chapter Five

So what if I didn't have friends by my side? I always have my enemies to give me company; trouble. Since my early childhood, trouble has always found its way to me and I gladly accept it with open arms. Back in the orphanage, I didn't really get along with most of the kids, especially with the bigger kids who used to bully others and take away their food, mine included. I had to sleep with an empty stomach many times because of them but yet I didn't stand up to them as I knew it was of no use.

But the trouble starts when someone does something good to mend things, always. I got in trouble because I punched one of those bullies. They had started it first, calling me names and making fun of me. I couldn't control myself and fought back finally. It didn't do much but taught me that you shouldn't stand up against someone when you are right because people are gonna ignore you. If you are the wrong one, you become the valid one.

But this time, I'm calling trouble towards myself. I just can't stand and watch a person getting bullied by a jerk. 

"Hey, trashcan. How you doing?" That stupid jerk who has cornered a girl asks and I can notice trash on her head and some scattered around her. He must have dumped the trash can on her. How can someone be so mean? But again I've seen worse.

"Let me go, Moore." She tells him with a threatening and determined voice.

But he doesn't, he puts his finger under her chin and makes her look at him in the eyes. A disgusting smirk playing on his lips. 

"Why? Don't you find me handsome? Don't you want me to fuck you? Your place or mine?" 

That's it. I've seen enough. Disappointment fills me as I notice no one is stopping him. Everyone is watching the drama about a jerk who has a girl pinned to the wall of the hallway. I refuse to be a useless bystander. 

"She isn't, maybe because you know? Maybe because you look like an old grandma's fart and surely smell like it too." I reply to him after reaching the spot where that jerk is bullying the girl.

Before the guy has time to react, I yank his hand away from the wall and push him away from the girl. Standing in front of her. I glance over at her to see if she is alright. 

"Are you alright?" I voice my concern to which she slowly nods her head without looking at me. 

"The fuck do you think you are, you fucking idiot!?" He grabs my shoulder and turns me around so that I can face him. His face is hot from anger, his initial dirty smirk is gone already. 

"Not a fucking jerk like you for sure." I yell at him, mimicking the tone of his.

I know I'm not a good fighter but hey, I can throw one punch or two. If he wants to fight, I won't hesitate to fight back. 

To my surprise, he laughs a mocking laugh instead of showing off his anger. He looks behind me and then his eyes find mine. 

"So are you her new lover? Or should I say his new lover? You a faggot like him?" 

"Fuck you, Moore. I'm a girl just like your motherfucking sister and mother!" The girl who's name I don't know yet yells from behind.

"First learn how to speak to someone. You talk like you are still in kindergarten and also change your attitude, you act like an absolute asshole." This seems to hit his nerve because he swings his fist at me for a punch. 

Before I can stop him or dodge his punch, a hand comes in front of my line of vision, catching his hand. 

"Now who the fuck-" the Moore or more like moron guy stops talking as soon as his eyes land on the person who is gripping on his wrist, I can also see him gulping. 

The moron winches loudly as that person has gripped his wrist tightly. I'm worried that his wrist will be broken soon, it will leave a nasty bruise, no doubt. 

I'm also surprised seeing Killian in front of me, with his usual blank face, he is almost breaking a guy's arm without looking like he is making an effort. 

"Say sorry to her." Killian asks, no, he orders. 

His voice sounds calm but there is something scary in it. He sounds authoritative. It sends shivers to the spine, he does have a blank expression but his eyes speak anger for him. It shows that he is not the one to mess with. Like me, that moron  gets the hint so he frantically nods his head.

"I'm sorry, Trisha." From his tone I can tell he doesn't mean it a bit. He will be coming for her another time but for this time he swallows down his ego. 

"I've apologized. Now let me go now, Price. Fuck!" He yells in pain as Killian tightens his grip on his wrist. 

"Apologize to him too."

The moron hesitates a bit but when Killian puts pressure on his grip he winches in agony and mutters an apology to me. 

"Fuck! Let me go now!" Killian doesn't seem to pay any heed to him while I just keep watching what's unfolding in front of me. 

"Bullying isn't tolerated here, Moore. Keep that in mind." Killain finally lets go of his hand. Without waiting for an answer, he turns on his heel and walks back. 

"I will get back to you for this Price!" That moron yells after Killian. 

When Price looks back, the moron visibly looks afraid as if he shit his pants. It does shut him up because he doesn't find the courage to look back at Killian, instead he looks at our way. 

"I will teach you two lessons someday. Don't think it's over." With that he practically runs away. 

"Phew. That was something." I mutter to myself. 

"I'm really sorry for the trouble." The girl speaks which reminds me of her existence. I was so lost in the situation that I forgot about the reason of the fight. 

"No, it's totally fine. Are you alright though?" 

Just like a gentleman I pick out the waste from her hair carefully, I don't want her to feel like I'm forcefully touching her. 

"Thank you again." She smiles, forwards her hand for a handshake. I gladly take the hand and offer her my own smile though it's not as bright as her. 

