The Last Scream (Noah Foster/ Scream Series FF)

Chapter 35

*Vex*

Returning to school the next week was hell on Earth. I could practically hear all the eye rolls, all the "she just wants attention." After the nightmare incident, I had distanced myself from Noah quite a bit, going so far as to stay at Audrey's place the last few nights. I couldn't explain it, I just didn't want to be near him. When I'm near people, they get killed. My dad, Wes...now my mom. I couldn't risk Noah getting killed too. It hurt like hell, staying away from him, but it was for the best.

Now, standing at my locker, I kept my eyes low and my head down, trying to look completely invisible. It was something I was good at. I didn't even have to try to be invisible. Here though, I made a name for myself, making it completely impossible.

"Vex? Are you...okay?" A voice whispered softly beside me. Turning to the voice, I saw that it was Emma, dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep. My spirit lifted a little. I didn't have to avoid Emma. Emma knew what I was going through right now and she was experiencing the same thing. I didn't have to hide from her... I couldn't even if I tried. So, I simply shook my head for fear of busting into tears then and there.

Slowly, her arms came around me, pulling me closely to her as a comfort. At first, I was shocked. Emma and I were friends, I guess. But now, I could feel it. We were in the same boat, we were friends but we were far closer than any of our other friends.

"Thank you Emma." I whispered softly. She only nodded into my shoulder before pulling away, giving me a small smile. Then, just as quickly as that, she walked away towards class. Of course, she didn't leave me alone. Noah stood behind her, only a few feet away. His hand was holding the strap of his book bag while his eyes found mine. There were dark circles there as well.

"Hey." He whispered, taking a step towards me. I held up my hand though, stopping him. I wasn't ready yet. Truthfully, I wouldn't be ready until this thing was over. If I let him in, if I continued this, he would die. I'd rather have him hate me then be dead.

"Look, whatever I did wrong, I'm sorry. I should have given you more space but I didn't think you wanted it...I thought-" I shook my head, grimacing a little. It should be me apologizing, especially for what I was about to do. "I thought that with what happened, you would want me around. When Riley died, no matter how much I said I didn't, I needed somebody there...you were that somebody. So please, just tell me if you want space and I'll give it to you." Behind him, I could see Audrey standing around the corner, her eyes on us. My face contorted as I tried hard not to cry.

"I think we should take a break." My voice was just barely audible, my arms crossing over my chest to try and deflect the pain of seeing his face. It had fallen completely. There was absolutely no happiness in his eyes, I was breaking his heart.

"Vex, don't do this. I'll give you space, I'll stay away just..." Tears pricked my eyes as a lone tear travelled down his cheek. "Not after Riley. Don't do this to me." That hurt like hell. I wanted to scream at him that I take it back, but that's what the killer would want. He'd want me to be with Noah, only so he can take him away.

"I'm sorry." I said, grabbing my stuff and walking away. Of course though, he wouldn't let me.

"I love you, ya know?" My feet stopped dead in their tracks. This seemed to fill him with hope, I heard his voice lift as if, yes, I was going to turn around. "I told Audrey this morning. She told me to tell you, said that she knew you loved me back. If you do, you won't walk away. You'll stay and you'll stop letting him get to your head. This is what he wants Vex. He wants you completely alone." I shook my head, my lips quivering.

"If you love me back, you'll turn around and you won't leave." He paused briefly. "Please don't leave." His voice was shaking. I knew of I did turn around, I would see him crying.
Turn around. TURN AROUND!

My head was screaming at me, everything inside me fighting itself. Tears welled into my eyes and this time, I didn't fight the urge to cry. He loved me. I wasn't a replacement for Riley. Now, I was the one breaking his heart instead. How could I do that? To save him. But at what cost? He'd hate me the rest of his life? Hate how I betrayed him when he finally poured his heart out? This was probably the first time he had said those words to someone other than his family...and I was going to reject him. To save him. To save him. That's what continued to run through my head. But really, who was I truly saving? Myself or him? He was willing to take the risk, but was I. There was only one answer to that question...and it was up to me.

So, I did what my heart told me to do. No matter how much it would hurt later on. I-
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~Lily