Black Velvet

Chapter Six

"So... Where is this 'Outcasts Hangout' or whatever it is?"

I Laughed and replied, "It's the Outcasts Hideout, and you'll see."

" Awwe, come on! Please tell me..." Alek begged, giving me the puppy dog eyes. I just laughed and continued to drive.

When we got to the Outcasts Hideout, Alek's jaw dropped as he gazed up at the abandoned firehouse that my mom had allowed my friends and I to use as a hideout when I was thirteen; we fixed it up and it was our hideout until about half way through sophomore year. That's when the preps attacked...

It was horrific... They set the whole building ablaze, killing five and injuring ten of our total twenty members... I was hospitalized trying to save them...

"Skar? Skarlett?? Hello?"

Alek's voice snapped me out of the memories of that terrible night. "Huh?"

"Where'd you go? You were somewhere else..."

"Sorry.. Just zoned out for a moment.." I pulled into the parking lot and we parked in the back. "This is it.. I'm home.." I sighed, worried they wouldn't accept me -or worse, hate me- after I abandoned them.

"Well... Shall we?" Alek asked with a sheepish grin. I took a deep breath and nodded. As i reached for my door handle, he opened the door before i could and held out his hand which i gladly took. "M'lady..." he said in a perfect British accent, causing me to giggle.

"Why thank you, kind sir." Alek smiled brightly; the sight made me blush once more as we hooked arms and headed for the back door of the hideout. The strobe lights lit up the old dirty windows, some of which we're broken from years of withstanding weather conditions and teenagers. The music was so loud that you could hear it pounding outside. A scene girl with black, red, and turquoise hair was waiting for us at the door with a girl with blonde hair, rainbow highlights, and green bangs.

Alysse and Brie!

"Skar!" The two exclaimed in unison. "Happy 17th!"

"Thanks guys.. This is Alek; Alek, this is Alysse and Brie." I smiled brightly, grateful to see them again although I had just seen Brie at school earlier today.

"Its nice to meet you both." He said politely.

"Now, let's go dance till dawn!" I exclaimed excitedly, sounding a bit like a child which caused them all to giggle. Alek offered me his arm.

Should I? Damon might get mad... But Alek and I are just friends, right? So it shouldn't matter..

I took a deep breath, smiled, and took his arm then we walked through the doors; everyone turned and stared. The music and chatter of people had stopped- silence - my breath caught in my throat until someone spoke up.

"Skarlett's back!" Everyone cheered! Alysse and Brie then nudged me toward the stage.

"C'mon! They missed you! WE missed you!"

Alek smiled at me as we got to the foot of the stage, "Go ahead, Skar Skullz; they need their leader back." I let go of his arm, took a deep breath, and walked to the mic.

"Good evening, everyone. I know it has been a full year since the incident, and many of us lost friends, family, loved ones in the attack. I apologize for my absence and I know it's inexcusable. I hope you all can find it in your hearts to forgive me. I was ashamed that I couldn't avoid conflict with the preps, so I left... I am so, so sorry... In memory of those members of the outcast army whom we lost on that horrific night, we shall have a moment of silence." We all bowed our heads in remembrance of our lost members. After about a minute, I lifted my head once more. "Now, as I believe, and maybe some of you share this belief, our lost ones wouldn't want us to mourn their death but to celebrate their life. They would want us to live our lives and not dwell on the past. We should live like today was our last because, as we saw, death can come at any time to snatch us away from this life. On another note, I would like to reclaim my place as leader, if you'll have me.." Alysse walked toward me and I let her have the mic.

"All in favor of welcoming back our leader, say I." Many voices spoke up in unison with 'I'. "All opposed?" Silence. "Alright, then it's settled... Everyone, give our Leader Skarlett Skullz a warm welcome back!!" Everyone cheered, Damon hugged me from behind and tilted my head so he could kiss me. I looked out into the crowd and caught the gaze of two ice blue eyes peeking though jagged snow white hair.

For a moment, time stood still; there was something about him that was wild and untamed, powerful and fearless, yet kind and gentle. Little did I know, I would soon find out what that something was.

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I am so so sorry about the wait!! Life's been hectic plus I'm lazy and hate typing on my phone... my laptops down... I'm in public school now so I have less time in the day to work on this.... I will try to update more often!! I love you guys!