• BURN ME •

• 26

Wings

~ Birdy

Snow

My skin tingles pleasantly at the memory of Halloween and the weekend together with the others. Or especially the memory of the things Flame and me did, but I shouldn't be thinking about that right now. Not when we're sitting in Sophia's car, on the way back to San Diego. Olivia is driving Tero's car, in which she, Bay and June are sitting. Nacho is driving with Flame and the others are here in the car, Luca and Nath seem to have fallen asleep. Which isn't bad, but I can't sleep. I'm far too hyper for that, today is Sunday. Flame and I have somehow managed to sleep with each other at every opportunity that presented itself, like damn teenagers with excess hormones. I'm silently busying myself with my phone so that I can think of something other than Flame's perfect cock. I don't really know how, but something between Flame and me have changed. It's like we're closer to each other than ever before, and somehow I like it. We are on the way to drop Nath off at Sam's, but when we arrive there, there is something we didn't expect. An angry Leo is storming out of Sam's house, what is he doing here?

Flame and Nacho stop behind Sophia's car and get out, just like us. Nathaniel looks at his father in fear as he gets out of the car, who stomps towards him angrily. Sam comes out of the house and tries to understand the situation, but too late. Before either of us can say anything, Leo gives Nath a hefty slap in the face. The blonde's head flies to the side and I open my eyes wide, "not a word from you, get in the car, Nathaniel. Do you understand me?" Leo asks in a growling tone, Nath just nods silently and fearfully. Which I can understand, Leo can be really physical when he's angry. I stop Leo as he wants to go after him, his burning gaze falls on me. "What?" he asks, I swallow hard. "Is it true? Is it true that you're not my uncle?" I ask quietly, Leo's face twists into a grinning grimace. "Have you finally figured it out, let me guess, the disappointment of a son told you, right?" Comes from him, he doesn't deny it? "Do you really think I would have taken you in if your inheritance wasn't worth millions? You're nothing to me, I'm only interested in your inheritance." He says, I blink. The dark thoughts are coming back. Just like the emptiness that is piercing my heart with its cold fingers, I'm alone. "Why?" I ask quietly, Leo laughs. "Why? Because I can... who stopped me? The state was happy that they didn't have to look after another damn orphan. So they didn't even ask, they didn't care about you either. Just like your biological parents, they gave you away too, didn't they?" His voice is cold and all of this hits me like a punch in the face.

Leo laughs maliciously, "It's just a shame I didn't get your inheritance. Then you would have been of some use to me at least. Well, let's see how long you can stay here, it certainly won't be long before you end up on the street." A cold shiver runs down my spine as Leo walks past me. He's right, Alessio only took me in because Leo wanted him to. He certainly won't let me live with his family anymore, the cold, heartless fingers of emptiness dig deeper and deeper into my aching heart. My chest tightens and I can't breathe, I see Nathaniel's face looking at me apologetically from the rear window of Leo's car. I didn't want to believe it, but I'm alone. Now the harsh reality sets in for me, I feel a hand on my shoulder. And I hear my name as if in cotton, but I don't react. Shaking off the hand, I walk, no, I run away from them. From Sophia and the others and from my problems and fears, but I know they'll catch up with me. They always do, just like right now.

As far as my feet will carry me, I repeat in my head. Over and over again, my vision blurred. Because of the tears rolling down my cheeks, at first I don't know where I am. Until I realize that, I do know this place, silently I look at the gang graffiti. The place Flame dragged me to, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. As I walk towards the safety barrier that is supposed to mark off the dangerous cliffs. Why do they make these parts so low if they don't want people to be able to climb over them? My hand grips the fence as I slowly swing my legs over, silently watching the waves of the sea crash on the cliffs below. I feel numb, I stare into the abyss in front of me. And maybe it's staring back at me. If I jump, would it be over? Would my problems be gone? All I know is that if I jump. I wouldn't be able to cause anyone any more issues, maybe some would even remember the good things. I smile, maybe they would come to my funeral too. My lips press together as I sink deeper into my thoughts, or would no one care if I suddenly disappear? My hands claw at the wooden railing I'm sitting on, damn it, I don't want to die. I don't want to jump, but I don't want to be alone either.