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.

does he have to be such an

fun of someone for what they fear. You don’t know what they have

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

say that

on my lower lip to keep the tears at bay. I dislike being put on the spot like this. Maddox doesn’t need

I whisper,

Rape.

Abuse from my parents.

Loneliness.

would ever

his hand, eyeing me. “What is it

my eyes from

“Tell me.”

Seriously?

ask me anything? He isn’t my friend or goddamn therapist! We hardly

none

Maddox grins wolfishly. “Speak louder; I

“I—”

“You’re whispering again.”

exclaim,

laugh. “You

to stare at him, a little breathless and with my heart hammering against my chest. Even my lips

Maddox shakes his head at me. “You don’t possess

cut like

him my emotions and sit still, hoping he will get

me alone. Maddox isn’t afraid

element, as if

I asked

swallow tears. “Why are you always

his nose, lifting an eyebrow.

my chest, I glare at him. “Yes. You could

snorts. “And I’m not mean. I say things how they are. There

I swallow thickly.

Maddox is a bully.

rises to stretch and stands to his full height. “Grab your shit, and let’s get out of here. I’m

“You’re driving

to school today, so I’m giving you

saw me walking to

know who

so

“Umm…”

fuck’s sake…” Maddox sighs loudly. “Can you at least write it down in a

can do that

I eagerly type down my address and give it to an

and walks away from me without handing

Uh.

just

gape after his broad shoulders and solid muscle. He is like a mountain that grew legs and

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