Touched by Darkness (Young Creator Trilogy) (10 page)

I want to make a point. I
haven’t been in my room long, there is no trace of tears on my
face anymore, and I know that staying strong and not backing down from the bullies will
discourage some of them. I feel ready—especially with a new coat of war paint on—and make
my exit out of the room. With my head held high, I walk past all of those that are trying to bring
me down. There are snickers and cat-calls coming from all corners. I try not to let them faze me,
but it’s hard to hold it together… especially when I notice Keagan and Porsche in a corner in
full make out session.
Don’t let it get to you
, I tell myself, trying not to notice how their bodies
are mashed up against each other so tightly that a penny would have a hard time getting in
between the two of them.

However, I
can’t help but be hurt. Keagan holds my heart, and he’s been putting it
through the meat grinder for the last few days. It’s hard to believe that until recently, I was the
one whose lips he was kissing, whose hair he was running his hands through, and whose
attention he was trying to get regardless of what it took. My heart feels heavy as I exit the dorms.

I watch her make her way across the room through half-closed lids. I can tell by her body
language that she’s trying really hard to hold it together. This probably isn’t helping, but it
achieves two things. First,it’s fun to make out with Porsche. Second, I wanted Porsche distracted
from Trish. What better way to accomplish both? I continue holding Porsche pressed against me,
kissing her passionately. It’s nice and feels good,but it doesn’t feel right. Porsche is aggressive
and is running her hands all over me, which doesn’t stop my mind from wandering. This
situation sucks! How in the hell did that video get out? I know Trish is going to freak when she
sees it. I reallyshouldn’t give a shit about her feelings, but I do like and respect her. I don’t want
her hurt, especially because of me. Not only that, but from what everyone tells me, I owe her big
time.

Porsche finally pulls back from me, and she licks her lips, which I usually find really
hot. All I want to do right now is wipe the spit, which is all over and around my mouth, off. I
heard once that spit is supposed to be the number one aphrodisiac, but I gotta say itisn’t working
for me right now.

Porsche gives me a once over, like
I’m a piece of steak that shecan’t wait to sink her
teeth into, and runs her hand up my arm in a seductive gesture. All of a sudden, she yanks back
and punches me in the arm, surprising the crap out of me. “You are trying to distract me, aren’t
you,Keagan.” It’s not a question and we both know it.

“What’s your
game, Keagan, whoseside are you really on?” When I just stare at her,
she decides to continue,“I used to know who you were and what you believed in, but I’m not so
sure that you even know anymore. I understand it’s really hard to choose between your family
and the Guardians, but that is what you need to do, Keagan… you have to choose. You can’t
constantly jump from one side to the other, picking and choosing some things that you agree
with and others that you don’t. You know that I like you and want to be with you, but there is
only so much a girl can take. And, Keagan, I’ve about had it.” She crosses her arms in front of
her ample chest, displaying all of her cleavage, which my eyes momentarily get distracted by.
However, her words quickly bring me back to her face. “I know you like what you see, but you
can’t have me and still stick up for her.” She sneers the last. “She is the reason that we exist and I
don’t care how much she is trying to convince everyone that she is good, she’s not. Trust me, the
day will come where my sharp knife will sink deep into her heart. Then, I will look you in the
eye and tell you I told you so.”

“I get that you don’t like her because she is a
Young Creator, but do you think that
humiliating her and making her life miserable is helping the situation?” I ask, trying to be
logical.

Porsche lets out a high-pitched,
wild laugh. “Come on, Keagan, you’re smarter than
this. This is personal and I will do everything I possibly can to destroy that girl. She came
between us and almost took you from me!I’m just glad you finally came to your senses and
realized we are made for each other.”

