Criminal

I threw myself at the punching bag, pulling my punches at it in full force. My breaths were short, already from exhaustion. Sweat dripped down my face. I hit it again and again and again. Each time harder. Each time stronger. The only thing that mattered was this punching bag and my fists.

The sound of hard rock rang in my headphones. It only made me angrier. I packed another punch at the punching bag. It went flying back and forth. I continued to hit it. There was a voice yelling from behind me. I ignored it. Probably part of the song.

Suddenly, my headphones were yanked out of my ears. My phone fell to the ground with them. I spun around with a glare, “What the hell!” I exclaimed. A pair of familiar blue eyes stared back at me. He was unamused. Maybe even mad.

“I had a feeling you would be here.” Ashton sighed. “Kalel,” he paused.

“I don’t want to hear it,” I interrupted. I turned back around and brought my fists back to the punching bag. I didn’t bother picking back up my phone and headphones.

“You can’t keep doing this.” He said. I ignored him. I kept my focus at the punching bag that was now starting to hurt under my fists.

“Yes I can,” I argued. I stepped back and hit the bag as hard as I could. It looked like it was going to fall to the ground for a moment.

“Good God,” Ashton remarked. “You’re gonna break that thing.”

“Good,” I said. He made another sigh. Here it comes, another word about what I shouldn’t be doing.

“Kalel,” he tried again to say my name. As if that was going to get my attention. It didn’t work the first time, it surely won’t work the second. I said nothing. “Kalel,” he repeated. I kept punching.

He swung himself between the punching bag and me. He brought my wrists into a lock with his right hand. His eyes were now an icy stare. “Kalel,” he said again, but this time it was through his teeth. “Just listen.”

I glared at him. “Go on, say it then. Whatever you’re trying to tell me sure seems greatly important.” I said bitterly. He stepped closer only a few inches, the distance between us was almost nonexistent. My expression didn’t change, neither did his. His golden hair gleamed in the light.

“Stop being so stubborn,” he finally said. “It’s doing you no good, getting worked up over this. You can always retake it — the test, you know that.” His eyes softened.

“No, you don’t understand,” I exclaimed. I pulled my gaze away from his. He let go of my wrists. “You–you don’t get it. I can’t–”

Then it all broke inside of me — the feelings I’ve been trying to hide. I bent my head over, trying to hide the tears that were forming. My ponytail that was holding up my black hair let loose, and pieces of hair spilled over my head. This was so not like me. I never cried. Not in front of anyone; not alone. Never.

“Can’t what?” Aston asked. His voice was soft, almost like a mother’s. He put a hand to my shoulder. I pulled away.

“I–I can’t be with him!” I yelled out. That was it — answer I’ve been trying to hide. His eyes widened. Something in them shattered. “I needed to pass for us to be together. He promised…I promised…” A hot tear streamed down my cheek. “But I failed. Ashton,” I finally looked back to him, “I failed.”

He was speechless. Shocked. He put a hand threw his hair, “I never knew…” He muttered. “Oh God…Kalel.” I sniffled when he said my name. “This…”

“I know,” I whispered. “Don’t tell me where I messed up. I know.”

He shook his head. “I thought this whole time it was for me. I was so selfish…” He started to rub his temples. “God — I’m so stupid.” He exclaimed. “You were preparing…this whole time, to be with him. The criminal. You fell in love with the criminal that murdered your family. The test was all you needed — to get him out; free.”

I wiped my eyes. They were swollen and stung from crying. “You got most of it,” I told him. It was true. In the end, I was the stupid one.

Ashton searched my eyes. “Damn,” he said. “How long have you been planning this?”

“A few months.” I answered. The Tests were take when a person reached the age of 18. It guaranteed independence. In my case, independence from my family. I planned to pass the test, then leave with him. My sister would no longer be involved with me. Or my crimes. What I do wouldn’t hurt her reputation — and that was what really mattered. I didn’t want my screwed up choices affect her life.

“That long? Damn,” he repeated. “It was in front of me all along. I should have known the moment you kept visiting there — in the prison — more times than you needed to. It wasn’t for questioning anymore after that, was it?” I shook my head in response. He brushed out the now damp, loose hair from my face. And with a smile said, “That only leaves me one choice then–”

“And what’s that?” I asked, raising a brow.

“I’m going with you.” His smile widened.

“What?” I exclaimed. “Are you insane?” I was surprised he was still talking to me, in all honestly. And not only that, but he now wants to help me get a criminal out of prison. A criminal. That wasn’t something our society took kindly too. It either resulted in life-imprisonment or death. Both weren’t very happy thoughts to think about. I swallowed.

“Kalel, if you think I’m letting you do something that stupid alone — think again.” I took in a deep breath. This was a stupid decision on both our parts. “I was assigned to protect you. I see now nothing with happen between us romantically, like most do, but I’m still your friend. I have to keep you safe.” I opened my mouth, “I won’t take ‘no’ as an answer,” he said quickly. I sighed.

“Fine, fine,” I said. “I still need to take that stupid test again though. He’s going to be pissed. We planned his escape next week. It’ll have to take longer now…” I was now muttering to myself. I didn’t really care if Ashton heard. It didn’t matter anymore.

“If he loves you, he can wait.” He said.

I locked eyes with him. “He does.”