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Dedication: WriterWannabeZOMG for the amazing cover on the side - thank you!

Hey guys, sorry for the longer than normal wait for this update, but my school assessments come before my leasure writing.

I had myself in a bit of a pickle, you could say.

My back was blazing in pain, from when she had struck the cigarette into my skin. It sizzled. Yes, actually sizzled my skin. I was trying not to scream out in agony but I couldn't help whimper as she ripped my hair, snapping my head backwards. I blinked rapidly, trying to remain conscious. It hurt beyond belief.

"You think you're so tough because you were sent to isolation." she spat out, her ragged breath on my ear, sounding like she smoked three packs a day. "But guess what? You're not the only one. Don't act like it's a sash."

"I don't." I bit back savagely, attempting to pry her hands from around my neck. "Is that why you're trying to maul me? Because of what you think I'm doing?"

"No, I know." she ground out. "And don't talk back. You think you're the hottest thing on this planet. You and that blonde twit."

"Oh, so you can-" I began, but was interrupted when she hauled me from my feet, so that I stumbled back, hitting the ground painfully.

She grabbed the cigarette, which was still burning and jabbed it, pressing it underneath my eye. A wretched scream tore from my throat and thank the Lord above, she removed it. My breath was coming out in pants and my hands were trembling.

"You need to start listening more."

"You're not my mother. I don't have to do what you say." I retorted, glad my voice came out as strong as I intended.

And with that, I swung backwards, my head connected with her nose. Pain skittered across my skull and I heard her muffle cry, alongside a disturbing crack. Her grip went slack around me and I took the opportunity to leap to my feet. I went to make a run for it, when her hand enclosed around my ankle. She ripped my leg out from under me before I could even blink. My forehead smashed against the hard ground and I sucked in a breath, causing me to inhale some grass. Yeah, ever so pleasant. I gritted my teeth, anger pulsating through my veins to the extent they tingled underneath the surface of my skin.

"I. Don't. Think. So." she breathed, sounding like Darth Vader.

I jerked my leg back, kicking her upside the head. She growled with hatred, practically spitting fire. She began clawing at my legs, ripping at my skin through my pants. I scrunched up my face and bit my tongue, refusing to let out another sound.

Where was my knife when I needed it?

I used to always have it on me and now, this is the second time I've gotten myself into a fight and I haven't had it to protect me. I was letting my guard down too frequently. I struggled against her, flailing and thrashing wildly. She punched me as hard as she could, in the spine and I cried out, my body spasming. The muscles in my back jerked and I began twitching slightly as I tried to regain control of myself. Using my paralysed state to her advantage, she mounted on top of me, flopping me over and slamming me onto my back. My teeth hit together, causing my whole mouth to erupt in pain. I bit my tongue again, but this time accidentally. I felt the hot, tangy blood flood my mouth and begin to trickle down the corner of my lips. I seriously don't know how, but she still had hold of her cigarette. She flung her arm up, projecting it into the side of my neck, near my artery. I felt the flare of it, but managed to whip my head away, so it couldn't do much damage.

She fumbled for it again, as I began laying hits on her as fast and hard as possible. She was gasping for breath, reaching for her weapon.  I heard footsteps, thank the Heavens. I saw tanned arms wrap around the girl and rip her to her feet. Which would have been quite an accomplishment, due to her... thick structure, you could say. I was quivering on the ground, still in shock. I peered up breathlessly, seeing Colinr. I felt relief wash through me like a tsunami. I sighed, my body going limp. A new pair of hands were by my side, flitting over my body furiously, checking for injuries. I rolled my eyes back and saw golden hair. I felt a small smile crawl onto my face, as Jeremy began asking me a series of questions, looking very professional.

"Do you know your name?" he called out, serious radiating from him to the point it had me giggling like a young girl. This only furthered his worry, causing a wrinkle to crease his smooth forehead, as his eyebrows furrowed together.

I snorted. "Well that's a dumb question. I've been bashed but I'm not stupid."

He rolled his eyes. "When's your birthday?"

"My name is Hayley Larson, born July 22nd and I'm seventeen years old. Satisfied?"

