"I can't even think of where Vena could've just dropped Tinsley off ... loaded, no less." Claire advises as she clenches her leather clutch and a mug of chamomile tea in both hands. She wears a small coat over her oyster lace slip and wool gloves. Harper, Bryn, and Javier stand around her as she lifts the glass to her lips. "I doubt Tinsley even knew where she was. The receptionist said neither Tinsley nor Vena have checked in."
Harper shook his head and caught Bryn's worried gaze, the blue eyes—his eyes stared back at him. She doesn't bother for a smile because she knew when he got like this nothing would make him well unless the problem was solved. She probably felt just as worse because if he was upset she was, too. When she had first seen him cry as kids, she managed her own tears when seeing his, only placating when he had.
She forces a smirk and her distressed eyes widen, eyebrows arching high. "Stop staring at me." she says and he can't even manage a laugh or at least a smile as he looks away, his mind flooding endless question. She sighs and shoves a hand into the pocket of her battered leather jacket, a crooked dent ruining her raised brow. In the midst of silence, she turns to Claire and Harper, not once meeting Javier. "I'm going outside for a smoke. I'll be back in soon."
Javier raises an eyebrow. "Mind if I come?"
She doesn't hesitate. "I do, actually." Her voice losing venom as she pulls a cigarette from her pocket. "I'll come back." She crashes through the doors and out of sight. The spark of a Zippo glows in the dusk night as she lights.
"She seems ... uncharacteristically upset." Javier murmurs, locking eyes with Claire.
Claire nods but meets Harper, who narrows his eyes at the patterned carpet. "Harper, what do you think we should do? Since we don't have any leads on where she is, we only know she's wasted somewhere in New York."
Javier's eyes are on her but she doesn't care. "If even New York."
He takes his cell out and holds it over. "I have the number she called me from if that counts." he admits and hands the device to Claire as she inspects the number glinting across the screen. "Maybe one of you know it because me and Bryn didn't."
The queen bee reads the number and shakes her head as a wordless Javier takes the phone, also sneaking a glance at it. He narrows his eyes and pursues his lips before meeting Harper's prodding gaze. He returns the phone and nods in his direction.
"I do know it, actually." he tells the anxious Blackwell. "A long time ago, my ... girlfriend and I stayed at this old, dirty motel in Brooklyn Heights." Claire hides her smile in a sip. "The numbers are unusually similar and the last two are usually the room number said person is staying in … and since they're fourteen, Tinsley and Vena must be in that room."
Harper silences and his breath hitches. Tinsley must've been drugged badly if she didn't even know where she was. Who knows what Vena gave her? She had crossed the line. Not even Bryn would be cruel enough to drug someone.
"If you guys are coming, let's go." he mutters and when catching Javier's gaze, his eyes soften with sympathy. "Thanks."
In the rarest of situations, Javier smirks and nods as the three head out into the dark. Bryn stands outside, taking drags and looking at her phone every now and then as if waiting for something. Harper grabs hold of her wrist and in shock, she drops the cigarette into a lush pillow of snow. He doesn't yell or demand, only turns his eyes from their family car to the road.
She shrugs and wrenches her wrist from his grasp. "We'll get her." she assures and brushes her fingers over his forearm. "Promise."
After all, half a smile comes to his face and he paths through the snow and opens the door, allowing Claire and Bryn in first before he and Javier.
She would be okay.
A lot had happened to him and Bryn in the past. They had suffered through their parents' divorce and their father's death together.
He had his friends and Bryn. She was as close to a family member he'd ever have or really need for that matter.
Everything would be alright.
Claire murmurs inaudibly to Bryn as his sister shifts herself, leaning back against the door and propping her ankles up on Claire's knee casually, listening.
Javier watches and Harper lowers his window, gazing up at the half moon and white stars.
He used to see a lot from where he came from. That was all he had back then: the stars.
He has much more now. He built something here in New York when he and Bryn moved in.
He only thought he had his mother, father, Bryn –
But he has so much more.
And you know what that is?
A true family.
X
There's fire, a raging explosion of flames licking at a building roof, the mosaic windows crack and crumble as murderous shards of painted glass fall into a familiar courtyard. The screeching of fire sirens fill the air as men prepare to extinguish the flames.
Others watch, speechless and shocked. Some just mortified as the prestige building fell to pieces in front of them.
The air reeks of toxic plume, overwhelming the stinks of dingy booze and rum.
The men manage to put out the fire in due time as they brace themselves and ready their gas masks, heading inside in search of survivors.
But that won't change anything.
The sin has already been complete.
