All Chapters of Atticus: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

What Am I Going To Do With You?"You know, you could have any girl you want in this school..." He puts a finger up, stopping me in mid-sentence and gets really close; so close I can smell the soap he used to wash his face. I look down and watch his lips curl up into his usual sexy smile and his entire face lights up. All it would take is a couple more inches and another kiss...and I'd be a goner. "You seriously don't get it, do you?" he asks, placing his palm on my cheek. "And the really sucky thing is the bell's about to ring so I can't take the time to explain...but I want to kiss you so hard right now it hurts." Before I can say anything he turns his head, placing his other palm on my face, and says, "What the hell."His lips are on mine so fast I barely have time to catch up. They're soft at first, then press a little harder, his warm hands cupping my cheeks. Our lips move in comfortable unison, slightly opening and closing as he teases me with his gentle tongue. I don't wa

** Brad **Something's wrong, I can feel it-something that must have happened in class. She was fine, and then it was like she was a caged animal, desperate to be freed. But what could it have been? Our kiss? The bullshit Ms. Barnes gave her? I sure as hell don't know. The look on her face was pure determination, like she couldn't get out of here fast enough. She was also stumbling for excuses and I have no doubt she was lying. She blew right out the door before I could catch her but I'm not far behind. I know she's got to be around here somewhere but when I scan the parking lot, there's no sign of her. She couldn't have gotten that far, it would've been impossible, but it's like she literally disappeared. I have a bad feeling and rush to my car and start the engine, pulling out quickly as I pan the parking lot one last time. Nothing. Jesus, did she sprint the whole way? I have to slam on my brakes to keep from hitting another car. I'm not paying attention but right now, I d

** Brad **I search the both sides of the street for what seems like hours but is probably only been minutes. I think I catch a glimpse of Candice or someone running toward the Emory house but I can't be sure. By the time I realize it might be her, she's gone. Did she go in? Could our conversation have sparked her interest? Why would she stop there if she was in such a hurry to get home? She was clearly bugged about something and the more I sit here, hoping like hell I spot her again, the crazier I feel. I literally just met this girl and can't believe I'm not only running after her, but also skipping school to do it. If someone had told me I'd be this insane about a chick I would have laughed in their faces. This isn't me. This isn't how I do things. If I were smart, I'd get my ass back to school and forget all about her. It's not like she asked for my help or begged me to come find her. But it's not that easy. I'm falling for her. She's cast some kind of spell on me or has a secre

I awake later to a quiet room, candlelight flickering on either side of me. I slowly begin to recognize the ornately decorated space as my eyes pan over to the fireplace, with its intermittent crackling of freshly cut wood. I'm still in the house. This is Atticus's room. But where is he? And why did he make me sleep again? Panic rises in my stomach and I have to breathe quickly to get any of air. I'm either dying or hyperventilating and now the room is starting to spin. I jerk up on my elbows, attempting to stop whatever is happening to me."Hello, Candice," he says, right on cue, still wearing the same clothes from the portrait. He pauses and comes closer, as if he knows I'm on the verge of a full on panic attack. He raises his hand over my head and then closes his eyes. The panic and struggle for air has been replaced with calm as I take a soothing deep breath."Better?" he asks, smiling down at me."Yes." I confirm what I'm sure he already knew, but I'm still curious how I got fr

I toss the covers all the way back and sit on the side of the bed, hoping it will snap me out of this nightmare. I need to wake up. I need to stop this craziness."You are not leaving, I will not allow it! We are not finished!" he growls."Oh, so now I'm your prisoner?" My anger overrides the fact that I should probably be scared shitless right now. I know what he's capable of."Do not make me force you to stay," he says in a much calmer voice.Do I have a choice?" I snap back."You always have a choice. The question is, will you make the right one." "What the hell is that supposed to mean?""How do you feel about your mother?" he shoots back.Stay calm, Candice.I shrug. "She's an angry alcoholic who has deep issues with abandonment. Is that what you want to hear?""I only want the truth.""Well, that's the sad truth. But she wasn't always like this. We used to be closer but..." I stop, wondering why I'm babbling about her.