Chapter 4- The Battle Begins

TRYSTAN'S POV

{I'm sincerely sorry if this is triggering by any chance. You can skip until "*" this symbol arrives which indicates the painful part is over}

"I'm so-soorry Abigail. I swear it was an honest mistake. Ple-please, let me go." I stutter as Abigail and Chase stand right in front of me, cornering me in the school backyard.

The entire campus was present here, heartlessly witnessing the show as the audience in a stadium. They had all the time in the world to snicker, laugh, comment, mock, record and entertain themselves, but not step up to help me. And as for my best friends, even they had turned their backs on me.

Like any other stranger, they were witnessing my pain too. And it hurt, hurt that the only family I had turned their back on me.

Abigail portrayed the picture of evil as if she was born to torture a soul until one decides to give up on their pity life. I pleaded her for mercy, begged her to leave me alone but all I heard was the devious laugh of the monster.

"You rejected Abigail Paige McCarthy. What did you expect, roses and unicorns? No one rejects me, especially not a worthless cocksucker like you. It's high time you pay. I'll make you walk naked in the entire campus." She held so much malice and abhorrence in her voice, that it crumbled my exterior bit by bit. She was scraping off my dignity with her claws and I could do nothing, rather stare helplessly.

Where were the authorities when they were most needed? Where was God when he needed to save his child? Where was the angel that was supposed to guard me? I wanted to cry in agony, but I refrained.

Chase and Josh caught ahold of my body whilst Abigail unbuckled my belt. I felt all the blood in my body dry up all at once. Every single hair in my body stood up in protest as I struggled against the two men.

No, they can't do that. I wouldn't be able to face anyone my entire life. For once I regretted not choosing the life my dad had chosen for me, for one I regretted not listening to his words, for once I wanted to do nothing but change everything in time.

"Let me go, please." I wail but no one came forward for aid. Her nails dig into my torso, making me step away in aversion.

Abigail pulls my pant down as I'm hit with warm air, goosebumps running down my body as I'm left only in my boxers. The entire student body stared at me like I was the descendant son of Lucifer and I didn't deserve anything but persecution for the rest of my life.

She scooted closer to me, her hands rubbing the visible bulge over my boxer. I wince instantly, fighting to withdraw back from her touch. I fought against the strong grip over my body, not ready to back down just yet. She wanted to strip me of my integrity and I wasn't going to go down without a fight.

Tears glistened in my eyes, blurring my vision when I felt her strong grip over the hem of my boxers. My heart no longer felt the ba-dump sound, neither did I feel the circulation of oxygen in my lungs, it felt like time had stealth. I felt numb and brain dead, knowing that the only thing that was mine was going to be ripped-off of my life.

I struggle under the strong grips of Josh and Chase's arms but all my energy crumbled into waste. And then it happened, in one fluid motion, she stripped me off my boxers, giving birth to excruciating pain in the center of my heart.

"*"

"Noooooo." I shriek and shoot up, grabbing my sheets and wrapping them around my body in an attempt to cover myself up. I felt exposed, despite the fact that I was wholly covered and secured in my room. Beads of sweat run down my head and body. I look around to find myself safe under the closed arms of my room. I was just dreaming, although it felt awfully real. I was panting heavily, the pain in the back of my heartfelt fresh, as if it had managed to wriggle out of the death grip of Satan. This was definitely the worst nightmare foremost.

Stop being so overdramatic. This is nothing in front of those...

I shake my head and brush my thoughts away.

It's 7 in the morning, the sun was gleaming rather too cheerfully through the curtains. I wish I was born as a sun; happy, bright and gleeful. I was still on my bed, pretty exhausted from yesterday night. I hadn't slept a wing the entire night and when I got some sleep, the nightmares made it impossible. Planning to keep myself out of all the attention, I make my mind to make an early entry.

