Chapter 2

This is why we can’t have nice things = Taylor Swift

Bull dousers, flashing lights and a fear of heights. In other words, a construction site located in my head. Feeling like crap was an understatement.

So, my cure?

Lying in bed, moaning for an hour before stumbling out in pursuit of coffee.

I looked terrible, absolutely a disaster. I had been too tired/drunk last night to take off the costume and now my auburn hair was entangled in the head piece. Make-up smeared across my face and my chocolate eyes were bloodshot.

Serena had someone over last night and they had kept me up even later than I had wanted to so the need for caffeine was big. I had a paper due on Monday and hadn’t even started. My plan was to do it today but well, how I felt at the moment – I was planning to just sleep all day and pull an all-nighter tonight. Stupid hopeful idiot that thought she’d be productive today.

I put on the kettle, taking deep breaths as I got out the mugs and things I’d need. My head was literally throbbing and my stomach wasn’t in the best state either. Behind me, I heard shuffling but decided to not scare the poor guy when he tried to sneak out. Goodness knows, he wouldn’t want to see Medusa after the night he had, had. Let the poor guy sneak out with some dignity.

Yet, that didn’t happen. 

Hands suddenly snaked around my torso, the body leaning against me.

O gosh, really dude? You just left your sleepover-buddy two minutes ago.

“Um, please don’t do that” I grumbled, taking a step closer to the counter, he following my motion. The smell of chestnuts wafted into my nose, me trying not the cringe. People shouldn’t smell like Angeles. They weren’t allowed to smell like devils.

“Why not?”

They weren’t allowed to be the devil as well.

My head lifted, my eyes widening. That voice… chills run down my spine, my legs turning into jelly.

No, it couldn’t be him. He wasn’t supposed to find me. This is just some creep who wants to hook up with me. Yet, when my hair was brushed away from my shoulders and I felt those electric lips on the base of my neck, I knew there was no mistake.

I whirled around, hitting the cupboard with my hip. The pain was nothing as I stared into the eyes of the man who all my nightmares were about.

“Miss me Angel?”

XXX

Mr. Brightside – The killers

After the elevator incident I caught sight of “Sam” a lot. More often than not, he had a gun with him or running from someone. When I’d spot him he’d give me a side-wink before that horrible sound of a gunshot would go off. The guy was sick. Horrifying. Disgusting.

Why was I drawn to him then?

I found myself seeking him out, going to the more dangerous areas of the state in order to see him again. Places I knew he might be. We never actually spoke but I think he realised my attraction to him. Who wouldn’t? I was basically risking my life in order to see him.

I found myself at a club called Snakes that one night. Snakes – like you just know it was dangerous. My friends had reluctantly been busy that evening so it left me to fend for myself. I should not have been here, really shouldn’t have. I was wearing my favourite pair of black skinny jeans and a crop top that showed off my belly-button. People were eyeing me so much I felt like I was naked. I held onto my stomach, wishing that I had picked my outfit a bit better. Just a tiny bit less revealing.

Gingerly, I took a sip from my drink, looking around the place. I did not fit in. Girls like me did not belong in a place where there were more guns than teeth. Placing a strand of hair behind my ear my eyes fell upon a guy who actually owned all his teeth. That was obvious with the way he was smiling at me, his eyes glinting with demons. He was a bulky man, his tattoos snaking all over his body. He slid out of his seat and I watched with widened eyes as he moved towards me. O crap on a cracker.

“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing in a place like this?”

O really dude, were we in a Disney movie or something? I swear my dad has used that specific phrase like about seven times in the movies he makes.

I smiled at him nervously, trying not to shiver as his arm moved around my back. I was pulled towards him, me trying to push him off almost immediately.

“Damn, you got a nice set of those don’t you?” the man grinned, his eyes falling onto my breasts.

“Tha-thanks” I stumbled, my heartbeat raising rapidly. O goodness, I had to get out of here, “Um, if you’d excuse me I-“

“I don’t think so darling” he smirked, his hand falling onto my hip and staying there.

“Please let go of me” I mumbled, leaning away from him.

