"The original bad boy . . . is reckless."

23| Reckless

Arsen's reason behind the kiss was that one of the guys had snuck up on us. He was clarifying our "relationship" to his buddy.

I don't dwell on this too much.

I barely had time to.

Arsen drops me off at home even after I insist I can walk, but his concerns regarding his friends not accepting me remained rooted to the ground. By the time I reach home, mom and dad text me to have dinner with them at the restaurant, which is a no from me.

All I want is sleep.

According to Arsen, tomorrow's a huge day.

----------------

Arsen shows up to gym class with his buddies about ten minutes early. Strange and unusual behavior, I must admit. Danie and Isa stare between us as Arsen takes his spot next to me, extending one arm around my waist, lightly touching me. His friends watch his every move like hawks. The enemies of the Ruthless Rebels follow Arsen as well. My friends watch in surprise.

Oh yes, I didn't tell them about the step I had taken.

Everyone knows something is up and I'm not sure I'm thrilled to know Arsen's enemies might know about me.

"Can you please remove your arm?" I whisper to Arsen. "I don't want any more people to know about us than your buddies."

"Everyone already knows," Arsen says roughly. "Things like these travel fast especially when you're in a gang. You never know who's watching you."

I turn to face him. "Are you kidding me?"

"Don't worry, Princess," he says sarcastically. "No one's gonna hurt you."

"What about my family?" I say immediately. "Or even me. One of these guys could easily get in my house before my parents even get home, which is usually post midnight." 

"No one's going to hurt you." The absence of tension on his face bothers me. Shouldn't he be concerned in the tiniest bit about the consequences of what's happenings? His gaze locks in mine as if trying to communicate through his eyes that I have nothing to worry about. My life is still the same. 

Which is an irrefutable lie.

I refuse to maintain eye contact as the instructors start the class. We proceed through the same self defense techniques we have been practicing all week. Arsen makes sure to make all of his grips tight enough to force me to hurt him in order to break free. If he thinks self defense training is going to help fight all of the state's hooligans, he's absolutely wrong.

At the end of the class, Mr. Dexter aka Vivian corners me as everyone's leaving.

"If you weren't into artists, you could've just told me," he says with a light smile, but I realize it's misleading.

It takes roughly sixty seconds of frowning to comprehend his meaning. "Oh god, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot about our date--I mean the thing-I mean . . . " Even I don't know what I mean.

"It's cool. I got the message." He starts to walk away.

"No, I'm sorry," I say quickly. With all the drama going on in my life, missing the date with Vivian was inevitable. "I have been dealing with a lot of changes lately and it slipped my mind." It's best to stay honest.

He shrugs and presses his lips together.

Before any amends can take place, Danie and Isa creep up to my side, waiting for all of us to leave together. I already know what's coming my way. We pile into Danie's car and as soon as I set my backpack on the seat next to mine in the back, the interrogation begins.

"Are you with Arsen?" Danie inquires.

I'm suddenly conscious of my expressions as the both of them are seated in the front and can see me in the mirrors but not vice versa. 

I take a moment to respond. "Yes."

"Why?" Isa asks concerned. "He's trouble."

"He's . . . " I'm a loss for Arsen's redeming qualities. "I knew Arsen before he got inducted into the ruthless rebels."

"What?" they say simultaneously. Danie brakes hard to stop the speeding car in front of a red light. We narrowly avoid hitting the car in front of us.

"Don't be so dramatic," I say nonchalantly. 

"When did this even happen? We were literally telling you about Ben a few days ago and now you tell us about you being with Arsen?" Danie says as the light turns green and we proceed. I suddenly wish I lived a walking distance from school.

"He asked me out yesterday," I lie. "I've had feelings for him since we were kids. I couldn't help but say yes." 

I hope I'm a convincing liar.

"Val, as much as I care about your happiness, I think you can find someone ten times better than Arsen," Isa says. "Arsen literally ran over Ben's leg without any remorse. You think a guy like that is the ideal boyfriend?"

