What's a bad boy?

Chapter 23// The beginning of the end

A/N: gif above. I think I'm gonna include a gif of different characters each chapter, comment on whether you like the idea or not.

Chapter 23: The beginning of the end

"What are you doing here, Jay?" Hunter growls.

Opposite us, Jay merely smirks at his rage, playing Hunter's emotions like a violin. Watching him do it with such ease makes it seem like some sort of art form.

"Didn't daddy tell you? I'm done being his prisoner. If he wants me in the red skulls, then I'm staying here. In the East side."

Jay's words seem to cut through Hunter's restraint like a chainsaw, making him clench his jaw. However, just as he is about to lunge towards his enemy, I latch a firm grip on his forearm, bringing his assault to a pause. He gives me a sideways look, silently asking to be let go. I simply tighten my grip, pushing him back.

When I look up I see that Jay is frowning at our exchange.

"How about we all take a deep breath and walk away" James suggests in a serious tone, "the last thing either of you want is to make a scene."

Unlike my previous encounters with him, James' voice is suddenly very blunt and firm, as if he can already sense an intense storm of rivalry between the two boys. Yet, the slight spark of fear lurking deep in his eyes leads me to believe otherwise. Even his body stance indicates something of a known anxiety when it comes to this type of situation. This only confirms my suspicions. Jay and Hunter know each other. And despite my conversation with Jay walking from the bus stop, where I felt truly at home... he had been lying to my face the entire time.

I'm getting sick and tired of being lied to. Just when I think I know someone who is authentic and kind, they turn out to be just like the people I was avoiding at the time!

Ignoring James' comment, Jay turns to look at me, his expression changing entirely from one of cautious cockiness to a heart melting smile.

"I didn't know that you went here Vee" he says with a sly grin, "hopefully we'll have some classes together."

This time there is no holding Hunter back.

"Vee?! You know her?!?!" He bellows in Jay's face.

"Yeah. We met on Sunday night, she came over to our place and... slept over" he says with a teasing tone, making the sentence imply things that hadn't taken place.

Hunter's face immediately goes stiff, a frightening animalistic presence falling upon him.

I can't tell whether it is because of his stolen nickname or something else from his past, but I'm guessing it's the latter.

"Hunter don't do this, it'll be worse than last time, trust me" Ethan attempts to persuade him, making me feel even more confused.

"Violet, how about we take a walk why these two sort out their issues" Sadie suggests, grabbing my arm without waiting for an answer.

"What the hell Sadie?!" I yell at her once we're out of earshot.

"You just have to trust me on this one, you don't want to be around when those two go at it," she says with a sigh of annoyance.

"What are you talking about?!? I'm gonna go find Hunter" I start, trying to walk away.

However, she seems nowhere near inclined to let me leave.

"Hell no. You and I are going to stay here until they have blown off some steam and then you will ignore both of them the rest of the day, do you hear me?" she commands firmly, her grip on my arm tightening to the point of pain.