mad hatter // r.s.l.

15 : ghost town

I removed my blazer, replacing it with a lab coat. After that, I loosened the tie around my neck and clipped it down, in order to avoid it falling into any nasty chemicals.

Today we had some sort of assessment and they asked us to dress smartly to show off the institute. I was indifferent to it, but Rebecca was all in. Her hair which was usually tied up and out of her face in a bun was in a low wavy ponytail, and she wore a smart burgundy dress with lace details and some heels.

I didn't go too overboard; I chose a smart shirt and a black tie with some trousers and shoes that look a bit smarter than my usual Doc Marten boots or Converse. The only extraordinary thing were the glasses, but that was because I forgot to order new contacts.

"You look like the cute nerds at British boarding schools which lose the glasses and become total sex gods." Katie commented.

"It's quite literally like that." Gap added.

"I fee a little bit uncomfortable."

"It's quite the compliment to be checked out by lesbians, I tell you now." Rebecca smiled. "Let's now actually look like we're doing work."

"Life motto." I chuckled, putting goggles on.

We were observed for quite a time and the banterous atmosphere we always had in our lab didn't leave for a second, in fact I think it increased because Miles wouldn't stop making stupid Chemistry puns.

The observers only left around lunch time, along with everybody else. We only had a half day, but I had some tests to finish before I could leave, which made me the last one in the lab.

"We need to talk, Blondie." apparently not. I turned around to Rebecca.

"Shoot." I looked back to the hypothesis sheet I was filling in.

"I know you killed my stepdad."

I laughed. It wasn't the first time I was accused of a kill I had actually carried out. That added to experience. "Why's that? It was the jawline, wasn't it?"

"I can sense your fear, Ross. And it's fine that you killed him, I was going to do it myself rather soon." She said confidently, grabbing my hand. "It can be our dirty little secret, but-"

"But." I said.

"But." She emphasised. "There are conditions to this secret. I believe in the only one who knows why and the fact that you killed James Topeka. So, you must agree to a few things."

"Like what?" I ignored the fact she was nearing me, but she continued, until we were virtually pressed against one another.

"You're mine as of now." She smirked, before her lips found her way to mine.

She had quickly become a stone in my shoe. And possibly my first female victim. So, I just had to gain her trust.

I accepted the kiss, pulling her to me by the waist. From there, I picked her up and placed her on the table, she now going to unbutton my shirt.

There was a short breath from the door and when I pulled away from Rebecca, Bradley stood at the door.

The look on her eyes was impossible to describe; she just looked heartbroken.

Because of me.

"I-I'm sorry." She muttered before closing the door again. Rebecca winked to me, and I ignored it, racing out of the door.

"Brady, wait."

"No, Ross. You have someone waiting for you, and I just need to keep my distance." She said. "I'm so stupid. Of course you'll go for somebody else, you basically see me as a little sister or something."

"Of course I don't, sure we have a two year difference but, big deal! I only like you."

"Don't lie to my face." She replied, monotonously. "I'll make sure to keep my distance from now on. See you around."

Bradley Carter

It was painful. And I couldn't even run to my mom because I'm not even meant to be speaking to other guys, let alone crushing on one.

So I saved my crying for the car drive home, which was a good 30 minutes. Ten minutes before arriving, I rolled down the window, to get rid of the redness on my face and my puffy eyes.

I looked like I ate cinnamon and had an allergic reaction, to be honest.

Not even my siblings could cheer me up, and especially not Edward, so I quickly greeted them, hit Edward when he tried to get with me and locked myself in my room to just cry.

I never really reflected upon how attached I am to him until him. It was like he forced his way into it and was toxic burning in my bloodstream. Something screamed at me that he was bad news.

Weirdest part was, I couldn't care less.

turning point next chapter 👀 I'll try to be super active until Wednesday because from then, I actually have plans, and then exams, for which I will take a short hiatus for