Chapter 24: Chapter 24

River

The cold wind blew across the sky and I watched the clouds move slowly over the horizon. It'd been a while since I saw Daimen and everything just felt horrible. Everything was icy, cold, I didn't know what to do.

Seeing him killed me. I never knew that someone could make me feel so horrible with just a glance. Everything just seemed so... I was so lost. It was just insane.

I just never knew.... I wasn't making sense. This isn't making sense. Nothing made sense. Everything was just an illusion. Nothing. Nothing was real.

My feelings were a mystery to me. What I felt for him, I just couldn't comprehend. Everything just felt so, so complicated and confusing. I just didn't know, I didn't know what to do, I didn't know what to feel... I just didn't.

The wind was biting. Everything seemed so empty. Snow had started to fall some days ago. And it seemed to mock me. Reminding me if the cold hollowness I felt on the inside. It chilled me to my bones.

The outside had turned into a white blanket of snow. And outside it was so cold. But in here it was warm. The house was lively and welcoming. It should've made me feel better, but it didn't.

My parents were gone, they had to go on a trip. Work had called them away but in this house I had to stay. Of course I could leave. I could go out and do something. But there's nothing for me to do. I didn't want to leave. For after all what would I do; meet with Daimen? No.

April wasn't an option; she was at a job interview and then she was going to work out.

So I set at the window for a few hours. I pondered about how my life was going. It wasn't what I thought it would be. Seeing him; it changed me. Once I was a happy jovial young soul, one so full of life and warmth, and now I was always thinking about him. I just couldn't get that boy off my brain. I thought, I think I may be falling for him.

Of course, falling for him would be a ridiculous fault. He wasn't one that could be loved. I shouldn't love him. He was just so, so, I don't know what to call it. I just... I was... I am not even sure what to say. He made me so confused.

Him. The boy with IED. The boy with dark eyes and the crooked smile and the faint scar on his nose. The one who would very much spite me. The one who hurts me and yells. The one who throws tantrums and breaks things, the one who would regularly threaten me, the one I know can kill. The dangerous one. Yet I care so deeply for him to the point it scares me.

He's so unpredictable. Scary. Terrible. Everything that I shouldn't want. Yet I do. And since I do, it leaves me at a horrible crossroads. Do I love him? I don't know.

But most of all: do I trust him?

He makes me feel something that I've never felt before. In that fear I feel such a warmth that it shocks me every time. Because in his eyes I see a growing potential. Something that makes me want to stay. That makes me want to see just what this boy can be. I don't want to lose him. So I'll stay by him. I'll help him the best I can.

But I was still mad at him.

Work was slow today but I was home. I parked my baby in the driveway.

I got out of my car and walked toward my front door pausing as I noticed a box by my doorstep.

I hesitantly walked over to it and stooped down to open it. I looked at the arrangement of chocolate, two small, gray journals, a candle, a silver necklace, rose petals, a plushy dog and a note.

Daimen.

I sighed before picking up the box and going inside.

Once I was in my room I plopped down on the bed and pulled the note out of the box. I opened it and attached inside was a beautiful ring.

I'm sorry for everything Riv. I wasn't thinking straight. I shouldn't've said any of that. Forgive me, please?

Sincerely,

Daimen

P. S. That was my mother's ring.

I shook my head slowly and ran a hand through my hair.

I carefully pulled the ring from the paper and stared at it, blinking as it caught light and the diamond seemed to reflect tiny rainbows.

My heart pounded as I slipped it on my right ring finger.

"What am I doing?" I breathed as I stared at the ring and felt my heart ache.

I slumped out of bed and shuffled my way to my closet. I pulled the door open sleepily and grabbed some clothes. Some gray sweatpants and a black hoodie. I was looking for my black converse when my phone started vibrating from text messages.

I walked over and grabbed my phone looking at the messages from the king of assholes himself.

Are you up yet?

You better be.

Meet me outside your house.

I stared at the messages and sighed. Guess he was picking me up... I huffed and went to my bathroom. I threw on my cross necklace and brushed through my wavy brown hair. Then I threw on a black and white SnapBack and turned it backwards. There, I was ready. I started to walk out of my room, but remembered my shoes. After I'd put back on my converse I exited my room and made my way to the front door.

I walked outside and there was Daimen leaned against his black car. He wore a gray hoodie and dark blue jeans. He was holding a box in his hands and he smirked at me as I walked over. I grimaced at him.

"Here." He said tossing the container at me. I scrambled to catch it and ended up dropping my bag. I picked up my bag and stalked over to the grinning boy.

