Page 19 of Savage Scream

Travis doesn’t let me respond, pressing his lips to my forehead before turning and practically bolting from my room.

Silly boy. There’s no force on earth that will make me turn my back and walk away from him.

Ever.

7

JARED

Going to school isn’t really something I’m interested in right now given the bigger issues going on, but staying home to have my mum hover over me again definitely isn’t something I can endure for another day.

News has spread about me getting in a car wreck, which has morphed into some amusing rumours. None seem to involve Dee, though, and I’m both happy and annoyed about that.

I’m happy because I know she wouldn’t want the attention. But it’s fucking annoying because I want everyone to know that Dee is my girl, and since they don’t, all the girls seem to have me on their fucking radar now, and I can’t seem to escape their need to ask me if I’m ok, or if there’s anything they can do to make me feel better. Which all sounds like normal human decency, right? Except these girls are too touchy feely, resting their hand on my arm and pressing their tits into me as they talk. Not to mention, a couple of them have been following me around to the extent that they trailed me into the men’s room, and the morning hasn’t even finished yet. I dread to think how much crazier this shit is going to get as the day goes on.

The rumours range from me competing in drag races and losing control, to me stealing cars and being in a fucking police chase.

Dickheads.

As if I’d be at school today if I’d been chased by the cops. Fairly sure I’d be locked up right now if that was the case.

Unfortunately, the one girl I want attention from is back to ignoring me. It makes me angry, when just last night I thought things between us were good.

Once again, we have taken ten fucking steps backwards.

If it weren’t for the small breakthrough we had in the car and at the hospital, I’d probably be walking away by now. But those fewrealmoments we had are more than the many fake moments when she pretends not to care. Because I know now. I know she cares and I know she’s scared, and I know that when she lets down her walls, even if it’s brief, it’s the most honest and alive moments I think I’ve ever had.

So, like an addict, I’m hooked, trying to figure out a way to get my next fix. Trying to figure out a way to get Dee to let me in for another real moment.

Recess has just begun, and I spot my little pocket rocket at her locker, putting her laptop away.

I grin.

If she thinks she is going to keep avoiding me, she’s got another thing coming.

“Crowley, we need to talk.” Garrett grabs my bicep as I try to pass by, but I keep my eyes on the prize, not wanting her to disappear into the crowd.

“Now’s not a good time,” I mutter to Garrett as Dee steps back to shut her locker.

“When’s a good time?” he snaps and I shrug.

“After school.”

“Fine,” he hisses, dropping his hold on me in time for me to stalk towards Dee and close the distance.

Reaching her, I grip her hips, spin her and shove her against the locker.

It’s an aggressive move, but I’ve learned that Dee likes aggressive.

Her chocolate eyes flare with fury as her gaze locks with mine, and I crowd her in, one hand on the locker next to her head with the other gripping her hip.

“Wanna tell me why you’re ignoring me?”

She doesn’t respond.

“For fuck’s sake, Dee. We are past this shit. Communicate with me. What happened between last night when I called you, to now? Something must have happened because the last words you communicated were that you cared about me.”

Dee’s shoulders drop as she gives in, her hand slipping into her blazer pocket to take out her phone. She worries her lip as she types out her words before turning the screen to me.

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