Belonging to the Bad Boy

Chapter 1

My brunette hair falls whimsically around my face, shielding as much of me as a long bob and bangs can. I keep my grey eyes trained on the ground, watching where I walk rather than at those around me. My books are tightly clutched against my chest. My high waist jeans and oversized t-shirt, tucked loosely into my jeans, hide my figure and my backpack hangs loosely on my shoulders. It's always been like this, and I don't think it could ever change. My love for school and distaste for arrogant and ignorant teens only fuels my desire to stay quiet and anonymous. With only a month left of Junior year I spend most of my time consistently reminding myself that there is only one more year left of High School before I can finally leave this zoo, and more so this town, and move on to greener pastures.

With these thoughts in mind, I hurriedly make my way towards my first class of the day. I had been late arriving to school today because my old, beat up four wheeler had decided that it no longer wanted to function and choked to death rather than life. Consequently, my father had to drive me to school and tow my car to his workshop to try to fix it for me. I rush through the school halls, avoiding bumping shoulders with all the other students rushing to their classes. The sound of the class bells echo through the tiled, locker lined, off-white hallways. I keep my eyes down, swiftly shifting between the other students, judging their directions by the movements of their feet.

With one corner and a little more hallway stretching beyond that, I sighed in relief, knowing that I would make it to class with time to spare, retaining my zero absence streak. Or so I thought. As I rounded the corner, eyes still glued to the floor, I hit something. Hard. I stumbled backwards, glancing to my left believing I had originally hit the wall from walking to close. Judging by the distance I was from the wall and the dull aching in both my arms and hands, it was something far worse that I had run into. My eyes fixate on brown leather boots and my blood runs cold. I clutch my books tighter to my chest, causing myself pain without a care as I feared worse was yet to come.

I let my eyes slowly trail up, dreading making eye contact but knowing worse would come if I did not. The blue, distressed jeans that ensued only confirmed my suspicions and a shiver coursed down my spine. Continuing to raise my gaze, two large hands come into view, followed by muscular arms as a white t-shirt begins to appear. I take one last deep breath before finally raising my gaze to meet the mans in front of me. Ranger's deep, emerald eyes bore into mine the second my grey, less influential gaze meets his. I stare at him, frozen for a moment. I held my breath and waited for the verbal lashing that I'd seen him give hundreds of other students. Yet, nothing came.

In an instant I saw something pass through his eyes before completely disappearing. I could barely blink as multiple emotions passed through his eyes. The halls were beginning to empty, and I had barely noticed Ranger's friend stood eagerly next to him, no doubt waiting for Ranger to humiliate me, until he motioned his friend away, not taking his gaze from mine. My discomfort slowly began to rise as I realised he wanted to be alone with me, and many different scenarios started flashing through my mind. Humiliation, abuse, degradation and more were what I was expecting. My anxiety started to rise as I realised I was going to be late for class, and so I attempted to step around Ranger, mumbling an apology for running into him so carelessly. As quickly as I moved, Ranger had also moved, once again blocking my path.

"Alessandra, right?" Rangers voice was low, raspy and convicting. I once again froze in place, my gaze now reaching for anything other than his eyes. I sheepishly nodded in response, not trusting my voice not to crack as I spoke. "Are you not going to say anything." There was an indistinguishable tone to his voice, something lower and less accusing in comparison to the tone he used when speaking to others. He must not have heard my quite attempt at an apology.

"I-I'm sorry?" I try again, mentally face-palming, betrayed by my voice. My answer came out more as a question than an apology and I knew this was not going to sit well with Ranger. I glance at his face, waiting for the yelling to begin, yet he simply looks down on me with a smirk dancing at the corner of his mouth.

"Cat got your tongue?" He asks, tilting his head down slightly to get closer to my face. I inhale sharply and unwillingly hold my breath. "Apology accepted, but I'm not going to be so easy on you next time, do you understand?" The smirk had been fully revealed as he fully noticed my fear, a low growl in his voice as he spoke. Unexpectedly though, there was still an indistinguishable tint in his eyes and a fear as Ranger stepped aside, allowing me to proceed to my class without further comment.

I didn't dare look back as I pushed the classroom door open, sitting down with seconds to spare before the tutor walked in. I felt the heat in my cheeks and I didn't know if it was from the proximity I had encountered with Ranger, the fear or the utter embarrassment I had just experienced. I tried to calm myself as I unpacked my bag, and nearly fell out of my seat in fear when Damon leaned over to me. "Where have you been?" He whispered loudly.

I place my hand on my heart, trying to steady it's rapid beating. "I had a bit of an issue in the hall, but I'm okay," I mumble, laying my books and stationary neatly on my desk. Damon raises an eyebrow at me, waiting for me to elaborate on 'issue'. "I accidentally ran into Ranger on my way to class, and..."

Before I could complete my sentence Damon's mouth was already spouting words, his hands roaming my arms and shoulders for bruises that Ranger may have left from an iron grip. "Did he hurt you? Is that why you were nearly late? Are you okay?" The worry in his tone was comforting and I finally felt my heartbeat return to normal. The red tint left my face, leaving me with my natural, light pink staining.

Damon's words resonated in my ears for a moment. I had made it to class on time, and I was not hurt or humiliated. What happened between Ranger and I to evoke such a calm and collected response, despite the slightly malicious tone and future warning? What did flash through his eyes for a moment? "I'm okay, Damon. He let me go without much fuss but I feel it isn't the last I'm going to be seeing of him today."

I silently thanked the tutor for beginning to talk before Damon could ask anymore questions, because, honestly, I knew I would not have any answers. I barely understood what happened between Ranger and I myself, and I honestly was not looking to try and figure anything out. That was enough socialisation outside of my family and my best friend that I could handle for the day and I didn't want to dwell on it. I send an apologetic smile to my brunet friend whose chocolate brown eyes were looking at me knowingly, signalling that I did not want to discuss this any further. Despite my effort, Damon simply raised his left eyebrow, nodded and focused on the tutor, letting me know that our conversation was not yet over.