"We almost killed him at the other bike race to get revenge, remember?" I say defensively. "We're no better."

"Arsen and his gang have probably actually killed people," Danie says.

I open my mouth to retort when an image of Lionell pops up my in mind. Of course, my friends look out for me, but I need them to stop pestering me. 

"I can find you a better guy, I swear," Isa says optimistically. "There's this guy in my English class--"

"But I like Arsen!"

Silence fills the car, riding along with us for the next five minutes. Neither Danie nor Isa know how to tell me to stop liking Arsen. 

"Promise us you're gonna be careful," Danie mumbles finally. "If you're gonna hang out with him, hang out with him alone. Don't try to befriend his friends. And if you can, knock some sense into Ben."

That's the plan.

"I will," I say truthfully.

"You know I always thought Danie would be the first to date a bad boy," Isa says. I can hear the smile in her tone. "But Val, you surprised me. I want you to make sure you don't get yourself hurt in all this."

I nod and laugh. "Worst comes to worst, I have mastered a variety of different self defense moves. I won't go down without a fight."

We laugh taking it lightly.

In the back of my mind, I pray I don't ever have to use my self defense skills in real life. 

- - - - - -

"Today is your lucky day. You're going to your first robbery."

"Excusez moi?" I say, not comprehending his words. It's hard to tell with Arsen whether he's joking or not. Actually, he never jokes.

We stand outside my parents' new diner. Roughly twenty minutes ago, Arsen told me he'd meet me for some important information. I didn't realize it was regarding becoming a thief at the age eighteen.

"You heard me," he says, his tone light and casual. "The guys were too occupied with our relationship yesterday to break into the house. Today, all of us go scavenging together."

I blink at him. "I do not volunteer as tribute."

He smiles forcefully. "Leo specifically wants you there to see if you have the guts to become a part of us." He probably notices the blood leaving my face as he continues, "You just have to giggle, talk loudly, and hang on to me and the guys will do the rest. They already know how stupid you are and will think you're like the rest of the girls I date."

"Don't call me stupid," I say defensively. Then, it strikes me my stupidity is the reason behind this discussion. "Anyways, I'm not going to jail anytime soon. You guys are probably experienced in robberies but not me."

"Why don't you tell that to your friend and yourself before the both of you decided to get involved?" he asks, his tone slightly taunting.

I zip my mouth and avoided meeting his eyes. Of course, how could I forget about stupid Ben?

Arsen and I quietly head towards unfamiliar territory. I can imagine Leo and the other ruthless rebels waiting to pounce on my vulnerabilities. As soon as we reach the abandoned house (which is probably not abandoned), Arsen wraps his hand around mine.

The gesture feels sweet till I realize he's only doing it to keep up the facade. 

Regardless, we approach the guys, nodding in greeting. Ben shakes his head at me in disappointment at me being with Arsen. Arsen's eyes are fixated on Leo who's definitely a threat. 

"Ready, Arsen? Cruz?" Leo asks us coolly.

"Ready when you are," Arsen says, gesturing Leo to move first.

Although Leo doesn't say anything, the way he glances at Arsen, I get a tense vibe. Something's wrong with their equation. Everyone moves towards the back of the house.

"The old couple is out on a cruise to the Mediterranean or Caribbean . . . I can't remember," Ned, the silver haired guy, says. "Rich people. They got money to spare for the poor."

"Are they trying to play Robin Hood?" I inquire in a whisper.

Arsen nearly snorts. "Sure. They take money from the rich, call themselves poor, and distribute it amongst themselves." The guys start picking the back lock and it amazes me to find them unlock it under sixty seconds. We proceed inside, whispering and laughing (in Ned's case). 

"But you help them on their expeditions, right?" I ask Arsen. 

"I'm poor, too." He shrugs. "Not all of us have parents to support us."

