• F I F T E E N •

"After Tuesday, the calendar goes W T F."

• • •

"Oh, my goodness," I mutter. "First she's all badass and beating a guy half to death, now, five seconds later, she's fluttering her eyelashes, blushing, and cooing at some guy! What?! She beat up some guy and is now all, 'Oh, no! Don't hurt him! I hate violence! I'm some innocent damsel in distress that can't handle your fighting!'"

My eyes are glued to the awful book. It's one of those books that are terrible but you can't help but continue read it merely because you want to see what is going to happen. Where the book is going. I suppose it is like a car wreck that you can't help but inspect and see if there are any bodies at. Or a train wreck that you can't tear your eyes from.

"What?!" I exclaim.

I read the words on the page: "As a child, I was obviously bullied because this book wouldn't be cliche without the childhood bullying. Because of the bullying, I decided to take martial arts so I could beat up my bullies next time I saw them.

"Hey, Princess/Bunny/Baby/Honey/Cupcake/Every other stupid name the idiot boy comes up with, I just finished up with the school slut. Wanna get into my pants?" The bad boy asked, his voice husky.

I blushed at his proximity even though he's five feet away, it's still close enough to make a nun like me blush.

But then my bullies came up and started pounding on me. The bad boy merely looked at me. This gave me the energy and determination to start beating the shit out of my bullies even though I've only had a week of training. What can I say? I'm a natural or something else that's cliche like that."

Okay, it didn't say exactly that, but you get the gist.

Awful. Pure awful.

I shake my head and turn the page.

Eventually, I toss the book to the side and head to the gym for some training. I mean, dishing out revenge to Amadeus was fun and a good way to get out anger, but it isn't the same as training. I quickly change into my Raven getup and sneak out of my own house. If people are watching, I don't want them to connect the dots between me and Raven.

I stretch and jog to the gym and immediately get started lifting weights. I add more weight once I've done a few sets and spend the next couple of hours in an intense workout session.

I hate working out.

Seriously, I only work out because I know I need to. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to fight in the ring and then where would I be? Besides, I need to be able to protect myself. For a long time, I have been alone. Just me, myself, and I. I need to be able to take care of myself.

"Will you be fighting tonight?" Flynn asks me eagerly as I am dying on the treadmill.

"No," I reply shortly. "Not tonight."

I focus on my running and ignore Flynn. Eventually, he gives up and leaves. I wasn't the nicest about it, but I need some time off. Some time away from fighting. I feel like a monster and I don't need crowds of people cheering for me as I beat up somebody. That would just make everything worse.

I slow down on the treadmill until I am at a jog. I maintain it for about ten minutes before slowing even further to a walk. Grabbing, my water bottle, I drink greedily as I finally step off the treadmill. Setting it down, I stretch so I don't stiffen up.

Finally, I sit down on one of the wooden benches and drink the rest of my water bottle.

Once I am finished with my water, I head to the bathroom to make sure my makeup isn't smeared with sweat. Normally, I wouldn't wear makeup at all and absolutely never to the gym, but the makeup is part of the disguise. Think what you want of makeup, but it really does change the way someone looks. And that is exactly what I need.

Grabbing my gear, I head out of the gym and into a fast food building where I quickly change in the bathroom and slip out without anyone noticing. I am too tired to jog home so I take my time, loving the cover of darkness.

I've always felt a sense of comfort and security in the darkness. Truly, I have never understood the fear of the dark. To me, it is like a warm blanket draped over you and protecting you from your own mind. Plus, the night is dark. And I love the night. The majority of people go to sleep so everything is quieter and more peaceful. Sure, criminals come out at night, but so does the fun.

Today, though, I just want to get home and relax. After training and fighting so much, not to mention what happened with Amadeus mere hours ago, I am pretty exhausted mentally and physically.

I unlock the door and head inside to set my bag down. I lock all the locks behind me and head to the bathroom. I don't turn on the faucet on the bathtub, though. Instead, I take the water droplets out of the air and transfer them to the tub. Using my fire powers, I create a fire under my skin and set my hand in the water. This way, the water will heat up without putting the fire out.

This is always how I've had to bath. Sometimes, I'll take a quick shower because of simplicity and convenience, but that uses up so much water that I can't pay for. Plus, when I was younger, my fathers never allowed me to use the water that way. They barely even let me drink water.

Shaking my head, I shove the thoughts to the side and slip into the now steaming water. My muscles slowly relax and it isn't long before I drift off to sleep.

• • •

"You guys!" I exclaim the following day. "Physical fitness is the most important part of training!"

"Yes," Gage pants. "But you don't have to be so brutal!"

"Brutal?" I repeat, straightening up. "Brutal?!"

"Oh, crap," Asher whispers to Darkon.

