Chapter 2

Michelle

It’s gotten late, and I’m still at the library.

Unhappiness is all around. I’ve barely gotten any work done because of my jittering nerves.

And it’s all thanks to this big guy, Maddox.

He is feasting on the last pizza slice while sitting next to me in a chair to see my display. I’m so uncomfortable.

Why does he have to be in my space all the time?!

Timidly, I glance at the clock on the wall and repress a groan. It’s late, and I should head home. It’s relieving to finally leave Maddox, but…

Instead of feeling achieved after a long hardworking a day, I’m anxious.

The work isn’t halfway done! Why did the teacher have to team me up with Maddox? He is lazy and does nothing for the team, while I like to stay ahead of my game!

Wait.

Game?

Jesus Christ, now I’m even starting to sound like Maddox!

“Are you holding silent conversations with yourself again?” Maddox asks while peeling a banana.

He is such a bastard, beautiful, albeit a bastard.

I don’t dare to meet his eyes. He has already figured out that he frightens me; that’s why he is close. Maddox is the type of person who likes to bask in other people’s discomfort.

“I… I don’t hold silent conversations with myself.”

“Sure.”

Sure?

“I mean it.”

Maddox calmly takes another bite of fruit. Smacking his tongue against his palate. I find it annoying, which is probably why he does it.

“I have another question.”

I repress a sigh. “What is it?”

“Do all men frighten you, or is it just me?”

I stare at his muscles and unyielding expression, gulping. “W-what makes you think I’m afraid of men?”

He shrugs a massive shoulder. “You had no trouble talking to the librarian earlier. She is a woman… But you shuddered in your chair when that gang of teenage boys walked past. You also wore this priceless expression, like you would shit in your pants.”

Sadness wraps me up like a breakfast burrito while Maddox, the brutish bastard, laughs at his own words.

Rude.

to be such an ass about

of someone for what

evilly from his chair, amused. “Ah, what have you gone

he say

my lower lip to keep the tears at bay. I dislike being put on the spot like this. Maddox doesn’t need to hear my backstory. Especially since he probably

whisper, “No,

Rape.

Abuse from my parents.

Loneliness.

I would ever say that out

against the palm of his hand, eyeing me. “What is it that

my eyes from

“Tell me.”

Seriously?

think he can just ask me anything? He isn’t my friend or goddamn therapist!

It’s none of your

wolfishly.

“I—”

“You’re whispering again.”

your business!” I exclaim, teary-eyed and

“You look

him, a little breathless and with my heart

a weirdo…” Maddox shakes his head at me. “You don’t possess a single assertive bone

words cut like

my emotions and sit still,

no chance in hell will this jackass leave me alone. Maddox isn’t afraid

to be in his element, as if he enjoys making me squirm

asked a

“Why are

nose, lifting an

the unsettling feeling in my chest, I glare at him. “Yes. You could

not mean. I say things how they are. There is a difference! I’m

I swallow thickly.

Maddox is a bully.

“Whatever,” Maddox rises to stretch and stands to his full height. “Grab your shit, and let’s get out of

blink. “You’re

I saw you walking to school today, so I’m giving you a ride. Where do

me walking

know who I was

have so many

“Umm…”

“Can you at least write it

that without

phone. I eagerly type down my

that’s quite far from here…” Maddox comments and walks away

Uh.

just steal my

muscle. He is like a mountain that grew legs and decided

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