Settling onto a pair of black ripped jeans and a black t-shirt, I give myself a once over. The t-shirt was kinda baggy over my skimpy body and begged for improvement but right now that wasn't my concern. I skip to school, dreading all my way as I chanted all kind of prayers for at least one of the Gods up there to save me from the lethal dead that awaited for me today.

Guess what???

I successfully manage through two classes without dodging paths with Abigail or my bullies. Sure enough, I hadn't escaped the curious eyes of the other predators but at least it was far better than coming across those monsters. I hate the attention, but what surprised me was the look of pride in the eyes of other girls and non-popular boys. So many people actually came forward and appreciated me for what I did, quoting, she deserved it. But what surprised me foremost was the sudden interest the people showed into me. I had suddenly turned from loser to Iron man. Girls were asking me out and boys wanted to befriend me.

Like what??

And instead of Abigail, I was the new hot topic in school.

And me on the other hand, I'm confused between the reaction I'm supposed to express. Am I supposed to shout "hallelujah" or am I supposed to be like Nobita, "wailing and whining"?

Intentionally, of course, I take my sweet time to get out of the class until the teacher began to kick me out. By the time I got out, the corridor was clear and empty. I have 5 minutes left for my next class which was, unfortunately, history and mahn, did I want to sue Hitler and the people who signed up for world war I and world war II.

Gawd, that class is as boring as opera.

I took my books out and run for my next class.

Gawd, only 2 more minutes until I qualify for detention and I have to run through another section of corridors. So exhausting. I mutter to myself.

"Aaaah. What the flying orangutans??" I Shriek as I get pulled inside a dark room.

Yes, the total cliché plot twist. And I had no doubt that I was going to be buried alive under this very room.

I scream, wail, cry out, moving my hand in every possible direction, hitting someone in the procedure.

Haah, take you, serial killer.

"Aah fuck." The serial killer swore with her girlish voice.

Wait girlish?

Is this the part where I yell, "holy crap"?

Will it be considered as a swear word or a necessary slang used for the appropriate situation.

With my ninja technics(note the sarcasm), I manage to find the lights. The room was dirty with cracked walls, obviously unused from quiet some time. It looks like some storeroom since it consisted of many broken tables and chairs. I turn to my right to see her holding her left eye while her face masked a scowl.

Oops? There goes the last bit of my great ninja skills that the world will never see.

I stood frozen in my position. Shivering badly, ready to pee my pants. She looked at me with her one eyebrow raised while I just choke on my own saliva like a loser.

I'm sure I don't need to get more dramatic. You must have guessed who it must have been by now, not like I didn't make it obvious.

"Do you think it was that easy to escape from me ??" She inquires, banging her hands on the wall, blocking either side of my face and cornering me.

Isn't this supposed to be the way around? I'm starting to believe we live in a parallel universe.

"I-I aa yo." I couldn't utter a single word. The closeness was too intoxicating. I couldn't find myself thinking straight, as her eyes stole all my confidence.

Like you had one.

"What happened, no words now?? Did cat catch your tongue? Yesterday your tone was pretty high and accusive. What's wrong today huh?? No allegations saved up? Didn't our hot school nerd prepare for the seminar today? " She mocks, smirking and scooting closer.

Did she just call me hot?

"Did you just call me hot??" The words sprang out of my mouth before I could leash it and chain it in the corner of my mind.

"That's all you got from all the offensive remarks I just made?" She stared at me, amusement evident in her eyes.

"You're something else." She muttered under her breath. I doubt I was meant to hear that.

That's when I noticed our pressed up bodies.

Does she know what's personal space?? Have she ever heard of it or did she scribbled that too out of her oxford dictionary?

I just stare at her. My heart racing faster than lightening and beating louder than thunder. All hair in my body was standing straight while my cheeks are tinted red for sure.

You need a gender transplant.

My stupid conscience taunts me.

"You won't speak now okay, just answer my question with a yes or no."

