MATEO

With my nose flared and jaw clenched I continue to walk past them, and when I come close enough, I realize who it is. And almost punch a fucking hole in the nearest wall.

Why is it always him?

With my mind going 50 over the speed limit, I walk out of the school and get in my car reversing out of the parking spot, but not before sharing one last glance with her.

The look on her face shows an emotion that I can't decipher, but I ignore it driving away. First it was her and now it's Emma, my bunny.

I'll be damned if I go through this shit again.

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EMMA

"Emma!" I hear someone yell from the end of the hallway and I crane my neck forward

I see that it's Nathan and my mood dampens noticing it's not him. Hesitantly walking towards Nathan, it feels like the time stops, but when I'm pulled into his side, it starts up again.

He wraps his arm around me and kisses my temple and she appears unexpectedly creeping up the wall causing her long fingernails to scrape against them. The sound echoes in my brain and I gnaw on the inside of my cheek trying to control my breathing.

"Hey isn't that the new kid," One of Nathan's buddies, Owen, states suddenly breaking me out of my almost paralyzing trance instantly

Gradually turning around, I notice his once gentle blue eyes are now a darker shade reminding me of a starry night rather than a sunny day. Softly gulping at the realization, I continue to keep my gaze him and he walks out of the exit doors making his way to his car.

But when he gets in, it feels like a piece of me goes with him.

When he drives off, the sounds of her nails skimming the walls comes back achingly louder, but my gaze remains trained on the empty parking spot and instantly I believe I'm drugged, not hearing or feeling anything around me.

"Emma Raniya Clark!" The name rings through my brain sending shivers through my body and I turn to him with widened eyes

His expression is gruff and when he looks down, I follow his gaze, seeing my hand tightly wrapped around the edge of his shirt. He turns his attention back to me then the parking lot, and greedily grabs my other wrist, leading me out of the double doors. The amount of force makes me whimper and stumble over my feet, but he continues to tug me across the dusty concrete pavement.

No one is paying attention since they're busy walking to their designated buses or cars leaving me incapable of running. But before we make it to the car, my heart stops seeing a shadowy figure in the front seat.

It has black hair, no eyes, yet it's grinning at me.

My feet attempt to plant themselves to the ground but she compells them to move along with Nathan's directions and he opens the door pushing me inside the car. Making my knees scrape against the edge of the seat.

He walks around to get in the driver side and slams the door and I begin twiddling with my fingers to distract myself.

"I'm going to ask you this one time and one time only Ems. Do you know him?" He asks gripping my chin harshly

Shaking my head wincing and choking out a sob, I see his once gentle silver eyes grow dimmer by the second. Almost lifeless.

"You know I don't like liars baby," He purrs and my stomach churns in disgust

Putting my head down so he doesn't see the tears falling, he grabs my wrist making me hiss painfully. And when I do, he looks down at them, his eyes closing for a milisecond then he releases his vice grip from me.

"I know you fucking didn't," He mutters under his breath and I pull my wrist back down turning my head to the window

"Emma, tell me you didn't fucking cut yourself this morning!" He screams, the look in his eyes more fearful than angry, and I remain silent

He forcefully grabs my upper arm pulling the sleeve down while taking in the bluish purplish cuts.

Sighing he brings my wrists to his lips and kisses them softly making my breath hitch, but I remain silent not wanting to tick him off.

"Please stop," He pleads kissing them again and looks up to me with a softer expression and I hiccup not knowing a response

The gentle Nathan only made a few appearance our relationship, but it was enough to please him so his other side wouldn't harm me.

I nod slowly and he raises up to kiss my forehead making warmth spread through me.

"I'm going to ask again, okay Emma, and please tell me the truth. Do you know the new guy?" He asks tenderly and I feel my heart shatter knowing what I have to do

"I p- promise, I don't k- know him," I reply stuttering softly not meeting his dangerously interested gaze

He comes closer and uses his pointer finger to lift my chin and I feel my stomach become queasy.

"Good, stay away from him. Please," He presses and I want to ask why, but I don't, not wanting to add more fuel to the fire, so I nod looking down beginning to twiddle with my fingers

He pulls back and starts up the engine, and the thought darts across my mind that I drove here this morning, but I know my parents will have one of our staff to pick it up. Hopefully they won't take it away from me again.

I look out the window watching the trees and people pass by and the scenary makes me feel at ease. Surprisingly, the ride is silent, forcing me to watch her, watch her write and scribble on a piece of paper on the floor.

Once we pull in the driveway, I'm lured out of my thoughts and try to hurriedly grab all of my things. Opening the door and getting out, I see him circle around the car and he pulls me by the arm turning me around to place a hand on my cheek. His hands are cold and rough against to my summery tempered skin, and it makes me feel slightly uncomfortable.

"You know I don't mean to hurt you right baby girl. Don't you?" He asks whispering but my feet stays planted to the concrete slab of my freshly polished driveway, along with my gaze

After finally nodding, he closes his eyes placing his head in my hair and I scratch his back lightly trying to calm the both of us. Trying to focus on his breathing patterns, I look up towards the road, but when I do, I see the same figure as before.

The same one who had a cheshire smile, black hair, and no eyes.

Her.