Ruined Innocence

he's the psycho

I walked into my humble apartment and saw my favorite cousin Johnny. He's on the couch, with a bag of popcorn beside him. When he saw me, he greeted me but his smile faded away when he saw my bruised bottom lip.

“Kids in school beats your ass again.” He said.

I scoff, “Yeah. But I get rid of him.”

“Get rid? You mean…” I nodded at him because I know what he meant about it, “Damn it, Chandler. He’s one of the famous kids in your school. What if somebody sees you?”

“Relax, Johnny. Nobody will suspect me because everybody sees me as the weak boy.” I said as I remove my shoes and placed my bag on the floor.

“Nobody will look down to you if you told them who you really are.” He snapped.

Yeah. People call me psycho because of my cold dark freak aura. I don’t have friends and I don’t do socializing. Nobody knew who I really was, and what would I receive if they all knew? I can't casually reveal that my family has ties to the criminal underworld. They have no idea that I am the son of a mob boss who leads an organized crime.

That’s why I am living with my cousin in a small apartment instead of living in a big mansion and a tub full of millions. I would rather live a simple and peaceful than a messy life. And you know what’s funny, Shane’s father is also a mob boss and our fathers were rivals. It’s just stupid to say that Shane has no idea about me. I wonder what would be his reaction if he knew that I am the son of his father’s rival. He’s going to be so threatened. The fact that he acts like he really owns the elite school because of his father’s title as one of the most successful businessmen.

There are so many things that people haven’t known yet.

I did not run away from home, I just told my father that I can be independent and we were on great terms. I just don’t like it if they involve me in their mess. It’s kind of annoying since I am the only child and my father expects me that I will continue his legacy. I don’t have any interest in those but as the heir, maybe someday. He’s a supportive father to me and when he sees the bruised that I got from my bullies, he didn’t get in my way because he knew that I can handle all of them. I just didn’t like trouble but what happened to Kayden earlier, is his fault.

I am so done and I am so tired.

“They wouldn’t know.” I respond to my cousin, “Anyway, I’ll be going now. I’m tired. Good night.” I said and went to my room. I immediately went to my bathroom and took a long hot shower. Today is a really tiring day. When I finished, I looked into the mirror and wiped it because of the steam. I look at my reflection and I remembered something.

Bailee’s number.

I grab my pants from the laundry basket and pull out the sticky note that I fold earlier. I smiled and grab my phone. Entering his digits and saving his number.

When I finish my night routine, I decided to jump on the bed and stare at the ceiling for a while wondering what will happen tomorrow. I wanted to text Bailee but what if he is with his stupid boyfriend. Nevermind. Maybe I could text him some time or this Friday so that we can do our project together.

I drifted to sleep because tomorrow is a new day.

I woke up from my dream and damn it, I still wanted to sleep. I yawned as I push myself to the bathroom to get ready. Another shower, brushing teeth, tidying up my uniform, and fixing my hair. I exited my room and I smelt fresh pancakes. I smiled because Johnny’s breakfast is so delicious. One of my favorite thing when I woke up.

“Have a seat and eat your breakfast. The bacon will be done soon.” He said. I sat on the chair and pour syrup on top of the pancake. I took a bit and savored it while chewing them.

“Your pancake is amazing. How come you haven’t got a girlfriend?” I said. He chuckled as he took the bacon out of the oven and put two pieces on my plate, “I’m not interested.”

“To have a girlfriend?”

“To be in a relationship.” He said, “Now stop talking and eat your breakfast.”

I pout at him and continue to eat my pancakes. I finished it all and look at my watch. It is already eight and I'm late. I don’t take any vehicle to school, I just walk beside it’s just a few meters away. I put on my backpack and bid my goodbye to Johnny. I close the door behind me and started to walk out of our apartment complex.

I walk straight to school and again, their eyes could stab you like daggers. Their looks are really sharp, it’s like there’s a sign on my forehead that made them fuming mad. I could hear everybody’s start to gossip.

About Kayden.

I directly walked into my locker to grab my stuff, minding my own business when I heard my name’s being called. I sighed.

“Hey, freak! What did you do to Kayden?” I heard Shane’s voice. I close my locker to face him.

“I don’t know what’re you talking about,” I said.

“Oh yeah? Some of the students saw you and him at the rooftop.” He spat.

I nod, “Yeah. He’s beating me to death and after that, he left me alone.” I calmly respond.

Shane was so pissed but Bailee stopped him, “Shane, it’s not good to blame innocent people. Leave Chandler alone.”

Shane scoffs and he turned his attention to his boyfriend, “Why are you defending him? He’s a psycho, Bailee. A freak!”

“But it doesn’t mean that you can blame him. Whatever happened to Kayden, it is his fault. He’s a bully.” Bailee said.

“I can’t believe you.” Shane shook his head and walked away. Bailee remains himself and looks at me, “I’m sorry for that.”

I smiled at him, “It’s okay. I’m used to it. Everybody thinks that I’m behind on Kayden’s death.”

Bailee gave me a small smile, “See you in class.” He said as he walks away from me. As my eyes followed Bailee’s back, my attention averted to the investigators. They just got out of the principal’s office to find some evidence on Kayden’s death.

One of them look at me and walked directly to me as if they knew that I know something. I gulped because did someone see me? He patted my shoulder and I decided not to feel any nervousness on my face.

Am I getting under arrest now?

“Hey kid, the bell is over. You’re late already.” I flinched when he said that. I was deep in my thoughts that I didn’t hear the bell rang. What the hell. I looked at my surroundings and I am the only student who’s standing in the hallway.

“Are you okay?” he said and I slowly nodded.

“Yes. I’m sorry, officer. I’m always late because I don’t want to bump into my bullies.” I said hoping he will sympathize with me.

“Bullies. Those fuckers. Don’t let them get you. Now go to class.” He said as I followed what he said. I turned around from him and went to my class. As always, I’m late. There’s no new to it. I entered the room and all eyes were on me. The teacher didn’t mind that I’m late. I continue to walk into my seat not minding their looks at me. I’m not affected though.

I have the urge that someone is looking at my way yet I still averted my eyes to him.

Bailee.

Our eyes met and he gave me a sad smile and look away. I mentally blushed because he looks so cute right now and he is giving me those sympathy eyes. Is he listening to all the gossips about me? Did he believe all of it?

I sat at the back where the window is and I could hear their gossips again. They are all talking about me.

“I saw Chandler killed Kayden.”

“That dude is a psycho.”

“Bro, be careful. The innocent ones are dangerous.”

“Kayden beat him that’s why he killed him.”

“Haha, I’m not surprised if Chandler will kill you too!”

“Well, I’m surprised that Chandler didn’t kill you yet.”

“I saw Chandler exited at the dark alley. Maybe that’s where he’s bringing all of his victims.”

They are all rumors but all of them are true.