Tinsley awakens, bathed in a cold sweat, nothing is clear to her eyes. Everything's just a blurred mess of spiraling colors. The room spins as she can only remember certain things – this just had to be a dream. She had tremendous fun with Harper and some mystery woman gave her a drink while she was talking with Dean and then nothing.
That drink had to be spiked. It wasn't sane. She wouldn't be feeling like this, exhausted and fearful, anxious and sick. She knew something. She wasn't home, she wasn't safe.
She struggles for vision. The room is poor. The checkered floor tiles of the kitchen were cracked, the counters stained, various pills and cigarette buds scattered across a table close to a door, and the lights were muted by ugly paper lamps.
She forces herself to move and look at the table closest to her face. She didn't even want to know what she was lying on. A vial of white powder and other prescription drugs were on the table, each name and brand unknown.
Wherever she was, she had to get out.
When she finally mustered enough to sit up, she gripped fiercely at the hardwood table and felt her frame tremor, and fell back against the rough grain as a rag doll would.
A door swings open and she manages nonsense. The fluid clipping of pointy heels echoes on the tiles. Tinsley fights to lift her head and is suddenly caught in the frost of ice blue eyes, dark hair frames an oval face, and a ravenous frown poses on a bee-stung mouth.
She recognizes the face. The look of a homicidal devil child.
"Vena ..." Tinsley murmurs, fluttering her lashes to keep conscious. "W-Wha – did y-you do ... to me?"
"Some angel dust in your drink. You remember it." her heartless ex-friend replies. "We used to do it when we were freshmen each day we skipped Design. Don't you remember, bitch?" The thumping of heels grows louder and the sound makes Tinsley flinch. "Oh, what's wrong? Can't speak, sweetie?"
"Why … why are you doing this to me?" Tinsley chokes, cautiously ridding her voice of a stammer as an ache erupts through her. The drugs taking toll slowly. Her throat burns with each word as her surroundings begin blurring again. "What did I … ever do to you?"
"You're really asking that? Really?" Vena laughs bitterly to herself, the sound ringing even when cruel. "You know exactly what you've done. Do I even have to begin listing? I'll start with one … you ruined my life." She yanks Tinsley up and grips her shoulders with claws for nails, digging the sharp tips into her arms, sending hits of stabbing deep pain in her bones.
"But they had to know! They would've discovered eventually!" she protests and feels Vena's glare sink in. "At least you weren't arrested!"
"Yes, but do you realize how much my parents had to waste for me to exact my revenge?" she begins and Tinsley feels her hands tremble with anger. "Damn you, Tinsley. Damn you to hell!" Her backhand comes hard against Tinsley's face and forces her back against the creaky bedframe. She clutches at her face and tastes metal on her lips.
She lifts her fingers to touch her lower lip and finds a strange red on the fingertip.
Vena smirks and flexes her fingers, her thumbnail broken.
Her next words turn Tinsley's blood to ice.
"Prepare yourself, bitch."
X
Vena sits in Javier's lap, her mouth on his jaw as he leans into her embrace. He keeps his arms tight around her as Tinsley and many girls chatter, sharing joints. He concentrated on nothing but the beauty in his arms. He didn't need to worry about anything or anyone for that matter. He already had everything he desired. Wealth, drugs, a fantastic sex life.
From the corner of his eye, he watches Tinsley sneak nervous glances in his direction. Why the hell would she be doing that? She must've been high or something because there was no way she could like him. She respected Vena far too much.
Suddenly, Vena checked her watch and climbed off Javier, her lips pursued in a wink. "I'll be back. Gonna get more liquor." She cradles his face in her hands and brushes her lips across his. "Don't worry. I'll get your favorite. Just stay where you are." She leaves and flits into the towering doors of Constance.
Tinsley exchanges glances between him and Vena's back before she secretly follows inside.
He blinks and feels someone clap him on the back. He looks to see Steven Adler with an unattractive buzz cut. He grins and holds a bottle of Jack Daniels to him. "Hey, man! Want some? We got liquor to feed a barn!"
Javier nods and Adler shoves the jug into his hands. Why would Vena go inside, then? There was no liquor in Constance unless in her locker but Tinsley was going after her. She'd undoubtedly tell him if there was something wrong with his girlfriend.
Everyone respected him and just as many were scared of him.
He didn't have anything to worry about.
At least that was what he hoped.
"Javier, you coming?"
Javier looks to see Claire blinking at him, snowflakes on the empty leather beside him. He notices the car had already arrived at their destination. Ice coated the cracked path leading to the motel doors and Bryn follows her brother as he hurries for the entrance, unafraid of what's to come.
