Chapter 5 Scattered innocence

~Haisley~

I pushed open the two double doors to the art studio, my breath catching in my throat the moment I stepped inside. The space was huge- tall windows spilled the soft morning light onto rows of easels, shelves stacked with paint, brushes, and canvases waiting for stories to be born. The faint smell of paint oil and charcoal wrapped around me like a web.

Now,this...this was where I belonged, stepping in deep I let my fingers brush over each easels I pass savoring each tingling sensations that it sent to me. I dropped to a seat next to the corner

I focused on the canvas in front of me-a blank slate that could absorb all my turmoil and transform it into something beautiful.

The instructor, a kind- faced man with a spark in his eye, started the lesson with a warm smile, but I barely heard hid words. My mind wandered back to Xavier, to the simmering tension between us, and to the way he had looked at me-like I was both prey and a puzzle he was determined to solve.

"Alright, everyone, let's get started on expressing emotion through color today!" the instructor announced, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I picked up my brush,the wood grazing in my fingers, letting the vibrant reds and blues swirl together on the canvas. With every stroke, I poured my frustrations and fears into the artwork, channeling the energy that had built up inside me. The colors danced wildly, reflecting the storm brewing within.

After class, I lingered a bit longer, lost in my painting. The room was filled with the soft murmurs of students chatting and retrieving their belongings, but I remained immersed in my work. Time slipped away as I mixed colors and applied them to the canvas, losing myself in the process.

I smiled to myself when I saw what I had just created, my heart racing with happiness as I walk out of the studio.The sunlight outside had softened, casting a warm glow on the pavement as I stepped out of the art studio, my heart still fluttering with that familiar rush of satisfaction. The door clicked shut behind me, the world outside feeling a little less heavy after losing myself in that painting.

I hesitated at the door before pushing it open. The scent of expensive perfume and hairspray hit me first, mixed with the faint echo of laughter bouncing off marble walls. The dressing room was massive more like a private lounge than a changing room. Plush white benches, gleaming lockers, designer bags and shoes scattered like careless trophies.

I froze near the entrance, clutching my bag against my chest.I hadn't expected crowd on the bathroom. Around me, the other girls peeled off their designer jackets and swapped them for tight branded sports bras and tiny shorts, their giggles sharp like tiny knives. A few glanced at me but then looked away, as if I were a smudge on the polished floor.

I shuffled sideways, trying to find a quiet corner where she could breathe. My throat tightened. I felt like a ghost drifting through a world I'd never belong to.

Suddenly I felt a hand clamping to my hair, yanking me backwards causing me to hiss in pain-Rebecca. The same girl who had made it a habit to pass cruel remarks whenever I was within earshot. The same girl who had a sharp tongue and a nasty way of turning everyone's attention on me, like I was some kind of target. I didn't know why she had it out for me. Maybe it was because I never joined in her loud, bitchy gossip sessions, or maybe it was because I refused to be intimidated by her clique.

She turned to me, eyes glinting with a mischievous flame. "Well, well, well. Just in time Haisely," she says each word dripping with venom, rolling a strand of hair in her fingers as her gaze swept on me. I felt the familiar weight settle on my chest as Rebecca's eyes narrowed, her gaze sharp as glass. It was like a switch flipped in her brain whenever I walked into her orbit, and the whole world became her stage for whatever cruel performance she had in mind. The group around her giggled, their voices dripping with that fake sweetness that made my skin crawl.

Rebecca clicked her tongue, as if she were disappointed. "You know, you could always join us. We could teach you how to, you know... actually fit in."

The air around us thickened. The group snickered, clearly enjoying this little moment of humiliation they'd carved out for me. But I wasn't about to let them pull me in. Not today.

I turned to leave, but then I heard her, soft and almost mocking. "What, you think you're special now, with your little art project?"

My hand faltered for a second as I reached for my bag, and a part of me wanted to turn around, fire back with something sharp and clever.

"Aren't you tired of hiding under your sister's shadow?" Rebecca taunted, eyes on her manicured fingers, knowing she had hit the right spot. My grip on my bag tightened, knuckles white. "I really need to go" I say, my voice barely beyond a whisper. But she had other plans, "No, Haisley.. I think you should stay here with us, besides am bored and it won't hurt if I had some toy to play with"

I could feel the heat rise in my face, the sting of her words wrapping around me like a vice. My chest tightened with each second that dragged on. "You think I'm just some toy, Rebecca?" I said, my voice strained but steady, barely keeping the tremble in check.

She tilted her head, a mocking little smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Well, aren't you? You're just... so easy to push around." She leaned in slightly, as if savoring the moment, watching me struggle to keep my composure.

