Silence filled the bathroom as Zeke and I didn't made no move to speak. There really wasn't anything to talk about besides the fact that we were stuck in a smelly girl's bathroom. But, it could be worse. We could've been stuck in the men's room. 

I don't know how long we've been stuck in here. 30 minutes maybe? I'm not really sure. But l'm really bored and I want to get out of here. 

I glanced at Zeke through the corner of my eyes. He was staring straight ahead while his hand was placed on the shoulder that was wrapped in my shirt. "Does it hurt?" I asked him as I watched him clench his jaw. 

He shook his head but didn't say anything. Blood was starting to seep through the material as the wound started getting worse. I cringed at the expression that was displayed on his face. His eyebrows knitted together, his eyes closed tightly, and his lips were in a tight line as he clenched and unclenched his jaw. 

"The cops should get here soon. They need to hurry so that we could get you to the hospital before that gets infected." I said. 

He nodded but continued staying quiet. I felt really bad that this happened to him. He was trying to protect me which he absolutely didn't need to risk his life just to keep me alive. It makes my heart flutter knowing that the guy who hates my guts and argues with me all the time would actually try keeping me safe. That is just unbelievable. 

I scoot closer to Zeke, my arm lightly brushing against his. Shivers crawl up my spine, but I try to ignore it. I can't get this weird feeling towards someone I hate, right? I mean, just the situation we're in makes me feel like this and the thought of what he did earlier just makes me not hate him. He's just the same ol' Zeke Anderson. The Bad Boy of Seaside High. 

But a part of me knows that he's not as bad as he used to be because I've gotten to know him better and he's gotten to know me. 

Zeke's body tenses up as I slowly leaned against him. I don't know what the hell I'm doing, but I can't control my actions. He soon relaxed his muscles as he released a small sigh. His hand slowly inched towards mine and I sucked in a breath of air when his fingers interlaced with mine. Tingles surged through my arm as I felt the warmth radiate from his rough, yet soft hands which fit perfectly with mine. 

I don't understand how I feel about these feelings I've been getting when just this morning we were hating each other. 

But this simple gesture allows me to see a whole different side of Zeke Anderson. A side I never thought I would be able to experience. And what shocks me the most is that he is showing this act of kindness and affection towards me. 

I don't know if this is affecting him, but it sure is affecting me. And I don't even know if its good or bad. 

I stared down at our intertwined fingers. It's so weird how it seems like they belong together. If only he didn't fit the description of bad boy. If only we didn't hate each other. If only we weren't in this position. If he was someone else. Than maybe I would want to date him. 

But this is Zeke. 

And this isn't very good. We shouldn't be holding hands like a typical couple. Because newsflash, we aren't one. 

I was getting ready to pull my hand away, but his grip on it tightened. "Don't." His voice was an octave lower than it normally is. His voice was filled with plead and desperation. I never thought I would hear that coming from him. I nodded my head. "Okay." I whispered. 

I felt his gaze on me. I lifted my head up and saw him staring straight at me. Is that longing in his eyes? His browns orbs were soft, unlike any other time before this, and his plumped lips were slightly parted. I felt my cheeks start to heat up as the blood rushed to my cheeks. Thank God its dark in here. 

He reached up so that his hand was lightly touching the side of my head, his thumb lightly brushing against my cheek. Shivers crawled up my spine due to his touch. "Your cheek is hot." He whispered. I didn't realize how close we were until his breath fanned my face. 

I swallowed roughly when his other hand cupped the back of my neck. I slowly moved over so that I was sitting on his lap. A noise of satisfaction erupted from his throat, causing me to blush even harder. I find my hands moving up to his chest. Our eyes were still connected, not ever looking away. 

"I'm sorry for all of the times I have ever been mean to you." His words are laced with guilt and regret. My eyes widened in shock at his apology. I've never expected those words to ever come out of his mouth. To say I was surprised would be an understatement. 

"Is Zeke Anderson apologizing?" I teased him with a smirk playing on my lips. 

He grins at me before leaning his forehead against mine. "This is the first and last time. So enjoy it while it lasts." 