This time when she spoke, it lacked authority. She was surprisingly nervous and calm. "Listen up strawberry guy, answer my question truthfully, okay??" I nod my head vigorously.

"Did you say anyone about what you saw yesterday??" I just shake my head in response as she sighs in relief.

"Did you spread the rumour that I tried to get you in bed and you rejected me??" I shake my head again.

Didn't she see the post by Daphnee?

"Why did you reject me??" She asks softly. Her question took me by surprise. That's not a yes or no question.

For the first time today, I met her gaze. There was no emotion reflecting her inner turmoil. A total blank face, until I concentrated a bit more.

This time I noticed the small quiver of fear and resentment in them. There was a crack over her confidence pillar which needed some sort of assurance.

"That's not a yes or no question?" I state here the obvious.

"Oh fuck. I didn't know. Thanks for the information idiot. Now answer what I have asked." She yells, annoyed.

Her guard was coming down, the emotions loud and clear in her eyes each time. I heaved a heavy sigh.

"It's just. I don't know." I answer.

She doesn't say anything just stare at me amused. She studied me like I was a different yet interesting subject to learn about.

"See Abigail." I decided to speak honestly despite the lack of confidence.

"I'm not a boy toy, okay. I don't like all this stuff and neither I'm the type of guy who falls for the art of seduction. I stated earlier, I'm a one-woman man. I don't sleep around just for the satisfaction of mere pleasure. Might sound boring to you but sex isn't just for fun, at least not to me. It is something we use to express our love and affection towards that particular person we have fallen in love with and is supposed to be devoted only to him/her. And I- I respect you. You are a girl. Not some sex toy. I would never use a girl for her body, not even if she threw herself at me. My mother raised me like a gentleman, not a hormonal dog." I respond. She stood there, stunned. Her eyes displayed how amused she was while a small smile played on her luscious pink lips. She stared at me like I was some unsolved mystery that she needed to unravel before she ran out of time.

"How are you like this? So normal yet so different. So simple yet so complicated." She mumbles her thoughts out, giving me the same amused look. Her head leaned against mine, as she closed her eyes. It was like she was trying to decode me over and over again but the result was the same. She wasn't ready to believe that I actually was something she didn't expect a guy to be, I could see the conflict in her electrifying eyes.

Suddenly her eyes widen as if realising certain facts. Her demeanour changed all of a sudden and so did the aura.

"You know any boy would die to have this.-she says pointing down at her figure- I'm literally throwing myself at you. And you here are being a huge jerk, explaining non-sense as an excuse of your bullshitt. You should really consider yourself a lucky one baby." She purred at the end.

I rolled my eyes at her stupidity. There it was again, the high walls that reflected nothing but neutral emotions. Her change in demeanour snapped something inside me as well.

"Lucky my butt. I would rather be with Heather than you. "I spat back. Great! What did we go through yesterday T? Do not open your mouth unless asked to. I scold myself.

For a second her smile fades away but then her smirk appears in an instant too.

"You know, you're really innocent for a boy. And feisty. I like it." She played with the hem of her hair.

"Isn't this dialogue said by guys naturally?"

"Yep smartass. But what do we do here, the situations are quite opposite too you see. Anyways listen up. "She says scooting closer again while I hit myself at the wall. She brings her soft lips closer to my ears.

" YOU'RE NOT GOING TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH ABOUT ME BEING A FIGHTER OR REVEAL MY IDENTITY. Get that?? Or else it's gonna be really really bad for you Trystan.'' She warns the last line pretty much in a husky tone. I just shiver under her soft touch.

"What if I say??" I ask her not realizing the slip of my tongue. I click my tongue, obviously wanting to rip it off.

"You really do have guts. I like it. I don't understand why do you let Chase and Josh, bully you then?" Confusion marked her face.

"None of your business" I replied coldly. She looked taken aback by my curt reply.

