Ripped Up At The Edges (Dominic)

[Deleted]

Kinsey was actually feeling pretty good lately. Ever since she and Riley made up and got over their fight the other day, she felt lighter than she had in a while. Granted, she was in a bit of trouble for skipping a few classes during their fight, but she only skipped the classes she had with Riley, so that wasn't all of them ... which was definitely good.

This morning she was getting out of arithmancy, which happened to be one of the classes without Riley so she wasn't in trouble there for skipping. The good thing was that she loved arithmancy! She found that more often than not she left that class with a smile.

She started walking through the back corridors, more out of habit than anything else. Kinsey was wondering where she and Riley were going to meet today. It wasn't like they planned it, the two of them normally just ended up running into one another in the library or the common room. Kinsey was busy thinking about that and wasn't even really paying attention to her surroundings at all.

@dominic

[Deleted]

Dominic was in a good mood today. He had done very well on the assignment in arithmacy and the professor complimented him. He always loved that, especially when it was due to hard work. He loved school. That was something most people could figure out about him pretty fast, because of how often he could be seen practicing what he'd learned or walking with a book. Sure he was a handsome, mean guy too but people didn't have to strain to see how good of a student he was.

Arithmacy had just let out and he was walking away with a smile. He saw Kinsey up ahead and for a moment didn't even register that her little toy boy wasn't with her at the moment. He was fully ready to just wall past until he realized how long it had been since Kinsey had been alone.

He stopped, suddenly, right beside her and turned to look down at her. "Well doesn't someone have a little pep in their step," he said flatly.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Kinsey was so lost in her thoughts that it took her a few seconds to notice the shift in the corridor's atmosphere, the change in intentions. Those few, precious seconds might have given her the time to get away if she paid better attention. What she did know was that all of a sudden someone was walking beside her and they stopped, their intentions negative, to say the least. She didn't need to look up at the person to know who it was. Dominic.

Instantly, the flood of familiar emotions rushed through her and Kinsey tried to fight them off. No, she wasn't worthless and unwanted. At least, not to everyone. Riley cared for her, as did Dustin and her parents. She didn't have to let Dom get to her, but it was so hard to appear strong after enduring this for six years. 

She glanced up at him, biting her lip and looking away. "I don't know what you mean," she answered softly, surprised that her voice wasn't shaking. That was a good sign. She tried to take courage from it.

@dominic

[Deleted]

She said that she didn't know what he meant, but that was a downright lie. She had been happier ever since she started spending time with Riley Fudge. Dominic always thought that guy was kind of ridiculous, but also avoided him because he knew that Riley could find his weaknesses if he really tried. In fact, Dominic's weaknesses weren't that deeply buried. You just had to be looking for them, and they were easy to find. Especially for someone as hyper aware as Riley. It was a good tactic on Kinseys part, dating someone that Dominic didn't like to be around. It had protected her a lot these last few weeks, but now she was alone, no little boyfriend there to help her out.

"Off to see the lover? I'm sure he's just thrilled to have such a...  Underwhelming girlfriend. And I thought the fudge family had good taste," he shook his head, as if it was such a big shame.

@kinsey

[Deleted]

She hated this. A part of Kinsey wished she could just walk away, but she knew that wouldn't work. There were few places she could go that Dom wouldn't follow her and she knew that when he was in a mood like this he wouldn't let her escape until he was good and ready to. He asked if she was on her way to Riley and Kinsey was about to answer when he continued on, saying that Riley must be thrilled to have her as a girlfriend. He was obviously being sarcastic and Kinsey's stomach clenched from the tension. "If Riley didn't like the way I am, he wouldn't be dating me, so I think I can safely assume that you're wrong about that," she said quietly, trying to stick to logic. It was harder for him to mess with logic. Probably. Then again, this way Dom she was dealing with. He always found a way to mess with her and right now it was just below the surface. She was barely hiding her nerves and anxiety from him. In fact, it was quite possible he already noticed it, but she was going to try and pretend like he hadn't. 

