COLD, FAKE AND EMPTY

CHAPTER SIX

6. COLD, FAKE AND EMPTY

I take Milo inside with me because there was no way I was leaving him out here in the rain, and I’d honestly kill myself before taking him back to that perverted bastard. How irresponsible of him. I might have lost to him today, but at least I’d gotten Milo back and I won’t be giving him back easily again.

I throw the soiled clothes into the laundry and wash Milo up. I give him all the love and kisses he deserved and might have missed out on because Kieran is Kieran.

I’ve never in my life been treated and harassed like that. No one would even ever harbor such thoughts, moreover go along with them, but that jerk had crossed the line without a second thought. He didn’t respect nor consider my title and societal status one bit. I was beyond insulted and humiliated.

I let the hot water cascade down as I scratch myself red in an attempt to rid the feel of his hands on me. A bruise had formed on my neck where he had grabbed me by my throat.

Psychotic behavior. He was sick in the head and absolutely crazy.

I was bruised everywhere.

My knee was scraped. Thorns had scratched my arms and legs. My skin was looking discolored and angry. I hadn’t noticed it at first, since all that adrenaline was flowing through me, but I could feel all the aches now. The water is muddy as it rushes into the drain.

I apply healing creams on the cuts before throwing on another oversized t-shirt and sleep shorts. I then carry Milo into bed so I can cuddle him, but sleep doesn’t even come. After an hour of tossing and turning and disturbing Milo, trying to get some sleep, I sighed and got out of bed, going downstairs to grab a glass of water in the kitchen before I went into Kirk’s room. He’s fast asleep.

I sighed and decided to head back to my room. I didn’t want to wake him up by trying to cuddle him. He’d only kick me out anyway.

Argh I don’t like big boy Kirk. I’m about to close the door when a thought occurred to me. Why didn’t I even think of it?

I picked up Kirk’s landline and dialed Chloe’s line. She picks up on the third ring.

“Chloe, it’s me Liya”

“You better have a damn good reason for interrupting my beauty sleep.” She groans

“Kieran” That one word was enough to clear her mind and wake her fully up.

“Dang. What did he do now? ” She asks.

“I just saw him with some weird ass guy, so I went to investigate but then I got caught. I have evidence on my phone but he took it.” I sighed in defeat.

“Shit. This is bad. You got caught by the devil and lived to tell the tale? I’m impressed, Liya.” She chuckles

“Argh,… it was a close call and I nearly didn’t make it out alive.” I scoffed.

“Why would you risk it? Why didn’t you deny it and hide the phone?”

Umm, I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I did exactly that but he just completely ignored my words and grabbed my boob instead, like the total freak that he is. I absolutely didn't hate it either. It’s damn hard to explain to you because, yes, although I absolutely hated being grabbed with zero respect, and without my consent like I was a whore and a cheap slut, I didn’t exactly hate the feeling of his dirty and rough hands on my breasts, and that scared the living shit out of me so much that I just couldn’t bring myself to sleep. But I can’t tell you that Chloe so--

“I tried. It didn’t work.”

“Fine.” She sighs.

“Go to bed, Liya. I’ll come to pick you up in the morning and we'll try to get your phone back first.”

But that’s the problem, Chloe.

I can’t freaking sleep!

----- Kieran------

I throw the melting ice into the sink and grab a new one. I was going to apply it on my ribs before Moncar had called me to say that he was here. I didn’t want to risk dad or mom finding out he was here, so I’d gone to meet him in the backyard immediately. There had been an issue at the ring and a new guy wanted to rat me out.

I was so engrossed in our conversation that I hadn’t noticed Aali spying on me and recording our conversation with her damn phone. Thank fuck for Milo. I don’t know how much she had heard already. I turned to glare at the pink item that kept vibrating with notifications. It was midnight for Christ's sake. Fuck.

I didn’t know she was the one at first and I thought someone had followed Moncar and was spying on us. I was ready to break some teeth and get the frustration out of my system. I was surprised it was Miss prim and proper queen who made her minions do her dirty work.

I had no idea what to do with her at first.

She had fought me every single step, knowing full well she couldn’t match me. She’d definitely caused some further damage to my already broken ribs. She continued to hit me in the same spot over and over again till pain clouded my vision and I lost my footing. I had to give it to her. She was one hell of an opponent although she didn’t look a bit like it. She didn’t have brute force, but she was fast on her feet, and faster when it comes to thinking. She’d hid the phone in the band of her shorts, but it had rolled into her shirt when I pinned her down. The wet clothing had stuck to her skin and given her away. I’d meant to only grab the phone at first when I stuck my hand in, but changed my mind at the last minute and altered my course.

I admired her strength and determination. It was surprising to find out she was willing to get drenched and dirty in the rain just to get some dirt on me. A bit hurtful too if I was being honest, although she had good reason and I sort of deserved it.

It must have been because I stood up for that new girl a few days ago. I saw her and her poise harassing the new girl over something. I don’t know what exactly, but I finally intervened. I never looked twice when she was doing it in the past and just acted like she didn’t even exist. Maybe it was because someone was fighting back for the first time that I decided to help them out, or it was because I just couldn’t stand her being fake and hiding behind a mask. Maybe it was both. I honestly don’t know.

I wasn’t that oblivious that I had not caught a whiff of her being the butt of the others' joke because of the incident. She deserved it though.

If she wanted to show off her place and instill dominance in the school, she had to take it up with someone her size and leave the weak alone. She was fucking fake.

Who was I to stop her anyway or call her out on it ? I was also fake as fuck. Hell, everyone in this goddamn side of town was.

--Her boobs weren’t fake though.

Shut up, brain. Stop thinking about her boobs, or the way she arched up into me or jerked beneath me, her pulse thumping faster and harder and I was tempted to squeeze harder just so I could feel it better against my palm. Or how her full lips were plump and shining under the moonlight. Her blue eyes had stared up at me in defiance and fear. That’s right. She should be afraid

But now I need a fucking cold shower. I was never going to fuck a cold and empty vessel though, because that was exactly what she was. She wasn’t Aali. She was Aaliyah Waters.

Cold, fake and empty.