Chapter 1: Chapter One

<p>Derek's P.O.V.<br/><br/>My buddy Riko handed me his lighter. I clicked down on it to ignite the cancer that radiated off my cig. Yeah, I knew it wasn't healthy, but that didn't stop me as I put it up to my lips and inhaled. As the smoke filled my lungs, I leaned up against the cement wall of our school. Of course, we were both outta sight and outta mind. I exhaled a large amount of smoke.<br/><br/>Riko, I knew the kid since I was young. Only difference now is his look. He dyed it from black to a stupid firetruck red. Rambled nonsense about how chicks will 'dig it'. I scoffed. Right. He wore only t-shirts and black denim jeans with them ugly chuck tailors of his. Bet he regrets that now. If nothing more, he was himself at least.<br/><br/>The winter breeze here was colder than the winds back home. I was dragged here by my pa. He got a new job and because the lawyer says so, I have to go with 'til' I'm an adult. Can't get no emancipation either. Not now anyways. Can't draw too much attention.<br/><br/>Riko looked at me and picked up his rolled joint. I rolled my eyes and went back to my cig. I inhaled only to exhale again. I won't do more than drink and cigs. Weed and other shit was what caused us to leave. Never indulge in ya product. I stared off at the memory, but that's when I heard it. The wind carried the sounds of a soft scream.<br/><br/>Sounded like a pissed off fille. Far off, but still close. I looked over in the direction. My eyes watched the scene play out.<br/>A fille with long blonde locks walked outside wearing a white turtleneck. No doubt she left a jacket or something inside. She had on a pair of black leggings, could've been jeggings, not that it mattered, and she stomped out in her tan knee high boots. A guy was right on her heels following her out. I glanced at him. School jock. I scoffed. That means this chick is his princessa. I mentally gagged.<br/><br/>"Looks like Aria and her boy toy. Tsk. She can do way better. Everyone knows he treats her like shit. " Riko mumbled.<br/><br/>Higher ups. That's what they are. They think they're royalty. I dropped my cig on the ground and stomped it out with the bottom of my boot. She was the school's perfect. I looked up when I heard the sound of a hit.<br/><br/>The girl was on the ground, and him standin' above her with his hand raised in the air. Somethin' stirred' in me. I couldn't tell you what it was. Hell, probably doan even know what it was myself.<br/><br/>Before I knew it, I was walking over to the two. My feet crunchin' on the ground below me was all that was heard. Then I heard the girl gasp as she saw me comin', but my focus was on the guy. His gaze lifted off the girl till he locked eyes with me. Big mistake.<br/><br/>"The day you hurt a fille, the day you ain't a man." I said.<br/><br/>It was something about how Aria was huddled on the ground. Her body language showed she was protecting her body from him. I hated it.<br/><br/>He didn't have the time to look at me before I slugged him in the jaw. I heard the crack too. Good thing the rich boy has money. He was goan to need every penny for that nose. I heard the girl scurrying back. I mentally laughed. That's right. The guy, I thought his name was Bradley, he started to stand, but I didn't give him the time. I grabbed his shirt collar and yanked his body as I slammed my knee into his nose. He fell unconscious.<br/><br/>I rolled my eyes and tossed his worthless body to the side. Anger still coarsed through my body. Without thinking I slammed the toe of my boot into his stomach. I spat down on him before stepping back. Fucking cunt.<br/><br/>I took a breath before turning around. I looked down to see the girl still on the ground. She was scared. This I know, cuz I've seen that look before. They all wear it. The girl still had a slightly red cheek. Most would think it was the cold, and only I knew the truth.<br/><br/>I sighed and slipped my arms out of my leather jacket and gently placed it over her shoulders. Damn winds were freezing on my bare chest. I didn't have time to buy much clothes when I moved here. Even now I woan make my pa waste his hard earned pay on my worthless ass. She looked up at me.<br/><br/>"Why are you being nice to me Derek?" She asked.<br/><br/>That voice was honey on my ears. Soft and gentle that would melt anyone's heart. I was shocked she even knew my name. More so that I knew I couldn't tell her why. I wouldn't tell her that I hate seeing a girl get hit. More so when a guy is doing the hittin'. I knew better than to show her my shock. So, I looked at her with no emotion.<br/><br/>"Doan you ever let someone put their hands on you." I whispered.<br/><br/>Before she could say anything, I stood and walked back to Riko. He stared at me. No doubt he saw the whole scene. I rolled my eyes and shrugged before walking into the student parking lot. Need to put this behind me. I started my bike letting it purr for a few seconds. It was too cold out here and running it while cold messed with the engine. I threw my leg across and straddled my bike. I was backing out the parking space, and then I saw her.<br/><br/>It was the girl. She was standin' in front of my exit. My ticket out. I clicked my tongue and pulled up beside her. The engine was a bit loud, but she didn't seem to care, or even notice it. My eyes roamed over the girl. Neither of us spoke. Just stared at each other with the sound of my bike filling the silence.<br/><br/>"What you want fille?" I spat out.<br/><br/>She was silent. She just stared at me. I clicked my tongue again and revved my bike again about to take off. The girl grabbed my arm and yelled over the engine with ease.<br/><br/>"Thank you..." She said.<br/>I grimaced. Filles like her doan thank guys like me. I shrugged off her hand and glared at her.<br/><br/>"You keep your distance pekon." I said.<br/><br/>Then before she had time to process my words, I gave my bike some gas and sped off onto the open road. I needed some air. Needed to be alone. It's all I ever knew. All I'll ever know. I snarled and gave her more gas. The cold icy air was the only thing that gave me some clarity.<br/>The rush is what I live for. What I crave. It's like tasin' a sweet cherry that is in my neighbor's garden. So sweet yet forbidden. Makes it all the sweeter though. I shook my head. Not supposed to be tasted by people like me. Cooyons we call em. Good for nothing idiots. Bunch of fools if you ask anyone.<br/><br/>The winds blew past me. Cold as ice. Hurt almost as much as a bullet. Almost. Damn that girl. She still has my jacket. I shook my head. Forget her! She ain't nothin' more than trouble. I scoffed. Look who's talkin' Derek. I smirk as I ride. I'd sure love me a taste of that girl though...</p>