Friday Part 2 Chapter 6
I make my way back to class, a mask of calm plastered on my face. I notice that everyone either looks sad, is grieving, or crying. Jake was a friend to everyone n the class, even me, so of course his death, or 'disappearance,' would cause a big stir in the classes. It kind of made me think though, what if our friendship was only a way to prove that I wasn't some cold bitch? I shook my head, knowing the answer to that. Despite my unwillingness to really talk to him, we still became friends and he never said anything to anyone about it because I asked him.
But it's still unbelievable to know that he's dead. And for a reason that might've been idiotic... It makes me feel guilty, the fact that I'd heard him outside my door, I'd heard the panic in his voice but I still ignored him. The simple thought brought thousands of tiny little knots into my stomach. I guess at least now he'll at least be with poor Joey. That's the only positive thing I can think up about his death. If he even is dead. I sigh, sitting down and setting the diamond sword at the side of my desk.
Today may be the worst day ever. My own 'personal guard' lied to me about Jake's death for some reason I can't even call the truth. Which is suspicious. I know everyone has their own secrets and all, but what kind of secret would make his go ahead and lie to my face about the death of the only friend I've ever had? It just didn't make sense to me. The world never makes sense actually, and it's really starting to get on my nerves. But then again, lately everything has been getting on my nerves. I've been so jumpy and alert that it's getting to be a bit unhealthy but it's not like I can actually do anything.
And that's not even the worst of my problems!
A Senior is threatening me because I'm - according to his standards - not fit to be the heir to the Noir name. I wonder if he's realized I'm not even the heir. But I guess not. Idiots - like him and Stephan - always go head first into situations, then they do the research later. He's probably just realizing now that I'm not the heir of the family, nor am I important; just 'cause I'm a girl. And not only that...
"It's all your fault she's dead!"
I jump up in my seat, eyes scanning the room for the source of the voice, only to find that it came from within the deeper parts of my mind; my memories. I groaned, rubbing the stress out of my mind and wishing all this chaos, killing, everything, could end peacefully.
I wish I wasn't a Noir; I wish I wasn't going to this school; I wish my father wasn't Xavier Noir and I wish that I didn't have to become a senior. Biting down on my lip, I resist the sudden urge to just run out of the room, and go for the training room to get rid of all the tension in my muscles. I couldn't take sitting still here for thirty more minutes. It just seemed to long for me. I needed something physical to do, and I needed to do it now.
"May I be excused?" I inquire as loudly as possible, so that my voice isn't blocked out by all the crying, sniffling and other noises of the surrounding students. I plead the teacher with my dark violet eyes and a pout, which works to my advantage.
"I... guess. Go, now." I stand up from my seat; dumping everything in my bag, I sigh. It's kind of lie on Tuesday, only difference is, Jake's dead, I have a PG (Personal Guard) have been threatened, and my secret hideout is no longer secret. This seems like to much drama to be dealt with in a single week, but I'll have to manage. Slinging the titanium sheath over my shoulder, I silently make my way to the door. I look back, pausing at the door. Thirty pairs of eyes glare coldly at me, probably thinking that the only reason I'm not crying was because I didn't care. They didn't realize how much worse this all was for me.
Fighting the urge and need to let a single tear slip down my face, I stalked through the halls for a while the moment I realized someone was tailing me. I took a quick U-turn into another hall, before taking out my sword, stabbing into the wall and then using it to suspend me in the air. It wouldn't work for a long time, I knew, as the sword had already begun to slice through the drywall too easily. I used my feet to try and keep that time limit from speeding up and waited, watching the hall where I'd previously had been walking through.
A man walks through wearing a black dress suit, his eyes searching the place suspiciously as he continues his way down the hall. I hold my breath, slowly sliding down the wall, making sure that the sword doesn't slice any more into it. I follow him, crouched down on the floor, listening to every little sound around me and what small movement the man makes in my direction.
"I've lost sigh of the target," I hear him mumble into a cell phone after a moment of walking throughout the hall. He stops, forcing me to jump back up onto the wall and stab my sword into it as a hold again. It takes me all I have to not whimper as I support all of my 95 pounds above the ground. He turns around and his eyes focus directly onto me. He smirks, walking towards me. "Scratch that. I found the little monkey." I curse under my breath, pulling the sword out of the wall and pushing myself off, before launching forward and away from the man. "I don't think so!" he yells from behind me, the sound of his boots loudly stomping on the floor as he ran echoing through the hall.
