Secrets and Love Don't Mix Chapter - 9 (Edit)

Jasmine's POV
Alexander had shut me out. It was like a cold hard slap in the face. I had thought he was my friend, but how could be two things? How could he kiss me and then snap at me like that?
But to be honest, I didn't want his friendship. I wanted something more. It reminded me of my 13th birthday; I was expecting to receive a beautiful necklace and dinner with my family.
Instead I got 3 dead bodies, talents I never wanted, and a broken necklace sitting in a box on the shelf next to my temporary bed.
'Haha, temporary.'
What's so funny?
'You said temporary, when you'll probably be here forever.'
No, I won't.

'You're here to control and learn about your talents. Face it, you're too unstable.'
That's not true. You lie.
'Consciences don't lie. Have you forgotten that you used your talents in the wide open just a few days ago?'
Yeah, but people were in cla-
'It was a Saturday, idiot.'
Crap. But one mistake doesn't mean I'm unstable.
'Have you also forgotten the reason you got sent here, you little runaway?'
I am NOT a runaway.
'Oh, that's right. You're also a pyro. After all that is why you're here isn't it? You BURNED the person who made you angry'
I-it was an accident. I didn't mean to burn him. He just got me so mad a-and... I was only trying to punch him, but the fire just came out and... and...
>>>>>
"You know this is a dangerous part of town. You come down here to just to see me?"
"Knock it off, Damien. Leave her alone."
My best friend John was walking me back to his place. He had been letting me stay with him, his Abuela, and his Abuelo for a while now. I still went to school; it was actually surprising that Andre hadn't tried looking for me there. Damien was just some drop out that hung out on street corners in this part of town. He barely knew me, but had a knack for always showing up at the places I was going. Apparently he and Jeff had some type of "misunderstanding" in the past.
"So you'll go out with the immigrant, but not with me?" Damien feigned being hurt.
That was a pretty low blow. John was from the Dominican Republic; that's what made it an extra dirty remark.
"Perra," John muttered.

The laugh I was trying to suppress escaped when I saw Damien's confused face. He had no idea what John just said. That was one of those words where you didn't have to speak Spanish to know that you were just insulted.
"Anyway, I heard you were staying with him," he sneered. "Why not stay with me? I could show you a much, much better time."
It took all my will power not to light him on fire. I could feel my blood boiling and the entire heat licking at the palms and pads of my hands and feet.
"Look, just move, okay? It's been a long day and you're really starting to piss me off," I said. John gave me a look as if to say, 'Calm down,' which would have been a wise thing to do. John knew the whole back-story and what I was capable of if angry enough.

"You know I can't do that," he smirked and reached a hand to touch my cheek. As soon as his hand made contact I lost it. Before his hand could stay there more than a second, I punched him in the face. I didn't realize what had happened until I heard him scream in pain and hold his face. The heat that had been licking at my palms had materialized into fire and come out with my burst of anger at Damien.
'You poor little pyro.'
John said to run and we did and I didn't look back. It was only a matter of days until the police showed up at John's door with Damien to ID me. I was taken into custody, but released on the condition I get shipped out to the University.
>>>>>
A tear slid down my cheek as I thought of how much worse everything could've turned out. I could've killed him, but not even someone as unbearable as him would deserve that. That's when it hit me. Trenton acted just like Damien. The only difference was that Trenton hadn't pushed me over the edge like Damien had. At least not in a way I knew of..
___
Xander's POV
More time passed and my eye started to heal, but I still didn't talk to Violet though she still sat next to me in class, but I wasn't sure if that was a blessing or a curse. We had been told to wear out suits under our clothes to class because we would be assessed on our fighting.
The Mentors turned on a simulator for the room and the white walls disappeared and the classroom turned into a much larger field with trees and a bright blue sky above. I slid on a glove from my suit and felt the grass; it sure did feel real. By the end of class only a few of us hadn't gone. Violet was next to pick her sparring partner.
Her eyes gave everyone a once-over, but stared at me for a moment. I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose because I wouldn't know what to expect if she chose me. She probably wasn't mad, just hurt; which made me feel all the worse. I didn't hate her, I was just looking out for her and myself. At the Winter Dance I would prove that I don't hate her.

