The Deranged: Pt 1 Ch 7

When she got home, heavy fumes of nature ushered her into the small apartment. Potter squinted her eyes and could see a few people sprawled out in ecstasy. No naked bodies though so everything was all right. Potter went straight to her room grabbed her workbag and left the house. On her way down the steps she bumped into a cloaked woman heading to her floor.1

“Excuse me.”2

“You should watch where yer goin’, lassie. People might get offended if you were to bump them.”3

“Sorry. I’m in a hurry and am a little frazzled. Hope you have I better day than I have.”4

The woman crinkled her nose as she laughed. “No, point in that, love. I’s understand yer troubles. G’bye.” The woman knocked her many-ringed fist against Potter’s door then went in. Potter shook her head confused at the woman and checked her watch. It read 4: 30. In ten minutes she would be late. She took the stair three or four at a time and ran out the apartment door on the last. She could not afford to piss her boss off not today5

Potter worked at a modeling agency. She did a lot of the behind, behind the scenes stuff. When the photographers need a drink she would run to the appropriate stand and bring it back. Sometimes she got to help the models with their lines if it was a commercial. Sure it was real nitpicky stuff, but Potter felt like she made out like a bandit. First she just ran errands all day long, so she got to talk to lots of different people. She learned how to use all different types of camera equipment and knew how to utilize any situation or scene for a photo shoot. Then when it came to the models, she met some major stars. Daisy and Moss had autographs from two of their favorite idols. When there were shoots and something went wrong, Potter was there to fix it when no one else was. If it was the equipment she tinkered and made some extra money or found that it was no good. When it was the clothes or make up, Potter was allowed to take it home. Daisy and Monica usually had new stuff every month. Potter even had a few designer things in her closet. But most of all she loved to watch the shoots and jot down what she learned about fashion. It was the perfect job ad she did not want to lose it.6

Potter slid in through the back door and went to hr locker. After putting on make-up and combing her hair she gathered some into a ponytail on top of her head. Potter took off her flannel shirt and replaced it with the black blouse. After stowing her unneeded clothing, Potter shook herself free. It was time to work. School is gone, home is gone, Lex is gone… Potter gripped the locker to steady herself. She could do this. All she had to do was walk out of the locker room and open up to the world of fashion. Potter plastered7

a convincing smile on her face exit the room. 8

Potter walked onto the show floor and got to work. She picked up her checklist and began to delegate jobs to people, teens and adults like, below her station. “You, take out the trash. And we need the light in dressing room A to be changed. That’s you. And you three clean room C, D, and E need to be swept, mopped, and trash cleaned. Can any one drive cause there are flowers and deliveries?” Potter thanked the others and made her rounds. Of the seven sets she was in charge of four. Someone else headed the other three in her position now. The company’s owner had a nephew come in. Potter was glad for this less work for her and she would like someone her age that wasn’t envious of her or ignored her outside of obeying orders. Plus, word in the business said that the nephew was a sight to see. 9

Potter walked around fetching coffee, making appointments on her headset, and fixing cameras that went wrong. The day was a slow day, so she most of her time milling around the only real exciting thing that would happen was the company staff meeting. Harold, owner and chief photographer of Occidental Fame, was a warm man. Large in morals and stature, Harry believed that every task however small was important. He always expressed his theory of the working place.10

“My sister’s brother-in-law owns a watch making business. He spends his free time fixing and putting watches together. And the business is like a watch. We have the face that people see. The hands tell the time, the wristband to keep it in place and the battery keeps it going. But most forget about the gears that help turn the hands, and the screw that keep the watch in place. No one bothers to remember the other parts unless something goes wrong. But we unlike a typical watch owner will not forget about the small piece for they help to make this company what it is today.”11

So at every staff meeting, the company met on the floor of the largest set to address and attend to everything together. Potter squeezed up front to take her position as set manager. She still couldn’t believe that she was standing here and not in the back with the clean up crew and garbage boys. Harry praised everyone for the excellent fall season and looked forward to the winter edition of O.F. He planned to give every one a week off between the seasons, due to the hard work. People clapped, but Potter wasn’t too thrilled. For her that meant having too much idle time.12

