"Julia, stay still or else I will shove this liquid eyeliner brush into your eye." Caroline growled, forcing Julia to close her eyes. She briskly and efficiently glided the tip along her eyelid, curving it upward slightly at the end. "Alright, all you need is mascara and I'll be done." She went through the makeup bag that she'd brought with her, sighing happily when she pulled out a tube of Maybelline Falsies mascara. As she swiped at Julia's lashes, Sydney straightened any parts of her hair that needed it.
As soon as they'd woken up this morning, they took quick showers before changing into their uniforms. After doing so, they ate an expansive breakfast that her father had made, her mother still sleeping in the room. They'd been up all night, and despite the bags under his eyes, he still greeted everyone with a warm smile before setting plates full of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausages down on the table.
Once they were done eating, they went back upstairs to the room where Caroline proceeded to lightly put on concealer, foundation, and matte powder on Julia's face. She decided not to add any blush, since her cheeks had a natural tint to it beyond her control, before going for the eyeliner and mascara.
"Done!" She stated, closing the mascara tube and dropping it into her bag. They packed the rest of their belongings before barreling down the steps, meeting with her father at the landing. A wide smile stretched across his face as he looked at his daughter.
"I didn't think light makeup made any differences on people, but I was somewhat wrong." He commented, grabbing the keys and nodding at them. "Well done."
"It's an art." Caroline stated in false conceit, flipping her hair dramatically. Laughing, they entered the car before heading to school, leaving early enough to avoid the impossible traffic that often gridlocked the streets. When her father pulled over in front of the entrance, they got out with her father, who walked them to the front doors. Before Julia went in, her father gave her a warm hug and kissed her forehead, smiling gently at her.
"If anything happens, contact us immediately." He murmured into her hair, giving her one more reassuring squeeze before letting go. "I love you, Julia. Try not to get into too much trouble."
"Love you too, dad." She chanted before catching up with her friends, heading to their lockers before shuffling to the AP World History room. They hung out in the hallway with a few of their classmates, discussing the material that Joey would be covering. Everything was especially peaceful and mundane, and Julia couldn't help but to appreciate it. The group entered the classroom just before the first period bell, greeting Mr. Torrez before moving to the back of the room where their table was. When Joey started teaching the class, Julia couldn't help but to stare at Zane's unoccupied seat.
"Zane's not coming today?" Sydney asked, tilting her chin at his spot. Julia shook her head before turning back to Joey, who was searching up videos and playing it on a large, touch screen board. Sighing, she discretely pulled her phone out and sent Zane a quick message.
I know this sounds pathetic, but I miss you.
She placed her phone under her arm and turned back to the screen, watching the videos he pulled up for the next ten minutes. Growing bored, she turned back to her friends and almost busted out laughing when she saw their expressions. Both of their hands were propping their heads up, squishing their cheeks so that it contorted their faces. Covering her mouth, she laughed silently at them. They gave her bewildered looks and she mimicked what they were doing, causing them to laugh and remove their hands.
"We're just so attractive doing that." Sydney stated sarcastically, laughing again. "For once, this class actually bores me. Maybe it's because I had a blast yesterday."
"You know, besides that stalker that I seem to be the only one who saw." Caroline pointed out, narrowing her eyes. "I mean, he was hot, but he gave me a really bad vibe when he was around." Julia struggled not to look disturbed by what she said because it was entirely true. Julia unlocked her phone secretly, trying to distract herself.
"Oh, he's cute." Sydney suddenly spoke up, leaning forward to look closer.
"Who is?" Julia asked, quickly glancing up at Sydney before shifting her attention back to her phone.
"The guy who came in just now." Sydney informed, pointing to the front of the room. "Look." Julia looked over at Caroline, watching her face contort from curiosity to absolute horror. Her body went rigid, and Julia's spine immediately straightened out in alarm.
"That's—that's the guy. The stalker." Julia's blood ran cold, and she whipped her head around to see Matthew casually talking to Mr. Torrez in a low voice, right in the front of the room. In a quick motion, Julia slid her unlocked phone to Caroline.
"Text my mom. Now." She hissed at her, watching as Caroline's fingers flew across the screen to send out a text message. "Mention the name Matthew and tell her to come here." Ripping her gaze back over to Matthew, Julia slowly slid out of her chair before backing into the closet that sat behind her seat.
