Facing Wrath

Chapter One

What was this? What dares awaken me from my pleasant slumber?

I crack open one of my eyes, looking up at what must be the sun staring back at me. Of course, it isn't the sun itself, but the light is so blinding it might as well be. I sat up and pushed a hand through my black hair, groaning in protest. I rubbed my eyes and sighed. Fucking school. Fucking humans. Then again, I can't complain. I seem human enough.

The red eyes I hide with green contacts give away my mother's heritage though. Imagine, the priceless looks on humans' faces were they to find out the truth about me, especially the boys! God that would be funny; the way their mouths would drop when they learned the lips that kissed theirs were tainted. The black hair, that was tangled because of my tossing and turning throughout the night, was wavy. I glared at my freckled face and huffed, tearing through the mess of hair with a brush. My red eyes glared back at me. 

I sighed and softened my gaze, beginning to put in green contacts. What no human could see were the small, nubby horns that came from my hair. Mom said horns were something to be proud of, but I most certainly was not proud of them. Who could be proud of something that meant such wicked things? Mom had long, curly goat like horns, and when she wanted them to, they caught fire, red fire, which her hair seemed to be made of. She was a fire demon after all. She could make her whole body light aflame, should she choose to do so. I stripped down from my pajamas and put on my black dress which had a short skirt that mostly consisted of lace, the bodice was a black and red corset with long lace sleeves that I had tied just tightly enough to keep it where it was supposed to be. I then put on fishnet stockings, and over those buckle up boots that came up to my knee. I put my brushed hair up in pig tails and casted the daily spell to hide my nubby little horns mother had always sworn would grow with me.

"Carly, your bus is here!" Dad called from down stairs. Shit! I ran down the stairs, grabbed lunch money from dad's hand and went to run out the door when mom stopped me.

"Mother!" I growled, stopping before I bolted through her.

"Don't forget that I love you." She told me and kissed the top of my head. "Mwah! Have a good day at school!"  I put the palm of my hand against my forehead, hiding the shame of my mother's kiss, before running out the door and to the awaiting bus. I sat alone, as always, towards the middle of the bus. This was the usual occurrence, boys made catcalls and whistled occasionally, perhaps making some kind of joke. Even towards the end of the year it didn't get anymore appealing. I kicked up my feet on the bus seat and sat sideways, laying against the cold metal wall of the bus. I closed my eyes, holding my bag against my stomach. I counted the rotations of the wheels and the time that elapsed.

The bus lurched to a stop before it should have and I opened my eyes slowly. There was a new kid pulling himself onto the bus, his hair was red, moving against the skin of his forehead as his tall body swayed. His brown eyes lazily scanned both sides of the bus, his eyes fell on me a moment and my heart stopped beating. I don't know why I was drawn to him, his black shirt and jeans. He was chewing on his lip and looked distracted. My hands went up to my horns, though I caught myself and I touched my hair instead. He looked like he wasn't from around here, not many people here had red hair, save for my mother. 'Of course he's not from around here' I told myself, 'he's a new face.'

I made a point of uncrossing my legs and moving for him to sit near me but he moved right by me. I flushed and pretended to stretch before placing my legs back up on the seat. I couldn't believe this! A guy who didn't tremble when I batted my eyelashes! I was enraged, furious, absolutely... Attracted to this young man who dared ignore me. When the bus lurched forward, continuing its trek, I threw my bag on the floor and closed my eyes again, I heard laughter, unusual laughter. I imagined it came from that boy. It was deep, somewhat frivolous; he was having a good time with whoever he was with, but he wasn't completely trusting himself with them yet. I relaxed a little and insisted to myself it was just a silly crush and that it would go away soon.

That made me feel better, and I was calm until I heard a familiar noise on the bus; the stomping of combat boots. Ugh what was he doing here? I opened my eye and half glared at the wannabe, his name was Harold. He wore chains and boots, and different dark colors, trying to be one of us, but he was a popular down deep.

"Freak." He muttered as he walked by me. He had no clue.

"Poser," I hissed. He sat behind me, I groaned internally.

"You're a freak even by goth standards." He accused, laying his head near my ear. "What do you do at home, satanic rituals? Blood drinking?" He laughed, along with one of his old friends.

"You're adopted, you're a poser even in your own family," I countered shamelessly, to this day, I don't regret what was said. Harold went silent; everyone had gone silent in that moment. I opened my eyes and looked back at the red head new kid, who was staring at me with disapproval. The bus driver pretended not to hear, for my sake. I smiled as I closed my eyes, it was a victory for me, shaming that boy who always hit on me.

At the next stop Harold moved away from me. The rest of the bus ride was quiet, near dead silent. I could almost hear a pin drop if I really felt like listening. There were still murmurs and whispers, of course, but I paid no mind to them. As usual they were probably talking about how little I cared for the feelings of others. How can you care for the feelings of others when others don't care for your feelings? I was glad when the bus screeched to its final stop in front of the high school. I stood quickly, grabbed my bag, and walked into the middle isle, getting into the line to leave. Right behind me I heard the mumbling voice of the new kid. I sucked in my breath and my cheeks turned red. What did he think of me, I wondered? Did he think I was rude for standing up for myself the way I did? The bus driver pulled me off to the side.

"Carly, if I didn't know your mother, I would have said something sooner," She began. "You need to leave that poor Harold kid alone..." And that's where I tuned out. I nodded politely and told her I under stood. I smiled and walked out of the door, almost bumping right into Harold.

"Watch it, lesbo!" He snapped.

"Oh, I'm a lesbian now?" I laughed. "How original, Harry." I made a point of moving my hips as I walked away from him.

"At least I'm not a whore!" He called after me. The whole reason for him doing this, I was sure, was that he was totally into me and he wanted my body. Carly Maria Fellows falls for no man that easily!

As if to prove me wrong Mr. Red head new kid walked by and my heart started fluttering. Dammit Carly. I ran my fingers over my parted hair and sighed deeply. He paused, turning to look at me.

"Can I help you, miss?" He asked. I had to think fast, and not just stand there like an idiot with my mouth hanging open.

"Yes, I was wondering if I could help you find your classes." I said with my best, knock 'em dead smile. To no avail. He frowned.

"No, I don't associate with bullies, sorry." He muttered and turned on his heel. I walked after him. "Listen, about that thing on the bus..." I began. "I don't care what your excuse is, you don't mess with someone's family." He stated.

"Not even when they call you a freak?" I asked.

He chuckled. "Not if the boot fits." I stood there in awe, I couldn't believe what he had just said. I stood there, in the middle of the hallway, until the bell rung and I had to run to class.