“And last but not least, I am sure you all have heard buzz of my nephew coming here. And I assure you that he’s not an over baring fart like me. But his personality is formal and playful. But I shall let him elaborate on that.” Polite laughs followed. “Allow me to introduce my nephew, aspiring photographer Aiden Dashing!”13

A tall blonde young man stepped forward out of the crowd and waved and bowed. Potter’s jaw dropped to her knees and hung there. Oh, fuck! Mr. Dashing was her new found enemy, the same guy she’d beaten then snot out of the morning. The way conversed and laughed gave no hint to the pain the he should still be in. Potter looked around for an exit. But the entire company was forming a tight circle for a better look at the person they would have to kiss ass to. Potter beat her sides angrily. If he costs me my jobs, I’ll fucking murder him.14

“Potter! Potter, dear!” Harold shouted over the noise and everyone quieted their chatter to a lower murmur. Potter reluctantly made her way over to the relatives. Harold embraced her and escorted her to three director chairs, one of which Aiden was sitting. His blue eyes narrowed and a frown filled his face when she was announced. But when the nephew recognized Potter he grinned and even tapped his knee. He’s gonna rat me out. Ok, just stay calm, Pots. Maybe he has a forgiving soul. The girl was almost sure that he could hear her thoughts as his perfect hair swayed as he shook his head.15

“Aiden, my boy. I want you to meet the single most amazing girl I’ve met in many years. Excuse me Potter, but you come second to my wife.” Potter winced and tried to look innocent as apposed to caught. “Aiden, this is Potter Wilson. Most people call her Pots or Red. She has single handedly ran this place in my absence and help keep things running when something goes wrong. The two of you are now working on a team. Now I know she looks intimidating, but I’m sure she’ll warm to you eventually.” 16

Both youth smiled false smiles to please Harold. Potter flushed and offered her hand.17

“A pleasure to meet you, Aiden.”18

The boy grinned even wider as he smelled her fear. He gripped her hand then bent over to kissed it. “The pleasure, Miss Potter, is all mine. I assure you.” Potter pulled her hand away and shivered. There was something about his voice and his eyes, slightly dull blue like her own, but scary. She folded her arms and sat down. Harold went off to place orders leaving them alone.19

I really wish he wouldn’t stare like that. C’mon make your move already. Tell him I pulverized you. Make my life miserable just something! Aiden simply sat down and crossed his legs then folded his hands. Though he looked out, his right eye stayed focused on Potter. Potter rolled her eyes tried to piece it together. “Oh, god, please don’t tell me he’s gay. Cause that would suck.”20

Aiden looked over and narrowed his eyes. “Do I upset you, Miss Potter? Do you have an aversion to homosexuals?”21

“No, it’s just that most of the gay guys I’ve known decide to take their anger of being rejected out on the very gender they rejected. Add that to the fact I kicked your nards in, we’re not off to a good start, now are we?” 22

He nodded and smirked as he shook his head. His floor slammed down to the floor and he turned his chair to her. The regal person was gone, and the boy returned. “You know with one conversation I could snatch your job out from under you. I could make your life hell and not give a shit if you cried. Your mom’s a fucking slut and as far as I’m concerned the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.” 23

“The last time you spoke bad bout my mom you ended in a world of pain. I can repeat that performance if you’re looking for tickets? Don’t fuck with me.”24

“I don’t plan to. I don’t have to be gay to have no interest in you whatsoever. Not every man will roll over for your tricks.”25

Potter stood and walked away. Then she turned back. “You know. In contrary to popular belief, I’m not following in my mother’s footstep to be a holistic bed warmer! I’ve got pride and don’t prance around in suggestive clothing.” Potter motioned to current attire. “I care about my body. I have two piercings total and am only planning to get one other along with one tattoo. So this judgmental bullshit is getting on my nerves. Initially, I did nothing to you so stop fucking attacking me. I got enough on my plate as it is! And you don’t know shit about my mom. She’s had a hard life and can’t help doing some things.” Potter spun on her heel and left the set. Her eyes stung slightly. She needed to find a quiet place to cry, without being seen.26


