Playlist -  Highway to Hell by AC/DC

Luna

I was too excited to sleep the night after my date with Ares and when I finally felt my eyes squeezing shut and brain dozing off, my alarm clock vibrated taking away the small amount of drowsiness I had in me.

5:15 am.

I had ample of time to get ready for school and to meet Ares. He was going to drive us both to school today and the butterflies in my stomach just wouldn't rest.

This is it. Last night was real and today I could live it again. The spell between us, the undeniable pull had grown stronger and more fierce. I was sure of it. It won't disappear the next time we see each other.

Heat rushed through my skin, and I couldn't hold it in anymore. I belted into the early morning air, and I laughed thinking about how happy last night was for me.

I had never felt this way before, not even when I thought that Axel was the one for me-- the urgency to see Ares again, to hold him, laugh and bond with him, all these emotions were relatively new to me.

But I didn't want my emotions to spiral with my sensibility. It was still very soon for us to become serious. I mean, we were just kids and I still had my senior year in front of me.

Ares would become a high school graduate soon which meant he would leave our school, our town to drift off to college to take the next step in his life whilst I would still be studying to graduate my senior year.

My mood dampened at the thought of Ares leaving me behind in this town. I wasn't fooling myself in thinking that we would last forever. Our separation was inevitable, I knew that, but it really bothered me that soon I'll become a distant memory for Ares.

He would forget about me, even though all the territorial words he utters everytime together, he will forget our time together.

Someone like Ares who undoubtedly had his entire future planned out for him. He'll go off to an ivy league school, study to gain knowledge, work at his daddy's office, become a powerful man, marry a trophy wife, have beautiful children and fuck a whore on his mahogany desks when no one is watching.

It was all so well thought, and I was just another pastime for rich boys like him.

Oh, damn it!

Why do I have to overthink everything? I just wanted to feel like a seventeen year old for a change rather than meddle in everyone's business because it only brought me pain.

A seventeen year old, experiencing her first love- was it love? I don't know, but it definitely was something. I was sure of it. I need to enjoy this time with him without any reservations.

Just be yourself.

Yeah, that will work. I could be myself with him and not over dramatize our puppy love. It will end someday, but not today. Today, I was his girlfriend.

I was going to be happy and not overthink for just fucking five minutes. I was going to be selfish and let myself explore the wild, brave and adventurous side with Ares.

Choosing to forget whatever doubt I had on top of my head, I got ready for the day.

It wasn't a habit of mine to take extra time to appear prim and proper for school, but today was different. I finally decided to wear the new school blazer that had been sitting in my closet since the beginning of the academic year.

The fit was perfect, my shirt finely pressed, not a single crease of my skirt and my tie neatly wrapped around my neck. My favourite headband completed my outfit.

It was silly of me to put so much effort into dressing up for school even though everyone had the same uniform, only, today was different for me.

I stood in front of my bathroom mirror and smiled to myself. Gosh! I looked like a goody two shoes, but who cares? Appearance can always be deceiving and I was far from anything but a goody two shoes.

My phone beeped on my nightstand, signalling that I had a text message. I checked my phone seeing it was Ares.

waiting for you.

I stared down at my phone, blushing at a simple text message. It was strange, but my brain read the text in Ares's voice so it felt good.

I walked over to the window to see whether he was really there and swooned when I spotted him. He was leaning against his blacked out BMW. He looked absolutely gorgeous in his uniform and I noticed his tie was loose around his neck. It was always loose.

The way my heart was pounding caused me to stumble on my footing. Without wasting another second, I sprinted down the stairs in a hurry and yelled a loud 'goodbye' to my aunt.

"Did you have your breakfast?" She called out from her bedroom.

Glancing around the kitchen, I quickly grabbed a banana from the fruit basket and gobbled it down. "I did, Aunt Lucille." It was partly true.

Before stepping outside the door, I tried to calm down my racing heart. I wasn't going to act like a dumb blonde who couldn't wait to flaunt herself over the first guy that showed interest in her. No. I won't behave like one of those girls in my school whom I loathed so much.

I had self respect.

Exhaling a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding, I stepped outside the door and walked over to him.

His gaze landed on me and he flashed me his charming dimpled smile which almost looked condescending, but over the time I have learnt that it's just the way he smiled; he was peculiar.

I admitted that there was something dangerously irresistible about him. It drew me in even when I wanted to stay away. Now, it was impossible to stay away from him.

"You're late," I remarked, unable to keep the blush contained. "It's 6:08."

His eyes lazily traveled over me which made me feel both naked and mortified. I wasn't familiar with being stared at by a guy so intimately.

Heat pooled under my skin at his suggestive lurking. Not wanting to appear submissive under his unwavering gaze I stared back at him. It was the only way to have some control over him.

The lovely color of his forest green eyes gazed back at me with something akin to tenderness. He shook his head at the portrayal of my defiance, letting out a little chuckle.

He used both hands to push off his car, the momentum bringing his chest to mine all too quickly. His scent hit me. A sweet smelling essential oil and blue cypress with an aroma of his expensive perfume which was either Clive Christian or Armani.

His brown hair, perfectly styled and rich against his perfect skin and dark brows. He looked unreal and I was lost in the depth of his eyes. They were so mystical.

"You put an effort to look good for me?" It took a moment for me to realize what he said, because my mind and body had completely forgotten about my geographical state.

"Never," I replied when his words registered in my head. "I always take my time to look good for each day." I

"I love it when you act like you don't give a shit." He chucked under my chin."Because that's how I know what your real intentions truly are."

I blushed. He always saw me through. When will I see him through?

Stop dwelling upon it

"And I love looking into your eyes," he whispered, almost dreamily,"because it tells more than your lips ever will."

"Ooh... you have me figured out so quick," I teased him, biting my lip.

