It feels good

SAIGE POV

I don't know who the hell this guy was, but I hated that he was able to make me feel so vulnerable around him. It had been years since I'd cried like this and in the arms of a stranger. But I won't lie and say it didn't feel good. This pent-up fear and sadness had nearly drowned me and I almost felt liberated.

When I pulled away from Collin, I stared up into his eyes and saw kindness there that I had somehow missed before. He definitely wasn't like all the guys I'd chased after before, so how did it take me so long to really see it? Perhaps I was too blinded by my stupid games to notice.

"I, um, should probably head home." I wasn't actually going home but I was done letting Collin see me like this.

"Let me give you a ride," he offered but I shook my head.

"I can manage, but thanks."

He was looking at me strangely and I couldn't blame him. Normally, I'd jump at the opportunity to be alone with Collin but I needed my own time alone. He said some things that hit home for me and I couldn't shake the uneasiness it left me with.

I finally stepped around him and left the classroom, heading in an uncertain direction.

~~~~~~

I don't know how the hell I ended up at my house, but there I was. The creep's car was no longer in the driveway and I found myself letting out a breath. Thank God. I just hoped my mom was gone, too, So I could really be alone. I didn't need her running her mouth right now.

However, one step inside and I knew I wasn't alone. My mom's giggles came from the living room and made me cringe.

"Saige?! Is that you?"

I held my breath, trying to be silent. If she thought I wasn't here then maybe she'd leave me alone.

But then she appeared in the hallway, making me jump.

"Why the hell didn't you answer me?" She glared at me. "And what the hell have you been crying about? Did you catch your reflection in a mirror?" Her laugh and dry tone told me she wasn't alone. She was always trying to show off in front of her "friends."

"I've had a rough day," I replied, knowing my mom didn't give a shit.

"Boo hoo, we've all had shitty days. Now run down to the gas station and grab us some smokes." She tossed a $10 bill at me before craning her neck around the wall to laugh at whoever was in there with her.

"This isn't enough," I said, holding up the cash.

She brought her head back to glare at me. "Make it enough." Then she disappeared back into the living room and I left the house once again.

It had started to rain, bringing a chill to the air, so I tried to walk faster. The gas station was only a couple of blocks away and the faster I walked, the faster I could return home to my warm bedroom where I could lock myself in for the night.

The familiar gas station employee gave me a weak smile when I stepped up to the counter. When I laid the bill down she grimaced.

"That isn't enough, sugar." The way she popped her gum at me made me cringe.

"Then just give me one of them." I slid the other back toward her, knowing my mom would be pissed but not giving a shit.

"I've got the other one." The voice that came from behind me made all the hairs stand up as I gripped the edge of the counter.

Please don't say it's who I think it is.

But with a small glance in his direction, I came face to face with my mom's latest creeper.

He winked at me as he slid another bill onto the counter to pay for my mom's smokes. He then grabbed the packs and slid them into his pocket.

"Come on, let me give you a ride home. I was heading that way." He grabbed my arm, not giving me a choice, as he basically shoved me through the front door.

I wanted to scream for help but the last time I did that in this part of town, I only got weird looks directed at me. Nobody cared about anyone else in this neighborhood. They all had their own problems.

The creeper continued to shove me toward the familiar car I had seen in the driveway the last few days when he opened the door and pushed me in. His car smelled of whiskey and stale cigarettes, making me plug my nose with my shirt. How can someone be so gross?!

He jumped in the driver's seat and stared over at me.

His eyes scanned me up and down before he started the car.

"By the way, my name's Leo. We haven't been properly introduced, even though we've seen each other naked."

Those words sent a cold chill over my body as I slid away from him, pushing my back hard into the door.

Leo backed out of the parking space and headed away from the gas station, except he didn't turn toward my house and a dreadful feeling consumed me.

"Where are you going?" I asked, whipping my head this way and that.

"We're going to take a little detour, Saige." The way he said it made me want to pass out. There was malice in his voice that told me this wasn't going to end well for me.