The Unwanted Tutor

Chapter 15

There's a heavy pressure on my throat. I open my eyes to see Anthony's hands squeezing me, choking me.

I try to get out of his grip but I feel helpless as I look into his empty, emotionless eyes.

"Just tell me that you love me." He harshly whispers. "Tell me, damnit!" 

With the last bit of strength I have in me, I shake my head, "I hate you." I manage to say.

He narrows his eyes "Not smart."  He squeezes my throat tighter and the world goes black.

*
I bolted straight up in bed and grabbed my neck, feeling out of breath. I turned the light on and brought my knees to my chest.

Right next to me, Anthony noticed I was sitting up. "Garrett," He murmured and touched my shoulder, "What's wrong?"

I jerked away from him, "I, I had a bad dream. I'm alright."

"Come here." He gently pulled me down next to him.

I tensed up as he kissed my forehead, "Anthony, you would never hurt me, right?"

"Of course not, not unless I had a really good reason too." He replied.

"Alright, alright. Thanks." I said and turned over, deciding to trust him.

But that part of what he said made me reconsider, I turned back around to face him. "What do you mean by that?"

"By what?" He asked and rubbed his eyes tiredly.

"About how you wouldn't hurt me unless you had a good reason too. What would be that reason?" I asked.

"Garrett," He said with a confused smile, "Forget I said that, didn't mean to upset you. I would never hurt you for any reason, promise."

"I don't love you, okay? I won't ever say that to you." I said before I could stop myself.

Anthony went quiet, "I know, I can't force you too. Goodnight, Garrett." He reached over me and turned the light off, marking the end of our conversation.

In the morning, I guess Anthony wasn't mad at me anymore because I woke up curled under his arm.

"Ugh, everything hurts." I complained as I shifted uncomfortably, still shaken up from last night.

"Hm, I'm sorry Garrett." He looked thoughtful as he twirled a lock of my hair around his finger.

"What are you thinking about?" I swatted his hand away.

"Just about what you said last night, you really can't find it in yourself to say you love me?" He asked.

"Oh, I had a bad dream. I didn't mean to say that well, I guess I did, I care about you and all but-"

"Nevermind, save it. I don't want to hear you babble." Anthony moved his arm away and grabbed his shirt from the floor.

It was a tense silence, as I watched him pick his pants up and pull them on. I wasn't sure of what to say and I don't think he knew either.

"Garrett carrot," He said after a moment, "Do you drive by any chance?"

Weird way to change the subject but I decided to play along. "Oh, yeah I do. I've had my permit for about six months, I guess I could get my license soon." I replied.

I was an alright driver, I could drive myself to school or the store with my mom but that was about it. My mother said she was never going to let me drive in L.A. anytime soon after I almost got into an accident by the park, that stupid dog.