Silent Poison

Autumn walked into the cafeteria, her head held high. Angelo met her eyes quickly. This was it, there was no going back. She smirked at him as she made her way past TJ and his groupies towards the Lost boys' table. Chris looked up seeing her approach and gave her a look of skepticism. Balz and Ricky just paused in mid conversation. Most of the cafeteria went quiet with the exception of whispering. Autumn could hear it.

'It's true!'

'She is dating the taller one!'

'He's just going to dump her.'

'Why wasn't I ever asked out?'

'Bitch.'

Autumn took in the comments and let them go instantly. As if they knew anything. They would do well to take them back quickly anyway if they ever wanted her to do their biddings ever again.

Chris stood as if to take his tray up to the conveyor belt that dragged trays away to be washed. Autumn placed her hand on it and slammed it down on the wooden table causing even more commotion.

"We need to talk." She said plainly, a smile playing on her lips.

"After what happened last time? No thanks." He said.

He picked up his tray more forcefully and moved around her. She noted the glare Angelo gave her. Turning, she followed after Chris.

"You were the one who wanted this."

"Yeah, that was before I found out you were a hardcore bitch. I was warned though. Guess that I just did believe it."

He set his tray on the conveyor belt and turned around to face her, giving her a once over. he gave a look of approval not that she really cared. Approval was something that she never looked for out of anybody, not even her parents. Her hair was up in a clip today. A tie still hung loosely around her neck. The eyeliner around her eyes made her eyes darker, more mysterious. She stepped closer to him.

The cafeteria had gone back to what they were doing beforehand, talking and gossiping and complaining about life. Autumn just continued her staring contest with Chris. A smirk played at his lips.

"You honestly think I care about what people call me? What you call me?" she scoffed, "I don't. This was a business idea that you wanted to play with. I could care less about everybody's feelings except for the boiling rage that is my moronic brother."

"And you still think I want anything to do with you?"

Autumn looked over her shoulder and found TJ. A look of violent rage encompassed him and his lackeys.

"Possibly."

She leaned into Chris, grabbing the lapels of his black denim jacket. His breath caught, but for only a moment.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

Each word was articulated perfectly and sent shivers down Chris' back. He raised his drawn on eyebrows down at her. If this doesn't work I can at least nail her.

Autumn turned to walk away and saw the looks that people gave. Some showed shock others, like her brother, showed rage and it fueled her fire to strike back at him.

"Fine. No holding back though. It has to be believable."

"Oh, it will be…on my terms."

Autumn patted him on the chest and stepped back from him. Warmth from her touch resonated with Chris.

"Terms?" he scoffed, "Not much of a relationship if there are terms."

"Good." She smiled.

Her smile was evil and dark. It wasn't supposed to be fun and she wouldn't let him get all of the fun out of this if any.

"We'll talk later." She said, her voice quiet and possibly seductive.

She ran her forefinger down his bicep giving him a look that could kill all while biting her lower lip. He gave her his best smug look.

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"There's no way that they could be serious." Devin said to TJ,with a shake of his head.

"Shut the fuck up. I know why she's doing this. She's trying to get under my skin, annoy me." TJ gritted out.

He watched as Autumn walked away from Chris leaving him there looking stunned. Touch her and die. Chris looked over at their table and grinned. He walked after Autumn, her hair looking like flames. Her walk held determination. Catching halfway to the exit, Chris grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. Her breath hitched with a fright.

"To make it official," he said, his voice sultry and smooth.

Chris brushed her bangs which had fallen from her up do out of her face, his finger trailing like a feather past her temple, down along her beautiful cheekbone. There was no denying that she was beautiful. It was the way she carried herself, the way she spoke, how she owned everything and everyone, the way she held her own even against TJ even though everybody could see her chained and restrained by him. "What-"

Chris interrupted her breathy words.

"You're going to trash my reputation…but, we have to make it official."

His hand had slid down to the nape of her neck now. He held it hard and pressed his lips to hers. Her lips were smooth. He nipped her bottom lip. Autumn fought the urge to push him and slap him. It would look bad, not convincing.

When he pulled away, his hand held her chin. With his thumb, he ran it along her lower lip salvaging the taste. It was different, a different territory, dangerous. He knew tried to fight it. A look of disgust blazed from her eyes. She placed her hand on his chest.

"Do that again and you'll regret it." she murmured.

"Sorry, 'love'."

She ignored the cold emphasis in his voice. Autumn stood there a second longer then turned and continued walking. The stares from the cafeteria were getting annoying.

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Chris sat by her in the classes that Autumn and him did have and was there waiting for her after the classes that they didn't share. He had become an instant puppy dog. Autumn carried her own books and bookbag however. She preferred to. They barely spoke. All day there were whispers. Anytime that Tj made his way towards Autumn he would stop because Chris would show up within extremely close proximity with her and stare at her seductively.

"You sure do a good job repelling my brother like bug spray. What's the deal with you two anyway?"

"Long story." Chris said.

"And you don't share long stories do you?"

"How about we swap stories if you're so interested. What was the deal with your last boyfriend?"

"Never mind. I'm not that interested. I'll send you an e-mail on how this 'relationship' is going to work later." Autumn said.

Kyle was not a subject she wanted to discuss. In fact, she didn't want to remember. The asshole was gone for good and that's what mattered. Hopefully he had some infectious death disease that was slowly killing him. that was the first and last time she let her emotions get the best of her.

