Drop Dead Gorgeous (YoungWritersPrize)

Peanut Butter

 »W…What…« Virginia mumbled, confused. She scowled, ripping her wrist from Lucas's hand. »Just taking care of some personal business.« A lie slipped from her tongue.

He pointed his finger towards me. »You call this taking care of personal business?« Lucas snapped, angry. His eyes widened and pierced Virginia with that cold, mad darkness.

»Oh c'mon, like you're any better than me at handling your business.« She smiled with that evil mouth of hers, trying to be flirtatious. Disgusting.

»If you ever touch her again, I'll…« He moved between me and Virginia. My nose was still bleeding and everything was still fuzzy, but I felt sort of safe when he shielded me with his body.

»You'll what?« She strained herself and puckered her lips. »Hit me?«

He dangerously closed in on her. I couldn't see his face, but the tension in the air was getting heavier. »No. But I'll tell Kayla to do it.« A shudder tickled down my spine as he spoke.

He left her speechless. I could see her face turning colour, she got really upset. »You're gonna stuck up for her?« 

Lucas didn't say a thing. He turned around, facing me. I was barely standing up, if it wouldn't be for that wall I was leaning on, I'd probably fell down a few minutes ago. He softly put his hand around my waist and I gasped when his fingers brushed my lower back. The sudden supply of air, mixed with hot blood running down my throat, made me cough.

»Lean your head back.« He gently whispered and tucked a strain of hair behind my ear. I knew that everybody was staring at us, so I closed my eyes and let him lead me. He was strong, supporting me with just one hand, almost lifting me in the air. The warmth of his body soothed my nerves.

I heard a door opening. He lifted me up and sat me on some kind of a counter. »You can open your eyes now if you want.« He murmured, while tucking a piece of paper towel under my nose.

We were in a bathroom. From the looks of it, it was a girls bathroom. I took the paper towel from his hands and started wiping the blood off my face. »Why did you do it?« I asked.

»Do what?« He looked at me with such kindness, it almost made me want to cry. And I didn't want to cry. Not in front of him.

»You know…intervene.« I said, almost soundlessly.

»Why wouldn't I, lil' kitty?« He answered my question with one of his own, though it sounded like he was actually making a statement. »We're friends, right?« He gently brushed my cheek.

I've got a friend? Me and Lucas Dashwood are friends? My heart started skipping a bit faster. I nodded and lowered my look. And then I saw it. The blood on my jacket. Huge drops of red were staining my beloved jacket.

My mom got me this for my birthday. We hugged only three times a year. On my birthday, on her birthday and on Christmas. My mom wasn't an emotional, or what you would call a – normal person. She didn't get the whole affection thing, and I can't remember the last time she said she loved me. Every time I put this stupid jacket on it feels like she's wrapping her arms around me, hugging me. And now it was ruined.

It was a stupid thing, crying over a ruined piece of clothing, but I couldn't help myself, I couldn't handle the explosion of emotions which I've always managed to keep buried deep inside. I sat silently, hunched over, bitter tears coursed down my face, leaving wet trails of salt.

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into the warmth of his presence. I buried my face into his chest and clenched to him as if to ask him to never let go. My hot tears were soaking his white shirt which carried his sent of cigarette smoke and washing powder.