forum Under The Painted Sky (O/O CLOSED)

Started March 18, 2019 by Deleted user

tune

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“Yes,” Eden responded, turning away from his eyes. “I do not like being indebted to anyone. I’ll get it over with as soon as I can.”

“Of I’m telling you that you don’t have to pay me back, why are you insisting that you do if you don’t want to?” Sterling questioned.

Eden gritted her teeth.

“I don’t like being in debt,” she repeated slowly. “I don’t like being helped. I don’t like showing anything even a bit similar to a weakness. That is why, Ainsley, I’m going to return the favor so you and I have absolutely nothing between us. Did that help you understand?”

Sterling shook his head slowly. “No, I don’t. I said you don’t owe me anything, and yet you insist that you do. But if it makes you happy, feel free to do something for me sometime.”

Eden snorted, crossing her arms over her middle where the ice pack was pressed. It was cold, but she still felt the warm gesture. It sickened her.

She rested her head against the wall and closed her eyes, exhaling shakily.

”Happy…” she repeated quietly, her tone mocking. She hadn’t felt that in quite a long while. Then she said louder for his ears to hear. “What is it that you want from me?”

“I don’t want anything from you, Eden. If you want to pay me back, you’ll have to figure it out yourself,” Sterling g answered with a shrug.

Eden said nothing, merely kept her eyes closed. She felt so tired. Exhaustion crept up at her and she released another breath, removing the ice pack from her stomach before pressing it against her cheek, wincing slightly.

What was she going to do about this one?

“Go,” she muttered to him tiredly. “I suppose you’ve had your fill of amusement.”

“I’m not amused by this, Eden,” Sterling assured her, closing his eyes again and leaning back against the wall. “Plus, I like it here. It’s nice and peaceful.”

“Are you naturally this annoying, or do you have to try?” Eden questioned, turning her head to look at him. Her eyes blinked, burning lightly from sleep and exhaustion. She couldn’t fall asleep—not with the lenses in her eyes.

Eden had to admit he was attractive, but those types were what she wanted to watch out for. They were always tricksters. Blue eyes flashed in her mind and Eden barely stifled a growl. She hated those eyes—hated the person they belonged to. Hated the way she had been so foolishly captured by them. Despised the way they continuously haunted her dreams. No matter how many times she tried, she could never cleanse her nightmares.

“It just comes natural, sweetheart,” Sterling murmured, not even opening an eye to look at her. Not that he didn’t want to, she was pretty and he'd gladly look at her, but he figured she wouldn’t like him staring at her.

Eden’s lips barely twitched up into an amused smile before she shook her head. No. She released another breath before setting a hand on the floor, using it as support to push herself up. When she put weight on her middle, she couldn’t help but let out a small wince of pain. It hurt. Of course it did. No matter how hard she tried to hide it, it still hurt. Still, she fought against it, pulling herself to her feet, absolutely hating the way her legs trembled when she did. Absolutely hated the fact that she needed to lean against the wall for support, barely managing to not wrap her arms around her middle. She couldn’t walk out of here holding herself like she was injured. Pain or not, she was going to force herself to get used to it.

Finally, when she had herself upright, she breathed out in relief. It seemed she needed to go home. There was absolutely nothing she could do with her body like this—especially not in P.E. She straightened, wincing again, biting down hard on her lip to battle the pain that shook her. When she stepped out of this place, there should be no traces of what she was enduring on her features or the way she walked.

Sterling heard her shifting beside him and immediately opened his eyes. He watched her stand, pain evident in her features and the way she held herself. The girl really needed help… Why couldn't she accept it?

"Where are you going?" he wondered curiously as she stood as well.

“Home,” Eden breathed out, not knowing why she even chose to respond. What else would it matter if he saw more weaker parts of her? She would burn them the second she felt better. She took a small step, wincing as her knees almost buckled. No more gloves. No extra clothing for potential weapons to hide.

