Amia The second bell announced the start of the school day. I ignored Levi when he walked in five minutes late. I avoided lifting my chin and looking at him. I didn’t miss the way he froze by my table. I could feel his gaze as it traveled over my downcast face. I didn’t want to admit it but Levi knew me better than almost everyone at this school. I could feel his gaze on the side of my face like every morning. I focused on class and followed along with the teacher. Classed past by in a blur and before I knew it the hour was up and it was time for second period. My stomach flip flopped knowing that I would be separated from Liz now. She waited for me as I gathered up my stuff. I got to my feet, threw my backpack over my shoulder, and followed Liz toward the door. I grabbed Liz’s hand and held it tightly. She squeezed my hand. I tried to keep my eyes in front of me but I could feel Levi’s warmth at my back as we shuffled out. “Hey Levi!” Liz said cheerfully. “Morning Liz,” Levi said
“What? What are you saying?” I demanded. “I’m asking you if you want me to get rid of your little problem,” Levi said. “I know what you’re saying I just don’t know why you’re saying that to me.” “Don’t you tho?” Levi asked. “No, I don’t. I don’t know why you would say this to me, L. I don’t have a problem,” I lied. “Right. That’s why you’re crying in a dark room,” Levi joked. “You think you’re so fucking funny, don’t you, L? Who’s fault is it again that I’m in this dark room to begin with?” I asked. I swiped at my tears and crossed my arms. Levi smiled down at me and I wanted to punch him. “I’m not the one who made you cry, Amia. And who brought you into this room isn’t the one who is responsible for those tears. Now tell me. What did he do to you?” Levi asked again. His tone was gentle and gave me a false sense of security. I knew better than to hope for someone to come to my rescue. I wasn’t going to start now. “I-I don’t know what you mean, Levi. I don’t know what you’re ask
After Levi watched me walk to my seat he left without so much as another word. There were a few stares from the girls in the class, but I was feeling so weird with his absence that I ignored them. I felt as if something was off or missing and I had the need to run after him. It was the sound of the tick-tick-ticking of the hand moving on the clock as time passed that ground me and kept me in my seat. Class was a blur and I missed out on a majority if not the remainder of class. The events that had transpired in the few minutes we spent in the empty classroom took up most of my attention. As crazy as I felt for thinking I saw Levi with red eyes, I know what I saw. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being in a trance. My cheeks warm as I recall the neediness I had felt. The need to please him, the desperation to do everything and anything to please him caused a shiver to run down my spine. In that moment I knew I would have done literally anything. It was that thought that scared me the m
AmiaThe rain comes down harder, but it’s as if time stands still. Everything freezes and everyone that had been behind us in the quad and in front of us in the parking lots disappeared. Sweat ran down my neck despite the cool rain that quickly soaked my clothes. I gripped Liz’s arm tightly as I called on courage I wasn’t sure I had. The only sound was the pounding of blood in my ears and the pitter-patter-pit of rain as it came down on the roofs of the cars and bounced against the concrete floor.When I turn around to find who was behind us, I feel her physically relax by my side. My eyes instantly lock on Levi and all of the air is expelled from my lungs. Relief washes over me with the rain and drips from my hair. I had been trying to brace myself to face Dylan, but now that I knew it wasn’t him, I knew how not ready I really was.After what happened last night, I know I need to make some changes, but I’m not ready to think about it yet. I’m not ready to deal with it today. Levi ste
AmiaI spent the drive to the coffee shop hovered in front of the air vent trying to warm up. As much as I tried to get Liz to ride shotgun with Levi, she refused. Insisted she had to sit in the back seat. It was clear she wanted me and Levi to talk, but I had nothing to say. I kept my eyes trained on the dash as he drove. I could feel Levi’s gaze on the side of my face, hell, I could feel Liz watching us from the back seats. Still, I refused to look at him or try my hand at small talk. It wasn’t until he pulled into a parking spot across from the coffee shop and he hopped out that I raised my eyes from the dash.“That was awkward as fuck,” Liz murmured.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said as I unbuckled my seat belt.“You know damn well what I meant,” Liz hissed.I eyed her in the rear view mirror and laughed. She was giving me a you know I’m right look. I reached for my handle when the door swung open. Levi stood outside holding not only my door open, but Liz’s.Well, t
Seconds, minutes felt like hours as I waited there with my hands wrapped around a hot white chocolate mocha I hadn’t yet picked up. The heat from the clay cup warmed my hands and a shiver ran down my back. I fought the urge to turn around whenever the door opened. The need to look over my shoulder to see if I recognized anyone was strong. I stared out of the window until I felt someones gaze on the side of my face. I tensed but refused to look. I waited until I saw them approach out of the corner of my eye.I took a deep breath and turned to look up at the person who stood by the table. It wasn’t the waitress and it wasn’t anyone I knew. My eyes glided up his body and searched his features. I didn’t know who it was and I definitely didn’t recognize him. He was tall, even taller than mom. His shoulders were wide and his arms bulky. Despite wanting to claim this man was a stranger to me, I couldn’t help but want to admit that there was something about him that called to me.He had dirty
Amia What the hell does he even know?! “If I’d done my part what?” Calum asked. “Just answer the questions,” I said. “I was told that you had a happy life here, your mom’s… partner was good to you, held a stable job and you had a lot of friends. I didn’t leave you… I gave you the space to grow up in a normal home. I did come back for you. I did come check on you. I came to get you years ago, but was told it wouldn’t be in your best interest to go back with me. She said she didn’t want you to feel less than enough with my mate. Your mother worried you would be looked down upon, she feared my mate would.. attack you. Even though I told her that wouldn’t happen, she was insistent. I left because she promised I could meet you when you came of age,” he explained. “Is that supposed to make everything better? That reason, that one reason is what kept you away all these years? Was I not worth fight for? Was I not worth checking on? Was I not even on your mind that you didn’t think to come
Amia I don’t have to look around to know who it is. Every hair on my body is standing, my throat dries, and I ball my hands into fists. Calum's eyebrow is arched and he turns his head slightly to this side. His eyes are no longer on me, they’re on the figure standing behind me, and he is not amused. I know hat I’m on a cafe full of people, but I can’t help my body’s automatic response. Fear. That’s the first thing that pops into my mind. That’s the word that describes what I’m feeling right now. I’m scared and I hate that our relationship has gotten to this point. The boy behind me holds so much power that he has chased the smart mouth angry girl that had just been sassing the man in front of her. I can’t avoid him anymore and I sure as hell can’t hide from him here in this small cafe. It’s time to face him, even if I’m not ready. When I turn to look at Dylan, his cold eyes dare me to lie, his lips promise to tear me apart, and his fist promises pain. I couldn’t hide the tremor tha