"Oh, I will." I replied in a whisper. His body shook as he chuckled lowly. He leaned forward so that our noses were lightly grazing each other. The heat from his breath tickled my lips as I could almost feel his lips on mine. My heart started beating erratically as my body started anticipating his actions. 

Is he going to kiss me? 

Is Zeke Anderson like actually going to kiss me? 

But of course when anything good is about to happen, it gets interrupted by something bad. The bathroom door flew open. Both Zeke and I flinch apart, eyes wide in fear. The voices of the men were loud as they stepped into the bathroom. 

"Check all of the stalls." One of them ordered the others. His voice was cold and harsh. I shivered in fear. Both Zeke and I shot up and went over to the toilet. Zeke stepped onto the rim of the toilet so that his feet were no longer on the floor. He stuck his hand out to me so that I could grab it. When I did, he pulled me up so that I was standing on it in front of him. 

He turned me around so that I was facing the wall and his back facing the door to the stall. His arms snaked around my waist as he pulled me into his chest. I felt his heart beat rapidly against my back. He buried his face into my neck. I closed my eyes as I felt his breath hit the back of my neck. Now's not the time, Valentina. 

I sucked in a breath and flinched each time I heard a stall door fly open and hit the wall. Zeke's grip on my waist tightened. He pulled his face away and gently placed his lips on my cheek. "Shhh." he whispered lowly as he carefully got down from the toilet. 

My eyes widened and I quickly shook my head 'no'. I tried to grab his arm, but he was already by the door. He kept a distance from the door, not wanting to get hit by it, but close enough so that he could attack the person. 

My breath hitched when the stall door flew open, revealing a shadowy figure. Zeke took no time in punching the guy square in the face. I shrieked when the guy pulled the trigger and the bullet went flying by my face. The gun fell onto when Zeke punched the guy in the stomach. The guy attempted to throw a punch back at Zeke, but Zeke was too fast for him 

He shoved the guy up against the wall and continued punching his face. Then he kneed him in the groin and slammed his head into the wall. The guy fell limp on the floor, blood pouring out of his nose and mouth. I tried to get down but my foot slipped and fell into the toilet. 

Water splashed everywhere and I almost fell but a strong pair of arms caught me. I released a breath of relief as Zeke helped me get down. I grimaced when my shoe squished against the linoleum floor due to the water from the toilet. 

More footsteps echoed in the bathroom and the lights flickered on. I shielded my face from the light and rest of the men ran into the stall. Zeke shoved me behind him when all of their faces flashed with recognition. 

"Well if it isn't Zeke Anderson." one of them said with a grin. 

"They know you too?" I asked in a whisper. Zeke ignored me as he narrowed his eyes at the group in front of him. 

"And whose this?" he asked as his eyes landed on me. He took a step forward, but Zeke stopped him. 

"Don't you dare take another step." Zeke warned. 

"Mind if I take a look at her?" His eyes practically eye-rape my body. Unpleasant shivers are sent throughout my body as a smirk forms on his face. "Why are you with her? She's not very hot, unlike all of the other girls you used to date." 

Zeke clenched his fists as he growled lowly at him. "Don't say anything about her or you will regret it." He gritted out. His voice was so cold, harsh, and possessive. I've never seen him like this. He took a step to the side, not letting them see me anymore. I stared up at his back, watching his muscles tense up with anger. 

"That chic looks nothing like the girls you used to date back when you were with us. Those girls were badasses. They weren't weak like this one appears to be. Plus they were pretty good in bed too. This girl looks like someone who would do your homework for you." he chuckles darkly. The other guys laughed with him too. 

"Shut up, Ryker." Zeke barked at him. "She's the strongest person I know." 

My heart flutters as if their are a million butterflies flying around in my stomach and blood rushes to my cheeks. Oh God. 

"Doesn't seem like it. She's practically cowering behind you." 

This makes Zeke snap. He took a step forward and threw a punch at Ryker, hitting him square in the jaw. All the other guys immediately stopped laughing a stared in shock as Zeke repeatedly punched the him in the face.  Ryker stumbled back and scowled at Zeke. Blood dripped from his nose. He wiped it with a back of his hand, smearing the blood across his face. 

