《BLOODTHIRSTY》11. Tension
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There were things Winter regretted not doing or saying. One of those things was telling Brian that he really sucked at Rapping. Winter always wanted to be a supportive friend and support her friends dreams regardless of how impossible it sounds, but when Brian was rapping along with Jay-z she had to stop him.
"I love you Brian I really do, but this ain't it." Winter put the song on pause and shook her head. "But you do have a beautiful voice." She told him and sat back down on the couch in his living area.
Brian had his own apartment already so she didn't have to worry about looking like a complete mess. However Brian did have a roommate but he didn't mind her being over.
"You now back in the Philippines I used to give my granny concerts all the time, so I always associate music with her." Brian stared at nothing in particular. Never looking Winter in the eyes, because he was afraid. In the corner of his eyes he could see how she came closer to him and put her head on his shoulder.
"I'm sure your granny was a wonderful person." Winter intertwined her hand with his. She didn't know much about his time in the Philippines, but she did know that he needed comfort.
A chuckle escaped his lips. "Yeah..she was."
They just sat there in silence. No one dared to say a word, because it was so peaceful at the moment. Brian just needed her by his side and Winter as alway enjoyed his company even when there were no words spoken. She loved the fact they could hang out like this and both enjoy it. They didn't have to do too much or say too much because they perfectly understand each other without words. Brian removed his hand that was in Winters grip and instead wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Making sure to kiss her forehead and place a soft kiss on her cheeks.
"You're being very touchy Brian. If I remember correctly, you said you don't do hugs or kisses." Her voice held amusement.
Brian laughed and looked down to her. "I have never said that."
"You said that when Andrea tried to hook you up with some girl." Winter reminded him.
"As you said it yourself 'some girl', you're not that girl. Or just any girl for that matter." Winter looked up to him and he winked back at her.
"You can be really annoying sometimes you know that?" She told him and freed herself from his arms, but still couldn't help the smile appearing on her face.
The doorbell rang and Winter walked towards the door. The person had its back turned so she didn't see at first who it was. When he did turn around their eyes locked, Winter frowned her eyebrows. She was sure she had seen him somewhere before.
"I remember you being named after an season but I don't remember which one." His voice reminded her of spring. The way he seemed to be a calm person and go with the flow. Brian almost snapped his neck when he heard the guys voice. He normally tolerated people however he seriously couldn't stand Revick. No matter what he did or said it always annoyed him. Having a grudge on people wasn't his way of living, yet he couldn't help it.
"What are you doing here?" Brian said annoyed resisting the urge to trow something at his head.
"Well hello to you too darling." Revick laughed and sat down on the couch making Brian raise his eyebrows.
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Winter looked at the both of them and sat down beside Brian. Which resorted in him wrapping his arms around her again. This was sort of a habit. Something they did when they were close to each other. In a group of friends everyone has that one friend they are closer with. For Winter that friend used to be Chris but Chris hasn't been himself lately. The last days she had been hanging out with Brian more and more and she was loving every second of it. He made her realise that there was in fact nothing wrong with being with others. She don't have to be all alone all the time.
After their argument died down she saw Revick eyeing her. His full attention directed to her and she didn't know how to feel about that. Brian noticed and tried to get Revick out of the house but he didn't budge. Instead he looked at the both of them.
"I'm really bored so I thought why not annoy Brian, but apparently Brian has a friend over. And I'm here being a third wheel." Revick glanced at Winter and removed his beanie from the top of his head.
"I don't even want you here dude. You can leave." Brian snapped back and Revick sticked his middle finger out.
"You don't have to be mean Brian. Have you thought about being nice for once? It's not a crime." Revick retorted back.
Brian sighed and looked at how late it was. He was planning on getting ready for the party one of his friends was throwing, but he had to get rid of Revick first.
"Let's go Winter I'm dropping you off-" Brian lied and hoped Winter would understand and go on with the lie. Instead she had a confused expression all over her face.
"Weren't we supposed to get ready for the party?" She asked him completely oblivious to Brian's real motive.
Revick smiled from ear to ear. "Party? Can I Come?"
"No."
"Yeah sure."
Winter glanced at Brian and saw him shaking his head, but winter didn't want to be rude. Also there was no harm in bringing him along, the guy was harmless.
"You can come along, Brian didn't mean that." Winter tried to lighten the mood a little but nothing worked.
"Hell yeah I did." Brian could feel himself grow more annoyed every second.
Winter placed her hand on his cheeks and smiled up to him. "Don't be like that Brian."
"Yeah Brian don't be like that." Revick repeated her words and she chuckled.
"Fine whatever just don't be late." Brian walked to his bedroom to get ready.
"I'll be here at 12." Revick answered before walking out.
To say she wasn't nervous was definitely a lie. To say she wasn't a bit scared was an other lie. She wanted to go to the party and be like other people of her age but the feeling always came rushing in. The feeling of being left out even when she was with her friends. She knew Chris and Andrea won't be that excited to see her, yet she didn't blame them too much about it. If there was one thing that was considered a fact, was the fact that she always brought bad luck everywhere.