"Hold that. Nice hat." He took off my hat and put it on his head. I scoffed at him and wrinkled my nose in disgust. I walked to the passengers side and he smiled. We both climbed into the car.

"Good girl." He said.

I mustered up a burst of courage and punched his shoulder, "Ow damn." He muttered trying not to smile and huffed grabbing where I hit him then he chuckled and said gruffly, "Gotta hit harder than that Princess." I shook my head and sighed. I flipped him off and he laughed harder.

"What's in the box?" I asked after looking at the object in my hand.

"What's it to you?" Daimen asked and my small bit if patience drained.

"Don't talk to me. Just drive so I can get away from you." I groaned getting agitated. It was hot in here. Probably because it was jet black and it's about ninety degrees outside.

"You're still mad? Damn." He said in a what-the-fuck tone. I scoffed.

"You're ignoring me?" He said.

I shrugged and looked out the window. He paused for a bit before muttering, "C'mon Riv." But I didn't utter a word.

Daimen started to engine and we sped to school. Literally. He had to be going above the speed limit and I had to tighten my grip on the door handle. I didn't let go until we were parked at school. I sat the box on his middle compartment between the seats.

He shrugged at my death grip and scoffed, muttering, "Go on to class." He gave me a look as soon as I got out of the car. I didn't feel like objecting or causing a scene so I made my way to class.

"I see you've got the ring on." Daimen's voice said as I shut the door and my heart fluttered. I glanced down at my hand and nodded softly before hurriedly walking away.

It was a little difficult ignoring the looks I got from people and suddenly I remembered my hat. He still had my hat! But there was no use in that now. I'd get it later.

Let's just say my morning was boring and finally it was lunch. I walked through the line and groaned inwardly at the gossip I was hearing. Someone cheated, someone likes that person, someone got arrested, someone fucked this person, blah, blah, blah. It was annoying really how much some people just needed to talk about others. I picked up my tray of food and was going to sit down when I got that feeling that someone is watching me. You know the feeling of eyes burning into your skin. Like goosebumps trailing up your spine? Yep, got it. I shrugged it off and sat at a table.

My old friend April sat next to me and I gaped.

"When did you get here?" I asked in shock. She didn't tell me she was coming to my school, "I thought you moved."

"I just moved back." She said with a wide smile.

"You know your campus security sucks right? I've just been waltzing around. I'll be coming next semester though." No way.

"So how ya been since last time we talked?" She asked and I shrugged.

"Its been alright." I answered and she raised an eyebrow.

"You sure?" She asked and I nodded.

"Yeah." I said to her and she smiled then looked behind me her smile fading some.

"Hey... I heard you were with Princeston this morning?" She said her eyebrow raising again and a sly grin came to her face. Even though she was just now coming back to this school, she was already in on the gossip.

I let out a frustrated huff. I wanted to throw my hands up and curse every one in here for spreading such a thing... Even though it was true.

"Yes, but it wasn't anything special." I said with a shrug trying to keep my cool and hide my annoyance.

"Really? I heard you were all on him." April said with a teasing glint and my mouth gaped. I felt heat flood my cheeks and I shook my head. I swear by everything holy I will find whoever said that and make them pay. Then I thought about what I'd actually do and the mental threat faded. Hell I wouldn't even do much anyway.

"No I wasn't all on him... I only got a ride, and I didn't want to he just showed up!" I whisper yelled and April nodded as realization seeped in.

"That makes more sense. After all you'd so tell me if you were messing around with Mr. Badass. And besides he's a fucking asshole last I checked." April said giving me a look and I scoffed.

"Well... I kinda like him though." I muttered and April gasped.

"No way. Princeston? Prince-ston? You like Daimen, for real? I was just messing around all that time I didn't think you actually did." April said in shock and I shrugged.

"I mean, he's my friend." I said softly and she nodded slowly.

"Oh, okay." She said and I nodded.

"So... how've you been, still seeing Briana?" I asked and April paused for a bit.

"No. We broke up last year. She's turned into a total bitch. She kept freaking out on me and saying I was cheating." April said with a frown.

"Oh..." I said surprised, they'd began dating in eighth grade and when April had left sophomore year the two were still going strong.

"Yeah, people change." April said and shrugged.

Daimen's changed a bit... I thought to myself.

"Ugh April I don't know what to do... Hey I think I wanna work out with you-" I began.

"What! Yay! You're gonna love it Riv... Okay maybe not at first but trust me you will... Oh. Look." She ended her excited rambling in a whisper silencing my words. Her green eyes were wide like a doe's as she looked behind me. I turned and my heart froze for a second.