Chapter 4
1672 Words
I lift my head, cheeks burning. Someone’s heard me cry. My stomach sinks when I see who it is.
Alec.
He’s crouched on one knee, hazel eyes full of concern, his hand warm on my shoulder.
“Hey. You okay?”
Somehow, seeing him calms me. I sniff, embarrassed. “What are you doing in the girl’s bathroom?”
He chuckles, low and amused. “Cleaning. I was in that cubicle when you came running in. Didn’t see the Cleaning in Progress sign?”
Could I be more pathetic?
“Sorry. I didn’t notice.” I look away, fiddling with a loose thread on my jeans.
Silence hangs heavy until Alec clears his throat and shifts closer. He sits beside me, so close I can feel his warmth.
Then his finger tips under my chin, lifting my face. He tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear, touch feather-light, intimate. A shiver ripples through me—the good kind, the kind that leaves you craving more.
“Want to talk about it?”
All I can think about is how badly I want him to keep touching me. I pray he can’t read it in my eyes.
“I’m so embarrassed you saw me like that. I don’t usually…”
“What? Show emotion?” he teases gently.
I smile despite myself, shrugging. “Not usually in public. But today I hit my limit.”
“Captain Douche again?”
I nod. “More his sidekick Brock this time. They said I was too fat for my jeans. Then in English, while I read a quote from The Scarlet Letter, he started making pig and cow noises. I know I shouldn’t let it get to me—I’ve handled worse—but…” My words tumble out until I catch myself rambling.
Alec studies me, gaze flicking from my jeans back to my face. “But you’re not fat. At all. Honestly, Jess… you’re gorgeous.”
Heat rises in my cheeks. I try to cover it with my hands, not that it helps.
“I was,” I confess quietly. “In middle school. Overweight, bullied. I lost the weight and grew taller, but Dean and his friends won’t let me forget it. They still make me feel… like I’m that girl.”
I look away, ashamed of spilling so much to someone I barely know.
“I never did anything to them,” I murmur to myself.
But Alec hears. He covers my hand with his. His touch is warm, grounding.
“You don’t have to do anything, Jess. Bullies are broken people—they just spread their own misery. What I do know? You’re perfect. You’ve come so far, and nothing Dean or his idiots say can take that away. You’re a hundred times better than any of them.”
Something in his voice makes me believe it. I give a small smile. “Thanks. It feels good not pretending for once.”
I stand, offering him my hand. He takes it, rising easily, but doesn’t let go. Suddenly we’re face to face, hands clasped, hearts racing. My chest nearly brushes his. My breath comes quicker.
The urge to kiss him overwhelms me.
Panicked, I pull away, backing toward the door. Alec steps forward. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just… I should go.” My hand’s on the door, but I freeze. Part of me screams leave. The other whispers stay.
He gives me that smile—the one that melts rational thought.
Oh, screw it.
I walk back to him. Slowly. He doesn’t move, just watches, eyes locked on mine. When I stop inches away, he lifts a hand, thumb brushing my cheek, trailing across my lips. My hand slides to the back of his neck, fingers tangled in his hair.
His breathing hitches. So does mine.
And then he kisses me.
At first tentative, then deeper, urgent. I taste sweetness on his tongue. His hands grip my hips, pulling me flush against him. I slip a hand beneath his shirt, palm against taut muscle, and he groans into my mouth.
He lifts me effortlessly onto the vanity, standing between my legs. His lips travel to my neck, kisses tender and desperate. Heat coils low in my stomach when I feel his arousal press against my thigh. His hand skims up my side, sliding under my shirt—
Riiiing.
The bell.
Reality slams back. “Stop—we have to stop.”
I push him away, breathless.
“Jess, it’s fine,” he insists. “No one’s coming in. The sign—remember?”
But panic surges. “You could get fired. I’m sorry. This was stupid.”
“Jess—” He reaches for me.
I hold up a hand, backing away. “No. I don’t even know you. I can’t.”
And then I’m gone, fleeing the bathroom with my heart pounding.
My mind spins. Did that just happen? Anyone could’ve walked in. He could lose his job. I should feel ashamed.
But all I can think about is his kiss. His hands. That fire.
I’ve never felt anything like it.
---
The hallway greets me with Ms. Lincoln’s sharp voice. “Jessica Taylor! Where have you been? You’re late for chemistry.”