I stare at her. All I want to do is back away, turn on my heel, and run as far as I
possibly can to get away from this crazy chick. What happened to the sweet little girl with the
pigtails that I used to play chase with, who would sneak me black licorice because she knew how
much I loved it? Porsche used to be my best friend, but she sure has changed into a complete
psycho. I have no idea what she is capable of. Putting on my game face, I give her my sexy
smirk and lean in, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

“You are so sexy when you’re
all possessive. But you do realize that you have nothing
to worry about when it comes to the Young Creator, right? Guardians are not meant to be with
Young Creators, even I know that it’s wrong,” I tell Porsche hoping that she will back up from
tormenting Trish.

“Really
? Then can you please explain to me why you were dating her here at Dalton,
and then protecting and taking care of her when we were all at the rebel camp,” she challenges
me.

“Honestly
, Porsche, I have no memory of that girl before I woke up on the bridge after
we faced the Fury and all of her minions. Ican’t explain to you why I did what I did before then
when it comes to her because I don’t remember. But you can trust me when I tell you that I have
no feelings for that girl whatsoever. I know my duties toward her, and I will make sure to do
everything within my power so that shedoesn’t turn to darkness. You have to believe me,
Porsche.” I beg the last part because I want her to believe me, and not only that but I think I want
to believe myself. The visions keep coming more and more frequently, and I also have flashes of
memories of the two of us together. I don’t understand why she is missing from my memories,
but it is driving me crazy. I could never be with one of them, but my flashbacks seem to tell me
otherwise.

I decide that
I’m tired of thinking and worrying about all of this stuff. What better way to
do so than hit the punching bag?“I’m going to head over to the gym and get a good workout in.
I’ll see you later.” Porsche barely acknowledges me since she is already in a deep conversation
with Eddie. I walk out of the high tech common area where everyone hangs out, and head over to
the gym. I have to walk past the pool, which is situated right smack in the middle of the dorms. It
works out pretty well for us guys when the chicks are sunbathing in their skimpy bikinis. I notice
a couple of girls that I know are doing exactly that and nod to them when they wave.

I’m
already in some loose basketball shorts and a black wife beater, saving me a trip to
my room. I increase my pace, and once I hit the trails I start jogging, warming my body up
slowly. The gym is only about a quarter of a mile from the dorms, which takes me no time at all.
The campus has two gyms, but this one is the further one from the main campus and less used,
which suits me just fine. I’m not in the mood to deal with people right now.

I walk through the main door and head over toward the locker area where I keep extra
tape and gloves. I know how important it is to wear proper protective equipment while boxing.
Boxing utilizes very forceful strikes with the hand, and since there are many bones in it, striking
surfaces without proper technique or equipment can cause some serious damage. I always use
hand wraps, which are used to secure the bones in the hand, and the gloves are used to protect
from blunt injury, allowing me to throw punches with more force.

I position myself with my legs shoulder-width apart; my right foot a half-step behind the
left foot. My left fist is held vertically about six inches in front of my face at eye level; my right
fist is held beside the chin and the elbow tucked against my ribcage to protect the body. I start off
with a few jabs and then transition into an uppercut. I work my way through my normal routine,
which takes me about an hour. After finishing off my punching routing, I jump rope, do pushups,
and then abs. I like to keep it pretty basic on boxing days.

I usually run every morning, but since I
didn’t get a chance to this morning, I decide to do
three miles. I don’t mind the dry heat that Northern California is known for and easily finish my
run in less than twenty minutes. I feel pretty great; the workout really cleared my head. It was a
nice distraction fromall the drama that’s going on. I don’t think I dislike anything more than
drama, why do women always seem to be smothered in it? If drama were a perfume, I think it
would be a best seller … at least then you would know who to avoid. Smell the drama and walk
the other way. Speaking of drama, I need to go see my crazy psycho girlfriend, and figure out
how to cut that girl loose.She’s hot, but she is not worth this headache. Plus, I was just using her
to show everyone that I’m not interested in the Young Creator, but Porsche has been more
trouble than I feel like dealing with. Let’s just face it and get this over with.