She used one of her keys to open an empty dressing room. She collapsed onto the changing table in a fit of tears. Her life was falling apart. Eli, Linda was more of a bitch than ever, Eli, Lex had broken up with her, this jackass Aiden was making things worse, Eli, and her mom being a fee ride, and she couldn’t get the son of a bitch Eli out of her head. Potter rested her head on the cool marble of the counter and banged it a few times. Her life was getting harder each day. All she wanted was to be left alone.
Knock. Knock.27

Potter banged her head again and gritted her teeth. She stood up and wiped snot off her face with the tissues and threw them into the trash. She swung the door open and there stood Aiden. His smug look falter slightly as he saw her. 28

“What do you want?”29

“My uncle–Why were you crying?”
“I wasn’t crying. I have allergies.”
“I didn’t hear any sneezes. Plus, I can see where you wiped yours eyes and the mascara is running.”30

Potter inhaled and exhaled hard. “Fine. You made a girl cry. Happy?” Potter brushed passed him only to be yanked backwards. Aiden swung her to the wall and blocked her with his arms. “What did I say that made you cry?”
“You have to ask.”
“Everyone calls your mom a slut.”
“So!”
“So?”
“It still hurts. That’s my mom. Do you know what it’s like to hear your own anger towards you mother echoed by several different people at once?” Tears ran down Potter’s face. This was not her day at all.31

Aiden looked at her and waited from her to regain her composure. When the tears stopped he stepped a half step closer. “I don’t remember anyone else offering up info on who Monica is. So maybe not many people know and those that do don’t say anything. And if you think the same thing why you get so pissed?”
“That’s my mom Aiden.”
“The same mom that name you Potter, instead of Rose, like she was supposed to?”
“Yes. I mean no. She was different then. What makes you think she was supposed to name me Rose?”32

Aiden paused the thought up a lie. “You’re sisters are name Daisy and Chrysanthemum.”
“How do you know that?”
“Who doesn’t? Your family isn’t exactly hidden. You and Monica are especially famous. The others are simply lucky to be alive.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry I upset you.” He stopped talking and the just stared into each other’s eyes. Potter look down and wiped her eyes repetitively. Se didn’t really care about her mom. It was the whole Eli vs. Lex thing. Since when didn’t she lock the bathroom door. It was so unlike her. I had paused for ten whole seconds before grabbing my towel. I let him stare at me and I liked it. Yet I haven’t gotten that close to Lex after like two years. Maybe I am a slut. Potter pushed Aiden away. 33

“Look, thanks for the apology. I’m sorry for your nuts, but I have to go.” Aiden nodded and stepped back. Potter took a good look at his svelte figure and decided that she liked what she saw. No that anything would happen, but he’s ok. She leaned forward and stretched. “Yawn. I need to get to sleep. See ya tomorrow.” Potter lazily walked away she hoped that the bus would run quick tonight.34

“You want a ride, Potter? I know that you live in the area and it’ll be a chilly walk home.” Aiden offered his hand and waited. Potter looked him up and down then shook her head. 35

“Don’t think that’s a good idea.”36

“Don’t you trust me?”
“No, I don’t. I don’t even know you yet you seem to know a surprising amount of my history. It’s unnerving really.”
“I don’t mean you any harm, Potter. I just want to do the honorable thing and see you safely home.”37

Potter tossed her head back and slapped her sides. “’Honorable’? When are we 1213? This ain’t the middle ages you don’t need to be regal and chivalrous to me. I can make it home by myself. I will walk.” Potter stomped off to the locker room to get her stuff.38

Potter couldn’t believe his nerve. Did he really think that she was easy enough that she’d let him “drive” her home as a “courtesy”? She undressed and put on her school clothes. She stowed the bag inside her locker and shut it. “Guys only think with their dicks. And when you don’t want it the get pissy and fuck you over.” She still couldn’t believe that Lex hadn’t heard her out. She was the same girl who had to have a guy show her how to finger herself. The same girl who got nervous when she was kissed in public? The one in the relationship who was still a virgin? How the fuck could he think that I had laid underneath someone else? After all we’ve been through? Uh, Lex!
“Just fuck it! I done with childish bastards with more ego than they can take. As if he’s never flirted with a girl in front of me and when a guy takes the slightest interest in me all hell breaks lose. I’m the untrustworthy one!” 39