@dominic

[Deleted]

Well, this little princess had gotten a backbone, probably thanks to Riley. That just made this no fun. In fact, if she kept this up he may not even stick around to deal with it. He had more entertaining things to do with his time. "Oh, there are plenty of reasons to date someone like you,." he said with a shrug. "You're a pushover, which means he can get what he wants from you fairly easy. It's just easier to play with the emotions a bit before he really uses you for what he wants," he knew that was a horrible thing to say, but he didn't care. This was Kinsey. And Riley. This was what he did. "I mean, I'm sure once he gets what he wants he'll realize there are much better fish in the sea. Enjoy it while you can, though. He's probably the only guy who will ever think twice about you."

@kinsey

[Deleted]

Her argument didn't phase Dom in the slightest and Kinsey felt her courage start to crumble. He was so confident and his voice was smooth and sure ... he seemed to know exactly what he was talking about, as he always did. He also knew exactly what would get under her skin. Without realizing she was doing it, Kinsey took a tiny step away from him and then another as she tried to ignore his words. That was impossible. Dom knew her in a way no one else did and he knew just what to say to keep her listening, even when Kinsey knew she didn't want to. It was almost like an enchantment, though Kinsey knew he didn't enchant her. He didn't have to because for some ridiculous and unknown reason, she listened when he spoke. Really listened, and after six years ... she also believed him. Almost without argument, once he permeated her defenses. Right now, her defenses were Riley, exactly the thing he was attacking and she was struggling to fight against it.

Her eyes widened at his words even as her stomach clenched and she started to feel as though she'd be sick. "No," she breathed, but her voice was soft and full of doubt, an obvious indication that she was wearing down and starting to believe him. "Riley- Riley wouldn't." He wouldn't play with her like that ... would he? She knew how much he wanted to protect her, but things like that were hard to remember now, with Dom. "He- he really cares about me," her voice sounded weak, even to herself and she cringed slightly, trying to prepare herself for the next verbal onslaught.

@dominic

[Deleted]

Her rebuttle was pathetic, frankly, and that's what Dom wanted. She was even stumbling over her words, and didn't sound like she believed them herself. Dominic shrugged, "I'm just saying he's a guy, Kinsey. And you're pretty enough," he looked at her and scrunched his nose. "Well, you're simple enough that any curious teenage boy would know there was a possibility to get some curiosities out of the way," he then gave a faux yawn, raising his hand to cover his mouth.

He lowered his hand and as he did he put his arm around her shoulders and clasped her far shoulder with his hand, "I'm sure it's all good fun, though. Like I said. Enjoy it."

@kinsey

[Deleted]

His words were poison. Kinsey knew that, knew that the more she listened to him, the harder it was to get his words out of her mind, but it wasn't like she could do anything to stop his words from coming. Dom wouldn't let her escape until he was good and ready. He was probably enjoying the chance to have her alone, since it hadn't happened since the carnival. Previous to this, a part of Kinsey dared to hope that he forgot about her, but she had no such luck. Now she was here, alone with him, and he was attacking one of the only things that helped her since his return- Riley. 

He shrugged, obviously not concerned by her feeble argument that Riley wouldn't do that to her, saying that he was a guy. He almost called her pretty, but Kinsey flinched and her face started to flush from embarrassment as he changed his words to calling her simple. She already knew Dom didn't think she was pretty. Her looks were something he consistently tormented her about over the years, which was one reason why she put more effort into trying to look nice. Her mouth fell open at his implications about why Riley would want to spend time with her and she started shaking her head, not noticing that she said the word "No," a few times as she looked away from him, searching for a way to escape. It wouldn't be easy, but might be possible.

Then his arms were around her shoulders and Kinsey sensed more than she wanted to. Her heart sank as she felt his intentions, to hurt her and make her suffer and she tried to pull herself out of his grasp for a few seconds. Then he started speaking again and she was shaking. "Enjoy it?" she breathed, her voice incredulous though she hoped he wouldn't hear her response. How could she enjoy anything with Riley again after this? She cared for him deeply and believed he had strong feelings for her as well, but ... what if Dom was right and Riley got tired of her someday, like Diana did? Would she be able to come back from that? "Why are you doing this to me?" she moaned, once more trying to pull herself away from him. She needed to try and escape.

