Kiss Me, Damnation

IV

Evelyn

The day after Adrian's confrontation, the memory of his dark, piercing gaze still clung to me like a shadow. Every step I took to class felt heavier, and my stomach churned in anticipation of seeing him again.

I barely noticed the chatter around me until a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Evelyn."

I turned, and there he was — Daniel Rowe, standing by the lockers with that easy, confident smile that always made my chest tighten. He seemed different somehow... quieter, more serious, like he had been thinking about something all night.

"Hi," I said, my voice catching slightly.

Daniel ran a hand through his hair, a nervous gesture I hadn't seen before. "Can we... talk for a second?" His gaze flicked around the hallway, then settled back on me, unyielding and warm all at once.

I nodded, my heart hammering, and followed him toward a quieter corner near the end of the hall.

"I... I wanted to say something," he began, taking a deep breath. "Yesterday, in class... the way you stood up to Adrian. You didn't have to, but you did. And... I just wanted to say I think you're incredible."

My cheeks warmed, and I looked down, trying to hide the small smile tugging at my lips. "Thanks," I murmured. "It... it isn't easy."

He leaned a little closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I know. And that's why I want to take you out. Dinner, maybe a movie—something simple. I just... I want to spend time with you. Properly."

My heart skipped a beat. Relief, excitement, and a flutter of nerves all collided inside me. I hadn't expected him to notice me, not like this. "I... I'd like that," I said, my voice soft but steady, a small smile finally breaking through.

Daniel's face lit up, that grin that made everything else fade from the world spreading across his features. "Saturday, then. I'll pick you up at seven. I promise it'll be fun."

I nodded again, feeling my chest swell with a mix of excitement and anxiety. "Saturday," I echoed.

As he walked away, my stomach fluttered uncontrollably. For the first time since Adrian's confrontation, I felt a spark of something like hope.

********

Saturday arrived, and I could barely concentrate on anything else. I kept checking my watch, imagining Daniel's easy smile, the warmth in his eyes, the way he had praised me for standing up to Adrian.

I dressed carefully, choosing something simple yet elegant, my hair falling loosely around my shoulders. My heart raced as seven o'clock approached.

By seven, I was pacing near my front gate, scanning the street for his familiar figure. A few cars passed, a few people walked by, but none of them were Daniel.

Seven-thirty. My stomach twisted into knots. Maybe he got caught in traffic... I told myself, trying to stay calm.

Eight. Panic began to creep in. My fingers trembled slightly as I gripped my phone, debating whether to call or text him. But a strange hesitation held me back, a small voice whispering that something felt... off.

Eight-thirty. I sank onto the front steps, disappointment heavy in my chest. My excitement, the thrill of finally being asked out, the flutter of anticipation — it all vanished. Daniel hadn't shown.

I tried to convince myself there must be a reasonable explanation. Maybe he had an emergency. Maybe he forgot. Maybe...

i don't know ......

*******

All through the morning, my mind kept drifting back to Daniel. I couldn't stop replaying our brief moments together, thinking about the way he had looked at me, the warmth in his smile, and the words he had whispered when he asked me out.

Maybe I should finally ask him why he didn't show up yesterday, I thought, my stomach fluttering at the idea. Maybe there's a reason... maybe he wasn't avoiding me. I should just—

I made a mental list of what I wanted to say. Calm, collected. Nothing too desperate. Just... the truth. I pictured the confrontation in my head: leaning casually against his locker, catching him off guard with my words, teasing him a little, maybe even laughing. My pulse quickened as I imagined his reaction, the slight blush on his cheeks, the way his lips might curve into that confident, infuriating grin.

But before I could even plan how I'd approach him, whispers began circulating in the classroom.

"Did you hear about Daniel Rowe?" one classmate murmured.

"What happened?" I asked immediately, my heart skipping a beat.

"He... he had an accident yesterday," another voice said. "Not life-threatening, but—"

I froze. My carefully rehearsed confrontation, my teasing, my plans... vanished. The locker confrontation, the teasing, even the small thrill of seeing him smile — all replaced by a cold, heavy dread.

And then I noticed Adrian's absence. No dark gaze. No obsessive stare following me. My chest tightened in relief and unease at the same time.

"Where's Adrian?" I asked, trying to steady my voice.

"He didn't come to school today" someone whispered casually.

''Do you have any idea on why'' I asked again

"I think he and d**k went to a meeting that will make them more qualified for law school" Someone replied me again.

A part of me breathed a sigh of relief, but another part shivered. Adrian might be gone physically today, but that note slipped under my desk said otherwise.

I bent down, unfolding the small scrap of paper:

Never forget you're mine,Sheep.

Yours truly, Adrian

What a bastard.