Claire puts her hand on the frozen glass of the window and motions him along. "Why are you just sitting there? Thinking about your girlfriend again?"
He steps past her with a scoff. "Is there a problem? At least I'm not as cruel as you. You're lucky to have Dean because if not you'd have no one."
He knows he hurt her when she doesn't reply and stomps off, long locks blowing as she leaves him standing in the icy wind. He shuts the door and heads after the others. Was it so bad to think about your exe? He had a lot on his mind and shouldn't be getting lectured by Claire. She thinks about Harper all the time and he dumped her how long ago?
Everyone tends to think about their past loves. It happens. You would want to get back with them, then don't. Sometimes you find someone better and other times you just don't want to get hurt again.
All the love and pain makes it worthwhile.
Sometimes, you end up happy and most of the time you have to go through so much to find someone who loves you for who you are.
Or at least that's what they say.
Bryn stumbles and falls onto hard ice. Harper continues on obliviously and crashes through the door. Claire is fast to assist but Javier beats her to it as he passes her swiftly and holds a hand to the fallen rebel. Bryn stares from his flexed fingers to him and back again before pursuing her lips and accepting his hand, he steadies her and accidentally brushes his fingers over her ribs. She yanks her hand from his and brushes ice off her jacket, bolting back to her brother's side.
Claire shakes her head and waves gloved fingers at him. "Chivalry won't win her over."
A smirk falls to his face and he holds the door for her. "Who says I'm trying to be chivalrous? Only polite." He lets the door fall when they're both in. "I already had her on my arm at your party. Isn't that worth something?"
She returns his smirk and continues. "With the Blackwells, most certainly no."
"And why is that?" he asks as Harper stretches to look up the dark shaft leading to the next floor, he whispers to Bryn and touches her wrist before they ascend the stairs. "Look at Tinsley, she already caught Harper's eye and how long have they known each other exactly? Few months? He nearly lost it when he found out Vena had her."
"Either way," Claire says, voice trailing. "I spent nearly all my time with Harper before we even dated and he kissed me dozens of times but even when we finally got together, he would never really open up to me. Who knows if he'll do the same with Tinsley? He and Bryn are very secluded and from what you see there –" Bryn speaks silent Italian to her twin and he stares blankly. "When they lower their voices around each other like that, they're usually talking about something no one knows. You'll learn to see that a lot."
Harper hurries down the hall and Bryn follows like a lost duckling, Claire watches with dark eyes.
"Be lucky you got Bryn on your arm because I'm pretty sure no one else could." She walks past with not the slightest regret.
She flips her hair over her shoulders and it brushes past in tangled disarray. "And you'd be lucky for it to happen again."
X
Vena paces back through the kitchen and main room, worrying Tinsley. Vena doesn't bother to catch Tinsley's eye once before she heads down the darkened hall, most likely to reapply her makeup. Tinsley hacks on her breath and tastes more copper. She had already managed to make the call to Harper but doesn't remember what she told him. It must've been stupid.
The door to the bathroom slams and Vena appears, still in her spidery black dress. Her hair thrown in a knot as she stares down Tinsley, a glitz in her glassy eyes. Her gaze focuses shortly on Tinsley before she whips away in disgust.
Tinsley shifts her weight and moans. "You sicken me." Vena barks, voice slick as a cobra slither. "The very sight of you. I can't believe we used to be friends. Gag me. Maybe we would've still been friends if you hadn't mentioned anything of what happened that night to ... I don't know, everyone?"
"I'm sorry, Vena. I truly am." Tinsley apologizes and feels the sting of tears. "What do you want me to say? I already said sorry! I never told anyone! The only person who really knew was Claire!"
"You should've known that Claire is one of the biggest, bitchiest gossipers on the UES." Vena shakes the hair out of her eyes and a few strands come loose from the updo. "She probably told everyone. If I had the chance, I would've got to her, too."
In lack of better response, Tinsley only turns from Vena's intensity and sighs. It's been long since she's felt so beneath herself. Drugged and useless like she was forced to perish in the worsts of the twilight zone. She couldn't breathe and was more than surprised that she even had a voice.
Why was this happening? Did she deserve this? She wanted to be the better person and it felt like Vena's life was simply paused because she didn't seem the slightest different. She was still the same manipulative person she was when they were younger. Cruel and ruthless, almost worse if possible.
"If it … if it wasn't for you." Vena began, her words shivering with rage. "Mr. Baxter may have still been here."
This wasn't good.
