A Heart Like Glass [Book 1]

Chapter 3

Please.

I mouthed to the person whose raging tears, mingled with blood, were dripping from his face to my own. If he didn't stop soon, then I'd likely die. My vision was already blurring, and I was beginning to understand what the phrase, "seeing stars," actually meant.

On graduation day, I was ready to go. I'd parked the old sedan at the school in the middle of the night, which terrified me too, but I felt it was necessary. I couldn't afford to raise Wyatt's suspicions by driving the car in the middle of the day. While I could have disguised myself, I wasn't going to risk it. There was no telling how he'd much he had been watching me since the time I'd gotten away from him. In the past few days, there had been a few moments that I'd left my dorm without the wig, and I could have sworn I saw him out of the corner of my eye. Only, he always managed to leave my line of sight whenever I looked back. Shudders went down my back each time that it happened.

So, it had taken guts to call him on my old cell.

If I wanted my plan to work, then I needed to know exactly where he was when I left. My escape depended on knowing that he was sitting in that stadium until the moment my name was called. By the time he'd notice my absence, I'd be long gone.

Standing in my red cap and gown, all dolled up and playing my part, I waited for him by the stadium entrance. I'd asked him to meet me here when I called the night before. I'd told him that we'd grab dinner after the ceremony. Made him believe that I was finally caving into him.

We'd talked for hours every night since that first phone call four days before graduation. It took every inch of willpower to hold myself together while telling him how much I "loved him" and "how sorry I was for my bad behavior." I'd put on a star performance over the phone acting like a fool in love. Honestly, I almost believed myself after it was all said and done.

It made me feel gross.

I withheld a cringe as he walked up, looking just as handsome as the day we'd first met. He looked remarkable in a simple, grey button-up that he'd paired with slacks and loafers. I remember how the breeze felt on my face as he strode towards me, the deep green color of the rustling leaves on nearby trees. Unfortunately, the wind blew that sandalwood and amber scent up my nose, and I had to bite down before the bile rose. I'd taken a deep breath, trying to steady my mind, but my nerves were shaky as heavy anticipation weighed in my chest.

This is it. I'll leave and start over far, far away from him. I'd thought.

"You came!" I said excitedly, running up to hug him tightly, ignoring the sandalwood.

He seemed taken aback at first but quickly wrapped his arms around me.

"Of course," he said warmly and pulled back before tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

I'd no doubt about that.

"I'm glad," I lied smoothly, hoping that I wouldn't start sweating.

Wyatt kissed my cheek, and I did my best to hide my disgust. I kept calm as he'd asked, "How does Burton's Steakhouse sound for your celebratory dinner?"

"Sounds divine," I cooed with a sweet smile. "I look forward to it."

"As do I," he said with a smirk before walking off to find a seat in the huge stadium. There he would sit among the masses of family and friends that were waiting to cheer on their respective graduates. No one else would be waiting for me in there but him.

Needing to focus, I tried not to think about that.

My eyes didn't leave Wyatt's body as he walked towards the entrance. He looked back at me once, smiling brightly, before disappearing into the crowd. When he was finally out of sight, I chucked my old cell in a nearby trashcan and darted for my car. I tore my cap from my head as the red gown whipped in the wind.