I turned my walk home into a run, my mom would be so proud of me. However, once she finds out that I will not be attending dinner at the Brook's house she won't be. I didn't regret anything I said, I was being a naive idiot letting Warner get close to me like that. A few months ago he was the enemy and now I was letting him cook me breakfast?
Pathetic.
Humiliation feels like a weight pressing against my chest, making it nearly impossible to breathe. Every part of me is burning, with rage, confusion and sadness.
This was supposed to be a fresh start for me and I was letting people from my past affect me. Warner was ruining everything, I needed to get back to University where nobody knew who I was.
Once I got inside I felt dizzy, I had gone on two long runs and all I have eaten today was the gross green juice my mom made me this morning. My head was also aching from the cold tile floor Sierra hit it on. All I want to do is go to sleep.
My phone buzzes when I finally get to my bed. I nearly jump in surprise at who had messaged me.
Hey, I am going back to the dorms early! Do you want a ride? Warner said you might need one - Adam
Geez, Warner sure was quick to get rid of me, he already had my new ride set up. I had been so caught up with him that I had forgotten about the actual sweet guy who was interested in me. Not only that but he only knew me as the new Juliet and I liked that. I didn't feel like a loser around him or a fake.
I send Adam my address and start packing my bags, I knew my mom was going to be pissed but I didn't care. Pissing her off by skipping dinner was worth it in my eyes because it meant I didn't have to hear her make comments about every single thing I ate.
I passed by my mirror when I was shoving my clothes in my suitcase and saw that a bruise was already forming on my face. I have no idea how to explain that to Adam, so I try to cover it the best I can with makeup.
My mom still isn't back and I am kind of glad. This means I can escape without having to talk to her in person. Sure it means she will be twice as mad about me leaving but it is worth it.
I was expecting Adam to just send a text when he arrives so I am shocked to hear a knock on the door. I am actually nervous to see him, what if Warner told him what really happened? My mouth starts to taste like pennies which normally means I am nervous or about to throw up. I truly hope it is nerves because I really don't feel like vomiting on Adam today. I open the door anyway.
"Juliet..?" His tone makes it sound more like a question but all I can do is look into his eyes. He searches my eyes and as he does his eyes are filled with concern and worry. He knows something is wrong. Then his eyes notice something on the right-hand side of my face - something I had failed to cover up with my makeup. A bruise forming, which had probably turned a darker shade of red. I see his body tense and then go rigid.
"Who did this to you?" he asks, the venom of anger seeping into his voice. I watch his adam's apple bounce up and down as he swallows, his body still as a statue.
"Nobody did anything Adam I fell, now can we please go before my mom gets back? She is kind of scary and I am having a bad day I just really want to go back to the dorms" my pleading eyes seemed to work on him because he nodded and walked towards his car.
"You better not be lying" there was anger and worry still evident in his eyes as he opened the passenger door for me.
Before I get in the car he cups my head in his hands and pulls me close to his chest to console me. He rocks me from side to side holding me tightly in his arms. We stayed there for a bit, with me securely wrapped in Adam's arms. I breathe in his cologne for the last time before pulling away.
"Thank you" I think he knows I needed a hug and I was glad that he was the one to give it. I get into the passenger seat and we take off back to the university.
"Are you okay?" he wasn't asking me to tell him what happened, he was only asking me if I'm okay and I couldn't be more grateful to him for understanding that I don't want to explain.
I nod just a little bit and he sighs as I wring my hands together looking down at my lap. He doesn't push past that, instead, we talk about his family and how he spent his thanksgiving. It was nice to get my mind off my own problems and just listen to Adam.
When we arrive back at the dorm I feel oddly at home. We walk into the common room and it is empty since most people won't be home untill tomorrow.
"Thank you, Adam, for going out of your way to pick me up and for not pressing for information."
"You don't need to thank me, Juliet. I would jump at any opportunity to get some alone time with you." His bluntness makes me blush. God, I was so new to this.
