You're My Only Obsession

Chapter one - The beginning

I had never noticed Sam before that night. Not once did I see him, then he was everywhere I looked. He will be the one to save me from my past.

I just walked out of the party which shockingly was still swinging behind me. I was walking through the jam-packed car park, to get to my car. Before I got to the car, I stopped to text my best friend, Emily telling her that I couldn't stand being at the same party as my ex-boyfriend, Aaron. She promised he wouldn't be here tonight, that he was out of town. Sadly, this information wasn't true. As I was dancing with Emily, enjoying myself; I felt like that I was being stared at. I looked around the room to see Aaron standing there only looking at me, looking at me.

It was making me too uncomfortable to be there. The way he would look at me sent shivers down my spine and make me feel like I needed to throw up. It was the hunger in his eyes that was scaring me the most. So, I needed to get out of there before he made his move.

Me and Aaron were together for a total of 2 miserable years. Don't get me wrong we had good moments, this is when I stupidly saw hope that he would stop what he was doing but then he would just snap and all hope was gone again. Since the day I left though I have been catching him staring at me in class. I have also noticed that whenever I am out, he always seems to be there. I haven't mentioned it to anyone else but it was starting to creep me out. I shook my head, trying to erase my thoughts before I got too paranoid.

Luckily tonight I was the designated driver so I was able to leave and get home safely.

I walked slowly through the car park, the dim light from the lamp post leading the way to my car. When we got here earlier, I wasn't able to park my car near a light so I am now stood digging around in my bag trying to find my keys. Maybe if I wait in the car long enough I'll be able to go home with Cody and Emily. The way Emily and her boyfriend, Cody were like when I left, I'm going to be shocked if she even messages me back or they come out anytime soon.

In seconds that followed, I was too tired to comprehend what was happening. One moment I was opening my car door, and next I was pushed up against my car. I couldn't move but with my weak efforts there was no point.

"Hey baby" the voice whispered in my ear, slurring at the same time, his breath smelling of vodka. I cringed at the name 'baby' and pushed back, he stumbled back letting go of me. I could feel my hands start to shake with fear as I turned to face him. He was so close to me that I could see the sweat dripping from his hair. How much has he been drinking? It can't just be tonight.

"What do you want Aaron?" I choke out. My voice was not strong due to the amount of fear running through my body. He just stood there looking me up and down, making me feel insecure so I pull the dress I'm wearing down a little more.

"How have you been Scar?" he said still smiling at my legs, I now regret wearing one of Emily's dresses. I try to look away from him but I physically can't as I'm scared that as soon as I look away he's going to pounce at me like a cat getting its pray.

I take a deep breath trying to calm my nerves before answering because I don't want him to know how scared of him I really am. He lives on the fear I have for him. Its like a sick little game for him, getting joy out of scaring me.

"Better Aaron, why are you here? I asked you to stay away from me" I strained, worrying he wasn't going to like that answer.

"So, it's better without me? I doubt that ha. C'mon baby I can tell you miss me. Why else would you leave as soon as you see me?" he says staring me straight in the eyes. I lock my eyes onto his and try to stand a little taller. Be Strong Scarlet.

"Aaron, I ended things because of the way you were treating me. This all needs to seriously stop. I am trying to move on and be happy so please... I am begging you to leave me alone" I say trying to make my voice sound more assertive. He looked hurt and angry, but he didn't say anything. He put his hands over his face and started to sob into them. I took this as a moment to get into my car and I don't even care, I'm driving home. As I turned to open my car door, I felt something grab my wrist and pull at me. The amount of force that my wrist was pulled at ran pain all the way up to my shoulder, feeling like everything just came out of its socket. I scream out in pain and tried to pull my hand back to my chest so the pain can stop. Even with the amount of effort I give to pull back, I physically can't against the strength that Aaron has.

"So that's it huh? How many times do I have to say sorry to you before you get it through your thick head? I love you Scarlet and all you want to do it be a slag and open up your legs to every man that wants you" he snapped at me, pulling me towards his car which I didn't realize was only a few spaces down from mine.

"Aaron please let go of me, you are hurting me. Please just listen to me..." I tried pleading with him and putting my feet down so he couldn't get me to his car. Doing this though made me trip as he still tried to pull at my arm. As I fell, he yanked on my arm, sending another pain through it.

"You never listen Scarlet! What do I have to do to get you to understand? The only way I get your attention is by hurting you" he says bluntly, still trying to get me to go in the same direction of his car.

"You don't have to hurt me... we can talk. I promise if you let me go Aaron, I'll walk with you. Please hun" I said with fake sweetness, I know this sometimes works with him. If I give in and act like things are okay, he will let go. Which will hopefully give me enough time to run and jump into my car. I could feel his grip loosen up on my wrist and he then turned to look at me.

