“But—”
“No, there are no buts. I don’t want him. The kiss was a mistake. Nothing further will happen. Got it?”
“Hmmm,” she mumbles, irritating the hell out of me.
I want to continue arguing my point but something, or more like someone outside the diner window catches my eye and a shiver runs down my spine.
I didn’t see a face, but I don’t need to. I know when he’s close. I feel it. I fear it.
“Are you okay? All the color just drained from your face.”
“Oh… uh…” I keep my eyes out of the window, desperate to prove to myself that I’m just being paranoid. “N-nothing.” I cringe at my use of that word. It seems to be one I’m using all too much recently.
“O-okay,” she says. When I glance over, I find her looking the way I was but she clearly doesn’t see anyone she recognizes either. “I’m thinking we finish up here and head back to where we first started. I want to try that dress on.”
“Sure, whatever you want.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to get anything while we’re here? I feel bad just shopping for me.”
“No, I’m good. I got a ton of new stuff for Christmas.” Another lie.
“Okay, well if you see something you like, make sure to stop.”
“Of course.” I cringe as I say the words. It wouldn’t matter how much I might like something, it’s not like I have the money to buy anything.
I need a job, but how do I get one of those around school, trying to ensure I get my grades high enough for a scholarship, and being the only reliable person my siblings have.
I’m distracted from my thoughts as Ruby pushes her empty tray away and lets out a very unladylike burp.
“Whoa, no wonder the team can’t keep their hands off you,” I say with a laugh.
“You done? I need to get my shop on.”
“Yeah, let’s do it.”
We clear away our trays and rejoin the crowds in the mall. The January sales are in full swing and it seems that it’s not just Ruby who decided that today would be the perfect day to grab some bargains.
As we walk, I can’t ignore the feeling that I’m being watched. My skin prickles as my heart picks up pace a little.
I look around as inconspicuous as possible but once again, I see no one.
I’ve been on edge since the first day back at school and the unexpected ‘gift’ that was in my locker. Preston might not have approached me since, he chose to torment with his silence instead of his presence, but I know that doesn’t mean he’s forgotten me. He’s just planning his next move. I can only hope that his need for blood has been sated with Smidge.
My stomach turns once more as I wonder what evil things he might have done to our beloved pet. I still pray that whatever was in that bag wasn’t him, but I know I’m only lying to myself.
I follow Ruby into the store she wanted to return to and glance around in the hope I don’t see something I fall in love with because that would suck even harder than just not being able to afford anything.
I glance over my shoulder every now and then, but every time the coast is clear.
Chastising myself for allowing him to get in my head when he’s probably nowhere near me, I rush to catch up with Ruby where she’s heading toward the dressing room with an armful of dresses she’s collected as she’s made her way through the store.
“You trying anything on?” she asks, looking back to find me right behind her.
“Nah, nothing is catching my eye.” For once that’s not really a lie, I’ve spent too much time worrying about whether I’m being watched or not to really look at anything that was in front of me. “I’ll wait here.”
Resting back against the wall, I watch as she closes the door behind her.
I pull my cell from my pocket and find a message from Harley asking if we’re having fun and explaining that she’s not because Zayn has insisted on teaching her to throw a decent punch all weekend.
I’m so lost in our conversation that I don’t feel someone walk up to me until the very last minute.
Thinking I’m in the way, I move to stand straighter so they can pass but instead of doing that, two large hands land on my arms and I’m practically thrown into the dressing room next to Ruby’s.
Picking me up, Preston pins me against the wall with his hand around my throat.
“Poppy? Was that you? Are you okay?” Ruby shouts, although it’s muffled by the small space she’s enclosed in.
Preston’s dead eyes bore down into mine, warning me not to say a thing. As if I would. The last thing I want is for anyone to know about this.
“Yeah, it wasn’t me. One of the shop assistants dropped something.”
Thankfully, the dressing rooms in this store are little rooms with solid doors. Should we have been in ones with curtains, I’m sure Ruby would have just stuck her head out to see what’s going on.
“What the hell—”
My words are cut off when his other sweaty hand clamps down over my mouth.
I suck in ragged breaths through my nose but it’s not enough as my chest heaves and my heart races in panic.
“Don’t talk.”
He leans in close before a low, evil laugh falls from his lips.
“You really think you’re something, don’t you?”
I try to shake my head but his hold stops me from moving.
“When are you going to realize that you’re nothing?”
Nothing, there’s that word again.
“Your friends only put up with you because you make them look even more attractive than they already are.”
I moan against his hands, my body thrashing about in the hope of fighting him off. It’s wishful thinking but I refuse to do nothing.
“Just because you’re Thorn’s cousin, you seem to think you’ve got it all. Well, let me tell you, little girl.” He leans right in, the stench of weed and stale sweat fills my nose and my stomach turns over. “You’re nothing. And I’m going to prove just how pointless you and your pathetic little life is.”
His hand releases my throat and I gasp, dragging in as much air as I possibly can.
My relief only lasts a few seconds though because his fingertips begin to trail up the inside of my thigh.
“No, no,” I try to cry against his hand as I attempt to curl in on myself.
“Fight, go on. It’ll only make it more fun for me.”
I want to scream, cry, hurt him but in those few moments as his fingers get closer to their final destination I just freeze in fear.
I don’t want his dirty, murderous hands on me. Tears burn my eyes and I blink wildly in an attempt to keep them in. I don’t want this motherfucker to see me cry.
“Do you know what pointless girls are good for?” He pauses as if he actually expects an answer from me. “Being ruined. Used and abused until they’re no good for anyone else.”
Noooooo, I scream in my head as he lifts my skirt up and his fingers slip under the edge of my panties.
Please God no, don’t let my first experience of this be with him.
Please, please, please.
“Pops?” Ruby shouts.
My eyes go wide as his hand stills.
“Do not fucking scream, or I will hurt you.”