"Yes," he breathed out a laugh. "It was just a precaution..."

"I know. Thanks." I struggled immensely getting to my feet, but with Jer's help, I was eventually successful. I glanced at Colin, seeing his arm wrapped around the girl's neck easily. He looked bored as she was struggling wildly against him. It looked like he hardly even noticed.

"You okay?" he asked me, studying my injuries with intent.

"Yeah, I'll live." I croaked, dusting myself off, pretending I wasn't about to collapse into a heap. Blackness was edging on my vision, but I blinked it away. I began swaying and Jeremy wrapped his arm securely around my waist. I was actually a little angry that they came to 'save' me. Grateful, but angry. I was doing fine on my own. Well, maybe not fine, but my pride was definitely not feeling its finest.

"Let's get you to the infirmary." Jer suggested, propping me up. I sagged against him, finding it difficult to stand upright.

Colin tightened his grip around the girl's neck and her eyes bore into me with such hatred it almost made me stagger backwards. As quick as anything, Colin removed his arms from her and ripped her arms behind her back. She cried out and I smiled despite myself.

"Let's go." he said firmly, gripping her wrists like his life depended on it. Her face twisted with pain and I couldn't help feel a little happy about it.

We parted ways then and there. Colin dragged an unwilling purple-haired girl to the Office, whereas Jeremy and I were making our short trek to the infirmary wing. Apparently I needed  some medical attention. My back was still stinging, my face was aching and the taste of my own blood was still fresh in my mouth. I raised the back of my hand and smeared it across my lips, a coat of blood sashing my tanned skin.

"Knock any teeth out?" Jeremy asked me curiously.

"Better not have. I went through a year of braces to get these bad boys straight."

He smirked at me. "Nice."

I was limping slightly on the way, but refused Jer's continuous offers to pick me up or give me a 'piggy-back' ride. Wouldn't that be humiliating? Getting my butt whipped and then having to be carried away by some guy who 'saved' me.

How much more pathetic, could I get right now? This was such a stereotypical thing to happen. I felt like some annoying protagonist in an action story. But no, my life was serious and real, not some story people got the pleasure of reading for their own entertainment. Alas, the blank, white doors of the infirmary came in sight and I sighed in relief. I need some serious pain killers right now. The slight distance between myself and those precious doors felt like an eternity, but we did eventually make it.

The next hour or so passed by in a blur. People were rushing around, speaking to me, asking me questions. I could see their mouths moving, but few words were coming through to me. I squinted, trying to rid the black dots that danced across my vision, but they were seemingly quite persistent. I couldn't quite comprehend everything around me. One minute I was by the door, another I was on a bed.

Finally, people got the picture... or received my not-so-subtle signs of leaving me alone. I let myself fall backwards onto the mattress, it swallowing me up. I sighed, snuggling into it and feeling my body crumple with exhaustion.

Yep. Decision made, that girl was going down.

She scarred me for life.

Literally.

Now, indented in my skin, was a circular burn mark, edging on my spine. Currently, it was sealed off with a sticky-bandage thing, but it still stung like I couldn't describe. So there's another scar to add to my list.

There was a faint mark on my neck, that kind of looked like a hickey, where she fleetingly got me. And under my eye, but it was hardly noticeable, thank the Lord. I already had a scar, running jaggedly across my chest. I didn't need a permanent injury on my face too. I had some wicked bruises and yeah, the scars stated above, but other then that, I was pretty okay. I learned that the girl's name was Chloe. Quite feminine for a girl that resembled a bull dog. Currently, she was placed in isolation. Sucked in.

"And then he was like... Urgh, Hayley? You never listen to me!"

"What?" I asked distractedly, pulling myself out of my mental rant and back to what Imogen was rambling on about. "I wasn't listening."

She threw her hands up in exasperation, a frown flitting across her face. "You're injured, but it didn't give you brain damage!"

"Someone has their panties in a twist." I muttered, rubbing my fingers across my head as the pounding inside my brain grew stronger. Her rising voice wasn't exactly soothing.