"Don't you live with your uncle?" It's the first time I bring up his living conditions after his parents' death. I want to clarify he has someone he can look to get help from. I can't imagine Arsen growing up on the streets with nothing in his pockets.

Arsen gives me a sideways glance as if debating whether or not he should share any information. At the end, he surrenders and responds, "Old man wasted all his money on booze. I left him not even a year after I was under his custody. He didn't care." No remorse or heartache seeped through his tone. "These guys took me in and have been my family ever since." 

I simply nod.

He doesn't elaborate on how tough it must be growing up without his parents or . . . me. Maybe he did find the guys to be the replacement which is inconceivable. 

"Are you two done your chit-chat and ready to help us find something valuable?" Leo asks in a frustrated manner. He's holding a lamp in his hand, almost like a weapon.

"I'm valuable . . . " Ned starts and drifts off.

"Shut up and hurry up, " Leo mutters like a typical leader. "Half of you go upstairs, and the others with me." 

We make teams where I end up with Arsen and Ben to go upstairs. All thanks to Arsen who can persuade anyone to do anything in the group. Leo, Ned, Ty, and some other guy go in another direction.

"Ben, you have to get out of here," I say as soon as we're away from Leo's earshot. Ben, who seems more distant, continues up the steps. I follow him with Arsen behind me, urging us to hurry. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"I don't you to tell me what to do and what not to do," says Ben. He starts pilling whatever artifacts and heirlooms fill up the first room. Arsen rummages through the closests to find money or something. 

"Ben, I know this is because of Danie," I say desperately. "I swear she didn't reject you because you're not a bad boy. She likes you too and didn't want to screw up the friendship."

"Too late for that," he says viciously. "I got my leg broken trying to impress her, trying to think I could change her image of me. All in vain, though, right?" He tries to unlock a safe he's located in the closet he's rummaging through. Meanwhile, I stand anxiously, glancing at Arsen who raises his hand like he's staying clear of my way. "She wanted a bad boy. I'm going to show her how bad I can be."

"No, you're showing her how reckless you can be," I berate.

"Oh I'm reckless?" Ben immediately turns to face me. "You're dating one of the worst guys in the area." Turning to Arsen, he adds, "No offense."

Arsen merely looks in our direction, but I know he's all ears now. 

"Arsen's helping me save myself and you." I defend.

"By bringing you in this life of misery. Ten points to Ruthless Rebels for another recruit," Ben says sarcastically. Arsen has the audacity to snicker. "You, Val, get out of here while you still can. This is not you." He gives a pointed look to the sack he's been loading. 

"And this is you?" I ask, picking up a one dollar bill he's shoved into the sack, and holding it in front of me.

"I'm a bad boy, now." 

"No, you're a shitty thief," Arsen comments, his eyes studying the one dollar note. Ben and I frown, following his gaze.

It takes us a moment to realize the bill is covered with bloody fingerprints.

I immediately drop it to the ground, letting out a short scream. Arsen brushes past Ben and I to see the area where Ben had found the money. My scream had apparently caught the rest of the group's attention because they come running inside the room.

"What's going on?" Ty asks me. "Did those two try to--"

His question is stopped short when Arsen steps back. He's cleared away the clothes from the closet, allowing us to gain a full view of a decaying body. My eyes turn wide and my heart thumps rapidly against my chest. All the guys mask their emotions well. Especially Leo, who's the only one to make a remark.

"Not again."

------------------------

A/N

I am alive. In case, you guys were worried.

I know I said I'd update on Fridays but its nearly impossible with work, classes, and side studying (I'm self studying for the MCATs even though I'm not in a science major). Anyhow, I'd like to say thank you for reading my work because it's crappy as hell. I can't believe I wrote this.

Regardless, there are roughly 10 chapters left (I pray to God so). I might divide a few but this journey's gotta finish. I've been writing this story since 2015 . . . yeah, I'm finishing it within May.

What's going on with you guys?

How's your love life? (Mine is non-existent as usual)

Love ya, my dahlings!!!