Chapter 30
2245words
I woke up the next day with a smile on my face, then quickly realised where I was. I groan, hiding my face in the covered. I had dreamed about Loki all night, hot steamy sex dreams that left me feeling flustered and horny as hell. What the actual fuck! Loki was something else. I had never felt more sexually frustrated in my whole dam life. He had made me melt without even touching me, his half-naked body so close and yet so far. And that voice... fuck me. I wanted him. Why was the world so crawl?
My thoughts drifted to Asher, and I instantly felt guilty. I was such an arsehole. Within 12 hours, I had kissed not one but two different guys. Asher deserved better. Asher was amazing; he was everything I should want and yet. I didn't. Yes, kissing Asher was nice. It was sweet, loving, gently. But it didn't make me want to rip his clothes off.
I sighed. It was nothing compared to kissing Loki. Loki kisses were hot and greedy. He made me want to turn my soul over to the devil, just for a taste and fuck the consequences. I was in trouble.
After much self-loathing, I was no closer to having a plan of action. If only the world could give me a sigh tell me what I should do. But life wasn't that simple, was it? I reluctantly pull my arse out of bed, dressing in skinny jeans, Doc's and a strappy black crop top. I applied my usual eyeliner and dusted my eyes with dark eye shadow. In hopes it would make me look unapproachable. It didn't.
As soon as I when downstairs to grab some breakfast, my brother interrupted my path. Crossing his arms over his chest. Great. He wanted to give me a lecture; what had I done now? “What?” I question, trying my best to bypass him. But Adam easily moved in front of me again, eyes hard.
“I told you I needed to talk to you last night. But instead, you decided to sneak past me and hide in your room,” Adam challenges.
“I wasn't feeling well,” I lied. In reality, I had been so desperate for sweet realise, I had practically sprinted up to my room.
“Well then, let’s talk now,” He insists, gesturing for me to sit. I sigh. Reluctantly taking a seat. “I don't want you seeing Loki anymore,” Adam directed, his voice firm but light.
“Okay?” I ask, confused. Not knowing where this was coming from or why it was any of his business.
“I know about... I know that he kissed you,” Adam grimaced, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck, clearly unconformable with this conversation. My mouth drops. How did he know about that unless... Loki. It had to be why Adam had given him a black eye. It all made sense now...well, shit. He had kissed me, right after too.
“Yeah, he kissed me, but it didn't mean anything,” Liar. “It doesn't change anything,” I shrug off, trying to pretend it wasn't a big deal even though my heart was beating a mile a minute.
“Scarlett, you should know better! Loki is not the kind of guy you should be getting involved with; he's a player. He'll use you to get what he wants and then leave. He has no respect for anyone,” Adam tries to reason with me.
“Don't you think I know that?” I retort, “I'm not fucking stupid; I know who he is. But it doesn't change what happened. You have no fucking right to judge me for it,” I snap, getting annoyed.
“I'm not judging you, Scarlett! But I'll be dammed if I let him fuck up your life,” Adam protested. I stand up. I had heard enough. He had no fucking right to tell me what I could or couldn't do. I was old enough now to make my own choices, my own mistakes.
“Fuck you, Adam. Let me live my life!” I dismiss, walking away from him.
“We are not done with this conversation. I forbid you from seeing him again. If he touches you, I swear to god I will kill him. Mark my words!” Adam promises.
“You’re not my fucking Dad! Get over yourself!” I shot back bitterly, already marching out the front door. I was seething. Sure, Adam was right, but that was beside the point! Loki was my mistake to make, and if I wanted, I would make that mistake. Over and over again, and nothing he could say or do could change that.
I saunter through the school corridors, Storm by my side. Thankfully, Storm was having one of her good days today, so I hadn't had to fight her about getting in the car. So we had managed to make it to school on time for once. Which only made getting through the masses of Students more difficult, everyone too busy socialising to care. I had planned to avoid all boy drama for as long as possible and just focus on being there for my friend. But of course, the universe had other ideas. Today was not going to go my way.
Asher spotted us from across the way, his tall form easily sticking out over the crowd. He waved, pushing past the younger students towards us, his usual grin tugging at his lips.
“Hey, gorgeous,” Asher greeted me, pulling me into his arms for a hug In the middle of the hall. The people behind us hissing in irritation as we block the corridor. I hugged him back awkwardly, my hands full with folders.
“Hey, Asher, are you okay?” I replied, my voice strained. I pull back from him, continuing my walk. Asher falling into step beside me. If he noticed my irritation, he ignored it.
“Yeah, pretty good, thank you,” He beamed, his hand curling around my waist. “I was wondering if you’re not too busy later, we could maybe go to my place?” I defiantly did not want to go to his place, not after the night I had with Loki.
“Oh, that's so sweet. But I have tons of homework to catch up on,” I lie “, And I was planning on spending the evening with Storm anyway.” I give him a sad smile, pretending to be disappointed.
“That okay, maybe I could help,” he suggests, leaning over me to address Storm. “You can spare Scarlett for one night, right?” He pleads. I try to catch Storm's eye, beg her if I had to. But Storm didn't look at me, preferably smiling broadly at Asher.
“Of course, go have fun,” She agrees. Great, well, there goes my excuses.
