[color=gray][indent]After arriving to the party with the thot squad, Ximena left Reli and Yessi to their vices while she attended the refreshments. It was empty when they had gotten there so Ximena found some time to sneak out to the back to make a few calls. She has to make sure all her plans were in motion and had back ups for those back ups if anything were to offset her goals. Not only that, but a sweetly placed phone call to her dearest cousin Andrés who had gone AWOL after hooking up with that goth girl. Ximena didn’t understand it, but she did understand that pussy had power especially on a pedestal. 

Just as she finished her rounds of phone calls she heard the once low murmur of conversation steadily climb to a rowdy mess. She worked her way back in swimming through a sea of uninspired costumes and props until she was finally front and center. [b]“[color=AD3434]Now who should I lure out first?[/color]”[/b] Her finger anxiously tapping the black cigarette holder against her lip. Scanning the field she set her sights on Salem, a boy who she had not known anything about. Well that was actually a lie, her little birds were hard at work and she had hearts to break if they weren’t going to best for her. 

Moving through the crowd this time like a Lioness stalking its prey, she hopped out and struck. Now if this was the wild she would have sunk her jaws into his throat and gouged his entrails from his stomach with her legs, but a simple nudge on the should would do. [b]“[color=AD3434]Hey there tiger, looking a little lost there aren’t ya? Cat got your tongue?[/color]”[/b] She said in playful jest as she rocked her cradled arms back and forth. 

Salem was taken aback by her approach. He didn’t really know anyone at the school, but the girl in front of him looked vaguely familiar. Considering his height, Salem had assumed he would have spotted Marisol right away, and yet he didn’t even see a hair of her. 

[b]“[color=8BCCC5]Uh, hey.[/color]”[/b] Salem answered back dumbly, trying to think of an even slightly witty response, but instead what came out was: [b]“[color=8BCCC5]I don’t see a cat.[/color]”[/b]

Ximena didn’t really care what he had to say since he was oozing weakness already. She slapped his lips with her cigarette holder as she peered down deep into his soul. [b]“[color=AD3434]Shhh shh shh don’t talk. You don’t see a cat but you’re looking for someone else aren’t you?[/color]”[/b] She looked the boy up and down taking note. He was tall, dark, and not very handsome but two out of the three would work here. There was nothing that stood out to her while she circled around him and those highlights didn’t help much, unless of course he was trying to be Justin from N’Sync. Then again Marisol didn’t have standards I mean look at Sonny. 

[b]“[color=AD3434]So who is it you’re looking for lover boy? It’s written all over your face behind those tired puppy dog eyes.[/color]”[/b] 

Salem usually didn’t get uncomfortable around attractive women - even when he wasn’t interested. However, this girl was making him feel like a snake stuck in molting skin. She was looking at him like she knew something he didn’t - which was probably true, but it doesn’t mean that Salem appreciated it. He was the canary to her proverbial cat. Still, he plastered on an easy smile and hoped his discomfort wouldn’t show.

[b]“[color=8BCCC5]Sorry, I don’t think we’ve actually been introduced.[/color]”[/b] Salem said, ceasing his search for Marisol at least for the moment. It wouldn’t hurt to be friendly. [b]“[color=8BCCC5]I’m Salem. I was just looking for Marisol.[/color]”[/b]

The scent of his weakness was starting to intoxicate her. She was a succubus in human flesh, the allure of his vitality permeating through his skin was enough to entice her. The boy grew some confidence and decided to be stoic in the face of evil. [b]“[color=AD3434]Oh were you? Does your girlfriend know?[/color]”[/b] her words were as sharp as a fresh blade. 

Instinctively, Salem winced before he could stop himself, and he imagines the look in his eye might have come across akin to that of a person staring into headlights until — [b]“[color=8BCCC5]You know, you seem to know a lot more about me than I know about you. Kinda seems like wasted effort here.[/color]”[/b]

The anger was primal, really, and of the irrational kind. He didn’t like it when Gwen was mentioned, and lately everyone at the academy seemed to namedrop her. It was an easy entry to get under his skin and wiggle a way into his liver like some parasite. Salem would like to think it was a protective kick, wanting to protect Gwen from some of the clowns that go to this school (which, in all honesty, should be doing way better at keeping their students in line). But, there comes a time when he has to be honest with himself, and it’s not now. Nope, he’s protective. Gwen deserves better than to be mentioned by the dicklings at this school. 

