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

amused. “Ah, what

he say that

bite down on 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,

Rape.

Abuse from my parents.

Loneliness.

I would ever say that

hand,

eyes from him.

“Tell me.”

Seriously?

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

none

Maddox grins wolfishly.

“I—”

“You’re whispering again.”

none of your business!” I exclaim, teary-eyed and shaking out

lets out a sharp laugh. “You look like you’re about to

little breathless and with

me. “You don’t possess a single assertive bone in that

words cut

try not to show him my emotions and sit still, hoping he will get

in hell will this jackass leave me alone. Maddox isn’t

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

I asked

tears. “Why are you always

wrinkles his nose, lifting an eyebrow. “Excuse

my chest, I glare at him.

mean. I say things

I swallow thickly.

Maddox is a bully.

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

blink. “You’re driving me

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

saw me

he know who I was

so many

“Umm…”

at least write it down in a text message for

can do that without him

phone. I eagerly type down my address and give it to

quite far from here…” Maddox comments and walks away from me without handing

Uh.

just steal my

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

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