The Place of Love

Childhood Enemies

I had an urge to hang myself upside down now. I had finally come to a decision that I would not apologize to him but my mind seemed to shut itself completely around him. His strong scent made my mind forget everything.

After I said sorry to him he looked at me from the corner of his eye as if it was surprising for him too. But he still didn't reply. That's what I got in return to apologize for nothing. I decided to let that go. It was better that he ignored it rather than saying 'its okay'. I decided to take my chance and change what I said.

"I mean thank you. Thank you for saving my life I mean.. that wasn't iron so I wouldn't die but who would know" I said weirdly letting out a short laugh. "Your welcome" is all he said in reply.

This man was making sure he had his way. If it went on like this we wouldn't be able to make things better between us. The fire would go out and the sun would rise again. I did not want to consider the thought of him getting up leaving me here and walking back to his tent for a great night's sleep.

Gathering all the self respect I had left in me I opened my mouth to speak. "Look I'm sorry okay? I should have listened to you when you told me to stay away from Shane. But how would I know that a boy who suddenly appeared from nowhere and nagged me to threaten would be speaking wisely? And about the tent.. that was a horrid scene going on there and I had to do something to stop it. I know I shouldn't have asked you to leave so rudely but what else do you think I could do?" "Did you want to kiss him back?" he blurted out not bothering to answer my question. I could hardly catch up with what he asked.

"What?"

I asked dumbfounded. "He said you would kiss him back if I hadn't interrupted.. would you?"

I paused for a moment trying to understand what I was being questioned. My lips reacted before my mind and a small smile crept on them. Soon, I had a great idea of how I should handle this man.

"What do you think? Would I want to kiss him? He's an interesting guy.. he's charming.. cute and looked a little into me" I sang making an attempt to tease him. "Cal I'm serious! Shane is an ass." By the way he reacted, I realized he wasn't in the mood of any teasing.

I sighed putting on my serious look again. "I know Steve. I was joking. I denied kissing him when you got there but for some reason he lied in front of you. I got a hint of Shane at the ground today. I thought checking out other girls was normal for him but now, I question his behavior. I'm just happy I understood before it was too late" I said feeling low. The both of us weren't looking at each other. We just stared at the bonfire. The people around started disappearing leaving us alone sitting there, staring at those flames.

"I wouldn't let it be too late. I would break his hands before he laid them on you" Steve stated bluntly. I wasn't surprised by his tone or by his words. It just made me smile deeper. I chose not to reply as he continued "He was just using you to get back at me. He probably saw the way I looked at you and intentionally stood behind you the day you met him" He said sighing.

I stopped paying attention to what he was saying after the second sentence. Amy had noticed the way he looked at me too. Only I couldn't see it. I just concluded that he wanted to order me around.

"But why would he want to get back at you? How do you guys know each other?" I asked having more questions in my head but ceased to ask them all at once when I saw the tension build up in his eyes. I remembered seeing these eyes on the day he had to speak about his past. I shut my mouth and looked ahead again.

Steve stayed like that for some time with his head down as if contemplating whether to tell me or not. I decided not to probe him further. I'd just say thanks again and leave if he wasn't comfortable. But before I could do that I felt him shift.

I heard his sharp breath and looked at him in time to see his body tensing further. The muscles on his arms bulged making him look even more hot. My body wasn't in control of my mind anymore. Before I knew it, my hands shifted from my lap to lay on his hand beside me. His body shook under my touch. I saw him relax and his eyes soften as I squeezed his hand. I let him relax a little more and did not say a word.

Once I was sure he felt better, I started retreating my hand from his but as if he could read my mind, his palm turned upwards and he entwined his fingers between mine. His hands were warm and soft. It just felt so peaceful to be sitting like that.

"I know Shane from my childhood" Steve began to speak. I turned to him giving him all my attention. "We were in the same school. But that wasn't it. Do you remember I told everyone about my mom who died and that.. that my dad.. was arrested for her murder?" I nodded in acknowledgment.

"She was having and affair. And the man with whom my mother was having an affair was Shane's dad." he said sounding disgusted "He used her. He showed her dreams and gave her promises when my father wasn't there. My dad worked hard for us and he had to be out sometimes for that and he took advantage of my mother's loneliness." His eyes were glittering, sweat trickling down his temple.

"My mother was wrong to cheat my father and she regretted it. He refused to be with her when dad learnt the truth. He completely disowned her when she needed him the most. I saw everything as a child. I knew the man was Shane's father. Shane was my age when all of this happened. When his father disagreed to having an affair with my mother, his wife and him started spreading rumors about her and defaming her. My father helped her as much as he could. But she knew she wouldn't be able to get back the name she lost. She was guilty, sad and hurt. She came to my room one night and told me she loves me. As a kid I hardly understood the depth of her words. She put me to sleep that night telling me happy stories, ignoring the hurt she felt in her heart. The next morning I was woken up by the police. My dad was taken away for my mom's murder and I was sent to stay with my grandmother." He was squeezing my hand now but though his hands were much bigger than mine, they didn't hurt. They just felt gentle and warm on my skin like he was aware of not to hurt me.

"I knew he couldn't do it Cal. My dad would never kill her. He was the one who always supported her. But she was weak. I should have known that night.. when she came to me. She ended her life Cal. My dad didn't want her to look weak. He took it on himself. He confessed to killing her" he paused a small tear sliding down his cheek.

His eyes glittered and did not stop the tears from escaping them. I knew he didn't need my sympathy. He just needed me. By his side. After remaining silent for a few minutes he continued.

"Shane did what his parents were doing outside, with me in the school. He made fun of me and bullied me calling me names. A killers son, a prostitutes son, he called me every disgusting thing he could. I kept listening until one day I couldn't take it anymore. With the thought that his family destroyed my family in my mind, I hit him on his face so bad his jaw still looks crooked to me. I was suspended for a few days but when I came back, I was stronger. Shane didn't dare touch me after that. But he kept getting back to me in disgusting ways. It kept going on until I shifted for high school. Someone who knows the Master is a very good friend of my grandmother. She wanted me to find someone who can handle my shit. It was for her that I had registered to this place. That's when Shane decided to register too only to get back at me. I didn't back out because of him. I made sure he was still scared of me in the same way. I wouldn't let him get his way" he finished heavily sighing.

I didn't know what to say, how to react. There was only one thing in my mind. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. A small smile forming on my lips. I looked at Steve and squeezed his hand forcing him to look at me. Smirking I looked straight into his eyes and said, "It's time to take a little revenge."

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Steve and Shane's past is finally before Cal and I'm so excited for this revenge she's planning on taking.
Wait for the next chapter which is going to be great fun for those who hate Shane!

Also vote for the chapter!