Tainted Souls

Chapter Five

Almost one month has passed since rehearsals. I was currently miserable because I had gotten into trouble for deciding to fall asleep in class by one of my awful upper division Design professors. Sasha had a kick at recording me drooling in my sleep, which had been completely embarrassing.

At least I had finished my midterm project. I smiled proudly at the work that I had created. It was a mural with red paint splattered. This represented blood and psychopathy. There was also a skull that showed the true darkness reflected within society. I wrote a whole five page paper on other deeper meanings behind this painting that I had created.

But I knew exactly what–or rather, who–had inspired this painting. Because his evil presence was tampering with my mind. I was tired of having to sort clothes and clean his shoes. He even told me to redo the scrambled eggs and bacon I made for him that morning, telling me that I was a terrible cook. If I was a terrible cook, he should just fire me. He could just hire someone else.

Except that was something he wouldn't do because he lived to torture others.

"I can't believe that you created a painting inspired by you analyzing Maverick's psychotic behavior." Keisha looked at me in disbelief. "If anything, I think that's a dangerous move. Sasha will find out and post all about it on social media."

"I shouldn't care. It's my own creative mural. Besides, I worked hard to use beyond red paint to create the mural. I had to search the nearby craft store for fake broken glass and used some of the gochujang that I use in spicy Korean recipes," I explained. "I didn't want to use real blood from meat. That thought made me squeamish."

"I would have used Tapatio," Keisha joked to me. "Honestly, girl. That's a dangerous move."

"I have to get to detention," I sighed. "I should have listened to your warning about falling asleep. How is the fake relationship going with Taj?"

Keisha made a face. "I keep having to attend those dumb dinner parties. Seriously, you should show up too. As someone that I consider a best friend, you're the only one that can probably prevent me from feeling bored around those snobby people."

"I meant that I was wondering how Taj was treating you," I reiterated.

"Oh, about that? He has been annoying. At times, he'll put on the gentleman act of getting me an extra jacket or telling the crowd to make way for the queen. But I don't buy a second of it. In private, he's always a total asshole. He argued with me about making too much of a scene at the last dinner party. But technically, wasn't he the one that told me to rebel against his parents? He's not happy with them, but for reasons that he won't tell anyone. Call me crazy, but I want to find out. Plus, it could give you useful information that you can hold leverage against Maverick for."

"That sounds crazy, but...it's completely worth the risk. I'm tired of the constant back aches I have from having to clean his whole dorm. I'm sick and tired of seeing Maverick scatter dirty Armani socks everywhere," I sighed.

That was when I saw Professor Kerrigan in the halls. He was frowning at me in disapproval. "Didn't I tell you to go to detention? Miss Valentine told me she saw you in the halls after stopping by my classroom a few minutes ago. I am disappointed with your behavior lately."

I had a feeling that the bitch would snitch on me. I hadn't even realized that I was late. I checked my phone for the time. It was just one minute past the time that Professor Kerrigan scheduled detention for me. I rushed over to the empty classroom that held small discussion sections throughout each week.

"Good to see you too, Sunshine."

I widened my eyes in horror when I realized that Maverick was none other than the person that was also in detention.