Chapter 12
The events of the day had left me weary and yet my mind wouldn’t still. Every time I closed my eyes, Noah’s cruel smile and wicked eyes would haunt me. I couldn’t fathom how he had managed to get out of the trouble he was in and back into school.
I had found the news articles about the supposed attack online. Allegedly he had attacked one of the tutors his parents had hired him. The tutor had immediately pressed charges and even taken a civil suit out against the family for medical costs. Little more was explained however, a quick scroll through the local news sites confirmed all charges had been dropped and the tutor was nowhere to be found.
This information did nothing for me except to fill my heart with dread and ice cold fear.
I could tell someone what was happening, report Noah even but I was convinced no one would believe me. It was common knowledge that Noah was a bully but until the incident with the tutor, he had never actually physically hurt anyone…or so everyone believed. I knew differently. I knew about how he broke a freshman’s wrist two year ago just because he felt like it or landed the star football player in hospital just days before the start of the season.
And as if that wasn’t enough, how many times had I been left with bruises from our encounters? Sure, there was nothing stopping me from telling someone but Noah would win and I would find myself in more danger.
Noah’s warning about Kyle still haunted me. I didn’t know how I could meet that demand. I didn’t want to either. Kyle was nice to me. He was a friend. Yet I knew if I didn’t put distance between us, Noah would take it on himself to deal with Kyle and I couldn’t put Kyle in danger like that. I needed to keep him safe.
“How come you left school early?” Aiden’s quiet but deep voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.
It was dark in the living room save for the pale flickering light coming from the TV. Kyle had insisted on watching The Expanse but fell asleep through the first episode. I’d read the books so I knew what to expect for the most part however, I was enjoying the show as well.
“I wasn’t feeling well.” I replied, my eyes moving to Aiden only to find him watching me.
“But you went to work?”
“They sent me home.” I countered.
Aiden was silent, intimidatingly so. His eyes flickered as they searched my face for any evidence of my lies. I found myself holding my breath, the bruised muscles in my stomach throbbing from tensing. I could no longer tell if I was holding my breath because I was waiting for Aiden to accept my excuses or if I was waiting for something more. The weight of his scrutiny had a shiver running down my spine and suddenly I felt like I needed to run much like a rabbit being hunted by a wolf.
“I think I’m going to get some air.” I whispered, pushing myself up from being sandwiched between Aiden and Kyle.
“I’ll come with you.” Aiden replied leaving little room for arguing.
Neither of us spoke as he stepped onto the deck in the backyard, leaving Kyle to sleep. The air was growing colder as winter slowly crept in to take over from autumn. However, despite the cold air running through my hair, I feel hot, my heart thrumming in my chest like a caged bird. Aiden had stepped out last but rather than move towards the makeshift ashtray to smoke, he remained impossibly close, the scent of his aftershave wrapping around me like an embrace. Even in the dark I could see his features with him standing this close. His skin was like gold and his lips a pale pink. He had a small scar on the bridge of his straight nose that looked like it was from a piercing maybe.
“Where did you go tonight?” Aiden finally spoke, his eyes watching me.
1/2
I’ll Be Seeing You
