Notorious Hope

7. Dirty Little Secret

Abigail Adams High-7:36 am, Monday Morning

''You have got to be fucking kidding me!!''

Towering over girls in her grade at a height of 5'11, the brunette tends to bump the top of her head against the metal frame. Slamming her locker, lighting up her day as she sees a pair of emerald optics, shimmering at her face. 

''What did that locker ever do to you?''

Although their social status and relationship status have both shifted over the weekend, the school are still on the edge of their seats, all eyes sealed on the pair. 'Golden Boy' Lucas Friar paying attention to little old Riley Jones, a recipe for disaster. They walk in the opposite direction with a subtle gap between them to avoid conflict and confrontation. Thudding her back against the concrete wall of the back parking lot.

''Nothing, It doesn't matter. How's you're Mom doing? And on that note are you guys still coming over for dinner tonight?''

Screeching her talking to a halt, twisting his face so she can see, caressing his bruised cheek, the redness in his eyes shines through camouflaging the emerald optics.

''Luke...''

Her fingertips trail over his cheek, the bruising tattoos his face, hitching her breath at the ghastly sight. A ghostly complexion as the life is sucked out of her, opening up to someone, is something he's never been particularly good at. Although that's something they seem to bond over.

''It'll be alright, Riles, there's no need to worry about me. You have enough of your own issues at home to worry about. I can handle this perfectly fine on my own.''

Raising her eyebrow. Not buying the 'I'm completely fine' act.

''Fine...You're the only person who knows what's really going on. People tend to see me as the 'bad boy' or 'the boy from the wrong side of the tracks'. I just don't want you to view me differently because of what's going on with everything else in my life, outside of 'this'.

Grasping at her delicate fingers.

 ''Please...''

Turning away from her. Although, she isn't standing down without a fight. Gripping his wrist gently with a pull towards her.

''I've never been the person who's going to tolerate such volatile behaviour against somebody I care about before and I'm not starting now. I'm not gonna let you get hurt and let me be sidelined throughout this situation. You may say you're perfectly fine but I know you're hurting inside. I can't see you get hurt, I care about you too much for that to happen.''

Grasping at his fingers as she refuses to be sidelined and to be considered unworthy of protecting her boyfriend.

''Riles, I don't want you to have to feel like you need to protect me. Because you've been protecting all of the people that you trust and love for your entire life. I wouldn't want to be another burden to add to your pile of disappointment. ''

Slinging her arm around his neck, caressing his cheek delicately.  Tears welling in her orbs, burying her face into his neck. Grazing her fingers through the hair on the nape of his neck.

''Hey...'' 

She grabs his attention, holding his face in her hands

''You could never be a burden. Not to me, not to anybody. So don't think for a second that you are. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.''

She pokes his chest to prove her point.

 ''I need you to believe me when I say that you are amazing. You made me see that there's more to life than being abused and used as a prostitute by my father.''

Taking her by the waist and lifting her onto the concrete steps, her legs snake around his torso. Gazing lovingly into his emerald orbs with so much passion. Her fingers fiddle with the zipper of his jersey. 

''Because it's true, you really are so much more to me than an object that I can just throw away. You are feisty, strong-willed, confident, sexy and incredible. You're somebody who I'd stick by through thick and thin. I just want to give you the world, that is, if you'll let me.''

Their foreheads pressed against each other, kissing one and other with so much passion and affection. As he kisses her neck, she attempts to muffle her moans. Her fingers run through his hair, digging her nails into his back. His grip on her waist strengthens, his lips linger down her jawline and leaving a noticeable mark, starting at the crook of her neck and ending midway. 

''My father is going to kill you once he sees this, you know that, right?''

Pulling her closer as her hands intertwined behind his neck. 

''I know, but you're worth the risk. You're always going to be worth the risk to me, no matter where you are in the world, I'll always protect you... Damn, you're beautiful''