Deadly Love

10. I'm Ready

I shakily walk back towards the gym, the bass from the music getting louder and louder.

I spot a set of stairs and sit down to try and relax myself.

Mr. Alessi terrifies me but I can't deny the attraction I have towards him. He seems to get better looking every time that we make conversation. Nonetheless, his rudeness brings out a more confident side of me that I didn't know existed.

I continue sitting on the stairs until footsteps interrupt my thoughts. Looking up, I see Mr. Alessi walking toward the gym with a scowl on his face, seeming as though he doesn't see me. Shrieking quietly, I try and squeeze myself into a ball so that he won't see me.

As he walks by, I let out a sigh of relief, but it is short-lived as I hear, "Don't think I didn't see you, Cadence. I see everything, and your defiant actions have consequences." His voice carries back to me as he continues walking, without even looking in my direction.

I stand up and try to reach him so I can force some explanation for his cryptic words, but he quickly meshes into the group of students in the gym, disappearing from my sight.

I grab my phone and see that it is 10:00. The dance ends at 11, but tonight's events have already worn me out and I hope Andi feels the same.

Walking into the gym, I spot Andi getting a drink as she says something to Eric. They both have angry looks on their faces and I rush over to them.

"Hey, Cadi." Eric smiles at me taking a drink from his cup.

"Hey, guys. What's going on?" I ask my friends.

Andi is the first to speak up. "Eric here just wanted to tell you-"

Eric interrupts saying, "Stop, Andi. It's not a big deal." He has an embarrassed look on his face.

I look suspiciously between the two of them. "Oh my God! Did you guys hook up? I'm not mad, just, wow I didn't expect that. Are you guys dating now or..?"

"Cadence don't be ridiculous," Andi scolds and Eric nods his head in agreement.

He lets out a sigh. "I saw you talking to Mr. Alessi in the hall. It seemed...intense, we just wanted to make sure you're okay."

I chuckle at his words. "Yeah, I'm fine. I was the only one getting yelled at for my outfit, what else is new?"

Andi's eyebrows raise at that. "Interesting," she says thoughtfully.

"Yeah, I guess. Anyway, I was coming over to ask if you're ready to go. Are you?"

"Yep," she says cheerfully. "Eric, you coming?"

"No," I answer for him. "He's hanging out with Liz."

"Liz Stamas? You're hanging out with the school slut instead of us? I'm hurt, Eric, really hurt," she says sarcastically, though I see a glint of some real emotion in her eye.

Eric rolls his eyes but says, "A man has needs, ladies." He winks.

Andi lets out a huff of frustration and I let out a small laugh, while leaning in to hug him goodbye. He holds me closely and whispers in my ear, "Night, Cadi, love you."

"Love you too, Er." I grin at him, the earlier events forgotten.

As Andi and I walk out of the gym, I see a tall recognizable figure standing in a dark corner and something comes over me. "I'll be right there, okay?"

Without waiting for her answer, I walk slowly over to the brooding man. I lean against the wall of the gym, meeting his sulking eyes.

"Aren't you supposed to be, like, chaperoning or something?" I ask him.