Weird Hearts

Chapter One

...

Jacqueline's POV

'Brrng.. Brnnngg ' The annoying tune reaches my ears and I tossed sleepily on my bed. I yawned, stretched and sat up.

"I'm up! I'm up!" I groaned as it rang again. The old kill joy.

I reached for the alarm clock and turned it off.

With one hand, I rolled the duvet away from my body and tried to sit up more properly but the pain on my wrist surfaced and I winced. I took my hand up and checked my wrist.. I saw the red thick line circling it, the painful lines was more obvious than last night and the it had become too red and thick. Subconsciously, last night's event flew up my mind.

Fire. Screams. Anger. Pain. Tears.

I shook it off.

It's not like it's the first time. I just hope today will be different.

I got up, more carefully and cautiously this time and slowly rubbed my eyes. I walked to my window, stared out through the binders and sighed. My eyes were heavy with unfulfilled slumber and somehow I had to blink rapidly when the wind blew past them.

I hoped today would be good, at least better than yesterday.

My life has been moving tipsy-turvy.. From doing many menial jobs as a student just to get money; which most times ends up being collected, to the long minutes I spend walking to school, then facing Allan's trouble and crushing on the most handsome guy in Amity high; Jason.

Most times my days turns out to be painful and those times seem to occur nocturnally and when they do I feel unimportant, juvenile and pretty mad at myself for being me. For being the girl to have such a life. A sucky one.

I can be pretty clumsy annually but at the same time I'm a regular workaholic.. Being a high schooler and a staff wasn't easy; life just doesn't go smooth for everyone..But Jason has a way of wiping my sorrows for the moment, knowing that the next day would arrive and I'll be in school and look at my Jason always tend to erase memories of fateful events..

Just in case you're wondering, Jason's not mine, we're not romantically entangled and well, will not be physically but in my dreams he's always mine and we're perfect.

"Ouch!" I groaned after carelessly resting on my wrist, I sighed again and left the window.. The morning encourages me cos when they come, school comes and when school comes, there's no grimy moment. I stare at the sun ray and hope it beams at my day.

I slowly undressed and moved my frail body to the bathroom, after a quick shower, I laid my school clothes down; a long sleeved sweat shirt, I chose that because of my wrist and the other injuries markings on my skin.. The last thing I want is being queried by Martha about it.. I really don't like people knowing about how I live when they're not there and that's why I try to hide the scars, pull up a smile even though the pains beneath it are crushing, and then I try to move along and not feel different but happy when I'm with them.. Moreover, my life isn't the type to be envious about, it's the type you'd wish never to have. Few a time, Martha had seen the scars, purple wound, red bumps and a peek of some burns and she had asked questions, being the curious groove that she is and honestly trying to hide and deny it then putting on a witty smile like it isn't important, wasn't easy but I did my best. Although it was pretty obvious she didn't fall for it but She stopped questioning and the rest became history.. I've always avoided that repetition and I could say, I'm doing great.

I set out a long skinny jean to go with the sweatshirt, my undies and a black combat boot.. FYI.. I'm not a fashion-person, I'm just a random teenager who only thinks of surviving and have no time for trending looks. I wear what I think is cool and what covers my pains, that seems quite comfy to me.

I wore my dressing robe, pulled my feet into my flip-flops and walked to the living room to grab one or two things for breakfast. I walked slowly to the living room and it was empty, that means Allan's still asleep or away and I have the morning to myself, I sighed gratefully and walked to the kitchen.. I opened the fridge and grabbed a pack of cookies, I made coffee, added a bit of cream and sugar and stirred. Right there I had my breakfast. I quickly did the dishes and walked out of the kitchen..

"Trying to sneak out on me?" His voice sparked my insides, sending a sudden shiver to my spine and like an electrocuted being, I stood still.

Closing my eyes, I took in quick shallow breaths then opened them back and slowly turned to him.

He's home after all.. Looks like my little sparkles of light just got obstructed.

"G-g..ood morning" I stuttered , my gaze on him. He smirked and started coming towards me. A cup of coffee resting in his palm and steaming hot.

I gulped my saliva and watched him get to me.

I pulled back and eventually crashed against the wall, he caged me with his free hand; the one that didn't hold the coffee and bent his head towards me, I stiffened in fright.