A frantic thumping and rapid heels clink from beyond the door as Tinsley finally deciphers her answer through a haze of drugs and stormy thoughts. She couldn't just hide behind her horrid past anymore, she had to do something. She couldn't be scared, she needed to be fearless.
She had to be fearless.
And in a moment of clarity, she felt stronger. Feeling like she could overpower anything or anyone in her wake.
A lit match being mindlessly thrown onto a scarf.
A man's terrified screams and howls echo as they deteriorate in crackling flames and poisons.
Platforms rap on marble as two girls run for the closest exit.
And as they arrive outside, unharmed. One girl watches the flames envelop the building as another flees off into a smudgy horizon.
"We could've saved him!" Tinsley cries desperately, doing her best to placate Vena. "But you wanted him dead! He didn't deserve this!"
"I'm tired of your lies!" Vena yells and violently, reaching to lash out, her backhand coming for Tinsley again. To her surprise, Tinsley manages to catch her wrist and curls her fingers around the stiff bone. With just enough force, Vena twists her hand from Tinsley and sends her to the floor. She just managed to catch herself as the stench of drugs flared her nostrils. She watches Vena stalk into the kitchen and spot a suspicious glint of silver. Vena snatches it and snakes toward the shaken blonde menacingly. "You're finally getting what you deserved for years!"
The switchblade clenched in Vena's fist finally seemed like the end of her. Harper wouldn't come. He didn't care enough. She had ditched him after all.
No one would come. No one could save her. Maybe because she didn't deserve to be.
She'd be the first princess or heroine in clichés that falls at the hands of an antagonist.
But it felt good to say even before she left, she'd finally lifted the weighty burden from her shoulders.
She felt relieved and in some distant part of her mind, safe. Untouchable.
Vena smirks sickeningly, her revenge near-complete as the blade sparkles as if reflected off moonlight. "Any last words?"
She didn't shake her head or bother for words. She didn't have anything else to say. Her mind was as empty as a black heart.
The wind swishes and she felt the blade lowering down – closer – reaching for the perfect kill.
Her breath caught and she squeezes her eyes shut and suddenly –
Blam!
The door crashes against the wall, denting the plaster and nearly falling from unsupportable hinges. Harper bolts in, boots cracking as he restrains Vena, pinning her back as the knife lingering at Tinsley's throat distances. She slumps against the bedside table, opens her eyes, sees Claire coming for her – Javier and Bryn stand in the doorpost.
She saw tears film in Claire's eyes at Tinsley's bloodied face. Dry blood colors her jaw and mouth and her knotted hair, which was previously extravagant, and matted to her forehead. Her skin was bone white and the faintest of feverish pinks tinged her cheeks.
"Don't worry, you're okay." she tells Tinsley through a forced smile and dabs her face and eyelids with a handkerchief. "We're here. Me, Bryn, Javier …"
"Harper?" Tinsley croaks into dim silence. Harper looks over and stills Vena.
Claire nods and smoothes strands from Tinsley's face as she clutches the motionless beauty. "He's here, we're here. You'll be … okay."
Tinsley nods against the warm curve of Claire's embrace as shivers wrack her when she spies the knife still in Vena's hand, watches Vena hiss under her breath and twist the blade toward –
Bryn hurries for recklessly before Javier can catch her, grabs the blade head-on, flinches, and tosses it in a clatter of metal. She glares at the weapon, now contaminated. Looks to her palm, notices the slash scored across her skin. Her eyes widen at the blood as she steps backward, cradling her wrist with a curse.
Harper notices his sister and narrows his eyes at Vena, kicks the blade further and finally releases her with disgust. "Are you really that sick?" he demands and looks over Tinsley. "First, you try to kill your former best friend and then you attempt to turn the knife against me? If I wasn't in my right mind, I think I would've done the same to you."
Bryn's eyelids lower consciously and she tightens hold on her wrist. Javier crosses over to her and unclasps a cufflink, pressing it to her wound and slowing the dangerous flow of blood. She doesn't struggle this time. Vena looks over him hopefully and watches him avoid her eyes, concentrating solely on relieving the pressure in Bryn's hand.
"Javier …" Vena mumbles and continues staring. He still doesn't turn and Bryn turns to him, almost knowingly.
"Get out of here." Claire snarls, voice shaking. "I think you've done enough damage." Her eyes narrow and teeth grit behind glossy lips. "I swear if I ever see your face again I'll make the rest of your sorry life miserable."
Vena's eyes widen in realization and she bites her trembling lower lip. She glances back to Javier as a last resort. "Please, Javier, believe me." she pleads, each word cracking. "You know, I wouldn't have done this without reason."
