Page 35 of Wicked Dreams

“Shh, baby,” I chuckled softly in her ear. “This is a library. We have to be quiet.”

That was all it took for laughter to erupt from her mouth, her entire body shaking with it. I pulled away and grinned down at her.

“What?” I asked, enjoying her mirth.

“You.” Her fingers twisted in my shirt as she pulled me closer. “You’re handsome. Smart. A damn good kisser. Funny. Is there anything you can’t do?”

“I can’t stay away from you,” I replied, planting a tender kiss on her lips. “And I never intend to.”

Her hands dropped from my shirt, her entire mood shifting.

“What’s wrong?” I asked as she moved off the table. Her fingers dragged through her wild waves, her green eyes sad as she paced in front of me.

“I want you to be real, Van. I-Ineedyou to be. It’s fun to be here in these dreams with you, but I want something more. I’m going crazy with longing. I want to sleep all the time just to have a chance to see you. It’s ruining my life.”

I swallowed hard and stared at her for a moment, trying to find the words to make it right.

“Iamreal, Olivia,” I whispered fiercely, approaching her and taking her in my arms. “I swear to you that I am. Just stay with me, baby. I’ll prove it to you. I made a promise that I intend to keep. You just have to trust me. And don’t run away when I find you. Promise?” My eyes swept over her pretty face quickly, worry encasing my heart.What if she did run?It was a thought that kept haunting me.

“I promise.” She rested her forehead against mine as we held one another. “Butif you don’t come, this has to end, OK? I can’t live my life sleeping, Van. I need to be out in the real world, trying to survive. This isn’t how I do that.”

“I understand.” That wasn’t a lie. I did get it, but damn did it suck. I was quiet for a moment before I spoke again. “Livvy?”

“Hm?”

“Why does that guy torment you?”

“Brent?” Her eyes met mine, wavering with a sheen of tears. “I don’t know. He said he likes me. But he does things to me that I hate. I’m just happy school’s out for a few days, and we graduate soon. Then I’ll be free of him.”

“You’re going to be free of him even sooner if I can help it,” I vowed, wiping the tears the fucker had created in my girl.

“Are you going to save me?” her voice was small and shaky, another tear slipping from her eye.

“You’re damn right I am. You don’t know it yet, Livvy, but I’m your knight in shining armor. You’ll see.” I planted a sweet kiss on her lips. Her body relaxed against mine as my hold on her tightened.

Almost, Livvy. I’m almost there. I’m going to save you. I swear it.

Olivia

Everyone at school was behaving themselves. Everyone except Brent. He completely ignored me when there were prying eyes, but he looked for any opportunity he could find to get me alone — like when he caught me after school in the hall. So, I made it my mission to avoid going anywhere if the hallways and bathrooms weren’t filled with students.

Wes and Anita had been spending every day together. He even continued to sit with us at lunch. As hard as I tired, I couldn’t resist forming a friendship with him. He was funny, nice, and good to my best friend. Too bad he couldn’t get Brent under control.

The week passed quickly. And I guessed Brent was getting anxious since he hadn’t been able to catch me alone anymore. As Wes, Anita, and I were sitting at our normal lunch table, Brent’s eyes locked on me from across the crowded lunchroom. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and this numbing feeling settled over me. I knew he was going to do something, but I prayed he wouldn’t, considering we were surrounded by people.

With dread, I watched him as he stood with his tray and walked in my direction.Was he going to say something to me or ignore me until he could find me alone?I quickly figured out it wouldn’t be that simple. He drew closer, and as I watched he faked tripping, slinging his tray of milk, salisbury steak slathered in gravy, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables all down the front of me.

A shriek slipped past my lips as I quickly stood up, pulling my food covered shirt away from my body.

Wes stood up so quickly, his chair fell backward, clanging loudly to the floor. “What the fuck, Brent?” He held his arms out at his side like he was welcoming a fight.

“I’m sorry, man. I tripped.”

“Yeah, right. You’ve been looking for a way to cause Olivia grief in any way you fucking can.” He took a step closer, pointing his finger in Brent’s face. “You’re nothing but a useless dick. Why don’t you man up instead of being a pussy bitch, huh? If youlikeher, treat her like you fucking like her.” He shoved against Brent’s chest. Brent dropped his empty tray, causing it to clatter to the floor loudly.

The lunchroom was deathly silent with every eye on them. Someone off in the distance started chanting, “Fight, fight, fight, fight.” They began banging on the tables, making the room louder than I could stand.

Brent rushed toward Wes, wrapping his arms around his waist like some kind of football tackle, bringing him to the floor. They both fought for the top position, trying to get the upper hand.

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