Sub Rosa Ties ( A High School Dark Romance)

Zera

The moonlight gleamed above his hair, illuminating a shade akin to black rather than his usual brown hair. I felt the heat rising within me, the warmth enveloping me.

My arms wrapped around Gerard’s neck, my cheek pressed snugly against the warmth of his skin. We were so near that the scent of citrus surrounded us, filling the air with its tangy fragrance.

His large hands clasped my bare thighs firmly as my legs hung loosely around him, our weight causing the leaves b
eneath us to crunch softly under his feet.

We had been walking for close to 20 minutes now, and his silence was deafening. I had no idea how he had found me or whether Sarah had told him where I was. I wanted to ask, but fear stopped me. Fear, for unclear reasons.

There was an ominous aura emanating from him that sent shivers down my spine. I knew he was seething with anger, and I had no clue how to apologize for the trouble I had caused him tonight.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice barely audible amidst the darkness of the night and the occasional chirping of the birds around us.

He didn’t respond but continued walking. I snuggled closer to his right ear and whispered once more, “I’m sorry.”

He froze in his tracks, halting his steps.

“For what reason?” he questioned, his voice surprisingly calm despite the intensity of his gaze. “Venturing into the woods like 5-year-old kids in a city you’ve never been to before? Or leaving my messages on read, ignoring me all through the week and sitting in a damn bus with that blondie?”

His right eye bore into me as he tilted his head to the side to look at me. Feeling overwhelmed, I diverted my gaze downward, fixing my attention on his shoulder.

“The former,” I admitted quietly, and he scoffed, continuing his stride.

“You have got to be kidding me,” he snarled, adjusting my position behind him. I accidentally bumped my nose against the back of his head, letting out a soft sniffle of pain.

I knew he did it on purpose, but I chose not to point it out. Minutes passed by again in silence before I mustered up the courage to ask again.

“How did you find… me?”

“Sarah,” he said flatly.

“How is she? Where is she?” I asked, feeling a surge of concern.

“In the guesthouse,” he replied, and I breathed a sigh of relief. But his next words made me flinch slightly behind him. “Why don’t you tell me what was going through that little head of yours and made you follow her into the woods?”

I gulped, feeling the weight of his question.

“She wanted to…” I began, trailing off and closing my eyes briefly. “She wanted to film…”

“In the night?” he cut me off, his tone incredulous.

“Not really. It was around past…”

“This is a darn forest, Zera!” He raised his voice, stopping abruptly. “Not a zoo or a park or a restaurant. Fucking woods. There are wild animals lurking around, and you both decided to film around here?” Disbelief tinged his voice.

Guilt suddenly washed over me, and I felt remorseful for causing him trouble. But at the same time, I didn’t appreciate the way he was scolding me. I found myself strangely loving it, and I knew I shouldn’t be feeling that way.

“Don’t you fear for your life? Has working in the club made you that fearless? I was on the verge of losing my fucking mind, Zera,” his hands tightened around my thigh as he spoke.