Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Chapter 34 Counselling

Counselling.

I groan in frustration and fling the laptop across the couch. My hair sticks in every which way from running my hands through it so many times, and I look like a mess.

I've been searching for a counsellor about, er...sex. It's because I'm afraid and terrified that the act will bring back too many painful memories. I'm Maxwell's girlfriend now, so.....things are changing.

And I want to be prepared.

But I can't be prepared when I'm terrified.

And there's one problem.

All these damn specialists are so expensive!

I don't really want Maxwell spending that kind of money on me....but I also want to get this issue that I'm facing taken care of.

"Carolina? Do you know where the--Are you okay?" Maxwell asks as he walks into the room examining my messy state.

"Oh, yeah...well I actually have something to....talk to you about." I say nervously.

"Okay." Maxwell says, shrugging as he gnaws on a chocolate bar.

"Uh, erm...this is kind of serious so if you would sit down maybe?"

Maxwell's face falls.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize." Maxwell says, taking a seat and setting his chocolate bar down the coffee table.

"Yeah, that's okay." I say, grabbing my laptop to check the information about the counsellor.

"So, uh, what's this about?"

"Well, Maxwell.....I've been thinking. I've been thinking a lot actually. I've been thinking so much about this that I lie awake at night. You know when your brain just never shuts off and it seems like you can never fall asleep because these thoughts just keep you up at night and-"

"Rambling, Carolina. You are rambling." Maxwell says, chuckling.

Oh....right. Oops.

I bite my lip in slight embarrassment and clear my throat. "So, uh what I've been thinking about is counselling. I have this, uhm...fear. Fear of...."

Damn it just say it Carolina it's not like it's a bad word.

Then again...even if it was a bad word that still wouldn't stop me from using it....

Maxwell sips his water casually.

"Fear of....sex."

Maxwell is now choking on his water casually.

Once Maxwell gains his composure he speaks. "Oh....right."

"I just want to overcome this fear. I don't want to ruin it for you or anything so I'm thinking that maybe a counsellor will...you know, maybe help me?"

Maxwell sighs. "Don't feel pressure for sex because of me. I can wait. I think if you want to get over your fears, then go for it."

"Really? Are you sure? It's kind of expensi--"

"I don't care what the price is. I've got enough money and it doesn't hurt to spend it on someone else. Especially, if that someone else is my girlfriend." Maxwell says smiling.

I throw myself into his arms, muttering a series of thanks into his chest.

"I'm here here for you, Carolina. And I will support you through everything."

Maybe I can get through this. No, I don't expect my past to just disappear or fall off the face of the earth. But maybe, I can get better at handling the pain and the anxiety. Maybe I can overcome some of the fears that I still live with today.

* * *

"How do you feel about going back to school next week? Your wound is better now, and it's healed enough." Ace says.

It's true, my wound has healed a lot in the last few weeks. The stitches are soon to be removed. My only complaint is that it is still a bit sore and bruised, so I need to be careful. A scar will remain, which kind of saddens me. I already have enough scars, but I guess I will have to deal with this.

"Eh, I guess I might as well. I don't want to get any more far behind." I reply.

I don't really mind school that much, to be honest. It's work that helps keep my mind off of some things, and I actually like being around people, even though some of them may be annoying or not too nice.

I've been alone most of my life, so being around the noise and business keeps me focused not on the past, but of the future.

"I'm going to go make some breakfast now. I'll call you when it's ready." I tell Ace as I walk out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.

I decide to make sausage, eggs, and bacon. The smell of the food permeates the house, and the bacon sizzles in the pan. I scoop the eggs out of the pan, and set them onto plates once they are done.

I organize all the food onto plates neatly, because, I think I'm a little bit OCD.

Organization is key.

Organization makes me content and.....happy.

"Ace, your breakfast is ready!" I shout out.

No answer.

"Ace?" I call a little louder.

Still no answer.

I think I should order one of those triangular dinner chimes so he can hear me better. I think.

