Page 15 of Mayhem

I try to free my arm, but Midas tightens his grip on me and stares daggers at our teacher. I want to tell him off, but before I can open my mouth, Midas throws me back into Zeus.

Zeus gently catches me, making sure I don’t fall. When he is satisfied that I am not hurt anywhere, he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me in close to his side. His scent invades my senses. It’s strong and masculine with a hint of motor oil. I melt into his side and let him hold me. Odin comes up on the other side of me and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together. I look up at him, and he gives me a genuine smile.

Evan.

The thought of myfiancéstartles me. I jump back from the two men currently holding me. Odin and Zeus look at me quizzically. I shake my head at them when they try to take a step toward me. I push through them, ready to storm away. Midas tries to stop me, but I push past him.

“I will see you in class tomorrow, Mr. Labeau.” I give him an apologetic look.

He looks like he wants to say something but nods his head. I storm away from the four of them. I can hear Midas raising his voice, but I can not hear what he is saying. I don’t even care now what he is saying.

How dare he think he can grab me and push me around the way he did. Who the hell does he think he is? We don’t even know each other.

What is more concerning is how I felt something when he touched me. This sense of protection and excitement coursed through me from his fingertips. I have never felt like that before.

The whole drive home, I could not get Midas out of my mind or any of them, even Mr. Labeau. I don’t know anything about Tate, but there is something. I can’t tell if it's good or bad yet. I pull the car into the laneway. My head is still a mess of thoughts that I can’t sort through.

I don’t see my mom when I walk in, so I head to my room and toss my bag on the floor by the door. I quickly change into black leggings and an oversized hoodie before tying my hair in a messy bun.

Shit. I just remembered I turned my phone off earlier.

I rummage through my pile of stuff on the floor and grab my phone.

I quickly hit dial on his number. I already know he is mad at me no matter what. The phone rings twice before he picks up the phone.

“What the actual fuck, Serena?” He screams into the phone. I can hear someone in the background, but I can’t tell who it is.Must be his roommate.

I resort to my default and apologize, saying it will never happen again. There is no point in explaining what I was doing because how do I even explain what happened at the lake? I sit on my bed and listen to him lecture me about how much of a bitch I am- his words- and how I know what is 'expected' of me. He screams at me how I must live up to his expectations, especially now that we are engaged.

I roll my eyes as I take his verbal lashing. I knew this would happen if I ignored him. I really should have responded to him earlier to avoid this.

“I can’t fucking trust you while you are away.” He barks into the phone. I cringe each time he raises his voice, thankful I am not there, knowing the potential violence that would follow. “If this relationship is to work, you need some more rules. One, your locations have to be on at all times. I have to know where you are. Two, I want you in bed by ten thirty each night, and you must send me proof every night. Three, if you are ever somewhere that you can’t call or text, I expect a picture for proof.”

My whole body is tense, and I can feel myself vibrating with anger. I know how controlling Evan is, but this is ridiculous. I wish I could tell him that, but it’s just easier giving him what he wants.

“Yes, Evan.” I brokenly say to him, my voice just a whisper. The conversation doesn’t go on much longer than that. He is too upset with me to talk to me more, his words.

When we hang up the phone, I toss it to the end of my bed and curl into a ball, silently crying until no more tears fall. I do not move from that position. Time feels so endless at that moment. I don’t know how much time passes before my phone vibrates at the end of my bed.

I drag myself up and grab it.

I look out the window and see Zeus looking at me.Does he live next door to me? He tilts his head like a puppy, trying to figure me out.

I can’t help but smile at him. He may be labeled as an intimidating guy, but I don’t see it. Sure, I can see there is pain and something else in his eyes, but he isn’t scary.

I take my phone out and wonder what I should say. Do I tell him the truth or do I keep it hidden like I always have?

In reality, I didn’t want to tell them about Evan, especially not like this. I have always kept everything a secret, it was easier that way, but maybe if they know I have someone else they will finally leave me alone. I don’t need more of a headache when it comes to Evan. I have already upset him enough.

Zeus's face hardens as he looks at the message. He snaps back to me, a look of pure anger on his face. Midas and Odin join him at the window, and he shows them the text. They both look confused until they read the message. Just like Zeus, their heads snap up and look at me. I want to cower under their intense gazes, but I hold my head high. There is already one man controlling me and making me afraid. I won’t let these three do the same without my permission.

They have a conversation with each other. I can't hear them through the closed windows, but I try to read their lips. Something about a game and a plan. I am horrible at reading lips, apparently. I watch while they look like they are arguing, their eyes never leaving me.

Zeus places his hand on the window, a look of hurt and longing on his face. I have no idea why he looks the way he does, but it makes me want to wrap my arms around him until he feels better. My hand twitches, wanting to mimic his movement, but I can’t.

I look at the three of them and sigh. My heart breaks a little for them. It shouldn't, but it does. Zeus is the first to break eye contact with me. He turns around, his hands pulling his hair. Odin continues to look at me like I am something he wants and is trying to figure out how to get me. Midas looks like he is ready to murder someone. If I had to guess, it’s me.

I straighten out my shoulders and stare back at them. I try to keep my face blank, not wanting to show them how they make me feel. I haven’t evaluated my feelings for them, not sure if I even could. I don’t know them, they are strangers to me, but there is something lingering. Something I don’t want to think about.

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