“Wouldn’t say I missed it,” I mutter before I can stop myself.
Her brow arches. “Excuse me?”
“Sorry. Thinking out loud.”
Her expression softens. “Are you alright, Jess? You seemed shaken earlier.”
I lower my gaze. “I had a run-in with Dean and Brock. Then what happened in your class—I just had to get away. I’m sorry for walking out.”
She nods, hand warm on my shoulder. “I understand. I’ve already told Principal Moore what happened. You’ll need to fill out an incident form.”
Great. More fuel for Dean’s fire.
---
Chemistry is a blur. I can’t focus. All I think about is Alec’s lips. Alec’s hands.
“Earth to Jess.” Ruby snaps her fingers in front of me.
“Sorry—what?”
“You’ve been zoned out all period. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Just… Dean and Brock got to me in English. I ended up in tears.”
Ruby hugs me tight, fuming. “I hate those egotistic assholes.”
“Girls, is there an issue?” Mr. Kim asks sharply.
Ruby flashes an innocent smile. “No, sir. Just stubbed my toe.”
Mr. Kim narrows his eyes. “No more interruptions.”
“Yes, Mr. Kim,” we chorus, barely containing our giggles.
The bell rescues us. One class left—History.
---
As we approach, I spot Audrey leaning against the wall, twirling her hair, laughing too loudly at… Alec.
My stomach twists.
Ruby groans. “Audrey’s at it again. Apparently high school boys aren’t good enough—she flirts with staff now.”
Staff. Alec.
I freeze, staring. He glances up—our eyes almost meet. I dart inside the classroom before he can read my face.
I whisper to Ruby, “Since when does Audrey flirt with cleaners?”
Ruby smirks. “Since Mr. Sexy Mysterious Cleaner showed up. She’s got a crush. Can’t say I blame her—nice ass.”
My chest tightens. “Do you think something’s going on?”
“With Audrey? No way. He never looks interested.”
Her words soothe me. Somewhat.
---
After History, Ruby and I part ways. At my locker, I find Principal Moore waiting.
“Jessica, good timing. I’m sorry to ambush you, but I’m in a bind. Corey Howl came for tutoring, and Peter went home sick. Corey will only work with you or Peter.”
“Say no more. I’ll cover.”
“Thank you, Jessica. You’re a lifesaver.”
---
Corey beams when he sees me. “Jess!”
“Hey, buddy. Peter’s out sick—so it’s you and me today. That okay?”
His grin widens. “Yes! That means you’ll tutor me today and Thursday?”
I laugh. “Sure does. Now, what are we working on?”
He scowls at his book. “Stupid maths.”
“Math isn’t my favorite either. But we’ve got this.” I hold up my hand. He high-fives me, smiling again.
Mid-session, my phone buzzes.
Flash: Send me a text when you need a ride.
Me: About an hour. Thanks xo.
---
By the time we finish, the school is nearly empty. The parking lot too. No sign of Flash yet.
That’s when I feel it—that prickle of being watched.
I turn. A tall figure in a leather jacket removes his helmet.
Alec.
He strides toward me, extending a hand. His grip is firm, steady. His smile—dangerous.
“Hi. I’m Alec Parker. Twenty-one. Not a convict. Not a reporter. Ex-student here—left halfway through senior year. That’s the basics. If you want to know more… it’ll cost you a date.”
I blink, stunned—and grinning like an i***t. Smooth. Too smooth.
“Alec, you work here. It couldn’t… it wouldn’t…”
He tips my chin up with his hand. “Why does anyone need to know? I’m not a teacher, Jess. Just a cleaner. And in five months, you won’t be a student. Why live for everyone else’s rules when it’s our lives?”
His words sink deep. He’s right. Why should the world need to know?
Without a word, I pull a pen from my bag, grab his hand, and scrawl across his palm. Then cover it with mine.
When I step back, he reads:
Jessica Taylor. 18. Senior. A date sounds great. Now you have my number.
Flash’s car pulls in. I wink at Alec, leaving him smiling as I head for the car.
“Interesting day?” Flash asks as I slide in.
I glance in the mirror, catching Alec mounting his bike.
“Definitely interesting,” I say, grinning despite myself. “Definitely.”
- Writer