"Chase and I had a fight." she grumbled, scrunching her face up. "You would have known that if you paid any attention to me."

"Look, you're in a crap place and a crap mood. Deal with it. I have stuff going on in my life too. I don't have to be burdened at once with all yours too." I snapped, pulling away from her angrily.

"Hayley-" she started, reaching out to me, but I shied away.

Hurt flashed across her eyes at what I did, but I couldn't stop. After being brutally mauled by that beast (Chloe) I was more touchy now then I was before. I stepped back from her, broadening the distance between us until I was more comfortable.

"I can't do this today."

With that, I turned and stormed from her, ignoring her calls. The desire to get away from everyone and everything was growing stronger by the second. I didn't stop marching until I reached the gym, the familiar scent of sweat comforting me, as odd as that sounds. I still had my bandage from my previous fight with the Guards, wrapped securely around my wrist and was still physically recovering from my fight with Chloe yesterday, but I needed to release some of this accumulating fury inside me.

Even if it was just running.

I mounted onto the treadmill, glad I was only dressed in tights and a baggy shirt. They had given me the day off today, so I could "mend". I wasn't in the wrong at all, which surprised me. You know, with my history with violence and all. I thought they would have found some way to punish me, but apparently two eye witness' confirmed that it was in fact true, that she was the one who attacked me.

I dialled all the right settings and began at a power walk. After getting myself slightly warmed up, I stepped up the pace. I continued to increase it until I just couldn't go any faster. I was sprinting to the extent my legs were burning and my sides were aching. Sweat was pouring out of me like a waterfall. My chest was rising and falling rapidly as I gasped for breath. My legs gave out on me and I collapsed to the side, my elbow bumping the power switch. The belt slowed down and I leaned heavily onto it, heaving. I'm not sure how much time has passed whilst I was running but I could imagine it was a fair while. I began dry reaching, vomiting up air. I dropped to my knees, gagging. Nothing was coming out though. I clutched at my stomach, trying not to hurl everywhere. My whole body was shaking and my head was spinning dangerously.

I fell onto my back and sprawled out, feeling sick. Why I did that to myself, I have no idea. But the physical pain was enough to momentarily snap me from my internal dilemma. A low whistle could be heard near the door way. I couldn't force myself to move just yet, but I was curious to see who had witnessed my suicide mission.

"Bad day?"

I let my eyelids flutter closed. Of course he was here. I was sweating worse than those guys on the 'Biggest Loser' right now. Great. I love letting guys see me like this. Still, I made no incline to move. That required too much effort.

"You could call it that." I finally replied through gritted teeth.

His footsteps ascended towards me, before he casually sat down and rested back on one of the other gym equipment. I flickered my eyes to his, where they were wandering all over my sweat-drenched body. I glanced down, seeing my clothes clinging to me. I gulped, feeling clammy and absolutely disgusting. A shower was definitely needed right now.

"What did you do to annoy Chloe?" he said, laughing slightly. "She was so angry."

"I really don't know. We had a run in during the riot, but other than that, I have no clue. I think she just wants someone to bully."

"Stupid choice of person."

I breathed out a laugh, although it was merely half-hearted. He looked good. He only had a loose, black singlet on, exposing his bulging muscles. I could see one of his tattoos, scribbled across his bicep. It looked so hot against his tanned skin. His dark hair fell messily onto his forehead, spraying over his eyes, which made the blue more evident, if even possible. He was so drool-worthy right now. And here I was, sprawled out unattractively, sweat coating my skin.

"I don't think running like that was very healthy." he pointed out, frowning.

"Nothing I do is healthy." I replied back without hesitation.

Silence lapsed between us and I closed my eyes again, wanting nothing more than to just curl up and fall asleep. But, I resisted the urge and re-opened them. I rolled my head to the side and stared up at him.

"How did you know where I was yesterday?"

He remained quiet for a few moments, before answering. "Well, I got sent out of English first of all. So I thought I'd go blow it off and hang with Jeremy, who you know rarely goes to class, after not having found you. I saw two girls, a couple years below us running, all hysterical about a fight. When I asked what was happening, they began describing it and instantly, I knew it was you."