I opened my eyes and she was looking somewhere else in the room, or lack thereof, at girl with snow-white hair and purple eyes. It wasn't an old person's white, it was more like crisp clean snow. I'd noticed her a few times in class. She was a telepath, but took it a step farther with telekinesis.
Violet didn't choose me, but I didn't feel relief, just sadness.

Jasmine's POV
"*Phillicity's my partner," I said.
She looked up and smiled at me. Not a shy smile that said, 'I know you're gonna beat me,' and not a cocky smile that said, 'Prepare to lose;' just a smile. We walked and took different fighting positions' she stood up and looked focused while I pulled on my suit's hood and sat down feeling the ground around me. I honestly didn't feel like fighting, but what was I supposed to do besides sit there and wait for her to make the first move. Simulation grass started swirling around my relaxed form. Looking up, I saw her eyes glowing as the grass formed a thick wind tunnel around me.

I reached one arm to cover my face and the other to touch the tunnel. With a simple movement, the wind power was gone from her grass tornado. I took in a deep breath and led all my body heat to my fingertips. Little sparks ignited in my fingertips and gathered into my palm. Looking at her, I saw that she was already braced for a body attack of fire, so I looked for a different route. The miniature inferno in my hands was begging to attack something, to grow and breathe, so I gave it that chance.

I launched the sparks at the grass around her feet and watched my emotional little creation grow. Granted, most people would think of fire as anything but emotional, but it helped me release all these emotions I had inside and I felt myself physically relax.
Phillicity's eyes grew wide as the fire ate up the foliage around her feet.
Bad memories? Not likely.
Fear of fire? Common, but more likely.
Guilt twisted up inside of the pit of my stomach as I watched her reaction to the flames.
The reflection of the fire in her scared purple eyes was something that really got me. What was worse was that as soon as class was over everyone rushed out without giving her a second regard. I put on my gloves and grabbed my water bottle, tossing water into the air. I was able to form a rain cloud to take care of Phillicity's fears. She was hugged her knees to her chest and looked up at my outstretched hand and took it.
"You were good," she said.

"You were better," I responded. She looked at me confused.
"You didn't cry and you didn't scream. You just waited for the fire to be over."
"Can I ask you a question?" she said boldly. Quickly goes fear, quickly comes curiosity.
I took a swig of my water bottle, "Uh.. Yeah, sure."
She took a deep breath, "Why are you so sad? What did Alex do?"
I nearly choked on my water, "What makes you think he did something?"
"Telepath, remember?"
Right, "I don't want to bore you."
"So don't," she tugged on my arm, "there's a coffee shop nearby that's perfect for talking. Plus you owe me after trying to burn me."
She did make a valid point.
"So then he just left you standing there?"
I nodded. I had no idea why I was spilling my guts to this girl, but she was a good listener. It was probably having something to do with understanding the human mind.

"Wow...."
"Yeah..."
"What about you're boyfriend? Trevor? Don't you want to go to the Winter Masque with him? Or are you in love with Alex?"
"His name's Trenton," I shrugged. Penelope had helped me pick out a dress and mask for the winter dance. It was a navy blue dress that fell above my knees and gold eye mask with blue accents. And sure, it was every girl's dream to go to a dance with a cute guy and look like a princess, but I wasn't a princess. I was far from it. And was that all Trenton was to me now? Looks? Maybe...Plus if I did love him, I would've told him everything.
But I didn't because I didn't trust him.
But I did tell Xander because I do trust him. And something more.
I changed the subject, "What about you? Anyone special?"
A light blush rose to her cheeks, "What? No."
"I may not be a telepath, but I can tell that you're lying."
She looked around, "Okay, okay, but you have to promise not to tell anyone, especially not the Mentors."
What did she have up her sleeve now?
"Promise."