"What are you doing?" Sydney whispered at her friend, shifting her gaze between Julia and her enemy. Julia brought a finger to her lips before gliding her hand around the shelves next to her, looking for the box cutter that she had convinced Joey to get. With an anxious whimper, Sydney tilted her head away, moving closer to Caroline. Julia's mouth went dry when she heard Joey's voice grow louder.
"Sir, you need to leave." He ordered firmly, pointing to the door. "You're not allowed in any classroom, nor may you personally remove a student from their room—" He broke off when Matthew landed a blow to his stomach, causing him to double over. There were a few screams that immediately cut off when he ripped his hand out of his pocket and shoved a needle into the side of Joey's neck. In seconds, the teacher was out cold.
Julia heard her friends inhale sharply over the roaring of her heart.
"Listen to me carefully or else I will break every single one of your tiny, feeble necks." Matthew purred, grinning at everyone around the room. "Now, who's going to tell me where Julia is? Hm?"
She released a shaky sigh before calming herself down and mentally preparing myself for what was to come. Scanning the shelves, she located the box cutter, grabbing it before extending the blade. She looked through the opening of the door, readying herself for his inevitable approach.
"No one? That's fine." He shrugged before walking around the room slowly, peering into each person's face as he slid a knife out of his pocket. "I like a good hunt. If anyone tries leaving the room, I'll rip your throat out." He threatened casually, shooting everyone a grin as he balanced the dagger in his palm. "Slowly, of course."
Julia heard gentle footfalls as Matthew approached her table, growing closer to the closet she was hiding in. From the shaky breaths that Caroline took, she knew he'd locked eyes with her.
"Friend One." Matthew greeted from just beyond the door frame, stopping in front of it. "Ah, and Friend Two. Hello. Mind telling me where Julia is?" He had a mocking tone, clearly aware that she was somewhere in the room. She allowed him to seek her, coming to the realization that he couldn't possibly do anything to the students in this classroom. The longer this game took, the better the chance of reinforcements coming to get him.
When he took a step closer, she leapt out of the closet as she swung the blade down on him, aiming to get his shoulder. He must have expected her, for he raised his dagger to catch the blade before it could do him any damage. A grin stretched his lips as he tilted his head to look at her.
"There you are, sweetheart."
She pulled her blade back, sending a kick at his ankles to create some distance between him and her friends. He obliged, twirling the blade between his fingers as she pushed forward, swinging the box cutter at him. It wasn't her ideal weapon, but it was better than nothing compared to the lethal item he held himself.
He parried her hits with his dagger, humming to himself as he seemingly waited for something. She shot her hand out, now going for his throat, when he suddenly grabbed her wrist and slid around her. The tip of his dagger met the sensitive flesh of Julia's neck as he dug his fingers into the major nerves connected to the fingers that held her weapon. He pressed down hard, causing her hand to seize up until the blade dropped from her weak fingers. Briskly, he pushed her weapon away from them with his foot.
He hovered his head right next to her ear, holding her wrist. "Missed me?"
"Can't say I did." She huffed, clenching her fists as she inched herself away from his blade and closer to him.
"Don't hurt my feelings now." He stated in a teasing manner, chuckling. "You must have missed me to a certain—" She didn't allow him to finish before sending her foot directly to his legs while she pushed his dagger away with her free hand. He must have expected it because he moved back quickly, grinning at her. Infuriated, Julia spun around to watch him.
How dare he waltz into her life, just to turn everything into shit.
How dare he come in here and terrorize not just her, but her friends and classmates? Had he no shame, to involve innocents like he is now?
Willing herself to calm down, she faced him head on, ready to fend for her life and everyone else's. They watched one another for a moment, seemingly playing out the fight in their heads before it even begun.
"Well? Aren't you gonna come and get me?" Julia challenged, already moving herself into position. She allowed her body to remain unlocked but steady, likely needing to depend on her speed, size, and flexibility to use against him.
"I usually provide the mercy of the first move to my opponents." He stated easily, unaffected by her subtle taunt as he made a point in pocketing his knife.
"Funny, I was offering the same."
"Oh, but I insist—"
Taking the initiative, she launched forward, bringing herself close as she fired off jabs at him. He dodged them before doing the same, relentlessly flinging hooks and backing her towards the front of the room. She had never moved so fast in her life, but he was a formidable opponent, and she couldn't afford to slip up even a fraction. Just as he sent a kick hurtling to the side of her head, she ducked, pushing his leg to continue its course as to throw off his balance. It hardly did anything; he was as agile and balanced as a cat.