He smiled sweetly at me before his mouth crashed down on mine, and for a moment, I was lost in how good he felt.

"Now, get your ass in my car," he ordered, pulling away and I blinked a few times, unhappy how soon the kiss ended. "C'mon, Luna." He grabbed my hand and walked me over to the passenger side seat of his car. I let him do it without resisting.

"You are in an awful hurry to drive us both to school," I commented.

"That's because I don't want you to be late because of me and," he pulled my body in a little closer. "I know you can't trust yourself alone with me." He held onto my hand and instead of opening the passenger door, he pushed me up against the car.

"You're so cocky. It's almost repulsive."

Ares grabbed me by my hair, moving my head higher. "Don't lie to me. I won't tolerate your lies." My face flushed at the intensity of his voice. "You barely slept last night and it shows on your face. Up all night, thinking about our time together and imaging future scenarios; that's what you were doing, right?"

My eyes widened at his observation. "How can you be so--"

"Sure?" He finished my sentence. "Because I know you better than I let on."

I braced my hands against his chest, trying to put some space between us. His arrogant attitude went overboard all the time and I had enough of it. I shouldn't appear so predictable to him or anyone.

I had to bruise some of his ego. "Believe me, Ares, out of all the things, I certainly don't imagine our future together, because in my imagination we lead separate lives and if our paths ever cross, it will only be because your supermodel wife would hire me to babysit your genetically pleasing babies. You'll be writing me checks and banging your assistant behind your wife's back."

An egoistic smile played on his lips. "Will I get to bang you too?'

"Nope. I'll be married to my hard working, wonderful husband who's nothing like you and makes me laugh all the time."

He rolled his eyes. "He sounds boring. Your pretty ass wants to be handled by my hands. You won't even lust for him," he stated.

He was becoming difficult to control. "I will love him, you won't love your wife and that will be enough."

My words sent him over the edge and his greener than amazon eyes brightened as if he was waiting to be provoked.

Ares slammed his mouth down on mine. I didn't think it was possible, but Ares was much hungrier than the last time we kissed. He was battling with me through this kiss that I didn't even have the chance to kiss him back.

He was kissing me like a crazed person. His free hand firm on my hips, pulled me closer to his body. I could feel his bulge grow on the lower part of my belly, making me realize what was going on right in front of my house.

If Aunt Lucille sees us... Oh, God!

I tried to push his chest away, but it was of no use. Ares bit my lip, making me wince in momentarily pain before he sucked on it.

"Open your mouth, baby," Ares gritted against my lip. I hated that he had to stop kissing me to speak. I complied to his wish and opened up my mouth to give him access.

He sucked my tongue into his mouth, which made me rise to the tip of my toes and I dug my nails into his chest. An involuntarily moan escaped from my lips, further making me aware of how turned on I was.

Just then, Ares withdrew his mouth away from my lips and rested his forehead on mine, both of us breathing heavily.

"You bit me," I said after my breathing had calmed down. My lip felt swollen and started to pulsate.

He laughed "Does it hurt?" He didn't try to conceal his arousal from me as I still could feel him on my lower belly.

"Uh huh."

Ares surprised me when he tenderly kissed my bottom lip, his tongue swiped over the part that felt like it was burning. He raised his head up. "Better?"

I nodded, feeling myself blush under his eyes.

It was hard to believe that a guy like Ares could be sweet. The small amount of his tender affection made my heart skip a beat, and butterflies danced in my stomach.

Ares grinned. "Good." He finally released his body from my own, giving me room to move so he could open my door. "We're going to be late."

I slid into his car and he followed right after me.

"Don't for a moment think that you can get away from lying to me."

"Oh, God." He was back to being an asshole. "You're so frustrating, Ares Torrance."

His green eyes snapped to mine and he drove. "I'm not going to put up with it the next time."

"Keep your eyes on the road." He didn't and I panicked. "Ares, look ahead." Getting a subtle hint of my near panicked state, he reluctantly moved his gaze.

I noticed he was pissed off. I had to cut down the occasional lies. He was temperamental and I shouldn't lie to him, unnecessarily. "Fine. I won't lie to you." I saw his facial expression relaxed at my words. "But you have to do the same. I don't want you to lie to me either.

"Your wish is my command," he said, delighted with my answer.

I rolled my eyes at him and stared out of the window.

"How old are you?" Ares asked, out of surprise. I turned my head to look at him.

He had his eyes on the road. "Uhm... I turned 17 this January." He nodded. "You're 18, if I'm not wrong."

"I'll turn 18 this December."

"I thought you were already an adult." He certainly didn't act like a normal seventeen old year.

"Why would you assume shit about me?" He kept his eyes on the road.

"O-Oh, I didn't mean, uhm--"

"Baby, relax." Ares took my hand in his while keeping the other on the steering wheel. "I was just teasing you."

"Oh." I didn't know what else to say.

"Fuck. You're so adorable." He placed a kiss on the back of my hand.

Ares kept my hand on his side, putting it in his lap. I contemplated on whether I should snatch it back, but the look he gave me made my brain reconsider.

I relaxed in the car for the rest of the way to school. Once we pulled up into the parking lot, my eyes scanned the crowd. It was still early in the morning with a few people loitering here and there.

I exhaled in relief, didn't realize that I was holding my breath.

"You look tense, baby?" He held my hand a little tighter. "Anything on your mind?"

"No, no, nothing," I replied, awfully quick. "I think I'll get going. See you later."

I freed my clasped hand from his hold and tried to open the passenger side door, only for it to be locked. I looked over at him, silently asking him to unlock the door.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ares rubbed his bottom lip with his finger like he couldn't figure me out. I couldn't help but to track the motion, watching his finger sweep across. His lips were plump and kissable.

