Trouble and I

Window Lover

I walk into the cafeteria on this lovely Friday with determination as I see my destination in sight.

 I near the table and suck in a breath, “Can I join you?” I cut off all conversations. 

 Everyone looks up me but I only stare back at Cole feeling like a complete b***h for how I was acting towards him this week. 

 “I don’t know, can you?” A guy with a goofy smile says.

 I frown at him and go to say a smart comment but I hold my tongue.

 “Alex lay off.” Raven speaks scooting down a bit, enough for me to sit. 

 Giving a thankful smile I take my place but as soon as I do the cafeteria grows silent.

 I look around and all eyes are on me, “What?” I asked annoyed.

 What I did was out of character but this is what Cole wanted right? It may be a shock but I’m starting to second guess if this was a good idea or not.

 “Nothing, it’s just you’re the first outsider.” The guy Alex says casually.

 “Outsider?” 

 “To join our group genius.” A rough voice speaks. Looking over I find a hard glare from Seven. 

 I find myself glaring back at him for his rudeness but his glare turns to a small smirk like he was expecting it. Looking away I stare down at the table.

 “Awkward,” Alex mumbles before smiling brightly at me, “I’m Alex but you already knew that because I’m awesome right.” He winked. 

 I smile at his foolishness and nod.

 “Anyway, you already know Claire the crazy one, Cole the golden boy, Seven the complex personality.” He laughs, “and Raven the introvert and extrovert,”

Chucking at his personal description of his friends, I nod silently which he pouts about.

 “Wait no you can’t do that, you have to tell us which one you are,” Looking over to the others, they are silently waiting for an answer. 

 “Uh, I’m the…” For some reason I didn’t want anyone to know anything about me, “mystery.” Smiling in victory, Alex whines saying that I cheated.

 Throughout lunch Alex felt the need to tell me about himself. He told me about some of his best memories with his older brother who is away to college. His mother is a successful real estate agent while his father works for a company.

 He reminded me of an overly excited kid, one who is always smiling and laughing. He pushed to know more about myself but I keep everything short and dry which only caused him to whine.

 Alex and I happen to have the same fourth period class and surprisingly I don’t mind. His bubbly personality is nice to be around, that and the fact that he talks enough for the both of us.

  Finally, the last period of the day arrives and I find myself dreading it. I share this class with somone I want to stay far away from, fate just seems to never be in my favor.

 The teacher and students filled the classroom as the last bell to class rang and just in time Seven walked in catching the class attention. 

 I don’t know what it is about him but he has this presence that demands attention. As soon as he walks through the door, every eye is on him, including mine.

 The bruises on his face and the half sleeve tattoo doesn’t help with the attention, in fact they make he look more attractive. His strides are small, taking his time to his seat, never once paying attention to the ogling.

 “Okay art students I have great news for you,” Mr. Todd says clapping his hands, “The school has asked for a mural and I being the brilliant teacher I am said two of you can create it. This is going to be a partner assignment only because there are requirements which involves a paragraph of what the mural is about and a of course the design of it.”

 A partner assignment?

 Kill me now. 

 “Now this is a competition because we can only pick one design but everyone will get credit for their work but the winners will get extra credit and gift cards.” He spoke pleased with the idea.

 A hand is raised, “Can we pick our partners?” 

 Mr. Todd smiles, “Yes you will be picking your own partners right now as a matter of fact.” He says reaching over to his desk and grabbing a black bowl.

 “Please pick your partner.” Holding out the bowl to a student in front of the class he smirks knowingly.

 The class groans seeing what he meant by picking our partners. A girl reaches in and pulls out a ripped piece of paper unfolding it.  

 “Read it out loud.” The teacher instructed. 

 “Emily Patterson.”

 It goes like this for a while as everyone gets with their partners. The bowl gets to Seven who sits in the second row. He grabs his piece and silently read the name.

 Without a second more he grabs his things and making his way to....me?

 Before I realize it, he plops down in the seat next to mine, but I keep my eyes forward waiting for the next set of instructions.

 The class goes silent staring at us before looking back to the teacher who moved onto the last student. 

 “You have the remaining of the period to begin your design but first the school wants the mural to represent the past the present and the future, this is due in three weeks so I suggest you get to work.” 

 The class begins to work but I don’t make a move to my sketch book, I’m too distracted by his eyes on me, “Stop staring.” I command glaring at him but he doesn’t react to it.

 “You seem tense, belle.” He calmly speaks.

 “My name is Kara, dimwit.” I grumble annoyed with already.

 It hasn’t been five minutes and he’s already irking my nerves.

 “I like Belle better.” He smirks.

