Page 64 of Caged in Flames

Chapter Twenty Nine

Sophomore Year:

When I left Diana in her bed this morning, I left whatever good I had remaining on the inside with her.

She wanted to have a special night. I had dinner delivered to her room and we watched a movie. I even opened a bottle of wine, hoping it would help us both relax.

It was perfect.

More than two teenagers could hope for when it comes to their first time.

Now, I’m broken.

Because the Diana in front of me is nothing like the one I left this morning.

After Charlie felt satisfied with her humiliation, he and Sawyer walked out of the storage room leaving her behind.

Sawyer shoots me a concerned glance before exiting the room, but he follows our friend out of the room anyway. I have a feeling that he isn’t exactly thrilled with today’s events either, but I doubt he’d ever voice it.

Once I’m sure they are gone, I walk over to Diana and begin untying her. My hand traces her face, but she doesn’t even glance at me. “Blue-”

Her eyes pin me into place. Except the girl I had come to know and adore isn’t looking back at me.

Those baby blue eyes aren’t staring me down.

Her eyes are completely gray.

I tug off my jacket and wrap it around her. Searching her eyes, I can't find any trace of my girl in them. I lead her to the town car my family ordered for me. Once I’ve given the driver the address I found listed for her in the school system, I buckle her in and move the hair out of her face.

When I left her this morning, I knew I was leaving behind my heart. I had to do it though. My friend was hurting, and he needed her downfall to heal something inside him. "I am so sorry, Blue." With the little bit of strength I have left, I walk away.

I order another car and wait for it to take me to Charlie’s house.

Pulling into his driveway fills me with frustration. This is the last place I want to be. His house is uninviting, dark and depressing. The only people I see around are the staff as I make my way to his room. I can hear the pride in his tone as he gloats to Sawyer.

I'm still trying to accept that what we had is over when Charlie's voice brings me out of my thoughts.

“Guys, that was fucking brilliant”, he's still preening over our actions today.

I wouldn’t say my heart is tainted any less black than theirs, but I don’t think I feel as accomplished about the shit we pulled today as they do.

My Blue didn’t deserve that.

To be put on display and humiliated in front of the entire school? Every kid whose parents mean anything in this town bore witness to Charlie’s scheme. Children and adults who have only ever judged Diana and her mom for something they had no control over.

And we gave them more ammunition.

We all had our tasks.

Charlie wanted to beat her down by reminding her she was trash.

Sawyer and I had our own jobs to do.

Make her trust us. Break her heart.

The only problem with that is I had no problem tearing down my own walls and letting her in. I thought taking her on cliché painting class dates would be an easy way in.

However, as soon as we got there, she proved she hadn't just forgotten about all the petty shit we ordered at her expense. Even though she spent the entire night trying to get even, it was one of the best nights of my life. We stayed out past midnight chatting on a park bench about anything and everything.

---