Please.. Not now! My insides cried.

"Trying to escape huh?" He asked, his coffee-d breathe all over my face.

"Escape.. No I.. It didn't.. I mean..

I tried to speak but I ended up sounding like mush to my own self, something that happens when you have no self defense, I kept mute and he chuckled slightly, yet the wickedness in that hushed laughter was present..

"I'll take that as a 'yes'" he said then slowly took a sip from his coffee

"You know it's wrong to sneak out on family right?"

Family?? My subconscious repeated to me, like I hadn't heard him.

Does he really knows we're family or is he realizing that now because he has never treated me like one, well not until after the accident.

"Alright, I'll accept that you do. Wrong deeds deserve punishment. Don't they?"

"Allan, please not now. I-I-I have to get to school"

"That makes two of us, I have a job too but we can't leave corrections hanging.. It'll be improper"

I wanted to say something but the words died and a bile rose to my throat when I felt his hand working on the knot on my robe, resting on my abdomen. He loosened it and I felt the tears building up, he reached up to my shoulder and drew the robe down from that side.. Leaving my shoulder and a little of my cleavages bare. I fought the tears itching the corner of my eyes and sniffed in my inferiority, something that only Allan happens to unbuckle.

One of the thing I learnt is that crying never solves issues but at the same time letting them out releases the stress and that tight grief that biles up in your chest and sometimes, well most times; it leaves your head splitting with an ache.

I felt like a helpless wimpy worm being poked by a toothpick and just squishing around, taking the pains alone. I shut my eyes when I felt his palms pressing my shoulders.. He made a circle with his index finger and in a flash I felt a hot burning liquid on my shoulder and it crawled on my skin. I gasped in pain and my eyes flew open to see him dropping the empty coffee cup.

I felt the hot liquid burning into my skin, as if searching for an inner place to dwell and as it crawled deeper, it left memories behind. Painful memories plus a bumpy skin.

The pain was too excruciating though nothing compared to others that I've inhumanly received.. My skin kept burning and itching and ignorantly, like a slave begging to be freed, a tear fell from my eye and rolled, tickling my cheeks in a not-funny way. I sniffed again and looked at the devil's son, smirking at me.

After seconds which felt like forever, of bearing the pains.. Allan bent and put his head down then opened his mouth over it. Soon I felt his tongue working and aggravating the pains I was feeling. I shut my eyes and felt him licking my skin after taking in the coffee he had poured on me. His teeth sent hard bites to the corner of my skin that was red from the burns and I hissed in pain, quietly taking in the ferociousness of his handiwork.

He bent his head to me and licked my shoulder, then strolled his tongue down to my cleavages and he lashed them wet with his tongue. The feeling of inferiority juggled up in my system and I breathed in.. First holding the other tears that threatened to fall and secondly preventing myself from pushing him off me and running away because it never helped. I sunk into the wall, feeling disgusted, pained and angry at the same time.

After what seemed like hours, he slowly pulled away from me, I opened my eyes and in a swift moment I felt a light slice on my soggy, reddened skin, my shoulder.. Blood spurged out immediately and the pains doubled up.

I glanced at Allan, stored up tears blurring my vision and itching my eye corner. He smirked satisfactorily at me and closed up the pocket knife which had my blood on the blades, he drew my robe up to cover my naked shoulder and tied the robe, I could see the blood finding it's way through the soft fabric of my robe and making a pink line at the shoulder. My gaze fell on his.

Unwanted anger welled up to my body and I stared expressionlessly at him. That anger was bare because even though there was a thousand and one thing I wanted to do to him, I couldn't do a single one of them.

"I think that would do" he said, licking his lips.

My once blank expression turned to that of disgust, first at myself for always being weak, helpless and a tool for his satisfaction and wicked urges and then at him for being my source of pain and regrets, for having the same blood running through his vein, with me.

I tightened the knot on my robe, grabbed my shreds and ran out of his presence with them.

