Fragile

Chapter 15

Since then, I had stopped trying to remember. Nurse Lucy was probably right; I probably buried it for good reason. So why was I suddenly curious now, as I was lightheaded outside? Why did I suddenly want to know these things? What changed? 

"Hey!" I jolted at the sound of a male voice and whipped around. "Fae, right? We met at the back to school party." 

I blinked, taking in a strange lacrosse player in front of me. He had chocolate hair and caramel skin with a chiseled jaw. He wore his Jersey over a pair of basketball shorts with his sports bag slung over his shoulder and stick in hand. He looked like a typical college jock, at least what I knew of typical college jocks. I didn't remember him, of course, but part of that had to do with being date drugged. Mercenaries, Noah's voice echoed in my brain. 

"I-I'm sorry, I don't..." I felt my brain stall like an old computer. What did he want? Why was he approaching me? He couldn't really snatch me here in broad daylight, right? 

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," he chuckled airily, unfazed by my reaction. "I just heard some of the guys gave you a bit of a rough time. I wanted to apologize in person, but I didn't have a way to contact you. Bunch of idiots when you give 'em alcohol, you know?" 

I blinked like a deer in headlights. "Oh." Wasn't he supposed to be scary? Why was he so... nice? 

"Seth Manson," he held out his hand. My hand was nearly swallowed by the size of his. 

"Fae," I spoke wearily. Right. He already knew my name. 

He gently released my hand and tossed me a bright, model smile. "Let me know if the guys ever bother you, alright? I'll make sure to put them in their place." 

I couldn't help but blush. "How?" 

He chuckled and pointed to an emblem on his jersey. "Team Captain," he said. "I gotta head to practice, but I'm glad we talked. See you around, Fae." 

I felt my cheeks tingle as he winked and jogged off towards the gym. What was this fluttery feeling? Why was he so kind? Noah said all the lacrosse guys were Mercenaries, but... how could someone with such a nice smile be apart of something so evil? 

"Fae." 

I nearly shrieked when I was startled yet again, this time by a hand on my shoulder. Two arms caught me and swung me away from the stairs before I could fall, pinning me against the building wall. "Noah?" 

"What did he want?" his eyes stared intensely into mine, not even acknowledging my question or the fact that his body had pinned mine. The whole interaction caused me to stall as struggled to process his words. 

"Seth?"

"No, the mailman. Yes, Seth," he snapped impatiently. "Did you forget what I told you about the lacrosse team?" 

I narrowed my eyes. "He seemed really nice, unlike someone I know," I countered. 

Noah's gaze hardened. "You think thugs don't know how to keep a poker face? Are you pretending to be stupid to piss me off or are you actually just that dumb?" 

His words stung, but then again Noah's words always hurt. Every time he snapped at me I always felt the dam in my eyes burst open. I struggled to blink back my tears. "You keep telling me everyone else is dangerous, that they're the ones I should be afraid of. But the only person who has consistently been cruel and mean to me has been you." 

His harsh gaze faltered. "Is that really how you feel?" 

I searched his gaze for guilt or regret, but I found myself staring at a reflection of my own fears and insecurities. "If you're really on my side, then why do you have to be so cruel at the same time?" 

"You never listen to me," he countered. "Do you know how hard it is to keep you safe when you question-" 

"Why can't I question you? Am I a child?" I demanded. "I don't even know you! You have hundreds of secrets. When you reveal one, ten more appear. Whenever I do anything, you're always there to call me an idiot without even telling me what I did wrong!" 

"I'm telling you now. Stay away from Lacrosse. Especially Seth." 

"What if I say no?" 

He scowled. "You have no sense of self preservation." 

"Well at least I know how to have basic human emotions." 

He sighed. "Fae-" 

"Just go," I cut him off, feeling the tears overflow. Why did I always cry at the worst times? 

"Fae-" 

"What do you want!" 

"You're still holding my shirt." 

I glanced down at his hand that encased mine, which I now noticed was gripping his t shirt in my fists. I didn't even realize I had been holding onto him, and so tightly at that. I quickly relaxed my grip, noticing my hands left crinkles in his shirt. Noah, however, still held my other hand. I felt his thumb gently wipe a stray tear and I sniffled with embarrassment. So much for saving face. 

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I'm not good with people, as you've already figured out." 

I turned my head weakly, avoiding eye contact. "I don't like to be yelled at." 

"I was scared," he continued, resting his index finger under my chin. "People tend to yell when they are angry or frustrated. I yell when I'm afraid." 

"W-why are you scared?" I finally caved to look up at him, searching for the fear he spoke of. Even now, he seemed so put together. But his expression was slightly softer, less angry. 

"Because I know what they are capable of, and what they could do to you," he said. "I get frustrated when you don't listen because I can't always be here to protect you." 

"I never asked you to protect me..." 

"I know. It might not make sense to you right now, but I need to protect you," he said. "I want to." 

"What if I don't believe you? How do I know you're not just lying like everyone else?" 

"Let me take you somewhere tonight, and you can ask whatever you want. But for now, you think you can stay out of trouble until then?"