Do it again

That NARC come again

"So, princess," Scarlet drawled, leaning against a locker, "what are we conquering this afternoon? History quizzes or mastering the art of the perfect pirouette?"

Kelly rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "Scarlet, please. That wifing routine is getting a little out of hand"

Scarlet chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But it fuels my creative fire, muse. Besides, how else can I properly serenade the ballerina of my dreams?"

Kelly snorted. "Oh, spare me the theatrics. And 'baby,' 'my muse,'  'wifey'... you're laying it on a bit thick, wouldn't you say?"

"Alright, then I can kiss you countless times to spare these not so affectionate nicknames? Serious, Kel." She winked shamelessly, but still exudes such charm, isn't it what they called an unwanted attraction?

Kelly laughed, the sound bouncing off the empty lockers. "Okay, you win. Just... maybe tone it down a notch?"

"You said it yourself, angel, don't nag when I stop, would you?"

Kelly wide-eyed in surprise "You're self-assured, you know that? And since when has this heart been put on your sleeve?"

Sure, they were hella ridiculous. "Cutie firecracker"? Please. But in their own nonsensical way, they were a secret language, a code that only they could crack. That, was a brick in their fortress, a reminder that no matter what the world threw at them, they had each other's backs (and funny bones).

"So," Scarlet finally said, a playful edge returning to her voice, "does that mean I get to keep calling you my muse, at least figuratively?"

Kelly rolled her eyes, but the laughter bubbling in her eyes betrayed her. "Fine," she conceded, shaking her head with a mock frown. "But only because yours are surprisingly catchy."

Scarlet gently stroked Kelly's small chin, Kelly lightly tapped her forehead, her eyes frowned so adorably but still not hidden the sparks.

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The incident

Kelly was worried about Scarlet again. She had a mental breakdown the other day as she realized her mom had blocked her number for a very unknown reason, and if it is known, it probably shouldn't exist. All she wanted is to see her sister Leni again, for her family to love her, a thing that neglected her for years, making her stone cold. She wants Scarlet to take a day off to ease her mind, she doesn't want her to suffer any more.

She walked home from school alone. Like an instinct of insecurity, she sensed someone watching her with a heavy breathing sound like a creep. Kelly's heart hammered against her ribs as she rounded the corner, only to find Max blocking her path. His eyes held a predatory glint that sent shivers down her spine. He wasn't the same boy she remembered from Scarlet's stories. This was someone else, someone darker and more menacing.

"Well, well, well," Max drawled, his voice dripping with faux sweetness. "If it isn't Scarlet's little girlfriend."

Kelly tried to ignore him, quickening her pace to get around him. But he was too fast, stepping in front of her and effectively blocking her path.

"I wouldn't be so quick to leave, Kelly," he said, his voice now laced with a dangerous edge. "We have some unfinished business."

Panic flared in Kelly's chest. She tried to remain calm, but her legs were shaking, and her voice trembled as she spoke. "Max, please. Just leave me alone."

He ignored her plea, his face contorting into a cruel smirk. He leaned closer, his breath hot on her cheek. She's full in panic, trying to back away but Max trapped her against the wall, his eyes filled with a chilling intensity.

"Just relax, Kelly," he said, his voice a low growl. "This won't take long."

Kelly's stomach churned. She wanted to scream, to run, but fear kept her rooted to the spot. Max's hand reached out, brushing against her cheek. It was a touch that sent a jolt of disgust and terror through her.

Just as Max was about to step closer, a figure emerged from the shadows, swift and silent. Before she could even process what was happening, the figure took a fist to Max's jaw, sending him staggering back. He stumbled, collapsing onto the ground with a groan. Kelly turned to see Scarlet standing there, her face pale but her eyes blazing with fury. She had arrived just in the nick of time.

"I told you to stay away from her, asshole"

Max looked up at her, his face flushed with anger. He opened his mouth to speak, but Scarlet cut him off.

"Say another word and I send you straight to hell" she said, taking a menacing step forward. "You are never, ever to bother Kelly or anyone else again, got it?"

Max, cowed by Scarlet's fierce demeanor, simply nodded. He scrambled to his feet and slunk away into the darkness, leaving Kelly and Scarlet alone.

Kelly stared at Scarlet, her eyes mixed with relief and awe. "Scarlet, I'm so glad you're here" she whispered but in a thick tone. "Thank you. You saved me again."

Scarlet gently picked her up, her eyes getting fiery as she looked at her petite figure barely standing still on the ground and full of fear as if she's about to tear up.

"Don't be afraid, okay? I'm here now. No one could try to touch you as long as I'm around." she put Kelly head on her shoulder and kissed her forehead. Kelly held her arms even tighter, her head down on her chest and she sobbed loudly in Scarlet's arms like a little girl.

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Confession from Sarah

"I have nothing to tell you, loser."

"Don't bust, Sarah, I don't like you either. I don't want to deal with your shit, but just to let you know that your sister was saved yesterday, by the one that your dear sweetheart Max harassed and the one that you betrayed. If it wasn't for her, this is gonna be the last time you see your sister.

Unbelievably, Scarlet had a talk with Sarah, she revealed Kelly's struggles with her past and the other thing that pricked her consience.

"What, she did... I...I have no idea, that..."

"You're lucky your sister is alive. I don't even get to see mine since she left, I have no idea where she is, and how she's living. Kelly shouldn't have to do that after what you did to her, but she did. She's too much for you, and for the record, you don't deserve that much."

"What... what did you say?" she stammered

Scarlet's gaze held steady. "Max attacked Kelly. And if I hadn't..." She trailed off, letting the unspoken threat hang in the air.

Tears welled up in Sarah's eyes. "I... I didn't know," she choked out.

"Now you do" Scarlet still look at her sharply "You know, you have a good friend that you don't bother to appreciate, you even go far to stab her in the back, someone that loves you to a fault. That's what Kelly is, once she wants to get close to someone, she loves them unconditionally, but not everyone deserve that. And if you think humiliating is not enough, well let me tell you, you already succeed because Kelly waste too many tears on you and your new friends."

As she finished, Scarlet walked away, leaving Sarah with a heavy weight on her shoulder. She felt guilty of what she did to Kelly, who was once her best friend until she ruined it, ashamed of a terrible friend and a person she is. It feels like a cold, metallic weight in her stomach. "I didn't know," she whispered, the words a pathetic excuse even to her own ears. Images of Kelly, her laughter, their shared secrets, flickered through her mind. How could she have been so blind, so cruel? Shame burned hot in her cheeks. She had to apologize. But could Kelly ever forgive her? She's not sure if she could take up the courage to apologize, but she has to do it. It has to be done. She had to give back everything she took.