Fear

7.

AFTER FIRST PERIOD, Carlton was waiting outside the door for me. I shook my head at him as I exited the room and walked to him. A concerned look was plastered on his face as he scanned the flood of people, then relief took over as a small smile was now visible once he saw me.

"Took you long enough," he joked as I approached him. I chuckled and he put his arm over my shoulder, the warmth and tingles spreading. I still don't know what this is, but oddly enough, I don't mind it. I think I actually like it. Another involuntary sigh escaped my lips as Carlton led me to our Math class. I noticed he looked down at me, but I didn't want him to see the pink tint in my cheeks, so I avoided looking directly at him. I saw a smile form across his lips, then pull me a bit closer to him.

"What's with all the love recently?" I joked as I glanced up at him.

"No reason. Just making sure you're okay." I rolled my eyes at his comment. Even when I'm walking right beside him, he feels the need to protect me as if he is going to show up.

"Do you think they're dating?" I heard from somewhere in the crowd.

"They better not be," I heard another girl angrily say. I scoffed and shook my head slightly. Why can't they mind their business? Even though nothing is going on between us, why would there be a problem if we were?

Oh my goodness. Am I hearing myself right now?!

"Did you hear me?" Carlton asks as he pulls me around a corner.

I look up at him and shake my head, "no, I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I said that our jobs are getting a little too hectic. I think we should take a break for a while-"

"No! Absolutely not!" I interrupt as we entered Math. We sit beside each other in our regular seats, and put our bags on the floor.

"Luna, it's not safe for you to be out there right now," he whispers. "We have to wait a while so he can get used to being himself. If he shows up while you're there, who knows what could happen." His eyes hold so much intensity in them that I had to look away. I chewed on the inside of my lip as I contemplated my situation.

"If it's not safe for me, then it's not safe for anyone." This job means too much to the both of us, so I know what I need to say in order for him to allow me to continue helping others. Wait. Did I just hear myself correctly?

"If I can't help others, then we're just going to have to close down until we can," I say with seriousness as I stare into his eyes.

"Okay, that's fine," he replies in a heartbeat, his expression never faltering. It took a moment for me to process what he just said. The small smile on my face starting turning into a deep frown.

"Wha- n-no!" I whisper yelled. "We've been doing this for years, we can't close it down now-"

"It's only momentarily. It won't be permanent, I promise-"

"No, I can't do that, Carlton. This isn't even a big of deal, and he knows not to come near me. He won't, I'm sure of it. He has to learn to control himself before I even think about seeing him again." But you have thought about it already, my conscious reminds me. I push the thought to the back of my mind before facing the front, indicating that I don't want to talk anymore.

"Luna, you can't-"

"I can and I will," I cut off seriously with an edge to my voice. I know I sound annoying and bitchy, but this is the only thing in my life that makes me somewhat happy; knowing I'm helping people makes me happy. I shoot Carlton a glare before turning back again, daring him to say something else. I'm glad when he doesn't. He heavily sighs and I see him stare at me a bit longer before pushing his glasses up, then getting his work out of his bag. I wait a few moments before I do the same.