Potter kicked at the wall and punch the steel of her locker. It hurt but she ignored the pain. She felt her energy increasing. She was mad and something, someone needed to pay. Potter punched her locker again. The pain didn’t come. Instead she felt better. It was as if something had been unleashed and now could manifest itself after being held back for so long. Potter grinned. For once in a long time she felt empowered and limitless. Everything looked clear and made sense. She knew exactly how to solve all her problems. Starting with Aiden. She would tell him exactly how she felt, then she’d go to Lex and tell him off for being such an inconsiderate jerk off, lastly she would go home and tell Eli to meet her in the bathroom. Potter was confident that she would get her way. Tonight, everyone had better say yes.40

Aiden had lied. It wasn’t cold at all. Potter was warm and fuzzy. “Time to go have fun.” Aiden was absent though. All the cars in the lot were gone. “Oh, well. Lex will be first then.” Potter skipped around and danced along the sidewalk. She felt weightless. All the positions and steps from ballet and jazz were coming back to her. Without much effort, Potter broke into Swan Lake. Her pirouettes were lawless. The tips pf her toes were tipped perfectly inside her sneakers. When Potter came down after her last jump she noticed that she was being watch. Several cloaked figures faced her and frown. A homes couple and a rich couple both stood motionless. Potter deflated a bit, then smiled she waved and continued to dance down the sidewalk. 41

By the time she had reached Lex’s house, Potter was out of breath. Her legs warm throbbing from the work out. Her abs were protesting too. But Potter ignored them and allowed her fuzzy feeling to numb over the pain. Tonight was a good night for her. She leaped over the steps and landed quietly on the porch. She rang the door bell long and frequent. The lights stayed off and on one peeked out of any windows. I guess we’ll have to do this the hard way. Potter climbed onto the porch ledge and estimated the amount of energy she would need to get on to the partial roof in front of Lex’s window. After a few tries and scraps, Potter pulled herself over the gutter and onto the roof. 42

Lex’s window stood open. He sat on his bed with his back to the window in meditation. Potter waited and licked her lips at his naked torso. Lex finished his meditation and ignored the widow. He climbed into his bed and went straight to sleep. Potter counted to one hundred before she stumbled through his open window. She crept around to his bed hovered over him. She considered getting in bed with him, but he might freak out. That also ruled out kissing him. Potter smiled as she figured out the perfect way.43

“Lex!” She yelled. The boy jumped up and flipped over the other side of his bed.
Lex took a defensive stance and scrutinized Potter. 44

“Who the hell are you?” Potter smiled and tilted her head. He looks so pretty in the moon light. I think the dark complements his skin. “It’s me silly. I came up here cause we need to talk.”45

“I have nothing to say to you.”
“Now babe, you’re not listening to me.” Potter pouted her lips and twisted side to side.
“I don’t have too.”
“Yes you do!” Her sweet disposition change. She forgot about his skin and remembered how angry she was. “Yu gave me all your bullshit about not cheating on me! Now you’re going to listen to me! I sat and watch you allow countless girl rub all over you and you never let us go passed second base. You haven’t even seen me naked yet. And I tried to be good. I told him no but he wouldn’t stop and all I could think about was you.”46

“That’s supposed to make me feel better?”47

“Yes, because I stopped.”48

“You stopped?” What you mean, “stopped”?”49

“I could only think of how sad you would be. And I told Eli to stop touching me. He kept touching me, Lex. And I wanted him to. I wanted him to be you touching me. But you won’t even look at me the same way that you look at other girls and I—ouch!” Potter few back against the wall. Her bubbly, fuzz was gone. All she could feel was pain. Pain from the hit, her muscles, her heart and the fucking embarrassment that she inside her boyfriend room bloody from cuts and blubbering, shouting like an idiot. Plus her head was beginning to hurt. Potter blinked. Her vision was dull and not as exciting and fun as it was a minute ago. Lex’s skin wasn’t pretty with moonlight or darkness. She whimpered at her stupidity and anguish. She wanted to be home.