Obsessive

10

Zane

The moment Xavier became forceful, my darkness clouded over. I knew in that moment that I would kill him.

No man or boy should ever lay hands on a female.

Molly left without harm though and so for now, I'll keep calm.

School is out and I watch as all the students exit the building with tired yet relieved smiles. My eyes scan the area for her.

The passenger door suddenly opens and my heart leaps out of my chest. But my body relaxes when I realize it's just Molly. My heart still pounds.

She sits in the seat next to me and closes the door, hugging her backpack to her chest. Her eyes stare straight ahead at the dash.

"Do you always get in random peoples cars?" I ask, trying to draw a conversation out of her. Her beautiful eyes flick over to mine and she glares. "What would you say if I told you that I did?" She questions.

I take a deep breath in, trying to ease my excitement that she's in my car talking to me on her free will.

Truth be told, if she admitted that she did get into strangers cars all the time I would probably flip out. If I can do anything to this girl it would be to protect her. And it's not very protective to let her get into a strangers car.

"I'd say that you're not smart for that." I claim. Her face twists into disappointment. I'm not sure what she wanted me to say. "I'm not smart for a lot of things..." she mutters, turning her head towards the window. The parking lot is mostly empty now.

I lean over and gently cup her chin with one hands. I turn her head to look at me. Her mouth opens slightly and she gasps quietly. My eyes search her face, finding beauty everywhere I look.

"Molly," I say softly. "You are brilliant."

Her eyes close as her face flushes red. She tries to pull away but I raise my other hand to cup her face. I cradle her head in my hands while I wait for her to relax.

"Zane..." she whispers. My heart soars and I can't help but grin. This is the first time she's said my name. It sounds beautiful rolling off her tongue. Both of us shudder and I grin wider.

My hands drop from her face and Molly clears her throat. "I read your letter." She claims, sounding more confident and sure than before. I wince, thinking back about the letter I had given to her.

I wanted Molly to have it so she could understand me better. Unfortunately, that meant I had to bring up my past and admit the crimes my mother had committed. It's not even relatively half of the darkness I have but it's a start.

"Did you watch your mom..." Molly trails off. "Kill my father?" I finish for her. Her eyes meet mine and she looks sheepish. I smile weakly, a sign that it's okay. "No. I had this cabinet in the Laundry room I loved to hide in. I was in there when it happened." My face darkens and I look away. "I heard everything though."

Molly makes a noise and she hugs her backpack tighter. I sigh and shake my head as if shaking the thought away.

"He deserved it." Molly whispers. I glance over at her but she keeps her gaze on the dash. "Yes. He did." I agree.

We sit in silence for a few minutes. The rest of the parking lot empties until it's just us and a few cars that probably belong to teachers and staff.

"I broke up with Xavier." She says suddenly.

My stomach flip flops and a smile cracks on my lips. Relief and pride fill my chest and I want to kiss her.

"Good job. I'm proud of you." I admit. Her face twists and she smiles. "Thank you." She says so softly, it's a whisper. "Let me know if he bothers you." I say, shifting in my seat and twisting the keys until the car starts. "Need a ride home?" I ask. Molly nods and turns to put the seatbelt on.

I roll the windows down as we drive through town. Molly's hair is a mess in the slight breeze but it's beautiful. Her arm is out the window and she leans on the door, face out in the wind. The closer we get to her place, the more bitter I feel.

I pull into her driveway, sighing. Molly unbuckles her seatbelt and turns towards me. "Thank you for the ride. And thank you for telling me about your parents..." she hesitates, thinking about what she's going to say next. "I need space to think. Real space. This is a lot... I don't want to risk anything." Molly says seriously.

I nod, taking her hand and raising it to my face. I kiss her palm gently before letting her go. "I'll give you space." I promise. She sucks in a breath and nods at me. Then she climbs out of the car.

I watch as she walks towards the front door. I smile when Molly turns and waves goodbye at me.

~

Over the next two weeks, I shower her with hidden affection. I give her gifts while giving her space. I let her know I'm here without physically being there.

It's killing me but she needs it.

I'm no longer waiting in the parking lot at her school or sneaking into her bedroom. I leave my little notes at her front door and keep my distance. The only hope I have is that she promised to think things over.

I know that this is a risk. All she knows is that I'm stalking her. She doesn't know about the people I've killed. Not to mention the fact that I am a grown man. She is only seventeen. I'm sure at least her mother would flip out.

So for now, I'll wait until she's ready.