Belonging to the Bad Boy

Chapter 6

A new year.  A new me. There were a couple of encounters with Ranger before leaving for the summer but I wasn't ready yet. Damon and I spoke about the changes I should make many times but I wasn't ready. I didn't think I could handle such a large change with everyone's eyes on me. I simply ignored and avoided Ranger as much as possible and kept my head down whenever anything happened. His anger was unbeatable in those situations.

Now it's the first day back after summer break, and the first day into Senior year. Thanks to the last month of Junior year I had gotten used to riding my motorcycle to school and the stares had become minimal. Damon insisted on a complete makeover for my Senior year, and so he waits in my lounge waiting for the big reveal.

I stand in my unchanged, bright yellow, childhood bedroom, staring at myself in the mirror and wondering what the hell happened to me. The black, skinny jeans hug every part of my body, leaving nothing to the imagination. My dark green, yet still baggy, t-shirt sits on my hips and if I raised my arms my entire stomach would be on show. Damon insisted I wore a black, leather jacket to compliment my bike boots. I argued until I could not breathe and finally made Damon give up, allowing me to continue to keep my makeup at a minimal as long as I added a small, winged eyeliner. My hair had grown from my shoulders to just above my collarbone, yet I had to pin one side up due to Damon's demands. I curled it loosely for some volume, and had low-lights put in over the summer, giving it depth.

I take a deep breath, making quick movements in the mirror hoping that the reflection would fail to prove that it was not me I was looking at. Unfortunately I do not live in a fantasy world and my reflection perfectly followed all of my movements. I grab my backpack and begin to make my way to the lounge, trying to embrace my new look. Descending the stairs I saw Damon and my dad waiting for me, talking while sitting on the arm of the sofa facing the stairwell. I cough gently, watching their attentions turn to me. My dad's face forms in a slight scowl, while Damon's eyes beam and his smile grows wide.

My dad began to speak when Damon cuts across him. "You look amazing!"

"I feel ridiculous," I huff, letting go of a breath I had no idea I had been holding.

"I agree," My dad states, earning a glare from Damon. "I mean, it's different," he tries to recover.

Damon waves his arms incredulously. "I think you look like a bad ass, dude! I really hope this year is going to be so different for you!" Damon earned a light punch from my dad for swearing, but the smile growing on his face relaxed me.

"I hope this is a wonderful year for you, sweetheart. Now, go have a wonderful first day." I hug my dad tight, hoping his words would come true and everything would go perfectly and smoothly.

"Come on, lets go before we're late!" Damon exclaims, grabbing my wrist. He pulls me through the door, and I wave one more time to my dad before the door closes and were hopping onto my motorcycle. "I can just feel how good today is going to be!" With his words in the air, we were beginning our journey to school.

I embraced these last moments of the old me. I let the fear wash over me briefly as the wind flowed around me, embracing me like a reassuring hug. Damon's hands rested on my hips, and I calmed knowing I wouldn't be alone. My dad's words resonated through my head, giving me hope that it would be a good change. I let my heart relax and thought about our countless conversations for this change. I allowed my soul to embrace the independence it craved, the fearlessness it needed and the peace my whole being had been waiting for. The fear was there, that was inevitable, but I allowed myself to be someone new. I wanted change, I wanted to be someone who did not have to live in fear and solitude, but someone who was not afraid to chase her dreams by any means. I wanted to be someone who openly showed how she felt, what was right and shared her dreams and beliefs. I wanted to be the girl who knew herself wholly.

The small town streets, lined with houses and trees changed into the long road that lead to the school. In five minutes the comfort and peace of the town changed to a towering, brick building where everything was going to change. Despite this, the familiarity of it crept up on me and I felt the pressure. The pressure that everything had to go right this year for my dreams to be fulfilled. I needed the independence and strength, while also maintaining my straight A streak. Nothing could go wrong.

I pulled into a motorcycle spot at the large, main entrance to the school and turned the engine off. Damon dismounted first, then I followed. I pulled my helmet off and undid my jacket, Damon immediately reaching out to fix my hair which was ruined from the helmet. He rested his hands on my shoulders and smiled right at me. "You've got this."

I smiled back at his comforting words, nodding as he dropped his hands to his sides. I shake mine out, breathing in deeply then letting it out slowly before nodding again. I turn and stand next to Damon. We give each other one last nod before entering the school. Thankfully my locker was in the same place as the year before, but Damon's was on the other side of the school. He walks me to mine, taps my shoulder in silent reassurance then leaves to sort his own locker out.

I begin to feel the stares as people start to realise who I was and what was happening. I heard a few mumbles wondering who I was, some muttering about a cliche and others simply gossiping about the change. Soon enough, every person who passed noticed and began to talk. I felt discomfort and anxiousness build but buried it as I continued to sort my things out inside my locker.

I soon calmed, realised I had no care for what others were saying or thought about me. The only people who mattered had already seen and accepted me. I take my time, knowing we had arrived early enough to adjust before having to officially begin the school year.

I close my locker and attempt to refrain from jumping backwards at the sight of Ranger. I calm my breathing and simply look at him, suppressing any fear that wanted to arise. I watch his eyes take me in, scanning every inch of my body from top to bottom. I frown, feeling uncomfortable. "Who is this?" Ranger asks, cocking an eyebrow with down turned lips.

"Someone who wants nothing to do with you," I retort, attempting to turn and walk away. As I turn, I'm spun around again, my arm being held firmly in Ranger's large hand. I pull away quickly, feeling him beginning to pull me. "I'm not going anywhere with you." The frustration in my voice audible, my words exiting my mouth with a snarl. He looks taken aback.

I hear his friends muttering behind him. "Beat it," he growls, not taking his eyes from me. They both scramble away quickly.

"Still keeping people fearful of you I see," I huff, crossing my arms over my chest. It felt bare without my books which resided in my backpack hanging off of one shoulder. "Some kind of man," I spit, turning and walking away. This time he did not grab me but followed behind.

I could feel the anger emanating from his body, the heat warming my arm as he followed closely behind. "And arrogance isn't any better, Alessandra." I roll my eyes at his words, keeping my pace. "Too goo for me now?" I hear the teasing tone in his voice, but the bitterness was still there.

"I always was, Ranger." I spoke his name with venom. "You're only now noticing though?" Sarcasm laced my words and I felt my own anger rise further. "I never showed any form of wanting to be around you."

"That's not how it felt."

"Then you weren't paying attention to my constant avoidance then. I refuse to be afraid of you anymore." People were beginning to stare. Many of the boys had faced Ranger. Yes, they mostly lost but no one younger, lower in ranks or of the opposite gender had ever faced him. This was the year that was going to change it.

"You're being extremely rude, Alessandra." He took my shoulder, gentler than before but with enough force to stop my stride. "You have no power here. I am the one in control; I always have been, and I always will be."

I snicker at his words. I found myself fearing him less by the second. "Well you better get comfortable and watch it change." With that I strode away, leaving behind an angry and confused Ranger. It has been a good day, and it's only nine in the morning.