Page 22 of I Blame the Rival

Not again.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot. I’m Walsh.” The guy smiles and takes another step towards me. I take another step back.

“Nice to meet you. Now, I really must be going-

“Who are you looking for?” His eyes bore into mine and I clutch my purse tighter. The sunshine tissue is probably crushed beyond repair by this point, but there’s nothing I can do about that now.

“You said you were looking for a friend. I can help you find them.” Walsh tilts his head, his gaze dropping from my face to my legs, “I would really love to help you.”

“I don’t need any help. Please go away.” My voice comes out muffled, the warning bells blaring through my head creating a sound barrier.

He grins and takes another step closer. I go to take another step back but the edge of the bar stops me. My lungs stop working as the realization hits me.

I’m trapped.

“Is your friend as pretty as you? Maybe we could all have fun together.” Walsh leans in and I freeze, paralyzed by the memories breaking through my conscious.

“Stop.” I whisper, trapped in the past that broke me the first time, “Please stop.”

“But we haven’t done anything yet.”

He’s so close I can smell the alcohol on his breath.

“Walsh, baby, I thought we were hooking up tonight.”

The sultry voice steals his attention and the moment he turns his head, I feel the spell break. Holding my purse as tightly as I can, I bring up my knee. Hard.

“What the fu-

Walsh keels over in pain and I shove past him, sprinting for the closest exit sign. I push through the line of Saber students still waiting to get inside and don’t stop running until I reach the parking lot.

Come on, Lacey. You either love me or you don’t. It’s that simple.

I do love you I just don’t think I’m ready. Not yet.

I guess that’s an answer in itself.

“STOP!” I scream into the night and collapse on the ground. Nausea rises up in my throat as my shoulders start to shake and the memories pull me back into the darkness.

That’s not fair. I do want to do this with you, but can’t we wait just a little while longer?

This whole time I’ve been waiting for you, Lacey. Can’t you see how unfair it is to ask me to wait even more?

But it’s only been six months. I turned sixteen a couple of months ago.

So now you’re guilting me? I see how it is.

No, that’s not what I meant-

Look, I’m going to make this simple. Either show me how much you love me or I’m gone.

Can’t we just talk about this?

I’m tired of talking. All we do is talk. At this point we’re basically friends. You make me feel pathetic.

That’s not what I want.

Then show me what you want, Lacey. Show me how much you want me.

---