creeping in the night || kiah

As she turns she feels the regret begin to link into her skin like ice. It slipped through her limbs making her shiver as she walked, her foot steps echoing around her. She didn't want to leave, in fact if she could have it her own way she would have stayed, but she knew that she was pushing her mother a bit to far lately- and despite her big talk, she was scared shitless of the woman and of the consequences that might occur if she eventually over stepped that line that was growing ever so thin. (she was testing fate neing out so late without even mention a word about where she was off too this morning.) She does not look over her shoulder as she walks away, not wanting Alfan to see the longing in her eyes. She didn't want him to think of her as weak, in a way, giving into him easily. She was a strong minded girl and stood tall on her actions- and she would not loose that reputation she had built just because she found herself liking this boy-

liking? 

Did she like Alfan? Yes she knew that he was one of her truest friends, someone who she wanted to share everything with, but knew that she couldn't. Yes he could make her smile, make her pulse race and her smile seem like it would never die, but did she like him as more than just a friend? Never before had she found herself liking someone, yes she lusted and desire the attention of any guy who she could get it from, but with Alfan it was different. She hadn't tried anything on him. Usually she would have toyed with the boy by now, teasing him, stringing him along, but she didnt with Alfan because... because... why? Why hadn't she tried anything with him? Was it because she was to shy too? To scared too lose what they had? 

The thought catches her off guard and she finds herself tripping over her feet. Cruses fly from her lips as her knees hit the cement, causing a spike of pain to shoot through her body. Climbing to her feet she dusts off her knees, examining the broken skin quietly, a frown slipping across her brow. Small drops of blood begin to for like beads across the skin of her knees, like tears of a weeping chid and she just sighs with frustration, wrapping her arms around her exposed midriff, before continuing her walk home. After the trip  she promised herself that she would no longer think about Alfan and her growing feeling for him. She did not need to confuse herself at the moment, not when she was about to face a beast that no child should ever have to face: her mother. 

The house rears up before her, it walls climbing high into the sky. She pauses and watches at it lumbers over her, almost appearing as though a warrior cowering in hits opponents shadow. But she would not cower, she was stronger than that. She would face the dragon lady with shoulders straight, and eyes focused. she would not let her mother win. Closing her eyes for a moment she takes a deep breath, calming her racing heart, preparing herself physically and mentally. The last time she had been late the situation had gotten rather aggressive. Usually she wold just smile and suck it, but since hanging out with Alfan she has realized that she needed to be stronger, not only around him and others, but also around her mother. She needed to tell her how she really felt- but how could she when the woman looked at her with eyes seething with rage mingled with disappointment and hate? 

Opening her eyes she forces a small elegant smile to appear- thats when she looked down, down at her half clothed body. She couldn't walk into her home like this, the fire she had created would already burning, seeing her like this would turn that fire into furnace for sure. Panicking she looks around herself, her eyes darting from side to side. Nothing. She looks behind her, studying the area for anything to clothe herself in, her eyes coming to focus on something totally different. Movement, moment of human sorts just outside her yard. Narrowing her eyes she steps away from her porch and into her garden, plants and small trees danced around her, pruned to perfection. Usually they were the one thing that she loved about the house, but lately mother had been getting them trimmed and pruned to often that their wild side never gets to resurface- it was almost like she was proving that she could tame me, with the right amount of trimming and shaping that soon I would be just like the plants. The perfect daughter. 

The movement suddenly stops and she sees a flash of black, her eyes targeting the spot she approaches, her lips pulled back in a hiss as she sees more. Like the height of the figure crouching in the bushes. Like the color of his hair, or his pale skin. She knew instantly who it was. It was Alfan and at first her heart skipped a beat before her whole body filled with rage. He had followed her. Followed her all the way home. She was furious and it would not take a stranger to know as she screamed his name, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Alfan!! What-what are you doing here_ why are you at my home? you fucking followed me?! How-"

"Olivia Harper. I think that is quite enough." The voice is as cold as steels, wrapping itself around Oli's throat cutting off any last words. She freezes. Her face melting to one of fear almost as she forces her body to stand straight, her shoulders back She takes a deep breathe, trying to ignore the way the woman's eyes seemed to burn holes into her shoulder. She could do this. Ignore the fact that Alfan was here. That he had followed her, that he know knew a bit of what she was trying to hide. That her playing along with her mothers sick game was normal. 

Turning she allowed her face to split into a small smile, something of elegance rather than cheekiness. 

