Teachers Pet

22: Drop It

        The air was cool outside. I didn't want to go back in for a jacket though. Going back in was walking into the war zone again. My mom said not to come back until later tonight and I would listen this time. She could handle herself... I just didn't want her to be alone. I also couldn't be here anymore. Walk away... Just walk away. As I turned on my heel, a red car parked in front of my house caught my attention. It was a two-door that I'd never seen before. The window rolled down and leaning to the passenger side was Nolan.

      "Get in," he called to me. I walked to his car, unsure of how he knew where I lived. He was just full of unexpected surprises...

     "Why are you here? How do you have my address?" I asked a little harshly, and I knew he didn't deserve it. This just wasn't the right place or time.

      "I said get in. I'm not gonna ask again." He sounded angry and calm at the same time. I didn't like it.

      "That's asking?" The front door opened behind me, making me look over my shoulder. Marcus was standing in the doorway, looking down at his phone. I panicked and jumped in Nolan's car. If he saw Nolan here, he'd go after my mom. He never liked it when other men were around the house.

      "Who is that? Why are you staring at him?" I watched Marcus get into his shitty pickup truck and drive away. I sighed with relief, knowing my mom was safe for the time being.

       "That's uh... my dad." Nolan looked to where the truck had been parked and nodded. I watched a range of different emotions cross his face. They all faded into a blank look that I didn't bother to question. Besides... I have somewhere to be.

       "Do you plan on explaining why you hung up on me last night? Or why you never bothered calling me back?"

      "Nolan... It's too early for this. Please, just go." I put my hand on the door handle, ready to leave, but he locked the car. Before I could react, he grabbed my face with just one hand and made me look at him. His fingers pressed into my jaw and cheeks. My eyes were wide, I could feel the shock on my face. That same feeling I had last night when I made Marcus upset... that fear I never felt before... that feeling started to come back.

       "Did I say you could leave?" I swallowed hard, waiting for something to happen. Just like last night, I waited for the blow. But Nolan would never hit me. Would he?

       "You're hurting me," I whispered. I couldn't find my voice.

       "Why did you hang up on me? Answer the question." I tried to pull away from him, but he only tightened his grip.

       "I was busy, I couldn't talk. I'm sorry, Nolan, please stop." He let go of my face, almost pushing me away too. I rubbed my cheeks and my jaw, feeling my eyes blur. I didn't understand... I didn't know he could get this angry... Angry enough to hurt me though? What was going on? Was he always like this?

       "I'm sorry." His voice startled me. I leaned away from him, pressing myself into the door. I couldn't look at him. He could still be angry. Whenever my mom looked at Marcus when he was mad, he felt like she was challenging him. I definitely was not challenging Nolan. "Just please don't do it again."

       "I won't," I told him quickly. Next time I would just answer my phone.

       "Blair, I didn't mean to hurt you... I shouldn't have reacted that way." I waited for him to grab me again, or hurt me some other way, but he didn't. Maybe he was okay now. I slowly looked to him, seeing the guilt on his face. He looked desperate for my forgiveness. Did he deserve it though? After how he treated me? I mean, I was the one who hung up on him and I never answered any of his calls. What kind of girlfriend does that? That was wrong of me to do to him. Maybe his reaction was justified? No, he was still in the wrong... But he said he was sorry. I doubt this will happen again. I could forgive him...