-•PRESLEY•-
When I woke Monday morning, it had been five days since I had become a member of the Creeds. I dreaded escaping the warmness of my blankets but I knew it was time to get up.
Nursing an entire gang back to health was surprisingly harder than I originally anticipated, and it left me exhausted. That's why when my feet hit the cold wood floor, I instantly recoiled into the warm sheets and almost dozed back to sleep.
With a sigh, I heaved myself up from the bed and trudged my way to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and splashed icy water onto my face to officially wake me up. When I exited the bathroom, I rummaged through the drawers in my bedroom for something to wear. Finally I settled on a dark green sweatshirt and a pair of jeans.
I grabbed my backpack from the chair at the small desk that was placed near the window and popped a mint in my mouth, then left the room. There was no one in the hallway when I exited my room, in fact, I doubted there were many people on this floor, it was always so quiet. Perfect for me.
I couldn't help but smile at the freedom that I felt being away from Robert. It was like there was an immense weight lifted off my shoulders. School didn't have to be my only safe place anymore. Sure, the gang was dangerous but at least I was praised for the things that I could offer here instead of constantly being told that I was worthless.
And here, they give me warm meals and don't throw beer bottles at me.
When I entered the dining hall, I smelled the deliciousness of morning breakfast. With a smile, I grabbed a plate of fresh fruit, pancakes, and scrambled eggs.
"Presley!," Haley called from one of the seats of the dining hall. "We saved a seat for you," she said grinning.
She sat with Red, Ally and Alvin. They all chattered around her loudly.
"I heard I'm taking you to school today, kid," Red said, flashing me a grin once I sat down.
My brows knitted together in confusion. "I thought Nathan was taking me."
Red waved me off. "You know how Nathan is, he's a busy guy. He asked me to take you, guess that makes me his right hand man," Red said with pride.
Alvin scoffed. "I'm his right hand man, okay? He asks me to do a lot of things for him, things that you guys don't even know about," Alvin said, crossing his arms.
Red burst out laughing. "You're not even allowed to have a gun yet, Al! How can you be his right hand man with a silly little blade?," he said, giving Alvin a smug expression.
Alvin looked affronted and the two launched into an argument about who was Nathan's real right hand man.
Haley and Ally rolled their eyes. I chuckled quietly, watching the scene unfold.
"Guys!," Ally interrupted. Alvin and Red turned to her expectantly. "Neither of you are his right hand man. It's most definitely Kyle."
Haley nodded in agreement. The two boys looked at each other with blank faces then nodded. "Yeah, you're probably right," Alvin said, huffing out a defeated breath.
"I'm definitely his left hand man though," Red whispered to me, eyeing Alvin smugly.
I giggled and returned to my breakfast. The rest of the conversation around the table was about the upcoming race. Apparently it was a big deal. According to Alvin, the gang race took place every six months and the gang who won, took home huge amounts of money. The real prize though, according to Red was the victory. Apparently, whichever gang won, held some kind of superiority.
"My dad gets to pick the two racers every six months," Haley explained to me. "Last time, Nathan and Kyle were the ones who raced."
"Yeah, because they're the only ones crazy enough to risk getting killed!," Alvin exclaimed.
I let out a little gasp. "Killed?"
They all nodded gravely.
"One time, a car just randomly burst into flames while racing the track! Everyone said it was sabotaged," Haley said darkly.
"Oh, and that one time where a K Blades driver started shooting at our racer while they were on the track. That was crazy! It was a long time ago but still," Ally said with wide eyes.
Alvin kicked his feet up on the table. "Bottom line is, the races are the highlight of the year."
"True," Red said with a grin, the grin vanished as he checked his watch.
"Shit, I got to get you to school, kid," he said, hastily getting up and throwing away his tray.
I gathered up my plate and threw it away. Once I grabbed my bag, I bid goodbye to the others and practically ran to keep up with Red who was dashing to the garage.
Red got into the drivers side of a yellow challenger and started the engine. Once I was in the passengers side, he drove off.
Red turned on the radio and bopped his head to a song that was playing. He thrummed his fingers lightly on the steering wheel.
Suddenly I had a question. "Red?," I asked tentatively.
He turned down the music and shot me a glance. "What's up?"
"Can I ask you something?"
He turned to me with a a broad smirk. "Are you asking me on a date right now, kid?"
I felt heat envelope my cheeks and I giggled at his ridiculousness.
"No, I just...why does everyone call you 'Red', is that your real name?," I asked, with genuine curiosity.
He glanced at me with a considering expression, then he shook his head.
"No, kid, of course 'Red' isn't my real name," he said, turning the wheel to make a right turn. "Nathan started calling me that after I joined the gang."
