LITTLE SECRET

CHAPTER 8

K-Kiss, did he just say kiss? My eyes widened and my heart was thumping hard against my chest, wanting to break free. I was probably glowing with excitement just from the thought of having his nice, plum, luscious lips pressed against mine. I didn't know what to say, so I just nodded my head with a nervous smile on my face.

He gave me a reassuring smile in return, and began to lean in. My heart increased rapidly; more than it already had, and I was sure he could hear it beating, it was pretty much impossible not to hear it. He was leaning in awfully slow, leaving me waiting in anticipation, wanting to know what he tastes and feels like. I could feel his minty but sweet breath on my face, and boy oh boy, was it intoxicating. It kind of felt like he was my own personal drug and we haven't even kissed yet.

Our lips were millimetres away when someone knocked loudly on the door, causing us to jump apart.

"f**k," he cursed under his breath. I gave him a confused look until I heard the voice on the other side of the door.

"Landon, babe, are you home?" It was Heather's, the girl from the movie night a little while ago. I felt my heart ache; I knew this was too good to be true. But at least now I know I'm definitely not dreaming, especially with the ache in my chest."I knew it," I whispered. "Do I look like some game to you?"

"No, Dakota it's not what it looks like I-"

"That's what they all say. You must like hurting me. This is the second time in one day; I'm just waiting for the next one."

"It's not what you think Dakota, I promise. She means nothing to me; I actually do have feelings for you!"

"Is this some kind of reality T.V show? Showing how students can fall for their teachers and the teachers are f****d up enough to play with their teenage minds?" I was beyond pissed. I spent my whole night here talking to him, and he's still screwing around with that Heather chick? I knew something was up.

"I just said it's not what you think D-"

"Don't talk to me," I said coldly, and walked to the front door. "And forget I said anything about me liking you. That's not important anymore." And with that I walked out of the apartment door, but I left the door open, and glared at Heather as I walked out. I made a huge mistake in coming here, and I knew I wouldn't be coming here anytime soon.

*

The weekend had passed with a blur and I had gotten a ride with Derek to school, in my car I may add, because his was still broken. I wanted to go uptown to the bookstore for an English assignment that I had gotten this morning, so I had to walk. Mr. Blake was back, thank God, and we had to do some type of book report involving a cereal box. I don't know I wasn't really paying attention; I was too busy thinking of what kind of book I was going to read for it.It was already dark by the time I had started walking home, not wanting to get into a car and enjoy the nice, peaceful breeze on this late Monday night. I had decided to cut down an alleyway so I could avoid going around a huge block to get back home.

As I was walking down the alleyway I could hear footsteps coming from behind me, which made me quicken my pace. I wasn't even close to the end of the alley, and there was no way I was turning back to the muscular man that was coming up behind me. The footsteps behind me started to quicken as well, and soon we were both in a full on sprint, me trying to get away from him, and I assumed he was after me.

I let out a screech of both horror and surprise when his arms wrapped around my waist bring me to a complete halt. I could hear and feel him sniffing my hair, and I tried my best not to gag at the awful aroma his cologne gave off.

"You smell so good babe, why were you running from me anyways?" the man asked. His voice gave me a sinking feeling in the bottom of my stomach, not something I would particularly want to feel ever in my life and not to mention his breath stunk of cigarettes and alcohol.

"Get away from me," I screamed, trying to wiggle out of his intense grip."C'mon darling, I just want to have a little fun!" He roughly pushed me against the brick wall, and his body pushed tightly against mine. He brought his hands up to chest and started to grope me. I felt completely disgusted at the man touching me against my will. I wanted so badly to kick him in the balls and run like Hell, but I couldn't. His body was pressed too tight against mine. I felt completely hopeless, so I resorted to the only thing I could think of; screaming.

"Help me! He's trying to r**e me!" I screamed out as loud as I could. But no one came to my rescue quick enough, because all of a sudden I felt cold metal with a jaded edge pressed against the base of my neck.

