Chapter 5 Dylan

• Before I can ask him about about why he’s in my hall when his second period is across campus, he leans down. Before I can say anything, he pressed his lips against mine. I kiss him back but when his tongue darts out and slides across the front of my teeth I realize he wants me to give him access. He nudges his nose against mine impatiently and I let him in. His tongue finds mine and our lips part lightly.
• My eyes dart to Levi and I see him watching us. I avoid his gaze and break our kiss as my cheeks flush. I turn around to face Dylan and turning my back on Levi. I let my eyes roam down his body and take in his tight fitted white t-shirt and his dark blue jeans. His brunette hair is a little unruly but I like it when it’s like that. I look into his baby blue eyes and my breath hitched.
• He’s angry.
• “Why haven’t you answered my texts?” Dylan asked.
• “I’m sorry baby. I haven’t checked my phone all day. I had to rush to school this morning because… When I got to class i was out of breath and just trying to calm my fat ass breathing down before first period started. Class started and you know how Mr. Ludwig has a no phone rule in his classroom,” I rush out.
• “Why did you run to school?” Levi asked.
• I want to glare at him. Has he not picked up what’s going on right now? Dylan is upset and I’m trying to plead my case, but what does he do? Instead of sitting back and letting me trying to right this situation he steps in? Goddess, Dylan is going to get the wrong idea.
• “Why are you so nervous?” Dylan asked. He completely ignored Levi as his fingers gripped my chin. I let him turn me toward him so I wasn’t looking at Levi anymore.
• “I just don’t want you to think I was ignoring you,” I whispered. Dylan looked me in the eye and asked his next question. “Do you have something to hide from me?”
• “No,” I swore. The warning bell went off and I took a step back and out of his reach. His hand fell down to his side. I looked for my bag and found it at my feet. It must have fallen when he hugged me. I pick it up and throw it over my shoulder.
• “I have to head to my class babe,” I said.
• I turned and glanced at Levi before I started down the hallway. He looked angry but I couldn’t figure out why. I shook my head. I didn’t need to worry about that and I sure as hell didn’t need to start wondering about Levi. I needed to get to my next class and I didn’t want to be late. I hated walking into the classroom after everyone was seated. With my luck I would make it there as Mrs. Ram was taking attendance. I was almost to the door when a strong grip on my wrist pulls me back. I looked down and found Dylan’s hand. I wince as his grip tightens and I raised my head to look up at him.
• “Baby… what is it?” I asked.
• Dylan’s looking at me like I’ve done something wrong. The vein on his temple is pulsing and the corners of his lips are pulled down in a frown. Without meaning to, my breathing picks up and I can feel sweat gathering at the back of my neck. I feel like I’m there again. To the day after school let out. To the first day of summer. We’d gone out to celebrate. We were ready to have a good time and be kids living the best day of their lives, but that’s not what happened. I force the memory of that day from my mind and look up at my boyfriend.
• Why is he angry?
• “Don’t ever walk walk away from me again. Do you hear me?” His expression was threatening as he glared down at me. I swallow.
• “Okay, baby. I won’t. I didn’t mean to make you angry. Can you walk with me? I don’t want to be tardy,” I whisper.
• I try to pull my wrist from his grasp but he doesn’t let me go. If anything, he does the complete opposite. He yanked on my wrist and I’m pulled toward him hard. I smash into his chest and let out a small yelp.
• “Baby, please, that hurts,” I plead quietly. I look up at him even though I’m scared. I need to calm him down. “Okay, Dylan. I really need to get to class and you’re not saying anything. I don’t want to be late.”
• Alarm bells are going off in my head and I can’t help the images that flash across my mind. Images of Greg. Images of him on top of my mom. Images of my mom crying and as she cowered beneath him. Images of him swinging at me.
• No.
• He’s not Greg.
• Don’t be crazy.
• I made him mad.
• It’s understandable.
• This is Dylan.
• He loves me.
• Dylan stares at my pleading expression and he must see the fear in my eyes. His eyes soften and his grip on my wrist loosens. He releases me and lifts his hand to my face. I flinch and he slides his finger down the side of my face.
• “I’m sorry, baby. I wasn’t trying to scare you. Here,” He reached for my bag and I let him take it from me, “I’ll walk you to class.”
• I watch as he threw my bag over his shoulder before sliding his other arm my shoulders.I relax into him and my breathing slowed. My mind is racing but my heart warms. We start to walk down the hall and for the first time since I’ve started dating Dylan, I feel Levi’s eyes on me. I don’t know why he spoke to me today or acted like we were friends again. I don’t know why I can feel his worry even without looking at him because I’m fine. I ignore his gaze as Dylan pulled me closer.