Teachers Pet

31: Ultimatum

        I laughed off the pain quickly. I still had a part to play, even if it hurt.

       "I want Nolan to take me," I told her. Just as Tanya was about to object, Jill laughed. She was a little drunk too.

       "She wants to go home with Nolan. What's the big deal?" Tanya looked from me to Nolan and then settled on her sister. Tanya gave everything a second thought before nodding to me. She seemed defeated almost. I felt that way too.

       "Call me as soon as you get home." I nodded, smiling the best I can. I wanted her to know she had nothing to worry about, but at the same time, I needed her to know something was very wrong here.

       "I will. Night... " My voice broke, but the music drowned out my fear. Jill pulled Tanya away, drunken and unaware of my troubles. Nolan gave one last look to Tanya that was hateful. She returned it. I felt Nolan dig his nails into my side once more, making me move with him out the front door. Once outside and out of view, he grabbed me by my arm and nearly dragged me to his car. I didn't dare say anything.

       "Hope tonight was worth it," he snapped at me. I started to cry, not sure what he planned to do with me. When we reached his car, he opened the door and forced me into the front passenger side. I quickly pulled my dress in before he slammed the door. I watched as he walked around his car from the back, slapping the window before he got into the drivers' side. I held my breath, trying to be invisible. I wish I was invisible.

       The car was cold, but I wasn't about to ask for him to turn on the heat. I would gladly freeze if it meant not angering him. I didn't want to be around him when he had another angry outburst. I couldn't tell what he was thinking as he drove down the main road. We passed my house and passed the city limits. We just drove in silence. Suddenly, he seemed to have snapped himself out of his thoughts. He looked around and pulled over quickly. I had no idea where we were. It was dark and barren around. Nolan turned the car off and stared out the front window for a moment. He hadn't looked at me once since we left the party. I couldn't take my eyes off of him. If I even blinked, he might hurt me again.

       "Nolan... you're scaring me. Please talk to me." He opened his mouth to talk, but then he laughed and got out. I flinched at every movement he made. He slammed the door behind and paced around the front of the car. I watched, shivering in silence. It wasn't long until he stopped and looked at me through the windshield. I felt my heart rate spike as he made his way to my side and opened the door. I started to cry when he grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the car. I cried out when he pushed me against the car. He put both of his hands on the hood of the car, caging me in.

       "Please, Nolan. Please just talk to me." I was crying and trying to make myself coherent. If I could just get him to talk to me, maybe that would help. He stared at me for a while, seeming indecisive about something. I shut my eyes tight when his hand went to my face. He gently took my mask off. I opened my eyes to see him throw it to the ground. He caged me in again, making it clear that I was not in control here.

       "You wanna talk? Tell me something then. How long has it been going on?" I didn't answer. I couldn't answer these questions. When I said nothing, Nolan slapped the roof of the car, making me cry out in fear. "How long?!"

      "A while!" I didn't know exactly how long Jake and I have been involved. I had no idea. I couldn't give him an exact date. My answer didn't make it any better though. Nolan's hand went to my cheek, making me freeze. He stroked it, being gentle. He nodded as he smiled down at me. It wasn't his smile, it belonged to someone else.

       "My brother could get fired... for being with a student. He'd go to jail for sure." He continued to stroke my cheek. I nodded, not wanting to answer him. I was afraid to say the wrong thing. "You used me. Did you ever really care about me?"