Emma's Pov

"Uh yeah, I'm ready," I reply hesitantly and he gives me a smirk leaning down close to my ear

"Let's go then sweetheart," He tells me softly and my insides feel like they're burning

For some reason, it's different when he calls me pet names. Mateo's make me feel warm and fuzzy on the inside, but Nathan's make me feel like I have to live up to the title.

Soon he takes me by the hand and leads us towards the exit and I can't help but listen to her scream at me that this is wrong. But I can't bring myself to plant my feet to the floor. It's like I'm programmed to follow him.

Heading outside towards the parking lot, I see one to two cars and the buses are just now pulling off.

As Mateo walks to his car he signals me to get in, but I slowly glide my feet across the dust and rocks looking down not wanting to get in. Being alone with him in a small atmosphere might seem nice to others, but my parents sees everything that happens on this property.

And me leaving in another boy's car will only make them come up here. Something I'm trying to prevent at all costs.

But I'm also not trying to mention my parents to him just yet, so I quickly wrack my brain for an excuse and when I think of one, it blurts out on its own.

"I - I was sup - posed to r - ride with Nathan," I stutter looking down shifting my weight from foot to foot

After hearing him scoff and start the engine, I see a pair of white Air Force One's appear in front of me, and I know it's him. His breathing is ragid as I'm sure mines is too with our close proximity, and he pinches my chin between his index finger and thumb and raises it so we make eye contact again.

Looking at him weirdly trying to get out of his hold, he smirks keeping his focus on me, and small goosebumps start to rise over my snow like skin in response.

Suddenly, he points his thumb behind him silently telling me to get in the car, and I shake my head in protest. And almost instantly, his teeth bares as his eyes turn into a darker shade of blue, and I quickly scatter to get in the backseat.

Unexpectedly, I'm being pulled over his shoulder and seated beside him in the passenger seat, and my heart is practically beating in my stomach.

Oddly enough, his new behavior doesn't scare me or make me uncomfortable, it actually makes me feel tingly... down there. And since I'm new to the feeling, I instantly cover my face ton hide my blush, and he chuckles softly.

Soon I hear him open his door and get in and I feel his gaze burn through my skull. I spread my fingers slightly to see if he's still looking at me and when I see his eyes right in front of me, I squeal and cover my eyes again. Making his chuckle deeper and louder.

"Stop laughing it's not funny," I deadpan half jokingly making him finally putting my hands down

He put his hands up in mock surrender smirking and I turn towards to the door so he doesn't see my warmed expression.

After he puts the car in reverse, he pulls out of the parking lot and we start our way to the cabins listening to the soft music playing from the radio.

Turning my attention up towards the window, my eyes widen as I start to see shards of glass in my mind, and when I see the same figure as before with the shards in her hand, I get a metallic taste in my mouth making me queasy.

But why?

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Mateo's Pov

We've been riding on the free way for about 30 minutes now and we've only shared a couple of words here and there. Mostly about the music that plays itself on the radio and the nearby buildings we speed by.

I've mostly been in my own zone because I'm trying to not say the wrong thing to her. I'm not myself when I'm around her. I'm not the selfish jerk that I usually am with other girls. I turn into the fragile boy that was buried for 4 years.

And I don't particularly like that.

My head hangs low and I curse myself for overthinking, but keep my eyes on the road while breaking the intimidating silence.

"So how about you sleep in the cabins with him so he won't bitch and complain the whole time we're here, okay?" I bargain with her and she looks at me nervously and hurt

The thought doesn't sit well with me either. I can tell she's hiding something from me and I know it involves him, but I don't want more drama between us.

"W - Why?" She asks softly stuttering

My eyebrow quirks up, and I realize that she stutters any time she's uncomfortable or indecisive about something. Like the time she told me to stay away from her. Or even when she told me that she was supposed to be riding with him. Even though he already left.

I look to her feeling accomplished but it deflates just as quickly. The idea of making her upset makes the player part of me emerge, but I ignore it not wanting to bring up the past. But that doesn't mean it will be tamed forever.

"Bunny," I huff and turn to look at her

Her eyes give away what she's thinking and it irritates me. It irritates me knowing it's his fault.

"Your boyfriend is going to make a fuss if you're sleeping in a cabin with another guy," I finish softly choosing the right words for her to understand

In response, she turns to the window and I regretfully turn my direction back to the road following the school bus from afar.

It was a good idea for me to drive. No glares and scoffs for the disruptions I caused back at school. No one to give a reason to.

When I was younger I tried to be him and now that I'm older, I'm acting like this nonchalant self-absored asshole to prove that I'm anything but him.

Ironic right?

The narrow black road with yellow lines cause me to go into a trance and my trauma only circles back around making me realize I'm not afraid of letting people in.

I'm afraid of turning into them.