Chapter 2 Say My Name
1100 Words
Cheryl's POV:
His hands gripped me, slamming my mouth shut just before I could scream.
In the next instant, I was pressed against the door, trapped between his arms.
"What are you doing, just standing there?" His voice came from behind me—cold, threatening—but his breath was hot on my neck.
I couldn't move. My palms were drenched in sweat.
He leaned in close, his breath brushing over my neck, making my skin crawl with goosebumps.
"Still wearing Lost Cherry?" He spoke with contempt. "After all these years, you're still so boring."
I froze. All color drained from my face.
"That sickly sweet perfume—you never get tired of it, but I sure do."
He released me, his fingers grazing my neck, his touch dangerously teasing.
Then I heard footsteps outside.
"Eric?" Zoe's voice called from the hallway. She'd only just left, but now she was back. Clearly, they'd gotten close in a short time. "Are you still in there? I think I dropped my brooch in the studio."
I barely stopped myself from reacting, my throat tightening. Eric leaned in, his voice low and dangerously calm. "You want everyone to know you're trying to seduce the new teacher?"
I swallowed hard, my legs trembling.
Maybe Zoe gave up when she realized the door was closed. Her footsteps faded as Eric finally released me.
"Cheryl, what are you spacing out about?"
His voice made my heart race. I couldn't take it anymore. Summoning every last bit of strength, I yanked the door open and ran as fast as I could.
I ended up hiding in the narrow space beneath the stairs, burying my face in my knees as tears started to pour again, soaking my pants that had just dried.
'Damn it. Why did I run? He's probably laughing at me for looking like a mess.'
I was not sure how long I stayed there, but just as I was starting to calm down, that infuriating voice came again.
"Hey, let's see who's hiding here. Oh, it's Cheryl. All alone? What are you doing, huh? Getting off on your own?"
"Shut up!"
I threw the book in my hand with all my strength, hitting him square in the face.
He yelped in pain, his nose nearly twisted out of shape.
"You b***h!" He covered his face and charged at me, but in his haste, he missed a step and slipped on the stairs.
I took the chance and bolted towards the track field.
The rain mixed with my tears, chilling me to the bone. Everything felt wrong.
This was a mess.
*****
The next day, as soon as I stepped into the classroom, Dylan charged at me, throwing a punch. I dodged, ducking under his arm.
His fist missed, and the look on his face was priceless. But before I could even react, Eric's voice cut through the tension. "Starting trouble in my class? You think I'm the kind of guy who lets that slide?"
Dylan froze.
He tried to pull his hand away, but Eric's grip was unrelenting.
"Sorry, Mr. Patro," Dylan muttered, defeated.
Eric let go, watching Dylan slink back to his seat, and the entire class fell silent, heads down, focused on their work.
"Come with me," Eric said, his voice a quiet command as he leaned in close to my ear.
"I... I have stuff to do." I bit my lip, wishing more than anything I didn't have to be alone with him.
He chuckled lightly, amused.
"Stuff to do? Like dealing with Dylan?"
A cold shiver ran down my spine, and for a moment, I felt completely paralyzed, unable to move.
"You know I don't have much patience." Eric didn't wait for a response as he stepped out of the classroom. "Come on."
Reluctantly, I followed him, and as we passed the tennis courts, a cheerful voice called out to him, "Eric? You up for a game of tennis?"
"Later!" Eric smiled back at Edith, the illustration teacher, but the warmth in his smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
A pang of jealousy shot through me.
I'd seen that smile before, two years ago. But now, it was for everyone else, not me.
We reached the equipment room, and Eric opened the door, giving me a slight nod to go in.
He deliberately stood in the doorway, forcing me to squeeze past him, the heat of his body radiating through his pants as I brushed by.
"About Dylan?" I asked, trying to get straight to the point.
"I saw it," he said casually, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it between his fingers.
The smoke curled around us, thick and stifling. I wrinkled my nose, pointing at the "No Smoking" sign on the wall.
"You're such a rule follower," he said with a sly grin, exhaling a ring of smoke.
The smoke hit my face, and I could smell the minty sweetness mixed with grapefruit.
"Didn't your mom warn you to stay away from guys like me?" His voice dropped to a mockingly serious tone.
"I really wonder what she'd think of her perfect daughter, always getting tangled up with me."
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I snapped back, "What are you talking about? You're the one who won't leave me alone!"
"I won't leave you alone?" He chuckled darkly. "Alright, I won't."
Before I could react, he suddenly pulled me towards him, his lips crashing against mine in a kiss that was urgent and commanding.
My heart stopped, and my thoughts scattered as I felt nothing but the heat of his lips and the overwhelming intensity of his kiss.
The spot on my neck where he had bitten me still throbbed with pain.
I turned my head, trying to break free, but he kept me locked in place.
He wasn't happy with that. He grabbed my chin, his voice dropping low and dangerous. "Be good."
My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt like I was frozen, unable to escape.
"Say my name," he demanded.
"Mr. Patro..." I whispered, my voice trembling with an edge of desperation.
"Not that," he said, his eyes darkening with something far more intense. "You know what I want to hear."
Suddenly, a flood of memories rushed in—
The attic. Him, smoking. The sound of rain tapping against the window.
It felt like a haunting dream, warm yet terrifying.
And then, through the blaring sound of a fire alarm, I trembled, my voice barely a whisper as I said the name I never thought I would.
"Eric..."
- Writer