Help, I think to myself as I round another corner, knowing that I was already heading straight for a dead end. I hated this so much. I felt powerless and without a choice of what I was doing as the double agent behind me sped up. I make another quick turn to the left, only to be faced with a dead end. Spinning back around, I slide the diamond sword out of it's hilt and stand in a defensive stance. "Stay back, unless you want me to cut your head off," I threaten, trying to seem as dangerous as possible to the double agent.
"You? Threaten me? HA! Sorry little girl but I think you need to start seeing reality. You can't win against me." He starts reaching into his pocket, giving me reason to launch forward, sword at my side and ready to go through his chest. That's when he produces a metal gun from his pocket. My body freezes in place, muscles tensed and ready to attack at a moments notice. I keep my body crouched down, watching the man closely. "Sorry, but girls aren't meant for this type of work." My peripherals barely catch something like a blur of black coming towards us, but it's too late.
He shoots.
I scream.
Friday Part 3
She hates me. I knew that at some point she'd probably realize that I'd lied, but to find out so quickly is just... something I didn't expect. Not only that, but my plans might just be ruined because of the missing body. A simple dead guy could ruin two years work. Running a hand through my hair, I take another large sip from my coffee. I haven't had much sleep lately, but it's not like that matters right now. What does matter is finding the shrimp before she's attacked again. If I fail in simply protecting her, I could kiss my plans farewell.
"Hey, kid. You sure you should be drinking that much coffee?" Lubert, one of the best Seniors in the Bureau walked in, scratching what was left of his beard. The guy could never really grow one, no matter what. And then some idiot told him that if he continued to pull lightly on what hairs he does have, he'd get a fully grown beard. The guy actually believed him.
"Does it matter? As long as I'm awake, I'm ok!" I smile widely, trying to act like I'm fine while leaning against a nearby counter, coffee cup in hand. I should've realized lying to a Senior was useless.
"You aren't ok son. In more ways than one." Before I have the chance to question his words, the cup of coffee is snatched out my hand too quickly for me to have noticed and then dumped it in the sink behind me. "Now, why don't you go to the gym or something? That's a more natural way of waking up." Patting my back twice, the large burly man walked over to the coffee machine; I watched bewildered as he made himself his own cup. "What? I'm an adult. I have certain privileges here," he states simply and then taking a quick, tentative sip from his hot coffee. And then he smiles my way.
I let my head drop down, hanging it over my knees for a few seconds before deciding to go on a shrimp hunt. "See 'ya later old man," I mutter, walking out the lounge empty handed. Next time the guy tries taking my coffee I am going to go sumo on him! (Though I doubt I'll win... the guys huge!)
I walked through the halls of the Bureau with thought's of going back to my room and falling lazily onto my bed - despite the coffee rush - and forgetting completely that is was my duty to protect Cantarella. It was really too tempting, but luckily my legs didn't listen to my annoying needs. Instead, I somehow ended up in front of the gymnasium. My eyes looked over the place, identifying every little thing I'd see.
There were a bunch of mats to the left where hand combat and martial arts classes usually were taught. In the middle was a large field with a high fence around it to stop any baseballs, soccer balls and anything else that was played within the field. Around the whole room was a track for training and endurance runs like the PACER (A/N: I don't know if it's supposed to be all caps...). Two the right of the whole room was a simple punching bag dangling a few inches (maybe a foot) off the floor. And behind all of that, was the door to the pool.
My hands clenched as the research I'd made the other came back to mind. This was where Cantarella had first been attacked about a week ago. Apparently she'd been training with the punching bag when the room had been infiltrated. She hadn't suspected the intruder until it was too late and was then dragged by the legs to the pool room where it was planned she'd be killed. After that, things went downhill. She was thrown into the pool despite her protests and then shut under water by the pool's safety cover. Some safety. After that, all anyone knows is that somehow Cedric came into the picture and managed to save her right as she began to drown.
I don't believe that he just happened to know she was there, but it wasn't like anyone really listened to me. I was just another agent among thousands here at the Bureau. That's what pissed me off the most though. Not having a choice; being here because I had to be. Being here because of him. Stupid old man.
My lips curled downward into a frown. If only I could leave this place and everyone in it behind. Then I wouldn't have to listen to that old man and all his 'Senior' cronies. There was a reason most Seniors were older than thirty: they were all somehow connected to the Noir family and large contributors to them so they were given a special position. This position was Senior, one which many lower agents thought was actually some sort of well earned spot that was practically impossible to score because of the standards; they didn't know it was just a bunch of old guys with power.
