“I have to go inside now,” he said, jerking his head toward his peers who were piling inside the classroom.
With a quick nod, I let him go. But it was hard, letting him face the world alone. Maybe I clung onto Auden so much because Iwanted him to be everything I wasn’t. Maybe I saw a future for him that I knew I could never have. I was afraid that if I wasn't there to guide him, he would fall and never get up. But Auden was strong—much stronger than I had ever been—and I needed to trust him.
I was late to my own form room, but I wasn’t the only one. Alexander and I almost collided as we stepped through the door. His elbow pressed against my ribs, and I shot him a look. He returned it with a smirk.
Ava was in her usual seat, though it took me a moment to recognise her. Her black hair was up in two braids leading to a low bun, the strands of curls framing her face dyed a pale purple, which was against school rules. Not to mention the nose and lip piercing.
I sat down beside her with a quiet ‘hello’ of which she returned without looking up from her phone.
We had barely spoken over the summer, and I knew that if we had any chance of rekindling our friendship, I needed to let go of my grudge and act like nothing was wrong.
“You got piercings,” I said, “they look good.”
Ava seemed to brighten enough to look up. “Thanks. I already have a detention because of them.”
I snorted. “That’s when you know you look good.”
“Damn straight,” she grinned.
Throughout the day, Ava and I exchanged brief conversations in between classes, and for a while, I had hope that things would improve between us. But then…there was Eden. Always hovering. Always a thorn in my side, piercing through flesh until it bit into bone.
Within seconds of the bell ringing for recess, Eden appeared out of nowhere and threw her arms around Ava, smothering her with kisses.
Rolling my eyes, I announced that I was heading to the art rooms, but neither of them followed. They were, most likely, going to have lunch with Eden’s friends.
I tried to convince myself it didn’t matter now that I had Auden—now that I wasn't alone. But the hurt remained. It was hard being so easily dismissed by someone who had once made you feel like the centre of their world.
Auden was waiting by the door when I arrived, and everything in me crumbled at the tears that stained his cheeks, his shattered lenses clutched to his chest. My biggest fear had come to fruition. I wasn't there for him, and he had fallen.
“Who did this to you?!” I demanded as I crouched down in front of him, wiping away his tears with the sleeve of my blazer.
“I did.”
I turned, slowly, rage reddening my vision as I settled my gaze on Alexander. Not too long ago he had said he wanted to be friends, even apologising for being an 'asshole'. And yet here he was, proudly declaring he’d laid a hand on my brother.
“What the fuck did you do to him?!” I snapped as I advanced toward him.
“We played a little game,” Alexander grinned.
I punched him square in the jaw without hesitation, my knuckles groaning at the impact.
Auden inhaled sharply behind me and called my name, but the Devil had taken hold, and I let him.
The Lord said to turn the other cheek, and so I did. I gave Alexander half a second to recover from the first, unexpected blow before my fist met the left, untouched side of his face.
Not sure that is what the Lord meant, but I approve.
He staggered backwards, a string of curse words rolling off his blood-spattered tongue. Auden sniffled behind me, fuelling my rage.
“Apologise,” I demanded, fingers curling around the collar of his shirt. “Apologise. Now.”
Alexander opened his mouth as I forced him to his knees, the loud crunch of bone replacing what words he might have spoken. Tears filled his eyes. I smiled.
“Go to Hell,” he spat.
I gripped either side of his face, tilting his head up to look at me. Seeing him so helpless at my feet brought a level of satisfaction I’d never quite felt before. “If I’m going to Hell,” I whispered, leaning down so my face was mere inches from his. “I’ll be taking you with me.”
I released hold of his face and threw him to the ground, the Devil urging me to slam my foot into his skull.