"So you had to come and save the day." I stated dryly.

He raised his eyebrows. "Most people would be grateful."

"I was handling it."

"Oh yeah, getting lit on fire is handling it."

"That's an over exaggeration."

"Hardly."

"Whatever." I said dismissively, too tired to argue with him right now. I know it'd get me nowhere.

"Thanks. I guess."

"You're welcome. I guess." he smirked.

I rolled my eyes, turning my head away from him again. To be perfectly honest, him saving me was hot. I didn't want to admit that to him though.  Whilst dwelling on my thoughts, I hadn't even noticed he moved. I flinched when I saw him hovering above my face. I blinked in surprise for a few moments, before he edged his face closer to mine. Our lips met and I responded instantly. Well, as much as I could when his head was facing the other direction. Have you ever kissed someone when practically upside down to them? Weird experience. However, it didn't change our kiss developing in any way. I arched my neck up to meet him eagerly, opening my mouth and giving him access. I was too tired to taunt him today. He grunted slightly at my willingness. I raised my hand, tangling my fingers in his matted hair.

He tasted like peppermint and it was delicious. Our lips moved together, as if being made for each other. My heart was racing in my ears and my body was tingling with fire. The kiss continued for several more moments, before we were both breathless. Much to my disappointment, he pulled back. I gasped slightly, my eyes dilated and my chest, once again, falling. We stared at each other for a few moments, before I slowly maneuvered myself into sitting position. I winced, as my entire body complained. I was going to be in some serious pain tomorrow.

He ran his fingers down my arm, sending a wave of shivers running down my spine. I licked my lips, tilting my head back. He moved his hands across to my stomach and I looked at him curiously. He kept sliding them across, until before I knew it, he was slowly removing my shirt.

"Um, right here?" I asked him, genuinely surprised.

A smirk lit up his face and he laughed. "I want to look at your burn."

"Oh..." I trailed off, my cheeks turning hot. Well, that was embarrassing. I shifted, so my back was exposed to him and that I could hide my now flushed face.

He rolled my shirt up and touched it with his skin. I sucked in a breath. I hoped my sweat wasn't as disgusting as it felt. What a turn off. Much to my surprise, he lent forward and pressed his lips to it gently. He pulled back and I face him, my mouth dangling open in shock. He was such a heartless jerk at times and then... he just randomly does these sweet things that make me go weak at the knees. We stared instensely at each other for a couple of moments. So, I attacked him. Not literally, but kind of. I flattened him onto his back, my hands running over his chest, my mouth on his again. It was more passionate and heated this time. I let my hands walk up his abs, loving the feel of them underneath my fingertips. His hands were secured on my hips, sending shock waves through my core. I gulped, feeling the need to get out of here right now, before I went too far I couldn't stop.

"Oh crap. Awkward." Jeremy said, holding his hands up in some sort of peace signal. "You should have hung up a sign... or put a hat on the door knob."

I snorted, crawling off of Colin. Damn it, Jeremy! I just wanted to be with Colin, in more ways than one, and every time, something got in the way. I was getting so frustrated that I wanted to scream!

"I'll just go..." he trailed off uncomfortably.

"You're here now, you may as well stay." I sighed, trying to smooth my hair back over and attempting to not let my disappointment show.

"Yeah, enjoy the show." Colin said, snaking his arm around me again, drawing me to him.

"Tempting." Jeremy said, pretending to contemplate the decision.

"Yuck," I laughed, pushing Colin lightly from me. "I should go anyway. I have a shower that is just calling my name."

"Well, gym session next time, yeah?" Jeremy asked, smiling.

"Sure." I said, hauling myself to my feet.

"Colin, come test the punching bag with me?"

He groaned slightly, but didn't deny it which I took as my cue leave.

"Anyway... see you guys around." I said casually, shrugging as if I still wasn't all hot and bothered from what had just happened.

I felt Colin's stare linger on me as I slipped out the door. I shut it behind me and lent on it heavily, raking my fingers through my hair.

I was way over my head with that boy...

Hmm... thoughts? :)

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