Tenderness is a Dangerous Thing

Chapter 38: Back in The Library

Anna pressed herself against the bookshelf, her heart pounding not from fear, but from the sudden proximity to Evan after months apart. “Really, you are dating Zack?” Evan asked, his hands gripped the shelves on either side of her head, caging her in. “Yeah, Evan,” she said defiantly, tilting her chin up to meet his intense gaze. “He treats me like a person instead of some disposable toy. He actually wants to be my boyfriend.” her brown eyes flicker down to his lips for a fraction of a second before snapping back up to his hazel brown eyes. The familiar scent of him- cologne mixed with that uniquely masculine smell she had once craved- filled her senses. “You can’t just show up and act like you have a say in who I date.” she continued, her voice gaining confidence. “You threw me away, remember? You called me a ‘freak’ and left me crying.” She pushed against his chest weakly, knowing it was futile. “Do you really think he is any different from me?” Evan asked, his jaw clenched tightly. Anna let out a short, humorless laugh, the sound echoing slightly in the quiet library aisle. Her hands flattened against his chest, pushing harder this time. “At least Zack introduces me to his friends as his girlfriend instead of pretending I do not exist.” her brown eyes flashed with defiance as she stared up at him. “You want to know what else? He does not treat me like a dirty secret he needs to keep hidden from everyone or as a hole for his dick.”

After school, Zack waited for Anna in the parking lot, next to his motorcycle, but when it took too long for her to come, he went looking for her. He found her in the library, with Evan. Their tones were urgent and nervous. When Zack approached, he heard Evan say, “Bullshit, this is like revenge or something? Or are you going out with Zack so you can earn the biggest slut award?” Zack’s blood ran cold at Evan’s words. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, and a red haze of anger descended over him. He stormed forward, his heavy boots thudding on the library floor. “What the f**k did you just say?” Zack growled, grabbing Evan by the collar and slamming him against a bookshelf. Evan’s hazel brown eyes widened in surprise. “Whoa, chill out,” he stammered, trying to push Zack off him. But Zack was beyond reason. “You think you can talk about her like that?” he snarled, his face inches from Evan’s. “You are a f*****g piece of shit.” He tightened his grip, his knuckles white with rage. “Apologize,” he demanded. “Apologize right now or I will break your f*****g jaw.” His green eyes flickered to Anna, seeing the how uncomfortable she looked. The sight only fueled his anger further.

“Why should I? She is just a slut, f*****g everything that moves. First me, now you,” Evan said with a proud, arrogant grin. Zack’s green eyes widened in surprise. “What? You did not know you were getting my sloppy seconds?” Evan said teasingly. Zack’s world exploded in a red haze. He did not even think, he just reacted. His fist connected with Evan’s jaw with a sickening crack, sending him crashing to the floor. Evan groaned as he rolled onto one elbow, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the library floor. The side of his face throbbed where it had been struck and he planted a hand beneath himself and pushed upward, his boots scraping against the floor as he climbed back to his feet. His vision blurred for a heartbeat before settling on Zack, standing several paces away. Zack waited with his fist raised, chest heaving from exertion. Zack shifting his weight from one foot to the other, never taking his green eyes off Evan. Evan wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and tasted iron. Then he stepped forward, the distance between them vanishing in seconds. Zack threw another punch, a fast right hook aimed at Evan’s jaw, Evan leaned just enough for it to skim across his cheek instead of landing cleanly. Before Zack could recover, Evan drove a straight punch into Zack’s stomach. The blow forced the air from Zack’s lungs in a sharp grunt, folding him forward. Evan followed with another punch toward Zack’s temple, but Zack managed to raise an arm in time. The impact echoed through Zack’s forearm instead, sending him stumbling sideways, but he recovered quickly, planting his foot and firing a short jab that snapped Evan’s head backward. Zack lunged again, throwing a wide swing. Evan ducked beneath it and slammed his shoulder into Zack’s chest. The collision knocked them both off balance. They crashed together stumbling several steps before separating. Zack shoved Evan backward, creating enough space to launch a sharp punch into Evan’s ribs, causing him to fall to the floor again.

“You f*****g bastard!” Zack roared, standing over Evan’s crumpled form. “You dare talk about her like that?” he kicked Evan hard in the ribs, his boot making a dull thud against bone. “She is not like you,” he spat. “She is perfect, and you are a worthless piece of shit.” Evan groaned, trying to curl into a ball to protect himself. But Zack was not done. He grabbed Evan by the hair and pulled his head back, forcing him to look up at him. “You ever say anything like that again and I will kill you,” Zack said, his voice dangerously low. He threw Evan’s head back against the floor with a final thud before turning to Anna.

Anna wound herself frozen to the spot, watching events unfold, her brown eyes wide in shock. When Zack looked at her, tears welled up in her eyes and she looked down at the floor, she felt embarrassed and dirty. Zack’s anger immediately evaporated when he saw the tears in her eyes. He rushed to her side, gently pulling her into his arms. “Hey, hey do not cry,” he murmured, stroking her brown hair soothingly. “That piece of s**t does not deserve your tears.” he tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. “You hear me? You are perfect. You did nothing wrong.” His voice was firm but gentle. “He is the one who should be ashamed, not you.” Zack wiped away a tear with his thumb. “You are amazing,” he said softly. “And anyone who cannot see that is a f*****g idiot.” He pressed a tender kiss on her forehead. “Let’s get out of here,” he suggested, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and guiding her towards the door. Once they were in the hallway, Anna stopped abruptly. She struggled to stand, because her knees were shaking. “Zack...” she managed to say with a shaky voice. Zack immediately tightened his grip on her, supporting her weight as her knees buckled. “Shh, I have got you,” he murmured, pressing his lips to her temple. He looked around the empty hallways, then scooped her up into his arms without hesitation. “You are shaking,” he said softly, carrying her towards the exit.

“Let’s get you home.” He stepped out into the cool evening air. His motorcycle was parked near the school entrance, and he carefully set her down on it before straddling it himself. “Hold on tight,” he instructed. He revved the engine and sped off into the streets, the wind whipping through both their hair. He drove straight to his house, not stopping until he had her safely inside his room. “f*****g Evan,” he muttered, gently laying Anna down on his bed.