The Arsonist (Warren Peace)

Chapter Eight

I walked silently to Principal Powers office. I knocked on the door and there was a muffled, “come in.” I opened the door and I saw Warren sitting in one of the chairs, “there Mr. Peace is here now would you like to explain.” I sat down next to Warren and grabbed my whiteboard, “I left because my friend sent me a text saying that she needed me and that usually meant self harm.” she read and nodded, “okay but what does this have to do with questioning?” Warren spoke up, “her friend was gone by the time she made it to the house and the police need people to confirm her alibi.” she looked at me and I nodded looking at the floor covering my face with my hair as the tears poured down my face, “did we know the student?” I shook my head, “well I’m sorry for your loss and I think it would be best if you took some time off school to cope so I’ll give you a week to collect your thoughts I’m sure Mr. Peace can drop off your assignments.” he nodded, “you're dismissed.” Warren grabbed my hand pulling me up from the chair leading me to the bathroom, “I told you.” I rolled my eyes, “yeah I know won’t your mom have a problem with you coming over everyday though?”

 he shrugged, “knowing her she’ll probably encourage it.” I smiled, “I want to meet your mom.” he smiled, “how about I ditch school today to comfort you and you can spend the day at my house.” he wiped my face of tears with a paper towel and I nodded, “okay.” he grabbed my hand and led me outside, “we can use my powers instead of asking Ron for a ride.” he looked at me skeptically, “atmokinesis remember?” he made an ‘o’ with his mouth and nodded. He picked me up bridal style and I blushed wrapping my arms around his neck as he took a step off the edge. Our hair whipped around from the wind, my grip tightened on him and I slowed us down, setting us onto the roof of my apartment, “have you talked to the landlord yet?” he shook his head, “c’mon let me get dressed properly and we can go talk to him.” I opened the door and headed down the four flights of stairs to my apartment. 

I held the door open for him, closing the door behind me, locking the deadbolt, “I already called off work today so you don’t have to worry about that.” he nodded and I headed into the bedroom, “I’ll be right back.” I closed the door and grabbed a t-shirt out of my drawer I let a small smile appear on my face as I recognized it to be Skye’s I slipped it on and grabbed a pair of leggings sliding them on and grabbed my converse I looked in the mirror adding waterproof eyeliner and mascara slipping them into my bag I took a deep breath quickly doing my hair into a braid. I walked out, “alright c’mon.” he stood and walked out the door. I locked it and we walked down the stairs. Walking to his office I knocked. There was a muffled, “just a moment.” I stood patiently by the door, “oh Blake do come in.” I waved Warren to come in and I signed to Mr. Parry, “this is Warren he was hoping to see if he could rent the apartment next to mine.” he nodded, “of course I’ll just need some general information from him.” I sat in the chair motioning for Warren to do the same, “alright.” Mr. Parry flipped through some papers and grabbed a pen, “okay so full name?”

I doodled on my whiteboard, “Warren Peace.” Mr. Parry froze for a second but wrote it down, I interrupted, “could he just move in with me?” Mr. Parry froze again, “I mean sure but your rent would go up a bit.” I shrugged, “then add him to my lease and we can move on because the way you’re reacting is ridiculous.” Warren looked at me curiously looking like he didn’t understand the sign language, “b-b-ut he’s the son of Barron Battle.” I growled, shocking both men, “so what that means absolutely nothing he is nothing like his father people really need to stop judging him just because of who his father is so add him to the damn lease we’re done here.”  I stormed out of the small office and Warren trailed behind me grabbing my arm once we were far enough from the office, “alright what the hell did you say in there your hands were moving too fast.” I smiled, “long story short you’re moving into my apartment because it would be cheaper that way so you only need one job like I said you shouldn’t overwork yourself.” he nodded, “I mean after that you seemed ticked off.” I looked down, “I said that you’re absolutely nothing like your father and that people need to stop judging you on who your dad is.” 

He pulled me into a hug, “thank you, maybe people at school will listen to you.” then he sheepishly smiled at me, “you know as long as I have you by my side I think I can speak but no promises.” he grinned, “does that mean I get to hear your beautiful voice more often?” he blushed as he processed what he said, “yes it does c’mon I wanna meet your mom.” I grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the building. He smiled and swung our clasped hands, “my mom is gonna love you I just know it.” I smiled and we stopped outside of a two story house that I never imagined Warren would have lived in, “wow.” I smiled and he pulled me towards the front door, “mom I’m home.” an older woman walked out, “Warren Ryder Peace aren’t you supposed to be in school?” he scooted me forward and I feebly waved, “oh why didn’t you say you brought a friend?” I smiled at her change of attitude, “hi Ms. Peace I’m Blake Kitsch.” her smile widened, “oh please call me Clarissa Ms. Peace makes me feel old please take a seat would you care for something to drink.” 

My smile widened at the motherly behavior, “just water please.” she rushed off towards the kitchen and I sat onto the leather couch, “she’s nothing like I expected.” a glass was placed into my hands, “so your Anita’s daughter.” I nodded, “you look so much like her it’s uncanny.” I smiled, “thank you Clarissa.” she started to grin like Cheshire Cat, “since I knew what you looked like as a baby maybe I should break out some photo albums and let you see Warren as a baby.” I grinned, “mom that’s not really necessary.” I giggled, “I’d love to see baby Warren.” he made a noise of protest and I patted his leg, “don’t worry I’ll avoid the embarrassing ones and I’m sure she has pictures of me as a baby and if she doesn’t I do and I’ll show ‘em to you later deal?” he nodded, “I bet you were adorable.” I shook my head shrugging, “here we are.” I cooed, “aww Warren you were so cute what happened?” his jaw dropped and Clarissa started to cackle and I immediately felt bad as he stormed off.

I frowned, “I didn’t mean to make him upset.” she rubbed my shoulder, “oh sweetheart it’ll be okay.”  I shook my head, “I’m gonna talk to him.” she sighed, “last door on the right.” I nodded setting down the glass of water and headed up the steps carefully approaching his door, “Warren?” there was a grunt from inside and I cracked the door open and he was standing in front of the mirror studying himself, “I was joking you look even better now.” he shrugged, “I look just like my dad.” I shook my head entering the room, “Warren I said it before and I’ll say it again you are not your father so don’t compare yourself to him.” he looked at me with tears in his eyes, “oh sweetie.” I pulled him into a hug running a hand through his hair, “I’m talking to Will and his friends they have no right to make you feel like this.” he shook his head, “it’s not them.” I pulled back and looked at him with a raised brow and disbelieving expression.