Every time she thinks back about her history with bad luck, Winter finds herself thinking about Arculus. The man in the dark but not completely. She wanted to invite him to go with her to this college party but she didn't know how to reach him. Winter found herself looking into the bathroom mirror to look at her own reflection. Her tight black jeans and cropped shirt. She wasn't sure if it was okay for her to go out like that.
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She closed the bathroom door, and tried to find the courage to call for his name. She wasn't sure why she was so nervous and why her palms were so sweaty. It took her a couple of minutes and deep breaths to finally call out his name. Her eyes were closed and she opened them slowly. Arculus was leaning on the wall with his arms crossed. His signature messy hair and it looked like he just came out of his bed. Winter didn't have a full view on him so she turned around and found out he was shirtless. His pyjama pants hanged loosely on his hips. His abs were on full display and she found herself blushing.
Arculus chuckled and looked around the the bathroom he was in. "I expected you to be in danger or something. Why am I in a bathroom?" He asked trying to sound annoyed but a smile slowly but surely made its way on his face.
"Well since I couldn't call you I didn't know how else I should reach you." Winter admitted to him. "I wanted you to come to a party with my friends." She told him while avoiding eye contact.
He always took his time watching her because he was never in a rush. What exactly he was looking for was a complete mystery to himself too. However a smile made its way on his lips again, when he didn't find any bruises of any sort.
"When?" He asked her simply.
Winter was fidgeting on her bracelet. "Euh..well right now." The words flew out of her mouth more quieter than she had intended.
Arculus watched the way she couldn't keep her hands of her bracelet. The way she didn't hold eye contact with him for longer than 5 seconds. In all honesty it annoyed him. He didn't like talking to someone just for them not to look him into the eyes.
He tried to open the door and Winter suddenly realised what he was doing. She tried to push him back but he didn't move an inch.
"I'm not in my dorm room Arculus. Brian will be confused to why I'm in the bathroom with a guy."
He heard the panic in her voice and saw the worry on her face. "And?"
"And Brian won't like that because I brought someone inside without him knowing." Winter still tried to push him back from the door but he just didn't want to let the doorknob go. "You also have to get ready." She told him and he finally let go of the doorknob.
"How fast can you get ready? And do you want me to send you the address so you can meet me there?"
Studying objects or humans were one of his habits. It wasn't what arculus wanted to do but he still did it either way. Always watching her moves and hearing her irregular heartbeats. He wondered why she was so nervous.
"I'll find you there."
"You want me to send the address?" Arculus removed his eyes from the mirror and looked back to her.
He shook his head at the girl. "I'll find you."
Winters eyes widened in shock. "You will?"
"I will always find you." He told her again and wanted to teleport back to his house. Arculus raised his eyebrows When he found her hands still on his chest.
"Oh sorry." She removed her hands quickly from his bare chest.
Right before she could say anything he already disappeared. Winter finally got out of the bathroom and saw Revick already sitting on the couch waiting for them. It looked like he had already been there for a while since he was almost falling a sleep and snoring.
Brian was about to throw cold water on him but Winter stopped Brian from doing that. She barely made it on time. If she was more than 4 seconds late he would have been soaking wet by now. Winter woke him up and he smiled up to her.
"You know love I was wondering how you put up with that ticking bomb." Revick sat in the back seat of the car and Winter laughed at the way Brian was sending him death glares.
"Don't test me Revick, I'm the one driving. Remember that." Brian tried threatening him but all Rev did was smile like a little kid.
"I know for a fact you won't do shit Godzilla, and if I have to remind you Winter is here." He answered back and smirked at Brian just to annoy him more.
"Can you shut up?" Brian had to keep calm since he didn't want to lose focus and keep his eyes on the road.
"You can't make me." Rev still has this smile on his face.
"Tell him to shut the fuck up Winter." Brian asked Her and sighed.
"Rev stop annoying Brian while he is driving please." She told him while looking for her phone.
"Of course love." Rev was quiet for the whole ride which surprised Winter. She didn't expect him to actually listen.
When they arrived Winter walked inside with her phone in her hands. This house was extremely huge. There was a lot of green and nature at the entrance. She saw a big water fountain and the garden was covered in small lights. Making this place look more magical than it already did. They walked inside and Winter looked at the maison In amazement. It looked like a Rome styled house with all the columns and the statues.
"Who's party is this?" Winter asked Brian and all he did was smile.
"My friend, well his a little rich."
"What you talking about? A little rich? You mean homie is loaded." Rev looked around and too in an admiration.
There were a lot of people and Winter grew nervous. Having her own party in her bedroom seemed more appealing at the moment. She just wanted to go back home and wanted to even forget she came to this place. It was indeed beautiful but being out there with all of those people scared her. It terrified her to know that they could hurt her and on one would even know. If one person went missing from this crowd no one would even notice.
"You okay?" She heard Rev ask her in and turned around to face him.
"Just a little nervous." She told him and he sticked his hand out. Winter smiled and intertwined her hand with his.
"You don't have to worry love. I'm here and so is Brian. In fact he probably will be on your dick for the entire night." Rev saw how she flinched when someone suddenly bumped into her, and pulled her closer towards him.
