dark devotion ≫ a.b.

5 - Stay Away

I don't know how Andy will feel about me and my roommates watching his band's music videos all last night. Hopefully, he won't find it creepy. Now I feel like an idiot. He'll probably think I'm a total stalker. I tug a Halsey t-shirt over my head and slip into some black leggings and Vans with a galaxy design. Lily's looking super fashionable once again and Meg's wearing a cute Panic! At The Disco sweatshirt that matches my shoes.

Meg has a locker across from me on the opposite side of the hall. Gee pops up beside me and I nearly scream. Him suddenly appearing really freaked me out. Almost like he appeared right out of thin air.

"Hey Quinn," he greets me, leaning on his locker. "Hi, Gee. Oh, let me introduce you to my friend!" I pull Meg's hand and lead her to Gerard. "Gerard meet Meg. Meg meet Gerard." Meg gives him a small wave and they talk a little and introduce themselves. She goes back to her locker and he turns to me. His cute, goofy grin suddenly turns to a frown and the sudden change takes me by surprise.

He leans in close, our noses almost touching. My breath catches in my chest. A guy's never really been this close to me before. "Stay away from Andy, okay?" he whispers. "He's bad news." Stay away from Andy? What was wrong with him? And why would Gee care? After I don't respond he asks, "You trust me right?" His hazel eyes glow red for the merest moment. I almost gasp. Was that just my imagination?

Thank God, the bell rings. He strides to his next class but turns to me to catch my eyes. A shiver runs down my spine, slowly, like the blade of a knife taking its time.

Still a little shaken up, Meg and I head to English together. The seats we chose last class are now permanent until the second quarter of the school year starts. Unlucky for Meg, she's gotta pick one of the less wanted spots. There's a boy staring at her with his mouth open. Looks like somebody has a crush on her. And it's the only available desk in the room. I see Meg sigh and I feel sorry for her but laugh at the same time.

Andy taps my shoulder. I freeze, unsure of whether to respond or just ignore him. I realized last night I should stop brushing him off, but Gerard also told me to stay away from him. "Hey Andy," I say. If my decision was right I guess I'll find out later. "So Blue, we gotta figure out our project soon. You never texted me last night," Andy says. "Oh sorry! I was having a movie night with my dormmates." I mutter for a moment. Should I tell him about my strange encounter at my locker? I guess I should be honest. I bite my lip, a common habit I have. "Um, you know Gerard right?"

Andy's eyes grow fierce, ready for a fight. "Yes, I do," he growls through gritted teeth. I didn't realize he had such feelings towards him. "He... well, he told me to stay away from you." ...and the truth comes out.

For a minute I'm scared, scared of how Andy's going to react. "He said that to you?" Cautiously, I nod my head. "Don't listen to what he says. He's a liar." This is the first time I've heard him speak so fiercely. I wasn't sure how to feel about it. I hadn't any notion how dark both Gerard and Andy could be. Mr. Gardner starts class abruptly and our conversation comes to an end.

I see the redhead in the front of the class. She's holding hands with Ryder under the desks. Inwardly, I sigh. When I was younger I always thought high school would be where I would've come out of my shell. When I'd stop being so filled with anxiety. My dreams were filled with a popular girl who had the beauty and brains to snag any guy. I had an expensive car, nearly everyone was my friend and a gorgeous boyfriend. I remember in 7th grade when I first noticed I had anxiety and depression. 7th grade was the year where I'd avoid going to lunch to sit in the bathrooms and write these dreams in my diary. At least in the bathrooms, no one could tell me to go somewhere else. I don't think it was that nobody liked me. No, it was that I was so scared to make friends, much fewer acquaintances with anyone. My music taste was too different, I felt like I was too weird for anyone to like, and I well... sort of hated myself. I overcame the fear, kind of.

I did make a few friends. Meg and Lily were my first friends I made when I came to J.R. Boarding School. And we've stuck with each other ever since.

Class finally ends. The day goes by much quicker than the first. Andy sits with me at lunch again. My heart sinks when Gee sits at our lunch table and frowns at Andy. I can only pray he won't be angry with me later. We do have Latin together so I have no idea how that'll be like.

In the hallway, Andy tugs on my arm. "I'd really love to have a real talk with you, Quinn. My house at 8:00?" He called me Quinn. Interesting. And he's asking me on a date. Is it a date though? I smile, nodding my head. "Of course."

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The ball smacks my face, forcing my body to the dirty gym floor. My vision goes white and the only feeling is pain. After a moment, I can feel something else. Hands gripping my arms. Meg stands above me, her mouth opening and closing. Talking, but I have no idea what she's saying. The words finally make sense after a minute or two. "Quinn! Andy, come help me take her to the nurse!"

The arms carry me out the gymnasium doors and the last thing I see before I black out is Ivy's smug face, her arms crossed over her chest in triumph.

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I wake up to the sound of people talking indistinctly. My head pounds and I feel worse than before. My vision eventually clears and I can make out Meg and Andy sitting at the foot of my bed. "Quinn! You're awake!" she exclaims rushing to my side. Andy's smiling face soon comes also.

I press my hand to my head, pushing my blue bangs out of my eyes. "How could a volleyball to the face hurt this much?" I ask.

Meg shrugs her shoulders and heads to go get me some ice. She just left me alone in my bedroom with Andy. I can't tell if that was deliberate or not.

He scoots his chair closer to me and I can almost hear my heartbeat. His blue eyes seem to search me, seeking for every crevice and weakness. "Ivy's not what she seems," Andy says, finally breaking the silence.

I scoff. "A total bitch? Due to the current circumstances, I would say otherwise."

"Well she's just... she's not exactly... what she looks like on the outside."

What could that mean? Is it just the cliche mean girl who was bullied but is actually nice? I'm pretty sure that girl is anything but a cliche. She absolutely hated me for no reason. And she hurt me without purpose too. Andy waves his hand dismissively. "Forget what I said. Are you still up to our date?"

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Chapter published: December 22, 2016
Song: New Years Day - Black Veil Brides