"In less than 2 days, you have found a lot about my life already. Your a prime example of curiosity killed the cat. Now it's my turn to find about you. You'll witness consequences Trystan Gonzales if you utter any of my secrets. You pried in my personal life, without a choice. And now I'll control your life with my choices. I'll see you soon. Don't think I'm gonna leave ya any time soon buddy. It was really your bad luck. Now I'll be the karma in your life. Your life's villain. " She proclaims with her infamous smirk adding a wink at the end.

"Wh-what do you mean?? What do you intend to do??" I ask her nervously, biting my lip.

"Let destiny decide, what happens when the good boy meets the whore." She answers her voice barely a whisper but held a hint of devilish humor. She kissed my cheek before leaving. I feel my cheeks heat up, my heart beating so fast whilst a freaking zoo dances inside my stomach. The feeling of her lips lingered over my cheek, a small smile tugging on my lips due to the slight yet powerful contact.

My mini-celebration didn't last long until her words rang in the back of my head.

"Oh Gawd what have I gotten myself into." I groan once again in less than two days. I got out of the room only to come in face to face with Chase and Josh.

Great!! Bye-bye handsome face.

Without any talk or taunts, he pins me to the wall and punch's me hard in the jaw. The pain was pretty harrowing. It felt like my heart had just changed its location and situated itself in my jaw. Soon enough the hot metallic taste seeps into my mouth, fowling my taste buds. Involuntarily I feel my hand reach for my jaw and indeed blood was dripping down my now busted lip.

"What the fuck do you think of yourself huh?? How dare you try to get my girl to bed?" He accuses. And if you didn't know, then the allegations came with free, complimentary punches. He aimed for my eye this time, brutally hitting and knocking out my vision. I had taken off my glasses soon after the classes had got over, well aware of the racking pain I would go through soon. My specs were the foremost important thing in my life and a single soul ever, ever tried to touch it, I swore I would break their finger, even if it meant life imprisonment. I don't let a single yelp slip out of my mouth, although the pain was excruciating. I didn't want him to give the pleasure that he succeeded in hurting me, which he always does.

"Let me go, Chase. I didn't do anything."

That earns me another blow in my abdomen. "Now you lie, you son of a swine."

"Leave me. I'm sorry." I try to block his punches and kicks but the pain made it almost impossible. Tears trickle in the brim of my eye. The pain was nerve-racking, taking me down each second, it was not possible not to shed a tear unless your Iron man or Captain America.

"Such a cry baby." Josh mocks, throwing a kick right in the middle of my stomach. I could feel the wetness in my abdomen that soon imprinted over my t-shirt too. I didn't fight back like every time, despite the fact that was the only thing I wanted to.

After what felt like an era, they finally leave me alone as I struggle to stand on my feet. I smelled like blood and sweat. Every single fibre in my body was stinging, rejecting to move or even turn. Dizziness was taking over me, zoning me out of the real world. Each moment caused a blinding pain, making me inhale deeply. I felt someone had thrust bullets all over my body and then rode a truck over me again and again. Despite all the renunciation, I clutch my stomach and crawl my way to the washroom. It took me 15 minutes which felt like 15 gazillion years until I reached my destination.

To my luck, no one was making out or dressing up inside the washroom which saved me a lot of embarrassment and a few punches and kicks. I gasp at the upcoming bruises that started to show up on my face, even a blind duffer could tell I was bullied or abused. My legs refused to stand steady, but I had to get a good glance over my face until I applied for the medicines. I have a black eye with a cut below it, a busted lip with a bruised jaw, a swollen cheekbone in my right and another swollen lip at the opposite. I rose my t-shirt off as the mirror reflected the view of my almost muscle less body which was now covered with blue-black bruises. It was bleeding profusely due to the long cut in my abdomen that they encrypted using the metal rings in their hands. My ribs ached, probably broken a two here and there. I wince when my body abruptly turns in response, causing me an afflicting pain in the centre of my chest and ribs.

