Chapter Two: Down To The Library

After finishing my English test, taking my Art quiz, and eating lunch alone, I spent the rest of my free time hiding out in the gym.

It sounds pathetic, I know.

Most students spent their free periods hanging out with friends or catching up on homework. I spent mine trying not to be seen by Sage Stone and the Stone Rock Fab4.

I sat on the bleachers, humming the song our choir would be performing at the beginning-of-the-year concert. Choir was one of the few things I actually enjoyed about school. When I was singing, I could forget about being the only human at Stone Rock High.

There was a boy in the choir who always smiled and said hello to everyone. He seemed genuinely nice. Sometimes I wanted to smile back or say hi, but I never did.

I couldn't.

If Sage or any of his friends saw me talking to someone, they would make my day a living nightmare.

So I kept my head down and stayed quiet.

Like always.

As I sat there humming, I realized something strange.

It had been almost a week since I'd had any real trouble with the Fab4.

That wasn't normal.

Well, except for Vanessa and her group of followers.

Those girls never seemed to take a break from bullying me.

At least twice a day, they found a reason to call me names or laugh at me.

I honestly didn't understand why.

I had never done anything to them.

I never spoke to them.

I stayed out of everyone's way.

Yet somehow, they acted as if my existence offended them.

The only member of the Fab4 who confused me was Xavier.

My cousin.

At school, he ignored me like everyone else.

At family gatherings, he was completely different.

He talked to me.

Joked with me.

Asked how my classes were going.

It was like he became a different person whenever Sage wasn't around.

Eventually, it was time for me to head to the library.

Returning my books was the last thing on my list before going home.

The hallways were mostly empty as I walked toward the library.

For once, I felt relaxed.

Then I heard it.

A growl.

I froze.

Slowly, I looked up.

And immediately wished I hadn't.

Sage Stone stood a few feet away.

His blue-grey eyes were fixed directly on me.

Before I could even react, he crossed the distance between us.

The next thing I knew, I was being lifted off the floor.

"What the—Sage!"

I barely had time to protest before he threw me over his shoulder.

Panic exploded inside me.

"What are you doing? Put me down!"

He ignored me completely.

A second later, a door opened.

Then slammed shut.

I stumbled as he dropped me inside a janitor's closet.

The tiny room smelled like bleach and cleaning supplies.

I turned toward the door immediately.

Locked.

My heart started pounding.

Heavy breathing sounded behind me.

"Humi girl."

His voice was low and rough.

I swallowed hard.

For the first time in years, I was genuinely scared of him.

Not because of the insults.

Not because of the bullying.

But because I had absolutely no idea what he was going to do.

"You'd better not be talking to other guys," he growled near my ear.

I frowned and finally turned to look at him.

"What?"

"Stop wearing slutty clothes and showing your bits. Nobody wants to see that."

I stared at him.

Then looked down at myself.

Jeans.

A T-shirt.

Sneakers.

That was it.

I looked back up at him, completely confused.

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

For a moment, he didn't answer.

His eyes moved over me.

His jaw clenched.

His hands settled on my hips.

Hard.

Too hard.

Pain shot through my sides.

I winced.

His fingers tightened even more.

"Get off me, Sage!" I shouted.

I hated how shaky my voice sounded.

I hated that he could probably tell how scared I was.

But I refused to let him see me cry.

"Now!"

To my surprise, he laughed.

Not because something was funny.

It sounded more like he was laughing at himself.

"Amanda," he snarled, "stay away from everyone. Do you hear me?"

His grip tightened.

"No one wants you here. Stay out of my way."

The words hurt.

Even after all these years, they still hurt.

Then something strange happened.

His eyes dropped to my lips.

His breathing became uneven.

For a second, he looked angry.

The next second, he looked completely lost.

I nervously bit my lip.

A growl rumbled deep in his chest.

Before I could react, he suddenly lifted me again.

My eyes widened in shock.

He wrapped my legs around his waist and just... stared at me.

I froze.

Waiting.

Waiting for him to yell.

Waiting for him to threaten me.

Waiting for something.

But none of it happened.

Instead, he stood there trying to control his breathing.

His chest rose and fell rapidly.

His eyes never left mine.

"Oh, Amanda," he said softly before letting out a strange laugh.

Then, just as suddenly as it started, it ended.

He carefully set me back on the floor.

His finger brushed under my chin.

For one brief second, neither of us moved.

Then he stepped away.

Unlocked the door.

And walked out.

Just like that.

Gone.

I stood there completely stunned.

What the hell just happened?

After a minute, I cautiously opened the door and peeked into the hallway.

Empty.

Thank God.

I ran.

I ran all the way to the library without looking back.

Even after I got there, my heart wouldn't slow down.

Nothing about that encounter made sense.

Sage hated me.

He'd spent years making my life miserable.

So why had he acted like that?

And why couldn't I stop thinking about the look in his eyes?

All I knew was one thing.

I wanted Sage Stone to leave me alone this year.

Unfortunately, something told me that wasn't going to happen.