“Great! I'll meet you in the lot after school!” He arranges not bother to wait for my reply before adding, “I've got to run. See you later,” He waves before dashing after his friends. Fantastic. I turned on Storm.
“Why didn't you back me up!” I protest.
“Because Asher's like a cute little puppy, you can't say no to that face. If you don't want to go, just text him that something came up,” Storm Suggests. I roll my eyes.
“I'm just going to look like a dick if I say no now!” I huff, readjusting my folder. She gives me an apologetic smile. We walk up the stairs to the second floor and turn into the main corridor. Then stop dead. Barbie was ahead of us. Oh, fuck off! Today really?! really?! Barbie hadn't seen us yet, her attention drawn to some guy she was flirting with. Her nose was no longer broken, but it was noticeably smaller than before.
I turned to Storm; her face said it all. Tears welled in her eyes, and she looked like she was going to vomit or break down into tears. Shit. I tugged on her arm, pulling her back down the way we had just come. When we were a good distance away, I pulled her into an empty classroom. Storm finally sucked in a much-needed breath. She looked like she was going to vomit.
“Hey,” I whispered, brushing a tear from her cheek “, How are you doing?” I asked her gently.
She shook her head, not being able to find the words. I pulled her into me, my arm wrapping around her. Her tears turning to a full-blown sob. Shit. I didn't know what to do. How could I fix this? Barbie was back; unless I chucked her off the roof, there was little else I could do to keep her away from Storm. I needed backup. I pulled my phone out of my jeans and loaded up Loki's number. Hesitating for only a second before mentally slapping myself. This was not about me right now. I clicking call. It rang once, twice.
“Hello, sexy,” Loki deep voice purred through the speaker, my body insistently breaking out in Goosebumps. I close my eyes taking a deep breath. “Missing me already?” he asked. Ignore him. This is about Storm.
“Can you come to meet me?” I asked; my voice was a little too desperate. He didn't reply straight away, maybe hearing my panic, or perhaps he could hear sobbing in the background.
“Where?” He pressed, his voice serious all of a sudden.
“We are in 105, I think, Mr Welshes old room. The first floor, next to the stairs to the six form common room,” I direct. Storm still pressed tightly to my chest.
“Be there in five,” He remarked without another word, the phone when dead.
I gulped down air. Pull yourself together, I instruct myself. I was just going to tell Loki what happened; then he could take over. I didn't have to spend any longer than necessary in his company. I shove the phone back into my pocket before guiding Storm into a chair. She plopped down, instantly bringing her knees to her chest. I curl my arm around her shoulders, soothingly stroking her arms.
“It's going to be okay,” I reassured her, but I couldn't even convince myself. I decided to keep my mouth shut and just be there for her, if nothing else. I grab a packet of tissues from my bag, pulling one out and handing it to her. But Storm wasn't here. Her eyes were staring blankly ahead. Shit.
“Storm? Come back to me," I plead, my voice breaking. It was so hard seeing my happy best friend this way... so broken. A shell of the girl I loved. She blinked a couple of times but didn't seem to be able to hear me. “Sweetie, what can I do?” I ask. But there was no response. Instead, the classroom door reopened. I opened my mouth to tell whoever it was to get the hell out. But stop myself, my eyes settling on Loki.
He was dressed in tight-fitting shorts and long sleeve sports top; His hair was ruffled. Just the sight of him was enough to make my heart race, my body weak. His presence seeming to suck all the air in the room.
“What happened?” He asked, his gaze pulling away from me to look at his sister. Loki crosses the room in three long strides, crouching down in front of Storm. I mentally slap myself, forcing my own gaze to snap back to my best friend.
“Barbie is back”, I finally answer, taking a step back from them.
“And then what?” He pressed, turning to look at me. I keep my eyes on Storm, not trusting myself to look at him.
“Nothing, she didn't see us. But seeing her probably resurfaced the memories,” I examine, a sad smile on my lips.
“So what are we supposed to do? We can't keep them from walking into each other. I can't let her wallow at home. There isn't another school in this dam town,” Loki rants, his eyes hard and jaw clenched. I didn't have the answers. Unless Barbie could be persuaded to leave town, they would run into each other sooner or later. Breaking her nose hadn't seemed to solve that issue. Shit. When I didn't reply, Loki swore under his breath. He had come to the same conclusion as I had. Either we chase Barbie out, or Storm wouldn't finish year 12. There was no way the school board would allow her to work from home, not without a good reason. Storm wasn't ready to tell anyone about what happened to her. It was too raw for them to challenge her claim, to deal with their pity and judgment. The bell rang. Shit.
“Loki, I'm so sorry, but I need to get to class. I'm still on probation for my suspension. If I'm late one more time or skip, I could be kicked out for good this time,” I announce. Hating that I couldn't be there for her.
“Go, I got this,” He nods.
“Thank you; I owe you one!” I call over my shoulder as I head for the door.
“Scarlett,” Loki calls after me. I pause in the doorway, turning to look back at him. “Can we talk after school?”
“I can't. I'm not even supposed to be talking to you right now. Adam has 'forbidden it',” I laugh bitterly. “I also have plans seeing as Storm refused to be my scapegoat. I'm sorry, I really do have to go,” I turn without waiting for his reply and begin sprinting down the corridor toward my first class.
