I can't breathe.

I was running for god knows how many hours that my legs were burning. Every breathe burned my lungs but I couldn't seemed to stop the pace because I was being chased. The mud was slippery and the rain was merciless but I wasn't stopping. 

I regret stepping out of the house. I should've waited for Ryder to drive me home. As much for a coward, I took off and now I was in middle of a chase.

"Hayley!!!", a loud noise boomed through the forest. My eyes were searching for that soothing voice. It came twice before I took turns towards the voice. But everytime I did, I heard it  faraway again.

Someone was calling my name and my abductor was chasing me. One wrong step could lead me to death, worst rape.

I kept running towards the voice. The feelings I felt towards the voice was unfamiliar, soothing and scaring. 

I gave up the moment I locked my legs with one of the roots and was landing on my face.

*Thud*

The hard floor beneath me displaced my knees and woke me up from my chainsaw spree. My mind was refusing to accept that it was just a dream and I was still in the house. But why was my name 'Hayley' and why in the name of satan did I react to this.

Shit Ryder. 

I took off towards him with my phone torch as my guiding light. My heart was squeezing still not recovered from the nightmare.

I slowly creak opened his door to see him sitting on the edge of the bed. I stood outside his room waiting for him to come at me with a knife and threaten me to bring her. Come on, last time he almost choked me death.

Safety first.

I stepped into the room after taking a leap of faith that he was out of his killer mood. The room was a bit warmer than living room. His windows were closed as water knocked on the door. His eyes were fixed outside and shoulders stiff.

"Ryder", I said in low tone afraid he would actually hear me

He visibly stiffened before snapping his head towards me. My body froze seeing no emotion in his eyes. Okay, I leaped a bit earlier. I took a step back towards the door. Not gonna give him another chance to kill me. If I was going down, he was getting atleast two stabs.

My hands tingled when warm flesh engulfed them. I turned around in terror to look at Ryder standing right behind me.

"Emily", his broken voice clearly indicated his panic attack. His red eyes, puffed nose and ragged breathe all screamed pain. I was seeing Matt, the same broken soul and it was crushing me.

I brushed his stubble, "I am here", I assured as I pulled him into a hug. Ryder was dangerous. All senses screamed but I didn't know the hidden courage I had to pull him into me. All this could've been a trap and I was showing my remaining teeth walking into the trap.

My stomach fluttered when he nuzzled his head into my neck. Weak spot found. He was mumbling something incoherent and I didn't bother taking extra load. God, he had to put his weight on me too. 

"Are you okay?", I asked patting him to release the hug. But the boy didn't get the hint, thinking I was consoling as his grip tightened. He was definitely choking me. 

I put my hand on his chest and gently pushed him. His forest green eyes were puffed up. His nose was red and decided not to hung up on the matter that he possibly wiped his snot on me. Regardless, he was attractive but a bit sad.

"Are you okay?", I asked again creating a decent distance between us. He nodded. If he had been one of my friends or if he wasn't remotely a jerk I would've led the situation but he wasn't either so I stood without a clue. 

Unthankfully Ryder regained some senses. Some. Because he pulled me inside the room whereas we should be in the couch in the living room. We weren't anything and he should've realized that you were not supposed to be this intimate with a girl whom you are threat dating.

Nevertheless, I complied but sat on his couch. I was trying to ignore this feeling and reassure that I pity him and I would've done the same with Matt. Well I was still assuring if you can't tell.

"Um-", I stuttered nervously as certain someone was sitting on the bed facing me and his eyes never left me. I really wished the candles go of. What are those, magic candles? It was around 5 hours and it still had life in it. I am definitely buying those.

And they smelled good. The candles. Okay, I was distracting myself. It appeared to be a good idea when he plucked the sleep out of my system. The adrenaline was still pumping strong so was the rain. All I wanted was to cuddle up in my comfy bed with a thick comforter and snore the hell out of my life. But life's not always roses and garden.

"I am sorry", he broke the unbearable silence. Well, I was going to break it but he took the chance. Much appreciated though.

I slowly ascended my eyes from floor to him. His eyes. I never was a good emotion reader but his eyes were showing words of hurt. He was hurt and he was my enemy.

"It's fine". It was the last thing to be fine about. I was not okay being with him because he was growing on me. I was not okay with that thought. He made me feel special sometimes but that scared me. He forgot the prime reason the bet started and he was enjoying it and I don't like that either. 

"I didn't mean to hurt you"

"Why repeat when you are going to do it anyway?", I snapped at the wrong time but his words were getting under my skin.

"I am sorry"

"Stop it"

"I-"

"Stop it Ryder. Just stop it. If you are sorry, I will not be here in the first place. If you are sorry, you will not hurt my friend by having her video. If you are sorry, you wouldn't have called me on these ten cruel dates and I wouldn't have to go through an harassment and you probably wouldn't know how much of torture therapy is. If you are really sorry that you will die, you shouldn't have plucked the girl your best friend like and if you have an ounce of regret, you will let me go this instance", I finally breathed. My hands were shaking in rage. His cold stare was making me go crazy. 

You know what I couldn't be in that room anymore. There was a rational thought that told me he was our only ride back but who gives a damn. I would happily walk if cancelled these stupid dates. He wasn't even torturing me. Weren't you like insult and hurt when you were disgusted by them. I didn't know how it happened in real life but kissing wasn't the usual threat date unless he was a creep.

I chucked down a glass of water in the kitchen. Yes, in the same kitchen where I held that, not gonna say that but I was too angry to remember.

I was very much aware of his presence. Like a dark creature that stood behind you in every photo.

"I want to complete this dates"

I pushed past him to the living room. "Whatever Ryder"

His fingers snaked my wrist, turning me around.

"Do you hate me?"

"No. I like so much to smother you with a pillow", I chuckled and rolled my eyes. 

"Do you love Connor?". Didn't he know his limits?

"It's none of your business", I was angry not because of his private question. I was angry because I wanted to say 'No, I like you'.

He tugged me towards him but I held my ground placing the hands on his chest.

"Can't you see it?", he said in a low voice. See what, your face? I was seeing that fine these months.

"See what? I am short sighted", I felt dumb the moment it left my mouth. He meant something else and I ran my mouth like a stupid. 

His eyes flashed amusement as a small smile grazed his lips.

"You are so cute"

"Connor called me the same". Two can play a game. His expression wiped off at the mention of you-know-who. Do they even talk to each other?

"I don't want you to be with Connor", he said with determination. It was like being proposed. Punch in the gut.

"It's not your call though you destroyed the opportunity. Do you think Connor will date me after we complete this nonsense?", I asked raising an eyebrow.

He completely flushed against me, placed his forehead against mine. I shut my eyes from the sudden explosion of tingles before I regained myself and opened my eyes.

"Wh-at are you doing?", I asked flabbergasted.

"Still you can't see it?", he asked as his hands went around my waist. Damn, my heart was going to burst.

"See what?"

" That I want to be around you and care for you. Can't you see I need you and I become mad crazy whenever you mention Connor? You are gonna ignore the tension when we are under the same roof? Are you gonna ignore our kiss because your lips are the only thing I think of all the time."

My heart burst. I knew. I knew I was going to die by a confession. I looked at him to see if he was playing with me. A part of me wanted to be a sick joke and another part of me, I didn't want to talk about it.

"What?", the feeble words left my mouth.

"I like you, Emily"

It must be a joke because I burst out laughing, not like a girly blushy laugh but a gorilla laugh