Guilt rises up like bile in his throat and he struggles to swallow it down. [b]“[color=8BCCC5]My relationships aren’t your problem, ma’am. So I’d appreciate it if you would drop the subject.[/color]”[/b]

Her slow stride came to a halt, she had surveyed the boy enough. His seething anger was enough to captivate her attention, [i]”Finally something different”[/i] she thought to herself devilishly smiling. While his attempt to catch himself from falling was quicker than she imagined it still wasn’t enough. He had fallen into her trap and she was not letting go any time soon. [b]“[color=AD3434]Wasted?[/color]”[/b] She laughed, [b]“[color=AD3434]oh no no it’s far from that. It’s a shame though, there’s a lot you could stand to learn from someone like me.[/color]”[/b] 

And there it was, the chord she had been looking for had finally struck. [b]“[color=AD3434]You’re right, they aren’t [i]my[/i] problem lover boy, but they’re certainly yours.[/color]”[/b] Without hesitation, Ximena had slid her phone out of her satchel. The sound of an iPhone unlocked might have well been synonymous with gunshots. [b]“[color=AD3434]You might want to retract those claws tiger if you don’t want me to send these to little old Gwen[/color]”[/b] a chuckle leaving her lips. Photo after photo of Salem passionately planting his tongue and lips with Marisol parades around him. It was no use if he destroyed her phone, there was always the cloud and her little birds.

The muscles of his jaw clenched, pulling tight until his cheeks ached. He was guilty, guilty, guilty, and now he had to face it. Salem lightly touched her arm, pulling her close so he could lean towards her ear, [b]“[color=8BCCC5]What the [i]fuck[/i] do you want?[/color]”[/b]

There was no way to describe her grin besides down right despicable, as if she was the grinch who just stole all of Christmas from poor Salem. His grip had some strength behind it which only furthered her excitement. Her fingers slithered up his body like snakes until they reached his head, [b]“[color=AD3434]I want you to kiss me in front of Marisol and everyone else here[/color]"[/b]

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Marisol. He found her, but Ximena had gotten to him first. His pulse was racing; she was right there, within reach. This would crush her, after what Sonny did to her. Ximena knew exactly what she was doing, it seemed.

What even was her angle here? Salem had always gotten the impression that he was attractive, but it’s not like he’s some boy band member that girls are lining up to mack on. He couldn’t think of why this random girl would want to kiss him. Maybe she had something against Marisol? There were so many questions and so little answers, all of it stemming from this high school bullshit that Salem never liked to be a part of. At the end of the day though, this was going to hurt Gwen. He didn’t want her to find out like this. 

Fuck, not like this. Gwen deserved better.

[b]“[color=8BCCC5]Fine.[/color]”[/b] Salem said through gritted teeth, slipping his hand into her hair and guiding her towards his lips. He had to bend down slightly for her; and when he captured her lips with his, it was with teeth and viciousness, not the soft kisses he had given Marisol. 

In truth Ximena didn’t really have anything against Marisol, she was just caught in the crossfire in the sick games XiXi liked to play with boys like Salem. It was something to get her ready to take down her bigger target, Santiago. The kiss was as angry as he was, but she was never one to say no to some passion or blood. It must have felt like years for Marisol and Salem, yet for XiXi it was like another transaction. After she pulled away she cleaned up her lipstick and grabbed his hand, [b]“[color=AD3434]Now follow me[/color]”[/b] she giggled pulling him near a vacant bedroom. She wasn’t planning on sleeping with the boy, but no one needed to know that. 

He followed like an obedient dog at his master’s heel and he hated every minute of it. Spitefully, he swiped the lipstick she transferred to his lips and spat out the taste of her in a nearby plant. [b]“[color=8BCCC5]The deal was a kiss, not whatever this is.[/color]”[/b]

[b]“[color=AD3434]Don’t worry you’re not getting that lucky tonight. If she really cares about you then she’ll be there faster than the door closes.[/color]”[/b] Ximena was already preparing for the ball of fury. Luckily her training and Yessi’s fist to her face was enough to take on Marisol.[/indent][/color]