(Spin-off of Imaginary, more so specifically it's second book, Severity)
Cleo Vexer, a problematic teenage girl, is the sensation of your average pessimist and mediocre criminal. Still having to survive the rest of her senior year bitter and lonely...
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The golden light of the weekend could only last so long before I returned to school on the ungodly hours of Monday morning.
I lazily walked through the school gate, getting here early by ten minutes.
I felt a sudden grasp my shoulder. So in my mind, the rational thing to do was scream.
"Jesus Christ, Sicily!" I slapped her arm with the back of my hand. "You made my heart skip a beat."
"I forgot you get frightened easily." She smiled coyly. "My bad."
I shook my head and smiled as I rolled my eyes. "Oh, so after school -"
I paused mid-sentence as her eyes traveled past my shoulder.
She raised an eyebrow before looking back at me.
"I have to go talk to my Spanish teacher." Sicily blurted. "But I'll see you in third period."
As she started walking away, I yelled, "But you take French!"
I narrowed my eyes at her and turned around. It is too early in the morning for this.
Then as I rubbed my eyes, I saw a pair of shoes in front of mine. I looked up to see Caslon.
So that explains it.
"Hey my graffiti criminal," He greeted, ruffling my hair.
"Your graffiti criminal?" I gave him an amused stare.
Caslon blinked like he just realized. "Did I say that?" I nodded. "I don't recall."
I chuckled and shook my head. "You are hopeless."
"So you say." He gave me a cheeky smile.
"So," I dragged the word. "Anything on your agenda?"
"Cleo Vexer," Caslon did in surprise. "Is that your way of suggesting that you want to go out with me?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just trying to make conversation."
"If that's your reason." He smirked down at me. Now I regret asking him. "Not to give up your hopes, but I'm not available today. Though I am free Tuesday if your schedule is cleared."
"It is." I responded instantly. "What's got your attention this afternoon?"
"Business training," I could see the irritation in Caslon's eyes. "My family has this legacy and I will have to take over my dad's company when I turn of age."
I furrowed my eyebrows. "Is that something you want to do the rest of your life?"
"I mean," Caslon pursed his lip and looked down. "Not really. But if it's something I'll have to do, I'll do it."
"This is your future, Caslon." I said sternly. "Who cares about a family legacy? What's more important is that you need to make your own choices and lead your own life."
He shifted his feet uncomfortably. "It's not that easy, Vex."
"It could be." I reasoned. "Before I turned eighteen, I was trying to impress my parents by doing all they asked of me. I conformed to their way of life and sacrificed my own happiness. Now, I have my own apartment, got a job I love, I maintain bills all on my own, and I'm not even out of high school yet."
Caslon's hazel eyes look into mine. Some of it carries hope, and the other looks sorry. "I'm sorry, but I can't just do that, Cleo."
"I didn't say you have to." I tried to not let disappointment seep into my face, but by the look Caslon had, it was already obvious. "And actually, I gave you a choice. But it seems you already have your pick."
I think about walking away, but epiphany strikes as I keep my feet grounded.
"If being your family puppet is more important than your own happiness," Melancholy swirled in my heart. "Then please leave. I'd like some time to myself."
Caslon sighed, his eyes pleading me not to make him chose. That this was silly.
