Chapter 47 47: Anxiety Chaser
After the therapy, Baby never returned to the apartment.
He told himself he wasn't anxious or scared because of what Saint had said: 'I'll make it up to you tonight.' No, he just needed some air, not scared.
Yes, some air.
The past few days have been quite... heavy. He needed some time to think and clear his head.
The sun was setting beautifully and Baby sat under the tree, resting his back as he stared at the sun disappearing under the far end of the wide river.
He was two hours away from campus, away from his troubles and fake life.
This was a place he came to whenever his emotions choked him up.
He felt exhausted, alone, and sad.
With no one around, Baby let his guard down, slouching his back and staring ahead with sad and empty eyes.
Times like these, he wished he had someone to speak to, like a mother, or a father... he had them, but he'd never call them; they wouldn't even pick up.
The only person he could have called was his best friend, Cam. But, he messed that up, too, and he blamed everything on Saint.
Ever since Saint appeared in his life, Baby started to question everything around him, including his own self.
He barely recognised himself anymore.
"Damn..." he murmured, dragging his hand over his face.
He didn't know how, but somehow, Saint Kross had messed with his head in a way no one could ever do.
He was the school bad boy, proud, arrogant, you name all the bad qualities of a leader, that was all Baby. But, ever since Saint appeared, Baby found himself unconsciously conscious of his actions.
He might claim not to like Saint, but deep down, he wanted to be perfect like the bastard, maybe his parents will grow to love him if he...
He gritted his teeth as he paused his thoughts.
That was exactly why he should stay away from Saint, the idiot got him thinking of how to be a good son... something he never did.
Fuck Saint.
Fuck his mother.
And respectfully, fuck his prideful father.
They could all book a suite in hell for all he cared.
Sighing, Baby stood and dusted his sandy ass, inhaling deeply and cleansing his lungs with the pure, organic air.
Slowly, he moved, walking toward the river to catch the last reflection of the setting sun.
As always, the serenity of the place eased his worried mind. He had been so tensed up during the therapy; after what Saint did to him in the bathroom, even hearing Saint's voice affected him greatly. Sitting through a therapy session and even holding hands... he was almost passing out.
"Fuck you, Kross," he muttered and turned away from the water.
The sky was darkening, already, and the clouds were starting to gather like it was about pour.
He paused between the trees and stared at the hammock with deep longing. If the weather wasn't against him, he wouldn't mind spending the night there and returning the next morning. Anything to avoid sleeping in the same room as that wolf.
He had no choice, he had to go; after all, he wasn't afraid of Saint or what he could do.
He was Baby Danvers, he feared nothing and no one.
He entered his car and started it, his fingers gripping the steering wheel for a while.
He lifted his head, looking into his front mirror, "Go back, act normal... act like yourself. You've got this." He murmured to himself, nodding slowly.
With that, Baby hit the road, chanting his mantra as he drove back to the campus.
After two hours of lonely driving, Baby pulled up in front of the apartment. His heart suddenly skipped a beat as he stared at the building, he was feeling like he was about to walk into a trap, a trap Saint had set.
He scoffed, getting out of his car and marching in like he owned the place.
"Hi, Baby," A nerdy girl smiled at him as he walked toward the elevator.
He ignored her and walked on.
He was in no mood for chats, especially not with ugly, nerd girls.
He entered the elevator and quickly lit his cigarette as it started to move.
He needed to calm his anxious nerves, but the darned cigarette wasn't helping a damn.
As he approached his floor, his cigarette started to shake between his trembling fingers.
"What the fuck?" He muttered, using his other hand to keep the trembling hand in place.
Suddenly, the elevator stopped on the floor before his, and someone was entering.
The doors slid open and in walked the guy who had interrupted Saint and Baby earlier that day in the bathroom, Alex.
Alex was Saint's formal teammate. Baby knew him, he'd never forget how Alex always wanted to fight him whenever Westbridge High won Eastvale Academy, Alex always lost it and always looked for ways to fight Baby.
But Saint never let it happen, always being the sensible one to stop the fight from happening.
Baby didn't move an inch, he puffed his smoke, facing the closing door like he didn't see anyone walk inside.
"Still as proud as ever," Alex broke the silence, pushing his hands into his pockets.
Baby ignored him, watching the numbers climb higher. He couldn't wait to leave the elevator.
"You look at me when I speak to you," Alex lifted his hand and took Baby's cigarette from him, throwing it on the floor and stamping on it.
Baby gritted his teeth, staring down at his anxiety chaser being stubbed under Alex's foot.
Slowly, he looked up at Alex's face, his eyes narrowing.
"Ah, finally, I got your attention," Alex smirked, folding his hands.
Baby clenched his fists, trying his best not to burst Alex's lips.
"I'll let you off this time, Alex boy. Next time, you'd be crying to your mama with your tails between your legs-argh!" Baby grunted as he was forcefully pushed against the elevator.
Alex was on him, pressing his arm into Baby's neck.
"Finally got you, Danvers. For so long, I've wanted to beat the crop out of your privileged ass-fuck!" Alex staggered back and hunched, cupping his aching balls.
"Bastard, you fucking –"
"Trust me, if I were you, I'd let me go. I'm not really in a perfect mood to play with you today," Baby said, dusting invisible pecks off his clothes.
"Oh, but I am in my best mood for you, Dancers. You need to be taught the lesson your parents obviously failed to teach you –"
"Bastard!" Baby launched at Alex, punching him square on the jaw.
"Ugh! Damn it!" Alex groaned and spat out blood, his face darkening.
"Good, now you really got me in the mood," he smirked and punched Baby right back.
It turned into a fistfight, a wrestling match, or a boxing match, whatever it was that caused the other person harm.