𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐌𝐞

Chapter 3

Summer passed without any more run-ins with Keiran. Six Forks was a good size town, but I must admit part of the reason was because I hid out in my house for the past two months. Willow was wrong. I could hide, so I did. But now it was the first day of school and I couldn't hide anymore.
Senior year, I thought jubilantly. Senior year meant the last step, making me closer to moving on and escaping the fear I lived in every single day. He didn't come looking for me and I assumed that once again it was a tactic to scare me. After all... he's promised to kill me for ten years now.
My phone beeped signaling that I had a text message. I checked my phone seeing that it was Willow.
Don't come outside!
I stared down at my phone, puzzled. Willow being weird was normal, but why wouldn't she want me to come outside? I walked over to the window to see what the reason was and nearly fainted when I looked out the window. The way my heart was pounding caused me to drop my phone. I did not expect what I saw below.
He was leaning against his blacked out muscle car and looking very much like the typical bad boy in black cargo pants and a dark grey, short-sleeved button up that probably matched his eyes.

How did he know where I lived?

I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find where I lived but why would he come here? This was too close to home. No pun intended. Willow was standing by her car as well, eyeing Keiran warily. My gaze was fixed on him, debating what I should do, when suddenly he turned his head and looked straight up at me through my bedroom window. I jumped back immediately and tried to calm my racing heart and the somersaults my stomach performed.
I weighed all my options, hiding being the most desirable possibility, but I knew I couldn't leave Willow out there alone with him. He never terrorized her or anyone else but me, but what would he do if I didn't come out? I knew he wouldn't just go away. It was obvious that he came here for something. I made a decision and grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs. He made me a prisoner in my home the entire summer, but I couldn't hide out here any longer and he knew that.
I reached the door and stepped outside, feeling as if I was on death row and this was my final walk. I reluctantly walked over to him, but only close enough to talk to him without Willow overhearing. As I drew closer, I admitted that there was something dangerously irresistible about him. It drew me in even when I wanted to run away. If only I could figure out why...
"Why are you here?" I asked before I lost my nerve.

His eyes lazily traveled over me in a way that made me feel both insignificant and naked. I was wearing white jeans and a dark red top that hugged my torso and flowed at my waist. The top made me feel feminine and sexy. I knew I was making a statement when I put it on. I just wasn't sure what I was trying to say.
He used both hands to push off his car, the momentum bringing his chest to mine all too quickly. I sucked in a breath and felt my body shudder just as it did in the pharmacy when he first touched me.

"Lose the girl," he said loud enough for Willow to hear. It took a moment for me to realize what he said, because my mind and body had both shut down in submission.

"But she's my ride to school," I answered.
"Get rid of her," he repeated. The look on his face warned me not to argue.

I reluctantly turned to Willow, who was openly glaring at Keiran. I never told her about the incident at the pharmacy. She'd only been back for a week now and it was an unspoken agreement between us that Keiran was a taboo subject. Not only that, but Willow seemed different since she's been back. She was still my Willow, but I knew something happened over the summer. I was fond of looking into people's eyes. They told more than the lips ever could – they told the truth. Willow's eyes had changed. They held something that I didn't recognize, but they also held something I did recognize—pain.
"Will, I'm going to drive to school today. I'm sorry you came all the way here for nothing." I gave her a small smile, hoping to reassure her.
"Lake, we live less than a mile apart and your house is on the way to school. What's going on?" I could hear the suspicion in her voice.
"Nothing, I just have stuff I need to take care of immediately after school. I'll see you in class, okay?" She caught the look I sent her to drop it so she huffed and got into her car after sending Keiran another glare. I waited until she disappeared down the street before I rounded on Keiran. "Please don't do this," I immediately begged.