"I need to get going to my classes. I like to show up early to get a good seat."

I felt the weight of his stare as silence filled the air in the close confined space of the car. I waited for him to unlock the door, but he remained silent.

"I need to go, Ares." I was getting agitated as more cars pulled up. "See, people are filtering in." I motioned to the crowd. "Don't just sit there."

"Luna, you'll be waiting with me in the lot. We have plenty of time left in our hands. My friends will show up in no time."

That's I want to hurry the fuck up. I didn't want to be anywhere close to his friends.

"I don't think I want to stay and meet your friends. They're just way too different than me." I got straight to the point.

"Baby, believe me when I say that you're going to stay by my side once you get out of the car and then we'll walk inside the school together." He emphasized the last part. "I'll walk you to your class too."

I shook my head, not agreeing with him. "Ares, I am perfectly capable of walking myself to my class. I don't want you to babysit me."

"No," he simply said and turned off his engine.

"Stop being impossible," I sighed, exasperated. "Unlock it now."

"Look into my eyes, Luna." When I didn't, he captured my face in his palms and made me look at him. "Calm your nerves down."

Was I acting like a bundle of nerves now?

"You don't have anything to worry about." He kissed my lips. "You're with me and you'll stay with me. No one will make you feel uncomfortable, I'll make sure of it."

I considered his words and decided against it. "No. Don't force me."

He let go of my face and clicked on a button to unlock the car. "If that's what you want," he whispered in the air. "I'll stay with you until your teacher enters the classroom. Fine?"

It would seem like he asked for my say in it, but it was more of a statement. You'll be by my side in one way or another.

I nodded, realizing that I had to trust him on this one and it would be for the better if he hangs out with me in his free time. That way some of the leeches can get an indication that Ares was with me, not them.

I exited the car, grabbing my bag. Ares followed right on my cue. Ares reached for me, took my hand in his and we both started walking in the building together.

I didn't miss the inquisitive glances that we got from the students in the lobby. It should make me nervous, but it just fuelled up some of the smugness inside me.

Yes. He's all mine.

Finally, we reached my classroom and I quickly settled in the corner of the classroom. I had chemistry early in the morning and our teacher was pretty sadistic at this hour of morning. It was better to sit farther away from the civilization.

Ares made himself comfortable on my desk. "Which is your next class?" he asked.

"Ancient Literature with Miss Park," I replied, placing my backpack on the surface. "I won't be free to text you in between classes so don't get offended when I ignore your texts."

"Why would I be offended?" He asked, nonchalantly. "I'm busy as well." Yeah, right. He becomes super prissy whenever I don't text him back.

"Sure." I mimicked his tone and relaxed on my desk.

There were a few students already in the class, all of them meek and studious. I really felt bad for some of them, because the obnoxious students at my school really did their best to give each of them a hard time.

I noticed Peter Rooney take a seat next to mine, waving at me. I politely returned the gesture, but my boyfriend was not having it.

"Get out of your fucking seat," he gritted, scaring me slightly. "Out now."

Poor Peter scrambled out of his seat, hurriedly grabbing his backpack and disappearing in the back of the classroom. He was one of the unpopular students, avoiding attention at all cost. The last thing he or anyone would want to be on Ares's radar of torment.

I watched in horror as the scene unfolded right in front of me. How was it possible for Ares to go from being sweet, playful and gentle to an absolute territorial nightmare was beyond me.

"That wasn't necessary, Ares." My tone hardened at him. "He was completely harmless. You had no right in shoo-ing him away."

Ares shot me a warning glare to not push him on this. I turned my head away from him, crossing my arms, completely ignoring him.

"I'll see you at break." I pretended not to hear him, reaching for my backpack, shuffling my hand through it's contents which wasn't a lot: my Macbook, iPhone, a notebook and a few pencils.

I felt Ares's hand at the back of my neck, lifting me none too discreetly or gently, from my seat. I was too stunned to react.

Once I was completely lifted and stood leveled with his sitting form on my desk, he repeated his sentence again. "I'll see you at break." This time it was whispered right in my ear, harshly. "Do you hear me?"

Hardly ten students in the class, no one dared raising their voice at him, turning a blind eye to his obvious manhandling.

"Ares," I shrieked. "You crazy asshole. I clearly heard you the first time." His grip on my neck ceased, soon changed its place and was now firmly holding my jaw.

"You drive me crazy with your attitude and sharp words." He pressed his lips on mine. "So fucking crazy."

"It has to stop." I pushed him away from me. "I mean it." Before he could speak anything in his defence, I raised my hand in the indication for him to stop talking. "Leave. Just go."

"She said scram." A voice called from behind. We both looked to see who it was.

It came for a girl whom I wasn't familiar with. Her black hair was tied in a loose ponytail with fat glasses on her small face. Her uniform looked two sizes too large on her and judging from her appearance, I knew she didn't mix well with people in our school.

"Do you have selective hearing or are you deaf?" Her blue eyes showed little to none emotions, it seemed as if it bored her to even utter a single word from her mouth.

"Who the fuck are you?" Ares got down from my desk and charged towards the mystery girl.

God, this was bad. Drama this early in the morning already drained me.

"Nightmare," she replied, staring directly at Ares.

I clutched Ares's bicep, stopping him from doing anything irrational.

"Stop it, Ares," I pleaded. "She's not worth it." The last thing I wanted anyone to be on my boyfriend' radar because of me.

He then turned to face me and grabbed my chin, raised my face to his to stare down into my eyes. "I can't behave like a decent human with you around me. I swear, I'm better than this. I really am." His eyes were troubled with an emotion I couldn't decipher.