I hit the door behind me and walked to my lengthy mirror, with a tears covered face I squat and checked the burns on my shoulder, drawing my robe down.. The circular wound was swollen from all the suck and the dead skin was getting itself apart from it by the cut, blood resting on the surface. The circles were swollen and the slice made a bisection, reddening a little more of my skin, just a bit above my cleavage. I stood up and walked to the bathroom, I took off my robe completely and opened the bathroom door. I stepped into the en-suite and took the shower head, I turned it on and sprinkled water on the bloody wound, I watched as the water turned pink and ran down the drain.

I shut my eyes as a hiss of pain, passed through my teeth. I turned off the shower and head to my room. Getting the first aid box, I settled on my bed and took out a medicated scissors.. I slowly and carefully cut out the dead skin and left the open wound. I added an antiseptic that stings like mad, to stop the blood and cleaned up the wound. With closed eyes, I placed a plaster on it and covered it up. I opened my eyes and looked at it.. At the corners, I could see the red skin.. I stood up and checked the time..

8:02; I was so late for school.

I stood up and wiped my wet face and added a bit of my foundation.. I took the brassiere away from my set-out clothing, it'd only trigger the injuries.

I pulled into my clothes, tied the lace of my boot, grabbed a dollar and my phone, and walked out of my room.. I got to the sitting room and sighed out his absence, before hitting the road to school. I'm sure I'd be missing homeroom.

...

Jacqueline's POV

.

Continues...

.

I hailed a cab, got in and gave my destination to him.

I stuck my head out of the window during the ride and watched, houses, kiosks, streetlights, and people disappear as soon as they appeared . I took in a mouthful of air and relaxed in the chair.

Minutes later the cab pulled up in front of my school and I got down.. From outside I could see the huge three storeyed building..

Amity High (AH) had been one of the finest schools in the city and I could say I was privileged to be a part of it. I could call it the only achievement I have and the only thing I could boast of to people.

I walked in through the gate and surveyed the big building..

Silently praying, that I don't meet Mr-two-faced in a bad mood. I rushed to the stairs and climbed up to the second floor, where my class was located.. I got to the hallway and walked to my locker, unlocking it I stuffed my notes from it to my backpack. I strapped it over my shoulder and regretted the action almost immediately, a hiss of pain escaping my lip.. I gently took it off and held it before walking to class.

Getting there, I sighed gratefully after taking a peek from the classroom window and not finding Mr two face; It's a nickname given to Mr Robert, our homeroom teacher by a notorious guy in class and since then every student seem to have gotten fond of it, the whole class refers to him that way and that's only to ourselves because we never know when he gets his mood swings. The name actually referred to his changing personality.

Mr Roberts can be all sweet, charming, kind, funny and carefree today and tomorrow he is a complete opposite.. His moods get exchanged easily and when that happens, trust me you'd wish you never knew him. He's also not a fan of favoritism. On a normal day, when his mood stays on the good side and he by chance sees me in school at this time, he'd ask questions about it and sometimes, gives a dollar to solve your supposed problem so you won't be late the next day, but when His mood swings to the ugly; he can get you reported to the school director and they make you spend the whole day scrubbing gums from furnitures in detention.

Such a man!

I got into class and a few attentions were pushed to me, before turning back to their former businesses probably finding out it's not a teacher or a look-worthy student. I shrugged and moved into the class then to my seat close to Martha's. I looked over at her and her attention seem to be pretty much clouded on her mobile.. Too clouded for her to notice me.

I ignored her and unpack my notebooks from my bag.

"Jackie," I turned to see Martha, now staring at me. I almost thought I was invisible. "Hey why didn't you say you're here? I just sent you a text"

"Thought you had a pretty interesting thing down there, didn't want to be a disturbance" i said, putting a note to my side.

"Yeah you're right. I was actually checking out Roxie's fan Page request. And you? Why are you dressed like you're going on a sporting competition?"

I rolled my eyes "That's a really nice compliment Mart"

"Come-on girl I'm being honest. I mean who wear jeans and sweatshirt on a very hot day, I'm leaving the boots aside"

"Me? I guess"

"Yeah you and it's not a great fashion sense"

"We both know I have no fashion sense"

She wanted to reply me but a teacher walked in and her attention turned to him.

"Looks like Mr two-face didn't get a bad mood swing today" Martha whispered to me and I chuckled.

.

During lunchtime, I walked to the cafe with Martha, we chose a table close to the entrance after getting our food a

"Jackie.. You remember Dixie?"

