Chasing You (Terrell Clarricoates Fan Fiction)

Chapter 5

After dinner I help him clean up before I go into the bedroom and sit on his bed. He comes in and starts grabbing a pillow.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"I'm sleeping on the couch," he says.

"No you're not," I laugh.

"I just want you to be comfortable," he says seriously. I tilt my head at him.

"Terrell stop. Sleep in here, please," I say. He considers for a moment before putting his pillow back.

"I don't know if I can resist myself if we sleep in the same bed every night," he chuckles as he pulls the covers up and gets in.

"And that would be a bad thing because?" I joke. He gets cozy and I lay my head on the pillow beside him.

"Why did he do this?" Terrell says softly. I look over at him confused.

"Why did he get so mad this time? Why would anyone do this to you?" He restates. I look away from him.

"We left the party together. I had your car the next day. He connected the dots," I say. Terrell sits up on his elbows.

"He did this because we slept together?" He asks, face full of concern.

"I mean, I guess. That made him mad too, but it wasn't the whole reason. This isn't your fault, if that's what you're thinking," I say.

"What's the other reason?" He asks. I hesitate.

"He found out and wanted me to take my clothes off. I told him no and that set him off," I explain. Guilt covers his face.

"Terrell this isn't your fault. You know that right?" I question.

"If I had stayed out of it, he wouldn't have done this to you," he answers. He sits up fully and I do too.

"Terrell, if you hadn't then it would've happened some other day for some other reason. It's not the first time he's hit me. It's his fault not yours and not mine," I try to reason with him.

"If you knew what he was doing was wrong why did you stay?" He finally looks at me. I chew on the inside of my cheek.

"He had me wrapped around his finger. If I wasn't with him, I would be nothing. If I left him, he would hurt himself. That's what he told me everyday. So I stayed," I say softly. He considers for a moment.

"You're the opposite of nothing, Caroline," he says kindly. I can't figure him out. He's so intimidating and he makes me so nervous but then he's so kind.

"Thank you," I say.

"Rest Caroline," he says. My eyes feel heavy so I don't protest. I let my eyes close and before I know it, I'm out.

~

The next morning, I wake up and Terrell is snoring softly. It's Monday. I groan as the clock says I'm late. I roll out of bed and sit up fully. I take one of my pain pills as Terrell wakes up.

"What do you need?" He sits up ready to assist.

"Nothing, I have school that's all," I say. He lays back down.

"You're not going to school today. Or any day for a little while," he says. I turn and face him.

"I have to go to class, Terrell," I say seriously.

"Not with Daniel. He knows your schedule. He's not an idiot. He'll be taunting you all day in the halls. You don't need that. Do your class work here. I'm sure your teachers will understand," he says.

"I hardly see him during school. I can avoid him. I need to continue my life as normally as possible," I say as I grab jeans from my bag. He sits up.

"I can't be there to help you if you go," he says. I slide my sweats off and pull my jeans up my legs. He stands and walks around the bed to me. He grabs my arms forcing me to stop and look at him.

"It's too soon. You're not ready Caroline," he says seriously.

"Okay," I give up. He lets go of me and walks to his dresser.

"Where are you going?" I ask.

"I have work to do. I'll be back in a few hours, maybe sooner. Just stay here and relax, okay?" He says as he pulls clothes out. I nod in agreement, but that's not what I'm going to do. I'm going to my classes. I'm not broken, Daniel didn't break me and he needs to see that.

After Terrell leaves in the truck I get dressed and take his car. I go straight to my first class. All is well and everything is normal. I don't think anyone realizes what happened because no one says anything. The bell rings and I get to go to my next class. I stand up and begin walking down the hall. Just as I was starting to feel normal, Daniel turns the corner. He's walking straight towards me. I lose my breath for a second and my heart begins to race. I look down and try to keep walking. I decide to look up again and he has a gash on his cheek from Terrell, and a black eye. It makes me smirk a little. He gets closer and I look behind me and the halls are empty. The tardy bell rings and me and Daniel are the only ones in the hall. He looks around before walking towards me. I look away.

"Hey baby," he smirks. He swings his arm around my waist and I pull away quickly. His touch sends nasty chills down my body. He shoves my shoulder into the wall, stopping me from walking.

"Don't shrug me off you," he says.

"You're digging yourself a deeper hole," I mumble.

"And how's that?" He questions.

"The police are involved," I finally meet his eyes. He's amused.

"I got better connections than anyone in this town," he says and lets go of me.

"Where are you staying now? I went to your dorm and you weren't there," he chuckles and I begin to walk quickly down the hall.

"I will find you Caroline. I'm not done with you," he shouts down the hall. I push the exit doors open hard and I run to the parking lot. Tears fill my eyes. Terrell was right. This was a bad idea. I get into his car and drive quickly back to his house. I slam the door shut and drop my bag before locking myself in the bathroom. I slump to the ground and begin crying. I feel secure in this small bathroom. I try to control my breathing but nothing seems to help.

After a couple minutes I hear the front door open.

"Caroline?" Terrell's voice calls out. I wipe my tears quickly. A small knock taps on the door.

"You okay?" He asks through the door.

"Yeah," I say quickly.

"You went to school didn't you?" He asks softly, he doesn't seem mad. Tears fill my eyes again. He jiggles the door knob but it doesn't open.

"Caroline open the door please. I need to see if you're okay," he says. I sniffle and wipe my nose. I stand up and I open the door. I look up and Terrell has a sad look on his face. He holds his arms out.

"Come here," he mumbles as he pulls me into a hug. I rest my head on his firm chest.

"I'm sorry," I say and grip his t-shirt tightly. He runs his hand through my hair and shushes me softly.

"It's okay, you're okay," he says.

"He's not gonna give up," I say sadly. He pulls away  and cups my face in his hands. His thumbs wipe my tears away gently.

"He can't get you. Not with me around," he says.

"He's trying to find where I'm staying," I say.

"He won't find out. And if he does I have another place that I'll take you," he says.

"You would do that?" I question.

"Yes," he chuckles softly. I wipe the remainder of my tears and his hand rests on my cheek and neck. He watches me closely and we hold eye contact. He eyes my lips and leans in. He presses his lips against mine. His mouth is warm and safe. This is a new feeling that I never want to be without.