"I knew you'd be quick," he hummed happily, eyes dancing with amusement. "Perhaps you'd be some fun after all."
This wasn't any fun for her. It was difficult enough to be in a room with as many obstacles as this one did, and with the pressure of so many witnesses here along with Matthew's incredible ability, she knew she wouldn't be standing for long. This was a messy situation he developed, and it was probably his intention to expose her and create chaos within the building. How would this possibly get covered up? If this kept going, the neighboring classrooms would be notified by the noise.
Backing up again, the heel of her foot tapped against the wall. Behind her was the screen with the video that Joey had been presenting in class, playing in the background. Leveling her gaze with Matthew's, she reached back and slid the volume up to full blast. Sensing her change in energy, his lips no longer smiled as his eyes narrowed dangerously at her.
Julia threw a few feints at him before following it with a kick to the left side of his stomach. He easily caught it with both hands, much to her pleasure, and she jumped before grabbing the back of his head and smashing it against her knee.
He promptly let her go, clutching onto his face with one hand. Julia rolled off to the side, creating distance between them while also freeing herself from the corner she'd been backed into.
"Move your desks to the front of the room." He ordered harshly over the narration of the video, glaring at everyone menacingly. "Now. Don't try leaving." In seconds, every table was placed in the front of the room, the students unable to make a sound out of fear. He motioned for them to get on top of them before slowly turning back to Julia.
"Why are you here?" She snapped, maintaining her fighting stance.
"To collect you."
"You don't want me; you want my parents."
"Samil wants your parents. It'd be nice if I had you for myself." He shrugged before sending a high kick to her face. She barely managed to avoid it, taking a sharp breath to keep herself focused. How the hell was he so fast? Had he been playing with her this whole time? His leg switched projection and was sent back to the way it came, landing on her arm. A gasp slipped out from her lips, and using that as a sign of weakness, he grabbed the collar of her shirt and threw Julia to the floor. She tried to get up, but he was quicker and used his leg to push her body back onto the floor. She panted, using her hands to attempt removing his foot off her shoulder.
She wrapped her legs around his hips and twisted her body, miraculously bringing him down. Never in her life had she been so happy in being flexible. Julia climbed onto him, punching him in the face twice before digging her fist into his stomach, somewhat winding him.
"Leave me and my loved ones alone." She growled into his face as she punched him, her eyes blazing. Seemingly unfazed by the battering of his face, he chuckled deeply.
"No can do, sweetheart." He answered before smashing his head against hers, causing Julia to cry out and cradle her face. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her aside, getting up and bringing her with him. A startled whimper escaped her throat, and he purred with pleasure before slamming her against a wall of cabinets, pinning her hands down while his other hand secured itself around her throat. He placed his knee between her legs to cage her in a way that prevented her from moving.
"Why are you doing this?" Julia hissed, struggling to rip her wrists out of his grasp. She gave up after a few moments, turning her attention to her frightened classmates. They stared at her in awe, no doubt surprised with her ability to fight. Julia's stomach dropped when she didn't see her friends. Had they managed to escape? Did Matthew have anyone outside the classroom, or was he working alone? Were they safe? Her eyelids fluttered at the worst-case scenario.
"Because I was told to."
"That shouldn't be good enough." Julia thrashed, a weak groan ripping out from her when he used one hand to hold her wrists while the other slammed her body against the wall once more. The handle of the cabinet dug into her back painfully.
"The chance of messing around with a cute girl like yourself was a definite perk." He hummed, leaning in closer to her face. "By the way, I like the hair. You look hot."
"I don't aim to please you." She spat, gritting her teeth when he dug his nails into her wrists.
"You'll have to do a lot of pleasing with Samil if you want to keep yourself alive for more than two minutes." He shrugged, laughing into her ear softly. "You know, Julia, I would think you knew who your friends were."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"You don't?" He asked her in mock surprise before a grin spread across his face, causing her heart to race. "Truly?"
Julia clenched her jaw as she struggled to maintain eye contact with him, his words spreading a certain anxiety that she hadn't felt before. She glared at him, unamused with the game he was playing.
"Right, he never told you." He lowered his face down to hers so that his gaze could pierce her own. "I'm talking about Zane, sweetheart. The boy you love."