E P I G R A P H

❝A smile of heaven with fire in her eyes.
She was an angel but so was the devil. ❞

☾ eighteen | karma ☽

Holt's POV

"I'M THINKING THAT maybe I fell for the wrong brother."

I never thought in a million years that I would hear her utter such meaningful words, words that I've only dreamt of her saying. This has to be a dream, there's no way she wants me. The only people whom want me, are the people I don't want.

God, she's something else. Something amazing, beautiful—she's perfect.

I never thought I'd have the chance to touch her, have my hands touch her perfect soft skin, or have my lips pressed against hers, my tongue exploring her mouth, but here we are, her petite frame pressed against the mattress, me between her legs as I stroked her cheek with my thumb, my other hand holding my weight.

It's like a dream that I never thought in a million years, that I'd ever have. Actually, I frequently dream of her, I've dreamt of taking her completely, and it felt so real—it always does—but all I've done so far is kiss her and even that alone makes me feel more than in my dreams.

All the hundreds of girls I've fucked, they can't even compare the slightest to what I've experienced tonight, and for that I feel like a complete pussy. I'm literally whipped over a kiss with Halo Storm.

But that's just it. She's Halo Storm. There's not a single girl on this earth like her, well not in Moonvale anyway.

"Did I say something wrong?" her soft voice brought me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head, a large grin probably apparent on my lips, "Far from wrong, angel." I murmured, daring to duck my head as I placed a soft kiss on her jaw.

I caught a glimpse of a slight smile flash across her lips, I swear I saw heaven as soon as she did. Though angel or not, there was no doubt about the fire in her eyes, the fire proves she isn't weak—far from it. She is an angel, but then again, so was the devil once.

It was satisfying, feeling her shiver beneath me from a simple peck to her jawline, but I'm not complaining, not the slightest.

"You're beautiful, you know that?"

She bit her lip, her cheeks tainted with crimson as she nodded ever so slightly, she wasn't being vain, though. She was nodding because she didn't know what else to say in response, I believe she does know that she is beautiful, but she's not one to admit it.

"Do you think all my friends think that I am a slut?" she whispered warily, her eyes gleaming with horror.

I rolled my eyes. Her 'friends' are shit. Alix Montgomery, fuck I could list hundreds of fucked up shit I've seen her done, she's completely obsessed with Halo and ruining her life, though it doesn't work. Halo is got too much pride and attitude on her to let that happen.

And Esme, I'm not sure about her. She does seem to care for Halo, but she's friends with someone whom puts down her best friend on a daily basis, and she's been around for the entirety of Zayden and Halo's relationship (or whatever it was) but she didn't ever do anything about it.

I've only been around for two months, and I've been more effective in her life than her groupies have.

"Nah, once you tell them about Zayden and Alix, they'll think she's the slut." I replied honestly.

She pouted, "How am I supposed to deal with this?" she sighed, "I have to sit at the same table as him everyday, in order to sit with Esme."

"Sit with me." I blurted.

She raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"You heard me." I growled, "Sit with me, it's better than sitting with that dick and his dog."

She laughed at my use of names, "I'm not much better."

"Fuck up." I joked, then realising what I said sounded extremely harsh, "Shit—I mean, you are better."

She giggled, "I know what you meant." She clarified, "But I'm not. He cheated on me an hour ago, and I'm already up here kissing my ex boyfriend's twin. I'm worse."

I clenched my jaw, pulling myself off her. I didn't want to get mad and ruin everything that jut happened, but I'm sick of it always coming back to that.

Everything related to me always comes back to Everest. It's never about me, it's never about what I want or how I feel, it has and always only be about Everest.

I'm his twin brother, so that must mean that I'm connected to him completely, anything I do isn't okay, because my twin brother is buried six feet under the dirt.

"What're you doing?" she murmured, sitting up before scooting over to me, her feet not reaching the ground like mine—easily—did.

I ignored her, she barely said anything but that doesn't make what she said valid.

She placed her hand on my shoulder, shaking it slightly as though I was in another world, but no. unfortunately, I'm right here.

"What, Halo?" I seethed, shrugging her small hand off me.

She stayed silent for a moment, I can imagine she's going over everything she's said in the past two minutes, trying to figure out what she had said or done wrong.

"Was it because I mentioned Everest?"

I clenched my fists on my lap, my jaw clenched as I kept my gaze forward, "Partly." I said bluntly, "And because you referred to me as your 'ex boyfriend's twin brother' I forgot I'm not my own person."

