Chasing Happiness (Rewritten Under My Other Story "It's Just Pretend")

Chapter 5

        Anne thought about Jarod all first and second hour. Her life was going so well. Caleb was kicked out, her relationship with Claire has never been stronger, and things with Jarod were really looking up. She tapped her foot in excitement. She would see Jarod in nine minutes.

        "Anne!" She jumped a little in her seat.

        "Y-yes Ms. Jansen?"

        "Thinking of someone Anne?" The tall woman smirked at her student's pink face.

        "Can you please take these papers to the office Anne?" She quickly nodded her head and scurried out the door.

        "And here I thought I needed to wait 'til the bell rang to see you Anne! Did you miss me?" NO! It can't be! Anne turned slowly around.

        "Caleb..."

        "My my my..." he strolled over and caressed her cheek, "Hello Dearest Darling." Anne made a move to run, but Caleb pulled out a knife. He carefully drew invisible lines over her throat and backed her up against the wall. He pressed his free hand onto the wall beside her head. Lowering his face by her braided hair, he smelled her.

        "Don't you smell delicious today Anne. Your essence could make a man go lunatic."

        "You're not a man. Just a lunatic." She sharply took in air as the blade pierced her skin and made a shallow cut just above her collarbone.

        "Tsk tsk tsk! Did I say you could talk Anne? Quiet baby..." He placed his mouth where the blood dripped down and bit. HARD. She almost screamed and he slammed his hand against her mouth.

        "What did I say Anne?" He struck her across the face. Grabbing her hair, Caleb smacked the back of her head against the school building and tilted her head up, placing kisses on her neck. My family, my friends, Jarod. I need to get away. I need to run. Caleb lifted up her t-shirt just enough to expose her stomach and punched her. Once, twice, three times. As he winded back his arm again, she bolted. Go go go! She ran as fast as she could, but not fast enough. She felt his knife impale her side. Mimicking his actions before, she grabbed his hair and struck it against the school wall, but hard enough to make him pass out. Anne knew Jarod's class was close by. If she could make it... Her vision blurred as she stumbled along. Each breath she took echoed in her head. Jarod. His name rang through her mind over and over. Her knees gave out from blood loss and she collapsed. Adrenaline pumped through her veins. So close. She reached up and used the door handle to steady herself as she stood. The door hinges creaked as it agonizingly, slowly swung forward. Jarod immediately rushed from where he sat and caught her just before she made contact with the tile. He held her in his arms while her fingers grazed his cheek with a feather-light touch. Pulling him down she whispered, "I love you."