Page 9 of Ruin

DECLAN

Sleep.I never thought it would be something I’d miss so much, but fuck, I do.

Before The Pit, I slept all the time. Fuck, I was late to school because I couldn’t get out of bed. Sleep was more important to me than going out with my friends. But now, every time I close my eyes, I hear the screams. I see the fights. I see how people died in the most horrific ways.

I can’t say too much. I’ve killed men with my bare hands. Beat them so badly their eyes popped out of their sockets. No matter how many times I tell myself it was them or me, it doesn’t make me feel any better.

It made me realize why Cain is so shut off from everyone. He grew up in there. I only spent the summer in that hell hole, and it fucked with my head. Almost twenty years. I don’t think I would have walked out like Cain did.

“Are you coming to practice after school?” Vinn asks.

“I am,” I reply, my eyes on Trixie as she draws in her pad.

I gave her the list, and she shoved it in her bag. Not sure if she’ll even look at it again, but one thing she needs to learn is this—once I have my sight set on something, I get it.

“Morning class. Let’s get straight into the year.” Miss Hill’s voice pulls my attention, but my focus is still on Trixie, who hasn’t even glanced up from whatever she’s drawing.

“We’re going to be working in pairs. I’m not picking them. Half the class will have their names in the bowl, while the other half will pick a partner to work with for the year.” Now Miss Hill has my attention. This could work out in my favor.

Miss Hill shouts out a few names, mine included. I smile when she doesn’t say Trixie’s name. We are on other sides of the room, but I’ll find a way to end up with her.

“Everyone’s name I didn’t call, step up and pick your partner.”

I lean back in my seat, as the group walks to the front of the class, and watch them all start pulling names from the bowl.

“Trixie,” Miss Hill calls her name when she doesn’t move.

Her eyes glance over at me and I smile.

Come on, pick my name.

She hesitates as she walks to the front. Blood red lipstick covers her thick lips, her heavy dark make-up covers her eyes, but her hazel eyes shine through it all.

My attention drops to her hand as she reaches into the bowl. Her pointed nails are painted black, sharp as hell, probably leaves marks on people. But what really catches my eye are her wrists. The lace fabric covering her arms is pulled up enough, showing off some tattoos, and bracelets. Most of them, from what I can tell, are dragon themed.

I might need to take a better look at them.

I had no idea what kind of fucked up fashion she’s into, until Lileah told me she’s a romantic goth. Whatever the fuck that means.

To me, it just looks like she’s hiding from the world behind layers of darkness.

With the amount of makeup she’s wearing, I couldn’t even tell what her skin tone is. So what exactly is she hiding?

Trixie unfolds the paper. She lowers her head, and I smile.

“Declan,” Miss Hills announces.

Fucking Perfect.

I wait for everyone else to finish picking partners before raising my hand.

“Mr. Crawford, I’m not interested in whatever excuse you have about your partner.” She doesn’t even look at me when she answers me.

I laugh. The last day of school before summer she was very interested in what I had to say, when my dick was buried inside her.

“I’m not going to complain,” I say. “Not even a little. But don’t you think we should sit next to our partners? You know, make sure we can work together and start the assignment.”

She finally turns to face me, then looks at Trixie, who is still lost in her notepad.

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