Blaze’s POV:
It’s been a day since we moved into our dorms. I was with Mitchell, Adair, and this guy called Liam, who’s pretty chill. I sighed and flopped down on the couch, unlocking my phone and resting my head on my hand.
“Hey Blaze!” Adair chirped, taking a seat next to me.
I sighed to myself and put my phone down.
“Sup.” I replied blandly.
“How’s life?” He asked, clearly not satisfied with my reply.
“I’m just chilling.” I huffed.
Adair sighed, obviously wanting to talk to me.
“Do you mind if I ask you something?” He asked again, but more softly.
“Sure.” I responded.
Adair hesitated for a second.
“Why do you hate Cassie so much?” He blurted, and I was quiet for a minute.
“Y-You don’t have to reply…” Adair murmured.
“No, I think you deserve to know.” I sighed.
“Well, my dad was arrested 6 years ago, even though he was innocent, and Cassie’s dad was the one who locked him up even though he was innocent, and… Yeah, that’s why I hate her.” I mumbled, and Adair gave me a confused look.
“Do you actually know whether your dad was innocent or not? Or do you just think he was innocent based on how you were treated or if you were biassed?” Adair clarified, and I struggled to reply. “Besides, if your dad actually was innocent, it’s none of Cassie’s fault on how her dad acted, and she doesn’t deserve anything that has happened to her, you know what I mean?”
I was speechless for a moment. I mean… Adair wasn’t wrong, and it wasn’t Cassie’s fault...
“Blaze, listen. I know that you don’t like Cassie because of her dad, but look at him! He’s always been honourable to our community! I was actually there at the court case since my mum was a junior lawyer at the time and stayed to learn. I still remember it, but from what I remember, there was solid evidence on what your dad did, and I understand if you dislike Cassie’s dad, but there’s no need to fire up on her. Blaze, please, give Cassie a chance.” Adair pleaded, and I was quiet.
I sighed. “I… I guess I can…”
Adair flashed me a grateful smile and stood up, walking over to Mitchell, who was organising the kitchen. I decided to be useful and sort out my room, since I arrived late yesterday…
FLASHBACK:
“What the hell is this mess?!” Mum shrieked when she entered my room.
I rolled my eyes. The only mess was a couple of shirts on my bed.
“I’m moving into my high school dorms today, so I’m packing.” I scoffed.
“Oh my gosh, finally!” Mum sneered. “Finally, it’s the time where we can say our goodbyes and I don’t have to see you for the rest of the semester, 2 more months!”
I sighed and pushed my suitcase’s front down to zip it, while Lily rushed into my room.
“You’re going? Now?!” She frowned.
“Yes Lily, I’m going. Don’t worry though! I’ll call you everyday before bed.” I smiled, crouching slightly to pat her hair.
Lily pushed away and crossed her arms in her cute 6 year old way.
“Hmmph!” She pouted.
I laughed slightly and tickled her from behind. She giggled and turned around to hug me.
“Promise you’ll come back!” She pleaded.
“Of course I will!” I laughed.
“Yay!” Lily squealed.
Lily left the room, skipping and humming. Mum plastered a fake smile on her face until she was sure Lily was out of earshot. The second she was sure, she exhaled in annoyance. I gulped, knowing what was going to happen next.
“Blaze.” She sighed, and turned to me. “You will not misbehave, you will not slack off, you absolutely will not make friends and share all our little secrets, understand? Listen up, you little brat, you will speak as little as you can, never, I repeat, NEVER mingle or share information with ANYBODY.”
She walked closer and grabbed my collar harshly. “Do not mess up. I don’t want you ruining my perfect reputation like your stupid father did. This household was so much better without him.”
Mum lectured me for another few hours, and I may or may not have faced a few wine glasses along the way.
I sat in front of the mirror, shaken and bleeding.
Blood dyed my shirt and a few hardy glass shards clung onto my skin. I held out my quivering hand in front of me, bringing my other hand to pull out a big piece of glass wedged between my fingers. I held back pained tears and pulled it out, suppressing a loud hiss of pain from creeping out of my mouth.
I set the glass down, wincing at the amount of scarlet liquid dripping from it. I ripped apart a piece of paper towel and wiped my hand, but a few fibres crept its way through the cut, which just intensified the pain more. I squeezed my eyes shut in pain and a small tear ran down my cheek.
I glanced at my watch, the last gift Callum ever gave me before he died, to check the time.
It was 8:27.
I frantically rinsed my body so that all the blood would get washed off, hauled the bag over my shoulder and ran off.
Mum was in the car, and she gave me a disapproving glare.
“Hurry up, I don’t have all day.” She snapped, and Lily looked a little shocked at how she was acting.
“Yeah, yeah.” I muttered and put my mask on, since I had a huge cut on my cheek.
Mum sped towards the school, narrowly missing a car accident. She cursed under her breath and we finally pulled up at the school gates.
“Get out, I need to drop Lily off.” Mum snapped, but Lily gave me a cheerful wave and a heart with her hands.
I’ll still miss Lily, but at least I don’t have to suffer mum’s punishments for 2 months.