KLAUS
1121 Words
The question hung in the air like a bomb.
Molly's head snapped up. "Dad. Really?"
Mrs. Brennan's expression shifted to something painful. "Robert—"
I looked between the three of them, confused by their reactions. Both women were staring at Mr. Brennan like he'd just said something unforgivable.
I knew Klaus had gone to therapy a few months ago—Molly had mentioned it in passing once—but I didn't know why. And I'd never felt comfortable asking.
But the way everyone was reacting now made it clear it was a sensitive subject.
We all waited for Klaus to respond.
He stood frozen for a moment, his back to us, his shoulders tense.
Then, without a word, he walked out. The front door slammed behind him.
Molly sighed and threw her father a disappointed look before grabbing her bag. I quickly grabbed mine too, following her lead.
We needed to leave now if we wanted a ride to school. Klaus drove us whenever I stayed over.
****
Outside, Klaus was already in the driver's seat of his black Jeep, hands gripping the steering wheel so tight his knuckles had gone white. His jaw was clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek.
Molly climbed into the front passenger seat without a word. I slid into the back, settling into the corner and buckling my seatbelt.
The car was filled with thick, uncomfortable silence.
Klaus turned the key and the engine roared to life. He backed out of the driveway faster than usual, his movements sharp and controlled but clearly angry.
Nobody spoke.
Molly threw him a sideways glance, concern flickering across her face, but she didn't say anything. She just turned to look out the window, letting the wind from the open window blow through her hair.
I kept my eyes on Klaus through the rearview mirror.
His face was tight, his expression hard and closed off. So different from the teasing, confident guy who'd cornered me in the kitchen just an hour ago.
I wanted to say something. Ask if he was okay. But what right did I have?
So I stayed quiet and looked out the window, watching the blur of trees and buildings pass by.
****
We pulled into the school parking lot about fifteen minutes later.
The moment Klaus parked, girls started appearing like magic. Giggling, whispering, fixing their hair, and adjusting their clothes as Klaus got out of the car.
He ignored all of them, slinging his backpack over one shoulder and heading toward the main building without a word to anyone.
Molly rolled her eyes. "Vultures," she muttered under her breath.
I grabbed my bag and climbed out, but before heading to class with Molly, I glanced back at Klaus one more time.
He must have felt my gaze because he turned, and our eyes locked across the parking lot.
For a moment, something passed between us—something I couldn't quite name.
Then he looked away and disappeared into the crowd of students.
"Come on, Ana," Molly called, already halfway to the building. "We've got music first period."
I shook off the strange feeling and hurried after her.
****
I pushed open the door to the bathroom near the music hall, desperate to use the restroom before class ended.
But as I walked down the short hallway toward the stalls, I heard a noise coming from one of the storage rooms.
A muffled sound. Like someone was being... gagged?
Curiosity got the better of me. I approached the door in slow steps—it was cracked open just enough for me to see inside.
And what I saw made my stomach drop.
Klaus had a girl pressed against the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist, his hands buried under her skirt. Her shirt was pushed up, exposing her chest, and she was moaning loudly as he kissed her neck, his mouth moving down to her collarbone.
My sharp intake of breath must have been louder than I thought because they both froze.
Klaus pulled back an inch, turning his head to lock gaze with me.
His dark eyes locked onto mine.
The girl whimpered at the loss of contact, her eyes fluttering open in confusion before she followed his gaze and saw me standing there.
"I'm really sorry," I stammered, but my feet wouldn't move. I just stood there, frozen, staring at them.
Klaus's expression shifted—surprise melting into something darker. Something almost... amused.
He smirked.
Then he set the girl down carefully and stepped away from her.
"Get out," he ordered, his eyes still locked on mine.
"Klaus," the girl protested, her voice breathy and annoyed. She tried to reach for him, but he didn't even look at her.
"I said get out."
The coldness in his tone left no room for argument.
She glared at me like this was somehow my fault, fixed her shirt, and stormed past me, slamming her shoulder into mine as she left.
The door closed behind her with a heavy thud.
Leaving just Klaus and me alone in the narrow hallway.
I needed to leave. To turn around and walk away.
But before I could move, Klaus's hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.
He yanked me toward him, spinning me around and pressing my back against the wall. He caged me in with his arms on either side of my head, his body close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him.
"Klaus," I breathed out, his name coming out hoarse and not audible.
"Where do you think you're going, doll?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. His fingers came up to trail along my cheek, feather-light and devastating.
"What... What kind of question is that?" I managed to say, trying to push against his chest. But he didn't budge.
"You interrupted my fun," he murmured, leaning in closer until his lips were just inches from mine. "It's only fair that you replace her."
My breath hitched. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.
Something stupid and reckless coursed through my veins—the same feeling I'd had in the kitchen.
And just like in the morning, my eyes fluttered shut again.
I heard him chuckle, the sound rich and dark and so close I could feel his breath against my lips.
Then... nothing.
Silence.
After several long seconds, I heard the door open and close.
My eyes fluttered open.
And I was alone.
Klaus was gone like he was never here.
I pressed my hand to my racing heart, trying to steady my breathing.
*What is happening to me?*
"Adriana?"
I jumped at the sound of Molly's voice calling from the bathroom entrance.
- Writer
