. I'm surprised she's not peeing her pants.

"I hate Kira." I figured Reid knew that at least.

"No, you and Abbot," he clarified. He was digging. I could tell. What the hell was up with him?

"It's complicated." My relationship with Aaron has always been difficult to define. It was some kind of comfort thing that turned into some kind of emotional displacement thing that might be turning into some milady abusive possessive thing. However many stages I could name off though, none of them were anything I wanted to discuss with Reid Garwin.

"How so?" Why the fuck does he even care?

"We were friends when we were younger, in junior high and stuff. He turned into an asshole when girls started paying attention to him when we got into Spenser. I dunno. He's a dick sometimes. But he can be nice. We were just friends for so long it seems like I can't just dump him because he makes me mad sometimes." Wasn't that how friendship worked a lot of the time?

"I know what you mean. I feel that way about Caleb. Seems like whatever I do, he has to nag me about it and tell me I'm wrong. Like he's perfect or something." It was no secret there was slight inner turmoil between the Sons when it came to Danvers and Garwin. Caleb wanted to be the leader, and Reid wanted to be the rebel.

"Yeah… " It was weird to actually be able to relate to those feelings. And civilly, no less. "Wow… we just had a conversation," I observed. Must be cause I'm drunk. I didn't even realize we were already in the elevator. Mel and Simms stayed downstairs and went to the common room. I sipped my coffee, an awkward silence falling over us. At least when we're fighting it isn't awkward.

"Why do we fight all the time?" he asked as the elevator door opened on our floor. I was reminded of one of my favorite movies, and wondered if that meant we were as immature as adolescent feuding genders of Now & Then.

"Because… you're a perv." That was literally the best thing I could come up with at the moment. He can't just put me on the spot like that. I'm sure I could write a whole list of reasons if I sat there and put my mind to it.

"So is Aaron." Leave it to me to bring up the most invalid point.

"And we fight all the time. Point made. Goodnight Garwin." I said as I stopped in front of my bedroom door. I rummaged for my keys, but still felt a presence behind me. "Can I help you?" I said with clenched teeth, turning to face him.

"Just being a gentleman and making sure you get in alright," he assured me. Hmm, he's smirking. Let's see where this is going to go. All I can imagine is that it won't be good.

"Alright…" It was probably just easier to play along for these last few seconds until I got inside as opposed to making a big fuss over his presence. I unlocked the door and flicked the light switch on. "All's clear. Goodnight Garwin."

"Well I think I deserve something for being such a gentleman." Yup there it is. The condition I was waiting for.

"Like what?"

"A kiss maybe. I mean, I could always come in if you want," he winked.

"Alright. A kiss. Close your eyes." He smirked and did it. What a sucker. Gell for the oldest trick in the book. He must be drunk to think I'd kiss him. I walked into my room and slammed the door in his face.

"Hey!" I heard him whine outside my door as I locked it, shaking my head and turning the light off. I heard his footsteps go away down the hall and then got to my bedtime routine. I don't know what the deal is with Garwin. He has a sudden interest in me, much more than he ever did. He's always enjoyed teasing me, but for some reason he's been, in his own little sick, stupid way, flirting with me every time he sees me. Whatever. I know how he is. Loves them and leaves them. I'm not going to be one of those dumb little girls that thinks they can tame him. I'm not stupid. I know guys like him. I've been burnt too badly to fall for that shit again. He'd get what he wanted and then pretend that I didn't exist. That's the last thing I need in my life.