She Just Ran

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

(Anna’s P.O.V)

            I was trapped. I couldn’t think my way out of this one. So, I did the only thing I could think of. I replied.

            “Hi yourself,” I said in my sugary sweet voice, reserved for people I didn’t know or didn’t particularly like.

            “I didn’t get to introduce myself last time we talked. I’m Leon.” He put out his hand for me to shake, which I thought was strangely formal for two high school students. I mentally shrugged. I played along, and gave his hand a firm shake. I couldn’t help but notice how large his hands were. They were warm, and slightly callused, as if he worked a lot. It was a few seconds before I noticed I had been holding on to his hand for too long. I quickly snatched mine away.

            He looked into my eyes, and I immediately saw the curiosity in his. Oh no.  I had gotten myself in too deep already. I knew he was dangerous. Damn it! Why did I allow myself to get sucked in even for a second? I knew better than that.

            I pretended to look at my phone. Then exclaimed “Oh no! I need to leave. I’m sorry, it was nice meeting you!” Not. I added silently. And with that, I hightailed it out of there. When I made it outside, a gave myself a mental shake. I needed to blend in, but despite my efforts, I had already caught someone’s interest. And not only that, but I acted like an idiot every time I talked to him.

            I decided then and there that I would do whatever it took to avoid him. Because eventually, he would lose interest. They always do.

****************

I made it to my first class fairly easily, once someone pointed me in the general direction of the right building. I had English first, one of my favorites. The course sounded interesting, but fairly difficult. The time passed quickly and before I knew it I had made it through English, history, orchestra, and calculus. Because this school had a block system, we only had four classes a day. Odd classes one day, even classes the next.

So far, Leon was not in any of my classes, thank goodness. Hopefully I would be as lucky tomorrow. I was in a good mood as I headed toward the parking lot, before remembering that I no longer had a car. I frowned, really not wanting to walk but not having any other choice. I started on my way up the large hill that had seemed so small coming down.

As I was about halfway up, a car pulled to a stop beside me. Figuring that it probably had nothing to do with me, I kept walking until I heard him.

“Anna!” Leon shouted. I was too close and he was too loud to pretend that I hadn’t heard him. So I turned around.

“Hi,” I said warily. “Do you need something?”

He looked perplexed for a split second before replying “No, just wondering if you wanted a ride.”

As much as I didn’t want to walk, I remembered my resolve to avoid him. Struggling to keep my tone polite, I said “No, I don’t want you to have to go out of your way.”

“It’s no trouble, hop in.” And then he rolled up his window, leaving no room for argument. I knew I could just ignore him but then the act would be blown. So I climbed in. As soon as I did, I was hit full force by his scent. He smelled…masculine and slightly like pine. It was, if I was being honest, delicious.

Then I mentally slapped myself, realizing I was getting drawn in again. I couldn’t let that happen. So I mentally focused myself, and looked out the window. Then I realized he would have no idea where we were going.