"But why?" I pressed further.
He turned to me with a full grin. "Because I spill the most blood."
"Oh," was I could mutter.
He nodded his head. "Anything else?," he questioned.
"What's your real name then?" I asked quietly.
He laughed. "Can't tell you that, bud."
I crossed my arms. "But why not?"
"Because if I tell you, you'll probably tell someone else, and that someone will tell the whole fucking gang. It's too embarrassing, kid." He said, pulling into my school's parking lot.
I huffed out a breath. "But I won't tell anyone. I promise."
The bell rang. Red grinned. "Oh look, there's the bell. We don't want you to be tardy now do we?," he said with mock concern.
I couldn't help but laugh as I exited the yellow challenger.
"Have fun, Presley! Your mother packed you a nice peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She hopes you'll enjoy it," Red called out loudly from the car as I made my way to the front of the school.
Several heads turned with wary glances at Red and the yellow challenger. I ducked my head with embarrassment as my cheeks turned crimson.
Red sped off laughing.
••••••••••••••••••••
Tuesday's were usually slow, but with relief, the final bell rang and it was the end of the day. I gathered up my school materials and shoveled them into my backpack.
Walking through the school's hallway, I popped a mint into my mouth. The taste of cool mint left me content and I smiled all the way to front of the school where I waited for Red to pick me up.
I sat down on a bench facing the parking lot, wrapping my arms around my torso as a cold breeze swept through the air.
"Hey," said a voice. I instantly jumped and turned to see a grinning, tanned-skinned Ross. The dashing boy from yesterday.
He sat down next to me without an invitation.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you, Presley," he said, casting me an amused expression.
I shook my head. "No, it's okay," I said, offering him a small smile.
"Are you doing anything today?," he asked, his dark brown eyes scanning me from head to toe.
My pulse quickened as I tried to fabricate an impenetrable excuse. "I-I um...why?," I asked pathetically. I internally cringed at how small and vulnerable my voice sounded.
He smiled and scooted closer slightly. "I thought we could hang out."
He wanted to hang out with me? I tried desperately to fight an upcoming blush.
Almost as if sensing my internal debate, he said casually, "I could even give you a ride."
As I was just about to embarrass myself further with more ridiculous blushes, a low voice interrupted.
"That won't be necessary, Presley has got a lot of things to do after school," the low voice grumbled. With surprise, I realized that it was Nathan, dressed in black jeans and a dark gray t-shirt. His arms were crossed, the tattoos on his hands were on full display. His diamond studs glinted in the dim afternoon sun. He shifted his stoney gaze from Ross to me.
"Get in the car," he said evenly, jerking his head toward the sleek black sports car that he had recently emerged out of.
I didn't hesitate or even say goodbye to Ross as I made my way towards the car. Something told me that if I refused, Nathan wouldn't be very happy. Just as I was about to open the passenger door, Nathan spoke again.
"I know you, don't I?" Nathan asked, fixing Ross with a cool gaze.
Ross wore an expression that looked out of place on his carefree features. His dark brown eyes seemed to darken to a shade of stormy black.
"No, I don't think you do," Ross said breezily.
Nathan betrayed nothing in his expression. "You sure about that, bud?" Nathan asked, taking a step toward Ross.
"I got to go," Ross said with what sounded like irritation. Nathan didn't say anything as Ross dashed off to the opposite end of the parking lot.
Nathan watched Ross until he was out of sight then turned back to the car, where I stood next to the passengers door watching him carefully.
"Thought I told you to get in the car," he said, voice sharp and eyes burning with something I hadn't seen in him before. His eyes held no restraint.
My heart raced at the thought that I had made him angry. "I'm sorry," I forced out quietly.
The burning look in his eyes seemed to subside as I spoke. He shook his head tiredly and walked to the drivers side of the car. I took this as a sign to hurry into the passengers seat.
As Nathan drove off, he tightened his tattooed knuckles over the steering wheel. After a moment, he spoke.
"Was he a friend of yours?" he asked, glancing at me with an unreadable expression.
He didn't have to elaborate more, I knew exactly who he was referring to. "Well, I only met him yesterday," I said, keeping my voice small. "He's really nice to me."
He nodded simply and ran a hand through his wind-ruffled hair. "I never forget a face," he mumbled to himself. He turned to me. "Not all people who are nice to you have good intentions, kid."
"Well, what's wrong with him?," I asked, growing troubled.
We stopped at a red light when Nathan checked his watch. He cursed softly under his breath.
"Looks like your coming with me to run an errand, kid," he said, then made a left turn in the opposite direction of the Creeds' facility.