Except for Cedric. He was definitely a rarity; something unexpected and strange. There's never been a Senior at the age of twenty, which is understandable so how the heck did he get the position? What is it he does that had gained Xavier's interest because he's too young to have that big of an importance.
I was about to walk away when something hit the heel of my foot. A soccer ball, barely marked with any grass stains and the perfect amount of air inside. Some Freshman playing in the field call out to me to pass the ball back. Obviously, the choice was an easy thing. Simply kick and be done with it but somehow, as I stared down at the little sphere of rubber and plastic, the choices complicated; stretched out in a way they'd fit what I was going through.
The reason I was here was to look for Cantarella, but I was already giving up on being her guard. The job seemed dumb and pointless; the girl could obviously take good care of herself so why should I bother being there? Why should I listen to the Freshman - Xavier - and kick the ball - protect Cantarella - when I could just walk away? "Come on, kick the damn ball!" one kid shouted, a scowl on his face. Why shouldn't I let someone else get the ball - why couldn't I let Cedric protect Cantarella?
I frowned again, looking at the ball carefully. My choice... my choice would be to protect Cantarella. I didn't know why myself, but something in me clocked, told me to do so. I kicked the soccer ball back into the field before turning away, not bothering to hear the sighs of relief. I exited the room through the main doors, trying to forget completely of my true intentions here and focus on what I was doing now. I needed to protect Cantarella, even if she could pack a punch...
I laugh lightly. Who knew a simple soccer ball and the choice between kicking it and leaving it could have actually made a difference on my thoughts and opinion on all of this. Definitely not me. And then, just as fast the laughter had come to me, it faded away. It wasn't that I was remembering anything; it wasn't that I was realizing anything. It was the two figures before me in the hallway. One was on the floor, the other standing a few feet in front of me with a gun in hand. No, my mind shouts violently as my legs act on pure instinct and push me forward.
"...meant for this type of work," comes the old, raspy voice from the man holding the gun. I knew it was too late to stop the gun as he began to pull the trigger, so I did the only thing I knew would work. In the end, at least I protected Cantarella...
Everything seems to slow down then, going frame by frame before me as the events unfold. My heart pumps adrenaline filled blood throughout my body as it screamed at me to stop. I still didn't listen to it.
The trigger's pulled.
My breathing stops.
The bullet flies
I stop running.
The bullet hits.
Cantarella screams.
Friday Part 4
"STEPHAN!" I shriek, watching his body jolt once in mid-air with pain as the bullet made it's way right into his chest. The sound of bones breaking from the bullets contact sound unnaturally loud and very painful; it makes me flinch slightly but with the way my body was shaking, you'd never have noticed. His body falls back and hit's the floor and his hands bounce once limply with a hard off of it before landing with a thud that echoes in my mind despite it not being too loud.
My hands shake uncontrollably as I reach out to him. His body's so close to me, but I just can't reach him for some reason so I pull back. Tears stream down my face as a pool of blood rapidly surrounds his body, kind of making him look like Jake when I'd seen his carcass of a body laying on the floor of the Balcony. So many feelings pass through me, all muting the words that the double agent uttered as he stepped closer to me. "Get AWAY!" I cry, leaping forward and covering Stephan's slowly freezing body away from his sight. "Just go away..." sobs take over me as I sit there, Stephan's blood soaking into my clothes. "Stephan," I whimper softly as my vision blurs away to nothing.
I hear the definite cling of metal as the man prepares to shoot again - this time to hit me for sure - and close my eyes tightly, hoping the pain would be nothing and death would come quick. I couldn't stand this anymore. The triggers pulled again.
After that, everything that happens is confusing and just not right. I don't fall back, I don't feel any pain and I don't feel any bullets passing through my skin. What I do feel is another thud as a body hit's the floor, and the way it slammed down and didn't bounce back up once. It was light dead-weight.
My eyes peer up, passed the many tears that cloud my vision and stare into Cedric's familiar gold specked jade eyes. They were hard and almost unfeeling as he looked down at the body of the man he'd just shot down. It was for sure he was dead, unlike Stephan who was drawing in raspy breaths and his skin was taking on a feverish red tint. I clutched at his shirt almost instinctively, pulling him up against me and supporting his weight so that he wouldn't be stuck in a puddle of his own blood.
