Chapter 7 : Bloodshot eyes

It was later in the afternoon when Elle decided to take a walk in her quiet neighborhood . She lived in the suburban area near Westville High , where there was less crime , less kidnapping and less extortions . She had always appreciated her freedom in a place like that . It was safer on the outskirts of the city then anywhere else in town . She didn't have to always watch her back when walking out late and it always helped her calm her mind and spirit . And quite frankly , Elle  needed a break from everything that has been happening all around her  .

Taking walks became her daily routine and she would always stop by her best friend's house , Tip , because he lived near . It was only a shorter distance from his house and Elle didn't mind one bit . The only problem was that Connor lived an hour away from school , so they saw each other less .

Connor often visited but would stay for a few hours and leave . Even though she valued Connor too , Tip was the closest to her and that's for many reasons . One was that Tip was like a brother she never had . They have been friends for so many years now that she'd lost count . It was almost unbelievable considering that they had contrasting personalities but they clicked perfectly with one another .

They had a lot in common too , both of them weren't raised by their parents and had the same taste in music . They shared the same views on almost everything and anything . It was safe to say that she knew him like the back of her hand . She read him like an open book .

Elementary school was where their friendship had bloomed to what it was now . Elle still has fond memories of them together kept in the depths of her heart . Those memories kept her sane , they were her anchor . They gave her a sense of hope that everything would be okay .

At first it had been the two of them and no one else . Tip was more talkative with a smart mouth for a kid . Elle found that intriguing for a young boy to know so much . So she had decided to approach him first and that's how they became friends . Tip was smarter too .

He'd always help her improve her academics and she'd teach him a few things she knew about art . They basically did everything together , shared toys and had tons of sleepovers at Elle's house . Her grandparents approved of their friendship because they saw Tip as a good influence on her . He's more than a good influence on me .

In fifth grade , they welcomed a new person into their friendship . Her name was Storm Jacobs , the loveliest person you could come across . She saved Elle from bullies , saved Tip from a car crash and sacrificing herself in the process . Back then she always stood taller than them and they always had to look up at her . She scared most people because of her tall height . Storm was outspoken like Elle herself . And it was evident to most people that she was their protector . She fought for all their battles and always got in trouble for it . Elle still thinks about her everyday .

And then came Connor , they met him freshman year and they instantly clicked . Connor was still a tad timid back then . He'd always sit alone in the cafeteria and one day they decided to sit with him . That's how their friendship started . Even though Connor was nothing like Storm , they still welcomed him to their duo . Together they called themselves the Westies , just like every other student in Westville . The Westies of Westville which is famously known as the West Side .

Today wasn't different though , Elle was planning on going to visit Tip . She just wanted to clear her head first before venting out to her friend . Connor's episode took a heavy toll on her and she couldn't help her aching heart . Connor meant the world to her so seeing him like that , pained her to the core .

She had just passed an alleyway when she felt something or someone behind her . 

Dammit she thought . She knew that she was being followed and she cursed under her breath . I forgot my tool at home . Elle was totally screwed .

" So you're friendly with the new guy?" a very deep voice said from behind her . Elle didn't have to turn around to know who it was . It was always him that bothered her .

" What do you think he'll do when he finds out the truth huh ? I bet you didn't tell him ?"Andrew spoke again, his voice laced with a bit of triumph . Elle couldn't help but gulp down the lump forming in her throat . Andrew was threatening her . She hated it when he did that because she knew that he lived up to his promises .

" I don't plan on telling him and you won't either ." She said without turning around to face the demon . She wondered if Beau was there too , she couldn't bare the thought of him seeing her in a weak state . It did not sit well with her when people potrayed her as weak .

" Look at me when I talk to you ." Andrew calmly stated .

And Elle obliged without questioning him but regretted it as soon as she saw Beau's stoic face staring back at her . Beau was standing beside Andrew , with Toni on the other side . She hardly saw Tony at school , many thought he dropped out which wouldn't be surprising .

She couldn't deny that he was hot too , with light brown skin and a head full of dark curls . Toni's bushy eyebrows fit perfectly with his black eyes  .

She turned her attention back to Andrew , who was looking at her amusingly . Elle was well aware of the of her heart beating at full speed and licked her lips nervously . It was Beau who had that affect on her . She let her eyes wonder back to his dark ones but the boy's eyes were zeroed on her wet lips . Though his handsome face was emotionless , she could see a slight twitch of his lip .

" I want you to make sure that Justin stays away from Tip , I don't want them being alone together ." Andrew said , shrugging his broad shoulders and that earned him Elle's undivided attention back to him ." Or else , I'll spill the tea ... Your choice ."

" Ha , and I'm suppose to be scared ? You do realise that if you spill your damn tea , you'll burn in the process ? News flash Andrew , you're not invincible ." Elle said and she could hear a snicker from the two minions .