He still doesn't speak or meet her somber eyes; he checks Bryn's hand and meets Harper's eyes. Harper backs away from Vena and moves toward Tinsley and Claire, swinging Tinsley's arm over his shoulders as he helps steady her.
Claire breaks the silence instantly. "Maybe if you didn't cheat on him, he probably would believe you." she murmurs and dusts questionable powder off her slip. Javier's eyebrows arch and he drops Bryn's hand, fingertips stained red as he approaches Vena and Claire.
"What are you talking about?" he asks them both. Claire's lips come together and she looks away, tears sparkle in Vena's eyes as she snuffles, directing eyes downwards. "You couldn't have … you weren't that –"
Claire steps toward Bryn and touches her arm. "Let's give them a moment." she tells the brunette. "I think they need it."
Bryn bobs her head and holds the fabric herself as she, Claire, Harper, and Tinsley head out, closing the door when gone, and only when the clonk of heels and boots distance, Javier glares his worse and approaches.
"You cheated on me?" Javier demands, blood boiling. The anger in his tone unalike his typical peace. "How could you? I thought you were different, Vena!"
"I didn't mean to, Javier!" she screams, coughing on tears. "I never meant to hurt you! I was out of line, please. I don't know what I was thinking!"
"That's the thing … you weren't thinking." he sneers, lowering his voice darkly. "And who was it with then? Mr. Baxter? Not surprising. I knew you always had a thing for him and I thought cheating on me was bad. Killing him was much worse."
In a flurry of sobs and hysteria, Vena collapses to the floor and submerges herself in tears.
"I'll do anything!" she sobs, looking back up at her ex-lover miserably. "I love you, Javier! Just please, please forgive me! I did wrong! I'm terrible! I betrayed my friends and I used that guitarist boy! Just give me one last chance and I'll never do wrong again!" She slumps forward and doesn't bother wiping at her spilling tears, which left charcoal splotches on her face. "Please."
His face is set as he shoves his knuckles into his coat pockets, heading closer. He doesn't help her or meet her eyes, he finds his gaze on the knife lying across the tiles.
"I have no reason to after all you've done." he says and is surprised to find his voice stable. "In some sick way, I'm glad you admitted everything but that still doesn't give me a logical enough reason to accept you. I won't bother listing things because you ruined enough lives with just words. I won't turn you in for your previous offense but I'll let you off with a warning."
Vena sniffles and fingers the inky blotches of smeared mascara on her cheeks. "W-What?"
He ignores her feebleness and finally brings himself to catch her gaze. "If you ever show your face here again I will gladly plan my revenge and ruin your life as you did others. And with the generous help of Claire, it's highly possible so I suggest you flee New York as fast as you can." He nods towards the knife. "I also suggest you dispose of that. I doubt you'll get resignation for having a Blackwell's blood stain it."
Vena, no longer speaks, as she encircles her arms around herself, sobbing and howling like a tortured animal.
Javier looks down at her for the last time and heads for the door, exiting with parting words. "I hope you get exactly what you deserve."
And once the door is shut and he's hurrying down the hall, feels his face sting wetly as he listens to Vena's wails from afar.
X
"Tinsley!"
Tinsley doesn't bother turning as she's unable to take her eyes off her flaming school. Her eyes are narrow and the only thing that brightens them is the fire. Javier runs up and wipes his face, pants when in reach and looks to the burning building in disbelief. He doesn't straighten his loose tie or smooth creases off his blazer, only puts a hand on her shoulder and feels her shiver.
"Are you okay?" he asks and doesn't receive a response. He tries for another question. "Where's Vena? Have you seen her?"
Sirens screech and men follow out in rows, some enter the building in protective gear and others prepare hoses and extinguishers. The lead chief shoos teens and demands them to leave. A few disappear into the bushes and others flee to watch from afar.
Steven and Matt are hidden in a cluster of trees as they watch. Matt narrows his eyes and nods in the direction of a cracked bottle. Steven only shakes his head and keeps shut.
Claire hides behind a large oak and digs her nails into the bark.
"She's gone …" Tinsley mutters, sounding just as broken as she looked. "She's gone."
Javier says nothing and guides Tinsley away from the scarring scene.
Tears spring to Claire's eyes and an ashamed Tinsley keeps her eyes downcast.
A half, unheard voice crackles on a walkie-talkie. The words only bring terror.
"We've found someone!"
Tinsley falls against Harper's bicep sadly. He stares down at her as she stays against him without enough energy to rise. Her hair hung in a mess and her lower lip swelled. Claire sits close and shuts her eyes. At least she had one less thing to worry about. Her friend was safe and it was all that mattered.
