Girls like us are hardly ever wanted you know
We're used up and sad and drunk and
Perpetually waiting by the phone for someone to pick up
And tell us that we did good
You did good

°^°^°^°

I stared at the cellphone screen and bit my lip. The sun streamed in through the windows and I closed my eyes to block it out. I pulled the blanket closer before hitting the reply button.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard not completely sure what to say to Luke.

I've never skipped school before which meant I have never had to lie to Luke before. I took a deep breath and contemplated telling him the truth. I immediately dismissed the idea, not wanting to be a bigger burden than I already was. He must be getting tired of me by now.

Suddenly another message popped up on the screen.

Luke:
Ally! Where are you?!

I looked at the screen nervously and was just about to type in that I was sick when the phone rang loudly, startling me for a moment. Recovering from the initial shock, I glanced at the number immediately knowing that it was him.

Sliding the button to reject the call, I quickly went to my call log and blocked his number. I sighed in relief and was just about to reply to Luke... finally, when the phone rang loudly again. Only this time, Luke's face flashed on the screen. Mentally preparing myself to talk to him, I swiped the button and pressed the phone to my ear.

"Luke," I breathed into the phone, clutching the bed sheet tightly in my other hand. There was a slight disturbance on the other end before Luke replied.

"Yes, that is my name," he said in a dry tone, making my lips curve upwards almost involuntarily.

I shook my head at his answer before he spoke again. "What in the name of all the Greek gods were you thinking, leaving me here to suffer this torture alone?!" Luke whined and I did a mental eye roll.

"What happened now?" I asked with mock concern, playing along with his dramatic tone.

"Biology lab happened. We were assigned places today and since you weren't there, I'm stuck with this guy who's worse at it than I am! And that is saying something," he grumbled morosely.

My eyes widened with the revelation. For the past 2 years, I had always been with Luke in all the lab related periods simply because we were allowed to choose partners and the research work often involved meeting up after school.

God only knows what would happen now if I had to mingle with other people who only made fun of me behind my back.

"Alls!" Luke's voice broke my reverie. "If skipping school isn't bad enough, you're going to zone out on me too now?" He questioned with fake hurt in his voice. My worry disappeared for a moment as I smiled at his antics.

"What can I say Lukey? You're getting boring," I replied with as much seriousness as I could muster.

Luke gasped in a melodramatic fashion, making my smile wider. "You hurt my feelings." He informed me.

"That was the intention," I announced and a chuckle slipped out of my mouth.

I heard Luke laughing on the other end too. "God, Alls! I can't survive a day without you! " he said, no hint of sarcasm in his voice. My smile disappeared.

I should be saying this to him.

I hesitantly bit my lower lip, not knowing how to reply to him. Before I could say anything however, the shrill sound of the bell on Luke's end interrupted my thoughts. Luke sighed on hearing the sound.

"I'm coming over to yours after school, see you then, bye!" He said hurriedly before cutting the call, not allowing me time to reply. I pulled the phone away from my ear, shaking my head at his behaviour.

Turning over, I contemplated about whether I should finish an assignment or read a novel. My parents had left to work, meaning I had the whole house to myself. I sighed, feeling pretty bored already.

I decided to go make myself breakfast since I hadn't joined my parents earlier on. I had just reached the kitchen when the bell rang. Sighing, I turned around on my heels and headed towards the front door. Opening the latch, I pulled the door open. Immediately, my body froze and my blood ran cold. I clutched on the door handle as I found myself staring into piercing grey eyes.

They look darker today, was the first thought that crossed my mind.

There he was, Adrian, leaning against the door frame. His posture looked casual but his face screamed his silent fury. He narrowed his eyes at me and my whole body simultaneously agreed to not move an inch.

Thanks pal. It isn't like I need you the most at this precise moment.

I simply stared back at him, a part of me still blaming him for what happened. I clutched the door knob tighter to prevent my hands from shaking.

Pushing his body off of the door frame, he stood up straight, just glaring at me. He raised an eyebrow almost like he was expecting me to say something.

Hah! Tough luck for him.

My immobility only seemed to frustrate him further as he pushed the door open wider and strolled in, ignoring the lack of invitation. He took one step towards me and I instinctively took one back. His eyebrows furrowed at my movement and he shook his head slightly before he turned around and shut the door behind him. Turning back to me, he crossed his arms across his chest and glared daggers at me. I pursed my lips and stared back defiantly. That didn't sit well with him.

"What the f.uck Alyssa?!" He gritted out, barely keeping his temper in check. I flinched at his language, not being accustomed to it. I didn't dare look up at his eyes.

"Do you think this is funny? What the f.uck was that you pulled yesterday?" He questioned in a quiet voice.

He took another step towards me and I stumbled back again. I saw him clench his fists and I prepared myself to hear a lot more choice words.

"What the bloody hell were you thinking blocking my number?! Like that would stop me sugar." Adrian continued in a deep voice.

Why, yes. I had blocked his number now, hadn't I?

But clearly the purpose hasn't been served as the guy couldn't take a freaking hint.

My pent up frustration bubbled up again at his awfully rude behaviour. I clenched my eyes shut wanting to push it down like I always did but god! I felt so angry.

