The Guys

Victoriå

I looked away long enough for them to proceed with their argument, making me sigh in relief.

Another guy got out of the driver's side, walking around and pushing the two that were arguing away from each other.

A beanie covered the hair on his head and he had one hazel coloured eye and then a brown one.

His eyes were wide as he seemed to be scolding them.

Lastly, out of the first car came someone that almost made me choke on my spit.

The hot one from last night with the even hotter dog.

He went here?

He walked around his car and sat on the hood, watching them before pulling out a cigarette and lighting it up.

He was wearing black jeans, a black shirt and a leather jacket. 

The Typical "Bad Boy" look.

He just sat there, observing them, who I assumed were his friends. 

The afro guy said something and suddenly, all of their eyes switched to me, causing my cheeks to heat up.

I quickly looked away, not wanting to catch any more attention.

Thankfully, the bell rang and I waited for others to leave before I did.

At this school, I tried socializing as little as possible. At all of my previous schools, friendships always got me into trouble at home.

Plus, I preferred it this way. At least I wouldn't have to hurt anyone when I left abruptly.

"Miss Rhee. A word?" My Math Teacher asked and I nodded, giving him a small smile.

"Yes, Sir? Can I help you with anything?" I questioned and he shook his head.

"The Principal wants to have a word with your parents next week," he said and my heart dropped into my ass. "But right now, Miss Beckham wants your help in the Theatre room." 

Shit. I was fucked for sure.

Maybe I could run away and come back next year after the meeting.

"Okay, Sir." I replied with a kind smile, leaving the room.

I felt like crying. It didn't matter what that meeting was going to be about.

My father is going to kill me once I tell him the Principal wants to see him.

I made my way into the Theatre Room, entering just as the Teacher was about to open the door.

"Rhee, Hello." She smiled, motioning for me to come with her. "You've seen the "YorkVille Play" already, right?" She asked.

"Yes, Ma'am." I replied.

"Would you mind helping me adjust the stage? I just have to run to a quick meeting." She asked kindly.

I internally sighed, knowing that I was going to try eating something in the bathroom where I could vomit in peace if I needed to.

"Sure." I told her and she took both of my hands in hers.

"Thank you so much, Sweetie! I'll give you a pass for the rest of the day." 

After she left, I went back outside and grabbed my bag, bringing it in here with me.

Then I popped open the lid of my bowl and sat, at least eating something before I began.

My stomach was all messed up because of the constant blows I receive, making it hard to eat.

"When I'm away from you," I started singing quietly to take my mind off of things.

"I'm happier than ever," My head leaned to the side as I held down the vomit. "Wish I could explain it better," I continued, swinging my legs as I sat on the stage.

By the time I finished the song I was done with my food.

My heart dropped as I heard slow clapping in the audience, startling me as I didn't hear anyone come in.

I looked up, finding afro guy sitting there with his legs up on the seat in front of him.

"I don't know who hurt you but," he laughed, getting up. "That was beautiful, Blondie." He finished and I looked at my feet.

"Thanks." I replied softly and he sat in the front row, right in front of me.

"I'm Damien." He said, pulling a lollipop out of his pocket and opening it.

"It's nice to meet you." I smiled, standing and putting my bowl away.

"And you are?" 

"Everyone calls me Rhee." I replied, climbing up the stairs and beginning to make small changes.

"So you're Rhee." He said almost to himself and I looked at him, to which he shook his head and smiled. "You're the new girl, everyone's talking about it, you know?" 

"Yeah." I laughed a bit, pushing a small sofa further onto the stage.

"Well, I'll leave you to do...whatever this is." He said and I laughed again. "Hopefully I'll see you later." Giving me a smile as he left.

After that the day flew by in a blur and to avoid everyone I ate my lunch in the bathroom.

Right now I was walking down the sidewalk again, busted lip and everything.

My parents were lucky. I could've become the child they raised.

If that were the case, I'd be twerking to gospel music.

Or eating soup with a fork.

I wasn't a bad kid, so I didn't really know what they did or where to even begin.

"Fuck you!" I heard a man shout from up ahead as I stared at the floor and I froze.

I looked up and found that I was now faced with an all-out brawl in the middle of the street.

These were grown men, fighting carelessly in the middle of the street. I thought it was a fist fight,

Until I saw someone being stabbed repeatedly.

My hands shook uncontrollably as I watched the man fall to the ground, bleeding.

I was about to get the fuck out of there when, life decided to fuck me over.

Again.

I backed into a trash can, knocking it over and catching everyone's attention.

You've got to be joking.

I swear everyone paused whatever they were doing.

"So, um, I'll just...go." I said carefully, about to run away when I was grabbed from behind.

Dear life,

Fuck you and your family.

