Hidden

21| Separation

Thursday| January 5th, 2017| Eliana| After School

I put away all the textbooks I didn't need into my locker before I slammed it shut. Katerina was leaning on the locker next to mine, gazing intensely at me.

"This is annoying," she commented. "How much longer are they gonna keep us apart?"

It had been a month since my attack and within that month, things hadn't changed between me and my parents. Even after they found out about the attack, their views of Katerina hadn't changed either even though she was the reason why I was safe.

"At this point, I don't know," I told her honestly. "I hate that you can't sneak over anymore."

I blamed myself for that. I had forgotten to lock my door one night when Katerina had snuck over. Now I always had to keep my door open. I was lucky they hadn't caught us in a compromising position. That would've really gone bad.

"We're not completely separated from each other at least. We can still see each other at school and text." She held her hand out for me to take and I laced our fingers together as she led me through the hall to head for the entrance.

I loved how affectionate she was in public with me. We'd get strange looks from people any time we were affectionate with each other but one look from Katerina kept their eyes off us. She had to endure the occasional teasing from Hunter whenever she kissed me on the cheek or snuggled up against me during lunch, yet it never seemed to bother her. I did have to scold her whenever she got extra territorial if Sariah was around. She'd purposely do things to get under her skin and I wasn't about to have those two constantly butting heads when it came to me.

"That's not enough for me, but I guess it's better than nothing. At least they don't know about us having feelings for each other. I have a feeling that they wouldn't be opposed to moving away so that we could never see each other again."

She tightened her grip on my hand. "I wouldn't let them do that. You belong with me and I'm gonna keep it that way."

My heart fluttered at her words. She was hellbent on making sure nothing ever separated us.

We eventually reached the school's entrance, and she pulled us to the side so we wouldn't be in anyone's way. My parents still brought me to and from school, so we always had to part ways here.

"You haven't even left yet, and I already miss you," she said as she gripped my hips.

I smiled as I wrapped my arms around her neck. "Don't worry. I miss you already too."

She leaned down and kissed me and a warm, tingling sensation spread through my body. It happened every time I kissed her.

"I'll send Ivan to watch over you while I'm away." She placed another lingering kiss to my lips before letting me go. "I'll be home late today. I'll text you when I'm on my way home."

My eyes fluttered open as I was still mesmerized by the feeling of her lips against mine that it took me a moment to register what she'd said. "Alright. Stay safe, okay?"

"Always."

I reluctantly stepped away from her and gave her a light smile before I left. The frigid air nipped at some of my exposed skin the moment I stepped outside. I adjusted my scarf tighter around my neck and scanned for my dad's car. I spotted it and started the trek over to it but before I could reach it, Sariah stepped in my way.

"Finally caught you alone," she said with a cocky grin on her face. She settled her hands on my hips and pulled me closer to her. Her musky cologne mixed with the strong scent of weed overtook my nose. A rush of memories hit me like a freight train.