Bloodlines

Behind The Stone Cold Heart

Theodore

"Av?" I look around my camper. I push my eyebrows together in confusion before walking out and knocking on Noah's camper to see if he knows.

He doesn't open up, so I open it myself and go to speak, but that's when I see Avalon lying on his chest.

Great.

I slam the door shut and pack my things up into my truck and head out.

****

I walk into the store, scavenging for ibuprofen.

"Damn brother." William walks over with Benjamin and Baron.

I turn to them with my eyes closed, groaning before I open them. "Why do you always seem to follow me everywhere when I'm in town?"

"Can't miss that bright green!" Baron chuckles. "What happened?"

"I don't think it's any of your business." I raise an eyebrow.

"Calm down." Benjamin says in annoyance.

Williams and Baron look at each other.

"Damn man, you really changed. Seriously... what happened to little Theodore that always looked up to us?" William crosses his arms.

I roll my eyes.

"Heard you're looking to get away from your roommates. Want to bunk with us?" Benjamin offers.

"I'd rather kill myself." I give a snarky smile before walking off.

"You've already tried that, little brother!" They laugh behind me.

My blood boils and I suck in air between my teeth.

They continue laughing.

I turn around and fast walk towards them, grabbing William by the throat with my good hand and punch him with my cast.

I hiss in pain, but don't stop.

Benjamin and Baron try to pull me off, but I elbow them both.

They fall back, complaining about their noses.

"I'm gonna need you all to stay the FUCK OUT OF MY LIFE! I left that family as soon as our parents died and you guys gave NO SHIT! So worried about their inheritance. GO FUCK YOURSELVES!" I storm off, holding my arm in pain.

Motherfuckers!

I sigh when I notice store security running towards me.

****

"Would you like your receipt?" The cashier asks, fluttering her eyelashes.

I shoot her a nasty look before leaving the shop.

My hand immediately reaches into the bag, grabbing my medicine and taking it right then and there.

"Isn't it little miss teachers pet!" The sound of men grab my attention.

I look up and see the one and only... Avalon.

"Diego, I'm so surprised." Avalon rolls her eyes.

Why do I always seem to find myself bumping into this girl?

"How could I forget the school slut? Couldn't get any so you had—"

Alright, I've had enough.

I drop my bag and run up to this "Diego" character, slamming my fist into his face. "GOD DAMN WILL PEOPLE AROUND HERE EVER LEARN?" I snap.

"Theo—"

"Who are you?!" The guy bleeds.

I throw another jab at his face. "SOMEONE YOU NEED TO DAMN WELL REMEMBER NOT TO MESS WITH!" I kick him right in his groin, making him cry. "LEAVE THIS GIRL ALONE AND DONT EVEN STEP A FOOT NEAR HER OR TALK TO HER! CAUSE SO HELP ME YOU LITTLE TWIG, I WILL FUCK YOU UP!" I spit on him before grabbing my medicine bottle on the ground, stuffing it in my pocket and walking off.

"Theo!" Avalon runs over to me.

"What, Avalon? What? What ever more could you have to say?" I stop in my tracks.

She looks at me in pure betrayal. "I wanted to say thank you and that... I'm glad to see you... it's been a week and I couldn't find a way to get ahold of you."

I push my eyebrows together. "Get ahold of me? Why would we keep in touch?" I ask with a little attitude.

She frowns. "You're my friend, Theo. Of course I want to keep in touch and know how you're doing."

"I'm fine." I continue walking.

"Please, can I get your number? I've missed you... a lot." She says.

My stomach gets this like... weird feeling.

I've never had that happen before...

I groan. "Fine."

She smiles, pulling out her phone and tapping in my number as I tell her. "Thank you! How have you been?"

"Not any different from the last two years of my life." I reply.

"Well, I'm off work now. We could go walk the trails behind my apartment?" She suggests.

I fake a laugh. "As if. Also, not that I care, but who was that guy? Why was he calling you those names?"

She sighs, itching her head. "He was my biggest bully from middle school to high school." She pauses to collect her thoughts. "I come from a very wealthy family that has very high expectations. I've always got straights A's so everyone just assumed I was sleeping with the teachers to have those good of grades."

"Were you?" I raise an eyebrow, chuckling.

She rolls her eyes. "Funny. No."

I notice her eyes shift to my hand, so I immediately shove my medicine bottle in my pocket. "So how are you and Noah?"

Her cheeks turn red as she tries to hide a smile. "We're good... really good." The smile escapes.

"You know he's a player, Av... right?" I cross my arms.

She goes to reply, but then she smirks, putting her hand on her hip. "Are you... jealous? Theodore?"

I laugh. "You two are perfect together if you're so dumb into thinking I like you."

"You've come to my rescue quite a bit." She flips her hair.

"Because you simply cannot fight for yourself." I wink.

She laughs. "I could definitely beat your ass!!"

"Oh yeah?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Definitely not."

We both laugh.

"I gotta head home. Adios, miss Avalon!" I back up and blow a kiss.

"I'll text you!" She exclaims.

I turn around and start feeling my lips toward upwards, but immediately stop it.

Why does it feel like my stomach is doing backflips??

Probably the medication.

I get in my car.

"Definitely the medicine."