She Just Ran

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

(Leon’s P.O.V)

            I watched her as she read my note, searching for some flicker of emotion. All I really wanted was a reaction. She looked up then, and for a brief second I saw something flash across her face. Determination. It confused me, I had expected her to be angry, disgusted, annoyed, but all I saw was that little emotion, and the next instant it was gone. I studied her face, intrigued. She had a very subtle beauty, one that you had to look twice to really appreciate.

            For the rest of class I snuck glances at her, making it obvious enough that she would pick up on it. No reaction. I frowned to myself, unsure why I was so fascinated. It was probably just that she was a puzzle, and a difficult one at that. That’s all it was, right? Right. I thought to myself. I was going to try to talk to her after class, to see if I could get her out of that falsely sweet-and-polite persona that I had come to know so well.

            When the bell rang signaling the end of class, I stood to find that she had already left. Damn she’s elusive. I thought. I frowned. In that moment I made myself a promise: I would figure out Anna Praseli.

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            It had been almost a month since that day. I rarely spoke to her, but that just peaked my interest further. As I headed to the parking lot I saw Anna already leaving. I hurried to my car so I could catch her. I found her trudging up the long hill outside our school. I pulled over to the curb and stopped, rolling down my window. This time she stopped when I did.

“Need a ride?” I asked.

For a moment I thought she was going to try and decline politely like last time, but she surprised me. The pleasant mask fell away for a moment and she looked terrified. She rubbed her wrist. Confused, I made a mental note of the movement. Then the mask was back. She nodded slowly and walked around to the passenger side, still clutching her wrist.

The car ride was mostly silent, other than the occasional small talk. When we pulled up to her house, she paled slightly. My brow furrowed. She reached into the back seat for her bag, but it was too far away.

“Oh here, I got it—” I started at the same time she said,

“No, that’s okay—” we both ended up reaching for it and I ended up hitting her wrist as we both grabbed for it. She immediately snatched back her hand with a hiss of pain.

“Oh, I’m so sorry, here let me look,” I said as I gently took her hand rolling back the sleeve slightly.

“No!” she shouted, pulling her hand away. But it was too late. I had already seen the finger shaped bruises.

“Anna,” I started “What—”

“It’s nothing!” she shouted, before yanking the car door open and running toward the house.

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(Anna’s P.O.V)

            I made it quickly inside, but made sure to close the door as quietly as possible. Dad was home, I had seen his car the moment we pulled up to the house. I started up the stairs making it to the top. Relieved, I walked toward my room. My dad was sitting on my bed, a strange glint in his eye. I gulped.

            “H-Hey dad.” I said, not being able to completely mask my terror.

            “Hello, sweetie, how was your day?”

            “Fine. Kind of boring.” I replied, my hands getting sweaty.

            “Boring? I wouldn’t think so. That boy dropped you off again.” His tone was light, but his eyes darkened.