"Dixie? Your role model? The one who sings with hula?"

"She doesn't sing with hula!" She said in a stern voice. "Anyways, she's having her first concert here in NY and it's at that big popular hotel three streets away from school . Isn't that wonderful?"

"Yay" I replied dryly because firstly I wasn't a fan of hers, I'm not even a music freak or an obsessed fan that lip sync their fave all the time. Although, there are few musical lyrics that I knoe and those are the ones that plays in the coffee shop where I work or from the street.. And FYI I do have one or two artiste that I like and a few of their songs on my phone, which I rarely listen to..

The emotions some of them brings up is what I don't fancy.. I hate reminiscing on my troubles and even though it's hard, I always want them pushed to the back of my mind and those emotional songs don't help.

"Do I sense sarcasm in that tone?" She asked, giving me one of her not so nice look. I shrugged.

"I already got ticket for us..

"Wait.. When is this concert holding?"

"Today. And hey don't give me that I-have-plans look. There's no way I'm letting you ditch me again"

"I'm sorry Martha but I do have plans. I'll be doing deliveries today"

"Wait you got another part time job?"

"Um yes.. See the pay's good, I couldn't ignore it"

"So you'll cope being a staff twice and a student?"

"I'll try" I said and she rolled her eyes at me before grabbing her burger.

"I guess I'll have to get used to being rejected by my bestie because we share nothing in common" she took a small bite from her food.

"Com'on Martha you Know that's not true.. We have many things in common but some of those things just happen to pop up at the wrong time " I said with a placating smile and she took her cup of milkshake and sipped. I sighed, feeling

Actually I do three part time jobs but I can't let Martha know that, she'll freak out for sure and try to find out why.. Something I want no one to know about. And fortunately she has been the only friend I've been this close with in the whole of A.A and the best one in my life.. She's one in many friends combined together and I really don't want to lose her.

We had lunch and discussed about random stuffs that doesn't really add up the sum and during those talks I kept looking around to see if I could get a peek of Jason coming in or going out of the cafeteria but unfortunately I didn't and it was sad.

After lunch, Martha and I head back to class.. We'd be having recess soon and for the period before it we had no class so Martha drew her seat very close to mine.. She punched something's into her phone and music started playing.. She dropped it between us.

"It's Dixie's latest song, I heard she'll be singing it at the concert. You should hear it, maybe you'd wanna have a change of mind"

I uninterested-ly drew an ear to the phone and listened to the song, not because I want to but because I didn't want Martha to refer to me as a geek or a fun squasher; which of course I am.. In some ways.

After minutes of listening to it, I was surprised I was loving it and humming along.. It wasn't one of those cool songs that draw out your hurtful past and leaves you crying over it. It was a typical bad-girl song, the types that pops you up and makes you want to shake, to leave your pains and just dance out the moment.

"So how'd you see it?" Martha asked, looking at me.

"It's really good and I love it but that's not changing anything.. I still have a job" I said and she rolled her eyes.

Soon, it was time for recess and I almost jumped up in ecstasy, I excused myself from Martha and walked out of the class, I ran up the stairs to the upper floor where Jason's class was located.. Don't get me wrong or think I'm a maniac but I sometimes take peeks at Jason through his class's window to see him.. I know it's just a one-sided thing, he probably doesn't know I exist but at least he does in my dreams and I'm okay with that.

Since he is a senior, I had to go up to the third floor because that's where all senior classes are located. I got to the third floor and walked in the hallway, almost getting to Jason class I tilted my head to the windows side, to check for him..

Paying less attention ahead and acting like I was a passer by. I was already at the class before his and just when I was getting to his, I hit something and almost tripped but I regained and stepped on a hard metal that cringed under my boot. I quickly looked down, ready to cuss at the distraction but my cuss came out as a gasp and my eyes widened. On the floor and in a completely bad situation was an obviously expensive smartphone pressed; by me or my boot and broken beyond recognition. I slowly bent and picked it up before turning to see the owner or probably realize it was an hallucination but another gasp passed through my lips when my gaze met am angry looking dude blaring daggers at me from his eyes.. I lost my voice immediately.

.

_________________________________

**

***Jacqueline's POV*

Continues...

