Gone in Love

FOR YOU

CHAPTER 5:

The next few days go by with me studying, finishing off my assignments, with my job at the coffee shop and tutoring Ace. Which is not easy.

He is already behind and needs to memorise everything. I tutor him after my shift and do the remaining of my homework.

"Ok, so you coming to this trip?"

"Hm... Yeah, I don't know... I mean I don't have many friends and people at school don't like me that much. If you haven't noticed." I shrugged

I was so engrossed in the homework that I completely forgot about the school trip we are supposed to be going on, later this week.

"Hey! I'm going we can go together... Like not together, together. I mean you can come with me. And you can always make some friends or talk to my friends they are good people" he encouraged.

"Ok fine I'll come. But if I don't have any fun you'll be responsible and I'm not going anywhere again with you."

He smiled his charming smile and said, "Cool. Cool. That's fine."

I must say Ace has been on his best behaviour and didn't say anything disrespectful to me. He's so different from when I first met him in school. He's good now.

Almost perfect. Like the ideal guy I want.

Okay, stop right there. Stop falling for him. Elena, you don't need guy problems right now.

I forced myself to push back my memory of someone who ruined my life.

I don't want to think about him.

We finished up quickly and Ace dropped me at home.

"Hi, mom I'm home"

"Hi, honey. How was your day?"

"It was ok. So mom there's this trip I will be going on with my school this week. Is that ok? Can I go?"

" Yeah honey sure. You should go and enjoy yourself, make some friends but don't forget to be safe and inform me at all times where you are or if you are running late. You know how I get worried for you." my mom lectures.

"Yes, mom don't worry. I'll be fine." I assured her.

Her face looks pale like she is not telling me something and I don't get it, why she's so concerned all of the sudden? I mean, I know she cares for me but it's just too extra.

I ignored it. Maybe I'm just too exhausted and thinking too much into this and it's nothing.

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I got up early and get ready for the school trip. Ace decided to pick me up. I changed into jeans and a crop top with high boots.

I packed some sandwiches for Ace and myself to eat. It's a long trip and I get hungry easily, so I need to eat anything, something- every time. This way my body and mind will function properly.

We reached the school on time and we were on the long road trip to... Hike.

Yay.

So that's news for me because apparently, I'm not attentive during class and this piece of information was already provided to everyone.

Thank God for my appropriate clothing. For all, I know I would have shown up in a long skirt.

We reached after some time and during the whole journey Ace talked to his friends and I made small conversations with them.

Through the starting point, we were divided into 2 groups and have to reach the next point at the given time.

Thankfully I was with Ace and his group so I didn't have to worry about being a loner. That I am.

"Hey. Hi, you are Elena right? Ace's new friend."

"Hi, yeah nice to meet you. Sorry I didn't remember your name." I said

"It's Samantha but you can call me Sam," she replied

"So how long have you and Ace been friends? because I've never seen you before in school." Sam implored.

"Oh I'm new in town and Ace is my only friend. I met him on my first day here, a couple of weeks ago. I'm tutoring him." I answered

Sam laughed a little, " Wait, you are tutoring him?"

I frowned, "Yeah, he said his grades are declining and he needed my help. Why?"

"Oh no, it's nothing. Just thinking why an A grade student who has never failed in any of his classes suddenly needs a tutor."

I was stunned  "What? Ace is a topper? Why would he lie to me?"

"Well for starters he's a player and he likes to fool around with new girls. I mean are you not aware of his reputation in this school? He has a long list of his conquests. If you would like to know I can tell you about them." Samantha said with faked sympathy.

God, I hate that tone. I just made a fool of myself. Thinking that Ace wants my help and we can be friends and I had a little hope maybe more than that.

I'm such a fool. It's not a fairytale Elena get that inside your head.

I distanced myself from the group and started walking at a slower pace to absorb all the information. And the worst thing, Ace didn't even notice.

And he promised me a fun time. Well, this is fun. Feeling lonely while being with a group of people I don't know and have no idea about the s**t they talking about is so FUN.

I looked ahead of me and when I didn't see anyone I panicked then I turned around and there was no one. s**t did they just leave me here?.

I started running so I don't get lost in this place and to catch a glimpse of the form of a human being in this expanse of large trees and branches. There was no one in sight.

Shit. s**t.

I heard a twitch from my left, I turned to see but there was no one. Beads of sweat were dripping from my forehead and face. And my breathing was erratic with an increased heartbeat.

I whipped my head around to see but there was no one.

"Who's there?"

The sounds around me stilled. It's like someone was near me, watching me from the shadows and enjoying seeing me in this miserable state.

"Look I'm not scared of you so just stop it and show yourself."

I just hope being brave won't get me killed.

And that's when I saw the person that same person, the intruder who came inside my house and threatened me, is here. He's here in black clothes and a mask, hiding his face.

"You. What are you doing here?"

He came towards me and I took a step back. He towered over me and making me intimidated.

"Yeah, you are my brave little kitten. And I don't want you to be scared of me."

"No. Stop. I'm not your anything. Why are you here? What do you want from me?"

He chuckles darkly and brings his mouth close to my ear, "For you. I'm here for you, kitten."

I gasped and tried to take a step back but he held me close to himself.

"I don't know you. Get away from me." I tried to push him away but he didn't budge my tries were futile.

"That's where you are wrong. We are so much alike. Don't you remember that night? You were here, in these same woods. It was a sight to see- you in your all-white nightgown covered in red blood with a knife. You came to me and I took care of it all, for you."

"No. No. You are lying. I wouldn't hurt anyone. I cannot do that. You are lying. Stop it. Please don't do this."

Tears were streaming down my cheeks. Did I kill someone that night? What he is saying is true? Why don't I remember anything?

"Hey, hey, don't cry Elena. No one will ever know what you did. Your secret is safe with me. I won't tell anyone." he hugged me.

I was still sobbing, desperate to get away from him, from all of this trouble and leave it all behind. What did I do?

"Just come and stay with me, kitten. I will protect you and no one will try to hurt you." he rubbed my back and said soothingly.

I pushed him at this, "What? Are you f*****g crazy? I'm not going anywhere with you. I live here with my mom."

"Now, you don't want anyone to discover the body that I hid. Now, do you?" he spoke with animosity.

I flinched. s**t. What should I do now? Okay just be calm and talk to him, get through him. So he can leave you, for now.

I moved closer and said innocently, "Look I'll come with you but I can't. You have to understand me. I have a life here. My school and mom. If I go with you, they'll notice and I don't want any suspicions towards us. I'll come with you when the time is right. Please, understand."

He brought our bodies more close to each other and I gasped. "I'm not a patient man. But I'll try and when I say then you'll have to come with me. Or you don't want to know the consequences." he said.

I nodded and he stared into my eyes, he didn't release me, with his face inches from mine and his breath fanning on my cheek. A few minutes pass by he shoved me a little and I fell to the ground with a light thud.

When I stood up and looked around- he was gone.