Page 18 of Victorious: Part 2
What the fuck just happened?
One second, she was collapsing in my arms, needing comfort, the next, I’m the enemy again?
I watch through the windshield as she storms away, fists clenched, jaw tight, as though she’s daring the world to try her.
And for a second, I stay frozen.
I don’t move.
I don’t breathe.
I hesitate, torn between chasing after her or giving her the space she probably needs, before she turns that fire back on me and burns me with it.
But then she spins around, eyes blazing like a goddamn storm, and marches toward the truck with lethal purpose. She yanks the passenger door open so violently that it ricochets off the hinge with a metallic clang. “Move!” she snaps, the word sharp enough to cut.
And just like that, I’m on fire too.
I step out, slow and deliberate, the door swinging shut behind me with a thud that feels final. My boots hit the dirt just as hersdo. We meet in the open between the truck and the desert, the tension between us so thick it could choke us both.
She stole my truck.
She left me in the middle of bumfuck-nowhere and decided to drive back to LA on her own.
And she’s angry atme?
Letting out a scoff as she continues her aggressive pacing, I fold my arms across my chest, my own anger igniting now. “What theactual fuckwere you thinking?” I explode. “Do you have a death wish?”
“I wastryingto get home,” she yells, her voice already cracked from crying. “God forbidI care if the people I love are alive or bleeding out in the damn street!” Her sarcasm isn’t lost on me.
“So, you hijacked the truck like a goddamn lunatic? Swerved into oncoming traffic as though you’re in a fucking action movie?”
“You weren’t supposed to stop me.”
“Well, too-fucking-bad. I did!” I shout, stepping closer. “Because I’mnotletting you throw yourself into a war zone just because your feelings are hurt.”
Her mouth falls open like I’ve just slapped her. “Myfeelings are hurt?Are you kidding me right now?”
“You nearly got us killed, Clover!”
“Then maybe you should’ve let me go.”
“You think I could do that? You think I could watch you drive away and never come back?”
“Yes!”she screams. “Because it’smychoice. Not yours.”
“You don’t get to make that call.”
“Like hell I don’t!”she spits. “You don’t own me, Phoenix. You don’t get to chain me to your side and decide what risksI’mallowed to take.”
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“I don’twantyour damn protection… I want my fucking f-freedom!” Her voice cracks on that last word, and her hands clench into fists. Her whole body shakes, and she’s one breath away from completely falling apart.
And I’m not far behind.
“I made a promise to your brother,” I growl. “I told him I’d keep you safe.”
“Idon’tneed a babysitter.”
