Chapter 3: THE ANNUALLY

AN

Unravel Me Playlist on Spotify.

Song; Fleurie- Start a War

Which was proof because if I wasn't the girl in the story that just magically walks into class late without being questioned then I think I'm in the wrong story cause Ms Swvena was giving me her signature scowl.

“Ms Swvena, I swear, I have a real explanation this time.” My hands were held up in a surrender position as if I was being treated like a criminal.

She peers at me through her huge pointy glasses and swings a long wooden ruler inches from my face.

Everybody in class held in a gasp as they awaited what I would do.?

Yes, reputation precedes me but I don't cause trouble in class. “Care to tell what?” She says, her harsh voice tinted with sarcasm.?

I sighed in relief, putting down my hands. “Lauren was being a jerk to this one girl so-”

“Enough Ms Vail your excuses and allegations are frankly, quite made up.”

If you didn't want to hear it, why ask?!

I sighed knowing she was just being a bitch. “Yes Ms Swvena, it won't happen again.” The fact that my teeth were grinding against each other as I smiled didn't help.

Getting mad right now will not help my case so I had to play cool. She glares at me and points at my seat with that huge ass ruler.

Seriously do they even make rulers that long?

Obeying, I ducked over to my seat which was next to Hailey and settled in. Hailey looks at me curiously to which I mouthed; “Later,” causing her to nod in reply.

“Do you want to head over my place?” Hailey and I were walking out the school after the last bell rang, indicating end of school.

We had just reached the steps when she asked me.

“Can't. I need to head over Lane's, Ethan needs help with the boxes.” I said, my voice filling with sadness.

I've been dreading this the entire day.

“Okay then,” She says, disappointed but she knew why I couldn't go with her.

“I'll see you later Hales,” I tried to smile as I walked of but the truth was I was still upset over the whole demolish thing.

“Hey!”

Hailey's sudden shout made me look back to see her standing right where I left her. She was frowning, a concern look in her eyes.

“You gonna be alright?” She raises an eyebrow knowing fully well I was between either crying or raging.

“We'll see!” I called back, running to catch up with the next bus. Once I had paid for my ticket, I sat at the very back of the bus and breathe out a sigh once the bus started moving.

It was hard to concentrate on my surroundings when my mind constantly goes back to what happened yesterday.

I was angry, sad, frustrated and well, hell of a lot more but what could I do?

All these thoughts, they burn my mind so much that I had to shut my eyes to dull the ache. The leather seat under me should feel warm and comforting but instead it felt cold and hard.

Can't this day get any worse?

I was there when the place first opened. Now I was going to see it get torn down.

“9th street!” The bus conductor yelled out stopping at my stop. I quickly got up and thanked the driver before getting out.

I straightened my bag as I watch the bus drive away, leaving me at 9th street where it was once filled with people.

All that was left was empty shop lots that had been boarded up. Lane's Skating Rink should be 8 blocks away.

Shaking my head, I started walking towards the direction of the Rink and couldn't help but notice the shuttered up shops around me.

That's where I first got my ice cream.

My mom took me there to buy a dress.

My Dad held my hand as we walked across this street...

Tears brim at my eyes and I rubbed them away not wanting to get emotional now.

Graymoore really did take everything away.

“Those bastards,” I mumbled, sucking in a deep breath as I stare up into the grey gloomy skies.

The first thing I noticed was the sound. A loud, mechanical whirring and the sound of shouting.

“What the hell?” I said out loud, increasing my pace until I was full blown running. The trucks weren't suppose to be here by 5. Its only 2!

“Let me through! I need to get my things!”

Ethan?

He sounded desperate. I rounded the corner and gaped at what I saw, my chucks kicking up dust beneath me.

They were knocking over the side of the Rink, bricks and pieces of plaster was everywhere.

No. No. No!

We were suppose to get Ethan's stuff out why were they demolishing this place early?

“Ethan! Ethan!” I yelled finally catching up to him. He was pleading with an officer who was stopping him from entering. I did a quick look around and saw road blocks around us.

“What are you doing?! We still have time!” I demanded the officer, putting one arm around Ethan.

“I'm sorry Miss, but this section is close.” He stoically replied, his green eyes staring at me with what? Alarm? Determination?

“The hell it is! There's stuff in there that's important!” My voice had reached its breaking point as I watched in horror as they knock down a pillar.

“This section is close, I can't let you pass.” He says once more, pulling us both back. I should've listened.

Should've just obeyed. But Ethan's things were in there. The things he treasured the most.

Jackson was only following protocol so why would I blame him?

Because I can.

Enraged, I pushed his hands away from Ethan. How dare he lay his hands on an old man!

“You listen to me Jackson,” I snarled glaring heatedly at him. I didn't care that he was an officer. I know Jackson just like I know everyone in this town.

