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Belong

Him

I parked my car in the school lot, stuffing my keys in my pocket, swinging my bag on my shoulder and throwing my morning cig in the floor before stomping in out. With long exhale, I stuffed a piece of gum in my mouth, trying to mask the scent of smoke.

Everyone turned to me as I walked through the lot. I hated the looks they sent my way. Hated the rumors they made up about me. Hated everything about them. I ground my teeth together, setting my sunglasses on my nose and scowling.

I felt like a fish out of water, flopping through life. Everyone looked at me with either fear, curiosity or pity. It was tiring to have to defend myself left and right. So I just stopped. I let the rumors continue, I let the conversations echo around the hallways.

The whispers multiplied as I walked, but at least some of them began to look away. The chatter only increased when I walked inside, the hallway cold, the white tile reflecting the fluorescent lights that hung from the ceiling.

I tensed, knowing I was about to pass her. Her locker was at the entrance of the school and I, unfortunately, had to torture myself with her. She was always smiling, always happy. That light was gone yesterday, however, and worry flourished in my heart.

I turned the corner, ready to hide my eyes from her after getting a look. But I froze. She was looking right at me, as if she was waiting for me. I inhaled slowly, nodding at her and she smiled softly, closing her locker door.

And that’s when I saw the black splint on her wrist. I frowned, my nostrils flaring instantly. Had Micah done that to her? Had I? I remembered ripping her hand form Micah’s hold, but had I hurt her? Anger bubbled in my chest. She looked around the hallway in nerves as my legs took me to her.

“Your wrist,” I grumbled.

She flinched slightly at my voice. God, I was an idiot.

“Um...” Her nostrils flared as she exhaled and her brown eyes left mine to focus on her covered wrist, “It-it’s just sprained.”

“Did I do that?” I tightened my hand on the strap of my backpack, occupying my fingers. I didn’t want to look like a fidgeting mess. Not in front of her.

She pursed her lips, frowning slightly, “M-maybe?”

She gasped, her eyes following my hand as I grabbed her wrist. I had worked so hard for a year to keep her away from me. I knew I had nothing but hurt, and pain to offer. Fuck. I had only just spoken to her.

“Umm,” She watched me with wide eyes, her lips parted and her cheeks a beautiful pink.

Her skin was soft, and she smelled so good. Like a sweet peach. Her eyes followed the lines of my face, focusing on the white patch on my eyebrow.

“Kian?”

I clenched my jaw, the sound of my name on her lips threatening to break my control.

“Mmm?” Was the only sound I managed to make.

“M-my hand?” She whispered.

I still had her wrist in my hand, her fingers grazing my cheek and her palm grazing my lips.

I nodded, letting go of her skin, “I’m sorry I hurt you.”

I frowned, the fact that we had only shared a few words and yet she was sporting an injury from my touch rubbed me the wrong way.

She pressed her palm against her chest, her tongue escaping her mouth to lick her lips.

“It-it’s okay. You saved me,” She chuckled softly, the sound mesmerizing.

I couldn’t help but smirk at the unintended joke. She thought I was her savior? She would change her tune in a second if she really knew me. I nodded, turning to walk away.

“I-I’ll see you in class?”

The hope in her voice made me want to crumble, “Yeah.”

I cleared my throat, my voice cracking, catching me off guard. She offered me a smile, tucking her hair behind her ear and walking away in the opposite directions.

I leaned against the wall, throwing my head back as I tried to regain my composure. What had taken over me? I actually fucking talked to her? Then touched her? I was on autopilot. Someone was controlling the useless brain in my head. I cracked my knuckles, the five minute warning bell ringing in my ears.

“Hi Kian.”

I tipped my head back down, eyeing the redhead in front of me, her green eyes glistened and she smiled sweetly. I only grunted, pushing my shoulder off the wall to make my way to class.

The first half of the day was mundane, tiring. Teachers eyed me skeptically as I walked into their classes. I sat in the very back in each one, no one looking my way, no one sitting beside me.

I preferred to be alone, my entire being still too scarred from the wounds this past year offered. I knew people talked about it, but something told me that no one was telling the true story.

Sometimes I felt like I was the only that actually knew what happened. Well, Kevin and I. Still, the reality I lived was so different from everyone else's.

Especially Inesa. She did not belong in my world. All day, all I could think about was the soft skin of her palm on my lips. I wanted to kiss her there, kiss every finger, kiss her hurting wrist.

Why was I staying away?

Oh right, I was a fucked up mess. Something deep in my gut, though, told me that I would not be able to stay away any longer. I had given the monster inside of me a taste of her voice, and he would not be satisfied until he heard it again.

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