Stockholm Syndrome

Stockholm Syndrome 2

Chapter 2

The next three weeks pass by in a blur. I celebrate my eighteenth birthday, study for finals, hang out with Niall and my other friend Jeff, go to football games to watch Nick play, and get ready for graduation.

I try not to think about the club incident again. Because when I do, I feel like a coward. Why did I run? Louis had barely touched me.

I can't fathom my strange reaction. I had been turned on, but ridiculously frightened at the same time.

And now my nights are restless. Instead of dreaming of Nick, I often wake up feeling hot and uncomfortable, throbbing between my legs. Dark sexual images invade my dreams, stuff I've never thought about before. A lot of it involves Louis doing something to me, usually while I'm helplessly frozen in place.

Sometimes I think I'm going crazy.

Pushing that disturbing thought out of my mind, I focus on getting dressed.

My high school graduation is today, and I'm excited. Niall, Jeff, and I have big plans for after the ceremony. Nick is throwing a post-graduation party at his house. It will be the perfect opportunity to finally talk to him.

I'm wearing a black see-through shirt under my graduation gown. It's a bit much for a graduation, but it's one of my favorites.

My parents drive me to the school. This summer I'm hoping to save enough money to buy my own car for college. I'm going to a local community college because it's cheaper that way, so I'll still be living at home.

I don't mind. My parents are nice, and we get along well. They give me a lot of freedom—probably because they think I'm a good kid, never getting in trouble. They're mostly right. Other than the fake IDs and the occasional clubbing excursions, I lead a pretty sedate life. No heavy drinking, no smoking, no drugs of any kind—although I did try pot once at a party.

We arrive and I find Niall. Lining up for the ceremony, we wait patiently for our names to be called. It's a perfect day in early June—not too hot, not too cold.

Niall's name is called first. Luckily for him, his last name starts with 'H.' My last name is Style's, so I have to stand for another thirty minutes. Fortunately, our graduating class is only a hundred people. One of the perks of living in a small town.

My name is called and I go to receive my diploma. Looking out onto the crowd, I smile and wave to my parents. I'm pleased that they look so proud.

I shake the principal's hand and turn to go back to my seat.

And in that moment, I see him again.

My blood freezes in my veins.

He's sitting in the back, watching me. I can feel his eyes on me, even from a distance.

Somehow I make my way down from the stage without falling. My legs are trembling, and my breathing is much faster than normal. I take a seat next to my parents and pray that they don't notice my state.

Why is Louis here? What does he want from me? Taking a deep breath, I tell myself to calm down. Surely he's here because of someone else. Maybe he has a brother or a sister in my graduating class. Or some other relative.

But I know I'm lying to myself.

I remember that possessive touch, and I know he's not done with me.

He wants me.

A shudder runs down my spine at the thought.

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