I caved into him, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Baby, I know." I kissed his cheek, giving him a smile. Both of us silently agreed on a truce. "I'll see you at break, I promise." He smiled, visibly relaxing. "Now go, you've already wasted a lot of time. Don't be late for your class."

"Whatever you say, moonshine." Giving me a final peck, he exited my classroom, taking away the storm with him.

I was too embarrassed to meet anyone's eyes in the class. God. Ares really needed to learn how to control his rampant possessiveness.

"You're absolutely useless." It was the same voice again. I turned to face her, this time she watched me with judgement in her eyes. "One small 'I'll make it up to you' from him and you forgot about the way he manhandled you."

"Who are you?" I was genuinely curious to know who she was. I couldn't place her anywhere in my memories.

"Does it matter?"

"No, I guess, it doesn't."

                                  ***

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously at Axel when I found him waiting right outside my literature class. We didn't share many classes together and I was positive that he wouldn't willingly hang around waiting for anyone outside their class.

Not wanting to spare him another glance, I walked past him ignoring his existence. I walked five steps past Axel before suddenly getting hauled back by his arm that felt like steel wrapped around my waist. My back impacted his chest and I was held arrested.

"Pretending to be deaf now, Luna?" He spoke harshly into my neck.

"What's wrong with you?"

I stopped when I felt his other arm wrap around me. His chin was resting on the top of my head as he pulled me close almost in an affable way. His grip told me otherwise.
"Let me go," I demanded. I was beyond angry, but I didn't want to make a scene right in the middle of the buzzing hallway.

He withdrew his arms from me and I quickly turned to face him.

"Spare me with this childish antics and don't fucking touch me again," I spit, vehemently at him.

He shoved me away and I lost my balance, but before I could fall, Axel pulled me against him.

"Such a girly girl, can't even maintain her stance," He taunted. I glared at him, pushing his hands away from me, taking a step back from him.

"What?" He spoke rhetorically. "We have history together so I'll be taking you to the class."

I remained steadfast. "I don't need a bodyguard to get to my next class. You be on your way and I'll be on mine."

"But we have the same way for our next class," he said through clenched teeth. "Do you set out to frustrate me in every way possible?" His blue eyes mirrored the annoyance in my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself by thinking I'm doing this on my own free will. It's because of my Ares."

"Tell your best  friend that I don't need you taking me to any of my classes."

I turned on my heels to walk away from him. As expected, he followed right behind me.

"Quit acting like a bitch, Luna. It's not like you're going to fall in love with me if I walk you to any of your classes, now will you?"

I gaped at him, my cheeks flushed. I was mortified at the fact that he knew that I was crazily infatuated over him not just three months ago.

A self satisfied smirk played on his mouth as he loved to witness my obvious embarrassment. I can't believe that I ever thought of him as anything other than perfection, lovable and gentleman.

Okay, I knew that he wasn't a gentleman, but in my daydreams he was.

Reality did rear its ugly head.

"Pulled a nerve now, did I? He was acting like a sadist at this point. "Let's get going now, we shouldn't be late for that Hitler' class."

It was best not provoke him and risk fuelling any unwanted rumours about us, because the peering eyes were always fixated at whatever he was doing and whom he was doing.

I followed behind him at a slower pace so that I could recover from my mortified state.

Axel hadn't realized that he was several steps ahead of me, when he finally did take a notice, he charged toward me and took his hand in mine.

"Move it, Luna," he mumbled under his breath.

We were late to History, much to Axel and our teacher's displeasure She shot us an annoyed look before motioning us to take a seat.

The other students seemed a little too focused on me as I entered the class; or because who entered with me. Axel and I had entered the class together much to my dismay, my hand still in his.

I hadn't divulged to any of my classmates about my silly crush on Axel, but I was sure that the people who knew about it, didn't keep it much of a secret.

Not many people knew how deep my infatuation ran. Only Mia knew everything about it.

My mood dampened slightly as my mind went to a deeply painful track. I had to brush her off my brain to let myself live peacefully. At least for my own wellbeing.

Suddenly feeling nervous, I took a quick survey of the class and saw few of my classmate speed texting while others continued to stare.

By the end of the period, I was positive that everyone would be gossiping about me, in the hallway with their friends.

First: I arrived at school with Ares and with everything that happened in the classroom, I was sure someone had gotten a word of it as well.

Second: Everyone saw me in the hallway with Axel and now with us walking in class hand in hand will just further fuel up rumours.

Great. This is just what I needed in my right now; unwanted attention.

I shrugged my hand off his and stepped away from him, finding a seat next to one of my friend. The class progressed forward and I wanted nothing more than to shrink back in my seat.

"Get a fucking grip." A voice whispered behind me. I snuck a glance to see Axel leaning forward, resting his forearms on the table. "They're not going to eat you. You got a boyfriend to do that to you," he teased.

"I am not scared of anyone nor will I ever coward down in fear of stupid rumours about me."

"Tough to break, aren't you something?" His eyes gleamed with malice, but his face appeared perfectly normal. He appeared as if we were discussing the weather.

I was about to retort with a smart comeback, but the teacher caught us talking.

"It looks like Miss West and Mr. Trent have something very interesting to share with the class. Please enlighten us with your words, I insist." Our history teacher made Hitler look like a saint sometimes.

My cheeks flushed with residual embarrassment from before and I remained silent. Axel's face was a mask of disinterest and apathy, but his icy blue eyes were angry. He's hiding it well but he looked at the teacher like he wanted to strangle her.

Shit.

"Uhm... sorry. It won't happen again," I apologize because she sure ain't getting any form of apology from Axel.

She doesn't wait for an apology from Axel and continued with her discussion. This time, I concentrated on her every word and typed frantically, avoiding every unwanted stare.

I was the first one out of the classroom when our teacher summed up her discussion.