"Mother, its late, why dont you go back inside. I know I am late, but I promise you-"

"There will be no more excuses young lady. I will take no more." Her eyes shut Oli down, forcing her to stop speaking as the woman leaves the porch, climbing down the steps towards Oli and Alfan. Aflan was still slightly hidden and all Oli could do was hope that mother wouldnt see him. Please dont let her- "And who is this boy hiding in our garden like a common creep?"

Oli's heart sinks. No, Alfan was the only thing that Oli had that was not tarnished by her mothers hand. But now, would this encounter change everything? Change how he felt, how she felt. She would feel herself begin to shiver as the boy stepped from his hiding place and she found herself begging him not to change, not to look at her like a stranger. please. 

"Olivia you are to leave this house right now I cant even look at you, your pathetic, a waste of space. How can you be the one wh o is meant to be the next head of this house. Leave and don't come back until sent for. If we even see you hanging around the house, we will call the peacekeepers and have you locked u. Do you understand that Olivia? Well do you?"

"Mother please. Mum you cant do this to me. I am sorry, I- I- I never meant too hit her son! He was being rude! He taunted me and then before I knew it-"

"The mayors son. Not just any boy but the boy of the most influential person in this whole district. You have tarnished our family name- your a disgrace."

A sob slips past the girls lips. She had told herself that she would not cry, that she could not cry in front of this woman because showing weakness was her biggest mistake. 

"But mother ho-where am I supposed to go?" No matter how many times she told herself to be strong, to stand up to the woman, she cpuldnt her voice so small as she looked up at the woman who was supposed to calm her as she sobbed, who was supposed to love and believe her even if she may have been in the wrong.

"Olivia I dont really care."

The words strike home and suddenly the tears stop falling, the girls face wiped of all emotion as she looked up at her mother. She did not care. She did not care what happened to her because if she needed to she could always groom her younger sister into the head, forcing her sibling to become a glove wrapped tightly around the woman's fingers. And Oli would never let that happen, never allow one of her sisters to become the puppet she was forced to become. So instead of crying, instead of begging or her mother to forgive her for her mother to love her she climbed to her feet and walked into the yard. Not looking over she shoulder she left the premise of her supposed home, melting into the shadows.

Alfan walks from his hiding spot, his face split into a sharp grin as words slip past the guard of his lips. Oli tried not to look at him as he speaks, but as the words slip into the air she finds herself following them back to their owner, her eyes watching as he tossed a quick wink in her direction make the skin on her cheeks warm slightly as she realized that he didn't care. That he was still going to be there for her. Her most valued friend. 

”I was just making sure that Olivia came home safe. It is my fault that she is late, so any blame should be placed on me.” A small ball of rage begun to burn deep within her. She did not need his protecting. She was not some weak little child that they teased together, she was a strong independent girl who could take care of herself. But instead of showing her anger she smiled. She would express her thoughts later. When they were alone. 

"See, mother. No common creep, but just a worried friend." But as Oli turned her eyes back to her mother she found that the woman could care less about the boy, her eyes burning daggers into her own skin, Alfan almost forgotten. She found her mother examining her body, and her lack of clothing and Olivia felt her cheeks begin to burn. She knew what her mother was thinking, even before her raging eyes meet her own. Before her mother could say anything she steps forwards, her hands in the air before her. "Mother, no, this," Her hand weaves between herself and Alfan, "its not what you think, I swear."

But her mother would have none of it. "Enough." Stepping towards the girl she raises her hand, brining it down the sound of flesh striking flesh fills the air. Oli stumbles backwards, pain biting at her skin like the fangs of a spider, it venom seeping into her skin causing her skin to tingle wildly. "Mu-mum," this time Oli could not stop the tears that begun to well, making her vision blur as she turned, and ran from the garden and back onto the streets. Her mother doesn't stop her. She knew she would not stop her because Oli was no longer welcomed their. Once agains he had been thrown to the curb like garbage. But this time she was unsure as to when she would be allowed to return- if she was ever allowed. 

Tears stained her cheeks, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to control her breathing, as she tried to controlled the way her throat closed and a sound close to a sob escaped her lips. She hated the fact that she had cried in front of the woman, she hated the fact that she had ran, tears filling her eyes as she fled from her own home and onto the streets of district two. Maybe she should have stayed. Maybe she should just have apologized and averted her eyes in submission before quietly entering the house without another word. But instead she had opened her trap. She had stood her ground because she had not wanted to look weak in front of him. In front of Alfan. Fresh tears begin to well in her crystal blue eyes as his face comes into her mind. His wicked grin, filled her mind and suddenly fear encased her body. Fear that she would never get to share that smile with him again. Fear that he would hate her after seeing her so weak. 

Taking a shaking breath she forces herself to calm down. Closing her eyes for a moment, she pushes everything out of her mind, her mother, the fight, Alfan. Alfan. Alfanalfanalfan-

”Oli!"

