Chapter 28: Do You Hate Him?
I could hear Haze's screams and his bones breaking when I dislocated his right arm, and to be honest, it was so satisfying.
I took a step back, while he tried to stand up, but failed.
"You should thank me, Haze. Because even though you provoked my fucking patience, I'm still in my right mind," I said as I slung my bag over my shoulder.
People gasped at the scene. Some were even recording me, so I knew what was going to happen in the coming days.
But why the fuck would I care? I already dislocated his shoulder. I couldn't undo that.
I was about to leave, but I felt like telling him a secret he'd never forget.
"Let me tell you a secret, Haze," I whispered with a smirk. "I've killed someone before, and I won't hesitate to do it again if you mess with me," I added, whispering in his ear, which made his entire face turn pale.
MY HANDS were trembling as I held onto one of the cubicles in the bathroom. Even my legs were shaking uncontrollably.
I don't know where I got the courage earlier, but here I am now, barely able to stand.
"Don't fucking regret it, Sapphire. I-It's too late now," I told myself, but my heart says otherwise.
Some students were outside the cubicle, waiting for me to come out.
"Why is someone like her even allowed in our school? She has the manners of a street vendor. She doesn't deserve to be here."
"She's so poor, yet so shameless. She even caused a scene in the library earlier!"
"Does she think she can escape what she did? The Greensmith family is not someone she should have messed with. Especially not Haze," another student added. "Ash and Mason are rich, but Haze's family is more powerful in politics. Stupid woman."
I closed my eyes. Sapphire, stop listening to them. You're only hurting yourself.
My breathing ragged. It felt like something was choking me, making it hard to breathe. My heart was in pain, and my vision was blurry.
Sweat began to drip from my forehead as an unwanted memory resurfaced in my mind.Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.
"Please... don't."
I remember myself kneeling, holding onto his hands, crying and begging him not to hurt me. I wasn't afraid of being hurt at that moment, but I was more afraid of what I might do to him. "Stop playing hard to get. Come on, just once. I promise, just once."
It's been a long time, but I still remember it like it happened yesterday. I remember his scent, his hair, the black jacket and ripped jeans he wore, and even his face is etched in my mind.
I also remember him kneeling in front of me, gently yet harshly stroking my hair.
"I don't want to hurt anyone. Don't do this..." I told him.
It was raining, and it's only the two of us. I thought he was just going to ask for directions, but I ended up kneeling when he punched me in the stomach.
He had a dirty, lustful expression in his eyes.
I knew how to fight, but I didn't want to hurt him.
"Just once, miss. I'll let you go after this."
As if on cue, I returned to reality. It was only then that I realized I had been staring blankly while tears continued to fall.
It was a painful memory I tried to bury deep in my mind, but because of Haze and what I did to him, I remembered everything.
I hate guys like them. My dad, Haze, Ash... they're all the same.
They're demons.
But I am, too. Aren't I?
I stared at the bathroom door, trying to calm myself down. I knew I couldn't hide here forever.
But wait, why is it so quiet outside the bathroom now?
As if the Universe heard my question, someone spoke.
"I sent them all away," Mason, who was outside the door, spoke. "You can cry louder if you want. No one will hear you, and no one will judge you. I'll also leave the room, but I'll stay outside to guard you. No one can enter the bathroom as long as I'm here."
"W-Why are you helping me?" I asked.
Instead of thanking him, I asked him that question instead. It was my pride talking. I'm not used to being helped by others. I've always been used to relying on myself.
Mason felt like my real family rather than my own.
"I knew what happened," Mason answered, his tone low. "Haze's in the hospital now. According to the news, someone dislocated his shoulder, and he was groaning in pain. I know it was you."
I couldn't speak immediately because of what he said. Is he mad? Is that why he's here? To punish me for what I did to his friend?
"I-I won't say sorry," I unconsciously said, stuttering a bit.
"I'm not telling you to," he muttered and knocked on the door.
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It wasn't loud, but just enough for me to hear. Even the way he knocked told me I was safe because he was here.
"Open it, Sapphire. It's fine. I won't hurt you, nor judge you."
Evangeline is so lucky to have a brother like Mason. That thought made me cry more.
Finally, I opened the door, and saw Mason smiling at me.
"You did a great job," he said, patting my head. "And I should be the one apologizing for what he did. If you hadn't broken his bone, I probably would have done it."
I remained silent, but I cried harder when he pulled me in and gave me a hug. "It's okay, you're human. It's okay to let those things out. In fact, you need to let go of all your frustrations to stay alive."
After calming me down, he held my cheeks and wiped my tears away with his thumb. My heart skipped a beat because of what he did.
Not because I like him, but because it feels good to have him by my side.
"I am so proud of you for fighting back. Evangeline's proud of you, too."
"Evangeline?" I tilted my head, looking at him in confusion. "Why is her name being brought up? She's not even here."
Instead of answering right away, he just shrugged. "I just know that she's proud of you because that's the only thing she wants you to do. She wants you to fight for yourself without anyone provoking you, not even Haze." "Huh?" I asked in disbelief, my mouth slightly open. I was at a loss for words and energy to understand everything.
I also didn't understand why he seemed even more pleased with what I did to his friend. It's... weird.
Then again, Mason being part of Haze and Ash's circle is already weird to me. I don't know how he puts up with the attitudes of those two when he's so different.
Suddenly, an idea formed in my mind.
"Do you hate Haze, for instance?"