I sigh. I'm going to have to go get him.

I open the door to our bedroom, and I gasp when I see Ace looking through my drawing book. I don't particularly like sharing my drawings with other people....I don't really know why. I guess it's kind of like my diary, or journals in the form of drawings.

"I see you've found my drawings...." I say shyly.

"Oh! Oh....yes I'm sorry for snooping but, uh...these are really good." Ace replies awkwardly.

"Thank you."

"You should really do something with this. You've got talent." Ace says as he looks at a drawing of a snow leopard with its large fluffy tail wrapped around its body as it sits perched on a rock.

"T-thank you....I would like to take art in college."

"You really should."

"I've made breakfast, so-"

"Bacon! My nose never fails me at the smell of bacon." Ace cuts me off.

I laugh. "Well then go get it big boy."

Ace gives me a flirtatious wink before dashing off into the kitchen like the hungry animal he is.

Men and their meats.

* * *

The week flies by.

The week flies by and school rolls around.

And so my daily routine kicks back up.

It's strange going from such a crazy life to a normal one all of a sudden. But, life must carry on and if I want a chance to get into college, then I must move on and aim for the future.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Ace asks as I get out of the car for school.

"Yes, I'm sure, Ace. Stop worrying."

"If there's any trouble at all, call me, alright? I will come and kick some ass."

"Yes, of course." I reply, laughing.

As I depart from Ace, I failed to notice the girl with chestnut eyes lurking in the shadows, observing the scene carefully.

The sound of animalistic teenagers fills my ears as I enter into the long hallways with blue lockers. I head to my own locker, and empty my backpack of the heavy books I wouldn't be needing for first period.

"Dakota! Where have you been? I've been so worried!" I hear Shontell's voice behind me.

"I'm sorry, it's all complicated....I'll have to tell you about it later, now is not the time since everyone is around." I reply looking around.

I don't exactly want the whole school to know about the recent ordeal.

Shontell nods in understanding, and it isn't long before my ears start bleeding because the sound of the familiar, shrill voice of Olivia carries through the air. "Oh look, it's the new geeky kid!" I hear her exclaim.

"Shontell, I think it's time to show Olivia the gift I got for her." I say, winking.

Shontell laughs and nods, and we confront Olivia, who is harassing a new girl with chestnut eyes.

"Picking on other people again? I guess you really can't teach an old dog new tricks."

Olivia glares at me. "Where have you been? We all thought you were dead."

I smack my lips together, and let my eyes wander around as I act like I am thinking about something. "Hold on...." I say as I pull Olivia's gift out of my pocket.

Olivia raises a perfect brow. "What is that?"

"Well, since you obviously didn't pay attention to my advice-"

"What advice?" She asks, cutting me off.

"Oh, I don't know....does using glue instead of lipstick ring a bell?" I say, "So, seeing you didn't take my advice, I thought I'd buy you your very own, 100% natural, organic, gluten free lip concealing glue. Not everyone wants to hear the words that come out of your mouth."

Olivia's mouth flies open. "I was just giving this weird girl a piece of my-"

But Olivia doesn't even have a chance to finish her sentence when a hard fist goes flying into her temple.

But it's not my fist who caused Olivia to stumble.

No, it was the new girl's fist.

The new girl lands another punch to Olivia's face, and Olivia hits the floor, blood pooling around her nose.

Olivia lets out squeaks of pain, and the new girl now towers over her. "Don't judge a book by its cover." She spits venomously before dashing away.

Shontell looks at me. "That was awesome."

We track down the girl, where we find her casually tidying her makeup in the bathroom.

"Oh, it's you two. Thanks for that, by the way." She says in a bored tone.

"Don't thank us, you stood your own. But....you know you are going to get in trouble for giving a student a bloody nose, right? I thought that was pretty great, though. Not many people stand up to Olivia like that." I say.

"Eh, trouble. Not like I care too much. And thanks, kickboxing is actually my hobby, so I practice a lot." She replies.