"Haa." A gasp echoed in my ears, so that's what my body responded to. She stood there, concern and disbelief painted over her expression for a split second.

For once I felt she wasn't pretending, it felt like she really did care, but I didn't have a muscle in my body to give two flying lemurs right now.

"Who did this to you??" Abigail asks firmly.

"None of your business. Just leave me alone." I reply coldly. It was all because of her at the end.

Chase and Josh have always bullied me, but nothing that compared today.

"You can snap back at me but you don't even try to defend yourself in front of others?" I don't bother to respond to her. One because it obviously hurt to speak and two because I didn't really have an answer to that. My mouth always worked on its own when it comes to her. She stands still, examining my bruises and cuts. Her eyes show a flicker of concern before it's again covered by her neutrality.

"Sit here." She points at the washroom floor. I don't make an attempt to move which annoys her and so she just pushes me by my shoulders to make me sit. I wince to which she quickly apologizes. She sat on the floor along with me, least bothered about her reputation in case someone walked in or how dirty her clothes were getting. I wince a little as concern seem to flash in her eyes once again, before turning blank again. She was good at masking emotions.

She takes a small kit out of her handbag which consisted of bandages, antiseptic, ointments, creams, and a sprain spray. She carried a pharmacy in her bag. So basically Dora's backpack did exist. Without any further discussion or question, she treats my wounds with full concentration. I didn't see her hands quiver for once, as if she was an expert in treating wounded patients.

I take this as my chance to look at her closely. Moderate makeup covered her face today. There was a mark on her neck, barely visible until closely noticed, which was hidden under a lot of makeup. Probably from the fight. I never understood why did she require so much makeup for. She is naturally more than beautiful. Her hair fell over her face which she moved using the back of her hand but they fell back on her face. Involuntarily I tug her hair behind her ear, despite the painful screams in my body due to the movement. Her head immediately snapped up, eyes speaking a different story, it was like she was letting her guard down, although it didn't last long.

Reading a closed book wasn't easy and so I wanted to drink in every little information that its cover spoke.

Realizing my examining looks, she gets up quickly, creating as much space possible between us. She looked taken aback for some unknown reason, whilst I just stared at the ground due to the unknown electricity in the room.

I mutter a thank you which she replies with a subtle nod and storms out of the washroom. Once the pain had subsided down at least by a bit due to the Tylenol she handed me, I make my way out, after making sure all my wounds were wrapped and getting rid of the metallic smell of blood. I decide to walk towards cafeteria since I had already missed my 2 classes and next is lunch. I took my steps towards the cafeteria, more like dragged myself towards the cafeteria, but stopped right on my track when I hear faint yelling.

Do you know how some thick heads were too thick to change? I was one of them. Despite the protest bells ringing in the back of my head, I ignored them like the teachers ignored my bruises and cuts without a care in the world.

As always curiosity got the best of me, so I head my way towards the direction of the unknown voices. Yep, your right I'm never going to learn a lesson. My body was protesting against every single movement but my curious mind was dead stubborn. Eavesdropping is bad but I'm helpless in front of my jumping curious mind.

" Just answer me a yes or no Chase. Did you hit Trystan??"

"You mean that useless scumbag? That specy?"

"How many people have you hit in the last 10 minutes that you're so confused at who I'm speaking about."

"Why the fuck are you so concerned about him?? Did that son of a motherfucker complain to you"

"I'm just asking God damn it!! Answer me, was it you and Josh?" Chase refuses to respond but his silence and eyes gave away enough details.

"Why did you hit him so badly?? Are you a fucking human or what??" She yelled at him in frustration.

I felt a tug in my heart, foreign emotions dancing in the pit of it. It felt strange to see someone fight for me, but satisfying at the same time.

"It is not the first time I have hit him. Why do you suddenly care about him??" He yells and pushes her back.

"Stop hurting the innocent ones, Chase. For fuck sake. And he isn't the one who seduced me. It was me. Don't dare to push me again. "

"Yo-you seduced him??" Chase asks her in utter shock and disgust.