"Hmm, and I thought something important was happening when I heard the scream," he says venomously, glaring pointedly at me. Then he shrugs as if it were nothing and smiles darkly. "Guess it was only little old you." He walks over to my side and studies Stephan carefully where he was shot, tracing his fingers lightly over the wound.
I feel the strongest of urges to slap his hand away, but instead grab a hold of the walkie-talkie strapped into Stephan's belt and start pressing random numbers. "E-emergency! We have a wounded agent in hall forty-eight! Emergency!" I cried, uselessly continuing with my pleas for help. Images of Jake's dead, distorted body come to mind, forcing the already falling tears to worsen.
Cedric calmly takes the walkie-talkie out of my shaking, fumbling hands, pressing a green button I hadn't seen earlier. His expression stayed cold and serious as he spoke into it. "This is Senior 012, reporting in a shot agent in hallway forty-eight. Request for medics now." The way he delivered each word was strong and commanding, the perfect voice of a leader. He listened for a moment later, making sure that whoever was on the other side got the message before facing me. "Come on, back to your room. He'll be taken care of." I can't help but notice the small resemblance to his voice from his old self before Cedric became this jerk but it was still partly the him now.
I shook my head mutely, keeping my arms around Stephan's body and still supporting it off the floor. The bad thing was that Stephan was a heavy guy and his weight against my arms was starting to cut off circulation and numb my hands. Holding him up was just too hard. "Not leaving... 'til the medics come..." I murmur, looking down at the blood soaked floor beneath me. The color of it looked more black with the tiniest tint of red. It made the shaking within me worsen.
"Look here, Cant, it isn't good for you to stay here any longer. Plus, weren't you two just fighting?" His lips curl upwards into a disgusting smirk as he leans closer to me, causing my body to inch away unconsciously. "It's better for the both of you if you just stop burdening him any further. He may be your guard, but not by choice. Realize that the only reason he took that bullet for you was because he knew he'd probably end up dying anyway if you died. You know," he adds, a mischievous tone to his voice, "you're not completely useless."
"Shut it," I hiss, backing away a little more. I knew what he was talking about when he mentioned worth. I was only worth it for knock out missions. Poisoning the enemy, killing them. That's what I 'specialized' in. I felt more words coming to mind in the form of venom, just when the medics arrived. They took Stephan's burning body away from us and rushed away faster than I'd seen any medic before. If only the real world had medics like these, I thought to myself.
"Come with me." I whisked off the floor - and not in the romantic sense either - and dragged down the hall by Cedric, unable to pull away from his crushing grip. It felt like I was being dragged by those tow trucks. After a few quick turns I was crushed against the wall by his body, a frown on his lips. His face leans in close to me, accentuating the scent of him. I think it was almost too overwhelming that I had to hold my breath to stay in control of myself. "Stay away from Stephan. If you know what's right for you, stay away from him. Avoid him if necessary, and if not that, just don't make contact with him." There's that serious commanding voice again; it made me feel like some sort of little kid told by their parents for the first time to stay away from strangers. The only difference was that Stephan wasn't a stranger, and I was definitely not some little kid. Though I was as tall as one, but that was besides the point!
"And I should listen to you why? My dad's the one who picked him for the job, as you said yourself. Don't you think you should be a little more trusting of your own bosses choices?" I struggle against his grip, trying desperately to find a weak spot as Cedric continued to look down at me with the same cool mask of calm. His dark, jade eyes drew me in though, leaving me a bit too distracted to really think of escape.
"Don't you think you're too trusting for a daughter that hates her father's guts? I know the bad history between you two. The cold hearted father with a poisonous slave under the presumption of his daughter, with both in question of a certain lady's death.
"That's what everyone says about you guys. You're not 'Cantarella, the heir of the Noir name', or even just plain 'Cantarella'. You are a slave. Don't you think that by putting you with Stephan he may just be doing this on purpose? For some hidden ulterior motive?" His eyes burn with hidden emotions that finally broke through the surface, and his voice that had been commanding a while ago seemed to have been magnified by the simple emotion because now I really wanted to listen to him. But I knew that'd be the dumbest choice I'd ever make.
"Get off of me. I don't care what people - you included - think about me. I just want to get out of here as fast as possible. Now, will you please leave me?" I try to push him away unsuccessfully, my four feet and eleven inches of stature being nothing compared to his six foot tall masculine self. "Cedric, get off."
"Yes, Cedric. Get off the girl. I need top speak to you in private." Both our heads spun quickly to the new voice; the intruder to our conversation. Xavier S. Noir stood to the right of us, a look of distaste on his eyes when they landed onto me. The cold hearted bastard; if only you weren't my father... if only she wasn't dead...