The group around her laughed softly, like this was some kind of performance they'd all rehearsed, just waiting for their cue.

She shoved me on my shoulder, pushing me closer to a tiny room "Don't take it too personal." she whispers

Then click.

I was locked inside a tiny space, surrounded by darkness, I scrambled up and banged my fists against the door. "Open up! Let me out!" My voice cracked but no one answered I could already hear the laughter fading, their footsteps echoing away. I pressed her ear to the door but only silence came back.

A small sigh behind her made me jump. I turned around quickly, my eyes adjusting to the dim light. A girl sat cross-legged on the cold floor, her back against the wall. Her hair was messy, and faint bruises bloomed purple beneath her cheekbone.

"They won't open it," the girl said calmly, as if they were discussing the weather.

"What?" my voice was sharp with disbelief. "This is insane what is this?"

The girl lifted her eyes tired but not surprised.

"Am Kathy by the way"

"Haisley," I whispered back, offering a small, sad smile.

My breath trembled as I slid down beside her, knees tucked tight to my chest. "This is so unfair," I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of it.The coldness of the floor seeped through my jeans as I sank down beside her, feeling every inch of the hopelessness that came with being trapped in a tiny, dark room. The silence that had settled around us was deafening, a thick blanket that smothered every thought and emotion, leaving me feeling like I was suffocating.

The girl-Kathy, she said-was still sitting there, leaning against the wall with an eerie calmness. She didn't seem rattled by the situation at all. Maybe she'd been here before, maybe she knew what it was like to be stuck in this little prison of cruelty.

I swallowed, my throat tight. "Kathy... What's going on? Why are you here?"

She glanced at me, her eyes tired but holding some unspoken understanding. "Guess you could say we're both on the same level now, huh?"

I furrowed my brow. "What do you mean?"

I didn't know how long we stayed there, talking in that small, dark room. But when the door finally opened again, it wasn't Rebecca who came back. It wasn't any of the girls.

I didn't know how long we stayed there, talking in that small, dark room. But when the door finally opened again, it wasn't Rebecca who came back. It wasn't any of the girls.

It was one of the staff members, a tall woman in a uniform, her expression shifting between confusion and frustration as she took in the scene before her. "What's going on here?" she demanded, her voice sharp as she looked from Kathy to me, her eyes narrowing.

Kathy stood up slowly, brushing herself off. "We're locked in here," she said coolly. "And we'd like to leave."

The staff member raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting that response. "Who locked you in?" she asked, but Kathy just gave a dry laugh.

"Do you think it matters?"

For a moment, the woman didn't know what to say. She glanced down at the door's lock, then back at us, and finally gave a long sigh, stepping aside. "You can go now."

Kathy left, waving at me leaving me all alone. By the time I reached the courtyard, the wide grassy pitch was nearly empty.

I caught a glimpse of Hazel walking past me, surrounded by a small circle of perfectly styled girls. They didn't even glance my way like I was just air. I watched Hazel's cold expression disappear into the crowd before turning away, my throat tight.

My head throbbed faintly from being locked up earlier. I needed a moment alone, maybe splash cold water on my face wash this day away. I pushed through the doors of the nearest restroom, eyes focused on the cracked tiles under my shoes.

But when I lifted my head my breath caught in my throat.

There, near the far wall under the flickering yellow light, Xavier leaned back casually as if this was his private bedroom. His shirt was gone, tattoos twisting across his tensed arms and chest. A girl completely naked was pinned between his body and the cold wall, her long legs locked tight around his waist. Her head was thrown back, mouth open in a moan that echoed off the cheap tiles.

I froze. My bag slipped down my shoulder unconsciously but I didn't feel it hit the floor. Heat crawled up my neck and burned my ears I couldn't move, couldn't even breathe.

Then Xavier looked up.

Our eyes locked across the filthy, echoing room his dark, heavy gaze pinning me there. He wasn't surprised. He didn't flinch. A slow smirk curved his lips sharp, cruel like he wanted me to see.

And then, without looking away from me, he grabbed the girl harder, driving into her rough enough to make her gasp out another shameless moan. My pulse roared in my ears. I wanted to run, to slam the door shut, but my legs wouldn't move.

I could feel his stare on my skin like heat and ice at once watching me watch him. My hands trembled at my sides.

Then the girl turned her head slightly, eyes fluttering open and for a second, she met my horrified gaze too. But the girl only moaned louder, clinging to Xavier like she'd fall apart if he let go.

I stumbled back, my shoulder hitting the door. I fumbled for the handle, heart pounding so hard it hurt. But Xaiver just kept watching me like I was next. Like I'd already been chosen.