Red Roses ~Marcus Lopez Arguello

7~ Letty

Cafeteria, Kings Dominion

Chico pushes open the large doors, and everyone's bloody figure walks into the cafeteria. The already pissed-off teens grow even more annoyed when they hear a certain student's voice. "Come on, everybody! Vote Shabnam for class president!" His poster being the first thing the group of AP students see. "I'll win with or without your help but I'd much rather have your support."

Marcus and Scarlett come into view, Marcus' white button-up splattered with blood, his eyebrow bloody, and multiple streaks of red across his face. Scarlett's white vest is drenched in the red liquid, with her tights almost completely torn up from the back, the gashes on her legs still bleeding. Her nose was crusted with blood and her button up now a short sleeve on one side. She rolls up the other uniform sleeve to her elbow, and pushes her blood-drenched bangs out her face, her pissed-off expression being visible. She's already annoyed at Lin and Shabnam's voice sets her off more.

"We need more nurses in the infirmary. We need stalls separating the group showers." Marcus tilts his head slightly in agreement. The group stops moving to stand in front of Shabnam while Viktor grabs the nearest trash can. "If you put me in charge, there'll be-" He gets cut off when Viktor dumps the trash onto Shabnam, leaving the can on top of him. The students walk past "Very funny, Viktor." Chico spits on the trashcan and Scarlett goes to say something but he's already gone.

She then looks down at the mess and sees Marcus helping Shabnam up, a great mistake. She just stands there watching, not interfering knowing the consequences to come, only ever muttering to Marcus "Argüello don't."

As she stands next to Marcus, Shabnam helps himself up, breathing heavily. "Thanks."

"No worries." He responds.

Shabnam goes to grab two things from a box quickly. "Um, Shabnam." He holds his hand out to the taller boy who shakes it. Shabnam then looks over at Scarlett, whose stare intimidates him. He stares at her, too nervous to reach his hand out. Scarlett sighs before initiating the handshake, something she knows she's gonna regret later. Shabnam stares at the girl and then down at her hand before excitingly grabbing it and shaking it roughly. He then hands the two, each a mixtape. "Rock out the vote."

"Thanks." Marcus mutters. Scarlett just walks away, examining the mixtape. As they're walking away they hear Shabnam continue his speech.

•••

They sat at the lunch table, Lex and Petra on one side, and Billy, Scarlett, and Marcus on the other. Scarlett stares down at her now fucked up outfit, and Marcus notices. "Aww, is Delgado upset about her adorable little outfit being all ripped up?" Marcus states sarcastically.

"Yes I am, I really liked this vest. And this button-up was the most comfortable one I owned." Marcus then looks at the ripped-up part of her shirt, noticing her toned arm, and all the little cuts that covered her.

"Godamn Scarlett, you're buff as fuck." He grabs the girl's arm and squeezes it. She laughs slightly and puts her arm up, flexing the muscle as Marcus becomes more dramatic with his gestures.

"I know babe, just for you." She blows a kiss at the boy who continues squeezing her arm even after she puts it down.

"No, but actually you need to tell me your workout routine cause what the fuck." He stares at the girl's arm a little longer than at the rest of her. He's slightly curious as to where else she's buff.

"Marcus. Stop checking Scarlett out, we're in public." Billy cuts in. Marcus snaps his neck up.

"I was not checking her out."