"I don't think it's any of your business who I try to sleep with. I have never interfered in your crap, neither you get to in mine." She replies coldly.

"Are you serious that Chikmagalur is the one you wanted to sleep with, out of all people?? And do you fucking remember you have a boyfriend??"

"Oh please, Chase. It's not like you don't sleep around. We agreed about an open relationship. And FYI, you never had the right to instruct me what I should do and what I shouldn't. So get the fuck out of here and stop behaving as you own me. You're nothing but a piece of shit I'm tolerating to keep our reputation, more like yours." She sneers at him, acrimoniously.

Chase's face turns red in anger. The boiling rage evident in his eyes. "You bitch." He stepped forward, raising a hand in the air. I don't know what hit me but I rushed to the spot and held his hand in the mid-air. I didn't care about the blinding pain right now, or the aftermath of my intervention, all I cared that he had risen his hand to hit a girl.

"Don't." I spat at him, slowly but sternly. Chase stared at me with wide eyes and so does Abigail, obviously shocked. The guy who never stood for himself stood for a girl who caused him all the pain in the world today and promised to make his life miserable. But I knew if I didn't, then she would be ashamed of me. I could live with anything but not the fact that I failed to value her morals. With one swing, Chase picks me up from the ground pinning me against the walls. The pain was rushing back again but with a greater force this time.

"Leave him, Chase. Leave him." Abigail pulls him by his arm to get him off me.

With one swift motion, she jerked him back, away from me. Daymn, she is too strong. I wouldn't be surprised if she would pick Chase with the back of his leg and throw him side to side as Hulk did to Loki in Avengers.

"Enough is enough Chase. You know what, we're done. "

The only thing this scene is missing in background music.

"What?!?"

"Yes. We're done. I can't believe you almost slapped me. And this time for real. I don't give a flying fuck about what people are gonna think. You can do whatever you want to."

She was furious, holding herself back from hitting him. I could tell that because her hands were curled into a fist, refraining herself from revealing her secret.

"I'm sorry baby. I was just angry. And are you serious for this loser you're breaking up with me, bitch." Chase raises his voice once again, swearing at her.

Bipolar much?

"You fucker, just go to hell. You can shove your attitude and anger up your ass. Trystan, let's go." She intertwines her hand with mine and walks off. What surprised me was, how careful she was whilst holding me and walking away. She walked slower than the normal pace to make sure I could keep up with her.

"Did you just break up with him??" I question in utter disbelief.

"What's soo shocking. It is not like I broke up with the love of my life and the father of my children." She explained like it was no big deal. "And... And thank you." She adds after a bit of hesitation.

"Huh??"

"I mean thank you, you know.... for stopping Chase when he was about to hit me. I didn't see that coming."

Her voice was inaudible compared to all the other times she spoke, almost like a mumble.

I tease her knowingly. "Not good with thank you and sorry's??"

She rolls her eye in response, giving me the "don't push it" look.

"Anyways now." She says sternly catching my collar firmly in her hand, but refraining any pressure on my body.

"Don't think just because you helped me today, I'm going to let you go, love." And with that she turns away dramatically, flipping her hair in the air. But not before, smirking like a wicked devil and giving me a heads up.

"The Battle Begins..." She smirks sinisterly before strutting away

《》《》《》《》《》《》《》

Penny for your thoughts on this chappy?

If ya ask me, I think this was a satisfying chapter, ignoring all the stupid mistakes.

I have changed quite a bit of the thing in the chapter but nothing completely out of the box that I could tell you it's rewritten.

QOD: Some days are going to be darker than the rest, learn to enjoy the serenity amidst the twinkling stars and dark sky. Because nothing is more beautiful than the stars that speak a million stories but only ever need is one good listener. Be their secret keeper and in return, they will hold yours, for the rest of their lives.