Taking long strides, I rushed to get to the gym, eager to get away from trouble yet somehow trouble always found a way to debunk my strategy.

"Where are you off to?" Axel seized my elbow in a firm grip, stopped me before I could walk off any further away from him. "What do you have now?" He asked.

"I have a free period," I lied.

"Cool, I have one too. Let's hang out together," he suggested.

"I'm not interested in hanging out with you."

"Oh, why?" I scrunched up my nose at his clueless expression. He had behaved nothing more than a nightmare to me for the past several months.

"Let me enlighten you." I inclined my head stiffly. "You have been nothing but rude to me ever since I can remember. Axel, I've stayed up countless nights just wondering what could I have possibly done for you to hate me so bloody much. You've made it clear to me that you despise my existence then why, why should I in my right mind agree to hang out with you and why do you bother with me anyway?" I railed at him.

"You hate me, and I swear to God, I feel nothing other than contempt for you so please stop with your bullshit cause I'm not falling for your act." Or you, I wanted to add.

A sardonic smile formed on his mouth. "Do you actually believe you did nothing to me?" He inched closer to me, invading my personal space. "Seriously, do you think I wouldn't ever find out what you did to me?" He seethed, turning furious.

I didn't want to forget that we were still in the middle of the hallway and people had started to stop mid-stride and observe our 'talk.'

I didn't even know what the hell he meant by his words. He was accusing me of something I had no idea about it. I wasn't going to let his temper take control over the conversation.

"Firstly, shut up and secondly, shut up and quit following me around." I pushed him away and tried to control my own anger.

He looked like he wanted to hit me, but what shocked me was when he grabbed my nape and pulled me in for a kiss.

Stunned, I didn't react immediately. When my senses finally resurfaced, I pushed Axel away from me. I stumbled a step back from him with my jaw slightly agape.

Shout at him, kick him, slap him.

I wanted to do all of those things, but the best decision was to walk away from further embarrassment and manipulation.

I made sure no one followed me all the way to the girls locker room. I let out a deep breath when I was finally left alone to marshal my thoughts. I couldn't fathom what just happened with me. It made no sense for Axel to kiss me.

In front curious eyes

What was wrong with that boy? His emotions were always all over the place. And this crossed limits.

Screw this. I'm not going to dwell over some stupid lip lock for the rest of my school day. I had different things on my brain anyway.

It seemed my attention span for doing anything was even shorter than usual today. By lunch break, I sighed in relief and relished the few moments of peace I had with me.

I stood in the queue to grab my food and took a quick scan of the hall. I looked over Ares' regular seat and found Chase already watching me while pretty girls loitered around his table. He and Chase usually shared the same cafeteria table.

I absolutely hated the fact that Chase was Ares' bestfriend. They were inseparable which made me want claw my eyes out.

Axel was someone very close to him, in fact, I believe Axel actually looked up to Ares, admired him like a younger brother normally would, and Chase his bestfriend. It was just all so perfect.

My eyes searched for my boyfriend. I frowned when he was nowhere to be found.

I grabbed a cup of Greek yogurt and a vegan sandwich for myself and went to sit on a table farther away from Chase' as there was no point in making myself comfortable at their table without Ares. I'll make a fool of myself.

An arm came around me and grabbed my waist. Long, beautiful fingers, veins bulging through the back of his hand spun me around, my tray taken away from me.

""You never listen," he whispered close to my ear. "I'm starting to love that about you."

My heart leapt, and I stopped breathing for a moment. I'm starting to love that about you. I'm starting to love. Starting to love. Love.

The words played on a loop in my head. I didn't want to read more into his words. But sometimes you can't help yourself.

Shut up, Luna.

I was sure that my face had turned ten shades redder by now. I stared in his amazon eyes, unable to resist his charming dimpled smile. I'd become so fond of it in such a short time.

"Luna..." Heat covered my body, hearing him utter my name just like he did when I straddled him in the planetarium.

"I was waiting for you," I whispered, the words barely registering in my head. "I didn't see you anywhere."

I glanced over to their regular seats, seeing Axel joining Chase in watching both of us.

"Is that so?" I realized that he had taken my tray in his hold and was now leading us to his table. He didn't even give me a chance to protest.

"Who's that Ares?" The girl who asked the question was assessing me from head to toe. She looked familiar and I was pretty sure I had seen her prominently somewhere or wrapped around Chase the other day.

"That's my girlfriend, Potter," Ares said. "Everyone meet Luna."

I was still standing a few steps away, thinking of a way to get out of entering further into their den. I recognized some of them from my trip to Cabo, but their names were forgotten.

"Luna, my girl." "Luna, was it?" "Hi, sweetie," "That's really his girlfriend?"

I gave them all a small smile. I looked right through their act: they were either eyeing me funny or had a taunting smile on their.

Okay, I knew I didn't belong with them, but can they not make it so obvious? It made me want to fidget with my fingers, a bad habit of mine.

"Sit here." Ares pulled a seat out for me. I reluctantly sat down in the designated chair, concealing my displeasure.

I didn't miss the flickering of Axel's eyes from me to Chase. They were silently communicating. There was no surprise that I was their topic of interest.

"I'm Gabriella Potter," she introduced herself. "Good to finally see the girl who's been taking so much of Ares's time.

I didn't know how to reply to her remark. Last time I checked, people in a relationship spend most of their time together. A polite smile was all I could return to her.

I noticed Chase had become eerily silent as he watched me from lowered lids; his face looked like it was carved out of stone as he clenched his jaw. Axel on the other hand was openly watching my every little move.

"So Luna, have you ever considered auditioning for cheerleader?" Gabriella asked, leaning forward and I figured she wanted to intimidate me."I'm on the team, maybe I can get you in."

Oh. It clicked in. She was one of the cheerleaders.