I gulped nervously, repeatedly sending my gaze to the ruined obviously expensive phone in my hand and then to the angry dude whose gaze sent pitchforks at me.

"T-this must be yours" I awkwardly said.

Of course it's his .. My subconscious tells me and I gulped again, before slowly rubbing my temples in a thoughtful way, ignoring the pains from the gesture that followed.

"It was a mistake I--

"You literally running into me when your direction was clearly pointing at me, is a mistake?" He asked, his voice a little loud..

Okay what was I expecting? that he'd smile sweetly at me and his voice would be like melodious music to my ears?

"No.. I mean yes. You see I-I was actually in a hurry to get to somewhere really important and.. I guess I wasn't really paying attention to whatever's ahead of me"

"That's a really wack excuse!" He groaned.

I gulped again.

I'm in a deep shit right now.

"I guess you can say that but I'm being honest. I really was in a hurry" I said, praying in my heart that I don't get punched because I'm totally at fault and this guy seems fvcking rich!

"I'm sorry?" I said, more like questioned and he stared at me like I've gone bananas before scoffing.

"That doesn't fix the damage you've caused" he said. His voice tone made me shriek.

I should blame Jason for this but I can't.. My one sided love caused this.

"Yes.. " I respond like a dummy "so what do we do?"

"We? You're clearly the one at fault so why are you including me?"

"B-because..well.. you're partially at fault" I said before realizing it and sighing out my pointless guts.

"Wait..what? How am I at fault?" He asked, grimacing.

"You were too engrossed In your phone to notice me. You should've stopped me" I said and his looks were clearly like he was watching a psycho display stupidity. "Plus you're using your phone in the hallway when you should be down for recess.. we share our faults in this" I said, almost biting my lips at my senile words.

He scoffed and gave me a straight look that had a hint of disgust.

"You're really a stupid bitch. You know I could get you detained for this?"

I froze at the word 'detained'

"Okay.. No one's involving the law, let's play it fair.. How about I try to fix your phone up?" I asked..

"Does this looks like something that can be fixed. You've completely damaged it!" He seethe and I took my breath slowly.

From the corner of my eyes I could see Jason walk out of the class with his friends, my attention completely went to him and I admired his masculine beauty until he walked out of sight.. Without sparing a glance at me. I smiled.. At least I got to see him for the day.

My smile vanished when the problem before me hit hard on my chest and I quickly attention-ed myself to it.

"I can still try to get one or two things working.. You might not know this but I'm pretty good at fixing stuffs.. I can give it a trial" I said.

If that was true my parent wouldn't have spent a second in the grave and I probably won't be in this school and in this mess.

"And what if you can't ?" He asked, crossing his arm.

"Then I-I will replace it. I'll buy you a new one even though this one's a little old--

"And that's because you squashed it, dummy!. I got that phone last week and just so you know it's very expensive. I'll be expecting it in two days" he said and I gasped.

Two days!!??

Today's just 24th and they're about 6 more days for the month to run out and for me to get my monthly pay.. Where else will I get such money from?? And besides I'm not even certain all my salaries summed up can purchase a phone like this.. It looks way too expensive but I just have to try, right?

"That's too soon .. How about extending it to six days, I'll surely get your phone by then"

"Look, you don't have a choice.. I'm the one who makes the decision here--

"I agree but I really have to work to get the money, that's if I can't fix this one.. Just give me six days" I said pleading, my palms together and raised up to him.

His gaze roamed my body for a while, his brows perked up.. It was like it was trying to figure out something, I couldn't fathom and.. Wait! Is he misunderstanding me? Does he think I do some dirty jobs?.. Is he getting the 'work' thing wrong and besides is the phone that expensive that I can't afford the money to get it even though I do dirty jobs for six days.. I gave him a disapproving look.

"Uh. whatever.. Six days it is!" he said "And don't even try to play smart on me because I'll get you before you do" he warned and strolled off.

I tilt my head forward, grabbing the rail for support, I shut my eyes and inhaled deeply before slowly opening them..

This is so real. I checked the phone in my hand.. It sure looks very expensive and well, damaged..