I returned the look with a glare that I knew I'd soon be paying hell for. It was about time he sent me out for a mission. Hopefully it'd be my last - if I managed to escape. I knew I'd said earlier that I wanted to become a Senior, but that choice was slowly losing it's value to me as I watched everyone else go on. Stephan, despite how professional he was; despite the fact that he was probably as good as Cedric, was not a Senior, so what hope did I have? None. It was best I leave this place before I became an official agent. Then it'd all be over for me. I'd never have a hope of leaving the Bureau's walls and be stuck in this prison for the rest of my life.
"Cantarella, to you're room." A small, cruel smile distorted his lips, and I knew his next words coming. "You better get some rest now. You have a mission soon." And with that said, he began to walk away, expecting - actually, knowing - that Cedric would follow behind him. I stuck my tongue out at him like the little kid everyone though I was before turning around and going back to the scene of the 'crime.' Or ambush, whatever you'd like to call it.
The red stain of blood was already gone, nothing but a perfectly white carpet floor left in it's place. Any signs or traces of what had just recently happened were gone, along with the body of the double agent. Including my sword. Fury swept through me like a tornado as I realized that maybe my father was the one who had instructed the 'sweepers' to take the sword. He probably thought I'd have too much power with it.
Cold hearted BASTARD! I wish it was you who had died, and not her! It was all your fault and it still is! I close my eyes and hold my breath in a futile attempt to stop the tears from flowing as I look down at the floor.
Why was death always following me? And then, when it didn't get me, it always had to go for the next closest person to me. Like Jake. Then after he was gone it still wasn't satisfied and I kind of only talked to Stephan, despite most of our conversations being arguments. But he was still the only person that was closest to me. Now his own life had been put in danger. And look at me here, already saying crap like 'was' and not 'is.' He could be alive, you know, my mind whispers. Just don't jinx it.
I'm not jinxing it! I told myself, rubbing away at the un-spilled tears in my eyes. I wasn't jinxing anything. I was just being a bit negative. Too negative. It gave me the urge to go to the Balcony, but after what happened there I didn't know if it was even safe to keep hanging around there. Cedric and Stephan obviously have already found their ways through, heightening the risk of there being cameras set up around the place and watching my every movement. It's not safe; neither is my room; neither is this whole school.
I reached my door, the one with the thousands of thorns covering over a single rose. I was starting to despise the design. It made no sense to me, didn't even connect in anyway to my life, so why the rose? Why the thorn? Bunching my hand into a fist, I punched the door dead in the center where the rose was, chipping off some wood and ultimately bloodying my knuckles. I didn't even feel it. My body was numb, my mind was dead, ad I wasn't myself. I think I really did need some rest after all.
Sunday
Being shot in the chest never was part of my job description when the old man told me I'd be protecting the shrimp. Neither was being stuck in my room for a whole week and forced to take in a whole bunch of liquids and what-not because of my blood loss from the wound. And what was worse was that I couldn't request for the food I usually ate because I always stole it from the Seniors - without their knowing - so now I was stuck eating crappy agent food.
Then there's also the guilt of having caused Cantarella to look the way she had when I'd been shot. As disoriented as I was, I hadn't missed the fear and panic in her eyes; hadn't missed the way she'd clutched tightly and desperately onto my shirt as if it were my only life-line. I knew that the only reason she probably felt that way towards me then was because of the way she'd seen that Jake guy, who I probably looked like when I was practically bathing in my own blood.
It sucked to be immobile too. My muscles were begging me to stretch them out with a quick jog, a play of some game, anything, but my wounds were commanding me to stay down and obedient. Like I was a dog under his masters command to sit. If I didn't, I'd pay hell.
Stupid double agent. If only I could've killed you instead of that stupid Senior, Cedric. That would be a bit pleasing. I knew he was trying to get her away from me, to strip away that already fading trust she had in me but I knew it wasn't working. If he'd stayed with the whole nice guy act with her and all, maybe, just maybe she'd have listened to him. Though that was only a maybe, not a definitely.
I let out a sigh, wishing I could be enjoying some nice grilled steak instead of this mushy, too salty mashed potatoes with macaroni that seemed to have expired a long time ago. Even the glass of water had traces of some unknown species in it. Sometimes I had the idea that the Bureau was actually trying to poison it's students with the food they fed us, but that wouldn't be the smartest of things for them to do since we are their workers. Still, you never know what's going on in that old man's head - unless of course, you are that old man.
