Only for me | Draco Malfoy

10.

Elijah guided me back down the dock, his hand resting on the small of my back. The temptation to dismiss it was strong, but one look at Ryder's face as we passed by encouraged me to persist. But I was extremely aware of the minor contact; it was at the front of my mind.

When we got to the end of the dock, Elijah motioned for me to take a seat, so I did. I was transported back in time to last night, when I was sitting here alone. It seemed like weeks, not just 24 hours. No one thought to come look for me, and no one wondered where I had gone. Should I be surprised? No.

Except for Draco. For some reason, he was present. I didn't care what the reason was. He probably didn't want to explain to the cops why he let a drunk girl swim alone if I drowned.

Elijah smiled as he sat besides me, his torso turned to face me. I knew I should do the same to give the impression that I was interested in what he was about to say, but I wasn't. As a result, I didn't. I kept my body straight and my gaze fixed on the water, which was still rocking gently from the boat.

"Alright, Angeline." Elijah began to speak, his hands fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

I'm curious what made him so nervous. What could possibly be important right now?

I turned to face him, and he was already staring at me, biting his bottom lip.

"I usually know where I stand with a girl, but you're difficult to read." He chuckled nervously at me.

"I never know what you're thinking." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"Okay." Elijah's brow furrowed before he laughed once more.

"Exactly like that." I gave him a one-sided smile.

"Anyway, I'm sure you're aware that I've had a long time crush on you. Actually, since I first met you. Do you remember it?" I had absolutely no idea.

"Not at all." He nodded, as if unsurprised.

"We were at a freshman year party. Brad Johnson's hosted the first big party. You were in the kitchen with Kaitlin and Sarah, and I was on a mission to catch a glimpse of the girl who had been the talk of the football team all night." He paused, as if waiting for me to remember something.

He continued when I said nothing.

"You were taking shots when I finally made it into the kitchen. I stood there for awhile, just staring at you. I couldn't say anything because I was too scared, but you turned around and pushed a shot glass into my hand, demanding that I drink it." That is something I would do.

"That happened a long time ago." What else was I supposed to say?

"Yeah." He gave me a friendly smile.

"I couldn't believe it when you kissed me back last night. I never imagined it would happen. You've never shown any interest in me." Most likely because I wasn't.

"Angeline, I really like you, but I have no idea how you're feeling. Maybe we can hang out more if you're into it as well." He rubbed his chin awkwardly as he finished.

His gaze was fixed on his lap, but it kept flickering up to my face, as if he was anticipating my reaction.

Surprisingly, a small hope flared up in my stomach. Could Elijah be interested in me? As a human being?

"What do you like about me?" I questioned, hoping for the best.

He appeared confused by my question.

"I mean, come on, who wouldn't like you?" Right.

After all, I was just a shell of a woman. Empty and worthless on the inside, but gleaming on the outside. That was all that mattered, I suppose.

"Angeline." I'm not sure how I thought Draco's voice was Ryder's earlier, because my body reacted immediately when I heard it.

My stomach muscles tightened, and the air in my lungs became stuck. I didn't dare to look at him.

"Angeline." he said again.

"What are you up to?"

"We're talking, Ryder." Elijah told him, glancing at me before turning to face Ryder.

"I wasn't asking you. Angeline was the one I asked." Ryder spat back, clearly unimpressed with Elijah's response.

"I'm talking to Elijah." My voice had returned to the monotonous and flat tone it had held when speaking to Draco.

"Why?" Ryder essentially growled at me.

I shut my eyes. I'm not sure why. It felt more safe.

"Angeline, come back to the house with me." Ryder gave the order.

Did he really expect me to pay attention to him? Was he really that delusory? Did he forget what he did to me?

I shook my head, opening my eyes again and casting a quick glance at Elijah. Elijah was staring at me, his face displaying the confusion that I'm sure he felt. After all, Ryder and Elijah were close friends. They were teammates on the football team.

"We're not done yet, Ryder. What exactly is going on?" Elijah asked, looking back and forth between Ryder and me, attempting to assess the situation.

"I'm not sure." I mumbled to avoid his suspicion.

"Ryder, I'm talking to Elijah. When I come to the house, it's none of your business."

"But it's Elijah's business?" His voice sounded more like the one he used last night, full of rage.

"It is, indeed." I mumbled something, hoping he'd get the hint.

Elijah's lips were threatening to curl into a smile, and he seemed pleased with my response.

Elijah appeared annoyed when Ryder didn't move.

"Do you have a problem, Ryder?" Elijah's voice had taken on a new edge, one I hadn't heard before.

Ryder didn't respond, and eventually I heard his shoes thud against the dock's wood, signalling that he had given up.

How could he? He has the audacity to even speak to me, let alone try to control my actions. He should be ashamed of his actions, but it appeared that he saw no problem with them.

The numbness I had felt all morning had given way, though slightly, to a new emotion.

Anger.

I looked at Elijah, who was looking at me intently, as if he was trying to choose his words carefully, but I spoke before he had to.

"I enjoy spending time with you, Elijah." I even managed a small grin.

The only thing on my mind was how to annoy Ryder as much as possible.

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