He's a Fighter & I'm a Runner

TWELVE

As I neared the end of the woods, I saw Mitch staring intently at me. I quickly turned around running in the opposite direction as fast as I could.

I know if I just ran to the end of the woods, more likely than not, Luke would be there and help me out if anything happened, but I wasn't like the type of person to start or get into fights. I would much rather run away from my problem like I did coming here.

After about a minute, I slowed down, thinking I was okay. I was wrong.

I felt two arms grab my elbows and pull me back. I looked up to see two guys whom I didn't recognize.

I saw Mitch running towards me. I was a little bit proud that I could out run him, but it was gone when anxiousness took over.

"You know, you and Luke really pissed me off. Well, he always pisses me off, but you got on my bad side now." He lowly growled.

"I apologize for what I'm about to do, but I have to send a message and throw him off a bit for tonight." He continued.

I was really confused. What was tonight? What was he going to do?

One of my questions were answered when I saw him wind up for a punch. I tried to run away, but the two guys held me in place.

The first one came right in my gut. I toppled over but didn't fall to the ground due to the guys who were holding me up.

I groaned as he threw another in the same spot. That was defiantly going to bruise.

"Three times for good luck, right." He chuckled before landing the last one.

The guys who were holding me let go, and I fell to the ground coughing. It really hurt.

I heard them walk away. I realized that they did this to mess with Luke for something that was tonight, so I decided not to tell him. I couldn't mess up whatever he would be doing later.

I got up and started to run again. It hurt. I couldn't do it. I settled for fast walking instead.

I walked out of the woods, praying Luke wouldn't be there.

He was.

I didn't make eye contact with him and walked right by, hoping he wouldn't stop me, but he did. I felt a warm, comforting hand on my forearm.

"Hey, Lila, are you okay? You're walking." He asked.

"Yeah...I just didn't get much sleep last night, so I'm tired." I thought of a lame excuse, but it's sort of believable.

"Are you sure? You seem—" I cut him off.

"Look, I'm running late, so I would greatly appreciate if I could get home now." I snapped. I instantly felt guilty when his eyes turned into a hard gaze, and he stiffly dropped his arm.

I quickly turned and left. I'll tell him tomorrow.

All day, I've been avoiding Luke. I felt bad for ignoring him in class and ditching class to go to the library, but I couldn't let him figure it out. I knew he would.

I rushed out of math class before he could stop me and almost sprinted to the parking lot.

I was so distracted and in a rush that I didn't notice a car coming my way. I felt myself he pulled back, and the car passed my right in front of me.

Unluckily, who ever grabbed me pulled me by my waist which caused a cry to escape my lips and flinch away for the arm that grabbed me. I pushed away whoever grabbed me and clutched my stomach.

I looked up to see Luke's hard gaze burning holes into me. Okay...I was in trouble.

He grabbed my upper arm and dragged me to his car, which was in the corner of the parking lot. He pushed me up against it and pulled my shirt up.

I squealed and tried to pull my shirt back down. He didn't budge. His eyes were fully of fury at the sight of bruises.

"Who did this?" He growled.

I stayed silent, which seemed to piss him off even more. He pushed his body against mine to keep me against his car, putting his hands on each side of me.

"I asked, who did this?" He hissed.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. His gaze hardened if that was possible.

"Who did it?" He asked again.

"Mitch." I whispered.

His whole face turned into fury when I whispered his name. His eyes burned with hatred, and his muscles tensed with anger.

"I'm going to fucking kill him." He muttered under his breath.

"Wait!" I yelled. "Don't! He said he did this to mess with you for tonight."

"Is that why you didn't tell me?" He asked.

"I didn't want anything to affect you for whatever you're doing." I mumbled.

He sighed. His arms wrapped around me and pulled me to his chest. "Next time, tell me. No matter what it is, tell me." He whispered.

"Okay." I whispered.

He took a deep breath. "You want to know what I'm doing tonight?" He mumbled.

"I'm curious, but you don't have to—" He cut me off.

"I'll pick you up at 7:00"