Page 73 of Silent Desires

“I know, I know! And then he was—Hey… Mina?”

I recognize the voice but can’t place it. A small hand touches my shoulder, and I sense someone kneeling beside me.

“Mina, are you okay?”

Peeking up, I see Alex, the girl with blue hair who’s always been inexplicably kind to me. She turns to her friends. “You guys go ahead, I’ll catch up with you.”

As her friends continue down the hall, she focuses on me again. “Hey, are you alright? What’s wrong?”

I close my eyes tightly and hide my face again as tears spill out.

“Okay, okay, the office is right around the corner. I’ll go get your guidance counselor, alright?”

Gideon. Yes, I wanted him right now. He was safe. I nod, and she gives my shoulder a soft squeeze before running down the hall.

I sit there, wondering why I can’t pull myself together. Maybe it’s the fever. Maybe it’s the weight of all my secrets. Or maybe it’s the overwhelming thought of yet another man believing he has the right to touch me.

It can’t have been more than a minute before I hear footsteps rushing back down the hall.

“Mina? Mina, what’s wrong?” Gideon’s hands are on me, and when I look up to meet his eyes, his expression softens at the sight of my face.

He pauses for a moment before saying, “we only have a couple minutes before the halls fill with students. Let’s get you out of here, okay?”

I nod.

“Can you stand?”

I hesitate, knowing he shouldn’t be seen carrying me through the school, but I feel so weak. He seems to sense my hesitation.

“Miss Harris, can you go to room 108 and let Jasper know she’s with me? Then you can head to lunch. I’ll make sure she’s okay,” he says, turning to Alex before looking back down at me.

Shenods and hurries off around the corner. My shoulders drop with relief at her leaving. I like her, but I don’t know her well enough to want her to see me like this.

Once she’s out of sight, Gideon cups my face gently as he whispers, “alright, Love, let’s get you to our home, shall we?”

I nod, and he lifts me into his arms, carrying me bridal style. I rest my head against his chest, seeking the safety of his embrace.

The slam of a car door jolts me awake.

“What’s going on? Is she okay?”

I open my eyes and notice Tucker in the driver’s seat of an unfamiliar vehicle. I’m curled up in Gideon’s lap beside him.

“I’m not sure,” Gideon replies. “She was found sitting on the floor in the hall, crying, so I got her out of there as fast as I could. She’s responsive when she’s not asleep, though, so I think she’ll be okay. Help me buckle us in.”

The seatbelt clicks as it’s secured around both of us and I glance up into Gideon’s beautiful hazel eyes and take a deep breath.

I’m safe now.

“Hey, Love, are you okay?” he asks.

I nod and allow myself to snuggle into his chest as his arms wrap around me.

“Alright, let’s get you home. Tuck?”

“Yeah, alright, I’ll get us home. Have you texted the others?”

“I’ll do it now,” he says as he pulls out his phone.

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