She took a deep breath, "I'm dating a guy from regular classes and I told him everything."
"..."
"Are you ok?" she asked.
"Yeah...you have more trust than I do. So, what's the mystery guy's name?" I asked.
"Victor Wilson," she blushed.
Muscle head Victor? The strong one?
"Hey! I heard that," she said.
I forget every time I'm around a telepath that they can read minds.
"Sorry," I smiled sheepishly, "but I guess you guys do have that whole 'brains' and 'bronze' thing going on."
"I guess," she shrugged and then looked at me, "but what are you gonna do about the Masque? It's only a few days away."
"I'll figure it out when I get there. By then I'll have it all under control."
In other words, I had no plan.

___***
Xander's POV
The bells on the door chimed as I walked in the store and to the front.
"Pick up for Rossi," I said to the lady behind the counter.
She turned to look at me as if sizing me up. I could guess that she was thinking that I was just some teenager. She turned to the computer and her whole demeanor changed. I'm guessing she saw the purchase.
"Right here, Mr. Alessandro," she said happily in a fake Italian accent that she tried too hard on. She grabbed my purchase from behind the counter and I handed her my credit card.
I bit back a growl. Alessandro Rossi was my dad. The dad who shipped me off to the University. I was Alessandro Jr., Alexander to be more specific. Xander to be even more so.

"A very nice design choice, young man. Is it an original design?" She asked as she handed my card back.
Technically yes and technically no. I'd had it in mind for a long time, but decided to add something.
I nodded.
"You're girlfriend is very lucky."
I blushed. She wasn't my girlfriend, but I had wished she was.
"Thanks," I said.
And with that I walked out thinking about how everything was gonna happen tonight.
***
I was walking back into the University with my bag in hand when I heard whispering. Moving behind a wall, I listened to the familiar voices.
"So, you think she'll tell you tonight?" I heard Taylor say.
"I don't see any reason for her not to..." Trenton said.
Were they talking about Violet?
"... I mean, I know that Alex- kid knew about her secret. Seeing that she thinks he hates him, she'll need someone to talk to about it," he said.
Something clicked in my head. It all made sense. He didn't care that I'd kissed Violet; if I were out of the picture he'd have a better chance of finding out about her family, talents...everything. It hurt me on the inside to think that might have been the only reason he was dating her.
"I have to tell her," I muttered to myself.

"No. You won't," someone said. I looked around the corner and Taylor and Trenton were standing there. I hadn't even heard them walking.
"I thought we had an agreement. Stay away from her and you won't get hurt," Trenton growled.
"You lying to her wasn't part of it. Now I know why you had Taylor punch me. You just want her to come crying to you," I snapped.
"Well, I-" his glance was cast downwards as he looked at the bag in my hands, "What's in the bag?"
I held it tighter, "Nothing that concerns you."
He looked in my eyes for a few seconds and his eyes flashed, "It's for my girlfriend. It concerns me."
Before I could say anything, I saw Taylor holding the bag that he had used his speed to snatch from me.
Trenton turned to walk away, "I'll just toss this is my trunk for safe keeping," he sneered. As they walked away I could hear Taylor ask:
"What does V A mean?"
I kicked the wall out of frustration. Damn.

Jasmine's POV
"Hold still, Hawkgirl," Phillicity said holding a curling iron in Penelope's hair. She had started using her nickname and now it was a sort of inside joke between the three of us.
"I would if you would stop burning me," Penelope responded.
"There, all done." Phillicity took a step back and spun Penelope's chair around. She had her hair in a smooth bun with little curly crimson ringlets of hair hanging down. They were both already in their outfits. Phillicity was in a purple dress that almost went down to her ankles with silver strap heels and a white and silver mask. Penelope wore a green dress in similar length to mine except hers was strapless. She paired in with gold peep toe pumps and a gold mask.