In the midst of my thoughts, I feel Adam's soft hand caress my cheek. My heart pounds in my chest, while he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His eyes are burning into mine, and I feel his hands travel down my back and around my waist. I felt breathless already. Adam pulls me in so close to him, so close that I can feel his heart beat against my chest.
"I have been wanting to do this since I saw you."
I nod my head as he tilts his and slowly lets his lips come to mine. When he begins kissing me, I follow his lead. I close my eyes and let my arms trail above Adam's shoulders and wrap around his neck.
I feel a rush of heat all the way from my feet to my head. Adam loosens the grip around my waist and runs his hands up the back of my sweatshirt, touching my skin. His fingertips are so soft and the stroking motion sends shivers up my spine.
I quickly wrap my arms around his neck, pressing my lips more firmly against his. When we break apart, I rest my forehead on his as my breathing slows.
"I should give you rides more often." Adam jokes and I smile. I needed this after the last couple of days. I don't think of my past when I am around him.
____________________________
I hear a banging on my door and I can't tell if it is from my dream or real life. I decide it is from my dream until I hear it again louder. It is almost 4:30 am why is someone banging at my door?
I groggily get up and open my door assuming it must be some kind of emergency but am shocked to see Warner at my door. He looked dischelved and has a glossed-over look on his eyes as if he had been drinking. Which is concerning because Warner Brooks did not drink.
"I didn't know you knew how to knock." I try to block my room but Warner's long, muscular body advances on me. I find myself moving backward, moving away from him because his intensity is a bit terrifying. Usually, his eyes are a normal shade of green but you can tell he hasn't slept and the heat of them sears right through me.
I move until I can't move anymore -- because my butt meets the wall. Warner doesn't stop until his body is a mere inch from mine. If I inhale my breasts will rise and probably bump his chest.
Delicately, his fingers graze the bruised skin on my face, leaving a trail of tingles and electricity behind them. He's making me go crazy at just one single touch. However, this touch isn't going to make me forget about the pain shooting from my bruise or my anger at him, or any of my other worries.
"Jules" He smells like bourbon...I thought he didn't drink?
"How long do you plan on punishing me?" It sounds like the words are being ripped from his throat. My pulse quickened from how close we were, I hope he can't tell how nervous he makes me.
"You hurt me." I whisper, barely able to hear my own voice.
"I know." He rasps, those molten eyes locking onto mine. He looks like he is battling something in his head.
I can't find my voice and his rough fingertips graze my cheekbone where Sierra had hit it on the bathroom tile. I can barely breathe. Why is he so close right now? Aren't I supposed to hate him?
I find my voice again, although it is shakier than I would've liked "No, okay no. I'm done. What do you want from me?" I cry out facing him and he clenches his jaw, his eyes ablaze with what I'm expecting to be fury but it's not, it's something else entirely.
"I want you to let me help you, why is that so hard for you?" He sounds aggravated and frustrated, feelings and emotions I can reciprocate.
"Why? After everything you've put me through do you honestly expect me to share my deepest darkest secrets with you? Was that your master plan Warner? If it is your plan then it sucks!"
My words cause him to tighten his jaw. He looks annoyed now as if I have said something to upset him. He takes a stumble back, and it's clear that not only has he been drinking but he has drank way too much.
"Me? You think I'm the one who's going to hurt you? How blind can you be Juliet?" He's half shouting the words at me just like I'd been shouting at him.
"I'm blind? You're the one who can't see that things are different now! You think you can just waltz back into my life and try to, what was it you said, fix it?" He looks angrier now and I don't get it.
He opens his mouth but no words come out. Suddenly his green eyes harden, he scans over my room before focusing back on me. His cold gaze is trained on me in a terrifyingly detached way.
Turning around he heads back to my door and opens it. "Fine, make me the villain." He closes the door behind him leaving me pressed against the wall confused as ever.