Cordelia's POV:
With Jade finally willing to leave me alone for a moment, I turn back to my laptop but nothing comes. I stare blankly at the screen, waiting for my fingers to start tapping away as they always do. But all of the ideas I had moments ago have vanished entirely from my memory. I just can't focus, not with Jade on my mind.
Her words echo in my head, 'Say please'. Why would I actually do it?! And why was there a flutter in my stomach when I did? Sure, she most likely wasn't going to relent, but I didn't have to make it so easy for her. There's just something about her that I can't resist. She has this pull on me, and it's impossible to ignore. No matter how much frustration builds up, I can't help but want her attention. Want her close to me. Want her.
What's worse is I don't even want to argue, not really. But I can't just do everything she says—it would be too pathetic. So why can't I get rid of this craving to please her? I want her to like me, I need her to. I don't even know why! But I don't want to just be a game to her—don't want to be just a toy for her to play with. I want to be—I don't know what I want to be. Someone important. Someone she cares about.
What's so special about her anyway? Other than, well, basically everything. She's complicated and commanding, mysterious and alluring, and on top of that she's probably—no, definitely—the most seductive human I've ever met. I've always been drawn to the extremes and Jade's extreme alright. Everything about her screams stay away. But I can't do it. I don't want to.
Drrrrrrrrrrr!
The bell goes off loudly, snapping me out of my thoughts. I look up to find Jade leaning against the desk in front of me, watching with a curious glint. What's she thinking? She's so hard to read, it makes it all the more harder to please her.
"Do you want something?" I ask impatiently. I don't mean to be, it just comes out like that. It's almost like a defence mechanism. I can't let her know how much I actually like her, it would give her too much blatant power. What if she rejects me? What if I really am only there for her to mess with? I'm not ready for that, I don't want to know.
"Yeah, stay away from Vega," she reminds me, slamming my laptop shut with a deceivingly sweet smile. Even if it's forced I can't help but melt under it. She's so pretty. I swallow loudly, my nerves getting the best of me. But there's something else below the surface, my stomach churning with more than just discomfort. Why do I find her so compelling?
I hesitate for a split second, but the words shoot out of my mouth instinctively. "And what if I don't?" I challenge, feeling like I'm on autopilot. My impulses always seem to win under her gaze. Part of me likes testing her, seeing how far she'll take things. I want her to react, to know I'm affecting her—even if I have to endure the consequences that follow.
"Then I'll have to make you pay for it," she says, almost sounding sweet. Her fingers drift delicately through my hair like a whisper, sending an electrifying jolt straight through me. My breath catches, my body frozen in place, heat flooding my chest. She's testing me, seeing if I'll break under her touch—and part of me wonders if I already have.
She leans down close to my ear. "Don't make me mad Cora, you won't enjoy it," she warns through a warm whisper. But as she pulls away the shimmer of excitement glazing her eyes almost makes it seem like a challenge.
Even with the warmth of her whisper fading my mind struggles to catch up. Just like that, she's gone, giving me no chance to fight back and mutter some sort of quick-witted response. I can only sit there lost in the memory of her presence, falling further and further into this twisted web fueled with fear and desire. My stomach is left in a knotted mess, as if I'm stuck on a rollercoaster that just won't stop. The adrenaline rush is addicting, leaving me dizzy and wanting more.