How the hell did I ever think I can fix something like this? I'm not even an engineer or anything close to that.. I'm just an aspiring doctor juggling school life, work life and my emotions together. I really hope this does not land me into a deeper problem than I already am because for a student to use an expensive phone like this, I needed no soothsayer to tell me he's stinking rich.. He'll surely get me arrested for this and that'll only pile up my already set down problems..

Oh goodness, I sighed.. Why's my life like this.

I forcefully took my hands down and winced almost immediately, feeling the pain tugging at my shoulder. I sighed again.. I'd better go find Martha.

*

I joined Martha at the basketball field after properly hiding the phone in my locker. We sat and talked about random stuffs but I didn't tell her about the phone issue or my rough encounter with a senior.. She might only get it worsened. While we waited for recess to end, we watched a movie in her phone.

On normal days, I enjoy recess a lot, it was actually one of my favorite activity in school and I always anticipated it because I get to watch Jason and secretly admire him but today's recess just wasn't the likable one because when I look around all I see is an angry dude, whose expensive phone I had destroyed, sending glares at me while wagging a threatening finger. Today seem to not be my day.

After recess, we returned to class and when I checked for the next class, it was practical; chemistry practical.

We all moved out of the class to our lockers, I unlocked mine and grabbed my lab coat and gloves. We moved to the chemistry laboratory and took seats. The teacher was in.. Arranging the practical equipments. We were settled when the seniors entered the lab too, all on lab coats. We all exchanged questioning glances at one another and slowly, I lowered my head when I saw him.. The dude whose phone I ruined.

He was standing and scanning around, possibly for an empty chair.

"The senior class will be joining us for today's experiment because it'll be an advantage to them too" the teacher announced and suddenly he started walking towards me, there was an unoccupied chair beside Martha and I was sitting after her.

He reached the chair and sat on it.. I gulped nervously and looked away. Hoping he didn't see me.

"Okay class, we'll be starting today's practical and for it you'll be grouping yourselves. Five students in each group, according to how you're seated" he said and I rolled my eyes..

Oh geez!

"Nick, you're in our group" a girl beside him said but he paid no attention to her.

So his name is Nick?

We were grouped, with Nick among and when he finally noticed me, he looked away like we never met and I felt glad.

We started the practical class; test for protein, each group were given equipments while the teacher walked around, directing us group by group.. He chose a leader for each group and got to ours..

"Nicholas, you'll lead"

"I don't want to" he simply replied getting everyone attention and I frowned.. That was rude.

If he's this rude to a staff then I'm definitely in one hell of a mess.

"Jackie, you'll lead then" Mr Huston said and I slowly pushed my gaze to him.

"Wh-- me?"

'That's clearly what he said" Martha whispered to me.

Okay, why me?

It's not like I can refuse.

"You have a problem with that, Miss Geraldine?" Mr Houston asked, grimacing.

"No sir" I replied and stood up, heading to the front of our lab table and facing 'my team' my gaze fell on him and I quickly avert it.. Looking at everywhere but at him

"We'll begin Now.....

I couldn't be more relieved when the class came to an end, I felt really nervous back there and I was surprised when my favorite subject failed me; at a time my words got slurred and at another I spoke in staccato. Martha kept giving me a confused look, wondering what was wrong with me but I had to cover it with a smile.

We all packed the equipments, took our gloves off, washed up and started moving to class, I was already out of the chemistry lab when Nick came to me and blocked my path.. My gaze directly on his somehow made my hair rise, I froze..

He moved to me and looked dangerously at my face, making me hold In my breathe.

"W-what?" I questioned, taking a step back. He pulled closer and dipped his hand in his pocket.

"Trying to take in your face" he said curtly.

"Wh-why?" I asked, my voice coming out sullen.

"So I'd recognize you if you try to play smart with me"

I scoffed softly then gave him a straight irritated look "I'm not that type of girl.. I don't run away from my mistakes"

"It's normal for anyone to deny--

"And I'm not anyone, I'll get your phone the exact way it was" I said and he smirked before walking away, a hand tucked in his pant pocket..

I sighed and changed directions to the locker since school was over for the day.. Getting to my locker, I stuffed my books in my backpack and the 'phone'.. I have to find a way to get this back to him in it's initially form..

"Done?" I heard Martha's voice and I quickly zipped my bag up before facing her.

"Yeah" I said, shut my locker door and walked out of the school building with her.

.