Chap. 1 | Sins - Part 01
Chemically Toxic
Chap.1 | Sins
Part 01
“That smell,
that fucking smell.”
I walked aimlessly through the school hallways, my mind tangled in the past and everything I’d done. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going, drawing unwanted stares with every step. I swore these people had nothing better to do with their lives. Honestly, I couldn’t stand a single one of them. I wished they would all just disappear—or drop dead.
“Oh, there you are, Finn! I’ve been looking for you!” a guy from the basketball team called out, jogging up to me.
Shit. What was his name again? Jim?
“Oh, what’s going on?” I asked, keeping my voice neutral.
“Chance told me to come get you. He’s looking for you too,” Jamie said, bouncing slightly on his feet. “We’re going to karaoke with some girls later, and he wants you there. Are you gonna go?”
I hated social gatherings like that. It took too much energy to keep up the act, and I was already running on empty. But if Chance sent someone to come and get me, then I need to get out of here and turn him down immediately.
“Sorry, dude. I can’t today. I have some errands to run—”
“Hey, Finny! Did Jamie ask you already?” Chance’s loud voice cut through the hall as he approached. “We’re going out today. Got some easy girls who don’t mind putting out, and they personally asked for you.”
Chance didn’t look happy. In fact, he’d been pissed off ever since I quit the team.
Before I could back away, Chance slung his heavy arm around my neck, pulling me down and squeezing tighter and tighter, intentionally digging his forearm into my windpipe.
“I-I see,” I choked out.
“Damn, Finn. Ever since you left that bitch Julie, you’ve been getting popular again,” Chance sneered, shoving me back hard against the lockers. Metal slammed against my spine. “Even though... you fucking left the team, abandone your friends, and kinda became an outcast.”
This guy. Was he seriously still throwing a tantrum over me leaving the team?
“I... I told you, I needed time for myself. My mom—”
“Shut up. Listen,” Chance interrupted, leaning in close. “I don’t know why they want you there, but you owe it to me to at least do this much. I did so much for you. I reinvented you. I made you who you are! You weren’t shit without me... and since you dropped the team, the least you can do is take a shower and look the part tonight.”
I met Chance back in seventh grade, though we didn’t really talk back then. We just knew of each other. It wasn’t until high school that he suddenly took an interest in me. And as much as I hated to admit it, there was truth in what he said.
I was naturally reserved; I preferred keeping to myself. But Chance forced me onto the basketball team, made me work out, styled my clothes, and reshaped me in every possible way.
I fucking hated him for it.
“Listen, Chance...” I pleaded quietly. “I really don’t want to—”
“Ugh, why are you such a bitch?” Chance snapped, rolling his eyes in frustration. “You’re gonna get some pussy and get drunk. Can’t you just act cool for once? Just be cool, Finn.”
“...No.”
“What? What did you say?”
“I said... no, dude,” I stammered, pulling away slightly. “I don’t want to go out, Chance. I don’t like who I am when I drink, and... I have shit to take care of at home—”
OOF!
Chance’s fist buried itself deep into my gut. The blow knocked every drop of air straight out of my lungs. I crumpled to my knees on the linoleum floor, gasping frantically for oxygen.
“Finn, you seem to forget that I don’t give a shit,” Chance growled, towering over me with a menacing stare. “I told the girls you’re coming, so you’re coming. There is no discussion. And if you want to say otherwise... we’re gonna convince you.”
Jamie shifted uncomfortably beside him, looking worried, while the other guys in the circle tried way too hard to look eager, practically itching to jump in if Chance gave the word.
Fuck! Why me? Why me! Why me! I wish they’d all just drop dead...
CRASH!
A glass bottle shattered straight through the window of the girls’ second-floor bathroom, scattering glass across the courtyard below. A second later, a group of girls burst through the double doors into the hallway, screaming, soaked, and furious.
“You bitch! What the fuck is this?!” a redhead shrieks, wiping at her dripping uniform. “Is this... PISS?!”
“FUCK YOU CUNTS!” a voice screeched back.
It was the girl who threw the bottle. She was tiny, practically swallowed alive by a tattered, oversized black graphic tee that looked like it had survived three different apocalypses. Offsetting her small frame were massive platform combat boots that gave her a desperate extra three inches of height, paired with fishnet tights that were more holes than mesh.
The entire look screamed Victorian doll who survived a punk rock disaster. Under a smudged halo of charcoal eyeshadow, her dark eyes looked heavy and exhausted—like she regularly talk to ghosts.
“You crazy bitch, I’ll kill you!” the redhead screamed as her friends broke into high-pitched shrieks.
The bottle-thrower didn’t stick around. She sprinted down the hall, flipping them off over her shoulder before disappearing around the corner.
“Wow, what a crazy chick,” Jamie muttered, staring down the corridor.
I finally managed to catch my breath and dragged myself back to my feet, using the lockers for leverage.
“Chance, don’t you know her?” Jamie asked.
“Yeah... We went to the same middle school,” Chance replied, watching the lingering commotion. “Real weird, fucked-up quiet chick. Her name was... Jade? Yeah, Jade Becker. Whatever you do, stay the fuck away from that one.” Chance turned his gaze back to me, eyes cold. “So, Finn. Changed your mind?”
Fuck. Maybe it’s just better to go... give him what he wants so he leaves me alone.
“Around what time should I get there?” I mumbled.
* * *