"You would make the perfect cheerleader with those looks and bright hair. I bet you got the moves too."

"Oh, no, no. I don't even want to think about being a cheerleader. It's not my thing," I let out a nervous chuckle.

"Why so?" Her mouth formed into a perfect little pucker. I wonder whether she actually practiced to make that pout look so perfect. It had made her look like a clueless damsel.

"I was thinking about dyeing my hair pink and blue, you know. Getting eyebrows pierced, face tattoos and all that stuff so I don't fit the description."

An amused smile played on Ares's lips and I returned his smile with a wink.

"Oh, bummer." She frowned."You would've made a good cheerleader. I'm Chase' cheerleader, by the way. I was really looking for someone to replace me as his cheerleader cause I'll be graduating soon. You were perfect to fill my shoes," she explained.

My eyes widened at her words. Never will I ever become a cheerleader for anyone and for Chase. Forget it.

I shook my head absently. "Your search party would have to keep going."

"Sad." She turned her head toward Chase. "I'll miss cheering for you." She kissed his cheek and he groaned at her nearness. She just laughed at that.

I stayed out of most of the table' conversations, only occasionally stealing glances at Ares and completely ignoring the two neurotic idiots staring intently at me.

Wow. Talk about feeling out of place.

Glad that I was done with my food faster than usual. It gave me an excuse to get the hell away from these snobbish kids.

"Okay, I'm done. I'll see you at the end of the day," I told Ares and stood up from my spot.

"You're leaving so early?" My palm was in Ares's. His thumb rubbing between the gap of my thumb and forefinger.

"I like to be the first one in class."

"I have Chemistry with you Luna," Axel spoke up. "I mean, Chemistry II period now," he cleared.

"So?" My tone sounded bitchy.

"We should go together."

"Uhm... Ares?" Chase's cold voice garnered all of our attention. "You didn't tell me you were sharing your girlfriend again."

What?

There was a noticeable shift in Ares's demeanor. Everyone on the table could feel it and see it in this close proximity. He went from being a charming, playful guy to looking like he wanted to kill someone.

Strangely, his eyes were not fixated on me like I had expected to, he was staring at Chase.

Oh, God. He was seconds away from causing a scene. Because of me!

"See it for yourself."

I took a deep breath and thought of what to do. This could accelerate into something really bad.

Ares's jaw clenched as he watched the video and a feeling of dread crawled inside me. I suppose I could make him understand what really happened before that clip, but what if he won't listen?

Everyone on the table, including Chase stared at both Axel and me, only Chase had a relaxed expression on his face. He was enjoying my misery.

Amazon green eyes sliced into my chest, their cutting gaze going back and forth from me to Axel. The forest in his eyes glowed with unleashed fury. His full lips curled in a sneer, those beautiful, terrifying eyes scanning my body.

I waited for him to do something... anything, but he remained seated.

"Ares..." I chanced to break the ice and try my best to explain to him that that video was completely out of context. His damn cousin kissed me! Not the other way around.

Ares pushed back his hair and shut his eyes.He stood and walked towards the door. Oh, God!

I sucked in a gasp, remembering how to breathe. My fingers trembled at my sides as a hit of adrenaline surged through my system.

The room around me seemed to hold its breath.

I instinctively decided to follow behind him, picked up my pace and reached to grab him. "Ares, please listen to me. Don't just walk out on me."

We were alone in the hallway, no one to witness us together. 

Ares stopped when my hand touched his own. I walked into him as he stood there and wrapped my arms around his neck. 

“Please, you've mistaken yourself,” I whispered in his neck, placing my head in the crook of his neck. “I would never kiss--”

Ares didn’t let me finish my sentence and  backed me up, pushed my back against a wall of lockers and placed his hands on the lockers beside me. 

“I'm not that heartless to kiss your best friend of all the people in this school, or in this world,” I mumbled into Ares’s neck.

“You think I don't know what a complete fucker my cousin is? I know what exactly he was trying to achieve by kissing you,” he gritted. 

“Oh, then why did you…” My words were lost to me. I was confused about what he meant by his words.

Does that mean this wasn't the first time Axel had tried to get on Ares’s nerves?

“Then why did you storm out the hall?” 

“Because this was the first time he successfully managed to tick my nerves.” The angry possessiveness in his voice was unexpected along with the tingle I felt low in my belly. “I want to fucking kill because he got a taste of what's mine.” 

“Oh, Ares, I was so scared that you might not listen to what I've to say.” I squeezed him tighter and tried to push my face into his neck deeper.

“Show me. Show me how much you want me,” he whispered harshly. 

I removed my head from his neck and looked up at him, knowing what he was asking. I had found out what it was like being close to him and there was nothing more of an agony to be within his magnetic proximity and not touch him. 

I wanted to be with him all the time and this moment I would've done anything that he asked of me. 

“B-But here?” I was reluctant to do anything to him knowing that anyone would walk in on us. 

“Come,” he said and tugged me along with him. 

We went upstairs to find a janitor’ closet at the far end of the corridor, tucked away from the public eye. 

The space was tight with sunlight pouring from a small window. 

“Take off your jacket.” His still-harsh voice commanded me once we were inside. It made me nervous. Ares had backed me up against the wall and hadn’t moved an inch; he was like ice. 

I was caged. 

I reluctantly took off my school jacket, even though he didn’t gave me any space to do so with his arms braced beside me and his body against mine. 

I could feel his eyes over my body as I shrugged it off. When the jacket hit the floor, My heart accelerated faster than its usual speed, I could tell it was ready to pop right out of my chest. 

I had no idea what to do; I mean I did, but I was too much of a coward to carry it out on my own. 

 I had always maintained eye contact with him for several reasons: it showed much more emotional depth than his words will ever achieve and because I absolutely loved looking into his eyes. 

