Page 30 of Of Flesh & Bone

Ding, ding, ding.What do we have for him Johnny?Has this guy been watching me in here all semester?

"When did you notice me?"

"I first noticed you when you stole my drink."I interrupt him with a scoff, but he continues."And I haven't stopped thinking about you since that moment.I saw you again when you tackled me in the hallway.I followed you into our class, a class that I had no idea you were in, and I sat directly behind you.You never even looked up.I watched you solve the most complicated math equation known to man...in your head without making a single mark in your notebook."He pauses, watching me intently."Why did you stay?"

I'm thrown off by his question.He was here the whole time, watching me.I felt it.I remember feeling that same sensation that I had when I was in his presence each time before, but this time, I couldn't connect it to him because I didn't know he was still watching me.

"Why did I stay when?"

"Here.You were the first person to earn an exemption.Stalk dismissed you when you held up your little board, but you didn't leave your seat.Why?"

I squirm in my seat.He was watching me the whole time.Not just watching but studying me.

"I don't like to draw attention to myself.I...I'm different.I'm not well-received by...well anyone really.Vaughn and Eli aren't just my best friends.They're my only friends."

"What am I?"

I look at him, genuinely trying to figure out what he is to me.

"I don't know.What are you?What are we?"

"We're inevitable."

"Okay.Cool.Got it.When Roxanna asks me who I'm bringing home for Thanksgiving, I'll just tell her don't worry Roxy, we were inevitable."

"Roxanna?"

"My mother."

"So, you're taking me home for Thanksgiving?"

"No.I...No.That's not...I was giving an example.Are we friends?Are we a couple?A fling?"

His hand darts out and he grabs me by the nape of the neck, pulling me toward him."YOU.ARE.MINE.I am yours.You can call it whatever you want.Call me your boyfriend if it suits your sensibilities but refer to us as a fling again and I will bend you over Stalk's desk and spank your pretty little ass in front of all these people."

I nod my head vigorously."Ok.Not a fling."

"Good girl."He kisses my temple and speaks with his mouth still on my skin."So, Wildcat, what will you tell your mother about me?"

"Well, I don't actually have to tell her anything right now but maybe...boyfriend."

"Why are you not going to tell her about me now?"

"Have you told your mom?"

He narrows his eyes at me.He clearly hasn't told his mom.

The rest of class goes by quickly and we planned to go our separate ways in the hall, but Adam has clearly changed his mind.He makes a show of kissing me and squeezing my ass in front of what feels like the entire school population.He's getting exactly what he wanted too.People actually stop and stare with their mouths wide open like we're dry humping instead of kissing.My face is hot, and my heart is racing.I'm feeling dizzy.I need to take my medication before I'm in full-fledged panic mode.

Adam has my bag on his back.Pulling away from him, I grab the bag before running into the bathroom.Rifling through the contents, I find the bottle and take a pill.I'm staying in this bathroom until I start to feel the medicine working.About fifteen minutes pass before I can gather myself and walk out.I don't realize that I still have the bottle in my hand until it's ripped from my grasp as soon as I walk through the door.Adam.He's standing there with my medication in his hand and he's reading the label.I reach out and try to take it from him but even without looking at me, he's way too fast and dodges my attempt easily.

"Eve, what is this?"

"Vistaril."

"I can see that.Why are you taking it?"He grits out.

"I...have social anxiety disorder.Sometimes, I just let it get the best of me, and I need the medicine then.I don't take it all the time.It's an as-needed kind of thing."

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