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.

be such an

It’s not nice to make fun of someone for what they fear. You don’t know

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

can he say

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

I whisper, “No,

Rape.

Abuse from my parents.

Loneliness.

I would ever say

against the palm of his hand, eyeing me. “What is it that you’ve gone

my eyes from him. “It’s

“Tell me.”

Seriously?

makes Maddox think he can just ask me anything? He isn’t my friend

It’s none

wolfishly. “Speak

“I—”

“You’re whispering again.”

your business!” I exclaim, teary-eyed and shaking

out a sharp laugh. “You look

him, a little breathless and with my heart hammering against my

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

cut like

him my emotions and sit

hell will this jackass leave me alone. Maddox

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

asked a

swallow tears. “Why are you always

nose, lifting an

the unsettling feeling in my chest, I glare at

mean. I say things

I swallow thickly.

Maddox is a bully.

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

“You’re driving

walking to school today,

me walking to

who

have so many

“Umm…”

“Can you at least write it down in

that without him

I pick up my phone. I eagerly type down my

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

Uh.

just steal

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

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