forum Under The Painted Sky (O/O CLOSED)

Started March 18, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

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“I’m not cut out for something more,” he answered with a shrug. “Fighting for ranks isn’t my thing. I just want to pass high school without any problems, so I merely observe.”

"Ah, I see. That makes sense. I just used to be, in the terms of your popularity levels, at least a Gold in my old school," Sterling explained with a shrug.

Chase looked at him before offering another shrug.

“Well, no wonder you took it nicely,” he chuckled. “The others didn’t fare so well. Until, of course, they see it for themselves. Anyway, we should get something to eat. I’m starving.”

Sterling shot him a grin, chuckling a little. "Food sounds great right now. I've got my own right here, though. Maybe I could find a place to sit while you're getting your food?"

Chase grinned back. “You do that. I’ll go get something to eat, then. See you in a few minutes, Sterling.”

[September 11, Tuesday, Black Day]

Eden breathed out heavily, curling up on the spot she’d found under a staircase. She knew she should be going to the nurse to see if she had any major injuries, but she didn’t want to. Her sides pulsed with pain. She had fought a Gold for her position, and it hadn’t been an easy win. He was larger than her, and far more stronger. She didn’t think she was going to get out without any injuries. She just didn’t think there would be bruises on her stomach, a split lip and a dark bruise on the cheek that hadn’t yet healed from yesterday.

Eden sucked in a breath when she moved, pain exploding through her. She hated it—hated living like this. Hated being in pain, but it was what kept her sane.

Sterling carefully made his way down the stairs, his hands shoved in the pocket of his gray hoodie as he headed for his next class. Eden was supposed to be there, and he was looking forward to seeing her again. He was incredibly curious about the girl who held the highest rank in the school…

Speaking of the Crystal, he cigar sight of her familiar shape curled up under the stairs as he began to walk past. He stopped and leaned back against the wall, then slowly slide down so he was sitting beside her. His gaze flickered over her beaten and bruised form, a hint of worry shining in his eyes.

"Eden… What happened?" he breathed.

Eden would have groaned, she would have backed away from him if not for the flash of pain that went through her.

Him again. Why did he always bother her? Why could he not leave her alone? She almost turned her head away, not wanting him to see the bruises on her face when she stopped. Why did it matter if he did? So she kept her gaze ahead.

“I tripped,” she said in a monotonous voice, forcing the wince of pain away. It hurt to even talk. “Shouldn’t you be in class, Ainsley?”

Sterling snorted at her answer. It was obvious she hadn't just tripped. She was too beat up for that.

"Oh, you tripped? What, into someone's first?" he sighed, shaking his head. "Shouldn't you be in class, McArthur?"

Eden didn’t give him the satisfaction of looking at him in the eyes. She merely sucked in a shaky breath, closing her eyes as she did so.

“Yes, Lead, I tripped and fell into someone’s fist,” Eden replied, sarcasm lacing her voice. “Whether I’m in class or not matters nothing to me. You, on the other hand… I wonder what would happen to your profile once you’re seen with the animal.”

Sterling raised an eyebrow before shrugging. "Who cares what happens to my profile? I'm already tainted. As for you, you should go to the nurse for an ice pack."

“I don’t need one,” Eden said sharply before she winced, curling up a little more, releasing another shaky breath. “I’ve dealt with worse. I certainly don’t need your pity either, Ainsley, so show it off to someone who cares.”

"Right, sure. Because you totally don't look in pain at all," Sterling muttered, leaning back against the wall as he looked her over again. "This isn't pity, Eden. This is me being concerned for another person. I'd do this for anyone."

“Well, good for you…” she murmured, too tired to muster sarcasm and mockery. She rested her head against the wall, her word spinning. She promptly closed her eyes. “What a wonderful person. Too bad your concern is unnecessary.”

"I hardly think it is unnecessary," Sterling disagreed, shifting so that his back was flat against the wall instead of perpendicular to it. "And I'm going to sit here anyway."

Eden released an annoyed breath. She attempted to stand up, but a flash of pain in her side prevented her from moving even an inch. She hissed under her breath, sliding back down. Weak. Pathetic. She felt disgusted with herself. Exposing her weaknesses like this. What type of an idiot was she?

Sterling sighed as he watched her. He knew she wouldn't go get herself anything, but would she try to move if he did? If he didn't tell her she might not. It would probably be too painful.

With this thought, he stood and shoved is hands into his pockets. He didn't even cast her another glance before walking away, knowing that she wouldn't even care.

Eden almost laughed when Sterling left, but there was a bitter feeling exploding through her. After all that big talk… that was it? She closed her eyes again, welcoming the silence she had grown accustomed to. Welcomed the bitter empty feeling.

She didn’t need anyone. She would never need anyone. Never again would she make that mistake. Never again would she tumble to the ground like a fool.

A couple of minutes later, something dropped in front of Eden. If she cares to look at it, she would see a papertowel wrapped around an ice pack.

Sterling sat back down beside her silently, leaning back against the wall. He closed his eyes slightly, leaving a crack just wide enough that he could sort of see out if it.

Eden’s eyes snapped open when she heard something drop. She snarled, jumping up before regretting the decision immediately. A whimper escaped her lips before she quickly silenced herself, crouching down, arms wrapping around her middle. Why did it hurt so much? Ah, yes, her opponent had been wearing rings underneath his gloves. She never noticed.

Eden finally cracked her eyes open and was greeted by an ice pack. She slowly turned to look at Sterling, his eyes closed, back pressed against the wall. He had left to get her an ice pack.

What a moron. What an absolute idiot. Why couldn’t he leave her alone?

“Why?” Eden breathed out despite herself. “Why are you doing such unnecessary things?”

Steeling didn’t open his eyes to respond. He kept hem shut, unmoving as he leaned back against the wall with one leg pulled up to his chest and the other stretched out in front of him.

“I don’t like seeing people in pain. Hence the ice pack,” he answered quietly.

Eden bit down on her lip, deeming what she was feeling as annoyance. Because he had his eyes closed, Eden lifted up her shirt a little to look at her stomach. She winced. How would she explain that to Lucas? He would kill her. Tell their parents. Eden couldn’t have that.

So she slowly, hesitantly, reached out for the ice pack and placed it on her stomach, hating the fact that she needed help from someone else.

“I’m in your debt,” she said to Sterling bitterly. “But do not expect me to pay it in a different manner.”

Sterling finally, slowly, opened his eyes. He peered over at her, regarding her calmly.

“You don’t have to pay me back at all, Eden. You don’t owe me anything,” he said.

Eden returned his stare with a cold look of her own.

“Everyone does something to hold a debt,” she smiled bitterly. “Why wouldn’t you want this Crystal to be in yours?”

“Because I don’t like people being indebted to me,” Sterling explained with a shrug. “Do you really want to have to do something for me?”