"Boy, sit up. It isn't healthy to stay in bed when you're 'sick.'" In comes said old man, Xavier S. Noir, a grim look on his strangely young looking face. The small features that he and Cantarella shared began to stand out. The sleek, silky black hair; deep violet eyes that watched your every move. Their skin was equally pale, but on Xavier it made him look dead. On Cantarella, it made her look like an ice princess. "Now, it's about time we talk about your job so far." He's going to fire me for not being able to stop the double agent. I did take the bullet for her, but in the end Cantarella would still have been shot down. I failed.
"Good job. I don't know many agents that would actually risk their lives for a mission. The fact that you did that and survived proves that you can protect Poison at all costs." There it is. He never acknowledges Cantarella by her name, but by some nickname he created in order to offend her. It gave me the strongest of urges to correct him, maybe even punch him in the face, but I held back. If I hadn't, it would've cost me my neck.
"Thank you," I mutter, keeping my eyes down on the mash potatoes still sitting on my lap. The bitter smell and Xavier's presence kept me alert and on the edge, waiting for anything.
"As for the official reason for my being here, I want to know how both Poison and Cedric are interacting. " The venomous smile he gives me warns of the consequences I'd face if I were to lie to him. The problem is, should I tell him the truth or lie to him and say they're the best of friends? If I say anything he doesn't like, I may end up being fired or blamed. Time stretches on as I nervously think through the answer.
"They hate each other." There. Blunt and true. Hopefully, nothing's going to happen to me for the truth since he did ask for it. Although hoping never will help, no matter what. Hope destroys.
"Strange, you'd think he'd try and get close to her..." he murmurs mostly to himself, shaking his head in clear disapproval. A scowl formed on his thin lips, something that seemed to happen regularly for him. He was the 'principal' of the Bureau - though a better word would be boss.
Then something hits me. The words, "he'd try and get close to her," ring in my head. That had to mean... Cedric really does have some sort of hidden intent by getting 'close' to Cantarella? I frown, my eyes locking with the mashed potatoes as I continue to think. What could be that thing that he wanted from Cantarella? He couldn't think that by getting close to her he'd somehow inherit the Bureau. I doubt anyone who gets close to Cantarella will get it. Maybe the exact opposite. I look up into Xavier's deep violet eyes, a question forming on my lips when the door slammed open, silencing whatever words I'd been about to say.
To say Cantarella looked fine was and overstatement. Her violet eyes were rimmed with red; her face and cheeks were puffy and you could tell she'd been just recently crying. She bites her lip, watching her father, Xavier closely while the man faces me, a cruel smile on his lips.
"It was good talking to you." I nod in response, keeping my eyes on Cantarella the whole time as he walked out the room. He passed Cantarella, making sure to give her a cold smile and then shut the door softly behind him. His footsteps echo through the hall for a while, filling the quiet room with the smallest bit of sound.
When the sound fades to nothing, Cantarella spins on her heel to face me with the angriest look I'd ever seen on her. "What was he doing here?" she questions me, pointing furiously at the door to show me that by 'he' she meant Xavier. I sighed, running a hand through my hair.
"I don't know. Maybe because he's my boss? Did you even think about that one?" Her lips curl into a frustrated frown as she looks down at the floor. My mind races, thinking she's finally giving into my words. No such luck. The girl was as stubborn and unyielding as a rock!
"And?! I know my dad and I know that he doesn't just visit people for casual talks unless it's important and or for business!" Her eyes glare down at me, fury burning brightly, trying to wither my confidence away but I stayed strong. If she'd been able to bring me down with a simple look, I wouldn't even be an agent!
"So being shot in the chest isn't important? Making sure I was still able enough to protect you isn't important?" I yell back, facing Cantarella with an equally hard glare. The only difference was the venom laced in my voice when I spoke. "You must thing I'm pretty expendable, huh? Is that all I am to you?" Every word I say is an invisible stab into Cantarella. I could see it in the way she cringed from me.
"No..." comes her weak reply as she stares down at the floor, no longer glaring at me. Her hair created a black veil over her eyes, blocking out what emotion she felt. "That isn't... that isn't what I meant," she whispers in a small, unfamiliar voice. All the power in her from earlier was completely gone; faded away. Her hands shake slightly as she bunches them up into fists and then looks up at me with the cold mask she usually wears over her face again. "Never mind... I have a mission soon, so I should be getting ready. I'll be going now." She plasters the fakest smiled I'd ever seen on her face. The way it made her look was just terrible. I couldn't help it anymore, knowing that I had to be done with torturing her.