"See baby, that's not so hard is it?" he said looking at me with lust in his eyes. The sudden change in him makes me feel sick, doesn't help that the alcohol is now taking a turn for the worst.

Suddenly I felt a throbbing pain on the side of my face and in that moment, I realized he had hit me. The blow made me stumble back and I cried in pain, holding the side of my face. I felt something warm on my hand and when I looked down there was blood there, he had split my lip with just one hit.

"You think I'm that stupid? I know you Scar, always remember that!" he shouted at me, making my body feel weak. In that moment I felt like giving up. Feeling myself coming out of my own body. I had no fight in me to even try to fight him when he grabbed my wrist again.

"Aaron, stop. Please- you're hurting me. You're drunk. Please stop. Please" I sobbed as he pulled at my arm.

That's when I heard his voice come out of nowhere.

"If I was you Aaron, I would let go" a male's voice said from behind me. Aaron turned around as quickly as he could and let go of my wrist, as he did, I was able to turn around to see who it was. This also gave me the opportunity to ease myself to my car slowly.

"And what are you going to do about it Sam? We were just talking weren't we Scarlet?" he said putting his arm around my waist, digging in slightly, I wince at the pain. I look up at the man in front of us and he's looking at my intently. I watched as he studied my face and when his eyes landed on my lip, his hand clenched into fists.

"Is that why her lip is split, and she's been crying? I don't think she wants to go home with you. So again, I will say if I was you, I would let go of her" he said sternly as he took a step towards us. Aaron's arm dropped from my waist as he moved towards him.

"And what would you know Sam? Do you really want to start a fight with me over my girl?" he questioned him as he moved closer. That's when I realized that this man, he's calling Sam had no fear on his face, he was stood tall and strong. Who was this? And why was he doing this?

He looked Aaron straight in the eyes, with a smirk on his face before he said "Your girl? Everyone at college can tell that you aren't together apart. If you can hit her you are able to at least try with me. Or are you afraid?". I stood there in shock at his confidence and also at the fact that he may know me. How could he know me, and I don't even know him?

In that moment Aaron's head snapped back from Sam hitting him in the face. I gasped at the sight and ran towards my car, I jumped in and locked the doors.

I watched as Aaron tried to throw punches at Sam but because of the alcohol he missed his face by a couple inches. Then suddenly his head smacked back again. Sam never took his eyes of Aaron as he hit him in the ribs. Aaron threw a few more pathetic punches of his own, blood streaming down his face. Aaron then charged towards Sam, but he was too quick and delivered an uppercut to Aaron's chin.

I winced away when I saw his head snap up, and then his elbow contacted Aaron's temple. He fell back against his car, grunting before he fell to the ground. I sat there in shock at the fact that this random stranger was able to make Aaron seem weak. That's when I looked at the man called Sam face and all it showed its disgust and anger. His fists wear balled and trembling.

I pushed myself against my door, panic racing up my body as I started to shake all over. I sobbed as the lump in my throat burned; the man must have heard me because his eyes shot to me. The anger left his face and became kind. He looked concerned.

He then walked slowly towards my car and opened the passenger door.

"Please – don't – hurt." I choked out

He stopped then; looking at me he put his hands up. Like he was showing no harm. But I've just seen him beat the hell out of the strongest guy I know.

"I'm not going to hurt you Scarlet, are you okay? Is your lip okay?" he said calmly. He took a step forwards, but I didn't speak to him. I looked at him scared. "I'm going to call 999. Do you need medical assistance or just the police?" he said pointing towards my lip which had stopped bleeding.

I thought of the drama at college I would get. My family would be even more stressed then they are. I couldn't do that to them. So, I shook my head at him. No police.

"Don't call" I whimpered.

"Don't call an ambulance?"

I cleared my throat and shook my head, "don't call anyone"

"Look am I wrong to say that this guy just attacked you and your telling me that you don't want to call the police?" he closed his mouth, still looking into my eyes.

"I'm sure – no police. I just want to go home," I sobbed.

I jumped at the sound of Aaron moaning and he rolled over. Sam popped his head up to make sure that he wasn't getting up.

"I'll drive you" he said simply, like it wasn't out of his way or any problem to him.

He looked back at me his mouth forming a frown. I then remembered that this man knows my name but how? I have never seen him at college. Well... I say that but I was in mine and Aaron's bubble for a long time and when I came out of that I haven't really been looking around me. Its all been a blur, everything just started to marge into one day.

"How do you know me?" I ask instead of answering his offer as I was wondering how he knew me. Don't want it to be another guy who has been stalking me. When I asked this question, he just laughed which put me on edge.

"ha I'm in the same class as you for one, developmental and educational psychology? Two I played football with him with some friends and he never shut up about you... always got weird vibes off him" he said smiling at me, I sat there staring at him in shock. I was trying to figure out who he was in my class and how I had never seen him before.