“Come on baby, let me buy you a drink” the man smirked, holding up his hand to catch the bartender’s attention.

“I have a drink” I said, holding onto the glass of pinkish alcohol for dear life. The man raised an eyebrow, taking the glass from my shaky hands before downing it.

“Now you need a drink” he responded, leaning over the counter. I looked around, trying to find someone to save me. Yet, in an area like this, there was no one that would save a fancy snobby girl like me. His hands were too clammy and the smell of tobacco was giving me a headache.

“Here you go babe, I got you some tequila” he held up a shot glass, my eyes going wide. I had never been one for shots. Vodka – fine. Cocktails – just perfect. Shots – Nope. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. But then suddenly, his hand unlatched from my torso and tequila splashed onto my face.

My eyes shot open, me looking wide-eyed at the thing that was happening right in front of me. “Sam” was holding the guy by the collar, punching his face continuously. Blood was splattering against my legs, me having to move it away. I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth. I was shaking, my stress levels increasing incredibly.

“Sam!” I leant down, trying to get him off of the guy. He ignored me, the poor pervert’s face starting to look deformed.

“You’re killing him! Please Sam!”

“My name isn’t Sam!” the man growled, shoving me off of him.

“Please!” I tried to pull him off once more, my hands slipping and me falling to the ground on my bum. Then only, his attention snapped to mine. He jumped up from the ground, stalking towards me. With widened eyes I started to back up, not wanting to be lying on the floor possibly dead as well. Yet, he was quicker than me, grabbing my wrist.

“Please” I pleaded, tears starting to form and making my vision fuzzy.

“My name is Angeles and if anyone ever f*cking touches you again – I’ll shoot him in the f*cking head” he snapped, pulling me off of the ground. I stumbled a bit, falling onto him. He held me there for a moment before pulling me away lightly.

“What you doing here Angel?” he said, starring directly at my eyes.

“Nothing” I mumbled, not wanting to admit that I had come for him.

“Come on” he said, his hand still wrapped around my wrist. He pulled me towards the door, me overly relieved to be out of that hell-hole. Once the fresh air hit my skin, I let out the breath I had been holding and felt cold hands grasp my shoulders, me being pushed to stand right in front of the man.

“What the hell were you doing in there!? And what the hell are you wearing!?” he growled, glaring into my eyes.

“I…I…”

The man sighed, his grip tightening on my shoulders.

“Why’d I get stuck with you in the elevator Angel?” he groaned, lifting his eyes to the heavens. I gulped, trying to calm my rapid heartbeat. Remorse and embarrassment flooded my insides and I wished that I had never gone on this stupid adventure. Tears brimmed once again, escaping from my eyes and running down my cheeks.

“No, don’t cry, please no” the man said quickly and I felt his chest against my head as I was wrapped in a hug. His heartbeat was right next to my ear, the sound a beautiful complex symphony. His fingers brushed through my hair, him mumbling incoherent words. Time seemed to stand still as I was held in his embrace. He was a murderer, a psychopath and well, I didn’t mind any of that.

Someone ate some crazy loops this morning didn’t she?

I leaned away from him, feeling heat rushing to my cheeks, “Thanks for the save back there” I coughed, “I… I think I’m just going to go home” I took a step away from him but his hand was quick to wrap around my wrist.

“You’re not going anywhere” he growled, the tears flowing once more.

“I… I… please – I’m sorry, please don’t kill me or-“

“Do you think I really wouldn’t have killed you by now if I wanted to? You’re bloody everywhere. It would just take one clean shot” he sighed, my eyes widening, He formed a gun-shape with his hand, holding it against my head and making a shooting motion. His eyes softened then, his gaze falling to my wobbling chin.

“I would never kill you Angel, never – even if my life depended on it” he stated, the words just a whisper.