I was dressed, but my hair wasn't done. I was being an expert procrastinator by sitting in front of the mirror and making immature faces in my mask. In reality, I had gotten my hair permed for the Winter Masque, but I was too lazy to reach up and brush it straight.
Penelope settled behind me with a brush in hand, "You know he'll be here to get you soon, Nymph." She said talking about Trenton.
"No he's not," I stated. "He said that he's taking some friends and I told him, 'Okay'."
Phillicity and Penelope looked at each other for a minute and I could tell what they were thinking. 'How is she gonna get there?'
"Don't worry, I'm taking my motorcycle." I said even though I knew that it was a bad idea.
They looked at each other, horrified.

"Do you know what that will do to your outfit?" Phillicity said.
"And your hair?" Penelope added with a tug of my hair.
"Then how am I supposed to get there?" I said with a dry laugh.
"Don't you think you should've thought about the motorcycle thing before tonight?" Phillicity asked as Penelope continued tugging at my hair with the brush.
"Well," Penelope drug out, "Alex is taking his car and he has no one riding wi-"
"No," I said firmly, "he hates me, remember?"
"He doesn't hate you," Phillicity said, "I was talking to him earlier and I mentioned you and Trenton going to the Masque together. His mind didn't fill with hate, at least not for you. His thoughts were nothing even close to hate when it came to you."
Why didn't she tell me this before?
"Why didn't you tell me this before?"
She shrugged.
Penelope finished brushing my hair, "Go ask him now, before he leaves."
I got up and dusted myself off, praying to God that the following conversation would go well.

Penelope's POV
I waited until Violet walked through the door and then I turned to Phillicity.
"You only told what Alex thought when it came to Violet," I frowned, "What about Trenton?"
She sighed. "His mind was full of stress and anger when I mentioned him. It's a lot worse than that, too."
"Give me a for instance,"
She shifted in her chair and started to tell me everything that had happened to Alex that Trenton had to do with.