But respectfully,

Rhee.

My heart raced in my chest, faster than I even thought that it could.

"Oh, I'm going to have some fun with this one." The guy that grabbed me said and I giggled internally.

Hey, that rhymed!

Okay, back to the situation at hand.

As I was about to think of an escape, tyres screeched from down the street as someone turned the corner at full speed.

Everyone's attention turned to it, watching as it approached at full speed.

Behind that car came three more cars and they all stopped right in front of this large group.

The passenger side of the first car swung open and to my surprise, the same dog from last night ran out.

But this time, she was growling viciously as she ran in my direction and my stomach dropped.

Instead of attacking me like I thought she would, though, she went straight for the guy behind me, biting down on his leg.

He let go of me and fell to the ground. I was horrified as she started chewing his face like a toy as he screamed.

Then, the fighting continued. All of the men in the other cars came out and a war began.

I then watched as a single figure walked through the entire crowd unharmed, heading straight for me.

It was he, the 'Hot' guy. He walked over, his cold eyes staring at Jinx for a second before he looked at me.

"Come on." His deep voice said and I was in a trance.

Yeah, a trance of hotness.

I watched as he walked past me, obviously wanting me to follow him.

But I couldn't move. All of the violent scenes flashback and had me paralyzed with fear. I didn't move until Jinx nudged my legs with her head.

I snapped out of it and watched he was waiting for me to walk. Jinx walked directly in front of me and he glanced at her before shaking his head.

He walked over to the car, opened the passenger side door, and when I got in, he closed the door.

He went over to his car, unlocking it and opening the passenger side door. 

Taking a breath, I got in and he shut the door. Then he opened the back door for the dog, who happily got in and sat.

He walked around, making a signal with his hands and it was only then that I noticed Damien through the glass.

He was holding a guy up by his collar, punching him repeatedly but once he saw me, he dropped him and waved.

I gave him a small smile and waved back with my hands still shaking.

Once he got into the car, he started it and drove forward toward the crowd,

Making everyone jump out of the way and he didn't seem to even care.

I stayed silent, trying to calm my nerves when he spoke.

"Where do you live?" He asked and I looked over at him as he drove.

"I..." 

I can't let him take me back there! I'll be dead for sure!

"Can you just drop me off at Dino's?" I asked quietly, feeling my eyes become glassy.

I'm too weak for my own good.

The ride was silent and I accidentally brushed my hand against my rib, wincing.

I felt him look over at me and I looked out of the window as a tear fell from my eye.

He pulled up to the place I asked him to take me to and surprisingly, he parked and killed the engine.

He got out and walked around, opening my door for me and I thanked him, giving him a small smile as I got out.

He rolled the back window down for the dog and proceeded to walk with me inside.

I realized that he didn't speak much. I wouldn't blame him.

Having to save a random girl like that and get involved in what I'm positive about was some sort of "Battle of the Gangs".

I opened the door of the small twenty-four hour Diner, and I went straight for a booth at the back.

Slowly, he followed me there and sat across from me, placing his phone on the table and crossing his arms over his chest.

Now that we were in full lighting, I'm positive that he could see the bruises on my face.

"Thanks." I said, tugging my sleeves down to cover my arms.

"What's that?" He asked, staring at the cut on my cheek and I cleared my throat.

"You didn't have to come in with me. I'm not planning on leaving soon." I told him and he looked at his watch, then shrugged.

His eyes reminded me of ice. Clear and cold with just a little bit of haziness.

They stared back at me for a while, trying to obviously figure me out and I looked away.

His stare was intense, making my chest feel heavier and I struggled to breathe normally.

"Hey, w-what can I get you two?" A waiter asked as he approached the table.

I noticed that he was avoiding eye contact with the person sitting across from me, confusing me.

What if he traffics organs and is just waiting for me to eat so he can sell my stomach?

"Can I have a blueberry muffin and water, Please?" I asked and he looked at me, giving me a small smile.

That happened often enough. I'd receive smiles from most people I came across and most of whom I didn't know.

"And for you, Sir?" He asked, keeping his head down.

But he didn't respond, not even paying him any mind and I felt bad.

"A glass of water, Please." I said, ordering for him and he looked at me, slowly leaning back in his seat as a small smirk formed.

"Okay, I'll come back with your orders in a second." He said.

"Thank you." I told him.

He left and I looked back at the guy.

"I can't keep referring to you as 'the guy' in my head, I'm sorry." I shook my head, being honest. "What's your name?" 

There was a pause, as he genuinely didn't seem like the chitchat type of person.

"Landon." He responded after a while and I nodded.

"Well, Landon, I'm Rhee." I told him and the waiter came back with the orders.

"Thanks." I said for the ninetieth time and he chuckled.

"You're welcome."