CHAPTER 8 : STALKER ALERT

JASPER

Romeo studied us and the body with a worried look.

 "I'm assuming he's her stalker", managed Romeo, wrapping an arm around our girl.

 She leaned into him, pursuing the comfort she desired.

 "No, I don't think so. It was too obvious stalkers like the chase", I said, staring at the man's deceased body.

 No remorse. No regret.

 "You sound like you know all about it", mumbled Midnight quietly. 

 I turned to her, and she raised her hands in some defence mechanism.

 A smirk overtook Romeo's face.

"If I wanted to stalk you, Midnight, I'd be very good at it, not mediocre," I stated, bending down and ripping the mask off his face. 

"Is that Ryan Turner?" quizzed Romeo, standing beside me.

 "Yes," I said, glancing at Night, who'd rushed out of the room.

Probably to be sick. 

"Call clean up, get this sorted," I managed as I walked out of the room swiftly.

 I found Night at the top of the stairs. She sat curled up like a little hedgehog, her head resting against the white spindle bannister.

 I sat beside her. 

"Are you okay?" I asked.

 She flicked her gorgeous grey eyes to mine.

 "It's weird because if it is him, my stalker, I have this weird freeing feeling, but then he could still be out there, and I can't cope with that, Jasper", she cried, upset.

 She wiped at her face with my hoodie sleeves. 

"You can keep that," I managed to say.

 She laughed softly, which caused a weak smile to hit my lips. 

"That's the first proper smile I've seen. I like it," she whispered, staring into my soulless eyes. 

"I'll try more," I said, gently touching her knee.

 She gave me this amazing smile, and I couldn't help but stare in awe.

 Her smile had the power to stop my heartless thoughts.

 "We better go", managed Romeo from behind us.

 He'd watched our whole interaction.

 I knew he'd been there, but Midnight hadn't.

 So, when she glanced at him, I watched the worry on her face.

"Let's head to the penthouse", he said, taking Midnight's hand and taking her downstairs. 

She gave me one last fleeting glance as Romeo dragged her down.

And all I could do was watch her leave.

**

Later, back at the penthouse, Dex was on the phone ranting to whom I assumed was the clean-up crew.

Romeo had Midnight bundled up on his lap, softly snoring. 

She was fast asleep, and Romeo held onto her like he never wanted to let her go.

Cal was staring at a bottle of vodka on the shelf.

 Callix couldn't drink, he'd sworn off it after he became addicted, so the fact he was thinking of it worried me.

 Axe watched him, concerned, ensuring he didn't touch a drop.

I was trying to write in my journal about today's encounters.

 Me and Midnight sharing that kiss.

It had made my soul open up. 

Just like it did with Lila, although it happened too late.

 I thought back to that day.

 The blood poured from her beautiful head.

 Her blonde hair had been soaked in.

 It knotted and lay spooled along the floor.

 The most haunting part was her eyes.

 They had been grey like Midnight's but had these green flecks inside.

 But when I found her, they were lifeless.

 Gone just like that.

She'd shot herself in the head.

 We all had our parts to play.

 But I'd tortured her.

 Told her I didn't know how to love.

 She was obsessed with me. She chose me. 

And it destroyed all the boys.

 I couldn't have Midnight choose me.

I didn't want to be loved.

 I couldn't be the man for her. 

They all deserved her, but I didn't.

 The worst part was that I had no clue who she'd choose right now. 

She loved them all for different reasons and didn't even understand how bad the obsession would get. 

Broken souls did that.

They attached themselves to sweet living things.

 I was a disease, and I ruined everything I set my hands on, including sweet Dehlila.

MIDNIGHT 

Waking up the next day, I realised I was on Romeo's lap, and I shifted slightly to try to escape his encasing hold.

 "For fucks sake", I heard Callix say.

Turning my head, I watched him give Axe some coins. 

"What's going on?" I croaked, clearing my throat quickly.

 Axe began laughing.

 "Cal and I had a bet to see what you'd do when you found yourself snuggly with Ro," he smirked, winking at me. 

"I won, of course", he murmured, nudging Cal and wandering over to me. 

Romeo still had his arms wrapped around me, and I sighed.

 "Five more minutes, princess", he groaned, nuzzling his face into my neck. 

I let him and began stroking my hand through his thick blonde hair.

"What time is it?" I asked quietly.

 "Seven", muttered Cal with a weak smile.

 He handed me a hot drink, and I whispered a quiet "thank you."

 "Why are we up so early" cried Romeo, trying to get his face further into my neck.

 His hot breath burned my skin, and I kissed his head quickly.

 "Can I wake up like this every morning, please" he murmured.

Sounding so unlike his usual cocky self. 

He sounds almost childlike and vulnerable, seeking all my available attention.

"You know Dex wouldn't like that," I managed back, sipping my drink.

It burned the roof of my mouth, and I winced.

 "Dex won't like what?" managed Dex, coming in from the bedroom in a white shirt and black ripped jeans.

 He looked beautiful.

 His black hair was pushed back as he studied me cautiously. 

"A sixsome," laughed Romeo.

 The vibration bounced on my neck, and I couldn't help but laugh, too. 

Glancing at Dex, I noticed his deep blue eyes darken as he watched me.

 "We have no time for this chit-chat; school starts in less than an hour and I need to run last night by you Dex," said Jasper, checking his watch and wandering out the front door. 

"Come on, lazy bones, before Dexter shoots lasers from his eyes," I whispered to Romeo as I gently placed my cup on the coffee table. 

"Race you" shouted Romeo, jumping up and bolting into the bathroom.

 I giggled as I chased after him rapidly. 

** 

Romeo won and didn't mind gloating as we entered the school.

His arms were wrapped around me as he whispered how beautiful I looked today. 

The first lesson today was English.

 "I'll see you later, princess," whispered Romeo, kissing my head softly.

 He walked off with Dex and Callix, and I watched after him.

 I was becoming obsessed with Romeo, and that was a big problem, especially with how Romeo was.

Jasper hurried into class, pushing past me, not sparing me a glance.

"Finally, I get you all to myself," managed Axe, his amber eyes shining.

 He wrapped his arm around me as we went into English. 

Sitting in English with the guys, I focused on getting my work down until the door opening caught my attention about halfway through the lesson.

 Laina, one of Selena's girls, wandered in. 

She glanced at me quickly, her light blue eyes screaming joyfully. 

Whatever she was happy about, I bet it couldn't be good.

 "What's going on?" I whispered to Axe.

But he ignored me, focusing on the door like he was expecting someone to enter. 

And whoever it was, wouldn't be good for me or the Rose Boys.