Love Me Not? (I)

Chapter 16

16

Reece

One Week Later...

I yawned and sat up. Morning light shone through my window, the curtains drawn back. I remember Asher driving me home last night, making dinner, and him leaving after we said good night. Now, I have to go to school.

My gut clenched. What will everyone at the school think when they see Asher and I together? We'd been keeping it quiet for a while, but he suggested that we be a bit more open with our relationship. It's obvious they'll think Asher is playing again, but how will they act around me?

Well, Asher's little group at the lunch table will be happy, but the rest of the school will be thinking differently. I wrapped my arms around my sides, holding myself together, trying to calm myself before I broke down in my panic.

Will they hate me?

Will they think I'm a slut? An affection hungry girl?

What if Daniel somehow finds out?

My breath hitched in my throat and I began to hyperventilate. My heart was pounding a million miles an hour and I felt light headed. Daniel can't find out. He was tried as an adult, even though this was done back in middle school. He's locked up for a long time.

But what if he does get out? What if he finds me? He knows where I live! I've never moved! He'll find me for sure! He'll come for me and finish what he started!

I jumped as something shattered to the ground as desperate pounding came from in my home. Oh God, it's him... I ran into my parent's closet and sat under draping dresses and jeans, hoping it would keep me hidden. I kept my hand clamped over my mouth to try and cover up my heavy, frightened breathing.

Voices could be heard from the front room, but they didn't sound angered. One was concerned, the other calm. But, anything could happen. Daniel could be the calm one and Rorie, who is still living here with me, could be concerned for his life. Daniel never liked Rorie.

Footsteps sounded and my bedroom door opened. "Reece! Asher's here! Reece?" Asher! I leaped up from my hiding spot and streaked out of the closet and past Rorie. I caught a glimpse of his confused look as I passed him.

Asher was pacing in my living room. He looked up as I charged into the room and caught me in his arms, stumbling back a bit before steadying us.

"Reece? What's wrong?" He asked softly as I clung onto him. "I felt your distress and fear. What happened? Speak to me, Reece."

I sniffed and allowed the sparks between us to calm me down so I could speak without sounding like I'm speaking gibberish. "I first was wondering about what people at school would think of us being together. That led to discriminatory remarks that might be made against me, against us. Then I started to freak out because what if Daniel somehow found out? What if he came back? He knows where I live, so he'll be able to take his revenge on me and-" I was suddenly cut off by Asher's lips coming down on mine, dead-set on keeping me quiet and calming me.

Kissing him was bliss. All my worries and troubles were wiped completely from my mind. I didn't care what the others would think. Asher won't dump me for anyone else because, as he said, we're meant to be together.

Asher pulled back slowly and I blinked my eyes open. I was a lost for words. I smiled and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck. Our foreheads rested against each other and we just stood there.

I nearly leaped out of my skin when the front door closed. "It's okay, Reece. Rorie just left." I sighed in relief. "There is nothing to be afraid of, Reece. I've got you and you're safe with me. I promise that nothing will happen to you so long as I'm around." And I believed him. I nodded slowly and sighed contently.