His voice fills the air.  It fills her ears and she presses her body against the fence she sat against. Hands wipe at her eyes, smudging the make up she wore, but she didn't care, she needed to hide her tears, hide the fact that she was human, vulnerable and weak. She had spent so much time with Alfan these days and she knew that he would not look at her the same with if he could see her now. His eyes would spark with that evil glint they got when ready to take down a victim. His lips would hook back, but not in a smile that was just for her, but a smile that was as sharp as a blade, ready to strike and kill its prey. 

"Oli I am sorry!”

Sorry. Never before had she heard the word sorry fall from his lips. Her heart skips a beat and she peaks around the corner of the fence, her eyes coming in contact with the boys tall form. She watched him closely, his cheeks slightly flushed, his chest rising and falling as he tried to catch his breath, as his eyes searched wildly for her. As she watched she begun to wonder why. Why did he care? Why was he still here? Did he want to hurt her? Did her want to pull down her walls, and watch as her already crumbling world, fell to the ground even faster, watching her scramble around trying to pick up the pieces and put them back together. 

As she watched him she realized that she didn't want him to hurt her because she found herself, each and every day, that bit more drawn to him. Even right now, as he looked for her, she wondered if maybe he wasn't looking for her to break her, but looking for her to help fix her... Maybe, despite everything, he actually did care about her. he thought made her cheeks warm, her heart pounding that little bit faster in her chest. Taking a deep breath she climbs to her feet, dusting the dirt from her pants as she steps out from the shows of a near by garden. 

"Alfan..." Tears fought to fall once again as she stared up at him, as she fought to maintain control of the storm of emotions that swarmed u throughout her. "Alfan..." And thats when she steps forwards, towards the boy, her body crashing into his, wrapping her arms around his neck. She does not sob though, her tears falling silently down her cheeks as she held onto the boy, hoping that he would not push her away, hoping that he would not toss her to the curb just like her family. "Alfan..."

His strong arms wrap around her, protecting her from the world, protecting her from the people who wanted to hurt her. She leans into him, comforted by  the way he held her, so tightly, but not too tightly, but tight enough too reassure her that he was there and that he would always be there. She felt her tears dry up, her body which had been battered by cold winds, suddenly warm as though she had been wrapped up in a toasty warm blanket. No one had ever held her like this before. Usually when a man held her they were trying to seduce her, trying to convince her that it would be okay for her to sleep with them, to let loose and usually she would fall for it, whisked away for the night. But tonight was different. He was different. Her arms tighten around his neck, her tears no longer fell, they didn't have a reason to fall. 

“I am sorry for following you…I just …I just needed reassurance." He speaks encouraging Oli to pull away slightly, just enough to look up at hi, through her tear stained lashes. (She must look like a mess right now, mascara stained cheeks, eyes glassy. Face red. The thought almost makes her want to look away, but she forces herself not too, after all why should she be embarrassed?) But his words also bring a slight frown to her face. She hadn't known that he realized that she was hiding something from him. She had been oblivious to the fact that he even cared about her enough to want to know, and despite herself she felt kind of satisfied by it. She liked the fact that he cared that he wanted to know. " You’re a mystery to me and well, I wanted to investigate.”

At his next words a laugh manages to escape her lips. Your quite the mystery yourself, she wanted to tell him, but she doesn't, her lips sealed shut because she didn't want to interrupt him as he smiled down at her, his lips split back in that grin that made her stomach fluteer with excitement. she would never get sick of seeing that smirk. But as quickly as the grin formed it melts, his face turning a shade of seriousness that she had never seen before, making her smile drops, her full attention focused on him. She was nearly going to ask if her was okay, but he cuts her off, words slipping past his full lips: ”If you need anywhere to sleep tonight, you’re more than welcome to stay at mine.”  

Despite herself, her face lights up into a smile that reaches her eyes, a smile that was all cheek. "Already inviting me mover for the night, aren't you at least going to buy me dinner first?" She winks at him. But as she places her hands against his chest her face turns serious. She didnt want to be a burden on him. She didnt want him to see her as pathetc and helpless- a damsel in distress. She had spent years preparing for this moment... She could do this, couldn't she? Be homeless? But she didn't have too, Alfan had proposed a solution- and maybe he wouldn't see her as weak if she accepted his help because in the end, doesn't everybody need a little help here and there?

"Are you sure? Your parents won't mind? Would I be in the way?" Today she would accept his offer because after all he was still here wasn't he? He didn't seem to care how pathetic or how weak she looked. He was still here, arms wrapped around her fighting off the cold. 

