Don't Let Me Go

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Silah 

I snapped my head up at the mention of group project. Shit shit shit. This wasn't going to go good. I hated group projects! I took a lock of my light brown hair and fiddled with the ends nervously while the teacher read off the groups.

"Silah Morrow, Caden Brown, Kate Cardin, and Dylan Flank. You are group 5." The teacher stated.

Dammit. I sunk down in my seat. I didn't know any of those people personally. But I knew Caden was a pot head arrogant dude, Kate the peppy cheerleader, and Dylan the jocky football player. And here I was. Quiet little Silah that I'm sure no one knew of my existence.

"Get in your groups and I will be passing out the prompt shortly." Mr. Rasmussen said and made his way to his desk. The class went into an uproar. I stood, avoiding getting shoved into someone as I made my way to Kate and Dylan in the corner. They eyed me as I sat down.

"You're Silah?" Kate said as Caden sat down. I nodded in response and fiddled with my hands. Kate took a deep breath. I peeked up at Dylan's strong jaw, tan body, and blue eyes. I shook my head and stared at the desk again.

"Cool name." Dylan said with a smile. I ignored him completely and stared at my desk.

"Well, I am appointing myself as the leader of this group. We shall met after school from 4 to 6 at my house. It's across the street from the school. Caden, I expect you to be here all the time." Kate demanded. She certainly asserted herself as the person in charge. 

But I wouldn't be able to make those times she said. I had other things to do. I had other commitments. I opened my mouth to speak but closed it. I wouldn't bother them...

"Whatever Kate. I'll do what I want." Caden's deep voice crawled across my skin.

"Uh-huh. No. You will be here because you need to." Kate snapped. Dylan leaned back in his chair with a pleased smile. He eyed Kate's back, more likely her ass.

"Whatever." Caden sighed and plugged his headphones into his ear. I peeked up from the desk to catch this action. He gave me half a glance before grunting and focusing on something else. "So you, girl. You.." Kate's voice snapped my attention. I looked up at her, my bangs covering my forehead and part of my brilliantly blue eyes. 

I raised an eyebrow at her expectantly. Did she want me to say something? Kate's blond hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her brown eyes locked on me. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"Ugh." Kate snapped and tossed her hair. "Silah or whatever are you a good writer?" I nodded and her eyes narrowed on me. "Are you mute or something?" She asked.

I froze. They thought I was mute? Really? Well that was kind of odd. I spoke in class but I'm sure no one noticed who was speaking.

"I'm not mute." I finally said, crossing my arms fully across my chest. I sized her up, this was so unlike me. Kate stared at me like I was bewitched or something. "And yeah," I continued. "I'm a pretty good writer."

"Woahhhhh! Quite girl spoke!" Dylan clapped and a few students looked our way.

"Shut up Dylan. Okay girl, you are in charge of Caden. Make sure he is here and such." Kate's eyes glinted with evil humor. I swallowed nervously and glanced at Caden. He was leaned back in his chair. His black hair tousled with a snap back hat covering it. His brown eyes looked glazed over as he stared off into space, music blaring. I checked out his jaw line, firm and straight. Then his cheeks which still had some baby fat, then his nose which was slightly off center and covered in freckles.

"I can't..." I mumbled while shifting my gaze back to Kate. Her petit face contorted with annoyance.

"Caden!" She snapped and ripped out his ear buds. Caden shook his head slowly then glared at Kate.

"What... The... Fuck... Do you want bitch?" Caden said slowly, a growing smirk crawling across his lips.

"You and Silah are partners now." Kate cast me a pity filled glance. "So give her your number and whatever but be here after school and we can go to my house."

Caden switched his gaze over to me as I looked down. Caden grunted and grabbed my arm as well as a pen. He wrote down several digits before releasing my arm. I whimpered and pulled it back to safety.

"Pussy..." He mumbled under his breath. My head snapped up and I checked the time. Any second now. I looked at Caden.

"I don't think you have any right to call anyone a pussy. So shut the fuck up." Dylan said. I opened and closed my mouth. He said what needed to be said. No need for me to say anything. I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, doing anything I could to get away from my 'group'.

*****

I dialed again and tapped my foot expectantly. This was really getting on my nerves. Why the hell wouldn't he juts pick up?! I had somewhere to be! I needed to drop him off at Kate's.

"Hullo...?" A groggily voice answered. I felt my confidence build up before answering.

"You are twenty minutes late. We have to go to Kate's house right now. Where are you?" I said, the words flowing from my mouth. If this was in person, I'd most likely stutter.

"I'm at home... Who the fuck is this?" 

"Silah. I'm in you English project group. And did you just say you're at home?!"

"Yeah. I live near the school and I'm tired..."

"Text me the address. I'm coming to get you." I said angrily and hung up. I dashed to my car and rummaged for the keys. I found them and jumped in the car. It stared with a loud purr. His text appeared on my screen.

'535 Green Ln. Apartment 4.' 

I took a deep breath and stared driving, pulling the car to a halt after a few minutes. I pulled my key out and stuffed it in my pocket. I glared at the grey apartment. No bigger than a medium sized house but it looked like a crack house. I grumbled to myself, ignoring the pain in my neck as I stormed to his apartment.

The door was cracked open so I went inside. Smoke covered the room like a fog. I coughed and pulled my nose, eyes burning as I looked for Caden.

"Caden!" I called into the fog. I heard a grumble from a room and went for it. Caden was sprawled on a mattress on the floor. His hair damp with sweat and his eyes red. 

I unplugged my nose and breathed in the scent slowly... Weed. Dammit Caden! I groaned and walked over beside him. His eyes wandered to my face lazily and he let out a barking laugh. "What's so funny?" I asked softly and grabbed him a shirt to put on, along with some pants. 

"The fact that you, of all people, are here. It's funny." Caden laughed again and started to pull on his clothes. I glanced around his room and my OCD started to take over. I started to clean, ignoring his questioning looks.

"Now lets go." I said after cleaning up his last few articles of clothing on the floor. Caden raised his eyebrow at me but got out of bed. I confidently marched out of his apartment and to my car. Caden followed behind slowly. 

Finally his large figure slide into the passenger's side. He gave me a slight smile before blaring his music and zoning out completely. The horrible smell of weed overpowered my air freshner. I crinkled my nose in disgust and drove. This is bullshit...