What I Couldn't Tell Him

15 - So Unpredictable It Hurts

ALDEN WOLFF

I heard the thundering footsteps approach as Jaimie threw me out of the way. I heard his rumbling voice and the sickly smell intensified. She would be furious if she knew I was listening but I wasn't going to let her handle this.

The voice was louder then and I heard Jaimie's sugar-coated protests.

That bast*rd! How can anyone treat another person like that? The people in here are disgusting.

Nobody is for sale, as a bargaining chip or a bribe, not to treat them as a currency. I feel a sudden tightness as I remember the girl, thin and painted with smeared makeup, who I threw into the street because I was over her already. I feel guilty then, for everything I have done and the position Jaimie is in.

I heard her disagree again, then his voice. I see red. I can't let her get hurt or touched but that son of a b*tch.

I shout her name and run. I didn't plan what I was going to do until I saw her pressed against a shelf, to put as much space between them as possible.

I swung a fist at his head before he had a chance to move his lumbering body. My fist connected with the side of his head. There was a crunch that makes your stomach lurch and he stumbled to the side. He leant against the shelf, and it rocked haphazardly.

"Alden! Go!" She shouted as the huge, stained boy spun around. He looked dazed. Time slowed as he lifted his bulk off the ground. I didn't react fast enough, and Jaimie did. She threw herself at his arm and dragged it down.

"For gods sake! Run!" She shrieked, losing her composure. She hangs off his arm, too close to him. I swing again and hit his nose. Another crunch leaves his face crumpled and Jaimie's contorted in urgency.

She jumps up and he swipes at her, missing her completely. She grabs my hand, pulling me down the aisles and out of the doors. We heard his shouts and felt a huge sense of relief once in the corridor. She is sat on the floor, head in her hands, legs straight out in front of her.

I stay standing up, keeping the distance between us.

She lifts her head, but her eyes don't show her emotions. I wish they would, I need to know what she is thinking, but I would never know.

"Sorry," I say quietly. Now she doesn't conceal her surprise. She looks at me.

"What? No. It was my fault." My mouth hangs open and she continues, "Thank you."

I feel a warmth in my cheeks and chest at the words. I mentally slap myself across the face. I do not have a crush on Jaimie. I felt a little surge of pride at my heroic actions and fight the feeling.

There is a long, careful silence and the corridor is full of it, not interrupted by anything.

Then she stands. I half expect her to walk off down the corridor without another word, but once again she does something completely unpredictable.

She walks towards me and wraps her arms around me. I am frozen.

Then, with the feeling of her relaxed onto me, I pull her closer. I lift my arms and hold her. She doesn't move again, for a long time. I keep her head resting against my chest and my arms around her back. I take in the moment, the surprise. She smells fresh, like elderflower, and her hair is soft and silky as water.

I relax a little, worried that I am holding her there. I don't want to force anything.

Then she pulls back, and I feel the warmth disappear and I want to pull her back, but of course, I don't. I look into her eyes, and she looks into mine. I don't know what just happened, or why I want it to happen again. I take in her face, that I never really appreciated. Her face is slim and delicate, with a fierceness in her deep blue eyes. She looks at me intently.