Trespassing

Azaliah Krimson

I didn't want to keep that single promise. My chest burned and my mind ached from those seven words. The air became chilly around this time of the year. My dad offered me a lift to school but I declined. After the conversation I had with Felix, I wanted to be left alone. I made my way down the stone path from the back of my house and walked straight to the forest. I knew the forest well, I grew up here. I knew the shortcuts through the forest and followed the longest route to campus.

It wasn't even noon and already my mind is plagued. I was so tired from the lack of sleep, I was worried for my brother, my parent's happiness clouded my mind and now Jade might be having relationship issues.

Why couldn't life at least be easy? I sigh as I take my headphones out from my bag. I turn the music on and heavy metal music blasted through it. I hummed along to it as I made my way through the forest.

Rock music always calmed me. Music was always there for me when no one else was. I never liked pop music, it always sounded girly. But Rock music and heavy metal were on a whole different level. Ever since I could remember, I was always listening to rock music.

The longer route was long but peaceful. I checked the time and it was still early for the concert and classes were in the afternoon. I decided to take a detour and made my way to my secret place.

Pushing the branches from my hidden pathway, I walked into my garden. I dropped my bag on the ground and fell onto the grass. I closed my eyes basking in the sunlight. I was about to fall asleep when I felt something near me. My stupid senses have always saved me from danger. I jumped up and turned around but immediately collided into a taller form, I raised my arms to form a barrier on instinct. I jumped away from him and was about to get ready to fight but at that moment my heart failed me as it started to beat fast and a dreadful feeling washed over me.

Dark amber-colored eyes glared down at me with so much hatred that I cringed inwardly. The reason why my heart was beating so fast was that those amber eyes were what plagued my dreams at night. The tall guy growled at me in the most inhuman form and I staggered a few steps back.

"What are you doing here?" He asked with a grimace. There was so much pain, hatred, and disgust in those words. It made me wonder what was wrong with him.

"Excuse me but have we met before?" I asked because he was familiar to me and not cause of his eye color. I felt as if I knew him from a distant memory that was long forgotten.

"I don't think so, why do you ask?" His voice was filled with anger but I think it was mixed with curiosity.

"Then why do you hate me?" I asked out of the blue, this time I didn't feel terrified of him.

"I don't hate you." He replied with a stiff tone.

"Your tone of voice could have fooled me." My voice came out filled with anger.

"I hate when people trespass into private property."

"Since when has this forest belonged to anyone and how did you find this place?" I knew he was lying. No one owned this forest, anyone can go here freely. I would have known if it was private property or not. He was about to answer me back when my phone started to ring. I grumbled and answered my phone.

"Hello?"

"Where the hell are you Azaliah? We need you here to rehearse." Jade had called and I could hear the tension in her voice.

"Don't worry, I'll be there soon." I cut the call and stared at the tall stranger.

"You need to leave now and I hope that I never get to see you in this forest again." He said seething.

"Who do you think you are telling me what to do?! I can go wherever I want and I know for a fact that this forest isn't private property." I yelled at him and he let out a low growl. It sounded animalistic but I wasn't afraid. For a minute we had a staredown. He looked annoyed and walked away.

"Idiot" I grumbled and walked away from my secret place.

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I made my way backstage after an hour of walking through the forest. I couldn't wait to get this concert started. I needed to scream with the music. Our band only played Rock music.

"Finally she has arrived!" Jade yelled dramatically as she ran down the stage and engulfed me with a hug. Her black hair was curled and she had a black dress on and very very high heels that made me grimace at thought of ever wearing such high death traps.

"Where the hell have you been and what are you wearing!?" She gasped looking at my attire.

"I took a walk and lost track of time. As for my clothes, I decided to wear something very comfortable." I couldn't tell her that I was in the forest. That was my secret but now it seemed that secret was no longer a secret because now that guy knows about it.

"It's our last concert Azaliah" She pouted and I let out a small laugh.

"Come on, let's go." Soon after we prepared and everything was ready. We were supposed to go in a few minutes. We were just waiting for another band to finish performing. I didn't think there was supposed to be another band here.

I wait patiently backstage. The band that was playing was good. The lead singer was male and to be honest, his voice sounded like an angel. And the genre that they were playing was heavy metal. It was entertaining to hear them and it got me hyped up even more.

"Enjoying yourself already" Jade came to stand by me.

"Yeah, a bit. So what happened? What did you want to tell me?" I asked her and her eyes only showed sadness.

"Jade?"

"I'll tell you after the concert." It must have been really important. By the looks of it, it seems that everything is okay between them but it could only be my speculation. The other band that was on stage had finished performing. Three boys walked backstage. I was about to get a better look at them but I was pulled away to the stage.

"ARE YOU READY!!??" Jade screamed out to the shouting crowd in front of us.

I was the band leader but I wasn't as friendly as Jade. The crowd shouted back a yes and that gave me the courage I needed to sing and then we began the song.

"You were gone, I paid your price. You left your mark, my sacrifice. This open wound, where you can hide. To look away and bite the knife"

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