"THIS IS NOT BRUTAL!" I yell at Gage.

He blinks and steps back. I heave in shuddering breaths as I force myself to calm down.

"I'm sorry," I say quietly. "But this is not even that intense and I have done every single thing with you guys."

"Yeah, but you ain't human," Boaz groans.

"No, you guys are just out of shape," I snap. "In fact, if you guys ran as fast as your mouth, you'd be in great shape by now."

"I am in good shape!" Boaz exclaims, flexing his muscles.

I have to admit, they were impressive and slightly distracting, but that isn't the point.

"Then why can't you do this?" I ask pointedly. "Look, we only have running and then we're done for the day. Listen to me, I'm your guys' trainer. I know what I'm doing."

"Alright," Darkon agrees.

"Easy for you to say!" Asher grumbles, looking at Darkon. "You're the strongest one here!"

"Yes, I most definitely am," Darkon says with a smug look as he flexes his sweaty muscles.

"Hey!" Kolton exclaims. "I'm strong too!"

Kolton compares his muscles to Darkon and I swear they kept shooting me smug looks.

My ears burn and I yell, "Okay! To the path! We have a ten-mile loop!"

"WHAT?!!"

"Follow me!"

I set off at a steady run and they all fall in line.

"Gage!" I call back. "Take the lead!"

I slow down and they all pass me and I bring up the rear to make sure that there are no stragglers. We run for a while and I notice that Boaz is slowing down dramatically. He doesn't seem to be out of shape or having problems, but his head isn't in it and he just isn't working.

"Boaz!" I shout. "Wake up and run!"

Boaz shakes his head and picks up speed slightly. But, ten minutes later, he is slowing down again. He is capable of running faster. Why isn't he? Since motivating him in P. E. worked so well, I decide to just yell. It may not be the nicest, but it is training and they are all used to it.

"BOAZ!!" I boom.

But, to my surprise, everyone stops running and stares at me with wide eyes and pale skin. Except for Boaz. He stops abruptly and slumps to the ground. His back is to me so I can't even see what is going on with him.

I walk quickly around him and crouch down in front of him.

His black eyes are glazed over and unseeing. It is like a light went out of him. There is no fire in him. Boaz is like a shell. Completely hollow. Vacant.

"What's going on?!" I exclaim, panicking.

My eyes dart around and I look at each of them. My eyes meet Nekoda's icy gaze before he looks to the ground, tugging on the ends of his white hair. I look into Darkon's soft, dark eyes and he looks away and silently takes an unconscious step back. Asher's brown eyes close as he tries to calm down. William rubs the scar on his arm and shifts his green eyes away from awkwardly. Kolton's sky blue eyes hold my stare and he shakes his head slowly. Finally, I lock eyes with Gage.

I don't know why they aren't doing anything, but I do know what I feel. Pain. I did this to Boaz and now they are all just standing there. It's almost as bad as if they were abandoning me.

My chest aches, like someone is sitting on it and I can't seem to breathe right. My eyes burn with unshed tears.

Gage shakes his head slightly and says finally, "I can't tell you what is going on. None of us can. Only Boaz. But I can tell you that it isn't your fault."

"Oh, well that makes me feel all better," I snap sarcastically. "Tell me how to fix this!"

"You can't," Kolton says, his blue eyes full of regret. "No one can fix this except time and Boaz. After a while, he always snaps back. He can't even hear you or see you."

But I don't have a while. I need Boaz now.

I nod and I turn my head to hide my movements as I swipe away a tear that is about to fall.

"I understand," I whisper.

And I do. I understand that the boys have no way of helping him.

Determination settles in as I turn to Boaz. I will help him.

He needs me and I need him.

I cup his face and look into his eyes.

"Boaz," I whisper. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I need you to get up and come back with us now."

"Rage, it's not going to do anything," William says, looking frustrated and pained.

I don't pay him any attention. On instinct, I start stroking his cheek. It is surprisingly smooth with only the slightest trace of stubble. I sink down further, breaking a little inside.

My mind is blank. And then an idea all the sudden comes to me.

Boaz is going to hate me.

But, if it works, it will be worth it.

Taking a deep breath, I sit up. I slide my hands around his neck and tangle them in his hair. Before I can second guess myself, I press my lips against his soft ones. After a second, I am about to pull away when I feel him move.

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me even closer, moving his lips against mine in a slow and lingering kiss.

My first kiss.

• • •

Boaz's POV

• • •

This is it. They're gone and the chance is here. I creep over to the fireplace and take the stolen key out of the pocket of my ninja pajamas. Inserting it into the lock, I twist the key and the lock opens smoothly. The chain unravels and I can open up the fireplace.

A grin spreads across my face.

There is an old lot in here from my last attempt. Mommy and Daddy got home before I got the chance to start the fire, though.