" You might want to think things through before threatening me . If you expose me , I'll expose your bloodsucking ass ..." before she could finish her sentence , Andrew lunged at her in a lightning speed and pinned her against the wall . He was staring down on her face with red glowing eyes . Shit shit shit , where's the damn tool when I need it ?  She couldn't do anything about the deadly grip on her shoulders as she glared at the other boy . The harder she glared , the deadlier Andrew became .

" Drew , let's just go man ... She's not worth it ." Beau said . He couldn't watch the scene before him and for a moment , he thought Andrew might listen to him but the angry boy didn't . Andrew wasn't paying attention on them , he was looking at Elle . His deadly aura penetrating her in a painful way . He wanted to hear her scream but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction . He hated that she was stubbornly taking everything he had to give . His eyes pierced her but she just closed hers , gritting her teeth as she endured the sharp pain . How is she not affected ?

" Let her go you fucking asshole !" a loud voice said .

Elle sighed a long breath at hearing Tip's commanding voice . She was glad to that he'd saved her yet again . It was always Tip's perfect timing that saved the day . Andrew by command , stepped aside and raised his hands in mock surrender .

" Tip , thank God ! He almost killed me ." She whispered weakly , hands on her chest before adding  :

" He did that soul penetrating thing again but this time he intended to kill me , I could've died ! ."

" Come on , we need to go Elle , I can't save your ass all the time ! You're not supposed to leave your tool behind , dammit . That's irresponsible , even for you ." Tip answered her back , yanking her roughly from the floor . He didn't care about Andrew and his chauffeurs , he needed his friend safe . He knew that Andrew was looking at him as he could feel the sensation at the back of his head .   

" Shit my ass hurts , and this not not how I wanted to be penetrated !!!! " She yelled , her face red . Elle was angry and cranked her head to the side where Andrew stood with crossed arm . " Couldn't you at least been romantic about it ?! "

"..."

Elle watched in awe as Beau laughed wholeheartedly . His hand on his stomach as he threw his head back . His laughter filled the tense atmosphere , melting it away with the breeze . It was truly mesmerizing watching her crush laugh like that . She'd never heard him laugh before and it was the sweetest sound ever , better than Tip's music taste . She couldn't look aways from him as he recovered from his laugh . I made him laugh .  She almost drooled while watching him .

" Let's just go home Elle." Tip said , grabbing her arm and pulling her away . " They are not worth our time ."

" Think about what I said!" Andrew shouted after them .

...

" You could've gotten killed , what were you doing out there without your power weapon . Do you know how dangerous that is?" Tip said frustratedly . He had been yelling at her on the way as well . Elle wasn't paying him attention though . She was thinking about Beau's godly face when he laughed . How she hoped to hear that sweet sound again .

" I had it under control , Andrew doesn't scare me you know . Calm your titts , he wouldn't kill me just yet ."  She answered nonchalantly , swinging her legs over Tip's small bed . The latter was pacing around his small room , seemingly dejected . " He still wants me to convince you to talk to him so he pretty much needs me , so don't worry . I'm safe now ."

" You don't know that ! We both know that he's a psychopath , a deadly one .  I don't know what his problem is honestly , he just can't take a hint . I don't fucking want him near me !" he bellowed . " What if I hadn't gotten to you in time , what would've happened to you ? I can't lose you Elle , you're all I have ."

Elle looked at her friend pacing about , she couldn't understand why he was fuming the way he did . It had not been the first time Tip had to save her from Andrew , but he was acting strangely today . She knew that whatever was bothering him , he'd tell her right away . So she faced the ceiling again , daydreaming about the only boy she ever liked .

" I think I know why Connor has been getting those episodes . I'll only tell you when I get all the facts okay , just please trust me on this one . " Tip finally said after minutes of contemplation . " I'm working on something here , it's a dangerous . But it's nothing I can't handle . I need to get to the bottom of everything . Everything is just happening so quickly and it's scary how people are drowning in oblivion ."

" Can I be part of your quest too ? I promise I won't mess up , you can't solve mysteries alone ! " Elle said . " You need someone you could trust and I'm that person Tip ."

" No , I'll tell you everything once I'm certain , for now just don't bother asking ... Do you want coffee ? " he asked as an attempt to distract her from prying even further . He didn't have all the facts to prove his theories and that's why he couldn't tell her just yet .

" I know you're only trying to distract me but okay , make it extra strong please ." She answered happily . Laying back down with her legs dangling on the edge .

Tip nodded his head and left for the kitchen . He came back moments later with 2 cups of coffee in a tray and a chocolate bar . Elle smiled and took the bar with gratitude aimed at her best friend .

" Thanks Tip , for saving my ass once again and for the chocolate . I love you pumpkin ! " She squealed the last part .

" Call me that one more time and I'm kicking your sorry ass out ."  he said seriously .

" Gee , you seriously need to get laid and get rid of all that pent up resentment . Maybe Adonis could ---" before she could finish her sentence , Tip yelled from the top of his voice .

" Get out !!!"

She could only laugh at her friend's red face .