"You always sat at the front of the class with Aaron. I sit at the back with my head down. But anyway, enough about that. Do you want me to drive you home?" he said as if knowing what I was thinking, maybe it was obvious on my face.

I shook my head. I could call Cody and get him to come down here. He has always been here for me, so has Emily. They are the closet people I've got. Also, I wasn't a complete i***t, I just got out of one attack, not going to fall into another one. "I can drive myself," I snapped, narrowing my eyes at him.

He then leaned down, and I flinched but all he did was pick up my phone and bag up, that was on the floor outside the car. He didn't pass them to me but just put it on the seat next to me.

"Thank you" I said, moving closer to be able to grab my keys. I didn't realize my hands were shaking, when I looked back at him, he was staring at them. Then his eyes snapped to mine, giving me a concerned look.

"I can't let you drive."

"What? Why not?" I snapped at him again

He looked at me like I an i***t, "well one you're shaking, and two I don't know if you're really okay"

"I'm fine" I lied. "I'm driving my friend's home" I looked at him, wanting him to leave me alone

"Who? Because if you were driving friends' home. That prick wouldn't have attacked you," he snapped back looking slightly angry at me.

I leaned my head on the stirring wheel, feeling angry. Angry at myself for dating a psycho. Then leaving a party on my own in the dark. Angry with Emily for dragging me to this party in the first place, even Cody said that I didn't have to come if I didn't want to. I was angry with Aaron for being who he is. And now at this Sam dude who is making me feel stupid.

"It's my fault I just got attacked then!" I shouted my throat felt sore and swollen from crying and screaming. "My fault I dated a complete d**k head, who got obsessed with me? To the point I couldn't walk from a f*****g party to my own car without being attacked from him" again I would have said but I left that part out. Whilst I was dating Aaron, he hit me a lot but then always said he loved me and was sorry.

Sam sighed and when he looked up at me, he looked hurt.

"It's not your fault Scarlet... but please don't put yourself at risk of hurting yourself by driving home in this state" he said pleading with me.

"I am sorry that he has done this, and I have no idea what it was like in the relationship, but I can imagine it was horrible for you. I promise you that all I want is you to be safe so please let me drive you" he calmly said to me.

With no more fight in me, I nodded. He shut the door, waited for me to move into the passenger seat before he got into the driver's seat. "Are you sure you don't want me to call the police?"

I gave him a single nod and stared out the window. As we drove out of the parking lot, I saw Aaron force himself into a sitting position he then turned and looked straight at me. I could see his split lip, broken nose and swollen eye, from a distance I saw a small smile planted on his face. He was proud of what he had done. I felt sick raise in my throat, I leaned forwards coughing but nothing came up. I then felt a warm touch on my back then, I flinched away from it. It was Sam stroking my back... helping me throw up. I then noticed the car had stopped; he had stopped to help me.

"Are you okay?" his eye wide with concern

"Yea, just as we drove out the parking lot..." I started coughing again.

"It's okay Scarlet" he rubbed my back as I gagged again.

"He sat up and smiled at me like- like he was proud" tears filled my eyes and was I was chocking

"Shh, it's okay now. He's not going to hurt you." And somehow, I believed what he had said to me.

"Thank..." I was half way through my sentence when I threw up. He carried on rubbing my back though, till I had nothing left to throw up.

The parking lot for the flats I live in was empty. He parked the car right at the front and then came around to the passenger side, opening the door for me. I nodded at him.

He still had the keys in his hands; we walked to the entrance of the flats in complete silence. I was too scared to ask for my keys back. I then followed him into the building, trembling. Why was he coming in with me? I asked myself

I walked to my flat door; he was still behind me though. My heart raced faster in my chest.

I turned to see that he wasn't looking at me, but around us. Like checking for danger. I then looked at his hands, where my keys were. I noticed his knuckles and cried, "You're bleeding!"

"It's okay" he said calmly. He then handed me my keys, making sure there was a good distance between us. From where I was standing, I could see his ocean blue eyes.

"Are you sure you are okay" he asked me sweetly.

"Yea I'm fine, thank you for everything Sam, isn't it?" I stuttered, scared.

"Sam" he agreed with me. "Do you have anyone that can look after you?"

"Yeah but they won't be back for a while but it's okay I need some alone time after that" I barely said the sentence before my voice broke. I just wanted to get inside the flat and break down.

I turned my back to him then and unlocked my door, I felt a soft touch on my hand then and I nearly screamed. When I looked at Sam, he jumped back, hands raised like they were earlier. To show that he wasn't going to hurt me.

"Scarlet...it wasn't your fault" he said with a sad smile on his face. My eyes were filling with tears, so I turned and walked into my apartment. As soon as I closed the door, I slipped down it and burst into tears.