I finally release the barriers that hold the flames back. It is like I am exhaling after holding my breath for months. The fire rushes out of me and burns the log quickly.

I try and put up the barriers again.

Come on, Boaz. Put the walls up again. You need to control your powers so Mommy and Daddy will let you use them.

But it doesn't work. The fire refuses to be tamed and I panic, setting the carpet near me on fire with a burst of flame. Holding back a sob, I try and try and try to just stop setting things on fire. Why is this so hard for me?!

Mommy and Daddy race inside. The fire alarms must have notified them again. I'll have to figure out how to disable them without alerting my parents.

I start to cry as they dump water on me until I am cool enough to touch through the oven mitts. Together, they drag me outside to the shed.

"BOAZ!!" Daddy yells from the doorway of the metal shed. "figure this out and stop! Just stop! Stop it all!"

He slams the door like always and they lock it before heading inside.

But I don't notice.

The second he yelled my name, I stopped noticing things. I see and know what's going on, I think, but it never registers.

The fire pours out of me and burns up my clothes, finding nothing else to devour.

Hours pass as I lay on the concrete ground. Hours and hours. My stomach growls and hurts. I can't even stand. I can't even think right.

Finally, Mommy comes after a couple days to let me out.

"Sorry, Boaz," She apologizes, sympathy in her clear, blue eyes. "We forgot you were out here still."

I nod and somehow manage to get to my feet. I walk past Mommy and head inside. Hopefully, they haven't eaten all the food yet.

• • •

I complain about the training, mostly out of sheer boredom. Exercising is so stupid and pointless and repetitive.

With a groan and some more complaints I follow the others into the woods. Honestly, I'd probably follow Rage anywhere.

I slow down without realizing it as worries fill my head. I still don't have control over my powers. I need around with fire sometimes, but it is never fire that I create. I adore the flames. To me, they are perfect and pure power. But I can't control them.

Rage is going to want me to use my powers and I don't know how I am going to get around that.

I mean, just a few weeks ago, I was stuck in the shed again for nearly burning down half the house.

I believe I was in there for three days. Now, the second Dad bellows my name, I go out like a light. My mind just shuts down completely.

The others have tried to help me, but I hate using my powers. The only time I use them is when they force their way out of me. And I never know when that will be.

"Boaz! Wake up and run!" Rage calls from behind me.

Her voice truly is angelic. Even when she is screaming at me, threatening to kill me, or barking out orders. Just imagine what her voice would sound like it—

I shake my head to clear my thoughts. Trying to focus once more, I pick up speed, but my worries continue to plague my mind.

"BOAZ!!" Rage bellows.

The yell startles me and my mind empties completely.

.

.

.

Wait. I can feel something. A gentle tugging of my hair and the next thing I know, something soft is pressed against my lips and I realize that someone is kissing me. Someone who smells like Rage.

Instantly, I wrap my arms around her and kiss her back. My fears hold me back from kissing her the way I truly want to, but this is the most perfect kiss. Our lips move in a beautiful slow dance and as we pull apart, I can't help but grin dopily.

My first kiss.

And it couldn't have been more perfect, better than I had imagined.

My thoughts are racing and all I know is how lucky I am that she kissed me. Out of all of us, she chose to kiss me first.

My grin and dazed expression probably make me look like a loon, but I couldn't care less.

When Rage turns back to me, though, the grin disappears at the look on her gorgeous, golden sun eyes. At first, I start panicking, thinking I did something wrong. Then I notice it is worry. Besides, she did kiss me first.

"Boaz, what the hell was that?" Rage asks, but her eyes show me how scared she is.

"We can head back now," Gage announces, giving me a nod and a look of understanding.

My eyes widen slightly as I realize Rage and I aren't the only ones here.

William gives me a knowing grin as they walk back. It slowly sinks in that things are going to be different now.

We actually talked about Rage, you know. We all have feelings for her and hope to one day share her. But that's only if she accepts us, if she feels the same way. Now that she kissed me, though, it shows that she at least could like us that way.

Once they are out of sight, Rage adjusts how she is sitting. I groan inwardly as I notice she is farther away now.

"Spill," Rage demands, her intense gaze seeing through me.

I hesitate. I don't want her to know. I'm ashamed of how utterly broken I am. She doesn't need more problems. Rage deserves a prince, a knight in shining armor, not a damaged boy.

Rage merely looks at me with a raised eyebrow and I can feel myself begin to cave.

With a sigh, I nod and begin to explain why I am broken and unworthy of her attention.

• • •

Yeah, it's cliche. VERY cliche. But I like cliche so you can deal with it.

• • •

Q: Social or antisocial?

A: Antisocial. VERY antisocial. But it means more updates for you guys, at least! XD