Page 6 of Return To You

I wince at his words and give him a sheepish smile, causing the forty-something-year-old man to groan and put his head down, knowing a certain man will create havoc just like the last time I came in here.

He nearly burned the place down and was lucky he never got kicked out of the school for it. It helps that his band, “The Delinquents,” bring in a lot of money. They play every school dance and charity event.

I watch as Mr. Crow rubs his face, and instantly, I feel bad.

Noah hates it when I come to the library, and I know it's because it's the main hookup place other than under the bleachers, but today, it can't be helped.

I need to pass this assignment, and I need this paper to be perfect, otherwise, I won't graduate a year early, which would mean living long distance from Noah for a year while he travels the US trying to get signed.

I graduate now, then I can do college remotely.

Sighing, I grab my pen. Three and a half years, that's how long Noah's been in my life, that's how long he's been buried deep inside my soul.

That first day, he became my best friend, and the thought of not seeing him everyday kills….

I dreaded starting a new school, and if I'm being honest, it hasn't been easy. For the first year, Piper and her clique stayed clear of me, believing my brother and his girlfriend would hurtthem if they hurt me, especially after Piper was made an outcast on that first day of school. However, once they graduated, the bullying picked up again.

The shoving, the snide remarks, and the name calling are just getting annoying and pathetic now. It's like I live in her brain rent-free.

The more she picks on me, though, the more of a reject she becomes, along with her clique. I guess she doesn't care anymore, though, because now she doesn't care who sees her blatantly bullying me. She wants one person, and nothing, including me, will get in her way. She has her sights set and, according to the school gossip, she'd been stalking said person before we even started King's Prep.

Noah.

She wants him so much that she enlisted his little sister Gina, who's a year younger than me, into her clique.

Gina's the youngest cheerleader on the squad, which helps Piper. Gina doesn't hate me, per se, but she does invite Piper to their trailer any chance she can get. I used to go there a lot, but the evil and nasty remarks got too much, and Noah picked up on my discomfort. Now we spend more time at his aunt's house with Van, who's currently in college studying to be a lawyer while my brother on his first tour with the military.

Vanessa's mom isn't rich, but she also isn't struggling. She's the reason Noah and Gina are at a private school while Piper is on a scholarship.

Sometimes, I think Noah's better off with someone like Piper. I know his mom and aunt agree. Heck, his mom flat-out told me to stay away from her son, while his stepdad Nick—if you can call him “stepdad” because he hasn't married Noah’s mom—told me to ignore everyone and stick to what my heart wants.

And my heart wants Noah, even if his family and my own father don't agree. To them, we're both on the wrong side of theother’s tracks. My dad thinks Noah's using me, while his mom believes I'm a spoiled brat.

Why can’t they just let us be happy?

Gently, I stroke the silver music symbol dangling on the silver chain around my neck. Noah gave it to me last year, stating it was a promise we'd get married one day.

The way he looked at me, seeing it dangling from my neck, his eyes darkened with possessiveness and love. In that moment, he realized I was accepting itandwhat it meant to him….

My heart aches a little. We have so much against us, and I'm worried he'll think I'm too much trouble and leave me, when I can't even breathe at the thought of losing him.

Swallowing hard, I drop my pen, and sigh. The library has become less crowded, making it easier to finish my paper, which is good because it's due after lunch.

Twitching my nose, I look down and re-read through my work, ensuring it's where it needs to be, trying to focus on the now and not the future.

It doesn't take me long, and a smile forms, knowing this is an A- at least, when strong arms hold me from behind, lips touching the top of my head, his earthy cologne hitting me. I grin wide, leaning back, turning my head to the left, placing my nose into the crook of his neck.

"And what does my Little Petal think she's doing in the library, hmm?" he murmurs, placing his lips on my forehead. "Do you want me to burn this shithole down?" he whispers against my skin, giving me goosebumps.

I smile, closing my eyes and enjoying his touch, sparks shooting through my skin. "The music room is in use," I mumble. “I needed to get this paper finished."

I don't mention why it's important. He knows what school means to me, knowing I won't accept money for college from myfather, but he doesn't know about my chance at graduating. I want it to be a surprise.

He hums, moving his head back before gripping my hair and forcing my head out from the crook of his neck. I go to complain, but before I can open my mouth, his soft lips touch mine, and I sigh, the feeling of home instantly hitting me…with a hint of smoke.

I can still remember the first time he kissed me. God, I was so shocked.

For the first four months of school, he stuck by my side, keeping his arm over my shoulder, always meeting me by the wall in the mornings, ensuring to be outside my classes, keeping me in the music room during breaks and study periods.

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