"I'm Trisha." She introduces herself, I nod my head at her. 

"River." 

+●+

Finally, the first day of my last year of high school has ended. It wasn't anything like I expected. Actually, it's quite the opposite. The people seem weird here. However, it was eventful to say the least. You can find people fighting here and there. Some people pick on others and again you can find friends chatting and having fun. It's a fusion of good and bad, you can say that. And I have become a part of the latest topic of the school. The whole day I've heard people talking about that incident. I'm sure by now everyone in school has heard about it and this school is very large, much larger compared to my old school. 

Here I'm waiting for Gabriel  by his car. He has already informed me that he would be late, he has soccer practice. Apparently, he is the captain of the school soccer team. I used to play soccer but never really liked it that much. Earlier I wanted to go to the field and watch his practice but decided against it. I'm positive Gabriel  won't appreciate me there. I'm already enough of an intruder in his life, I can give him this much freedom at least. 

"Hey!" I yell when I take notice of a familiar figure walking around the parking area. 

"Hey!.....Killian? Hey!" I call for him again and this time he finally looks back, the usual blank expression plastered on his face. 

I jog up to him when he stops walking and stands still. His strong scent hits my nostrils immediately, he smells like cigarettes and I absolutely hate it. I try my best to ignore the irritating scent and look into his eyes. I'm standing closer to him so now I've a clear view of his eyes, of his face. He has beautiful forest green eyes, his blond hair and sharp jawline makes him more of a handsome guy. He has a subtle bear growing on his jaw, it makes him look older than he is. Nonetheless, he looks handsome. 

I offer him a small but genuine smile of mine. He seems indifferent to it though. Somehow his facial expression changes from blank to irritated as if he is asking me to hurry up. 

"Thanks for the help earlier though it wasn't necessary. I could have managed fine by myself but still I appreciate it." I manage to complete my sentence without sounding like a nervous wreck.

His silence makes the air awkward between us. I have blush creeping into my cheek. Am I making a fool of myself once again? He just keeps staring at me without saying anything. I'm beyond embarrassed. 

"Umm…" 

I stop after catching the little smirk curling up in his lips, it's short yet intimating. 

What is he smirking for? 

"Hey!" I yell this time, tone filled with thick annoyance. He leaves without looking back or saying anything. 

Come on, it wouldn't hurt him to say something, anything. It's not like I was trying to chat with him or be his friend. I was simply just trying to offer my heartiest gratitude for the earlier incident. Like I said, I would have handled it myself if he hadn't involved himself. 

Shrugging my shoulders at his unusual behavior, I walk back to Gabriel's car. I can go to the library and get some books to read later but Gabriel will be here anytime. I don't want him to wait, it might upset him even more. 

"What did you do?" A sudden voice almost gives me a heart attack. What's wrong with people? 

"Ah..w-what?" I stutter out as I face Gabriel who looks very tired and angry. I don't know what I did to make him angry at me. 

"Do you think you are a hero or something? Who told you to interfere in others' business?"

When it finally hits my head that he is talking about the incident earlier, it makes me more confused. I don't get how and why it makes him angry that he is practically giving me a death glare. 

"Did you want me to stand by and watch a jerk bullying a girl?" I question back. I really don't want to argue with Gabriel but he's getting on my nerves. 

"Yes." 

Wow, how did he say that so easily? Doesn't it affect him? Or is he one of those people who like to bully? 

"How can you say that, Gabriel? If you don't try to prevent wrong doings then you are also a part of that wrong doings. I wasn't taught to be a useless bystander." 

"Taught by whom? Your parents? Oh, sorry. I forgot you don't have any." He mocks. 

It should make me upset but it doesn't. I'm angry. Firstly, I don't know why he is behaving this way. He doesn't like me but he has never talked to me like that before. Secondly, he doesn't have any right to be angry over something that doesn't concern him. 

"What the hell is your problem? Why are you behaving this way, Gabriel? And for your information, I do have parents. In fact, they are your parents too." 

"You are my problem! You created all the problems in my life! It's your first day here for fucks sake and you've started creating trouble already and that's too with Moore!" 

"Calm the fuck down, alright? I don't know what's the matter with you and Moore but you know what? I don't care and let me warn you! Don't talk to me this way ever again. I won't tolerate it." 

"What would you do, huh? Complaint to your dear mom?" He shoves me hard by my chest, I stumble back a few steps due to the force. 

"Do it. I don't care but I will make your life a living hell if you don't stop messing with me." He warns. 

He enters his car and drives away, leaving me standing like a fool in the middle of the parking area. I really tried to get along with him, I still do. But I really don't know what's his problem. How am I messing with him? Sometimes, he acts like he hates me but sometimes he acts like he doesn't care. I don't know how to figure out what he's thinking. Whatever, I will stop trying. If he can't respect me, I don't see any reason why I should do the same. 

Not gonna lie, it hurts to hear such hurtful words from someone who is supposed to be your family. I knew I didn't belong here but he didn't have to remind me of that.