Can You Stake My Heart?

The room was empty, except for a man hastily scribbling down something on a large notepad. He looked up immediately and smiled.

“Ah! My first students of the year,” he said, getting up and walking over to us. “my name is Professor Quinn. What’s your name?” he continued, shaking my hand and Nina’s.

“I’m Nina. This is Rose.” Nina quickly said, knowing whatever would come out of my mouth would be idiotic. As he chatted to Nina, I got a growing feeling I knew this man. Where could I have seen him before? I haven’t really explored the campus that much and I don’t really come out of the dorm often. Finally, it clicked.

“I saw you on my first day here. You walked past me when I was getting my papers.” I stated. Both he and Nina turned to look at me. I stood there awkwardly as his eyes scanned my face, trying to recall what I had just mentioned. His quizzical, concentrated look was replaced with a bright smile.

“Ah! Yes, I remember now. I recognize the purple hair.” He said and winked before turning to walk back to his desk. “You ladies can take a seat. People should start coming in any minute now.” He yawned, straightening miscellaneous objects on his desk. I followed Nina to a table in the front. It wasn’t a regular lecture room, with rows of chairs. Just lots of tables, since after all, we’d be doing hands-on art. There was a lecture room connected to it, but I doubt we’ll be in there much.

Nina and I sat talking quietly while people began to file into the room. I quietly watched as more and more people came in. With every new face, I felt a wave of anxiety. I felt Nina’s hand touch my shoulder, and I knew she was trying to calm me down. I gave her a thankful smile and turned my head as I heard P. Quinn start talking.

“Hello everybody, my name is Professor Quinn, and I’m going to be your Life Drawing teacher for this term. In this class, you’ll be studying how to make realistic drawings, so realistic they’ll look like a picture. We will be studying…” he continued on as I got bored and looked around the room. I choked on my spit when I saw them in the back corner.

The group of goths that were outside our dorm sat at one table, glaring at me with hungry eyes. I felt very uncomfortable, even though I could only count three of them. I slowly turned around and tried to focus on the Professor, but I couldn’t ignore the feeling of their eyes burning holes in my back.

For two hours, he lectured about the techniques and where this art form came from. He showed us examples and showed us some of his artwork. He was pretty fantastic. I stared in awe at the drawing he had done of his niece. It looked like a photograph. A kid sitting across from me and Nina raised his hand. I rolled my eyes. Raising your hand in college is dangerous, even I knew that. Prof. Quinn seemed okay about it and gave him the go ahead.

“Do you have any kids and are you married?” the kid asked, and I think everyone in the room internally face-palmed. He didn’t know social boundaries, I guess.

“Yes. I’m married. And no, I don’t have children.” He said sternly and began to talk again. The kid interrupted him again, making someone groan.

“What’s her name?” He said, and I set my head down on the table. I felt embarrassed for this kid.

“His name is Miles. Can I continue?” He said, clearing his throat. Everyone was silent. I felt a strong wave of admiration towards him. That was really brave, not being afraid to admit who you love.

“Please continue.” I said, coughing, and he gave me a small smile.

“Thank you, Rose. Now as I was saying…” He began again, not getting any more hands in the air. At 11:38AM, he dismissed us.

“Goodbye everyone, see you all Wednesday.” He waved as everyone filed out of the room. Nina and I slowly shuffled behind the wave of students. I tried to keep my distance from the goths, because I was scared of what might happen if I get to close. I felt Nina tug my shirt, holding me back for a second.

“Rose, I have a class in ten minutes. What do you have?” She whispered, and I immediately gulped. I knew for a fact that this was the only course I had with Nina; all the others I would be alone.

“Nope, I have Photo 1 at 12:30 and then Animation at 5:00, so… I guess I’ll see you?” I whispered back. She gave me a small nod and rushed out the door. I sighed and exited the room as well. I retraced my steps and found my way out into the new September air. I decided to start walking to Photo 1, which would take me 10 minutes. As I walked, thoughts swam in my head about my mom, Nina, and… Gerard. I haven’t seen or heard from him since Starbucks. I’m pretty sure Brandon gave him my number, too. I figured that I was just another friend to him. I kicked a pebble with my shoe and looked up. I was in a little area enclosed with trees. I guess I wasn’t paying attention to where I was walking. I turned around to head back, hoping I could where I was going, and froze.

Two men, pale as a piece of paper stood there. Their black makeup and red eye contacts went with their skin so beautifully; it was like they weren’t even real. A girl stood in the middle, with the same makeup and eyes as the guys. Her hair was black and blue, and she was staring right at me. I suddenly realized, these were the people in Life Drawing. They had followed me.

“Hey there, sweet stuff.” The girl crooned and walked towards me. With every step she took, I stepped back until my back was up against a big tree, and she was right in my face. I felt terror creep up on me and take over my body. My blood was pumping so fiercely I thought I would die. I was scared. She clenched her jaw and gave me a sneer.

“Don’t be so afraid, it’s not like we’re going to kill you,” She laughed. “Well, maybe.”

“P-Please,” I stammered, “what do you want? Money? My phone? Please, I’ll do anything you ask, just please don’t hurt me!” I whimpered. I had been bullied by one girl from fourth grade until eleventh, when she finally dropped out of school. I knew this feeling all to well, and I didn’t like it.
“No, honey, see… we want you.” She snarled. Before I could even let out a helpless plea, I felt her fist connect with my gut. I doubled over in front of her, trying to catch my breath.

“Please!” I wheezed, but it was no use. The two guys had come behind me and put my hands behind my back. My vision went foggy and my ears felt like they were stuffed with cotton. A scream rose in my throat, but nothing came out. I heard a muffled voice of what sounded like “Share” and I was yanked up by my hair. The man behind me pulled my hair so far down, I was looking straight up at the sky. She had a clear shot at my neck. She was probably going to punch me right in the trachea, which would kill me.

I squeezed my eyes shut and started to do something I hadn’t done in a while. Pray. I prayed for everything I had done to be forgiven, for my mother to find her way, for Nina to get a better roommate.

“The others will be mad I got you first, but I’ve been waiting so long to do this.” She said, moving her hands around my neck. I gasped for what I thought would be the last time, and was startled when I heard the sickening sound of bone crunching.

The girl screamed out in pain and I felt the hands release me. I crumpled to the ground, keeping my eyes shut tight. Footsteps against the grass hinted that the girl had run away, but three people were still fighting. I heard punching and cursing, and someone getting slammed to the ground before what I assumed the other two men, ran away. I heard someone walking towards me.

“This is it. Say goodbye.” I thought. A hand touched my shoulder, and I lost it.

“Please don’t hurt me! Please! Please…” I sobbed, shaking. The figure got on their knees and touched my cheek.

“Rosalie, you’re okay! I won’t hurt you!” A familiar voice said, and I opened my eyes. I slowly glanced up to see the person that saved me.

It was Gerard.

His eyes were scrunched into a look of concern. He slowly helped me sit up, and once I was balanced, he took me into his arms and hugged me. I began to sob quietly into his shoulder. I was so confused and hurt. Finally after what felt like the longest time, he spoke out.

“I would never hurt you.” He whispered into my ear, and I fainted.

Notes

:O?!?!?

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