"Didn't know she meant that much to you." He chuckled humorlessly. 

Zeke cracked his knuckles as he advanced towards Ryker, but before he could attack him, some of Rkyer's friends grabbed a hold of Zeke's arms. Zeke thrashed around, trying to break free from their grasp, but they were stronger than he was. 

Ryker smirked as he moved towards me while pulling a gun out from his pocket. I gulped and started taking steps back, trying to get away from him.  Sadly, he was quicker than me and in a flash, he had my arm in a tight grip. He pushed me down onto the floor so that I was on my knees. 

I felt something cold get pressed up against the side of my head. I whimpered when I realized that it was a gun. He was going to shoot me. I'm going to die. This is the last time I'll ever be able to see, hear, smell, taste, breath........ I gulped and slowly looked up at Zeke. His eyes were already on me. Those brown eyes staring at me with so much sadness. His jaw was clenched. 

I noticed a stray tear roll down his cheek. He's crying?  He tried to get out of their grip once more, but Ryker's next words made him freeze, "Don't, or else I'll shoot." I released a strangled cry as I felt him press the gun harder to my head. 

Life has been good. It may not have been an ideal life, but it has been great. I had a nice father who loved me, a good job, awesome friends, a great basketball team, Zeke-

My eyes widened as realization hit me like a bucket of cold water was dumped on my head. The hell? 

I like Zeke......Zeke Anderson. Scratch that. I'm falling in love with him. And I'm falling hard. I can't believe I'm admitting to this, but I've learned so much about him in these past couple hours, and I've come to realize how much I love him. I know he's hasn't been the nicest person, and I haven't been very good either, but I know he's sorry. And by the look on his face at this very moment, he feels the same. 

My heart started beating really fast as I knew this was it. He was going to pull the trigger. I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath. 

The sound of police sirens filled the air. My eyes snapped open and I saw everyone in the room freeze. "Shit." I heard one of them mutter under their breath. Instead of shooting me, I felt something hard hit me square in the face. I shrieked when I felt a sharp pain shoot through my head and my hands flew to my face. Sticky, read blood poured onto my hands and the copper-tasting substance leaked into my mouth. 

I released a muffled cry as I began to hear a high-pitched ringing in my ears. Everything became blurry when I looked around and I started feeling dizzy. The guys ran out of the bathroom, leaving Zeke and I behind. 

Zeke ran over to me and took my face in his strong hands. "Oh shit." I heard him curse under his breath as he ran over to the sink. I heard the water start running. He came back over to me with a wet paper towel and began to clean my face with it. I closed my eyes, suddenly getting a headache. 

Once he finished cleaning my face, he picked me up bridal style. I slowly opened my eyes and looked up at him. His brown eyes were fixed on me. Relief flashed across his face when he saw that I was okay. A small smile graced my lips. "Thank you." I whisper in a weak voice. "What happened?" 

A frown etched onto his face as his eyebrows furrowed. "He hit you in the face with the gun." he replied. 

"Oh..." 

"I need to get you medical attention right now." he told me before making his way over to the door with me in his arms. 

"I'm not the one who got shot in the arm." I try to lighten up the mood by teasing him. He slowly smiled at me and placed a light kiss on my forehead. 

"You've never disappointed me." He chuckles lowly before leaving the bathroom to go find the police officers who are here. 

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SHE FINALLY ADMITTED HER FEELINGS!!!!

Hey guys! I'm so sorry it's been forever since I last update. I've been having a writer's block so I didn't know what to do with this story. But I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Sorry if it was confusing and terrible. 

I entered the Once Upon Now writing contest by Target, so please check it out. Winners are picked by the most votes on chapter 1! :)

You guys are awesome! If you liked this chapter please vote and comment any suggestions that you have. I think Lock Down will be ending soon, since its a short story. If you like this story, you may want to check out my other stories and follow! 

Later! <3 <3 <3  

~Cheezlover ^-^