Pushing the plate of mashed potatoes off my lap, I launched myself off the bed and wrapped my arms around Cantarella before she could walk away. I held her close to my chest, listening closely as her heart began to speed up.
"Wha...?" she gasps, her eyes wide in bewilderment as I hold her still. The vulnerability that had been hiding under her mask broke free as it shattered to pieces, finally showing on the surface. A sob escapes her lips, along with a small hiccup. Cute. I can't help but think it about her. She's like a little girl trying to dress up in grownup clothes. I sigh, kissing the top of her head lightly.
"You are just too cute sometimes, you know that?" I murmur into her hair, knowing her head was probably making somersaults right now as she tried to figure me out. But that doesn't stop the heat from rising to her cheeks and coloring her face red. Her hands push at my chest weakly, unable to escape my clutch at all.
"Let go of... me... stupid ape!" I chuckle at the nickname. If I was really and ape and she a shrimp, I'd probably have already eaten her. And then I realize what other kind of meaning that may have and feel my eyes widen. Is it me or have I grown a bit perverted lately?
After a while of fighting me, Cantarella gives up with a sigh of frustration. She lets her head drop against my chest, taking in a deep shaky breath. "You know... I almost thought... you were dead..." she whispers softly into my shirt. "And that it was all... my fault." I notice the tears first, as they begin soaking there way into my shirt before the sound of small hiccups come.
I take a hold of her chin titling it up so that she was forced to look into my eyes. "I'm perfectly fine though, see?" I press her head against my chest, right where my pulse would be strongest and let her listen for a while. "Man, I never thought you'd actually worry." I don't know how long we stand there like that, but for some odd reason I'm reminded of some other time when we'd been this close, causing my lips to twitch slightly.
Without really thinking I lean down, tilting her head up at the same time and lightly brush my lips against hers. Complete shock passes through me and no doubt Cantarella too, but when she shivers lightly I'm driven to do more. My arms already tight around her waist bring her even closer. "S-Stephan...?" she shudders delicately when I brush my lips over hers again, but this time I let them linger there, teasing her.
Cantarella slowly backs away from me, despite my hold on her, which causes me to follow her until she hits the wall. A look of desperation overcomes her features, but I try my best to ignore it. Call me an ass if you want, but for some reason I just had the urge to do this. To kiss her. And this time, it was not simply induced by some fumes. "Calm down," I whisper against her lips, before nipping lightly at the skin.
She shakes her head furiously, avoiding my touch in everyway she could. "Let... me go! I already said... I need to be... getting ready!" she shrieked the last part when I brought her small body up against me so that her legs no longer touched the floor. "What... are you doi-" I cut her off with a kiss.
All the fighting spirit in her then seems to just die away as she surrenders. Her deep violet eyes flutter shut and her fists fall limply at her side. It was so weird to see her weaken in such a way, but at the same time, I could care less. I was really starting to enjoy all of this...
Who knew I'd end up paying real hell for this crazy stunt.
Monday Part 1
I felt myself blush wildly as I looked into the mirror. My lips were still swollen, and in a way that anyone would notice it; my hair was messy and all over the place from having tossed and turned all night in bed. Not only was that a noticeable trait, but there was also the small hickey on my neck slowly gaining more color despite my meager attempts to cover it up.
Color returned to my face when I remembered Stephan kissing me. It was the weirdest experience ever! Especially since it wasn't my first kiss and I didn't like Stephan. I mean, I hated the guy - though not as much as I hated Cedric.
But still... why did he act that way? The only reason I'd come to his room in then first place was because I felt guilty for... well, for endangering his life! I was the one who was supposed to be shot and yet he still took the bullet. And it hit him in the chest. How he survived is bugging me so much! Though it's not like I wanted him to die or anything I just... I don't know!
And still... that kiss was just very... unexpected! If maybe I hadn't felt guilty for him, he'd never have kissed me! Wait... was that why I let him kiss me? Because I felt guilty? Oh god this is just so... UGH!
"Shrimp, hurry up and get changed! The party's in two hours!"
I sighed. This mission my father was talking about was pretty simple. We were going to infiltrate some party disguised as a string quartet - I would play cello - and when someone came in to replace me, I'd go into the party as a normal guest and poison William B. Dews' drink. He was the head of some company that had separated from the Bureau, and so we were going to make him regret ever leaving.
