Pearl Haven Academy

Chapter 14- Let Me Take You Back

ZACH

"Please don't call me Thali. Just call me Thalia," she says.

"No, I'll call you however I want, and I still insist on taking you back," I say, looking at her sternly in the eyes. "Will you? Will you let me take you back to your dorms?"

She pauses and sighs. "Fine, but just on the outside. Don't even think about going inside," she says.

I nod and take her hand as we walk to her dorms. She carries her bag and walks with me as I slow my pace so she can catch up.

"Do you really have to hold my hand the whole time?" She says as she steps behind me. "I told you earlier I'm not a kid anymore."

I stop walking and turn my face toward her. "You're not." She bumps into my back, and I chuckle. "But I felt like you needed it."

She pouts and grumbles behind me as we walk again. Cute.

We stay in silence again, and then when we arrive at her dorms, I let go of her hand.

"We're here," I say.

She unlocks the door with her key and turns to face me. "Thanks for taking me all the way here. Don't even think about going in." She glares at me.

I chuckle. "Of course not. You have my word. Have a good night, Thali."

THALIA

I wave him off. I told him not to call me that. It brings up memories of my mom comforting me at night when I had bad dreams. Now I don't have her with me. And it's painful. But I bite my lip and close the door, not saying a word to him.

He then leaves after I close and lock the door. Good.

Then I sit on my bed and take out my phone.

There are two messages from Nika.

Nika

Girl, how are you?

Nika

Girl, why aren't you replying? When you see this, reply to me ASAP.

I chuckle and type in a reply to her.

Sorry, I just woke up. How's the family gathering?

I open my camera as I wait for her reply to take a picture of my hair.

Then my phone buzzes. I thought it was Nika, but it's Chester again.

I better save this number now.

I save it and name it Creepy.

Then I read his message.

Your hair is beautiful, little mouse. Enough for me to pull on it and ruin it as I do you another hairdo.

I shiver. Is he watching me right now? Why would he?

I glance around, but I see no one. It's slowly getting dark too.

I walk to the door to make sure it is fully locked. It is.

I also close all the windows and put down the curtains.

If only Nika were here.

Then I open Creepy's text message again.

I like this hairdo very much, thanks. So please don't ruin it. I reply to him.

He replies again. I can do better if you'll let me, little mouse.

I shudder as I read that. I wonder what he is thinking.

But then I slowly feel tired. For some reason, I lay down in bed and fell asleep.

CHESTER

I was outside while I was messaging her. But when she doesn't reply to my text, I take out my lockpicks to open the door. My little mouse probably fell asleep. I place my lockpicks back on my bag and walk inside. She is breathing peacefully in her sleep.

I slowly sit down on her bed and pull out the bouquet of red roses I bought earlier.

She texted me that she doesn't want another hairdo other than these braids. I reach for her braided hair and place one rose behind her ear.

I stare at her sleeping face once more. Wondering what I would add.

Then I pick another rose and I style it into a headband with a few more roses.

And I place it on top of her head.

I take a picture of her and look at it.

Yeah. This will do.

I watch her sleep and smile.

She sleeps so peacefully. I want to wake her, but she is tired.

So I just watch her, and then I pick up the rest of what's left of the flowers. I imagine one day scattering these rose petals for her on the floor and surprising her when we get married.

That thought brings a smile to my face, even if I might seem to be going ahead right now.

I look at her desk and see the one rose I gave her last time in a vase.

I pick up the last rose and place it on there too.

Then I leave her dorm.