How To Be A Heartbreaker

Six

Dario

When I gripped her arm she stared at me, like a deer stares at the lights of a car. She looked lost and her breath started to come out uneven. I started to call out her name in hopes she'll snap out of it but it didn't work, instead she started to shake. What did I do to her? So many questions flooded in my head but there was no time to answer. I kept my grip on her thinking it might help her, by assuring her that she's not alone but I doubted it helped because she continued to shake like a fish outside of the water. I started to panic as well.

Someone must have seen the whole scene and called David because moments later he entered the library yelling her name. His eyes met mine and then they traveled to my hand, that still had a tight grasp on her wrist. His nostrils flared as he walked towards us. "Let. Her. Go." he said through gritted teeth and I obeyed. He took her into his arms, whispering into her ear. Her small fists twisted his navy blazer, she was terrified and I fear it was me she was terrified of.

How could I blame her now? She had every reason to feel that way.

A moment before David exited the library, she looked up, with a blank stare. Once again, I apologized but i don't think she could understand what I said nor what was happening. After she left, I realized something was tickling my palm, something liquid. I turned over my palm only to see a red stain in the middle of it. Blood. Her blood. The shock from before was nothing to what I felt now, how could she do that to herself. She was the one to say it was selfish when Romeo did it, what changed now. So many questions I had for her, I wanted to ask her why, why she did that, I wanted to close her in my arms and take all the pain away from her. I know she didn't deserve it, whatever it was that hurt her that much, she was too nice to be broken. I know how it feels to be broken, but she shouldn't.

I never thought I'd feel like that for someone, was it pity? Understanding? I don't know, what I know is I had to do something, something to show her that I'm not an enemy. Why? I have no idea, but something in me is saying that I should, so I'll try. She can't hate me forever, and she can't pretend either, not for long at least.

I got back home and was instantly met with Mickey hugging my legs. I laughed and ruffled his head, raising it so he can look at me. My smile fell when I saw his face, a blue bruise covering his cheek. He saw my reaction and hid his face in my leg once again while I looked up to Matteo " He got hit with a baseball. That's what the teacher said." There's no way this bruise came from a baseball "Bullshit." I knelt down in front of him, putting my hands on his shoulders to prevent him from hiding his face again "hey, buddy. Wanna tell me who did this?" he hesitated but nodded his head, leaning in to whisper what happened "he punched me" he whispered making me see red "who, Mickey?" I asked trying my best not to go out and punch the living shit out of the person that hurt my nephew "some boy from school" he answered, looking at me with his big eyes. When he saw the anger behind mine he quickly added " but he got in trouble, i promise Rio." he then hugged me and run to his room before I had the chance to answer or ask anything else.

I turned to my brother who was holding a beer bottle towards me nodding his head for me to take the bottle out of his hand. That's exactly what I did, i took it to my hand, bringing the green glass to my lips, the amber liquid burning my throat in a delightful way. My, that sounded kinda masochistic.

Anyway, after a couple of gulps the bottle was finished and I took off to go to my room. I need to blow off some steam, whenever it came to Mickey I always got super defensive. I felt like I had to protect him from everything bad in this world. He isn't capable to do so himself, so I had to, I promised and I never break a promise.

I sat on the bed and got a hold of my bass, maybe some music will calm me down. My fingers started moving at their own accord, playing a melody by memory, I always did that since I was a child, playing music to avoid real world problems. Even though it always ended with my dad and I in a fight, and of course, he always won. I still have the scars to remember, on my arms, my legs, my torso, everywhere. They aren't visible anymore, due to healing and tattoos, yet I still feel them, Every time I put on my jacket and the material touches the burns on my arm, I can still feel him, pressing his cigarette on my skin, to discipline me he said, and it did anything but.

I don't know how long I played for, but it must been hours because when I turned my head it was dark outside. I put the bass back into it's stand and went to the kitchen, God, I was starving. I opened the fridge but before i couldn't even scan to see what i could eat my cellphone started ringing. It was Atlas, the drummer of our band and one of my best friends, seriously the kid was there for anyone that needed him.

"Hello ?" I said, answering the call

" Dude, they said yes !" Atlas exclaimed, his voice higher than normal, I'm guessing due to the excitment

" Who said yes, Atlas ?" I asked the blonde, trying to understand what the hell he was talking about

" The guys from the 'Venus', the said we can play there next weekend " He said and it clicked, we got the job.

" Seriously ? That's awesome, hey you gonna be at Brooke's party in a few days ?" I asked him, I don't think I want to go anymore but I know that if Atlas is there, it means I can get high, without caring for anything and anyone

" Yeah, yeah , I'll be there don't worry " I could hear the smirk in his voice, God, that boy knew me better than anyone, literally.

" Okay, just wanted to make sure. Bye." I didn't give him time to say it back, I just hang up the phone. And a thought made it's way into my mind,

what if Grace's gonna be there ?

If yes, then I would be able to apologise, make ammends with her. Anyways, I made a sandwich and went back to my room to sleep, stopping infront of Mickey's bedroom, him peacefully asleep between his spider - man sheets, I can't even describe how happy it makes me that he has never seen the wrath of my father, the only time he stays at my parents house is when my mama has the day of and he works late, if he's there I never let him stay the night, only staying because I'm there.

A small smile makes it's way onto my face as i near the young boy, leaving a kiss on his head and pulling the covers over his small frame, and closing the door before entering my room, falling face first onto the dark navy sheets. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep, thinking of an apology I owe to Grace.