“What?” my eyebrows knit together, surprised by his words. He groaned once more before his eyes fell onto my lips. His arms wrapped around my neck, me pulled towards him as our lips connected. It was a forceful beautiful tornado. He kissed as if he’d never kissed anyone before – that beautiful desperation and the way it felt like he had kept it just for me. But then, the way his lips moved, the softness and knowledge that went behind the kiss proved the opposite. Right there and then, my life crumbled. It fell into a complete bliss and my heartbeat sped up to dangerous speeds. This man… psychopath… Angeles. He was something else.

I needed something else. At that moment, I was confident that I was going to continue stalking him to sketchy bars. When I was finally allowed to breathe, I craved more. I watched with widened eyes up at the man who just brutally punched a guy and only saw an angel.

“Come on, I’ll take you home” he smirked, nudging to a sleek black convertible that screamed danger. I nodded, letting him wrap his hand in mine as we headed to the car.

XXX

This is why we can’t have nice things – Taylor Swift

“An-Angeles” I gasped, watching those dangerous eyes swirling with anger. My heart was starting to thunder like a drum, me not trying to get a panic attack.

O crap on a cracker. Crap on a bear. Crap on me!

He was going to kill me. Torture me and kill me. Was Serena even okay? Had he killed my roommate? O shit, is that why she had been screaming!?

Tears swelled to my eyes, me trying to gulp them down.

“Yip, it’s me” he grinned before his hand shot out, grabbing a fist full of my hair. I let out a surprised sound, it only infuriating the man.

“O’ you don’t like that do you?” he growled, “Don’t like me suddenly hurting you!?”

Without helping it, I let out a stupid whimper, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

“You see Angel, I was sweet to you before. Treated you like a queen. My queen. Kept you away from all the bad shit. Kept you save! And how did you repay me? How Angel!?” his hand tightened slightly but was still help slack. It was clearly more for intimidation than pain. Well congratulations Angeles, I was petrified.

“I-I” I gasped, tears slipping down my cheeks. In the past, the tears always made Angeles’ anger disappear. But not now. It only spurred him on.

“You ran away from me. And you know what happens to people who run from me?” his teeth were gritted, the question coming out as a blood-curdling growl.

“No” I squeaked, watching as his eyes widened from my response.

“I’m very good at revenge my little angel, like – I’m actually an expert at it” he sneered.

“Please” I sounded like a mouse. An actual freaking mouse.

“Please what? Forgive you – well, I can’t do that sadly. You see, although I like being tied up in certain instances – like what we did before you decided to do something really f*cking stupid – I don’t like waking up in bonds” he growled.

“I’m sorry” I tried, trying to control my voice from breaking.

“O my sweet little Angel” he said, his free hand catching one of my tears, his fingers brushing against my cheek. Sad to admit, but I missed his touch. I’m a special kind of f*cked up. For a moment, hope filled me. Maybe my apology had work. Maybe he’d leave. I watched as his eyes observed the water droplet falling off of his fingers, falling to the ground. His gaze turned back to me, his eyes glowing.

“We’re going to have so much fun” he grinned, my hope splattering like my tear. His hands untangled from my hair, his body leaning against mine. It still felt as good as the first time. His muscles toned, his smell like ambrosia. Everything about him was hard, manly and well, it was drawing me in, my body heating up. His head leaned into my neck, me sucking in a breath as the familiar feeling made my legs turn into jelly. The good kind. His hands were placed on my hips, digging into the skin. And then, then I felt the hard sting of a hickey being created on my neck.

“Angeles” I groaned, trying to push him off of me but he was persistent. He pushed my body onto his, keeping me prisoner there. Warmth pooled in placed it shouldn’t pool and I felt like my body was reacting to the situation very badly.

The sucking was painful, not passionate. As if he was actually marking me to tell others I was his alone to torture.

The only thing to save me was the groan that came from my roommate’s room. Thank the heavens she was waking.

Angeles leaned away from me, giving me a smirk.

“Don’t worry baby, she couldn’t remotely keep up with you in bed” he said, it feeling like he had just stabbed me in the heart. Only Angeles could make me feel jealous and not disgusted by his actions. He had just slept with my roommate and was gloating about it. And how was I feeling about the matter? Not mad – no, regretful.

I needed a shrink.

