Four days later
I sigh, fixing my glasses as I keep my head down. I focus on the pebble in front of me as I kick it to take my mind off of everything.
Even though it's only been a couple days I foolishly thought people would stop gossiping or glancing at me by now.
"Nevaeh, keep that head up, we're almost home free." I look up at the Khalil as he pats my back before gazing over at Leon and Adriano.
Then again I'd be talking too if someone attacked one of the friends in their own group then that group goes back to normal the next few days like nothing ever happened.
It also doesn't help that Adriano hasn't fully healed up yet.
"So who's going over who's too-"
Khalil was cut off by the sound of gushing and rowdy teenagers.
Our eyes instantly following the noise before finding a group of people surrounding... something?
Having similar mindsets we all look between one another before going into investigative mode, going into the crowd from different sides to get the most information.
Khalil takes the one with the most people since he's the tallest of us, Adriano takes the side with the most girls so he can talk them up, Leon takes the group of scaredy-cats so they can get out of his way or he can squeeze some answers from them and I take the group of jocks so I can squeeze my small body through their tall ones.
Once I officially get through I realize two things, I'm the first one to complete my task and— Holy shit.
"Nevaeh, finally, you don't know how long I've been waiting out here for you."
I'm suddenly apart of the 'something' which caught everyone's attention as their eyes shift toward me.
I don't notice though as my body is frozen and my mind begins to shut down.
Why.. why is he here..
"I have to say you do look really different though."
I need to leave.
He gets closer causing my systems to shut down even faster, a mind-numbing fire burning through me.
Then to set me fully ablaze,
he touches me.
The gentle grip of his fingertips contrasting dramatically with the rugged feel of them as they wrap around my forearm.
The world seems to dissipate as his breath inches closer to my soft ear.
And when his breath forms cotton candy like words dripping in happy gas, I have 3rd-degree burns.
Then...
'I love you, Nevaeh.' Then his lips sealed with mine...
And I burned out, my thoughts still whirling around.
Love
Me?
He loves me...
I'm so confused, what am I even doing?
A sudden warmth on my thigh brings me out of my thoughts.
"You alright, babe?" I furrow my eyebrows then glance at him, but not too long, never too long, before looking out the window.
"We should go back." I shouldn't have left like that, I don't even know what came over me. The guys are probably worried sick about me... and I definitely know Leon thinks I'm crazy.
I probably am.
Why else would I submit so easily, I mean I've been ignoring his calls and texts this past couple of weeks. It was excruciating, but I managed it.
So why let him win now, after being strong for so long why be weak now.
"I love you, Nevaeh."
The butterflies in my stomach claw at my insides desperate for freedom.
I don't even know why I asked. I know why I know exactly why.
It's because of that word, that stupid fucking word.
I close my hand into a tight fist.
I'm so pissed.
And yet I'm still in this car with him.
I allow my fingers to go limp.
I let him in without a second thought, I didn't have to think about it actually.
I was an old teddy bear beat up from my last owner so I got armor made of silk though I thought it was steal. I thought I was so safe, that he wouldn't come back again.
Then he did. So I put my armor to the test and reality came crashing down on me.
After all how strong can I little stuffed, fluffy bear be.
"I missed you ya know." Hunter gives my thigh a little squeeze. The same ones which made my skin tingle and my chest warmer.
I wish it would itch and burn.
I glance up at him.
"Why did you come back?"
He takes a moment to make quick eye contact causing me to coward in fear.
Avoid eyes.
I frown.
How did things become this way?
I feel his eyes every so often glance at me before returning to the empty road.
The silence a thick woolly blanket covering my body, causing cold sweats.
"You know you use to love them," I feel them glance at me again.
"would stare at them all the time." I bite my tongue as my eyes sadden.
He's not wrong, I use to absolutely adore them.
I still do.
They were the windows to my universe, bright beautiful stars and all. In them were eternal love, wealth and prosperity.
I remember getting pouty with him every time he blinked or looked away from me.
And Hunter.
Well, he laughed every time. And I'd start laughing right along with him.
A frown creases the curves of my lips.
Back then I wished I would've known it was at me and not with.
And like a dumb kid that learned their lesson a little too late, I look away from the sun while adjusting my thick, dark sunglasses which impair my vision of the rest of the world.