The Paths We Choose

Chapter 12 (elias pov.)

   As the new kid at Ballen Saint, transferring here was tough, but I had to I couldn't live with the constant reminder of Amber's memorial in the hallway. Despite the somber atmosphere, being new does have its advantages. I don't have to navigate through endless small talk with friends and acquaintances. However, every now and then, the silence is disrupted by girls eager to get to know me. Frankly, I have no interest in engaging with those shallow individuals who approach me.

"I heard you were captain of the basketball team at your old school" some short hair brunette said one look at her and I noticed the way she pinched her arms together hopping her titties would pop more and the uncomfortable way she leaned against my table to try and appear more sexy

  "I've got a ton of work to catch up on, if you wouldn't mind," I said, trying to sound as polite as possible. "Yeah, sure," she replied before heading back to join a giggling group of girls at the other end of the classroom. It felt pathetic witnessing their behavior.

As Catherine entered the English classroom, her scent wafted towards me, triggering memories. Suddenly, she was intercepted by a boy. Is he her boyfriend, I wondered, or just a friend? Jealousy crept in, enraged by the fact that she refused to wear the hoodie I had given her. I wasn't the only one who noticed; I observed another guy's eyes following her every move, intensifying my feelings of envy.

As anger surged within me, my hand clenched the paper tightly. Thankfully, before I could act on my frustration, the bell rang, signaling the end of the interaction. They both found seats, but Catherine's tardiness left limited options. Fortunately for me, the only available seat was beside me at the back of the class.

                                    POV Lisa

As I searched for a seat, I realized there was only one left, which seemed to be my luck. Making my way down the aisle, I couldn't shake the feeling of Elias's eyes on me. Glancing at his paper, I finally learned his name: Elias. I couldn't believe I hadn't known his name until now.

Taking the seat next to him, I hoped for a quiet class, but Elias had other plans. "You didn't wear the hoodie?" he remarked, breaking the silence. Hoping to avoid further conversation, I replied that it was in my locker, intending to retrieve it later. However, frustration creased his features, his jaw clenching with annoyance.

Suddenly, Elias raised his hand, requesting to step out to the hallway. Confused by his sudden request, Elias unexpectedly grabbed my arm, urging me out of the classroom with him. I reluctantly followed.

Once we were alone in the hallway, Elias began to circle me, a sense of déjà vu washing over me.

He circled me his arms rapping around me he began to touch me everywhere starting at my breast and moving towards the spot between my legs and just then his hand was followed with his dick moans left me I wanted him off me words left my mouth, "stop please stop. Get off me!"

I began to hyperventilate, "get off me" As panic overwhelmed me, I shoved Elias away, pleading for him to stop. Confusion clouded his expression as he backed off, but I couldn't contain my anger. I kept pushing him, each shove fueled by the memories of that awful night. Despite my attempts to provoke him, Elias just looked at me with sorrowful eyes, as if he understood my pain."Catherine."

I hit his chest again letting the anger of that night fill me. I couldn't do anything about what was happening to me that night, but I'm in control now, "fight back Elias. Isn't that why you brought me out here to fight with me about what I'm wearing? We'll go ahead fight back." I followed it with another push

"Catherine this isn't you" tears began to fill my eyes, "just fight back Elias. Please" another attempt to push him but before I knew it he grabbed my arm and pulled me into his embrace, "Catherine you are safe. It's me Catherine it's me"

As we stood there in the quiet hallway, the tension slowly dissolved, replaced by a sense of calm. Wrapped in Elias's embrace, time seemed to stand still, and for the first time in a long while, I felt truly comforted. These moments with him became some of the brightest spots in my life, offering solace and reassurance in the midst of turmoil.

Stepping away from his embrace, I mustered the courage to speak my truth. "Thank you, but I refuse to be controlled by a man again," I asserted. Elias's puzzled expression prompted me to elaborate. "Again?" he echoed, prompting me to share a deeply personal story.

With a heavy heart, I revealed, "My mother passed away some time ago, and after her death, I partied. I went to party after to party to get lost in the big group of people and the substances I took. During one of them, I was roofied..." The words caught in my throat, the pain still raw after all this time. Before I could continue, Elias interjected softly, "I'm sorry." His understanding gaze spoke volumes; he didn't need me to finish the story. He knew.

Turning away, I made my way to my locker, fumbling with the combination. Retrieving his hoodie, I handed it over without a word. As Elias took it from me, I paused, locking eyes with him briefly before closing the locker door and returning to the classroom