@dominic

[Deleted]

Her mouth fell open and she started to shake her head, and he vaguely heard a 'no' muttered in there as he spoke, but she didn't stop. He turned away, too, keeping his eyes forward as they walked. He was sure that she was going to get away at any moment, and he would let her. He had done enough damage to fester in her for a week, that was good enough for him for now.

Still, he put his arm around her shoulders. She tired to pull away for just a moment but gave up eventually, no surprise there. She was a coward, and that's why picking on her was so easy and somehow so addicting. Then, she asked something he didn't expect. She asked why he was doing this to her, and started to pull away.

She had never asked him that before, not that he could remember. At least not flat out like that. He lifted his arm so she could succeed in pulling away, slightly stunned. "Do I... need a reason?" he decided to say, even though that was an incredibly lame answer. He didn't want to give her the real reason... nope.


@kinsey
(This thread is BEFORE the thread with Diana that she overheard, just to remind us both XD Because he wouldn't be saying these things after what happened to Di hahah)

[Deleted]

Of course he didn't let her go. Not initially, at least. His arms around her shoulders was one thing Kinsey hated most about their interactions, the appearance of friendliness. To any passerby, it would seem like they were going for a cheerful walk. No one knew the truth, which was definitely Kinsey's fault since she never told anyone, but she also didn't know if there was a way for her to change that. She didn't want him to treat her worse or to start bullying anyone she told. That was why she kept it to herself all these years.

After her question, he raised his arm and Kinsey stepped away quickly, feeling instant relief when he wasn't touching her any longer. She could still feel his negative intentions toward her, but at least the feeling wasn't as strong, though Kinsey was getting to the point where she didn't need to touch him to know his intentions. That happened after spending a specific amount of time with people and apparently Dom was getting close to that. He seemed ... surprised by her question and Kinsey paused a few steps away from him, turning to look as she waited for his answer, since it seemed like he was going to give her one. He asked if he needed a reason and Kinsey's mouth opened, though she couldn't speak. Of course there should be a reason, though honestly no reason was good enough to treat someone the way he treated her. Still, why did he choose her over all the other people in the school that he could be bullying? She knew her expression was one of disgust tingled slightly with confusion as she stared at him, but she couldn't stop it. Couldn't seem to leave or take another step away from him, even though she knew she should leave now. She couldn't.

@dominic

[Deleted]

She stepped away, but then she stopped. She turned to look, and he gave his answer. Her expression was very hard to read... and his bow furrowed at her. Why was she just staring at him and not saying anything? They stood there, for too long, in silence. He honestly didn't know what to say now. Was she trying to confuse him? If so, it was working. She was just starting at him. He had answered her question, hadn't he!? What else was he supposed to do.

He sighed, annoyed, and shook his head. "So beat it," he said suddenly and firmly, hoping that she'd take it and run away. His feet weren't able to move for some reason, so it would be much easier if she just bailed on him. He was surprised that she had even asked in the first place...

Most of all, he was surprised by all the questions it raised inside him. About why he did torture her. What that meant about his life. What that meant about him. What that meant about them.

@kinsey
(your move)

[Deleted]

He was staring at her. Kinsey didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, but at least he wasn't getting angry at her again. Yet. Maybe that was about to happen. She tried to get herself to leave yet again. What good would staying here do her? Absolutely nothing. And yet ... getting her feet to leave was harder than she wanted it to be. 

Then he shook his head at her, his expression getting annoyed as he barked at her to leave. Kinsey jumped, his voice urging her into action again. What was she doing here? She suddenly remembered the importance of getting away from him. Without a word or another glance, she spun around and walked away, trying to not seem anxious even though he already knew she was. The further away she got from him, the more relaxed she felt, but also the more nervous as his words repeated over and over in her mind. Riley. Kinsey wanted to talk to him, but could she? About this?

--- the end ---

@dominic