Autumn walked down the hallway to get away from his question. Chris followed, his curiosity getting the best of him.

"What? Can't handle going back into the past?"

"Go fuck yourself." Autumn spat venomously.

Chris stopped. People glared at him for standing in the middle of the hall blocking traffic. She disappeared in the crowd. It had been a while since a feeling of regret had entered him. It was a small pang, but the way she spoke, the hurt in her voice.

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Chris went to her room before dinner. There was no response to the loud knocks on her door. He didn't see any light from the crack under her door. Where are you?

He went to dinner and with Ryan, Devin and Angelo. He shifted his food around on his plate with no particular interest in eating. She was really touchy about Kyle.

"Where's my sister?"

Chris looked up. Tj stood by the end of the table. He looked at each of the sons, his eyes searching for an answer skeptically.

"I don't know. I'm not her keeper." Chris said.

Tj slammed his hand down on the table making everyone around them jump and quiet down. Chris set down his fork annoyed and looked up at the douchebag. His icy eyes glared at him as did the ones of his three friends.

"Be careful Cerulli, you are in uncharted territory and it could go very, very wrong." TJ said, his tone dark.

"Is there a threat in there?" Chris said "Because if you think I'm going to take threats you're wrong."

Chris stood up slowly emphasizing how serious he was. he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"I won't let you do to me what you did to Kyle."

TJ swung and hit Chris square across the face. His eyes blazed furiously from the words.

"Don't fucking talk about him! You have no idea what you're talking about!"

TJ moved to hit him again as Chris held his face. Ryan, Balz and Angelo stood quickly and moved to defend Chris Chris waved them off. Kyle was such a sensitive subject…he needed to know.

"Kyle!"

He swung again and Chris took another punch to his temple making his head throb. Autumn was beside TJ holding his arm back. He looked at his baby sister and let her drag him from the crowd that was growing around them. She looked back at Chris who stared at her. He wasn't angry. The stare was blank.

Autumn walked with force down the halls towards the dorms. Autumn wandered a few steps ahead of him unable to come up with a clear reason as to why the two must always fight. He was supposed to stay away not fight.

"What is wrong with you?" Autumn asked him.

TJ stared at her as if she were a UFO.

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you?"

His voice was accusatory. She looked at him taken aback. She just saved his ass from suspension and he blames her? What the hell? Autumn crossed her arms over her chest and stopped walking altogether. Tendrils of hair had fallen from the clip that held it all together.

"Me?"

The word was quiet on her lips.

"Out of all of the capable guys in this school, you choose him? I don't get it Auty"

"You don't have to. It's my choice."

"If you continue with this I can't deal with you."

Autumn stared at him unresponsive. Her eyes were burning and burned even worse when she blinked. They were dry and irritated. She let out a heavy sigh.

"You're my sister, but I won't deal with this. You're on your own."

TJ turned not waiting to hear what Autumn would say next. She watched him walk down the hall and exit the building. The door clattered at shutting. Her legs felt numb.

"That's what I want," she mumbled to herself.

She unfolded her arms and let them dangle at her sides. was officially done with or soon would be. slowly, she could feel the relief. There would be no more control over her just freedom.

"Everything okay?"

Or so she hoped.

Autumn turned to see Chris walking towards her. His right eye was bruising already. He bore a sympathetic look almost, the harsh look in his eyes, most likely towards her brother.

"Other than your face? Great." She replied.

She held now emotion for him. He stopped a few feet in front of her. The two were silent for several moments. Autumn twirled an orange tendril around her finger.

"I'm sorry." Chris said breaking the silence.

"No you're not." Autumn smirked. "If you were sorry the world would be ending."

Chris gave a short nod confirming what she said. He pulled his hands from his pockets.

"Does it hurt?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Good."

Chris' eyebrows rose at that. This girl loves pain? Hm….

"Let's talk about those terms." Autumn said.

She turned and walked in the same direction that TJ had left. She felt pleased with the sound of his footsteps following behind her.

"No sex." she announced as they got outside. "Don't call me Auty."

She smirked at the huff that came out of Chris. He didn't like the sound of that and that made Autumn quite happy.

"You will not spend any time with me outside regulated hours like the weekend for example."

Chris scowled at the small, petite girl.

"Also, you will never come into my room."

"You do know this has to look legit right?"

"I know."

"I'm not your whipped puppy dog either."

"Fine. Say what you want to your idiot friends. I don't care. But, if I hear something I don't like there will be consequences."

Chris raised his eyebrows. Consequences? Sounds kinky.

"In no way will you ever kiss me again either. If it comes down to that I will initiate it and I better expect no tongue. This isn't fun Chris. Are you sure you want to be in a relationship with me?"

She spun around and looked at him coyly. He smiled wide at her.

"I like a good challenge." He said.

She caught the husky tone in his voice and ignored the bait.

"Fine. I gave you a chance. Just know one thing,"

"And what's that Autumn?"

"This can and probably will end in a very ugly manner."

"I'm good with ugly…but you don't know that do you? Wait until you start spending 'quality' time with me."

Autumn snorted. He just watched her as she grasped at the hilarity of this ever ending on good terms. The chances of that were extremely slim to null.

"Not likely!"

She laughed hysterically at him and continued to walk. Chris watched her walk towards the arts building.

"Careful Auty You might like what you find. We'll be breaking all sorts of rules."

He walked towards the dorms laughing quietly to himself. She had no idea what she was getting into. Control. She had it, she would have no matter what.