Next day.. Friday. I get to school and I look around on the edge of my seat. "Have a good day, sweetie." mom says patting my hand. I had to get dropped off of school today because no one trusts me driving right now.. I tried to tell them that I was fine but no one listened. I sigh and grab my bag off the floor of my moms black convertible Mustang. I open the door and the cold air blasts in. I close it and I see Chase already come up to me.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and begin to walk. I act like I can't see Chase but he knows I seen him. He grabs me by my arm and I slip away from his grip. I say softly, "please don't touch me right now.." "What is your problem?" he says as he grabs my arm again. I swing my arm back and turn, "Just do not touch me!" He raises his hands in front of his chest, "Alright.." I sigh and turn to see Ivan standing there. He looks into my eyes. His eyebrows down in concern. He can tell that I'm hurt. I look down, pull up my hood and walk around him leaving Chase and Ivan behind.
Later on that day, I go to the library and I look up and down the bookcases. I grab Wuthering Heights and feel someone nudge my arm. I jump and drop the book. I go to pick it up but a hand reaches for it. "Ah.. Wuthering Heights. Good book" a voice says. I look up at him and he flashes this charming smile. Th-That smile... It seems all too familiar. He has this blue sapphire eyes. Pinkish lips. "U-Uh.... Thanks" I grab it from him. We both stand up. He smooths out his black pants and tugs down his black button up shirt.
"I am James. You are?" He reaches out his hand for mine. "I-... I um. I am Naomi" I take his cold hand. He smiles and shakes it. "Nice to meet you Naomi and I'm sorry for bumping into you. Enjoy that book" I nod but I feel a little dizzy. I take deep breaths and watch him leave. I look down at my book and bite my bottom lip. I look up and see Ivan. I sigh and turn.
"Naomi..." I hear him call. I stop and drop my arms. I turn around but stare at the ground. He reaches me "Naomi. Look at me." I stand there not moving. "Can we go somewhere to talk?" he asks. "No.." I say fiddling with my book. He sighs, "What is wrong?... Is it Chase?" I don't say anything. "I know it!" He looks away leaning on the book case beside him. I sigh and walk away. I feel his hand grab me. It's warm. I just want to hug him and cry but I resist the urge to.
I yank his hand off and walk to check out my book. As soon as I get all checked out, I grab my book and walk out the library door. It's not long after I hear the library door open and pounding feet on the hallway floor. Ivan.. He won't give up.. "Naomi... Please tell me what is wrong?" he says. I spin around to look at him. I must look really sad because he stops in his tracks. "You wanna know what's wrong?.." I step closer to him. "Do you know how it feels to be loved then have that love and hope get shut down over a phone call?" I say calmly.
I can tell that he is getting angry because that little muscle in his jaw moves like he's grinding his teeth. He has his hands shoved in his pockets. "You were right... about everything.... Happy?" I throw my arms out to my sides and take two steps back and turn around. His voice is low and a little harsh, "Tell me what happened." I stop and chuckle a little bit "Why should you know?" I turn. His face is hard and he is sticking with his command.
I sigh and look down scratching my head. I stop and look up, "Alright.... after you left... it wasn't Chase who called." There's a pause between us and I go on, "It was a woman.. I don't know if she was prank calling me or she just wanted to ruin us but I hang up. Called back. The same woman picked up. Then Chase came onto the line..." He takes a few steps closer and slowly reaches his hand to my face. He wipes at the wetness of my cheek from a tear off and looks into my eyes "Now you know why I told you he's not go for you.."
My heart pounds in my chest and I close my eyes. I back up letting his hand drop. I take a deep breath and look at him. The bell rings and everybody fills the hallway. Chase comes up and says "what's the matter babe? Is he bothering you?" He eyes Ivan and Ivan's eyes don't leave my face. I shake my head and I start to walk off when I here a crash into the lockers. I turn to see Ivan On the floor and the lockers dented. Chase is above him throwing his fists into the air.
I gasp and adrenalin runs through me. "CHASE! Get off of him" I tug on his shoulder. He gets up kicking Ivan into the wall. "The problem is not him! It is you!" I yell. He stops and turns to me. "Yeah.. Netriska called me from your phone! Grow UP!" I swing my arm up and slap him across his face. All I do was cover my mouth, "Oh wow..." Chase looks at me and there's a big red hand print on his left cheek. I hear everyone around us laugh.
He looks around and runs off. I sigh and drop to my knees near Ivan. He sits up and groans in pain as he does it. I reach out my hand to help him up. He grabs it and put his arm around my neck and help him up. We walk to a bathroom to clean him up. He gets up on the counter and I grab so paper towels. I seem to be rushing because Ivan grabs my arm "Just stop..Naomi" I sigh and ignore him.
I run the paper towels under the faucet and start the clean the bruises and cuts on his face, "I'm so... S-Sorry Ivan.." I begin to tremble. I clean the cuts when he grabs my hand and pulls it down into his lap. He holds my hand and rubs his thumb over the top. I stare up at him an he looks down at my hand. There's a pause between us until I say "I'm scared, Ivan.... I'm so...scared..." I start to sob.
He grabs my cheeks and wipes my tears away. I want him to hold me.. Tell me it's okay... Tell me tha- "It's okay.... I won't let him hurt you anymore.." he says. Exactly what I was thinking. His hands are so warm and I grab his right hand that is still on my cheek with my left hand. I close my eyes and cherish the moment and calm down. I open my eyes and he's smiling at me. I sigh and finish cleaning his bruises and cuts.
