Unbroken

Trust.

I could feel his body start pressing into mine. His lips were mere centimeters from contacting my skin.

“Please don’t..”

He had me pinned so close to him I couldn’t use my arms to push him off. My heart started pounding so hard I was sure he could feel it too. Suddenly I hear loud banging on his office door.

“Em!?” Her voice was frantic.

“Hey Em you in there?!” Her fists pounded the door furiously. I could hear the hinges creek as Kaia hit the door with increasing force.

Stephan pushed off the wall and allowed me to squeeze past him toward the door. As I turn the handle, Kaia burst her way through panting heavily. She looked me up and down before I nodded to let her know I was okay. She then turned to Stephan giving him the angriest look I had ever seen overtake her sweet face. He never said a word as Kaia slammed the door behind us.

“Are you okay babe?” She wrapped her arm around my shoulder as we headed towards my locker.

“Yeah.” I didn’t even believe myself.

Kaia stood guard as I changed back into my leggings and t-shirt. My jacket was still a little damp from this morning so I decided to leave it there to dry overnight.

“What are you doing back here Kai? I thought you were heading to your moms?”

She shrugged, “I got about halfway when I realized I left my phone in my locker so I came back for it. I saw Stephan’s door shut and I remembered he wanted to ‘talk’” she answered using air quotes. “When he didn’t answer I knew something wasn’t right. Are you sure your ok?” She tugged me closer to her chest as we left through the employee entrance.

“You want a ride home? I don’t mind, my mom says she has the party handled and I don’t have class!” She offered sweetly knowing I’d most likely reject her for fear of keeping her from plans. I didn’t want to take up more of her night but the walk to my apartment was dark and the chill in the air made me regret leaving my jacket behind.

“Actually that would be great”

She smirks as she opens the passenger door for me.

“Your highness,” she teased as she waved me through the door of her sage green Volkswagen Beetle.

I could feel my tension lessen as I sat in the warm interior of her car. This day was just too much. I needed to get home and shower the feeling of Stephan off my skin. I was cringing just thinking about his hands on my neck. I visibly shiver at the thought.

“You cold Em? I have an extra hoodie in the back if you want it?” She tosses me a soft pink pullover she had stuffed under a stack of absurdly large medical books. I unwrapped her student ID lanyard from the hood of the sweatshirt before pulling it over my head.

“Ohhhh that’s where my ID was.. I’ve been looking for that!” She snatched the laminated badge from my hand while laughing.

“My professor gave me such a hard time for not having it yesterday, like big deal? I’ve been in this class all semester you know who I am.” she clicked her tongue in protest while rolling her eyes and throwing her hands up.

I don’t know how she does it. Working at the hotel all day then nursing school at night? She is amazing. Forgetful? Yes. But pretty much the smartest person I knew.

I knew it would only take a few minutes to get to my apartment so I tried to formulate questions I needed Kaia to answer.

By the time my brain starts replaying my morning I can see the outline of my building. Kaia puts her car in park just outside the main entrance. I turn to look at her and spit out a half-thought question,

“Kaia what is going on, why did you leave me alone?”

I sound a lot more angry than I intended. It’s not like I didn’t enjoy said alone time, in fact i think enjoyed it a little too much. Ok, I clearly can’t handle my emotions today.

“It’s kind of hard to explain..” she hesitated, “..and honestly I don’t think you’d believe me if I tried.”

“Of course I’d believe you Kai, your literally the only person I trust.” That statement spurred a little pain in my heart. She really was all I had.

She huffed a huge sigh out loud.

“Ok, f**k it. I trust you.”

She shifted in the drivers seat to turn her torso in my direction.

“I’m a werewolf.”