I Hardly Needed Saving

Fear, Feelings, and the First Kiss

Two weeks pass.

I'm finally ready to go back to school. I hate makeup, but it covers the faint bruises left on my face. I was worried about missing so many days, afraid they'd count against me—but luckily, the school board ruled in my favor. The school got in trouble for lack of security, so my absences don't count.

I get up, straighten my hair, slip into jeans, a T-shirt, and my Converse. I head downstairs, eat breakfast, take my meds, and chill in the living room watching TV, waiting for Seth.

His car pulls up. I check the time.

We still have an hour and a half until school starts.

I hear the engine cut off and then—knock knock.

I open the door.

Seth is standing there in black Dicky shorts, a black V-neck polo, and black Polo shoes. He's not a gangster, not a rocker. I don't know what he is—but whatever it is, it's perfect. His style suits him so well.

I realize I'm full-on drooling, and he's just standing there, smiling, his sharp white teeth showing. Sexy.

I mentally slap myself and dial back my smile a bit. "Hey, Seth."

He pats his hair down. "Hey, Lyla."

Oh God. His voice gives me chills. He touches my arm gently.

"You cold?"

I shake my head and invite him inside. We sit in the living room—but he sits far from me.

The distance... hurts.

The last two weeks, he'd come over after school, spend time in my room, watch movies with me. I hate scary movies, but he loves them—and somehow, we always ended up wrapped around each other by the end. I'd quickly change the movie after to avoid the tension.

But now... I'm better. And everything feels different.

"You okay, Seth?"

He nods, but I can tell something's off.

We watch Sex Drive to kill time. When it's over, we have 10 minutes until school—and it only takes 5 to get there.

"You ready, Lyla?"

I nod. We head outside.

I wait for him to open the car door—but he just stands there, watching me. My breathing picks up. He steps closer. My back presses against the car.

His hands rest on my waist. His eyes flick to my lips.

KISS ME.
Wait—NO. Don't kiss me. We can't.
It's dangerous for both of us.
I can't fall in love again.
I can't risk it.

I panic. I wrap my arms around his neck and hug him tightly.

He hugs me back, holding me for a long moment.

Then he pulls away, smiling softly. "You ready for school?"

I nod, and this time, he opens the door for me.

⸻

At school, all his friends are already parked, waiting for us. It's my first time meeting them. They look... intense. Tatted, buff, kinda cholo gangster. I tense up.

Seth grabs my face gently. "You're gonna be okay. They're gonna love you."

"Okay."

We get out of the car. His friends walk over—their cold, hard faces soften when they see us.

They each shake my hand, laugh at my jokes, and honestly? They're really nice—and hilarious. I can't stop laughing.

A teacher approaches, eyes locked on me like no one else exists.

"How are you and Eddie?"

"Umm... what?"

"I'm Eddie's uncle."

"Oh, well, there is no Eddie and me anymore. Thanks for asking."

"You know he really loves you."

"Oh, yes—he loves me so much he beats me."

I smile sweetly and turn away, walking off with Seth and the others.

"He comes back on Friday," Eddie's uncle says.

"Nice to know," Seth mutters.

So... suspended. Of course. He's so connected.

If we were anywhere else, he'd be in juvie or boot camp. I'm frustrated. Tense.

As we walk, I feel Seth's hand bump into mine. I wish I wanted a relationship—but I can't. What if he turns into Eddie? What if I fall again... just to get hurt again?

I shake my head.

"You okay, Lyla?" Seth asks.

I nod. We enter class. One of his friends, Alex, is in there with us. He sits across the room, flirting with one of my friends.

I chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Seth asks.

I point to Alex. Seth chuckles too.

"Yeah, you should've seen them first meet. She kept blowing him off. I don't know how he's doing it, though."

I laugh at the thought of my whitest friend with a Hispanic tattooed guy. Honestly? They'd be adorable.

⸻

All day, I have a class with each of Seth's friends. I feel safer... but when Friday comes, will I still feel that way?

After school, I hope Seth comes over—but he has to work. He hasn't been at the shop much because of me. I feel bad.

He asks me to come with him, but I don't want to be a bother, so I stay home.

He drives me home.

I sit in the car, waiting for him to say goodbye. He doesn't.

I reach for the door—but he reaches over and closes it.

"I like you."

Oh God.

"I like you too, Seth."

"Not just as a friend."

CRAP. What do I say?!

"I like you more than a friend too, but I... I'm still hung up on Eddie. I'm not over him."

LIE. Biggest lie ever. I hate Eddie.

"Oh."

The look in Seth's eyes? Pain. Real pain.

"Seth..."

He looks up, and I can't help it.

I lean in.

Our lips meet.

My heart ignites, my whole body set on fire. My breathing quickens as he kisses me back, passionate, hungry, devouring me.

His lips are sweet, perfect, moving with mine like we were meant to fit. Oh God...

I'm in love.

I pull away, resting my forehead on his. My hand on his neck. His hands on my face.

"I told you I like you, Seth. I really do. But... I need to be over Eddie before we can happen."

He exhales. His minty breath makes me smile.

I bite my lip, looking into his intense hazel eyes. What does he see in mine?

Fear.

"I have to go," he says.

I nod, pull away. He rolls down the window as I step out.

I lean in.

"Bye, Seth."

"Bye, Lyla."

⸻

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