She sucked in a shaky breath, "Holt. . .that's not what I meant. I know you're your own person, I just—I. . .It's habit, okay?" she groaned, "I'm sorry."

I stood up, turning to face her, almost fainting when I saw her appearance. Her straightened hair was slightly frizzy on the back from being pressed against the mattress, her red lips were swollen from the interaction with mine, her mascara was smeared and overall she just looked beautiful, the way her white heels dangled off the edge of the bed, the way her halo fell lopsided.

She wasn't just an angel, but she truly looked like one too.

I don't think I believed heaven existed until her, before that girls were all awful, sex crazed creatures that all looked the same. I guess they still do, just not Halo.

"Seven minutes is up." I scowled, forcing my eyes away from her as I pulled the door open and exited the room.

She looked like a mess. A beautiful tragedy, like us. Fuck up, Holt. We aren't an 'us'.

I wasn't going to tell her that though, I wanted her to go down there and let her cunt of an ex see what I just did to her. I wanted him—and her friends—to see that all it takes is a few minutes for me to turn her.

I walked down the stairs, and I heard her heels clacking against the tiling, closely behind.

I pushed through the crowd, returning to the lame circle in the corner, so that everyone was aware that I fulfilled the dare.

"Where's Halo? Did you scare her away already?" Zayden snickered, making me want to punch him in the face.

I narrowed my eyes at him, wishing murder was legal.

"I'm here." I heard her voice as she walked over, panting before stopping next to me.

Take that.

Zayden's eyes widened, his arm noticeably loosening around Alix as he watched in despair. Faux despair of course, he just cheated on his girlfriend, he's barely sad he lost her, he's just embarrassed that the fuckwit got caught.

Alix narrowed her eyes at Halo and I, flicking her blonde ombre hair off her shoulder.

I don't know what is with Alix and stealing anyone that Halo dates, but it's kind of fucked and really obsessive, I don't even think Halo notices. I mean how could she, the only person she knows of Alix stealing from her, was Zayden. She has no idea about Everest.

I don't know if I'll ever tell her.

I know I should, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I know my thoughts of Everest and Halo being together isn't the happiest, nor the nicest, but that doesn't mean I want her to feel the same way. I don't want to taint the way she perceives someone she once loved more than the world.

"Yeah, she's right here." I said sternly, my hand twitching as I resisted the urge to wrap my arm around her, "It's my turn now, isn't it?"

Everyone's expressions twisted to a mixture of something horrified, concerned and maybe surprised. I don't know why everyone's so scared, or surprised. . .I'm not going to participate in some childish game and not atleast get one dare in.

I'm about to give that douche what he deserves. Embarrassment.

"Holt, what're you doing?" Halo said lowly, grabbing my wrist in attempt to prevent me from sitting back down in the not so round circle.

I ignored her, knowing that due to her harmless personality, she'll do whatever she can to prevent me from doing what I'm about to do.

Well that's if I get Zayden, if I don't then I guess I'll have to keep playing until I do.

I felt Halo's tantalising strong presence behind me. I tilted my head back, smirking as she stood over me with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face, she may seem intimidating to her friends but she's just an angel, nothing scary about that.

As I reached out to spin the bottle, I began to think about how ridiculous this entire game is, when I was fourteen I found this game so cool but now, I think it's had its day. I guess it depends whom you're playing it with, maybe if it was a game completely between Halo and I, I'd enjoy it more.

She wouldn't be so angelic after that.

The transparent glass bottle spun around in a vast circle until slowing down ever so slightly before coming to a complete stop in front of the infamous dickhead; Zayden Brooks.

He figure tensed as he chewed on the inside of his cheek.

"I'm finished with this game." He spat, "Its lame anyways."

"You're the one that wanted to play it." Esme muttered under he breath.

He earned a chain of 'boo's' and other unfriendly (but well deserved) comments, and that was enough to destroy his pride, as he shuffled uncomfortably in his spot, scoffing in distaste as he waited.

I smirked, "I dare you to tell everyone why you and Halo aren't together anymore."

Zayden's jaw dropped, and Alix well she kept a rather neutral expression, but I could tell she'd ravish in the attention that's about to be directed towards her. Despite the fact that it'll be negative attention.

If there weren't dozens of people dancing beyond us, and music that consisted of more bass than singing, you'd probably be able to hear a pin drop right now.

No one knew what was about to happen, literally no one. Actually, I think Halo might have a vague idea.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He scoffed, unable to keep consistent eye contact with me.

I'm not that intimidating, am I?

I snorted, ignoring the gasps and confused faces from around me, "Alix knows though, doesn't she."

