Highschool Clichés

~Chapter 25~

I always hated Mr. Fletcher's class. His mundane methods of teaching made it hard to pay attention, and that often leads to my thoughts wondering all over the place. I didn't want to have to think about anything, but without a welcome distraction, that was proving difficult.

I cast a quick glance at Ciana beside me. The fact the we had English together always use to make me look forward to the rather dull class, but now, the itch to get away from her and everything is more than a little overwhelming.

The bell rings, and I hurriedly pack my things with the rest of the class. "Remember that the test..." I drown out the rest of Mr. Fletcher's words about a test no one cares to listen to the details of, and make a break for the door.

A flash of red hair zips pass me in the busy halls, and as much as I tell myself that I shouldn't care, I couldn't help the pang of hurt I felt when I noticed that the once confident, outgoing redhead, was now holding her head down in shame.

I ignore the whispers and taunts as I make my way to the cafiteria. The whole school no doubt knows about what happened between Seth, Naomi and I. Although the rumours are next to ridiculous, the main fact of it all is true.

Seth cheated on me.

I'm not sure which hurt more. The fact that he cheated, or that it was with Naomi.

"So, how's it been with the rumor mill so far? You hear anything outrageous yet?"

"If you count that I supposedly right hooked Seth into the lockers, and Naomi tackled me to the ground to save him." I said, while putting down my tray next to Brenna's.

Brenna's loud laugh catches the attention of some nosy students who seem to be hanging on to our every word.

Some things just never change.

"You're not going to believe... " Brenna trails off, just as a sudden hush falls over the cafiteria. I follow her gaze to the popular table, and the sight that greats me has me pushing back the rising anger I feel surging through my veins.

"Are you okay?" Brenna's concern is irrelevant. What does it matter anyway? I was a fool to believe Seth and I would last when a freaking Queen is walking amongst us. I wanted the chance to feel something other than the suffocating loneliness that clouds my very existence.

All I could do was stare.

Suddenly everything seems insignificant compared to the sight of Naomi sitting on Seth's lap. And what hurts more than the burning humiliation of everyone staring at me, laughing at the fact that the Queen has now reclaimed her place, is that he's not making a move to push her off.

"I don't buy it."

I tear my gaze away, "What?"

Brenna nods at Naomi and Seth, seeming unconcerned about the shift in the hierarchy. "You said he told you that Naomi jumped him, right?" I nod, fighting the urge to roll my eyes at his excuse, "Well, that sounds like the sort of thing she would do. You should know better than anyone how much of a mastermind Naomi is."

"Are you blind? He's just sitting there with her on his lap," I growl, my jealousy coming through in my words.

Brenna cocks her head at me, "I get that you're hurt and all, but the fact that you don't have any faith in him at all is kind of sad."

I roll my eyes, "So you're suddenly an expert in relationships now?"

Brenna narrows here eyes at me, "Don't get mad at me because you don't trust him. You and I both know that Naomi always play dirty to get her way. Sure, you saw them in a lip lock, but what if it was staged? What if Naomi knew you were coming and jumped on him just in time for you to see?" Her eyes stare me down hard, and the disappointment I see there is palpable, "I might not know Seth all that well, but I know enough to come to the excellent conclusion that he can't stand Naomi."

I look back at their table, trying to see the truth in her words. Naomi's practically glowing, her silky voice twinkling in laughter to something someone says. She looks so happy. Like everything is finally right with world. I turn my gaze to Seth and as usual, he's not focused on anything around him; his eyes downcast. And then, like a magnetic pull trying to bring us closer, his eyes find mine.

My heart squeezes in my chest when I'm met with emotionless, grey eyes. We continue to stare at each other, and the more I do, the more I ty to fight back tears. The pain becomes unbearable, and I quickly stand, telling Brenna some lame excuse, and make a break for the exit like my ass is on fire.

I run all the way to the the abandon stairwell by the unused east wing classrooms, and fall against the lockers. I hug my knees to my chest, and bawl my eyes out over how much my fragile heart is hurting. I don't how long I sit there feeling sorry for myself, but when I hear the sound of approaching footsteps, my body tenses and I quickly scramble to my feet.

I turn down the opposite side in hopes of not getting caught, but I run right into the arms of someone I was least expecting.

"Leaving already?" Lucian's wolfish grin makes my skin crawl.

I tug at my arms, "Let me go." My voice is weak from my cry fest, and Lucian's scrutiny is making it hard for me to seem as threatening as I would like. "Sethy boy doesn't  want you anymore?"

"Fuck you."

He chuckles, "I intend to."

His response makes my blood run cold, and his hand tightens around mine. The cold look in his eyes as he looks up and down my body, does the opposite of what I'm sure he wants to do.

"You want it don't you?" He murmurs against my ear, trying and failing to sound seductive.

"Get away from me you fucking perv!" I stomp down hard on his foot and he yelps, letting me go. I run down the deserted hall with my heart in my throat. I don't know where the fuck I'm going, but my main focus is to try and get away.

I turn down another corridor, but it's no use. Lucian is faster, and he catches me before I get very far. My breathing is erratic as he wraps his muscular arms around me, pulling me back the way we came. I open my mouth to scream, but his hand quickly covers my mouth.

Dread pools in my stomach.

"You fucking, bitch. You're going to pay for that."

Tears stream down my face and unto his hand as I try to get a grip on what's happening. Is this really happening? The question seems to float around in my mind along with conclusion of what I'm dreadung doesn't happen.

I shake my head frantically against his chest as he pulls me into an empty classroom. He throws me in like I'm some rag doll, and I cry out when the edge of the desk makes contact with my hip. The deafening sound of the lock turning has my heart beating faster.

"You think you're better than everyone don't you? Thinking you can tell me no." He chuckles low and deep, the sound making me shiver in disgust.

I shake my head at him, holding out my hands to him like he's some wild dog ready to attack, "Lucian, you don't have to do this. I'll go out with you, okay? If that's what you want I'll do it."

He stares at me for a second, before letting out a laugh so cold, I take several steps back. "You think I want some pity date? I wanted you first, but like always, you bitches seem to always gravitate to that fucker."

"But this is wrong, and you know that. What does it matter that I was with Seth first?" That seemed to be the wrong thing to say, because his eyes grow dark, and he takes a menacing step towards me. "I don't care that you fucked Seth first. I'm here to collect what's due to me."

I swallow back the bile in my thraot. The fact that he's determined to get what he wants because of his ego makes me sick. If I'm going to get out of here, talking to him won't help any. He's already made up his mind.

I eye the door, discretly looking around for a way to get to it. I would have to run around him to get to the door, but with my burning hip, my chances seem slim.

Lucian's voice brings my focus back to him, "I own this school, you, and everyone in it. The quicker you get that, the better things will be for you."

I narrow my eyes at him, determined not to let him win. "I'd like to see you try."

His answering grin is downright sinister, "I'm not leaving until I get what I want. Not again."

And then he lunges for me.