Page 14 of Whispers of Obsession

“Just to the bathroom. I’ll see you soon enough, Cora.” He winks and disappears into the crowd of dancers, leaving me alone to find Lizzy and Andrew.

I edge my way around the room, keeping clear of the dance floor and standing on my tip-toes to try and find them. I can’t see them anywhere though, and I wonder if they too have snuck off to the bathroom – though for a different reason than Slater.

God, I hope not.

I feel self-conscious and awkward, standing by myself. Alone on my birthday and at the school dance. That’s doubly sad. I contemplate messaging Lizzy to see where she is, but think better of it. I definitely don’t want to interrupt.

I shift awkwardly, the desire to fiddle with my underwear burning strong. I’m not used to wearing thongs. Are they all this uncomfortable, or is it just because I shaved down there and everything’s oversensitive tonight?

“There you are!” Lizzy cries, making me jump. “We’ve been looking all over for you.”

I raise my brow at her. “You have? Because I went to the drinks table and then came straight back, but you were gone.”

Lizzy giggles as Andrew nuzzles her neck. Jeez, is he hungry? Give the boy a damn granola bar so he leaves my friend alone.

“We went for some fresh air, but as soon as we came back in, we were looking for you.”

“And when was that?”

“Umm, just now. But we found you, and that’s all that matters!” Lizzy beams, then her face falls. “Where’s Slater? You two didn’t have a fight, did you? I thought things were getting better between you both.”

“He’s in the bathroom.” Actually, he went to the bathroom some time ago.

I check the time on my phone. Eight fifty.

“Hey, I’ll be right back,” I tell Lizzy as Andrew flirts up a storm.

It’s time to meet Victor and decide what I’m going to do. At least with Slater gone, he won’t be able to follow me out to the baseball field.

I leave the dance and make my way outside, cutting across the lot to get to the meeting point. It’s dark as fuck out here, but I don’t turn on the light of my phone, worried someone might see it and follow me over here.

That would be a disaster, and I don’t have a good cover story thought out for if we do get caught. I can hardly claim he was helping me with my homework, can I?

“Cora!” Victor smiles brightly, rushing over as soon as he spots me. We’re in the dugout, like he suggested, and I’m grateful. I wasn’t about to walk in the red dirt in my new heels.

“I’m so glad you asked me to meet you here. I’ve been missing you like crazy.” Victor holds me too tightly, but I’m focused on his words.

“I didn’t ask you, you invited me,” I insist, and Victor just shakes his head.

“What?” He sounds confused, but with it being so dark, I can’t see his face that clearly.

He starts to paw at my dress, and I squirm to try and get free. Something is off. It doesn’t feel right.

“Victor, no. Stop.”

He doesn’t listen, caging me into his embrace and sucking at my neck in a way that sends sparks of pain across my skin. When Andrew did it to Lizzy, she looked like she was loving it, but it just hurts. Do people actually enjoy this?

His hands are frantically moving across my skin and my dress, almost like they’re searching for something.

“Victor, stop. You’re going to rip my dress! Stop! You’re hurting me,” I protest. He groans, low and pained, and all the hairs along my arms stand to attention at the sound.

Helikesthe idea of hurting me.

My stomach churns as I struggle to push him off, but he’s so strong. Stronger than when we were in his car. Or maybe he was just as strong then too, but I had the element of surprise on my side.

Victor’s hands find my zipper and the sound of it being opened fills the quiet night air. My breath is ragged and a panicked sob escapes me as I desperately clutch the top of my dress to my chest.

I don’t want this! I don’t want to be standing out here in the dugout in the dark, bare before my teacher but for my panties and my heels.

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