I arrive at her dorm just a few minutes later.
I don’t even bother changing, and in a way I
hope I smell just to keep her at a distance. I throw open the door and barge into her room, not
caring that I didn’t knock. However, I definitelydon’t expect to walk in on Porsche and Eddie.
She’s pushed up against the wall, legs wrapped around his waist, and both of them are sweating
from exertion. “What the …”

We have all known each other since we were kids, and the three of us were always
inseparable. Eddie and I have been best friends forever and this just doesn’t make sense. Porsche
has never shown the least bit of interest in Eddie, and the same can be said for him. The strangest
part of all is that itdoesn’t bother me that Porsche is with Eddie. What does bother me is that
Eddie, who has been like a brother to me, has gone behind my back. I haven’t told him that it’s
over between Porsche and me, so he has definitely betrayed me. How long has this been going
on? These two are supposed to be my friends.

My words have alerted both Porsche and Eddie to me being there, and
it’s as if time
stands still. I can see the shock and panic cross Porsche’s face when she sees me standing in the
doorway, and her eyes flicker from my face to Eddie’s. I’m a man and not a wimp, so I walk into
the room, close the door behind me, and lean against it. “Seems I’m interrupting something. You
guys want to explain what’s going on and how long this has been happening?” I stand my
ground, waiting and watching as Porsche and Eddie get untangled before awkwardly putting
themselves back together. Then they face me.

“I’m
so sorry, Keagan! I never meant to hurt or lie to you, but my dad asked me to get
close to you. When you asked for us to join you in the rebel camp and me to be your girl, I took
the opportunity.” Gone is the cocky, self-assured girl that I’m so used to. Red colors Porsche’s
checks and she is wringing her hands nervously in front of her.

“Why?” I
ask, wanting to know why her father would want us to date.
“I didn’t ask. He told me to, and … well, look at you. Why would I even bother
questioning him? But Eddie and I were something else and it wasn’t supposed to be like this. It

I don’t really know what to say or think at this point, but I know one thing
… even
though this is not how I expected it to play out between Porsche and me,I don’t have to break up
with her. Solves that problem.

The rest of the day passes by in a blur. I have an awesome time with my friends in Sacramento,
enjoying a great dinner at a little Japanese sushi place, which is my first experience with the
food. Then, we walk around in downtown Sacramento, window shopping. Something interesting
I find out about the town is that its nickname is the City of Trees … the only problem is I barely
saw any. Californians are so strange.

It’s pretty late by the time that we get back
, and as I change into shorts and a T-shirt, I
smile at the thought of the awesome friends I have. I don’t think I could go back to the lonely
existence I had before attending Dalton Academy. Not that I don’t love spending time with my
mom,but I enjoy our time together so much more now that it’s not just the two of us. As I crawl
into bed, I wonder if she’s going to come visit me or if she’ll be too busy at Haven and the Rebel
Camp. Wiggling my way under the covers, I appreciate my bed; it’s so nice and warm after
sleeping in so many uncomfortable places. The girls really wore me out, and sleep overcomes me
as soon as my head hits the pillow.

When I wake up the next morning, I feel pretty great. The night out with the girls really
put me back on track. I get up early enough for a run, so I throw on my favorite pair of running
shorts, a black T-shirt, running shoes, and pull a hoodie over my head. Putting my hair up into a
ponytail, I grab my beloved iPod, which I plan to never again be without, and head out the door.
Plugging my ear buds in and scrolling through my play list, I smile when I find all of my favorite
songs. I’ve really missed it;it’s so nice to have the simple comforts back that make life so much
easier.

I jog down the stairs and out through the common room. When I finally hit my running
path, I choose“Nightmare” by Avenged Sevenfold to really get me going. I love that band, and
the heavy bass sets a great beat for me to run to. I have to say that I’m surprised I’m not having a
harder time running my three miles, but I guess all of the recent events have kept me in shape.
With the music in my ear, I loose myself in my thoughts. I run away quite a bit when things get
hard, but I guess when it really counted I stood my ground. I think I’m going to have to set a new
goal for myself and not let mean, spiteful girls make me flee. I especially have to learn not to run
away when those that are importantto me tell me things I don’t want to hear.