But the look in Harper's eyes was different. He looked at Tinsley with eyes full of compassion – protectiveness – during the time she knew him, he never once looked at her like that, even when they were dating. At the time, he was only withdrawn and secluded but now that they were separated and Tinsley was at his side, he was friendlier.
"I feel terrible." Harper tells Claire as Tinsley shifts her position unconsciously. "This brings back memories with Bryn and how bad she was messed up by him. I could never do anything right."
Claire sits strongly once she sees Harper's face. He always beat himself up over what occurred in the past. He was too much of a good person and even though she was still mad at him for always picking Tinsley, she wouldn't just watch him degrade himself.
"I know you feel terrible about all this." Claire ponders and leads a hand along his shoulder. "I do, too. I was there when Bryn nearly lost her life. I just stood there and don't know why but I had never seen anyone so beaten. It hurt." Her eyes fall in shame. "Tinsley's my best friend and seeing her look like this is worse. Beating yourself up every day won't do anything but cause stress. Bryn's fine, Tinsley will be so just stop worrying."
He smiles and nods. "Yeah." he agrees. "She will, won't she?" He falls back against the leather and keeps his smile. it didn't hold the same affection from when he looked at Tinsley. But, hey, at least it was a smile. "Thanks, Claire. You're a good friend."
"You're welcome." She forces and begins tapping her heels. "You're a great friend, too."
Like how she added great instead of his good?
And that was probably what hurt most.
It was all she'd ever be in Harper's mind: a friend. A simple friend. A movies-and-pizza friend. Practically nothing in a guy's life.
Harper looks out the window and narrows his eyes in search of Bryn and Javier. He doesn't find them as quick as he'd like and with uncharacteristic impatience, he looks to Claire. "Why don't we take you two home? I suppose they can always find cabs."
Oh, Javier will looooove that.
Claire blinks. "You sure? It's pretty late and –"
He shrugs and gives the directions to Claire's house. "They'll manage."
X
Javier descends the creaking stairs. The wetness on his face is impassive as he feels more trickle. He did the right thing. He got what was off his chest and finally stood up to Vena telling her all she deserved. But he had to admit, he wasn't satisfied. He had to battle himself to hold back tears when he saw her disheveled appearance.
He finally scrubs off a streak and coughs. He wasn't a man, real men didn't cry over their past loves. Maybe for injuries but he was walking out of a sleazy motel crying over his ex-lover, and was now shamed indefinitely that he ever loved her in the first place.
She was terrible and had treated his friends so badly. Tinsley, Claire, Harper, Bryn.
It wasn't fair to just watch the people closest to you suffer so he finally lashed out and as result; witnessed waterworks. Something he never thought he'd see with Vena, who only cared about her lusty self. Who hated meaningless tears and children alike, who probably even hated him.
She had never admitted her love to him until today and that was what hurt most. She sounded like she meant it and after all that happened he rejected her in the cruelest way.
They always did have a loveless romance.
Before he knew it, he was already done with the stairs. The reception desk still empty and tiny lights illuminated the lounge. Deep and utter silence kept the lobby eerie.
He inhales a harsh breath and hears a muse from behind him.
"Finally."
He whips to see Bryn leaning back against the exposed wood of the wall. She narrows her eyes and crosses her arms at perfect ease. "You must've really stabbed Vena in the back because she's been sobbing upstairs for nearly an hour." Javier doesn't reply and she holds her bloody palm up, waving. The stained fabric which once halted her bleeding was discarded. "You alright? You look half-dead."
"Stop talking," he drawls, ice piercing calm. "you're not making anything better. I did what was right."
She follows and his brow furrows as she catches the door he had hoped would slam in her face. "I know you did. I wish I was smart enough to do the same but running away with tears in your eyes won't help. You need to talk to someone."
He stops halfway down the path and faces her. "I'm not crying." he snaps. "Why don't you just mind your own business? You don't know what true pain is. You wouldn't be able to handle it."
No one would ever be able to deal with his pain.
"I've went through a lot of sick things in the past." she admits and hurries in front of him, keeping her place confidently. "And if you hadn't realized my dad died. Plus, hotshot, men do cry. Harper cried when our parents divorced, Matt did when he nearly lost all function in his hand, and Steven when his parents disowned him." A dent mars her brow and she touches her cheekbone. "By the way, you're crying right now."
He grunts and his arms encircle her waist as he forces her over and pins her to the motel door. Her form goes perfectly rigid under his hands and though he knew he wasn't hurting her, he felt like he was hurting himself as his fingers tighten.
