Chapter 6 – Sixteen
–LIA’S POV–
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My eyes widened, and I tried to back away from Zane, but he maintained the hold on my arms.
“You okay?” he asked, frowning, as he pulled off the tape.
“Let go of me!” I cried, trying to push away from him.
“Hey, it’s al–”
“Lia!” Blake shouted, his voice filling me with immense relief.
My head snapped in his direction, to find him staring at us. He rushed up to me within seconds, pushing Zane away and pulling me into his arms. “What the hell? Are you alright?” he asked, cradling my face in his hands as he wiped away my tears.
Sobs left my lips, and I buried my face in his chest, closing my eyes. He held me for a second, then gently pushed me away to look at me. His eyes dropped to my hands, and he quickly grabbed them, pulling the tape off, freeing me. I thought he’d pull me back to his chest, but instead Blake turned around, charging at Zane.
I gasped, covering my mouth as he slammed Zane against the wall.
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Chapter 6 – Sixteen
“How dare you touch her? What did you do to her?” Blake yelled, his voice unusually deep.
“Blake!” I cried, my eyes wide.
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“I didn’t do anything,” Zane replied calmly, completely unfazed by Blake’s outburst. He caught hold of Blake’s wrists and pushed his hands off his collar. But Blake gave him a hard shove to the side, almost making him fall to the ground.
“I will kill you!” Blake said, going to attack him again.
“Blake, stop,” I said, moving closer to them. “Zane didn’t do anything! It was the others.”
Now Blake stopped, glancing at me. He was seething with anger. Yet somehow, it still felt like he was holding back.
“He got me out,” I said, my voice softer now.
“Out?” Blake asked, stepping towards me.
“From the locker,” I explained, my voice cracking.
Letting out an animalistic grunt, Blake turned to Zane again, grabbing his collar once more.
“Listen to me, you or your puppies look in her direction ever again, it will be the last day you walk on this earth. Do you understand?”
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Chapter 6 – Sixteen
Zane stared at Blake silently, then shifted his gaze to me as though in defiance.
What was wrong with him?
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He then met Blake’s eye again, and in a swift move, pushed Blake against the wall, holding him by the back of his neck. I let out a small scream, immediately rushing up to them, grabbing Zane’s arm to get him to let go. But my attempt was futile.
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“Learn to manage your emotions better,” Zane said to him softly. “And right now, you should be focusing on whether your friend is hurt. She’s terrified already, there’s no need for more drama.” He let go of Blake and stepped away, and I immediately let go of him too, hurrying to Blake.
“You okay?” I asked, a tear falling from my eye.
Blake glared at Zane, who calmly walked off, leaving the corridor.
“Blake?” I took his arm.
“I’m fine,” he replied, closing his eyes shut. “Are you okay?” he asked me, gently taking my hand.
“I’m fine, don’t worry.” I nodded.
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Chapter 6 – Sixteen
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I took an early off that day, and went home, not in the right emotional mind–frame. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t forget what happened. The Hounds had locked me up before, but it had been in a store room, or the janitorial closet. Never in a space so small, not tied up like that.
My mind kept wandering to Zane, and I couldn’t understand why he saved me. This was the first time he had stepped in like that. Never had he helped me before. So why now? Why today? Did he too agree that his friends had crossed a limit?
And how did he manage to rip my locker open? That was some serious strength. Strength that shouldn’t be… humanely possible.
I glanced at the clock, plopping down in bed. There were only a few minutes until twelve, and I would turn sixteen. If Blake hadn’t promised to take me out tomorrow, this would be the driest birthday ever. My parents weren’t in town for a week, visiting my aunt. So there was not much to do. Otherwise, Mom would always bake a cake and the three of us would cut it together. They’d even get party hats to make the occasion feel more special.
The clock struck twelve, and instantly, my phone started to
ring. I glanced at the screen, smiling when I saw Mom’s name. I picked up the phone, and my parents wished me a quick ‘happy birthday‘ before hanging up.
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As soon as I did, my phone rang again.
This time, it was Blake.
My heart skipped a beat before I picked up his call.
“Hello?”
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Lia, happy birthday to you,” Blake sang, making me laugh. For some odd reason, his voice sounded so much better than I remembered. Was it just cause he was singing?
“Thank you so much.” I grinned.
“You’re welcome. What’s up? What are you doing right now?”
Why did it sound deeper? Smoother? Sexier?
“Uh, nothing much,” I replied. “My parents aren’t in town so I’m just on my own.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me that before, Lia?” he asked.
Wow. My name sounded so much more better when he said it.
“I don’t know,” I shrugged. “It was a last moment plan.”
“Why didn’t you go?” he asked.
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Chapter 6 – Sixteen
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I pursed my lips. How was I supposed to tell him that I didn’t go because I wanted to celebrate my birthday with him? Heat rose to my cheeks.
“I was… feeling lazy,” I replied. “I guess.”
“Alright, well, get off your ass and get dressed. If you’re home alone, I’m coming to get you.”
My eyes widened, heart hammering in my chest at the thought of seeing him.
“What? Why? To go where? I—I can’t leave, Blake, I’m not allowed to. I promised Mom,” I said.
“Oh come on, Lia. Let’s hang out? It’ll be fun.”
I bit my lip, considering.
Then I decided not to.
“I’m so sorry, Blake.”
“Please?”
“I really appreciate your offer, but I promised Mom I won’t step outside the house at night. She was very worried for me. I know you’d keep me safe, but I take my promises very serious. And we’re going out tomorrow anyway, right? You’re doing more than enough, Blake. Thank you so much. I’m really so lucky to
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Chapter 6 – Sixteen
have a… friend like you,” I said softly, trying to sound as polite as I could.
There was silence on the other end for a moment, then I heard à sigh.
“Alright, Lia. Whatever you say. But I won’t entertain any excuses tomorrow. Be on time, yeah?”
“I promise,” I said. “You’re the best, Blake.”
m thi thi la Wat i
Blake laughed, the sound flooding my chest with a warmth I’d never felt before. My eyes widened in surprise. What on earth?
“You’re the best, Lia. Not me,” he said kindly.
“Sure, whatever you say. You should go to sleep now. I know it’s Saturday tomorrow, but it’s getting late.‘
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“Your wish is my command, Ma’am. Good night, birthday girl.”
I smiled. “Good night.”
He hung up the phone, and I buried my face in my pillow, letting out a small scream of excitement. I was going out with him tomorrow. It was definitely going to be the best birthday
ever.
I dimmed the lights of my room, preparing to sleep, when suddenly, Zane’s face flashed in
my mind.
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Chapter 6 – Sixteen
It was his birthday too.
Maybe I should wish him.
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I picked up my phone to leave him a text, but then decided against it. There was also no birthday party this time, which was weird for him. His birthday was always celebrated at his house and the entire class would be invited. Maybe this time he decided to keep it more intimate.
I closed my eyes, adjusting my head for comfort. I had a long, exciting day with Blake ahead of me. I didn’t want to ruin it by thinking about Zane.
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