Chapter 1

Michelle

I’m afraid of most men.

I haven’t told anyone, and I’m not seeing a therapist about it, but it all started after I was raped. Of course, no one knows about that either. I’m scared no one would believe me.

Especially since I’m not beautiful, tall, or attractive.

I’m a short little book nerd brunette. An introverted nobody, and it was a famous football player on campus who forced himself on me.

Why did he do that?

Why me?

Those exact thoughts are why I keep it a secret.

No one would believe me if I said Thomas Hennington pushed me into the wall and forced his junk inside me.

Thinking about it makes me sick to the stomach.

It happened during my first frat party before any classes had started. Thomas was drunk, but that is not an excuse.

What he did was wrong.

Yet I feel guilty that I was there.

It feels like everything is my fault.

Sometimes it makes me want to cry.

But no one would believe me if I told them what Thomas did.

Therefore, I keep my mouth shut and try not to think about it. I’m not wealthy enough to see a therapist, and I will be fine. I can handle this. There is worse stuff happening in this world.

I’m not pregnant—I checked.

And my fear of men is a phase that will pass.

Despite the mess inside my head, I silently tap away on my laptop inside the library.

Since its the first year of college, our professor wanted us to bond and make new friends. He grouped us two-and-two to make a presentation together, but my partner wasn’t there.

I actually consider myself lucky because I’m supposed to be working with a guy—Maddox Daniels. And although all the girls squealed, I didn’t want to be paired with a guy.

Maddox Daniels sounds like a super scary name too.

And all the girls called him hot.

Sexy.

One girl sighed and fought the professor to switch partners with me; what the heck was that all about?

Girls are weird…

Yawning, I take a deep breath and stand up from my chair.

I’m getting hungry and should leave the library. I live with two other girls in a tiny apartment. They usually eat my food, but there might be something left.

I roll my shoulders and reach for my laptop. But before I can grab it and get out of here, heavy footfalls approach me.

“Hey, you!”

I slowly turn around and freeze.

Holy shit.

Who is that?

Anxiety churns in my stomach when I lift my chin.

An insanely colossal guy is heading in my direction. A grey hoodie hugs his muscular arms, and I’m forced to lift my chin to meet his irritated eyes; that’s how tall he is.

Judging by his ripped body type, he must be into sports. Football or wrestling? A lineman? Hard to tell, but it must be a position that requires height. I would guess he is six-foot-five, or possibly six-foot-six.

Regardless, he is intimidating and handsome. Enough to make me forget how to function. I just stand there like a fool, staring at him while my IQ rapidly drops to zero.

he a

like a goldfish when the broody guy crosses his arms over his

Deep, authoritative voice.

gulp and whisper.

relentless eyes dig into mine, and he takes a step

mere inches from him. The fabric of his hoodie almost

Scary.

if the table wasn’t behind me, but I’m

library…” the guy mutters. “It must be my lucky day or

continue to stare

broad, and the surrounding

most intimidating

you listening to

I’m checking you out.

number—why didn’t you text or call me? We should work on

“Uhhh…?”

the table. Having him so close makes

but not a sound comes

seems to be checking my eyes, and I hold

as he glares at me, too nervous about making a

“Are you on drugs?”

I shake my head.

haven’t you

“C-called?” I stammer.

while towering over me. “Yes, Michelle?! We are supposed to work together! Explain yourself!

Work together?

“I’m…”

narrow. “Speak louder, like a normal person! No one is going to hear you if you mumble like

I gulp.

behind my eyelids already, and

mistake me for

Sorry… But

from his chest. He sighs and takes a step back to leave my personal

his size. What do they feed

He is huge.

in a “he might be a

watch him slowly walk away from me to pull out a chair

move. “Sit

at him harder, unsure what

sink my teeth into my lower lip, the guy

have any clue

I shake my head.

on the campus wall, and you don’t

shake my

hell…” He rakes his hand through his sandy hair, shaking his head like I’m the weirdo. “I’m Maddox Daniels,

just… Scared

Especially around Maddox Daniels.

Wait.

he have a poster on

mind, I should answer

“No… I can talk

my laptop like

seat. I’m shaking, yet I somehow find my voice. “I

rolls his eyes and grabs the side of my screen. He pulls the laptop

“Hmmm…” Maddox hums.

passing out. My heart is racing, and my nerves root me to the spot. I’m not sure what to do

to make a presentation

“Uhhh…”

sizing me up. “Wow, even the most innocent-looking

talking about the man jumping off a

we are writing

are writing about

eyebrows shoot up into his hairline, but the relentless, unfriendly expression returns

can see

I get the feeling he had

“Good…”

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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