But this time, I couldn't meet his eyes. They were firmly plastered at his chest  This was the first time Ares intimidated me with his intensity. I was stumped. 

I raised my hands to his shirt and to his already loosen tie. I pushed his school jacket off his shoulders, caressing the definition of his shoulders and bringing my hands back to his chest. 

It was impossible for someone his age to possess such a well proportioned body. He was lean and muscular in the right manner. 

My fingers trembled while I loosened his tie and my hands went for the highest button he had fastened on the top middle of his chest. I shakily unbuttoned it, revealing more of his chest, I released another of his buttons, exposing his whole chest and the top of his abdomen.

I felt that my heart was going to explode looking at his perfectly-toned chest. The porcelain skin begged me to touch it, so I slowly placed my hands on his taut muscles.

I leaned in and lightly placed a kiss in the middle as I parted his shirt wide by moving my hands across his chest. I loved the feel of his skin; it was warm and smooth. 

I kissed his chest again and again. I poured all of my affection in those kisses. I let my tongue lick the skin and explored the smoothness of his skin. I had never kissed Ares anywhere other than his lips and neck… and that one time in the opera house.

Ares tasted so much better than I had imagined. I enjoyed kissing him, showing my affection to him. It was gradually becoming an effortless task for me.

I raised higher, kissing and licking him up toward his neck. I felt his rage turn into desire with every passing second as I ran my hands up his chest then behind his neck and into his hair. 

I had been itching to run my hands through his dark mass since the time we reunited in the cafeteria. Nothing was more sexy than raking my fingers in his hair. It was my  way to stake my claim on him. He was mine. 

I greedily sucked his skin into my mouth and bit down. I smiled against his skin when a rough noise escaped his mouth. I knew it would leave a mark. 

I felt Ares finally drop his hands from the wall. His hand went in my hair and he pulled on it while his other hand went to the lower part of my back. 

I looked up at him and saw his eyes glowering with lust. I was ready to be swept away by his kiss. I wanted it just as much as he did. I wanted the taste of his mouth.

When his tongue entered my mouth I sucked on it, trying to mimic what he usually did to me.

Ares grabbed my ass in his hands, squeezing it and lifting me higher. I felt his hardness through his trousers against my mound. 

Ares was driven by pure lust. He made me feel things I had never felt before, and it scared me. 

Ares had moved his hands down inside my skirt. I gasped when he travelled further up and rested just below my panties.

Wetness pooled inside me and I suddenly felt nervous at the thought of Ares feeling the moisture of my dampness. 

He kissed me under my chin and went all the way down to my neck. He licked the skin which made me let out a whimper from the sensitivity, goosebumps appearing on my skin.

My breathing turned heavier; his touch was driving me insane. He sucked the skin of my neck into his mouth. My grip tightened in his hair, pulling him into my neck.

I released a breathy moan as he sucked another part into his mouth. Ares moved his hands to cup my ass at the sound, causing a trail of fire on my skin.

When Ares' fingers wandered inside my panties, the spell that I had been put under started wearing off because we were still in school and I didn't want to have another sexual experience with him somewhere so impersonal. 

“Ares,” I whispered his name which sounded almost like a moan. “Ares, I think we should stop,” I pulled his hair back.

Ares switched to the other side of my neck, licking and sucking, giving the same care to the opposite side. 

I felt myself melt once more. He had withdrawn his fingers from the inside of my panties, but they still lingered nearby.  My skin burned from the magnitude of his touch. 

Even though I was in a state of  pure ecstasy, I wasn’t going to make up my mind to have sex with him at the moment. It was something I still wasn't ready for.

I tried to stop him again. “Ares.” I steadied my voice. “Please.” I was grateful that it sounded less like a moan this time. 

I could feel how bad he wanted to just lift his hands a little higher and wander to all the other places. I dropped my hands to his arms. “I can’t.”

As Ares rested his head in my neck, letting his breathing calm, I was able to slow down my breathing, as well. 

I took a deep breath as he wrapped his hand around my waist much tighter than before, his other hand caressed my inner thigh. I knew he was taking his time to make me regret it.

He stood straight up and looked in my eyes, and I wondered if I made a good decision starting something like that with a guy like Ares. 

My boyfriend was unlike any high school boy. He was a wildfire. A complete possessive, territorial lover. He looked at me like I was a feast that he couldn't wait to consume. 

This all should make me feel scared of him yet it excited me the most. Still, I wouldn’t deny that I was terrified of his temper sometimes. 

 Ares returned to his original position by bracing his hands on the wall. 

“Proper yourself up.” I didn’t need to be told twice. I hurriedly tidied myself with the little space Ares gave me. 

I felt Ares’s gaze too intently and looked up at his eyes, he was watching me as I was crouched down at his feet to pick up my jacket. 

A shiver went down my spine. I had a feeling he’d had that planned. I grabbed my jacket and his, but my eyes was at him 

I wished that I had the strength to look away, but he held my eyes like he dared me to move them. There was no way I would take that dare. I slowly rose up from the ground, my own sexual desire growing between my thighs. 

I swallowed as I stared into his lustful eyes. I knew exactly what he was thinking, the image he was playing through his mind. I had to get my jacket back on somehow in the confined space. 

My breasts met his still-exposed chest and I was thankful that my shirt was acting like an armour between us. I handed him his jacket and quickly slipped on my own. 

“Now button my shirt.” His voice still sounded rough. 

“When we go back to the halls, will you snap at Axel?” The question rolled out of my mouth and I immediately knew that it was the wrong time to ask him anything. 

“Baby.” His gruff voice sounded through my ear as he closed what little space I had left. “Don’t test me right now. I won't tolerate you mentioning another guy's name when we are in the middle of exploring each other.” 