"Winter it's going to be okay." He reassured her again. "No need to be scared here. If anyone tries anything I'll chop their fingers off."
She looked up to him just to meet his trusting eyes. "Okay Thank you."
"No need to thank me love." He told her while watching Brian since he was the one leading the way.
Shortly after they arrived at the pool. There were people swimming around and drinking at the same time. Some girl was missing a part of her bikini and was walking around topless. She could feel how the fear was starting to fade away and instead she was getting worried. Wondering how much everyone is drinking around here.
Not far from the pool she noticed familiar faces. She haven't talked to them in weeks. In some way she wanted to run into their arms but she refrained herself from that. Brian greeted them first and she waved at them from a distance.
"I don't bite Winter." Chris glanced at her with an expression she had never seen before. Was he upset?
"Well you can never be too sure." She said holding on to Rev's hand.
Everyone felt the tension even Revick did. He wasn't sure what had happened or if he even wanted to know. All he noticed was the fact that they all looked unsure of what to say or do next. Winter reminded her of what she wanted to do days ago, and this was her chance to make up. However they could barely hear each other. So maybe she should wait on her next chance.
Chris had a shortsleeved shirt on putting his tattoos on full display for everyone to see. He opened his arms waiting for her to make her way to him. She wanted to stay put. She didn't want to move a muscle. She didn't want to fall back into the trap he had set for her because she knows. Winter was fully aware of what being in his arms felt like. She knew once she fall into him she won't be able to free herself, but that didn't stop her in fact it never did.
Winter let go of Rev's hand and made her way up to Chris. Wrapping her arms around his torso and she could tell he was laughing. She pulled away from him, a little too fast for Chris liking but he let it slide. She hugged Andrea too and than made her way back to the two guys she came with.
Zoning out was something Winter was familiar with. Most of the time she would just look around and maybe daydream about random things. This time it was completely different. Constantly looking around hoping to find his dark eyes looking back at her. Hoping he made his way here safely, wondering where he was and if he was okay. She couldn't help but look at her phone waiting for a text she knew would never come.
Until a shiver went through her body. She was suddenly cold and this time she looked around and let her eyes linger longer than it had to. Looking for the pair of black eyes she grew so used to.
"How are you looking for?" Winter heard Chris ask in the background.
"Arculus." She told him simply and kept on looking around.
Andrea looked up from her phone confused. "How is the hell Arculus?"
Winter wasn't sure why she always froze when she saw him. Or why her body didn't want to move when she wanted it too. She didn't know why suddenly her legs stopped working but she spotted him. Standing in a corner leaning on a wall while having a bunch of girls all around him. Tugging on his arms and flaunting their bodies his away. Arculus looked completely confused.
"I'll be right back." She told her friends and made her way to Arculus. It was quiet hard getting through the crowd but she still made it.
Arculus wanted to look for her but he thought making her look for him was a better idea instead. When she stood in front of her with the brightest smile he had ever seen, something happened to his heart again. However he had no idea what was happening to him.
When she wrapped her arms around his torso and placed her head on his chest. He couldn't help it but laugh a little at her action. It made him realise that her heartbeat wasn't raising because of him anymore. He realised that the fear she usually felt when he was around had faded away. Winter pulled him towards her group of friends to finally introduce him properly.
"Guys this Arculus." Arculus saw three familiar faces and already wanted to walk right out, but refrained himself from doing that.
"Hello." Arculus answered not really interested in getting to know them better.
"How come you're here?" Chris asked with raised eyebrows.
"She asked me to come so I came." He told the guy that he deep down already didn't like.
"You're the forest guy?" Andrea asked again and he just nodded his head.
Chris was skeptical of the guy. "Why was she unconscious that night?" He asked out of the blue and stood up from his seat to meet him at eye level.
"She fainted because she was scared. That wouldn't have happened if you didn't let her walk away on her own." Arculus told the annoying looking guy.
"How is that my fault?" Chris eyes darkened and winter tried to put some distant between them.
"You're the one always blaming other for your own mistakes." Arculus knew that what he was doing wasn't a good idea but he was getting on his nerves.
"You don't even know me dude. Don't talk like you know shit."
"I don't have to know shit to know what kind of person you are."
Chris was quiet looking into Arculus eyes to find something, but all he saw was darkness. He looked like he didn't even belong here.
"Blaming others for the shit you caused yourself. Because pretty boy doesn't know how to own up to his own mistakes." Arculus was going too far and he knew but that wasn't the point. He had to go beyond the surface. In order to see why he didn't like him, he had to prove his own point.
Arculus chuckled humourless. "Pathetic If you ask me."
Keeping himself calm had always been what he tried to do. Keeping his emotions in place in order not to hurt anyone. Arculus was always carful not to trigger himself, because he knew exactly what type of things could trigger his anger or irritation. When Arculus saw Chris reach for his face, he still dodged the fist trying to make contact with his face. It was unlike him to get angry over small things like this. If he hadn't try to punch him maybe he would have let him be. If he hadn't hurt Winter in the past maybe than he would have let him live.
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