Clashing Cliques

Jessica's POV

Bang. Bang. Bang.

That's what I heard before I ducked under the table I was sitting at in the library. I came back to school a few days ago and was now just sitting in study hall by myself.

I kept hearing what I thought was gunshots, but I didn't dare to look up at the person shooting. I wanted so badly to run to Lauren but I couldn't risk being shot while trying to get to her. My best shot was to hide until this was over.

I heard footsteps coming closer to me. I was terrified. Could they see me? Obviously they could. It wasn't exactly a top secret hiding spot. Hopefully they'd just ignore me and keep walking.

"Jessica." I heard a voice say. I dared a glance at the man in front of me and felt intense fear radiate within me. I was trembling, scared of what this man wanted. "Get up. You're coming with me, before things get messy." I nodded and stood up.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me with him out of the side door in the library. Before I knew it, he got me outside and into his car.

"Thank you for coming with me, my love." He said. I stayed silent, not wanting to even be near him anymore. This didn't feel like the Joe I knew. The Joe I grew up with. Every time he spoke to me, it sent shivers down my spine. I hated hearing his voice now. It disturbed me. Trembled me to my core.

Why did it have to be like this? Why did he first have to stalk me and now kidnap me? Couldn't he have just told me he loved me? Couldn't he have just confessed? Given that yes, I would've rejected him because not only is he my best friend's brother or my brother's best friend, I'm in love with his sister. This maniacal plan that he came up with to get me to love him would never work. Surely he had to have known this.

My heart belongs to his sister, not him. When did he even start having feelings for me? What caused this? What person in their right mind would do this to someone?

Right. Clearly, he isn't in his right mind, or this wouldn't be happening right now.

"Well, princess, we're here. Come on." He got out of the car and started to come around my side. I tried to open the door to try to make a run for it, but to no avail. He saw what I was doing, and opened the door for me. "See, yeah, I had the child safety lock on so you wouldn't break free. I didn't want to have to shoot you to stop you." He said as he pulled me out of the car. "Now, let's go."

He took me into the abandoned building. As we were walking, it felt like his grip on my wrist kept tightening more and more. It hurt a lot. "Ow, Joe. You're hurting me." He looked back at me and loosened his grip a little, but not a lot.

We got to a certain door in the building that Joe somehow had a key for and he unlocked it. He pushed me inside and closed it behind him. He gripped my wrist again once we were inside the room and led me deeper inside. There, I saw a guy tied up. He looked very beaten up. He had bruises all over his chest and face. He looks exhausted from only something I can see as fear or confusion. It didn't even feel real seeing him again, and in such a bad shape as well. Joe took my wrists and started tying me up across from Henry.

He kissed my cheek after he was done. "I'm so happy to have you here with me now!" Henry seemed happy with himself. "I'm sorry I have to tie you up though, my love. But I can't risk you getting away from me again." This was crazy.

I look to Henry for help or some guidance, and I see him with his head hung low. Is he alive? I don't want to be alone, even if I have to choose Henry as my scapegoat. Something about him being here makes this feel all more real. This is happening.

Why was he doing this? I didn't understand. Maybe I never will.