Troubled | alex turner

prologue

autumn chloe radford

I stumbled from the push I earned from my mother as she slammed the door with great rage behind me. My bottom lip was imprisoned by my teeth, not allowing it to tremble. I was acting weak and stupid. With a deep breath and the pop of my leather jacket's collar, I sat on my motorbike and began to drive, metaphorically from my pain.

The pain was soon forgotten when I found the fresh air flying in my hair as the motorbike roared with speed. A smile slowly crept onto my face the way a killer creeps towards the victim.

I felt alive.

Soon enough, my black boots hit the ground with a thud as I release the brakes of the motorcycle, letting it rest against a pole of some sort. My black skinny jean covered leg hovers over the motorcycle, allowing me to stand on my two feet. I shoved its keys in my pocket; it wasn't of much use to me as I could start up the motorcycle without the keys in the time frame of the snap of my fingers.

I exhale and rub my hands together. Let's do this. I begin to walk in a particular direction with my head held high, pride is painted all over my features; the click of my boots against the streets soothes me. Nobody could tear me down when I acted like this.

Stepping into the building, all glances were reverted to me yet I kept my cool. Whatever they did didn't intimidate me, and if it was anyone who was intimated, it would be the ones staring at me.

I simply smirk, and carry on with my confident strut as Leo approaches me. "Walk me to my locker?" He asks.

"Only if I want to," I retort, and he rolls his eyes.

"I wish you wouldn't see everything as a threat," he says, looking into my eyes, as I feel slightly intimidated, but I brush it off. Get a grip, I tell myself.

"And I wish you weren't so soft, but here you are," I say back with a smile on my face.

"Whatever, tough guy. Walk me?"

I didn't reply, I simply followed him to his locker.

"Look," he says in a low voice, "we need to call an urgent meeting tonight."

I furrow my eyebrows. "Why?" I whisper back.

"I'll explain everything then," he says, obviously trying to hush me.

"No," I demand, "you will tell me now."

The universe seemed to be on Leo's side today, as the bell rang loudly in the pupil's ears. "Saved by the bell, huh?"

"This isn't a joke, Autumn," He says seriously, "Are you gonna be there or not?"

I didn't reply. He was about to speak, but I always have the last word. "I'm coming at half seven," I say, and walk to class.