Xander's POV
The car ride was somewhat awkward, but it wasn't the worst it could've been. She looked beautiful. I stole a glance at her while she was putting on her mask.
"You excited about tonight?" I asked.
She looked startled. She probably wasn't expecting me to talk to her.
"A little," she gave me a small smile and blushed, "I like your mask. We match."
It was true. I had on a gold mask that matched my tie with my black suit. My hair was cut, so now my dark curls were barely resting on my collar. We pulled up in the large parking lot to the hotel where the Masque was being held and I opened her door.
"I can see Trenton's here," she motioned to a car a few down from mine.
'Perfect,' I thought.
"Are you coming inside?" she asked, breaking me from my scheming.
"Yeah."
***
Violet immediately caught up with her "boyfriend." I had some punch and even danced with a few pleading girls. Someone got through the door with a few cases of beer and the Masque got a little rowdy even though it was nearing its end. I scanned across the floor and saw the couple I was looking for and walked over.
"Penelope, can I borrow Eric for a sec?" I asked.
She cocked an eyebrow at me.
"You know what I mean," I rolled my eyes.
She nodded and Eric followed me outside. I led him over to the trunk of Trenton's car.
"Can you see if it's in there?" I asked.
He nodded and bent down causing his torso to phase through the trunk of the car. He came out grinning and holding the box that was in my bag. I grinned and strolled back inside to find Violet.

~~~Meanwhile

Jasmine's POV
Trenton had stepped away for a minute, saying he needed to go to the bathroom, but he had been doing that a lot tonight. Part of me wanted to trust him, but the other part wanted to know why he all of a sudden had a bladder the size of a walnut. Granted, he and his friends had kept drinking the smuggled beer and had probably overdone it. I kept my eyes on him as he weaved through the crowd on slightly swaying feet. His friends that he had driven all stepped into a spare room of the hotel, but were too careless to close it all the way.
I wanted to trust him, part of me really did, but I couldn't.
"Guyz," he drew out, "I think shill tell me sooon."
"Her secret?" Taylor asked. "Naww, man."
"But wit dat Alex kid out of da way, whose she gonna toooo?" Another asked.

"Mee," Trenton smirked, "And she duzn't know a thing." He got up to exit the room.
I backed away from the door, tears threatening to fall. I mean, I knew Trenton didn't always have the best morals, but this... it broke me on the inside. The Masque was winding down and people had already started to leave. Looking around, I found a fold-out chair and sat down with my head in my hands.
"I'm leavin' soon. I'll see you back at the University?" I looked up and saw a swaying Trenton.
I should've just broken up with him then and there. Make all of this go away, but he was probably so drunk that he wouldn't even remember.
He squinted at me, "Are you ok?"

"Fine," I whispered. He bent down and kissed my cheek and it was slightly disgusting, he smelled like alcohol. He walked out and my head fell back into my hands.
"You alright?" said a voice.
My head popped up, "I said I'm fine," I snapped.
It was Xander. His face went blank for a minute.
"Sorry, I thought you were Trenton," I instantly regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth when I saw his reaction.
"Gee, thanks," he frowned.
I laughed and gave him a tired smile "Can we go home?" That was the first time I actually called the University a home.
He held out his hand and I took it. It had been a long day and I was tired. Without thinking, I intertwined my fingers with his. He opened my door again and I looked at the other dwindling cars. Most were pulling off, including some that had extremely loud music and laughs emanating from them.

'Drunk University students,' I thought and rolled my eyes.
Driving home one of the loud cars on my side seemed to be swaying and speeding, but I had barely noticed. It was going our way.
"Violet, I wanted to give you something toni-" Xander started.
"Pull over," I said with slight desperation in my voice. The swaying car was getting closer rapidly and making me so nervous, that I hadn't even noticed who was in the car.
"What?" He asked.
"Pull over!" I tried to turn the wheel and we swerved, while our car dropped back.
He took his foot off the gas and out car stopped but the other didn't. It skid and swerved right into the ditch of the median. I heard metal crunch, glass break, but the radio kept playing. Music playing as I heard the drunken laughter from their car stop. I don't know how long I sat there having flashbacks.

This car was flipped, steam coming from under the destroyed hood. All I could think of was my parents. When I finally got out I could hear sirens in the distance slowly coming closer. My heels were in my hand and I was running; I didn't know who was in that car, but I didn't care. I slid down the slick grass and grabbed the car door handle, but it wouldn't budge. Sticking my shoe inside the partly opened driver door, I pulled and it cracked open farther.
"Violet!" I heard Xander call me, but I didn't care. I pulled the driver out and looked at his face.

Trenton.
His ice blonde hair seemed duller and his face was cut. He had never looked more human, more normal. I cradled his face in my hands, urging him to wake. I pulled the glass shards from his shirt. My tears dropped onto his face making slurry rivers of dirt and water run off his cheeks.
"Trenton...wake up. Please." All I could think of is how I didn't want anyone else to go the way my family did. I didn't care if he had lied to me or about how upset I was with him. I just wanted him to live.
Strong arms were pulling him away. Paramedics. Firefighters were using the Jaws of Life to get all the other passengers I hadn't even noticed out of the cars. Strong arms started pulling me away, too. It was Xander. I started thrashing and screaming. I was scared Trenton would die.
"Violet! Calm down!" he said. My flailing arm connected with his face and his grip on me faded.
___
Xander's POV
As soon as she slipped out of my grasp, the police were telling her to stay back and walking her towards the ambulance. I followed and saw them wrap parts of her in gauze. Her legs and arms had been bleeding from kneeling in the shredded metal and holding Trenton's broken body
I sat beside her and saw she was shaking even with the throw they had provided for her. She hugged me and held on as if I were a life-preserver and she was drowning.
Did she actually like him?
Did she love him? She couldn't, could she? Even a fraction of how I felt about her?
Her eyes were red and her dress smudged. I held her until the police volunteered to give us a hospital-bound ride.
Did I want to see him? No.
Would it be what she wanted? Yes.
"Yes, sir."
Violet was fast asleep and angled against my shoulder. We drove to the hospital as I felt the box in my jacket pocket and wondered if I'd ever have the chance to give it to her now?

Don't hate me for my hiatus. I re-wrote this chapter with a more interesting plot.
This is my first time on Buzzle since that last post. Don't hate me! I'm sure you didn't even notice I was gone.
Btw, feel free to look at my other short.