 He is testing my damn patience, “Whatever you say Steven.”

 His smirk drops and his jaw clenches, “Seven.” He corrected. 

 Slowly a smile carves on my face, “I like Steven better.”

 Gone is his calm and collected demeanor and out is the cold and angry beast.

 “You’re walking on very thin ice.” He glared. “and your swimming in very dangerous waters.” I retaliate. 

 We sit glaring at each other for another minute before the smirk reappears on his face.

 “Not bad, belle.” He nods. “not bad at all.”

~

~

~

Sitting at the dinner table with the Grey family I pick at the pasta on my plate. The table is quiet just like every night as we eat in nothing but awkward silence. 

“How was everyone’s day?” Nathan questioned loosening his tie. 

 I’ve been wondering what he does for a living, “Where do you work?”

 All head snaps to me looking at me in surprise, maybe from the fact that I started a conversation, I don’t know.

 My question seems to brighten Nathan’s eyes with I think is hope. “Well I am a COO of a major company.” He said proudly. 

 I knew he had to have a high-level job but I didn’t expect him to be in such a high position, “Is it hard?”

 The table watches in silence at Nathan’s and I interaction as he gives me nothing but his attention. Come to find out a COO is like a company’s second-in-command, only being a position lower than the CEO.

 I hang onto every word Nathan speaks wondering how he’s not overwhelmed with work and tasks. The once awkward silence slowly fades from the dining room and soon everyone is joining in the conversation.

Sometime during I get up, “I have to go to the loo.” I mumble excusing myself.

Before I open the door to my room, I hear the sound of a window closing. At first, I’m alarmed but I then remember of someone who loves windows.

 Flicking on the light standing frozen is none other than the devil himself. 

 “This is the second time sneaking into my room, do you not know what a front door is?” I asked crossing my arms over my chest staring at Seven. 

He relaxes and looks around the room not finding anything in particular, “Where’s Cole?” He asks plainly like he didn’t just break into the house.

“Downstairs eating, how about you come say hello to everyone?” I tease knowing he snuck in for a reason.

My humor isn’t appreciated as he glares at me, slowly stepping towards me.

 I take a small step back holding my hand up, “You better stop right there mate or I’ll-” 

He cuts off me off with a mocking smile. “You’ll what, tase me again?” 

 “Don’t tempt me.” This makes him stop his advances but his eyes wonder all over my room looking for something.

His eyes zone in on something and he turns back to me with a devilish smile. Confused I watch him make his way to the night stand quickly snatching something.

He holds the taser in hand, “I think I’ll hold on to this for a while, you seem trigger happy.” He claims trying to make his departure. 

Blocking the doorway, I come forward reaching for it but he’s fast to move it out of my reach, “Give it back.” I whispered/shouted.

Even though I found it werid for him to sneak in here like this, I didn’t want to alert Marissa and Nathan about him.

Seven maneuvers around me trying to make his escape. Without thinking I jump on him locking my arms around his neck. Catching him off guard we both tumble to the ground.

We roll around wrestling for the taser and finally I’m able to throw it out of his hand. I land on my stomach with a groan going after it.

A hand on my ankle drags me back and I had to hold onto my shirt to stop it from rising.

Seven crawled on top of me pinning my arms at the side of my head.

He grinned from above me. “I like this position.” 

My nose scrunches up in disgust, “I don’t.”

“I think I can change your mind.” I go to ask what he means but my words get caught in my throat as he leans down. His lips hover over mine, maybe an inch away from touching but all he does is stare at me.

I wait for him to make a move, to do something but nothing comes. He looks to be in deep thought. His eyes seem to pull me in, like a strong current.

His eyes reminded me of the ocean; there’re wild and intimidating. Memories of the beach back home popped into my mine, surfing the waves almost every day. Spending the whole day in the water not even realizing it. Dad used to have to come and drag me back home.

“Belle?” A rough hand brushes my cheek shaking me back into reality.

That’s just it. A memory, it can never happen again I will have nothing but memories. What the hell am I going to do with that! 

Pushing Seven off of me I stand clutching the taser like my life depended on it.

“You okay?”

“I’m good, what are you doing here anyway?” I ask mentally locking away the painful memoires.

His relaxed face is now stone, not allowing me to read his expression or emotions, “Cole and I have business to handle.”

“At ten o’clock at night?” I give a look to let him know I’m not buying it, “but hey, that’s none of my business.” I wave him off.

Our conversation ends with that, Seven, turns on his heel and leave, probably to go wait in Cole’s room until dinner is over.

I don’t know what those two are up to, whatever it is, it shouldn’t be none of my concern but I can’t help but to be curious.