He takes a few moments to consider her question. Oli knew that if it had of been her home that he mother would have turned him away as soon as he set foot in her house. Being the eldest daughter she was supposed to maintain a perfect image, one not scrutinized by flings and one night stands. If only she really knew her daughter, if only she really knew the girl behind the name. But she isn't- maybe she had an idea, but if she did she had kept it to herself for all these years... Tonight snapping. Before Alfan even responded Oli didn't find herself worry about whether or not is parents might care. She had a feeling that he wouldn't care. That it wouldn't matter what they thought if he wanted her to stay, he would stay. The thought almost makes her smile to herself, her mind brought back to the present by the sound of his voice. 

”Don’t worry, they won’t mind.”  

Her lips pull back into a wide smile, a wave of relief washing over her, making her tense body ( she hadn't notice how tense she had been until this moment) relax, her shoulder slumping as a huge weight is lifted off of them. It was at this very moment she realized just how scared she had been. She didn't want to have to face life on the streets. She had told herself that she had prepared. She had told herself that she could do it- and hell maybe she could do it... But she didn't want to, she really didn't want to. She was not used to a life of poverty, all her life she had gotten what she wanted, when she wanted. 

She is about to thank him, the words on the tip of her tongue when suddenly the air around her changes. She freezes, her body rolling with nerves. She knew what was supposed to happen as Alfan run his hands up her body, his finger tips brushing the soft skin of her arms as they climbed her body- making her skin tingle, making her stomach flutter as small nerves danced around inside her. Never before had she felt so nervous in a situation like this. Usually the guy was just rough, not worry about what she might want, just diving in his tongue down her throat before she can even stop them. But now, as his hands cup her face, titling her head so that she looked him right in the eyes it felt different. It felt nice and she smiles slightly as his lips touch hers. 

He is so gentle, his lips so soft and she is surprised when she realized that she had wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down closer as she pressed her lips against his, kissing him back. She brushes her lips against his gently, her lips pulling back into a smile because it felt so different to kiss him. She had dated others before, had feeling for other, but never had she felt like this. Never had she had someone care about her as much as he did, never had someone kiss her as gently has he had. Pulling away after a moment her smiles grows, a ghosts of a smirk as her sparkling eyes meet the eyes of Alfan, "What was that for?" she asks innocently, her heart in her throat. Her whole body was buzzing with energy, with excitement. 

Once again he is grinning at her, and once again she is mesmerised by the grin. Lost in it, knowing that it was all for her.  She found herself not wanting m to look at anyone else like that, his smirk so cheeky yet there was something else behind it. Maybe it was the warmth in his eyes that made it especially for her. When he grinned at others his eyes were like steel, but as he look at her there were softer. She never thought after the first day of meeting him that she would ever feel this way about him. When they had first meet that had bullied a nerd together, tying to out do each other in watching the kid hurt, in inflicting a brutality on to the kid that he would never forget. She liked to think that she won with her charm and seduction of the wimp, but maybe Alfans dominance and aggression had out shone her- not that she would ever had admitted that to him. 

Now she watches him, at a loss for words as he struggles to answer the question that seemed so innocent, but really wasn't. She wanted to hear him say it, she wanted to hear him say that he cared. She wanted to know what it sounded like to have the words fall from his lips, laced with his accent, with his deep voice... But she knew, as she watched him that he was fighting within himself. She knew that it was not him to tell her what she wanted to hear. And Despite how much she wanted to hear it she liked the fact that he kept it to himself, that he wasn't so easily moulded by her affections. 

So instead of answering her question he entwines his fingers with hers, his hand warm in hers as he begins to guide her down the dark and empty streets. His touch answer enough for her, allowing him to pull her along, her hand clasping his hand tightly trying to show him that it didn't matter that he couldn't say the words, hoping that he understood that she didn't need to hear them anymore, that she understood, that she found herself feeling the same way.  

”Come on lets go to mine.”

As they walked curiosity begun to claw at her stomach. She found herself beginning to wander what his life was like. What his house looked like, what his family was like, she found herself wanting to know more and more about him. She wanted to know what his favourite food was, his favourite colours. Her curiosity ate her, flowing through her veins like poison until she could not hold back any longer, questions pouring from her lips like a fountain of water: "So, what is your family like? do you have any siblings? Yo haven never really talked about them much- Are your parents cool? I hope, for your sake, your mother is nothing like my own...." Suddenly her cheek begun t sting, like her mother had just struck her right then and there. With her free hand her fingers guiding over the place where the woman had struck her,. Touching the tender skin gently. Before shaking her head, allowing her hand to drop to her side quickly.