life before mad // r.s.l au

21 : nicotine

"How are you feeling? Am I hurting you?" She asked. "Most importantly, are you hurt?"

"No, it's fine."

She continued with her arm around my waist, helping me up. Usually this wouldn't happen but I have been bed-ridden for the past two weeks and I decided to stand up without any help. Naturally the moment I was no longer holding on to the bed, I collapsed under my own weight, sending a few glass things crashing to the ground.

To my luck, Skye was home with me. She came ready to help me get dressed for the winter formal, but the way things were going I don't believe I will be dancing very much. It was hard to say no to her though; she deserves everything in the world, so I accepted to go with her.
It was back to normal between us, the same couple that was told to get a room multiple times a day. Of course, the normality between us was only brought about after the killer slap Skye happily delivered to Abigail the day I was released from hospital. In all honesty, I think she only aimed to prove to me she wasn't the cute soft person everybody takes her for.

Well that got me. She innocently walked to my wardrobe, pulling my suit and tie from it. "Maybe just standing for a bit will help, but don't let go of anything."

I followed her orders. "How can you be so calm? You literally have to be ready by 7:30 yet you're still here and we're quickly approaching 5pm."

"My hair and make up will be done at the same time so I'm in no rush. You need to chill out as well." She smiled. "Where are your shoes?"

***

All of the standing I had done had amount to nothing since I was basically blown away hours later.
Skye looked out of this world; she opted for a royal blue dress with a sparkly waistband and neckline, her curls now straightened. "Say something, you're making me nervous."

"I'm speechless, you just look amazing." I pulled my everything into a hug which she accepted, beaming. Mom and Rydel stood at the ready, cameras poised. I scoffed. "Go ahead."

After what seemed hours of flashes in my eyes, we were finally on our way back to school, this being the first time I see my friends properly since that night with Abbie. Inside I was quivering with nerves, but kept it together and we proudly walked hand in hand into the ocean-themed gymnasium.

"Like it? I had to round up a lot of freshmen to get this place looking like this." My girlfriend told me, and I kissed her cheek in appreciation. "Thank you, babe. You look handsome, by the way."

"Thank you, we easily-"

"Skye!" A male voice cut me off, belonging to a brunette guy perhaps my height. He was most definitely a new face, but Skye apparently knew him since they even shared a hug. "Nice work on this place! It looks amazing."

"Thank you." I grunted after her words. "Of course- Sean meet my caveman boyfriend Ross who communicates by grunting, Ross meet Sean who is the new vice-president of the journalism club and president of the debate club."

"How could I not know you, you're half of the power couple of the school. It's a pleasure, bro." Sean shook my hand with a smile.

"Same." I replied coldly, but he barely acknowledged my tone. Skye did, now eyeing me strangely. "May I get you a drink?"

"Sure, I'll be at our table." She grinned, walking away with Sean following behind. It wasn't long until her friends intercepted them and he walked off towards a different table, snapping photographs.

***

I stood with the boys towards the back of the hall, drink poised and a slight smile on my lips as I watched Skye and her friends mock dance. She tried to get me to join, and I did for a while but I began to feel tired so she let me off this one time.

"Who's that guy?" Carter leaned over, pointing in the direction of Sean.

"He's new, seems nice. You should hit him up." I told him.

"Maybe, I'll keep my eye out." My best friend elbowed me playfully before walking away. I thought he had returned, but he was actually Matt, who looked awfully different in a suit.

"Didn't think you'd be here. Casper misses you." He said.

"Well, my brain got in the way. But I'm here and ready now."

"Good, we have places to be."

"Where are you off to?" An innocent looking Skye appeared in front of me and all kinds of initiative to leave were knocked down by her face. "Are you going already?"

"If you don't mind? I'm kind of tired-"

"Of course! I'll message you tomorrow morning," she reached up and kissed me. "Bye! Bye Matt!"

He waved to her, before we walked away into my car. He sat typing on his phone momentarily before showing me the directions. I loosened my tie as Matt informed me of the guy we were after - some Tyler Keller, who has owed money for a good 3 years and therefore needs to be cleared out.

We drove out of town until my eyes were hurting. I really wasn't there for any of part of the drive or the conversation with Tyler Keller - I was still tangled in my my own demons.

However I couldn't miss the moment I shot a four bullets into his head at close range. Now faceless (unless you count a nasty mess of blood and whatever else was left of his head), he fell before me, any visible skin painted with his blood.

"What is wrong with you?" Matt gasped beside me. He scoffed, then looked away. "How can you stare at it?"

"He was annoying me," I looked to where his eyes once were.

Then something within me clicked. There was an off beat moment in which I stared at the obscene amount of blood I was wearing & began to scream, viciously rubbing at my arms to get it off.

"Ross." Matt called. "Ross! Ross, goddamnit! Stop!"

I stood still, staring into the barrel of his Glock. "Get this off me, now,"

"Are you like afraid of blood or something?" He asked, pulling the gun I used to kill Tyler out of my hands, wrapping it around his.

"Apparently so." I breathed, looking away.

"Look at me." Matthew forced me to look into his eyes. "I had a lot to drink before so I can't drive. Therefore, you will go into the back of your car and wipe your hands until there is no blood and you'll drive us home. Then you'll get a shower and go to sleep, yes? Let's go."

writing this has become so forced now // I have a new story called 'Breathe Life' so check it if you'd like :)