I clear my throat. "Uh, well....seeing you're new here, how would you like to eat with us at lunch today? Shontell and I could show you around a bit too, if you like."

"Sure, sounds fine. My name's Joan, by the way. She says, turning to meet my in the eyes.

"Well, Joan, welcome aboard to this new high school journey. I'm happy to be your tour guide."

Little did I know that I just befriended an assassin.

* * *

"Hey babe!" I greet Ace who leans casually against the car, waiting for me.

I go and kiss him on the cheek, but he surprises me more when he grabs my face and kisses my lips instead. He yanks me on him, and I fall against his chest as he kisses me. My hands fall flat against the car's hood, and my body is draped over his.

His hands roam my waist, and I moan quietly against his lips. He is a great kisser and his lips are soft against mine.

I feel his tongue slide against my bottom lip, and I let him in this time. But the union doesn't last long, because he groans and pushes me off of him.

"I'm sorry," He pants, "I'm getting too....excited. If you know what I mean."

I cough awkwardly and blush, understanding what he means.

I do not dare to even look down. I don't need confirmation to my assumption.

After a few awkward silences tick by, we get in the car and start driving home.

Little did we know a girl with chestnut eyes was watching us the entire time. Plans were brewing under our noses one more and we didn't even realize it.

"How was school?" Ace asks casually.

"Eh, fine I guess. It was nice to see Shontell again. I did make a new friend, though. She beat up the school bully."

"Sounds like a keeper to me. Befriending someone who can pack a punch can be beneficial. Though, even if that friend fails you, remember I never will and I'm always the caged beast behind your back that you can unleash in times of need and I will protect you." Ace says.

I smile. "Thank you, my beast."

Ace scoffs. "Pet names, are we now? Hmm...then you're my bird. My little beautiful bird."

"Bird? Why?"

"Because you flew into my life, and since then, you have sung your song of joy and brightened up my life a little bit more. You're also small like a bird, and delicate."

"Delicate? I am most certainly not delicate-"

"Dakota, last week you stubbed your toe while walking up the stairs, in which you face planted into the stairs. Your toe is now purple and blue, you think it's broken. Then, while buttering your toast, you cut yourself with a butter knife. Need I remind you that a butter knife is not sharp?" Ace points out.

I huff in exasperation. "Okay, well maybe I'm just.....accident prone."

Ace chuckles. "Well, whatever you want to call it. The point is, you're my little bird."

"Yeah, okay my beast. Whatever you say."

* * *

Third person POV:

The training grounds roar with the thundering voices of the men. Lars lurks in the shadows, conversing to his right hand man about a new plan.

But someone is watching.

A traitor is watching.

Lar's ears perks up to a peculiar sound.

He finds a man, a traitor, listening in on his conversation.

Lars attacks the man, and blood spatters against the wall as the man is punched harshly in the face. The force causes air to be knocked out of his lungs, and he lays on the floor gasping like a fish out of water.

Lars approaches the man, eyes ablaze.

"Weak." He mutters.

"I-I won't tell. I didn't s-see anything, I p-promise!" The man on the floor gasps.

Lars sighs, digging his hands into his pockets casually. "Only the blind cannot see, only the deaf cannot hear, and only the dead cannot truly speak." He says, before aiming the dark weapon at the man.

He doesn't hesitate to pull the trigger.

The man on the floor breaths his last as he clutches his heart in agony.

Lar's men are frozen, staring at their dead comrade, or, once their comrade. But they know the rule of the Mafia.

Death to traitors.

"Back to training, men!" Lars barks.

He wanders back to his right hand man with a keen eye. Once he's sure the area is clear, he speaks. His voice cuts through the musky raucous around him. His voice promises nothing but fear.

Peace does not exist in his life.

And the words that broke the darkness will shatter the souls of not only his own men, but men from Ace's gang as well.

Lives will be lost.

Lives will be lost all because of five little words spoken by a monster.

"A plan has been born."