Holding Back

three

I stepped out of the room and onto the hallway floor, I tried my best to ignore the slow cold chills coming up my spine onto my fingertips but it feels like its burning me. I exhaled a puff of air, watched my breath fog before me, and then watched as the seasonably cool February wind diffused it.

My mouth curled into a grin, and my hands squeezed the book on my chest as I considered walking home today instead of taking my usual bus trip. I normally treasured my forlon walks home---  just me and the wintry peace. I listened to the ghost of my own footsteps and tuned out students around me.

But that short peace and quiet were too good to last for more than five minutes. Truth is, I'm not sure if I should be ecstatic or horrified that I see Alex walking towards me with his cute grin with his hands in his pockets. I slowed to a stop in the middle of the hallway, unable to comprehend or process the images it was being sent by my eyes.

"Missed me?"

"Alex," I inhaled a breathe, as my wide eyes continued to stare at him. "What are you doing here?" My fingers curl up against the corners of my books, creasing the very corners of the pages. Has he moved here already?

The low chuckle of his voice was comforting as his aura wraps around us, "What? seems as though you don't want me here. I came here to surprise you, Sage."

"I didn't—"

I gasped when Dane hugged me from behind, his lips dropping a kiss on my temple.

"Hey," he whispered against my forehead and I took in a slow deep breath hoping to slow down my heartbeat. "who's your friend over here?"

"I'm Alex"

"That's Alex"

"I just moved to this school."

I should be happy to hear him say that, ecstatic even, but I don't. I muster the strength to give him a small smile.

"... and he just moved here"

I needed to get my shit together.

I twisted around to look at Dane, but I didn't argue. I knew what he was thinking. Talking about any of it was just a big, fat no-no. I knew this from past experience.

Dane takes his hand down his face, exhaling harshly. "Hey, I'm Dane. I'm Sage's boyfriend." His tone became harsh and his eyes became cold as he looked over at Alex and shook his hand, seemingly sending a cautious message to Alex.

Great.

"Nice to meet you too, Dane." The left side of his faint red lip tugged upwards creating an amused smirk on his face. It was so subtle that you should squint to see it.

"Yeah, we're leaving now. Bye." His hands wrapped around my wrists, his nails digging into my skin as he pulled me through the hallway. The sound of my Converses scuffing along the wooden floor greeted my ears.

"Hey—" I tried to pull away from his grip but his wrist gripped tighter onto me. I winced with my face turned away to the ground. "Dane, let go of me. You're hurting me." His nails now marking small crescents onto my wrist. "Dane, stop."

He stopped sharply his back still faced me. I can see his jaw clenched as he looks anywhere else but me. "I'm sorry, okay?" He exhaled. "I'm sorry."

I don't say anything and I pulled my wrist back. I was right. My once perfectly healed left wrist was now once again roughed up with marks I keep trying to avoid but failed miserably every time.

Dane tried to reach out for my hand but I wouldn't let him have it. I hugged my books and I stepped away from his touch.

When he turned at last to face me there was no trace of remorse, not in his eyes or in track marks on his reddening face. His eyes were narrowed, rigid, cold, hard. In that moment I knew he was already far away. Once more I was the enemy. These swings from most loved to most hated would be the end of me. I drew in a deep breathe, the burning hard stare would last only as long as it took him to think of the most brutally cutting thing he could tear me down with.

"I'm going to find Alex, Dane. I'm pretty sure he's a better company than you right now so don't try and stop me." I hold my glare against his. "See you later, Dane."

N O T E ;

Hey loves,
Once again, another failed attempt of publishing a chapter that satisfies me.

Ugh.

But if you are still reading this work, I appreciate and applaud to you.