I went home shaking, literally. My bones felt like jelly and I couldn't help but to turn around every so often to make sure no one was following me. 

I didn't know what to do about the message on the walls, so I just ran out of there as fast as I could.

Should I tell my mom? I wasn't too sure. I wanted to tell her just so she'd know and be careful, yet I knew she'd make us move. And to be honest, I really didn't want to move. I liked it here already, and I liked the thought of having a friend. 

Oh please you just wanna stay cuz of Ryder. My brain told me.

NOT TRUE! 

YES TRUE!

I stopped mentally arguing with myself once I took my shortcut through the forest area. I wondered if I could find the wolf I saw yesterday, yet I kept wondering if it was a dream or not. With no sign of the damn thing, I continued to hastily trudge through the forest, weaving around trees and bushes.

"I thought I'd find you here." A husky voice said from behind, making me jump out of shoes. I turned around, fearful.

"Ryder? What are you doing here?" I asked, somewhat nervous. Looks can be decieving. What if he wrote what was on the walls at school?

"You've been avoiding me for a couple days now," He said while he crossed his oh so buff arms in front of him and leaned against the tree. The stance he was performing made my knees buckle and and my body melt.

"Oh, didn't mean to, my bad." I said curtly.

"Is something wrong?" He asked and took a step towards me. I immediately backed one up. He seemed hurt, and even a little angry. 

"N-no." I lied through my teeth. He sighed and rubbed his head with his hand. 

"You are the worst liar I've ever met Zara." He said with a sigh. 

"So I've been told." I countered. I backed away, showing I was leaving. 

"Don't go, I just found you!" He huffed. Right then and there, I panicked. That was what was on the wall. He'd/She'd found me and my mother. Before I could process what was happening, I turned around and let my legs carry me as fast as possible. Adrenaline surged through me and I felt like running to the ends of the earth.

"Zara wait!" He called from behind. I could hear leaves crunching from behind me, signaling he was near. I was smaller and petite so I should have the advantage here. 

We were running in a straight line, when all the sudden, I made a zigzag left. I heard him grunt from behind in frustration and I think he even slid. I didn't have time to ponder on it. My hair was whipping behind me and my backpack was jostling shoulder to shoulder. Never before had I been so frightened.

Two large and warm arms suddenly caught me. I shrieked out in fear and started to kick and squirm, ignoring the odd sensations that were flying up my arm. I screamed as loud as humanly possible.

"You won't win this battle Zara. I'm stronger than you." Ryder whispered huskily in my ear, making me shiver.  I didn't listen. I continued to punch, bite, scream, kick, everything you name it.

"Don't touch me!" I screamed in fear. 

"Zara, what's wrong with you!?" He got out as I uselessly struggled. 

"You sicko don't touch me or my mom!" I hissed and tried to get out of his grasp.

"Whoa whoa whoa, what are you talking about?" Ryder asked, sounding legitimately confused. I was getting super tired now from all this running and squirming.

As soon as he spoke those words, I froze, letting both embarrassment and relief sink in.

"You know . . . that er . . . um . . . message?" I choked out looking up at his perfect face.

"Who sent you a message Zara?" Ryder demanded. Awe shoot. I was supposed to be keeping things a secret, yet how could I? I was such a blabbermouth, so if it wasn't him, who was it? He was staring me down and I couldn't help but get lost in his gorgeous oceanic eyes.

"Uh . . . well . . clearly you didn't." I said with a fake smile, like how they do in movies when they know they're in trouble. His face only hardened. 

"Zara, is someone trying to hurt you?" He asked in anger. I shook it off. "Er, no." I said, and it was almost true. I wasn't sure if anyone wanted to hurt me or not. Mom didn't tell me shit so I had no clue.

"Do not lie to me angel." He whispered huskily as he neared my face. Immediately, mine reddened. 

"I do like your blush. It's cute." He said with a smirk. My red face only got worse. "I have to go home." I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"I know. I'll walk you there." He said and started to walk forward. My panic picked up again. "You know where I live?" I said, someone afraid, although deep down I had this feeling he'd never hurt me.

"Uh er . . you can show me and I'll go with you." He offered again, but I could tell he wasn't taking no for an answer. I sighed in defeat and we started to walk forward. The silence was eerie and awkward. 

"What school did you used to go to?" Ryder asked. I wasn't supposed to tell anyone, but maybe I could trust him.

"Saint Tristans." I said as continued to walk. He chuckled. "What?" I asked. 

"You went to a catholic school?" He replied with a humorous look. I sighed in annoyance. Mother had me go to private schools, public and catholic for which I don't know why.

"Yes, is that amusing to you?" I said flatly. He laughed, a genuine laugh. It was contagious and I couldn't stop myself from smiling.

"You should do that more often." Ryder said. I furrowed my brows.

"Do what?" I asked.

"Smile. It looks good on you." He said with a smirk, making my cheeks redden. Why does he always say the boldest things? Was he always that much of a flirt?

"Funny." I retorted and rolled my eyes. "What, no one told you that?" He asked. I shrugged. Being on the run from I don't know what, no one had time to complement my smile.

"Well they should've." He said. I glanced at his serious face. "You're so serious sometimes you know that? And then one second, you're all 'lemme sweep you off your feet," I said in a french accent. He looked down at me smiled. Suddenly, I felt a huge brave move come upon me.

"What?" He asked.

"I'm bored, and I don't want to go home just yet."

"Okay, and?"

I backed away from Ryder, making him look at me suspiciously. A devious grin took place on my face as I lightly tapped his buff shoulder.

"Tag!" I squeaked and took off. Small giggled escaped my lips each step I took. I turned around to see if Ryder followed me, and hoping I didn't look like an idiot. I saw him nowhere and stopped running to glance around. I turned back around, and somehow, someway, Ryder was in front of me. A mysterious smirk on his face as well.

"You can't run away from me," He said lightly. Feeling like this was a challenge, I replied, "Watch me!" and took off again.

I felt so childish and free. Something I hadn't felt in years.  Two strong arms wrapped around my stomach and spun me in a circle. I recognized the earthy chocolate smell as Ryder. Giggles left my lips as he spun me in a circle.

Apparently he lost his footing because he fell backwards, me tumbling on top of him. I landed on his chiseled chest with an 'oomph'. I lifted my head and stared at his gorgeous eyes. They were so memorizing.

I was now aware of our oober close proximity. My face became a million shades of red as Ryder smirked when I made the little realization. He was still holding onto me, seemingly afraid that I'd disappear from his grasp.

Feeling tired from all the days events, I laid my head on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. Mine was thumping like crazy, and his didn't even seem like he had ran at all.

"I like to listen to your heart." I said without knowing. After the words left my lips, I covered my mouth with my hand. What in the world compelled me to just speak those words, let alone have that thought!?

"Then keep listening." He purred. And so I did, for what seemed like hours. And before I knew it, my eyes drooped and I let myself fall asleep.

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