"Ali, don't." Zayden seethed sternly.

Alix's smile faltered, I think she was torn between exposing Zayden, or listening to Zayden. If she exposes him there is a chance he'll despise her for a long time, an extremely high chance. But, I know in that sick, twisted mind of hers, that she's thinking if she exposes him then everyone will know and she might get to be with him after all.

"What's going on?" Esme asked in a concerned tone, twisting to face Halo whom still stood behind me.

I didn't even want to know what type of expression she was pulling right now.

"Zayden cheated on her. . .with me." Alix announced.

The sick thing was that she was proud of it.

"But everyone already knows that, right?" She continued, making my eyes widen, "Because it's been happening for months."

Well that didn't go to planned. I can't believe that sick fuck was cheating for months, and he had the audacity to threaten his own life in return for her staying with him.

"What?" Halo finally spoke.

Alix smirked, and it so badly made me wish that I wasn't a guy so that I could punch her repeatedly, but my father always taught me not to hurt girls.

Zayden stood up and at the same time I decided to as well, blocking his line of sight with Halo as I stood in front of her, acting as a shield—not that she needed it.

"Can you move, so that I can explain this?" His nostrils flared.

I shook my head, the smirk on my lips causing him further irritation.

Esme stood up, "I didn't know, don't bring me into this."

Alix rolled her eyes, "Oh please." She snorted, "Everyone knew."

Easton, Xavier, Esme and Bentley. . .they all knew for months and no one thought for a second to tell her? They're both cunts but they aren't that fuckin' scary.

I knew they were fake friends, unfortunately I realised that before Halo was able to.

She finally manoeuvred around my body and stood in front of me, like she needed the comfort of being close to me, but not the protection—just the security.

"Wow, great job Alix." Halo clapped, "You're officially the most pathetic person I know."

I snorted, egging her on.

Alix's face contorted one of anger and humiliation.

"You managed to have sex with Zayden whilst I was completely oblivious, you think this is a game, right? Taking things away from me, but really you did me a favour." She smirked, and suddenly I felt extremely proud, "You can't win a game when the opposing player drops out, so I'm done. Have him, you'll regret it in the long run."

Alix rolled her eyes, folding her arms over her chest, "Whatever. I understand why he cheated; I wouldn't want someone that couldn't even take her shorts off without getting insecure, either."

I don't know what that was about. Obviously, she shared some insecurities with Zayden, and he decided to share them too, which is why they haven't had sex yet. But I'm glad they haven't, he can't hold anything over her when the only thing they had was an emotionless relationship.

One thing I've always liked about Halo is her attitude, she's strong and stubborn and she refuses to let anyone see her vulnerable—except me.

She doesn't need someone to protect her. She's perfectly capable of handling things herself.

"You're shaming her for her insecurities, when obviously you're the one that is insecure. We all know about you and stealing boyfriends."

I was referring to my brother, but no one knew that. I don't even think Alix remembered me catching them that night, she was that drunk. She had one too many vodka sour shots and one too many LSD tabs.

But if she didn't know before, she did now and for some reason she genuinely looked mortified. I don't know why but she deserves it, she should be ashamed.

"You know what," Halo murmured to herself, though it was only just audible for me to hear.

She took a step forward, raising her hand before it came into contact with Alix's cheek, earning an immediate squeal from her.

I should have stopped her, but I didn't want to because she deserved it, every stinging second of it.

"Game over." Halo spat before turning in her heel and rushing to the front door.

The irony of this situation was hilarious, really. The girl wearing a halo on her head—the girl that I call angel, just slapped someone in the face. She's more of a devil right now.

She might be finished, but I definitely wasn't.

I smirked at Alix, satisfied with the red handprint covering her entire right cheek.

I stepped past her, standing in front of Zayden. It wasn't hard to intimidate him considering he was noticeably shorter than me.

"Stay the fuck away from her." I growled, "Come anywhere near her and I swear, you'll fucking love to regret it. . .actually, you won't be living at all."

He gulped, nodding in response and I was thankful that for once he actually kept his useless mouth shut.

I turned around, noticing Esme had also gone, I then realised she must have chased after Halo.

I'm done with parties.
***
HIIIII I MISSED YOU ALL 🖤

I'm so sorry this chapter was a day late, I also apologise if there are any errors as I wrote entire chapter on my phone.

I hope you liked this chapter as Holts POV and enjoyed Alix getting smacked 😂 let me know what you thought.

Also, this kinda lame but comment a line or gesture or something you'd like to see a character say or do, and I'll put it in a chapter hehe 💗

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