Serena appeared from her bedroom, stifling a yawn. She was the only girl that could pull off being hung-over. Sure her hair was a mess and her eyes were seemingly blood-shot but instead of looking like trash, she looked like she was posing for a modelling shoot.

“Hey” she smiled sheepishly, rubbing her one eye. She was wearing Angeles’ t-shirt. I was supposed to wear that. I gritted my teeth, trying to supress the stupid jealousy feeling. Angeles moved towards her, giving her a kiss on the cheek, “Morning babe” he smirked, me seething, “I’m going to go take a shower alright?”

“The bathroom is through there” Serena spoke, pointing to the door. He nodded, disappearing into the room. The minute the door closed, a wide smile appeared on my best friend’s face, she letting out an excited squeal.

“Can you believe it!? He is so gorgeous” my friend gushed, moving towards me and getting out her own cup, “And o my goodness, the way he is in bed! You’d swear he was some god or something”

Or something…

I simply nodded, pouring in the boiled water into the cup.

“O, but I see you also got some action huh?” my friend said, her eyes scanning my neck, “He got you good” Serena jumped onto the counter, bringing her cup to her lips.

“Yip, annoying asshole” I muttered, my friend giggling, “Bad guy?”

“The worst”

XXX

Mr. Brightside – the Killers

I will emphasise this again – I am not right in the head. This was obvious with the reluctance of me getting in Angeles’ car without so much as questioning it. He only grinned at me, giving me a wink as he closed the door for me. I watched as he moved to the other side, noticing the way he strode. He was a good walker. Was that a thing? Being a good walker.

Well, he was one. He was kind of bouncy yet steady. It was mesmerizing to watch him. His head suddenly turned, his eyes catching mine. A smile formed on his face, me reddening at the fact that he had caught my starring. He gave me a wink before moving once more, opening his own door and staring at me.

“Like what you’re seeing Angel?” he smirked, getting in. I swear I was turning into a tomato right there and then. I should start running from the vegetarians soon.

“Sorry” I mumbled, looking down at my hands. I felt his gaze on me and a moment later, his hand was over mine, squeezing it.

“You’re allowed to stare Angel, just I’m allowed to as well” he said, giving my hand a squeeze. I gulped, nodding. His hand moved away from mine and when I glanced over at him I saw he was moving towards me, his arm crossing over my body to reach for the safety belt. He buckled it for me, not actually saying anything up until the end.

“I’m reckless when driving. Used to car chases you know?” he shrugged as he started the car. When he said that I should have run. I really should have gotten out of the car and rush off but instead, a sense of excitement filled my core.

“Cool” I said, a smile appearing on my face as I heard the engine came to life. I grabbed hold of the seat as we sped off, a sense of danger coursing through me. I liked it. I liked the fact that this was something unplanned, something reckless. For someone who had grown up with riches and no worries, I liked this. Risks. And Angeles was a risk I was willing to take. Over and over AND OVER again.

I let out a whoop, feeling the wind from the open window whipping my hair out of my face. Angeles chuckled next to me, the car going even faster.

“Damn girl, you like danger don’t you” he chuckled, glancing over at me.

I only nodded, a bright smile on my face. I whooped once more, he just laughing before doing the same. Yet, when you drive this fast, you get to places quicker. We were soon enough in my neighbourhood, disappointment gathering. Angeles slowed the car down, looking over at me as we neared my house. The car stopped, me sighing as the last bit of vitality left my body.

“Thanks for the lift” I smiled at him lightly, him nodding in return.

I unbuckled the seatbelt, slowly opening the door and hoping he’d call me back. Yet he didn’t. Why would he? I had whooped during a car ride like some child…

I closed the car door, leaning against it for a moment before starting to move to the gate. I was just about to press the button when I heard his door slam closed. Looking back, I saw him approaching me.

“Can I see you again?” he asked, his hands deep in his pockets.

“Yes, yes of course” I was way too overeager for this. He gave me another smirk, “Cool, I’ll pick you up at six tomorrow evening alright?”

I nodded hastily, smiling brightly.

Damn… I was so stupid.