Chapter 4 - When Life Hits You, Punch Harder (Hale)

Bad Reputation - Avril Lavigne

I woke uncomfortable and stiff, as always. It took me eighteen years to finally get my own room, but the bed still sucked. I kicked off the blanket and shook out the rubber band in my hair. My dark hair fell and I felt it hit my waist. I could hear the busy street outside. After three years of bugged Miss Darren for the attic, she finally gave it to me. It was a small room, but it was big enough for me. A bed in one wall, with a big window on the opposite wall. A dresser was settled in one corner, that held my handful of clothes. Tugging on some ripped jeans and a black top, I braided my hair back into a singular French braid. I knelt down by my bed and pried up the loose floorboard and took out my camera and a small canister. I took the cap of the canister and shook out my necklace. It was too special to leave unprotected when I was sleeping. Another girl would try to steal it, along with the camera that I bought four years ago at a pawn shop. I secured the onyx crystal pendant around my neck. I slipped my camera into my bag. As I walked downstairs, I could hear the other girls getting ready, and starting their morning chores.

"Miss Hale! Stay right there!" Miss Darren snapped from behind me. I stopped and turned around with a sly smile.

"Good morning Miss Darren," I greeted in a sickly sweet voice.

"You know it's funny, we've had girls here for a few months that go home polite lady's. You have been here your whole life yet you have no manners at all,"

"Thank you for that insightful ponder, good day," I said with more venom than sweetness.

"Where do you think you're going? Just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you get to skip out on your chores,"

"Aww,I didn't think you remembered,"

"Watch it, girl! I've been counting down the days till I can throw you out of here,"

"Love you too, "I could see her fighting a smile. That was the relationship I shared with Miss Darren. Deep down she cared, but she had a reputation to uphold and so did I.

"Upstairs bathroom, now," I groaned and brushed past her. Another girl was up there. I couldn't remember her name, so many girls came and went I didn't bother to get to know them. Rich parents dropping off their bratty daughters to have them straightened out. Week after week, I got tired of it quickly, so did Miss Darren, which was why she was always in a bad mood.

"How nice of you to show up once I'm almost done," the girl snapped.

I gritted my teeth.

"I'm curious, did your parents drop you here for your bad manners or poor cleaning skills?" I retorted.

She glared at me. "Like your one to talk. Aren't you the girl who's parents dropped you here day one? I guess they just knew you would need life treatment," she smirked. I pushed her against the wall and pressed my forearm against her throat. I could feel her throat gasp for more air. "That's right I've been here for a long time. Do you think cleaning toilets is bad? I can make your life a living hell," I pressed harder against her throat. "Or I might just end it, here and now," I let her fear spread inside her and then backed off. She took a deep breath before rushing out of the room. Muttering that I was a crazy bitch. Great really handled that well, nice going Hale. For the millionth time in my life I wondered why I couldn't just calm down, why was I always so hot-headed and ready to start a fight?

I sighed and sat my bag in the counter. She wasn't wrong. The bathroom was practically clean. I picked up the towels and cleaning supplies. I put away the cleaners and dumped the towels into the hamper. The girls were all gone probably in class. It was quiet now, I hated the quiet. It made it easy to hear the whispers.

That's why I preferred living in the city, it was so loud it was almost impossible to hear your own thoughts. I slipped out of the building and called a cab. I rode it out of the city and to the edge of the woods, where a little cermerty was. I paid the cabbie and wandered into the gates. I strolled along the headstones snapping pictures as I went. When I was in the zone I was hyper-focused, time passed by in a blink of an eye and I would have to clue.

I was lying in the dirt trying to get a close up on an old scratched up angel statue, when a loud snap echoed from behind me.

I jumped and quickly looked behind me. I leaned my head to the side trying to find the culprit of the snapping noise.

I was about to call out when I saw a shadow move. I was frozen when I found the flesh of the shadow.

A large dark wolf was watching me at the gate. Its eyes scanning me, analyzing all of my movements.

"Ohhh shit," I murmured.

The wolf never broke eye contact as it slowly padded toward me, I slowly scooted back, my hands digging into the dirt.

I jumped as it surprised me when it curled up in front of one of the headstones.

I puased as its eyes flicked down my neck then back up to my eyes, it gave a low whine.

It was a female, up close I could see her slinky features, and brighter eyes.

I hesitated but I looked down to see what she kept looking at. My camera was sitting on my collarbone.

I gave a puzzled look and cocked my head.

"You want me to take your picture?" I asked in a barely audible tone.

The wolf perked up into a sitting position and straightened up.

I rose to my knees and took the camera in my hands, letting the camera rest on my cheek, I took a few good shots before there was yelling.

I looked behind me to see an older man in overalls coming toward me, his face hot and red.

"Hey, you! Stay right there!I'm calling the cops! This is trespassing! This is a private lot!" He shouted.

I quickly put my camera back in its bag and slung the bag over my shoulder.

A ruff hand clamped around the back of my neck and tugged me back.

Anger shot through me and I jabbed my elbow back, digging it into his gut, he let go of me and I took off, When I was near the road again I turned for a brief moment to see if I could spot the wolf again, but she was gone, there was no trace she'd ever been there.

"Weird," I whispered as I jogged down the road until I reached a payphone and called a taxi.

It wasn't until the taxi started to take off that I realized my necklace was no longer hanging around my neck. My hand rubbed my bare collarbone, there was no way I was going to go back. It was gone. my stomach dropped, as my hand chested on the bare skin.

I had the cabbie drop me off on the street, I wasn't ready to go back just yet and I could use the walk back to clear my head. I was almost back to the academy when someone grabbed my wrist and pulled me into an alley. I readied my first for a punch, but whoever had me slammed my fist into the wall as well.

"You son of a bitch! I'll-"

"You'll What? Watch your next words carefully, don't want to anger your boss do you?" I looked up at who had me pinned.

"I'm sorry Mickey, I didn't know it was you," I huffed, relaxing as I let myself see the person in front of me.

"Just checking in. As you know tonight is a big night,"

"I'm not running. I know our deal, I bring in a crowd and win I get half the money. Now if you wouldn't mind," I tugged against his grip.

He let go of me and smoothed my clothes and arms. "Good, good. How about you go grab your stuff and come by a little early?"

I sucked in a breath and nodded.

"Can you please get out of my way?" I asked rudely. He held his hand up in surrender and backed off. I let out a deep breath as I walked away. Mickey didn't scare me, who he worked for scared me. He was connected to some very shady and dangerous people. I tried hard to stay out of what I could.

I felt nice and safe once I was in my room. I tucked my camera back under my bed. I turned to the dresser and pulled out a pair of athletic black shorts and a gray sports tank top. I covered myself with a jacket and shoved my feet into some sneakers.

I snuck back out and blended in with the other people. The nightlife was starting to come out. I made my way to the alleyway and pounded on the door. It opened and Nick glared at me expressionlessly.

"There's that smile I love," I said with humor. He kept staring. "Great talk, as always," I murmured as I moved past him. I made my way to the locker rooms. There was a knock at the door and Mickey's voice followed.

"Decent?"

"Yeah, come on in," I said unzipping my jacket and took off my shoes.

I heard him come in.

"So I brought over the champion form a town over. Lots of people are coming to see this show. To see you against this guy. This best of the best,"

I nodded and shook my hair out of its braid and replaces it with two long braids that ran the length of my back

"Got it. Don't worry, I've never let you down,"

"That's my girl. I'll see you out there in a few. The crowd is full and ready,"

I gave a final breath and with my head held high I went out ready to meet the crowd and enter the pit.