Dead Roses

Trustworthy

Chapter Thirteen

London P.O.V

My fingers gently tug a loose string on my light wash denim jeans as I anticipate either Nyke's or Jaxon's arrival. Bodies fill the Cafeteria as I patiently sit waiting.

A figure sits across me, dumping his tray full of food on the table, causing it to shake at his violent movements. "Hey stranger," he says smugly. His familiar dark orbs bore into mine.

"Hey," I greet Jaxon, attempting to not cringe at the foul smell and sight of the defrosted meal he digs into. "How much trouble did you get into with Mrs. Wallis?"

The corners of his lips slightly curve upwards as he responds, "you know... the usual, 'manners lecture, the beg for forgiveness act, then flip her off as you walk away' routine," he recounts. I softly chuckle at his idiocy.

"Jackass," I mutter under my breath. As I do, a familiar body slides himself next to mine, placing a saran-wrapped sandwich in front of me for my consumption.

"Lonnie," Nyke nods in greeting, shifting his gaze to Jaxon who sits opposite us. "Jaxon!" he exclaims, reaching over to do a 'bro' handshake, with a surprised expression covering his face.

"Nyke my bitch! I haven't seen you around in this shit hole yet, when did you get here?" Jaxon questions Nyke overenthusiastically. So much so, that glares are sent our way by surrounding tables. I shoot them glares back, causing them to turn back around and eat the remains of their food.

"I've been here for a month and a bit. I'm surprised I haven't seen your ugly face just yet," he smirks as he conversates with Jaxon. I feel very much out of place right now as the boys banter back and forth. I had no clue they knew each other. No bone in my body can muster up enough courage to break the brotherly bonding time between the two to ask how they know each other, so I sit in silence, prying my plastic-wrapped sandwich open.

During their conversation, I zone in and out, occasionally laughing at insults, thrown between each other until Nyke finally acknowledges my presence and asks me a question.

"There is a camping trip, our friends and I are going on this weekend. Did you want to come with us?" Nyke asks subtly however his beautiful pale blue eyes seem to be begging me. Nyke has friends!

It's an odd thought since I have only seen him hanging out with me, and he has never spoken about any other people outside of school, despite the talk about his family.

"Um..." I think hesitantly, weighing the pros and cons of this trip. I would get away from 'home', even just for a fraction of my week. However, camping with strangers, who are unaware of my existence could be quite awkward. "I-I don't know if it's a good idea," my response forms into a stutter.

Just as Nyke is about to respond, a screeching voice sounds from behind us, "what's not a good idea Lonnie?" We turn around only to be greeted by Mackenna. Nyke tenses beside me, furrowing his brow at the use of his nickname for me. In the corner of my eye, I notice Jaxon's jaw clenching.

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," I say, dusting the crumbs of my face from the delicious ham and cheese sandwich I quickly devoured. She then smirks evilly.

"How's your arm doing?" I feel my face going completely red as the cafeteria quietens. If I were in a Disney cartoon movie, steam would visibly be seeping from my ears and nostrils.

How dare she!

"What happened to your arm?" Nyke and Jaxon ask at the same time, filling the cafeteria with some noise.

"Yeah Lonnie, answer Nick. You can't even tell your own boyfriend what's really going on?" Mackenna twirls her strawberry blonde hair between her small fingers. Her hair would look much better ripped out of her skull.

"His name is Nyke, and he is not my boyfriend," I avoid the last part of her fucked up comment.

"Same shit different smell sweety. Your secret will come out sooner or later. And this bullshit 'innocent Lonnie is in danger' act will soon come to an end," she sneers walking away. My eyes widen in pure shock, anger, and betrayal. My own stepsister spoke as if she hadn't seen the pure and utter pain I had been through, threatening for my secret to being shared with the world.

Tears swim on my waterline, blurring my vision. Stares and whispers are sent to our table, as Nyke and Jaxon's questions fill my ears. Rather than cussing them out and glaring back, I let my feet carry me to wherever they can.

***

I find myself at slight ease in the middle of the meadow Nyke and I went to a while back, this time the greenery surrounding me is unfocused by tears spilling out of my eyes. Mackenna, my step sister caused me this hurt. Anger takes over the feeling of hurt, burning a hole through my chest.

Footsteps scurry behind me in the tall grass as I shift uncomfortably. Quiet words are exchanged before the footsteps gradually get closer to me.

"Why didn't you tense?" Nyke softly says as he sits on the ground beside me, hugging his knees to his chest. My eyebrow raises as I dry my tears quickly before he notices anything.

"You didn't make any movement out of fear when we stepped behind you," he recognizes. Nyke is correct, however, his words seem to piss me off further today.

"So you were trying to scare me. Much like Mackenna?" I snarkily respond, standing up ready to walk away. I don't know where, but anywhere other than here.

Nyke's hand grips my arm stopping me from moving further holding scar which is luckily covered by a layer of foundation, powders and an oversized jumper. I visibly flinch, slightly offending him. "Lonnie, please. I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that," I hum in response.

"I don't think you want to tell me," Nyke nods to himself in realization as he speaks. "But Lonnie I will happily listen if it helps your pain dissipate. These words will stay between us. Only us." My eyes meet his, in search of evil intentions dancing in his eyes, much like Mackenna's or my Father's. However, there is nothing but genuinity. "I know it can be hard to find people you can trust in this world, but when you do find people you can trust, you will know."

I break eye contact, staring at anything but his eyes as I clear my throat, "I trust you."

And just like that, I handed my life over to Nyke.

Hello and thank you for reading. I know the chapters are coming out later than I would like to post them, however, I am busy with lifes issues. Oops! But I can ensure you that I am trying very hard.

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The weather is good somewhere :)