Bad Girl In Disguise (SAMPLE) I ✔

F A L L I N G

"I am not going anywhere with you!" I shouted for the tenth time. Why did I shout at Lucas? Because his thick skull wouldn't have gotten it otherwise. As is proven for the last 10 minutes.

His hand is clamped around my wrist and we're in a park near my house, under the big tree I used to climb when I was a kid. I try tug my wrist again but he just sends me another glare.

"I want to show you something," he repeats for the tenth time. I glare just as viciously as he pulls me toward the tree.

"I don't trust anyone that is conspiring with James," I say firmly. He sighs and runs a hand through his brown hair. He finally stops pulling me and instead steps closer.

I try to step back, but Lucas holds me tight and pulls me into a hug. I struggle against his grasp, determined not to let this boy break me twice.

"I wasn't planning anything with him," he says softly. I roll my eyes, but he just squeezes my waist tighter.

"Care to prove that?" I say. His lips kiss my neck and I very nearly gave in right then and there. But my pride, dignity, and ego didn't allow it.

"Do you really think I would hurt you?" he whispers into my ear. I nod shakily, scared that my voice would fail me if I answered him.

"I wouldn't. I'd cut off my own hand first before I do," he answers. He strokes my hair, burying his fingers in my brown locks. A tangled strand is locked around his finger and as he pulled gently, I hiss in pain.

"You would, if not purposely, then accidentally," I answer. He mumbles an apology and untangles the knot.

"Trust me. I'll prove it right now," Lucas says. He nods to the tree, asking me to start climbing. I sigh and give in.

My hand reaches for the branch and I climb up with ease. My limbs know where to go. It's as if they are going autopilot as they touch familiar shapes and textures.

I reached the top and looked down. I felt a jolt of fear as my body takes in the fact that I may die if I fall from this height. But I shushed my brain.

Going to clubs in the middle of the night is dangerous. Getting tattoos is dangerous. Sneaking out after midnight alone is dangerous.

My middle name might as well be dangerous.

Nevertheless, I grip the trunk tighter. I can see Lucas's smirk and I almost went back down and slapped it off his pretty face.

"Now what?" I shouted.

"Fall!"

I froze. Literally. I. Just. Froze.

"Are you crazy?! I'm gonna break my neck!!" I shouted. Lucas smiles at me reassuringly and spreads his arms, as if to catch me.

"I'll catch you!"

My feet start to climb down, thinking that this whole situation is ridiculous and stupid. But a loud crack right underneath it makes me shriek and scramble back up.

This idiot just threw a rock at me!

"What the fuck!" I cursed. I heard a small laugh from down below. The branch below me broke and now I can't climb down. I grabbed another branch and chucked it down at him. I heard a thunk, but it, sadly, didn't land on Lucas's head.

"I'm not letting you get down any other way!" he said. I grit my teeth and clench my jaw.

Do I trust him?

I did. That's all I'm certain about. The fact that I dared tell him about my past says a lot. And he proved that he could be trusted. Until today.

I shouldn't trust him if he broke it. It's a rule I keep in my head at all times. It helps me to be strong. To not succumb to anyone and to never be vulnerable.