4; He wants it

I could feel his breath on the back of my neck. All the hairs in my neck stood and every nerve in my body was on edge. 

Why did he sit behind me? Is he trying to intimidate me?

The teacher started talking, but I couldn’t focus. I could feel his gaze piercing the back of my head. And for some reason, my finger began to tap repeatedly on the desk. I felt Noah’s breath draw closer, till I could feel the heat of his breath in my neck.

“Stop it,” he growled through his teeth. His mouth was dangerously close to my ear lobe.

I snapped my head back, then I realized what a big mistake I made. His face was so close, I could see his creases in his skin where his once cheerful smile had now turned into a bitter scowl. I turned my body so I’m now facing him fully.

“Stop what?” I said, hiding the fear underneath.

“Tapping your finger on the table.”

“Or what? You seem to be the only one complaining.”

My eyes dropped to his lips as it twitched, then back to his eyes. His eyes dropped to my chest, then began to chew his inner cheek, before drawing his gaze back to mine.

“You just like pushing your luck, don’t you?”

“And you just like trying to intimidate people who aren’t scared of you.”

Noah’s tongue briefly darts out to wet his bottom lip.

“Really?” He asked, twisting his head to the side.

I swallowed hard, then hardened my gaze.

“Yes. Really.”

His top lip curls up, and a short, viscous grin appears and disappears all in the span of two seconds.

“Well, I guess we’ll see about that.” 

He pulled back to relax in his seat, still scowling at me. I shot him one last look, before turning around.

The bell rang signaling the end of class, and Noah was out of his seat before the sound even finished echoing through the room. He didn’t look at me as he sprinted out the door. It was like he couldn’t get away fast enough.  

I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding and gathered my things. The rest of the day passed in a blur. I didn’t see Noah in any of my other classes, and I wasn’t sure if that was a relief or not. Part of me was glad to avoid him, but another part—a smaller, more anxious part—couldn’t stop wondering where he was and what he was doing.  

When the final bell rang, I practically bolted out of the school. There was no way I was going to let Noah find me or wait for his car. I wasn’t giving him the chance to corner me again.  

The sky was dark as the clouds were heavy with rain. I quickened my pace with my bag slung over my shoulder. My home was far from here, but I did walk it this morning and I have no choice now.  

The feeling of someone behind me washed over me, and I snapped my head back to see. No one.

I continued walking, but quickened my pace. My heart was pounding against my rib cage.

I glanced over my shoulder again, still no one. The street was empty, but the feeling didn’t go away. I picked up my pace, my shoes slapping against the pavement, and the sound seemed too loud now.

The sound of footsteps hit my ears. 

My breath hitched, and I broke into a run. My bag bounced against my side. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. But the footsteps grew louder, closer, and before I could react, I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk and went sprawling onto the ground.  

My body hit the sidewalk with a loud thud. The sharp sting of my scraped palms bolt through me. I saw a shadow looming over me, and I turned around sharply.  

Noah. This fucking green eyed psycho.

He stood there watching me like a predator. His chest was rising and falling like he’d been running too. His green eyes locked on mine with an intensity that made my stomach twist.  

“What the hell!” I snapped, my voice shaking. “What’s wrong with you? Why are you following me?”  

Noah didn’t say anything at first. He just stared at me with his jaw clenched. 

I dusted myself off after I got up, trying to hide how much my hands were trembling. “What the fuck do you want, creep?”  

Noah’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I thought he might lunge at me. But then he opened his mouth, hesitated, and finally spoke.  

“You were the one in the woods.”  

My heart stopped.  

“You were recording,” he continued, his voice low and dangerous. “Where’s the video? You took pictures too, right? You have them don't you?”  

I didn’t answer. Instead, I turned and started walking away. My legs were moving on autopilot. If I tell him yes, he’ll want them. If I tell him no, it’s a lie.

Either way, this is bad news for me. I shake my head.

I don’t want him to see the video. I don’t even want to see them again. I know why he’s looking for them. Deep down, I knew this was coming.

I walk faster, and with each couple of steps, I gaze over my shoulder to see if he’s still there, following me. He is.

I don’t know why I feel the urge to flee, but I do. I broke into a run again.  

But then I stopped. Why was I running? I couldn’t outrun him. My mom had told me he was the quarterback, for crying out loud. He was fast, strong, and probably used to chasing people down.  

I turned to face him, my chest heaving, and forced myself to stand tall. 

“I don’t have them,” I say through gritted teeth. But on the inside, I’m cowering, fearful of what he may do.

 “Leave me alone.”

Noah’s hands clenched into fists, and he took a step closer. “You’re lying to me, Rosalie.”  

Something about the way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine. It wasn’t just the way his voice dropped, low and almost… intimate. It was the way his eyes burned, like he was trying to see straight through me.  

“I’m not lying,” I said, though my voice wavered. “I deleted it.”  

Noah’s jaw tightened, and he took another step closer, closing the distance between us. “You think I’m stupid?” he growled. “You think I don’t know when someone’s lying to me?”  

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it. 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

 He pushes me against a building and plants his hands on either side of me on the stone wall.

His piercing green eyes bore into mine as beads of sweat fall down his enticing lips. 

“Tell me where they are.”

“I don’t have them with me,” I say, licking my lips in an attempt to look like I don’t care. 

“They’re at home.”

His face turns dark, marred with rage.  But I could see a glint of excitement. A vicious grin appears, and he leans in to whisper in my ear, “Where are they? Still on your camera? On your laptop? In your closet? Under your pillow?” He snorts and grabs a strand of my hair, twirling it around with a gentleness that can only be described as sharp. 

“Maybe I should come with you…  pay your bedroom a little visit. See what else you’re hiding.”

“No,” I say quickly, sucking in a breath. 

“No? You think you can keep the truth from me? I know what you saw,” he murmurs, inching closer and closer.

“You were there with your little camera by the lake… wearing your purple thong and tight bra that barely hides your nipples… dripping all wet from the water. Why were you alone by the lake? Were you following me? You couldn’t just take your camera and walk away after you saw me, could you? You just had to keep recording.”

The way he talks about me and my body makes me shiver. I’ve never shivered for a boy. But he’s not just any boy.

“I’d love to see what’s underneath,” he whispers into my ear. “After you hand over the video to me.”

My eyes widen, and I shove him away. “Stop following me or I’ll call the cops.”

I tuck my hand into my pocket and make an indent, hoping he believes I’m carrying a phone.

He scowls at me, fists balled. Just a second ago, I thought he was going to grope me, and now I’m afraid he’ll hurt me if I don’t give him what he wants. But I can’t let him win.

He takes a step back. “I’ll make you regret that.”

I shake my head even though my heart is practically beating out of my chest. “Fuck you.”

A devilish grin appears on his face. “I’m sure you’d love to.”

Then he turns around and walks off. Just like that. Gone before I can even breathe and process what happened.