"You didn't show up at detention yesterday." I accused angrily, realising a minute too late just how immature that sounded.

Adrian seemed to have the same thoughts as me as his forehead first scrunched up in confusion, taking a second to comprehend what I was talking about before a light seemed to click in his mind, and then anger filled his features again.

"Seriously?! That is what all this is about? Me not showing up at detention? How much more fucking childish could you get? Do you have any idea how worried you had me?" He seethed.

I clenched my eyes tight and the memories of the previous god forsaken day hit me hard.

Don't cry. Be strong.

I chanted in my head.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my eyes to see him standing there with crossed arms.

This ends here.

Right now.

"Look," I breathed out in a low voice. "I don't even know you. I-I don't understand why you... you do this," I stammered out hesitantly, not really knowing what he was to me.

I don't think we qualify for friends, but he's not just an acquaintance... I don't know who he is to me anymore.

I dared to peek up at him to see his confusion growing.

"I d-don't want any trouble. I-I just... I would appreciate if you could just leave me alone." I whispered out, drawing blood from biting my lip so hard. I nervously stared at my feet, the silence becoming deafening.

Adrian stared at me with a calculative look on his face. He suddenly started walking towards me. I immediately moved back, making him stop in his tracks. He clenched his jaw, shaking his head slightly.

"Did something happen Alyssa?" He asked suddenly, making my eyes snap up to his. He stared back at me, his eyes looking into my soul. I fiddled with the hem of my shirt nervously.

"N-nothing. It was a-all f-fine," I stammered out, not meeting his eyes

"How about you try saying that again, this time, looking me in the eyes?" He said in a cold voice.

He's asking me to something I really don't think I can!

I shut my eyes tight before opening them again. I need to say something. I don't want anything to do with him anymore.

I don't know him... I have no reason to trust him. He's a stranger.

He could be just like those boys yesterday for all I know.

The thought made me shiver.

"Listen, I don't know you. I have no idea who you are. Y-you're not my friend.." I sighed out, not knowing how to continue. "Y-you can't keep acting like we're close. You c-can't keep touching me.." I finished with shaky hands.

I looked up to find him staring at me, expressionless now. I saw a glint in his eyes though, for such a short time that I thought I imagined it. It seemed almost like he was... proud.

He remained silent for a while as he studied me closely. Unable to take it anymore, I opened my mouth to say something but he cut me off.

"Do I scare you Alyssa?" He asked suddenly and I snapped my eyes to his at his blunt question. It caught me off guard, because I didn't know.

Was it fear I felt when I looked at him? The whole feeling was new, it was hard to describe.

"W-well it's not like that." I struggled to come up with words. "I m-mean you just.." I opened and closed my mouth not knowing what to say. I looked at the white marble flooring to escape his gaze.

A sigh escaped his lips as he moved closer and I willed myself to stand my ground. Cold fingers gently touched my chin and I was forced to look up at him. I was immediately sucked into his eyes. They were such beautiful pools of grey, I couldn't help but stare.

He tilted his head to the side as he looked at me. He looked so calm, while I'm pretty sure I looked the opposite, a flustered, stammering mess. His voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Tell me that I scare you and I'll go away." He stated, " I won't try to get near you, I give you my word." He whispered in a low voice. "Just tell me the truth, that's all I'm asking for," he said in a gentle tone.

I found myself at a loss for words once again.

Isn't this what I had wanted in the first place? I just had to tell him that he scared me... Why was it so hard to say now?

Why does it feel so wrong..?

It seemed like we stayed like that for a long time and he didn't seem to mind waiting. I couldn't look away from him. His eyes were mesmerizing, as always.

I played back to the day I first met him. It was a funny thing, they looked just like those grey eyes that used to come in my nightmares, traumatize me day in and day out. I used to dread looking at them. Now I can't stop looking at his. They were so similar, yet so different.

I had no idea what gave me the courage to speak to him in that alley, that need to help him even though I didn't know him.

I couldn't comprehend why his touch didn't make me feel violated like I should have felt if anybody else had done the same to me. Why was he different?

Why did I find the need to make sure he was safe? He was no one to me.

Then the realization hit me like a truck.

After all this time questioning why he cared so much about me, I was starting to realise that the real question I needed to ask myself was why I cared so much about him?

My answer became crystal clear at that moment.

"No," I whispered defeatedly. I closed my eyes gently, taking a deep breath, "you don't scare me." I confessed in a small voice.

Somehow, my eyes had become moist with the entire confrontation. I blinked repeatedly trying to clear it out.

I didn't look at his expression as he slowly removed his hand from under my chin.

"Do you want me to leave?" He questioned next, again in a soft voice. No threat in his voice.

I shook my head both sides, with my eyes closed, "No," I breathed out, my lips now trembling.

My hands were slowly enveloped by his as he entwined our fingers and I looked up to see a small smile on his face.

"That's good," he chuckled. "I didn't plan on leaving anyway," he finished, with a reassuring tone, his eyes holding that spark of a promise.

A promise he wanted to keep.

^°^°^

AN: I sincerely apologise for the long wait, I hope you liked this.

Do let me know!

Till next time,

With loads of love,
Angel