"Fine, I'm crying." he spits. "Are you happy? I'm finally crying! I'm a man in your standards! You went through your father's death and that was all! You have never dealt with heartbreak and when you have I hope you tell me because maybe then we might be equal!" His grip hardens again and the pour of tears becomes harsher. "For now, we don't belong together and I doubt we ever will because it's like you said, we're different."
She keeps a stern face through his lecture and nods. "We are different. But did you ever hear of that stupid saying, opposites attract? Dorky but logical. You have most things I dream of. A family that loves you and parents that cater to your every whim. I'd be lucky enough to have my mother smile at me." She uncoils his fingers easily. "I've had my heartbroken before and faced it worse so be glad you had it like this."
She smirks sickeningly. "We may be different but we're much more alike than you think."
And she walks away.
With something he didn't have at the moment.
Pride.
X
Vena continues sobbing as she lies coiled like a frightened animal on the dirty floor. Her face a mess of streaked makeup and horrendous tears. She feels her heart thud dangerously as she clenches a fist and pounds it to the tiles, bruising her knuckles, undoubtedly. Her psychotic sobs distance her from all normal.
Her sniffles come to no end as she continues, regretting all. She should've never come back. She only ruined the already crippled relationships she had with her former friends and now was left with nothing. She had no one.
She'd be better off running out New York as quick as she could with her last bits of dignity.
Because that was all she had left: broken dignity. Her parents barely even accounted her anymore and they were especially furious with her for wasting their money to bribe her back into Constance.
She kneads her broken fingernails along the divots in the wood. Eyeliner tears specking it with tiny droplets of black.
A voice, slick as rime surprised her. Just by hearing it she knew she was probably living her last moments.
"My sweet Vena ..."
Vena rises to see a shadowy silhouette through her tears.
A handsome man in a pressed suit stood. She recognizes him immediately just by his dimpling smile, he shoves a hand in his pocket and cocks his head adorably, looking like a foreign businessman.
"G-Gavin …" Vena stammers in hazy sadness. "You … I thought –"
"Thought I was dead, didn't you?" he questions, voice as fluid as honey. "But your good ol' Mr. Baxter has come back to haunt you because I seem just as cruel as you, apparently." Vena stifles a sob and tries to dab smears of ruined makeup. "You were always the same girl. Still am, apparently."
"I-I-I'm not!" she defends. "I've changed! I've grown up!"
He only shakes his head, degrading her. "You haven't. You nearly killed Tinsley and broke young Javier's heart carelessly. Those two have changed for the better but you've only worsened." Vena lets more tears gush as she slumps in defeat, acceptance. "I'm not as ashamed as I thought I'd be."
"You're ashamed of me?" she demands through misery. "I thought you loved me!"
"Once. I can't admit that anymore." He shakes his head at himself this time and brushes his fingers through his bangs. "You've committed such sins you'd be lucky if anyone would ever love you again."
Vena sat up and collapses back against the table, lower lip trembling as her eyes fill with tears. "I'm so sorry …"
"It's not me you should be apologizing to. You've hurt too many and the sins you've committed are absolutely inhuman." He sighs and tilts his head to gaze at the ceiling, cobwebbed in filth. "In the words of your exe, I hope you get exactly what you deserve." Seconds later, he vanishes into thin air and once more Vena collapses in sobs.
The door to the motel swings and she jumps, cowering away from an opposing figure.
The girl in the doorframe is firm. Black ponytail on her shoulder and is blessed with a curvaceous physique. She cracks her knuckles and smirks, striding in as she looks around – eying each fallen pill, smatter of white powder, the dirty knife.
"Hey, sis," she greets, voice broad with a Scottish brogue. "You won't believe who called me and said a certain bitch needs her ass kicked. I think you might know someone under the initials JD." She pauses and steps back. "Oh, wait. I doubt your roomies deserve to see." She kicks the door shut with her boot and flexes gloved fingers. "I'm gonna enjoy every damn second of 'dis."
The screams reverberate down the halls like gunfire.
X
The sky is wild with big clouds. No rain falls and no thunder approaches and that makes some glad, others are stunned as they march into the wire-fenced cemetery. A blonde is first to enter. Her tresses pinned into a feathery headpiece, a veil over her face. She wears a black lace dress with puffy shoulders, clenched in her hands are the finest roses.
Another follows. This time a boy with tousled golden-brown hair and a blank expression. He looks around cautiously and trails in, making a beeline for a tomb. He sports a blazer, collared shirt, and slacks. His shoes are silent on the dewed grass as he keeps eye on the blonde's back.
