Chapter 40
A torrent of dread was building in me and I felt hot and cold and sick all at the same time as my heart fluttered into life like a racehorse.
Noah.
“Oh there she is!” Julia’s voice snapped me out of my internal panic, smiling warmly at me. “Ellie, you didn’t tell me you had such charming friends.”
I swallowed hard as I looked from Julie to Noah who was watching me with a knowing smirk. His head tilted a little as if to silently challenge me.
“I am not…” I started.
“Ellie gets embarrassed when I meet her friends.” Noah cut me off, rolling his eyes playfully. “She is so shy that sometimes it amazes me that she has any friends at all.”
“Oh yeah, she’s always been a quiet one.” Julia laughed talking about me as I wasn’t there. “But that’s our little mouse. Quiet and good. Well I am so glad she has someone like you and that other boy to keep her company when her brother and I are not around.”
“Other boy?” Noah feigned confusion before putting on a perfect look of concern that for a fraction
of a second has me fooled too. “Not Kyle?”
“I don’t know, Ellie what was your friend’s name again? The one I met the other day and thought was your boyfriend.” Julia looked at me completely unaware of what she was doing. “Oh you two would
be so cute together!”
“Uh yeah Kyle. He’s my friend not…”
“Ellie I thought you promised not to hang around with him anymore.” Noah’s voice was disappointed
and I flinched inwardly. “He’s bad news. Remember when he attacked me because you and I were hanging out and he didn’t like it?”
“That’s not what happened!” I gasped, my eyes widening incredulously.
“So he didn’t break my nose with his knee and threaten to kill me if he saw me near you again?”
Noah raised an eyebrow.
Fuck.
“Yes…I mean no…it wasn’t like that!”
“Oh Ellie, that boy doesn’t sound any good.” Julia frowned and I was now dumbfounded by the
1/4
concern written across her perfectly made up face. “I know his cousin is your housemate but this kid seems dangerous.”
He’s not dangerous!” I argued.
“Ellie, he broke Noah’s nose.” My mother tutted.
And he is always following you around.” Noah added. “He makes you sit with him in class and won’t let you go anywhere on your own.”
“I need to go.” I quickly cut the character assassination of Kyle down before it got anymore rediculous. “Thanks for the drink and the…letter.” I muttered at my mother as I leaned across the
table to snatch the envelope and stuffing it into my coat pocky mother as I leaned across the
“Oh let me walk you.” Noah grinned as he slid out of the booth,
wering over me.
“That’s not necessary.” I flinched when I felt his hand press into my lower back.
“I insist.” He smiled, black eyes flashing dangerously as he regarded me.
容
“Okay well, Ellie I’ll see you some other time and it was nice to meet you Noah.” Julia smiled at us, completely clueless to what was happening.
Why did I say I’d leave?
Swallowing hard, I turned and headed for the door, aware that Noah was only a few steps behind me.
The cold autumn air did little to settle my nerves and the rising sense of panic flooding my stomach
like poison. I refused to look behind me as I stepped onto the street and turned towards home, keeping my pace brisk. Maybe Noah was just bluffing about walking me home. Maybe he would see how eager I was to escape that he would leave me alone. He had kept away so far, so why ruin a good thing now?
And yet I could feel him following me. His long legs made it easy for him to keep up with my pace. but he made no attempt to catch up to me. It was like he was enjoying prowling after me, his obsidian eyes burning into me as we walked; me a panicky mess and him cool, calm and collected.
I had just turned off the main street onto a smaller residential street when a vice like grip wrapped. around my throat while a strong arm wrapped around my waist, squeezing me painfully. I tried to scream but nothing came out as I was dragging into the shadows of a closed workshop, my legs kicking helplessly. My whole body was rigid with terror as Noah effortlessly lifted me from the ground and dragged me into the darkness and away from any escape.
2
What air was in my lungs quickly disappeared when my back slammed into the rough wall of cinderblocks, Noah’s arms caging me in as his face hoved over mine. He did nothing to hide that burning rage of his. His face wasn’t screwed up in rage or red with emotion. Noah didn’t operate like that. His rage simmered in his eyes and the subtle downturn over his lips as he regarded me as I
2/4
ԵՐԳՍ
trembled under his wrath.
“Noah, I…” I started but silenced when he hushed me, pressing a finger to my lips.
“So that’s why Kyle is your friend huh?” He raised a black eyebrow, berating me like a teacher does a naughty student. “Because he thinks you’ll spread your legs for him if he plays nice.”
“No!” I gasped, my vision blurred as tears burned my eyes.
“Oh don’t lie Ellie.” Noah’s voice was taunting me, his rage coming out like tortuous jabs. “You’re so desperate for a friend you’d let them fuck you.”
“Noah, please, stop it!”
“I knew you were a fucking whore.” He hissed, smiling cruelly. “Begging for it like a desperate puppy. God you disgust me.”
I said nothing as the tears rolled down my cheeks. I knew he was wrong. Kyle didn’t like me because he thought I’d sleep with him. I had never kissed anyone until Aiden let alone done anything sexual. That thought made me freeze though. Aiden had kissed me despite showing no interest in me before. Did he think I was easy and something he could use when he was bored or arguing with Tammy? He wouldn’t, would he?
“You’ve got it wrong.” I finally said, my voice trembling despite finding an ounce of venom to throw in Noah’s voice. “You know nothing and I want you to leave me alone.”
“Oh, the little mouse is getting feisty.” Noah chuckled unfazed by my anger. “Don’t be shy. Now I know what you like, maybe we can have a bit more fun.”
The insinuation made me see red and without thinking, I shoved my hands into Noah’s chest hard. He hadn’t been prepared for that and I was surprised to see him stumble back a few steps, giving me some much needed space.
“Oh, getting physical now, are we Ellie?” Noah laughed, his eyes flashing with malice.
I had no time to react as his fist connected with my stomach not once but twice. The air left my lungs as I groaned in pain, doubling over as my insides smarted from the assault.
“I’m not leaving you alone Ellie. We’re just getting started.” Noah murmured, before he stepped away, starting back towards the street. “I’ll be seeing you, Ellie.” He called before disappearing from
sight.
A/N: Thanks for rading! find me on insta @zaydawattswrite for updates on up coming projects and sneak peeks
3/4