His fingers tightened in my hair, commanding my entire  attention. “The only other thought on your mind should be me, of us together. Is that clear?” 

I squeezed my legs together. What is he doing to me? 

“I asked you a fucking question.” My trembled breathing returning. The rapid rise and fall of  my chest made my breasts strain against the exposed skin of his chest. 

“I understand,” I said. 

I calmed myself down and my hands went to button the lowest one I had undone, I impulsively decided to lean in one last time for a taste. I sweetly placed a kiss on part of his chest I was about to conceal, then I buttoned it.

Ares clearly wasn't the sweet kind of guy. This time, I ran my tongue up the small gap of his chest about to be covered before I buttoned the final button.

I smiled back up at him, satisfied, but his eyes potent with lust told me that I really shouldn’t have teased him. 

Ares grabbed me in a swift motion and flipped me around, shoving the front of my body into the wall. I felt the whole front of his body flat against my backside. I could even feel his hardness growing even harder each second that passed. He was harder than a rock. 

His hands were on my abdomen, but this time, they were above her my shirt. If I squeezed my legs any tighter than I'm sure it will leave bruises on them.

Ares spoke in my ears. “You are never to speak to Axel or even think anything about him ever again. Neither do I want you anywhere alone with him. And I say this with all my heart that I find out that you defied me then I'll make it very difficult for you…” 

He left his words unsaid which in turn made my head churn with numerous other thoughts.
 
It's because of fucking Ares.

Axel's words rang in my head. I thought Ares had sent him to act as my... somewhat bodyguard. Yet now he doesn't even want me to be alone with his cousin.

“Ares,” I rasped and didn't understand why the name sounded like more of a need coming from my mouth. 

Ares moved his hands up my shirt and grasped each breast, making me arch my back into him. “I know about all those love letters you used to send him.” 

A yelp of shock escaped from my mouth. Oh, God. I never wanted anyone to find out about those letters. They were an embarrassment to me. I wish I could put some sense into the naïve old Luna.

“How d-did you-?”

“I collected them for my enjoyment. I must say you're very affectionate in describing your undying love for him on a piece of paper.” The mocking hint in his tone couldn’t have been missed. “But I will enjoy making him watch you scream as I fuck you because, baby, I will pop that cherry very soon,” Ares growled his words.

 He gave another tight squeeze to my breasts. “I give you my word that my dick will be the first and only to slide in and out of your tight, wet pussy, and you will be the one crawling and begging for me to take it.”
 
I could not believe the words that had come from his mouth, but my body was betraying me by enjoying every harsh word. I had no response and remained unable to think of one when he flipped my body back around to conquer my mouth one last time. 

 “Now undo the mess you made of my tie and let's go.” 

                                   ****

Angela White dropped me off at my home as Ares was busy with practice for his upcoming season. I didn't want to stay until his practice was done, because today's school day had completely drained all of my energy. 

I groaned when I saw my aunt's car still in the driveway. She was going to pry information out of me. Well, she could try. 

“How was school today, Luna?” She asked with a cheerful smile on her face. 

Dramatic. 

“It was alright, I guess. Nothing major happened.” Wow. I was getting worse at lying my way out of this conversation. “But I'm tired.” That was true. 

“Hmm… does that mean you and your cute boyfriend got into a fight?” A teasing smile spread across her lips as she watched me. 

“Oh, my God. Aunt Luce, what makes you think that way?” 

“I don’t know.” She approached me with open arms. “Maybe because you're too headstrong to think straight and you both looked pretty cosy this morning.”

I was sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights. 

“Look at your face, you're blushing. I can't believe this.” Oh, God. She was deliberately trying to embarrass me. 

“That was not what it looked like,” I cried. “I promise.” 

“I trust you to make better choices.” She held my face in her palms. “You’re my sweet little girl. I hope you know that.” 

She kissed my forehead and resumed prepping in the kitchen as if she didn't just send my world crashing. 

Today I got very close to giving it up to Ares. I never think straight wherever he's concerned. 

“Do you want me to call Stacy for you? She won't mind babysitting you for the two weeks I'm gone.” I had completely forgotten about Aunt Lucille’ business trip to Japan.

“I'm not a child, Lucille.” I called my aunt by her name which in turn made me earn a pointed look from her. “You've left me alone before so why are you making a big deal about it now?” 

“Because of that boy. I don't trust him to be alone with you, Luna.” 

“But you trust me, right?” 

“I do trust you, but I don't trust anyone around you. That boy is a bit too much for you.” 

“If you trust me to make smart choices then you should trust me on this one too. I won't do anything stupid.” 

“Oh, honey…” 

“I'm going to take a bath now and do some of my homework. I'll meet you downstairs for dinner.” I shifted from my feet, hoping she would drop the topic. 

“I hope you're not mad at me. It will constantly nag all of my thoughts if I leave for the trip with you unhappy.” 

“I'm not. I just want you to trust me.” My voice softened and I went over to embrace her in a tight hug. 

“I love you, my little girl.” She returned the gesture. 

“I'll believe that if you bring me all the mangas I want. The original English edition is only available in Japan.” 

She chuckled then answered,”Alright, I will.” 

I kissed her cheek and headed for the stairs, thinking to get a head start on my homework assignments first then take a relaxing bath. 

After drowning myself in a warm, bubbly bath; my head went back to something Axel had spoke.

Do you think I wouldn't ever find out what you did to me?

I wasn't sure what he meant by his words, but he was surely accusing me of something.

My head churned with endless times when Axel and I had interacted in the past, but all of our past interactions were merely academically connected.

Even we saw each other outside of school, he usually ignored me.

So what was he referring to?

Then he hit me.

No, no. He can't possibly remember that. He just can't remember that incident. Shit! I was so screwed.