“You know how much this place means to him so why the hell aren't you letting us through!?” Jackson gaped at my outburst, his green eyes filling with shock.

“Vanessa, you know I can't do anything.” Jackson sighed, scratching the back of his neck .

“I don't care Jack. What's left of his family is in there!” I pleaded, my voice filled with desperation.

Please... this will break Ethan.

Jackson contemplated his decision for what seemed like a few seconds but at that moment, as I look back at Ethan's tear filled gaze, I knew what to do.

Ducking under Jackson's arm, I ran and ran as fast as I could towards the Rink ignoring Ethan's calls.

“Vanessa! Stop!” Jackson screamed, running to catch up to me.

The workers surrounding the area all stopped what they were doing as they watched a crazy girl run into a destroyed building.

That was me.

“Stop! Stop!” Jackson yelled to the workers who were working on heavy machinery with waving arms so that they wouldn't hit me.

Some abruptly stop, while others slowed down before they could process what was going on.

I jumped across a terrain of bricks they had gathered and narrowly missed a bulldozer before finally making my way into the building.

Okay what now?

My eyes scan the Rink and found the opening I needed before running inside.

“Where is it, where is it?” I mumbled, hearing loud voices outside as Jackson tried to get the workers to stop.

Entering the back area, I slammed the door open and was greeted by a cloud of dust that rose up.

“Fuck.” I coughed, covering my mouth and nose. When the dust cleared, the tilted room became clearer for me to see all of Ethan's things scattered, broken on the ground.

I'm going to kill these people!

Trophies, pictures, all the memories Ethan had. Just gone. Like that.

“Son of a-” I cut myself off as I dug through the broken chest boxes and found what I was looking for.

It was a black and white picture, the edges tattered beyond repair. “Thank Jesus,” I grabbed hold of it and pocketed the picture.

This was Ethan's.

Heading to the entrance, I tried my best to brush away the dust that had fallen on my hair and clothes but found it pointless. My hair was going to have to be washed with how white it looked like.?

I breathe in the fresh air once I was outside and was grateful that the human race has not polluted the air.?Yet.

“Vanessa? Vanessa!” Ethan was shouting my name as he barrelled through the blocking workers who had all stopped what they were doing and was staring at me with either annoyance, or pure astonishment.

Ignoring those stares, I ran up to Ethan and held him close, his larger frame nearly knocking me over but I stayed still as he cried.?

“I got it,” I mumbled, taking out the picture from my pocket. He grasp it and cried harder.

“Don't worry, Its okay.” His reply was a new wave of tears.

“V-Vanessa, th-that wasn't safe...” He said, his voice croaky as he pointed at the wrecked Rink.

“It doesn't matter Ethan,” I dismissed it, not wanting him to feel worry for me after I just gave him the only thing that mattered to him.

“Vail, you have some big ass balls.” Jackson grumbled out loud, his hands rubbing his dark skin face up and down vigorously as the adrenaline finally settled down.

He sounded like he had a heart attack and came back.

Well I'm not sorry.

“What the hell ya'll doin'?” A loud southern american voice yells out, instantly making the workers that surrounded us stiffen.

He push past the workers and I could see he was the ‘leader' of this project since almost everybody started to back away slightly.

“Sir, the girl ran inside. We had to-”

“Get back to work!” They all scrambled. The poor worker was only trying to explain what happened. The ‘leader' approach us cockily, a glare on his face.

“What you doin' going round causing trouble?” He demanded, hands on his hips as his big belly protruded out.

His blond hair was greasy and It looked as though he hadn't shower in ages.

I do not like him.

A glare found its way up my face. I stood up straighter, my fists clenched as I shielded Ethan.

“Vanessa-”

“Stay with him Jackson,” I growled, warning him off. He took the hint.

Now filled with anger and rage from yesterday's events and today's... I had reached my limit. This piece of shit was really going to get it.

Walking slowly towards him, I stopped when we were only a step away from each other.

I held my stare, eyes burning with intensity as I looked directly, into his eyes.

The cocky look in his eyes seemed to dim when he noticed I was so close and yet not backing down.

“Did you know you was suppose to come by 5? Its only 2.” I spoke, just itching for him to say something that'll really make me snap.

He grins, showing his yellow teeth as he shifts on his feet, his belly almost jiggling in return.

Probably survives off donuts.

“Sorry baby doll, but that's just business.” He leaned closer to me, his face now only inches away as if to scare me. The urge was there.

The urge to get back in the place I tried so hard to avoid.

Control Vanessa, Control!

“That is a pathetic excuse.” I leaned more closer making him lean further back in reply.

“Either way,” He coughed, his expression nearly slipping. “You can't do nothin' bout it,”

Don't do it. Don't do it.