Two more girls enter, one succeeding the other. One has brown hair and wears a fitted black dress, holds lilies as her stilettos sink through the muddy dew. The girl behind her is just as quick, scarlet curls arranged high and a long trench over her blouse and denim shorts, slashes accent the knees of her striped tights.
Another man enters. His old sneakers squeak on choppy grass. He wears a brown jacket and black denim. His hand leisurely fiddles with his watchband, his black hair is smooth and his eyes glint.
Solely, a blonde entrances and puts a hand to his jaw. Eyes dull, classic red roses in hand, and only the surrounding solemnness shadows him.
The last three enter, a girl: usual tangles in a sleek ponytail, wearing a black leather jacket over a graphic tee, glistening black leggings, and Doc Martens. One of the men has uncombed blonde hair and a hoodie over a faded tee, jeans, and a sloppy black tie, a duffel bag loose in his arm. The last boy has a choppy shag and looks unexpectedly calm, wears Ray Bans and chains hooked to the belt loops of his torn jeans.
The pretty blonde halts in front of the tombstone somberly, downturns when lowering the bouquet, closes her eyes and her bottom lip trembles. She doesn't cry. Harper places his hand comfortingly on Tinsley's shoulder.
"You'll get through this." he murmurs. "We'll get through this."
She forces a nod and lets her silence linger.
Claire steps for and places the lilies close to the roses, puts her fingertips to her cheek and keeps her emotions collected as she stares down the headstone.
Dean strides to Claire and encircles her in his arms, leans her head into his chest and shuts her eyes as dents mar her brows.
Floria looks back at the people behind her before buttoning up her coat, stares at the sky and offers respective prayer. Dean cranes his neck and looks back with a smile as he tightens his arm around the queen bee.
From behind Floria, Bryn approaches and smirks. They high-five like they are at a party.
Javier passes them and lays roses in the dirt, shuts his eyes and backs away, shoving his hand into his pocket as he takes place by Claire and Dean.
Matt smiles at Floria as he claps her shoulder friendlily, closing his fists. Bryn yawns and stretches, gauze on her palm.
Steven drops his bag and unzips it, he calls for Matthew and begins unloading firework launchers, setting them in the grass. He searches for his lighter and is immediately faced with an old scratched Zippo, a silent Steven accepts it, flicks it on, and starts the fireworks.
Floria giggles. "Aren't those illegal?"
Bryn shrugs and peers over her shoulder. "Do you really think they care?"
Dean reaches over and taps Claire's shoulder, motioning towards the fireworks as Steven sets them off. He grins and she smiles as Steven slides across the grass, staining his palms.
"Damn, these are hard." Matt tells his companion, backing away as they shoot into the sky. "There they go. Say bye to our buddies, Steven."
Steven feigns ecstatic with a wave as the fireworks burst in pops of color, illuminating the gray sky in splashes of glittery pink confetti. Tinsley startles at the explosion and Javier looks to watch them shimmer. Tinsley looks to the grave as Harper pulls her close.
A tear tremors down her face and stays frozen on her chin. She grits her teeth and keeps her mouth tight.
Harper frowns and leans to put his jaw on her shoulder, watching along beside her.
The fireworks continue crackling and exploding as Matt returns to Floria's side. Bryn stares down at Steven as he stays down, staring at the mulch with wide eyes.
Bryn separates from her friends and heads for Adler, a confused Javier watches.
She drops down in front of him and places her hand on his lanky arm, eyes glinting worriedly. "Hey, man," she whispers and feels his tremors. "Steven, hey, you okay?"
Matt nearly senses his friend's dismay without another word, heads for him and puts a hand to his shoulder. "Steven, what's wrong?"
Steven shakes his head and tears gather in his eyes. "H-Heat of the moment, guys," he says and struggles for words. "I-I-I … don't know, man. It's been so long since I felt so sad before." He pushes his fist into the dirt and a sob furthers him.
"Hey, it's cool. Relax." Matt coaxes and Steven lowers his face, tears sinking down.
Javier leaves Claire and Dean and crouches closely. He puts a hand on the blonde's knee and his face resembles a caring brother. "Too sad for words?"
Steven bobs his head and says nothing as tears escape his eyelids. He collapses against Bryn and Javier, sobbing and striking half-fists over them.
Bryn brings her mouth into Steven's hair and runs her fingers through it as Matt is silent. Javier puts his hand on Steven's back and doesn't bother to quiet.
From afar, Tinsley and Harper are close to oblivious to the fireworks as they watch the scene of comfort commencing.
And that is what we like to call a true family.