W.A.T.D

Chapter 4 Threat - her perspective

Estimated reading time - 4 minutes 30 seconds
(AAAA I LOVE THIS CHAP SO MUCH)
TW KNIFES

I am SO mad, he thinks he can get away with anything! That little prick is so entitled he thinks he is better than everyone!
Most days I can stand him at least, today is not one of those days. He judged all my work, adding snarky little comments all over it. I can handle my own work!
He is such an little bitch. And this time going to do something about it, I know that every day before and after he is at the back of the school.
I know this because everyone stays away from there because of him. And before school I will be there, biting his emo ass head off.

I got up earlier today, specifically for EFB. I will yell at him if it's the last thing I do.
And today, I drove in complete silence. No music, no podcasts, nothing. I'm just letting myself get more angry at this point, I'm just using this as an opportunity to let him know just how intolerable he is.
I pull up and park at the back of the school, a first for me.
It's so dark where I'm headed that I can't even see him yet, but I can see vague rings of smoke coming from somewhere on the left.
I get out of the car cautiously, the cool morning air hitting my face and sending a slight shiver through me. I start to walk towards the school, well more like towards the smoke.
I haven't been back here yet in my short time at this school, but it definitely seems like somewhere Ray would loiter. It's dark, secluded, and quiet, perfect for him.
I keep walking, trying my best to follow the smoke to the source without tripping. Once I get close enough the smoke goes out, it stops and briefly, I get a little scared.
It feels like there is something right around the corner, whether it is EFB or a murderer, I guess I'll find out.
That's when it happens, someone comes up behind me and swiftly grabs my arm, I can't see it but I can feel the cool metal of a knife being held to my neck.
I stand completely still, and so does my attacker, for what feels like hours, till the person finally speaks. "Were you following me?" I hear the voice ask, it's a man that I know, but who is the real question.
I don't answer at first till he squeezes my arm a bit tighter. "No! No, I was looking for someone..." I responded quickly, the looming threat of the knife at my neck making my heart race.
As soon as I talk I feel his grip loosen, and the knife is quickly moved, brought away from my neck.
"Eliza?" the man asks, i quickly turn around, finding Ray on the verge of tears with a pocket knife in his hands.
He puts his hands over his face, knife still in hand and curses loudly, crouching down and dropping the small blade. "Ray? You..."
I'm cut off immediately by him swiftly getting up and pulling me into a tight hug. I can hear him softly crying over my shoulder, his face buried in my hair, it's obvious he doesn't want me to see him crying.
I can barely hear his soft repeated apologies over the loud beating of my heart, the adrenaline is still pumping through me and I can barely process what just happened.
Everything in me is telling me to push him away but my arms act on their own, wrapping around his chest, god he's tall.
My head rests against his chest and his chin rests on the top of my head, he holds me tight for so long, silently sobbing.
I haven't the slightest clue why he is crying, but it feels a little too late to ask, so I remain silent, feeling him occasionally jolt from his sobs.
Once my heart slows back down I finally hear him, he's still apologizing profusely, why does he care so much?
I know it was a mistake...probably... I wouldn't blame him for that. Without even thinking I take a big breath in, smelling his cologne mixed with the smell of the cigarettes on his hoodie, it's a very woodsy smell, and he used just enough of it that it's not overpowering.
I think he noticed, but he didn't say anything, and I simply stay enjoying this brief moment of affection.
Once he has calmed down he finally releases me looking at me apologetically, and finally clearly saying it.
"I'm so sorry" he repeats, looking directly into my eyes this time.
His eyes are red from crying, yet I can still see the small hint of green in his brown eyes like a painting come to life. I stare at him for a fleeting moment, before realizing he is waiting for a response.
"Oh! Yes, i... it's fine really. I expect nothing less from you, to be honest." He makes a sour face when I say that, putting his hands on my shoulders and shaking me lightly.
"That's the problem! I don't want you to think of me like that! Can we just like... start over?" Why does he care so much about what I think? We are partners in a project, I don't see why it's so important that we get along.
However he extends his hand and I take it, shaking his hand and he smiles softly at me, he has a good smile.
"Hi, I'm Eliza," I say jokingly, he immediately responds with
"Hi Eliza, I'm Raymond." I chuckle slightly and he looks confused.
"Your name is Raymond? You're kidding right?" I say between giggles.
"No? Are you making fun of me?" he asks with a smile, his full smile is even better.
"No, I'm just saying, I can't imagine you as anything other than Ray. I love old names, I'm calling you Raymond from now on." I joke, still giggling slightly, he makes a fake sour expression.
"Oh come on, don't call me that, I hate that name."
"You held a knife to my neck, I can call you what I want!" We both laugh together for a while, before finally emerging from the dark, almost cave-like corner.
"Let me walk you to class," he asked, his arm resting on my shoulder.
"Absolutely not," I responded with a smile.
"Oh come on, we are going to the same class anyway. Don't want to be seen with me hm?"
"That's exactly it," I say before smiling and running off to our next class. Aw shit, I forgot to yell at him, maybe next time.