9

Alayna

Tuesday 23rd January, Year 825

The catastrophic monologue in my head was relentless. I had been an absolute dumb-ass to think that taking Tiv Hawes to the Grange would prove anything other than cementing his misconceptions that we're all wild monsters, and potentially get myself strung up for getting him killed.

The car carried on down the straight road toward Cassibare Meadow and we barely breathed, nevermind spoke. As we drove past the part of the Grange we'd snuck in through, we saw two bodies lying face down in the mud: unsuccessful escapees of the riot. Tiv slowed the car.

"Don't stop," I whispered. "They'll be waiting for more people to collect the bodies."

I felt Tiv's eyes on me but he obeyed and continued driving. Before long his car started playing a happy jingle and a telephone symbol appeared on his dashboard. I watched him press one finger to the screen.

"What?" Tiv barked.

"Where the hells did you two go? Nobody has seen you all afternoon! It's almost dark! Alayna's mother just called ours to ask if I was with her!" Marco seethed back with a lot more venom. "You think this is funny after the other night—"

Tiv immediately hung up the phone before Sarah or Lucy's names could be mentioned and looked up to the roof, clenching his jaw. I kept my face forward, morbidly hoping the car would crash so I wouldn't have to feel the shame and guilt any longer. I had Tiv's car door open before he'd even stopped outside my house. Ben was sitting on the porch, no doubt waiting for my return; it was almost sundown. Before I made it out of the car, Tiv grabbed my wrist and pulled me back towards him. This did not go unnoticed by my brother who was immediately on his feet.

"Wait!" Tiv hissed. "Are you alright?"

I just stared uncomprehendingly at him.

"I can't just leave you after that," he whispered.

The idea that I was worrying him had me dumbfounded.

"I'm okay. It's not my first or last riot. I just feel stupid for taking you there," I muttered.

"It was my idea-"

I didn't hear the rest of the response before Ben yanked me out of Tiv's grasp, dumping me on the floor behind him. Anger rolled down his back and for a split second, I thought he'd yank Tiv out of the car too.

Jumping to my feet, ready to fling myself at Ben if needed, I stopped short of lurching as he growled, "On your way, Hawes," slamming the car door too hard.

Tiv looked straight forward and obediently sped off. I bared my arctic gaze into the back of Ben's head as he watched the car drive away.

"Where the fuck have you been? You were due in an hour ago! Dad's gone out looking for you!" he shouted.

"I needed an overprotective psychopath half an hour ago," I grumbled.

He turned to look at me and took me in: covered in mud with a bloodied arm.

His eyes went wide.

"This wasn't him, you lunatic," I said, wiping the blood on my jeans.

He seized my uninjured arm, pulling me to the house.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"There was a riot in The Grange. I got him out and he brought me home," I explained.

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He stopped in his tracks, "Charlotte told me about the riot but missed out the bit where you were there—I'm going to kill her. What the hells were you thinking taking him to The Grange? You could have gotten yourself killed!"

"I'll explain everything after a shower," I insisted.

Almost everything. I didn't intend to tell him why me and Tiv ended up at The Grange in the first place.

"Don't tell Mum and Dad I was there," I added.

Ben nodded and pulled a small, silver mobile phone from his pocket.

"How the hells did you get one of them?" I gaped.

"All you need to know is it's not stolen," he smirked.

"Ben, this isn't a newspaper. They'll hang you," I hissed.

"Get inside," he said, pushing me gently up the porch steps.

He didn't follow me into the house as he began to dial. Mum went apoplectic with me and I ended up locking myself in the bathroom and showering with her screaming at me through the door until Dad got back and took her away. She was a damn lunatic sometimes.

Ben kept his word and didn't tell my parents where I had been. I repaid him by not telling them he'd stolen a mobile phone. He also couldn't get angry that Tiv had returned his sister in one piece so it felt like a win overall. After my shower, I turned on the computer, intending to spend the entire evening writing a perfect email to Tiv. I would apologise and explain we would be spending less time together. That was if he wanted to see me again at all. I recalled the worry lines creasing his face when he asked if I was okay and figured he seemed to at least care a little. In that second, I decided he wasn't trying to screw me for a bet; he seemed genuinely kind.

The PC eventually wheezed to life and loaded my emails, I had two more from Tiv. The first read:

From: Tiv Hawes 17.05 23/01/825

To: Alayna Nicole Jameson

RE: Home safe.

Hi,

I got in fine.

Are you alright?

Tiv

And the second read:

From: Tiv Hawes 17.17 23/01/825

To: Alayna Nicole Jameson

RE:

You’re right. I’m sorry I failed to grasp your meaning before. Everything you said was true. I am dense. I simply didn’t know that’s how you were all treated. I don’t know what else to say, other than sorry.

I just want to know that you are alright. I think I cut your arm.

I hit reply without thinking through a response.

From: Alayna Nicole Jameson 17.52 23/01/825

To: Tiv Hawes

RE:

I’m fine. I’m sorry about Ben. I’m sorry I called you dense; you didn’t know. I’m sorry I agreed to take you to The Grange. It was a stupid idea.

But are you okay? The first one is always the worst.

Alayna

After reading through the email I instantly regretted sending it. I should have left it at ‘I’m fine.’ But I didn’t even get to the end of my thought before my computer wheezed again.

From: Tiv Hawes 17.53 23/01/825

To: Alayna Nicole Jameson

RE:

I don’t really know what to say. I am fine yet I hate that this isn’t new for you.

You really do offer chaos in my boring little life, don’t you?

Next time, I will choose the venue.

And despite myself, I smiled.

We spent the rest of the evening emailing back and forth until the power was cut off at ten–punishment for our riot.

I knew Tiv was a stupid idea. I knew we were incompatible and cursed myself for ever getting in the car with him after my failed date with Marco. It was all going to go down in flames. But while it was new and exciting, I decided I didn't mind letting it run its course for a few weeks. I just had to avoid Marco like a plague.