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

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

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

say that

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

whisper, “No,

Rape.

Abuse from my parents.

Loneliness.

I would ever say

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

my eyes from him. “It’s

“Tell me.”

Seriously?

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

none

was that?” Maddox grins wolfishly.

“I—”

“You’re whispering again.”

I exclaim, teary-eyed and shaking out

a sharp laugh. “You look like you’re about to piss yourself

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

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

cut

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

me alone. Maddox

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

I asked

swallow tears. “Why are you always

nose, lifting an eyebrow. “Excuse

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

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

I swallow thickly.

Maddox is a bully.

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

blink. “You’re driving me

I just said. I saw you walking to school today,

saw me

he know who I was

so

“Umm…”

sake…” Maddox sighs loudly. “Can you at least write it down in a text message

that

up my phone. I eagerly type down

quite far from here…” Maddox comments and walks

Uh.

Maddox just

after his broad shoulders and solid muscle. He is like

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