"Be quiet sweetheart, I'll let you go when I'm done with you." His voice sent shivers up my spine, making the hair on the back of my neck stand up. This surely couldn't be happening! I was still a virgin! I wanted to maintain my innocence until I found the right one, but of course this sick man was going to rob me of it.

The knife was moved from my neck to the bottom of the undershirt that I had on. I was kicking myself now from removing the t-shirt I had on earlier, but it's not like I knew anything like this would happen. He made a quick movement with the knife and the blade cut through the fabric like soft butter, making me gulp.

The tears were streaming down my face, seeming almost endless. I didn't want this to happen. Please someone, anyone, please find me before its too late. I was too traumatized to realize when he cut off my tank top I was left in my bra. I only prayed that this dirty man wouldn't go any further.

His dirty mouth came in contact with mine, forcing his tongue into my mouth making me whimper with disgust. Who did this man think he was doing something like this to an innocent girl trying to get home? It's not like I had a sign on my back saying 'come r**e me, I don't mind!' this was completely shocking. All through my life my mother has warned me about walking through alleyways at night time alone, and I have always responded with, 'nothing will ever happen to me,' and I was kicking myself at this moment. I wish I wouldn't have been so naive and listened to my mother. I wish I would have followed her orders not to go down them just to avoid walking a little bit longer by going around the full blocks.

"Please, please don't do this!" I screamed, when his lips came off of mine and his hands went to the zipper of my pants. I wiggled away from him, so instead he resulted in using the knife to get the pants off, and in seconds I was left there in nothing but undergarments to cover myself from being completely exposed.

"Oh hush, you're going to like it sweetheart, I promise," the man slurred. He started to kiss me once again, making my stomach lurch at the awful taste. I could feel his hardened member pressing into me, which made me want to be sick. How could someone be so sick?

I didn't want any of this! I didn't ask for it! I didn't deserve it! What more could I do to make it not happen?

All of a sudden, the man was no longer touching me, but I heard him let out a painful grunt as his head received blow after blow from an even larger, muscular man. All I could do was slump to the cold, hard pavement, not caring that I was only wearing undergarments, since my clothes were ripped to shreds, and sobbed endlessly.

The fact that I was almost r***d, and was sexually assaulted weren't fully registering in my mind. What if this man wouldn't have come? How did he even find me? Will he try to hurt me?

"Sick bastard," the oddly familiar sounding voice said, "D-Dakota?"

I looked up with tearful eyes, to see Mr. Castelo standing there. I haven't talked to him since the time I was at his apartment. I was still incredibly mad at him, but I have never been so relieved to hear his voice. I nodded my head, and brought my knees to my chin so I could sob into them.

"Dakota, its okay, come on, let's get you out of here," Mr. Castelo cooed. I didn't have the strength to move; my legs were like jell-o, so he picked me up bridal style and began walking while I buried my face in his neck. His cologne was so calming, and I couldn't help but be grateful for him being there at that moment in time.

It felt like a lifetime till we got to where Mr. Castelo was taking me, but it was actually only a few minutes. I recognized the smell immediately; Mr. C's apartment. I had thought that I wasn't going to be back here any time soon, but I guess I couldn't help this occurrence.

He laid me down softly on the bed, and went to walk away when I grabbed his arm in a death grip and sobbed out, "Where are you going?"

He sent me a sympathetic look and brushed my hair out of my face, "I'm just going to get you clothes, don't worry." He did as he said and brought me an oversized t-shirt and a pair of jogging pants. I pulled them on, immediately feeling somewhat better, and cuddled back up into his bed. "You should get some sleep. I'll be in the living room if you need anything," he cooed softly.

I shook my head violently, "No, please. Please, don't leave me, I need you here." He looked a little hesitant, but did as I asked, and got into the bed leaving a large amount of space between us. But I needed to be touching him; I needed to feel his skin on mine. I moved so I was right up against him and laid my head on his chest. Mr. Castelo was stiff at first but then soothingly brushed my hair back in an affectionate way.

"Go to sleep gorgeous," he cooed softly, and I fell into a dreamless, and peaceful sleep.