"You can hardly walk, Eden. How are you planning on getting home?" Sterling questioned, raising an eyebrow at her challengingly. "You obviously won't be able to walk."

Eden took the challenge like an idiot. She turned her gaze towards Sterling, eyes narrowing.

“Care to see me try?” She didn’t find the energy to snarl. “I’ve handled far w—“

Sterling rolled his eyes and stepped closer. "Well, if you insist on being an idiot, at least let me help you," he sighed, shaking his head. "I'll walk you home."

Eden hissed. Not at the pain, but at his words.

“I don’t need your help,” she gritted her teeth, trying to keep her harsh breathing to a minimum. Help, help, help. God, how she hated that word. Felt repulsed by it. She didn’t need it. Not anymore, not ever. She was beyond asking for it. She could carry her own weight, and wouldn’t let a man of all people take another step close.

"Think of it as your payment to me," Sterling said with a shrug. "I could even just drive you home."

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Eden breathed out, swallowing thickly. “Not on foot, not on car. I’m going to remain an idiot, as you said I am. Even if that means I fall. I would rather do that than accept anyone’s assistance.”

"Then don't accept it. I'll just walk with you, anyway. That way, if you fall in the middle of nowhere and pass out, at least someone is there to call an ambulance and your parents," Sterling said with a shrug, clearly not about to back down.

No. That was one thing she wanted to avoid. Her parents knowing what was going on–her parents knowing who she was in school. Her father would be furious. That was why she had gotten an apartment in the first place. At least with her brother, she didn't need to be obedient.

"Sterling Ainsley," Eden narrowed her eyes, growling his name. "God, I really don't like you, and I finally understand why. Learn to walk away when you're not needed. You're not welcomed here. Listen to your Lead friend and stay away from me. Please."

She shook her head and brushed past him, straightening herself and pushing away the pain evident on her features. She forced her arms to remain at her sides, holding her back over her shoulders, keeping her head high. It hurt, but Eden couldn't let her mask break. Even though just walking made her want to curl up and never get up. Even though all she wanted to do was give up. She erased that thought immediately. And as she walked away, Eden finally felt a wave of loneliness crashing on to her. She erased that feeling, too.

A flash of an unknown emotion swept over Sterling's eyes before they completely drained of emotion. His stance became stiff, his back straightening as he tore his eyes away from her and toward the hallway behind her.

"Fine. Whatever you say, Eden. Good luck with your walk," he muttered, though he didn't move.

(As far as I know, you can't get an apartment at 17. Lol. Unless it's different in other states..)

(She’s 18. Lol.)

Eden sighed, fists clenching. Stupid. She was being extremely stupid. She should not be feeling guilt for what she said. She wanted to be left alone, so why did she always feel guilty when she verbally attacked someone?

“Thank you, Ainsley,” she breathed out, reaching up to pull her hair back when she winced.

(Bwldbdj I thought we were doing Juniors. Dangit. Sorry, my bad…)

Sterling shook his head with a sigh. He just wanted to help, but he was constantly reminded why he usually didn't. People always blew him off, saying that they didn't need his help and he was only getting in the way. It was infuriating, to say the least.

Nevertheless, he tore a hand through his hair and looked down at her, trying again. "Are you sure I can't help you?" he mumbled quietly.

(It’s okay!)

Eden finally looked at him, keeping the mask on her features. She stared at him for a couple of minutes before she heaved a sigh—and winced at the pressure.

All those who tried coversing with her, walked away upon their first meeting. They saw a monster in her, the raging animal fighting against ropes, and they would understand. Eden did not want friends. She did not want help. But some part of her made her open her mouth, and the words tumbled out.

“Just once,” she breathed quietly, hoping she wouldn’t regret her decision. “I’ll let you walk with me.”

She wasn’t accepting his assistance. She was not accepting his company, but maybe some part of her wanted to see just how long he would last until he, too, saw the coldness she had enclosed herself in.