Road to Evergreen | #Wattys2016

f o r t y - n i n e

Songs for this chapter:

Wherever you will go- The Calling
She is- The Fray
****

Regardless of how much I'm shaking, nervous of what to say, I'm glad that he's seated beside me on a bench on campus. His kaleidoscope of eyes shimmer under the sun and his unshaved bear only makes him much more attractive. I want to crawl on his lap and let him hold me, but the voice in my head claps me from doing so. We sit in an awkward silence. I'm taking in his features and he's staring at the ground, million of thoughts running through his head.

"You're right." He catches me off guard. "Sorry, what did you say?" I ask.

He turns to face me as a smirk stretches on his face, "I'm not repeating that." I feel the tension dim as I smile back.

"Can I hold your hand?" He asks. Desperation swims in his eyes and I nod. He takes my hand, that was laying on my lap a second ago and warmly holds it as he encircle his thumb.

"I haven't been completely honest with you," he says. I gulp down the shiver trying to stay calm.

"You fucking bitch!" We both jerk our head as Jeremy is rapidly walking in our direction; his finger pointed at me, looking at me with his bloodshot eyes. Adam instantly stands up, trying to block Jeremy from coming at me.

I rush myself toward them, but Adam holds his arm out, hiding me behind him. "What the hell do you want, Jeremy?" Adam's chest rises as his jaw tenses.

"It's all your goddamn fault, sweet Lesley!" Jeremy starts yelling.

"Lower your voice or you will regret it," Adam threatens him. I stiffly stand there, hesitating about my next move.

"Megan won't even talk to me! It's all your fault." Anger boils in his eyes as he raises his finger, threatening me as I stand like a statue behind Adam. Adam reaches for his hand and slightly twists it, slamming it back to Jeremy's side.

"It's your own fault," Adam states out.

"Oh, really? How would you feel like if sweet Lesley stopped talking to you because someone else interfered?" Jeremy raises his voice making Adam's grip harder, holding me closer.

"Back off!" Adam calmly says.

"Bravo!" Jeremy starts clapping and laughing hysterically, looking completely crazy. He then turns his eyes to mine; smiles wide. "Did you know this little fucker won the bet?"

Bet? What Bet? What is he talking about? My heart rate accelerates as my palms start sweating.

"Jeremy..," Adam warns him. "Lucian was right. He always knew you had it in you, you little fucker," he starts laughing.

"Adam, what is he talking about?" I demand. Jeremy's smirk stretches and Adam's jaw tenses.

"Oh, sweet Lesley. You see, his brother made a bet in who can zip up your beautiful lips, first. And-"

"Shut up!" Adam interferes.

And my world starts crumbling down as little pieces start to reveal. He knows. My head starts spinning and I instantly get out of Adam's grip. He was using me. For a bet.

"You're sick," I spit to Adam's face and back away slowly. My gaze paces between Adam's sad eyes to Jeremy's happy smile. I'm the joke and they are laughing at me. I sprint away.

From behind, I hear Adam's faint voice call after me but I keep running. I keep running till my legs ache and I fall to the ground. My adrenaline rush exceeds and my heart is beating outside of my chest. I sit down and weep.