“Maybe you haven't read the signs? This place is Graymoore's now Baby Doll,”

Breathe in and out, in and out.

“I suggest you walk your pretty little ass out of here and bring that old man with you. We got work to do.”

Okay, you can do it.

I slammed my fist on his face instantly making him recoil in utter disbelief as the pain hit him fast and hard.

He groans, holding his cheek as his eyes glance at me in fear. My fists clench once more, and my eyes burn brighter daring him to do anything.

These Graymoore boys don't know who the hell I was.

“Do you see that old man?” I began, pointing at Ethan but my eyes were still on this donut filled guy.

“That is Ethan Lane. You know Lane? The Lane's Skating Rink you've knocked over?! He owns this place! His entire life was here!” Each word I spoke was growing increasingly louder.

So much so that the workers were all staring at us once more.

My voice could be heard from a mile away, hell it could've probably be heard everywhere.

“That thing I risk my life for was his! It was a picture of his two sons that left him behind like it was nothing! And you knocked it down without a damn in the world.”

Jackson didn't even stop it. Ethan didn't even say anything. They knew how much this place meant to me.

How much pain it is to see it get torn down right in front of my eyes.

I grew up here... now it was just, gone.

“Do you have kids? Can you even understand what you did?!” I paused, taking a deep breath for my next sentence.

“You come here acting all high and mighty. How many memories have you knocked down for the sake of money?” He opened his mouth to reply but closed it like a gaping fish.

“You really want to find out who I am?” Wind blew through my red hair, making it look wilder, angrier.

“Sir?” It was the same worker that got cut off.

He stood some distance away, eyes not wanting to look at me as he handed the donut filled guy a letter.

He took it and the worker ran off not before looking at me in warily.

Funny cause I was still 16 going 17 soon in six months.

The leader finally raise his eyes to meet mine. To my surprise, that cocky look was gone. Instead it was filled with sadness and regret.

Like my words really did made an impact on him. He hesitantly looked back at the letter then at me before handing it over.

I took it, confused. “You got what you wanted, at least for the time being.” He sighs, running a hand through his greasy blond hair.

Before I could reply he turns back to meet his workers. “Alright guys, pack up!” He shouts, signalling at them.

Curious, I flipped open the letter and proceeded to read the words, frowning as I go. My anger evaporated in an instant.

“What is it Ness? What's going on?” Ethan walks up to me, peering over my shoulder. Jackson followed after. “I don't get it.” I mumbled, reading the words.

“All duties are to be postponed until further notice. Graymoore's Annually tradition will be taking place soon...”

I skim over a few lines to see if it would make more sense but it left me more confused then ever.

“Its the GrayFell Annually.” Jackson voiced out, his tone laced with surprise.

“A what?”

I knew GrayFell. It was the, top elite school throughout the world. Its called GrayFell because of its joined partnership with Graymoore and BourneFell.

Before that partnership fell apart of course. The name had stuck since then.

It was after all one of the first buildings they ever created together. So why would they try to destroy it?

Despite all ties being broken, GrayFell remains as it is. A school that has branched out to elementary level and University level.

It was truly an elite school. The smartest and only the?richest?attend. Why?

I could buy a house with the school fee that is required.

With how heated things are between Graymoore and BourneFell I had no idea how that school was still running.

“The Annually?” I was confused.

“You don't know?” Jackson was in disbelief.

“Well I'm sorry I don't know the latest gossip.” I said, sarcasm in my voice.

Ethan rolled his eyes playfully and gave me a pat on the back.

“Every 5 years they choose a random student so as long as he or she is between the age 12 and 18 from anywhere in the world to go to GrayFell. Like a giving back thing to society.” Jackson added, sounding thoughtful.

“Giving back my as-”

“Nessa,” Ethan nudged me. I sighed, nodding at him.

Yes, wouldn't want to get the old man mad now do we?

“Anyway,” Jackson coughed, patting his chest awkwardly.

“You can only enter your name from what I heard, through a lottery. Enter your name and by the deadline it'll be announced if you get chosen or not.” Jackson explained, his green eyes light.

“Sounds like a scene from a fairy tale.” I scoffed brushing my hair away from my eyes.

“Either way, you should be thankful Vanessa.“I debated if I should drag Jackson over to an asylum with the words he just spoke.

“Without this, Lane's Skating Rink would be rubble by now.” He pointed at the tilted building, frowning as a piece of slab slid right off the roof.

Its already rubble!

Looking at the building in front of us, it was still standing although a huge hole was present.

Yes it could've been worse. Either way it doesn't make it any better to admit!

Damn it to hell universe!

“Vanessa Vail!” Ethan scolded loudly. It was then, that I realised I had said that out loud.

“Fuck-”

“VANESSA!”

I need to work on my words.