Sexually Invested In You

Oops, Baby, I love you

Opening the front doors to Dragon Hall resulted in the same thing it did every other day; ear-piercing noise and wild villains. However, as soon as the bottom of Evie's high-heeled boots connected with the broken tiles of the floor that sound muted immediately, every set of eyes near the entrance coming to rest on her with either brutality or fear. Lowering her gaze to watch her feet, Evie drew Mal's jacket tighter around her for a sense of security as she made her way through the crowd, only making eye-contact with a few people to make sure her passage was still safe.

"What's this girl think she's doing?"

"Looks like she's looking for a beating."

"Hold the thought, Gil, she's got protection."

She did her best to ignore everyone in her search for Mal, however, that proved impossible when someone stepped directly in her path, casting a shadow over her. Lifting her head quickly to make sure she was prepared for whatever was about to happen, she found a tall, dark-haired boy sneering at her, the make-up lining his eyes making him seem more intimidating.

"Hello, beautiful," the boy spoke softly, his thoughts of her perfectly clear. "I see you've marked yourself as an enemy."

Evie took a deep breath, trying to glance around the tall boy for an escape.

"Is there anything you'd like to say?"

Meeting his twisted gaze, Evie spoke quietly; "Let me by."

The boy laughed, looking around at the silent crowd briefly before taking a step toward her and holding up the hook that was in the place of his hand. "I don't think I will."

"You heard the princess, Harry. Let her by."

Harry turned toward the source of the voice just as Jay stepped up beside Evie, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes narrowed. Evie found relief in Jay's presence, but she still searched the growing crowd for one particular person, a sigh moving through her body when she couldn't find the blazing green eyes she needed to see. She was desperate to find the girl, but she also knew that she wouldn't get out of this situation easily. She was just thankful that she wasn't alone.

And just as she turned to look gratefully at Jay another person appeared on her other side, the familiar warm presence instantly causing her heart to leap into her throat.

"You're outnumbered, Harry," Mal said dangerously, green eyes lit with unwavering hatred. "I suggest you move along and go cry to your leader about it."

Eyes narrowed, Harry looked between Mal and Jay, his fury evident as he dropped his hook and turned away. A smile spread across Jay's face as he lowered his arms back to his sides, turning to look at Evie and Mal in triumph, however, the latter didn't pay either of them any attention before pushing through the crowd, away from them; away from Evie. Although Jay tried saying something to her, she completely ignored him and hurried after Mal, gripping the girl's leather jacket tightly in fear of it falling from her shoulders or being snagged.

The halls cleared and the chatter that had started once Harry had left dissipated the further into the school she followed, but she kept her gaze locked on the back of Mal's purple and black shirt, her heart racing. Memories flooded her of the first time she had seen the girl, how it had been Mal following her into potential danger, a small smile creeping into her features when she thought about how a week ago she would have never chased after someone. That smile faded quickly however, because Mal's movements stopped abruptly, and Evie could see the pain and the anger coursing through her despite not being able to see her face.

"You're following me," Mal spoke quietly.

Evie could hear the pain in Mal's voice, the way it cracked the slightest bit; the way it shook with every word. She knew no one else would have been able to pick up on those differences, that they would have only heard the usual anger-filled voice, and she knew that it meant something that she could find the smallest of shifts in the girl's behavior.

"Don't worry, I know you don't want me to," Evie breathed out, her voice so quiet she didn't even know if Mal could hear her.

"I told you to stay out of my life," Mal turned around to face her, green eyes filled with a battle; a battle going on in the girl's mind. "I told you that you weren't allowed to come running back to me."

"You know me, M," Evie began, taking a small, cautious step towards the girl. "I never listen to you."

Mal didn't respond, instead turning to walk away from her for a second time.

"No!" Evie shouted in worry, holding out her hand. "Please... please stay."

Mal stopped, her body tensed as if ready for a physical fight, and Evie knew that it was due to the barriers she was throwing up between them to keep them separated. Daringly, Evie made her way over to the girl slowly, bringing her hand up to rest on a tense shoulder, another small smile forming when she felt the way Mal immediately relaxed beneath her touch.

The distant sound of students approaching this side of the school as the first bell drew closer could be deciphered, but she ignored everything that wasn't Mal. Mal didn't turn to look at her, but she didn't leave either, and Evie knew that the girl refused to meet her gaze for the same reason she herself had refused to watch the girl leave the other day; because her true emotions would show if she were to look at her. She needed to get the girl to look at her in order to understand what was truly going through her mind, but she didn't want to push her.

"I'm scared, Mal," Evie whispered, keeping her hand on the girl's shoulder and not making another move.

"Of what?" Mal asked softly, her body completely still as she held her breath.

"Of everything," Evie answered honestly, her voice more steady than before but still a whisper. She curled her fingers around the girl's shoulder, somehow knowing she wouldn't shrug off her touch. "I'm scared of what people will think. I'm scared of what our parents will do when they find out. I'm scared of living a life the complete opposite of everything I grew up wanting. I'm scared of being seen as weak, of becoming a target. I'm scared of it all," she took a deep breath, taking another step closer so that Mal's body heat overwhelmed her. "That's the reason I told you to leave the other day."

Mal was silent for a prolonged moment as the shouts of students grew louder, and Evie didn't push her. She didn't care that they were about to have unwanted company, didn't care that they would more than likely get interrupted; she didn't dare move this conversation for fear of losing the girl forever. She was afraid of everything that would happen if she were to give herself completely to Mal, but she was more afraid of what would happen if she didn't have her by her side.

"What's the reason you came back?" Mal asked finally, her voice quiet and slightly shaky as she spoke, clearly afraid of something herself.

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

Finally, Mal turned around.

Her hand dropped back to her side as green eyes filled with surprise and confusion met red-brown filled with sincerity and fear, and she made the decision to let Mal make the next move – if that was what she wanted. She nearly laughed in relief when she felt Mal's hand sliding into hers.

"We've barely known each other longer than a week," was Mal's response.

Evie almost wanted to hit her. "Tell me you don't feel it, too."

"I can't," Mal whispered, her gaze falling to their hands as she brought her other hand up so that she held one of Evie's hands in both of hers.

"That's what I thought."

Not caring about the fact that they were out in the open or that there were people approaching their location quickly as the first bell rang through the halls, Evie shrugged Mal's leather jacket from her shoulders and wrapped it around the smaller girl, gripping each side and pulling Mal into her until their lips could find each other. Her lips curved into a smile when she felt Mal snake her arms around her waist, and she allowed the girl to pull her closer even as the shouts and cheers abruptly stopped, letting her know that they had definitely been seen.

And she didn't care anymore because she had accidentally fallen for Mal.