Chelsea's Smile

 Sander's Pov

I woke up the morning I was supposed to attend that new school with a weird feeling in my gut. I didn't know what it meant, but I felt like something was supposed to happen today. Whether good or bad, I didn't know. All I knew was, it was something I had to do. And I guess I made the right choice.

She was so beautiful. From the moment I saw her in that first class of the day, I couldn't look away from her. Katie, even her name was perfect. But she couldn't be attracted to me. I'm a monster. I will pay for my sins by never having anyone love me, that woman who destroyed my face made sure of that by slicing my flesh with a dull knife, giving me a Chelsea's Smile.

Katie was so kind to. Instead of trying to make we speak, which I am very self conscious about, she gave me a note pad to write down on instead. She didn't even know me, and yet she was acting like a friend. God I didn't think you could fall in love with someone so fast as I did for her.

As we walked down the halls, I noticed people staring and whispering. "'That's the new guy. He's really hot. But what's up with the mask?'" and "'Are they dating? Why the fuck is he following her?'" and then one that really caught my attention "'Creepy Katie get a new playmate?'" That last comment struck me as odd, but Katie seemed to be used to it, considering she ducked her head and kept walking.

We sat down in the final class of the day, and I just looked at her thinking of that nickname I heard in the hallways. Creepy Katie? She didn't seem creepy in any way. She seemed beautiful and smart.

'Why do they call you Creepy Katie?' I wrote down and passed the notebook to her. She leaned over it for a second and then her face paled. Her hand started shaking and she brushed away a lock of her lavender hair.

"A name you'll learn later on," She smiled, playing it off cool. "Where'd you hear that?" She asked nervously. She didn't meet my eyes and began playing with the cuffs of her sleeves.

'In the hallway earlier. Someone asked "Creepy Katie get a new playmate?"' I looked up at her, surveying her electric blue eyes. Her eyes were casted down at the table, and she began wringing her hands.

"Don't worry about it," She looked up at me, sadness softening her eyes to tears. She patted my hand gently and gave me a sad smile, so sad, I wanted to reach out and turn it into something of happiness. I nodded, letting the subject drop for now. I was determined to find it out later.

We spent the whole class period, passing the notebook back and forth, her explaining things to me. On occasions, our hands bumped and my arm got all tingly from my fingers to my shoulder. If I hadn't been so embarrassed to speak or smile, I would never stop talking to her or smiling at her. I still don't see how anything could be creepy about her.

When the final bell rang for the end of school, I found that we were walking in the same direction. I wonder if I was following her or if she was tagging along with me.

"Not to be weird or anything, but where is it you live?" Katie asked as we walked out the front doors. She was clutching a geometry book to her chest. It was one of those big, heavy one used when you have trouble with the subject. I pointed at the apartment complex just down the street from here. I would write it down, but since we are walking down a street with a bunch of cars, that wouldn't be very smart now would it? "Really? I do to!" She grinned at me, her eyes crinkling. "Now you must think I'm a stalker."

I shook my head no, trying not to smile. If I smiled, the ugly scar on my face would show above the mask and she'll start asking questions. I shoved my hands in my pockets and glance over occasionally at her. I wanted to reach over and take the heavy book from her, make it easier for her since she already had a backpack that also seemed to weigh her down. But, a hand seemed to twisted my insides as I thought about reaching over to take it.

"You know, you don't act like a teenager you know?" She gave me a lopsided smile. "You seem so much older than you really are." I shrugged as if to say, 'I've been through a lot of shit.' "Had a tough life?" She asked me quietly. I nodded. "So have I. Seems we've both been through a lot."

My lips hardened into a fine line under the mask in bitterness. She can't have possibly gone through what I have. I've gone through so much more than she ever has most likely. She couldn't possibly know or even come close to understanding my pain.

We walked up to the apartment complex, where she mounted the wooden stairs leading up to the second floor.

"This is where we part I guess," She smiled, still holding that book to her chest. "You can come up if you want." She ran a hand through her hair nervously, and brushed a lock of purple hair back. "You know, if you don't want to be alone. My door is always open." I nodded to her, wordlessly thanking her. It was actually adorable, what she was doing. She wanted me to come and visit her outside of school, but she didn't ask me to, giving me the free will to decide if I would or not.

I put a hand on the one she had resting on the railing, and gently squeezed her fingers. I wouldn't speak, I promised myself I would never speak again because of what she did to me. But this was my way of saying I would come and see her, that I was agreeing. By the names I heard today at school, I figured she is alone a lot, and pretty girls like her didn't deserve to be alone ever. Especially the sweet, kind, and caring ones.

Katie grinned and went up the steps. I watched until she turned and unlocked a door on the end cap. She casted one more look down at me, waved and disappeared inside. I raised my hand even though she couldn't see me anymore. I sighed and walked to the end where my new apartment was. I went inside, and was greeted by dust, and a dark figure in the dark room.

I stared in horror as a light was flicked on, revealing the shadowy person. They had dark red hair, almost blood colored, pale flesh and piercing green eyes that sent tremors down your spine. They grinned, revealing sharp, needle like teeth. In their long, slender, fingers, they held a long, wicked knife, bloodied to the handle.

I cringed as Thomson, ran the blade softly against my face. My brother's breath was rank like a sewer, nearly choking me out.

"So, little brother, how are we settling in now that Mummy and Daddy are dead?" He drew out softly, that murderous gleam in his eyes. It was the same look he gave me the night I had to- no. I can't let him force into something like this again. Not now that I know Katie. "Still terrified of me?" He hissed. He drew the blade down my cheek, splitting the skin. Fresh blood ran down my cheek, but I stood tall. I wouldn't giving him the satisfaction of seeing me scared.

"I know about the girl," He whispered softly in my ear. "Stay away from her and don't get too close. Remember what happened last time?" I froze in place, coldness gripping my heart in my chest. I only remember all too well what happened to Vanessa. I glared at him. Even though he was threatening Katie, I still wouldn't speak. "You're a monster anyway remember? Why would she ever love you?" He spit at me. "You're disgusting. Dirty. You said it so yourself."

I shoved him against the wall, my arm pressed to his throat, ready at any moment to choke him to death. I glared at him through narrowed eyes, as his mouth turned up into a Cheshire smile.

"This is sad really," He said. His face was becoming slightly purple from the lack of oxygen. "That you're fighting so hard for a girl you just met. For a girl you'll never have a chance with." I clenched my teeth and dropped him to the floor. I wanted to kill him, I did. He didn't deserve to live for what he has done. He started laughing, and I grabbed him the collar of his shirt and hauled him out the door.

I shoved him out, and onto the pavement where, when he landed on his hands and knees still laughing, kicked him in the ass, pushing him to his stomach. I shut the door behind me, and marched up the stairs to Katie's door. I glared at him and knocked on her door.

When Katie opened the door, I broke my gaze from my horrible and demon brother, to her surprised face.

"Sander?" She asked, confused. "Everything okay?" She looked to where I was looking a moment ago, and paled. She reached for my hand and quickly pulled me inside. This told me, she had some interactions with him before.