Oh yeah, I had to wear one of the most fanciest things in the world. Some medieval styled dress with a huge, layered purple skirt, black corset and silky burgundy gloves along with black high heels. It was a fancy death trap. Slipping into the dress, I couldn't help but look at my reflection again. Dark circles were under my eyes; my skin was even paler than usual. I think all the death that's surrounding me was finally taking it's toll on my body.
Taking my eyes off my face, I began with my hair. The long, straight, black locks would soon be curled and up in a crown around my face. All I had to do was follow the stupid magazine's instructions and I'd look like a totally new person! If only it was as easy as it sounded. I shrieked for the umpteenth time when I burned the skin of my ear with the stupid curling iron.
"Cantarella, I don't care if you say no, I'm doing your hair!" Stephan walked in straight faced as he snatched the curling iron out of my hand and forced me into a seat. I felt utterly embarrassed as he started on my hair almost expertly. It was like he'd done this before a million times! "I know what you're thinking, and no, I am not gay." I would've burst out laughing then if the iron hadn't been so close to my face. At the same time, my face burned with color. It'd only been a day since he'd kissed me and it still felt very awkward...
"It's just I used to have a cousin who liked having curly hair but could never do certain parts and so she taught me how to... guess the skill actually came in handy," he mused, creating a perfect ringlet at the same time. He continued to work on while my eyes flew over his clothes. A black tux with a tie the same purple as my dress and shiny black dress shoes that had a blade hidden in the sole of his shoe.
Oh yeah, did I forget to mention he was part of the mission? Apparently Stephan would be the violinist of the quartet. I was a bit shocked myself when I heard that. He told me - or more like he told the person in charge of the mission and I heard - that when he was little he used to fiddle and play the violin with his family. So they got him a violin with a black body, white neck and white bow and let him in the mission partially as my guard and as a helper to finish the job. How great.
"There, done!" Stephan proclaimed, returning me to the present world. I hadn't been paying much attention before but now that I was fully conscience of what was going on, my eyes went straight to the hair. Beautiful. It was exactly like the picture in the magazine, but better. Somehow Stephan had managed to snag some purple flowery clips and put them within the mix of curls that were atop my head. It all looked so...
"Perfect..." I whispered, gently feeling one of the curls. It felt like silk. None of the products I'd used - gel, hair spray, etc - were evident in my hair at all. This wasn't even close to anything I was capable of and yet I was the girl here! And the whole time, I couldn't keep my eyes off of the hair. That it, until Stephan makes a move.
He smiled from behind me, leaning forward on his elbows that rested on the chair. "I know," he whispered lightly into my ear, and I knew he wasn't finished with what he was saying. He wanted to tell me more. He wanted to say more to me. I'm kind of glad he didn't say anything else. "Well, we should get going," he continued, pushing away from the chair so that I could get up. I nodded slowly, careful to not rip anything as I stood. I looked back at the mirror one last time as I neared the door. The girl that looked back at me was a beauty. Elegant and graceful. For once, I wasn't going to be a complete agent. For once, I would get some leisure time in the party.
Just as I walked out the bathroom, Stephan linked his arm with mine, pulling me closer to him. I pretended not to notice. This was just his way of showing everyone he was my guard and I knew it, so why look too deeply into it? I sighed, trying to think of something else, occupy my mind with something else. It was easier than I thought. As we walked through the halls, my hands kept going up to my name tag - where all the poison was stashed up - fumbling with the chain or checking to see if there was enough poison for more than one drink. Stephan noticed. Unlike me, he actually acted by taking a hold of the hand to and resting it on the arm he had linked with my other arm.
"Ah, you two are finally done getting ready," comes the annoyed remark from Cedric, who's sitting on a bench in front of the Commons Room, wearing a tux identical to Stephan's. His eyes looked bored and simply by his position on the bench you could tell he was tired. I wonder what's wrong with him. But that small curiosity vanished when he threw me a look of distaste.
"Blame the shrimp," Stephan said, looking down at me with a smirk. "You know, I never heard of a girl who can't even do a simple curl. Aren't you supposed to be into that kind of stuff?"
I stomped on his dress shoe hard with my five inch heels, digging the heel in as deep as I could. "Sorry I'm not gay," I hissed back at him, plastering a smirk much like his own on my lips. Stephan frowned momentarily, and his lips parted to say something when the elevator doors opened. "Let's go!" I commanded, linking my hands with Cedric's so I could drag him along. It was funny to piss him off.