Everything She's Not

"Who's in charge, Lil?"

The night he killed one of his men to prove a point, still follows him in his dreams. Gabe has done so many terrible things, but the image of her hand on his while he pulled the trigger, that's what gets him.

He's haunted and she doesn't seem to notice. They graduate soon and she's giving up her chance at going to a fancy college to stay in this town and go to the local university.

"What's on your mind, Babe?" Lilly asks from across the room as she slides her bra back on.

Gabe props himself up on his elbow, admiring the view.

"Just...how different you've been lately. It's been a couple weeks since the party, and you're...angrier."

"I'm not angry." Lilly scoffs.

"Then what are you?!" He moves to stand and throws his basketball shorts on.

"I don't know, Gabe! I'm coping with Mr. Plump's wife possibly being my mom, having to sneak in and out of my own house to move things little by little to my own apartment, and changing how I view things so I don't break down every time I find myself in a dangerous situation with you!" She throws his shirt on and stomps downstairs to his kitchen.

Gabe follows her down the stairs, his blood beginning to boil.

"I warned you about all this! You said you're all in, so you don't get to back out now!" His deep-rooted fear of abandonment creeps up.

*slam* Lilly slams the jug of orange juice on the counter and whips around to face him, not even pouring it in her glass yet.

"What d'you want from me, Gabriel! I'm giving up my own morals for you! What are you giving up?! Huh?!" Lilly steps forward, closing in on him.

"Back up, Lil." His tone is calm, yet dangerous.

"Why? You gonna hit me?! Wouldn't that prove everyone right?! I can take a hit, do it!" Lilly taunts him, closing the gap between them.

"I'm not gonna hit you, Liliana! I'm trying to get you to back up 'cause you look like you're gonna hit me." Gabe speaks calmly, his jaw clenching.

Lilly scoffs and walks back to the counter, pouring the juice in silence.

"You insisted on not living under the same roof as Mikey. If you want, we can get a place together instead of you having an apartment. The stuff with your dad can be fixed with a few threats, and if Mr. Plump's wife is your mom, you should try to ask her why she left. You don't have to come with me to "run errands" if you don't want to." Gabe utters through gritted teeth.

"Whatever, Gabe." Lilly sighs.

Gabe comes up behind her, pressing into her, so hard that the side of the counter is digging into her lower abdomen. He grips her hips, flips her around and wraps one hand around her throat. This earns him a devious smile from Lilly. He runs his thumb over her bottom lip and presses into her mouth, causing her to grant entry, sucking on his thumb sensually.

"I would burn the world down for you, but I'm in charge. Got it?" His eyes lock on her mouth, wanting to ravage her on the kitchen counter.

Mikey walks through the front door before Gabe can have his way with Lilly, but Mikey is so sloshed that he doesn't even notice the two at first. He throws his shoes off and heads for the stairs, but turns right before ascending them and looks Lilly in the eyes.

Her eyes widen and she looks over at Gabe who's tattooed knuckles are still wrapped around her throat.

"Looks like I interrupted something. Don't worry, I'm going to bed. But, if you're gonna choke her, you might as well marry her." Mikey laughs at his terrible non-joke and goes to his room.

The next sound they hear is the third of his door closing. Gabe tightens his grip to grab Lilly's attention again.

"Who's in charge, Lil?"

"You are." Lilly says, her voice strained.

"Good girl."

Gabe lets go of her throat and slaps her ass, harder than she expected when she turns back towards the counter. Lilly yelps and Gabe chuckles, walking over to the stairs. Lilly listens as his feet hit each stair, slowly ascending to the bedroom.

"Find a house, we'll buy one." He says before rounding the first landing.

---------------------------

Two days later, the final exams are taking place at school and Lilly keeps glancing at Gabe from across the room. She watches as the blonde bimbo, whose name she's already forced herself to forget, decides to try to rub her foot on the back of his leg. The bimbo is sitting behind him, surely failing her exam.

Lilly can feel her stomach tighten, the tips of her ears grow hot, and her leg begins to bounce uncontrollably under her desk. The sound of her heart beating echoes in her ears. It's like jealousy and possessiveness overtake her senses.

Before she knows it, her hand subconsciously slams her pencil down on the desk. *slam*

"Lilly! Are you okay?" The teacher asks from the front of the room.

"Uh, yeah, just a bit tired." She attempts to steady her heartbeat and her breathing while responding.

"Well, run to the bathroom and come right back. I'm gonna time you for security reasons. We don't want anyone cheating, do we?" The teacher raises her eyebrow and nods her head towards the door.

Lilly's legs feel heavy as she carries herself to the bathroom, like she's walking with anchors tied to her feet. She crashes into the bathroom, slaps her hands on the counter of one of the sinks, and stares at herself in the mirror.

Her ears are red, her eyes are a bit dark underneath. She splashes cold water on her face, then slaps her right cheek hard enough to come to her senses.

"C'mon Lil. Get your s**t together! You're gonna be valedictorian. You can't fail this exam." She says to herself, just loud enough for her to hear.

After gathering her thoughts, Lilly marches back into the classroom, gets her final finished in record time and slings her backpack over her shoulder to leave. She doesn't remember that Gabe drove her to school until she sees his car in the parking lot and not hers.

She plants herself on the back of his sports car and waits about 40 minutes for him to be finished with the last final of the day. She sees him walking out, talking to a few of the guys from the basketball team. His smile fades when he notices her leaning against his car with his t-shirt sliding down one of her shoulders.

His broad shoulders made the shirt look large on her small ones. She's reading one of her smut books and biting her bottom lip. She looks more like herself than she has in days. Gabe thinks about blowing off the work they have to do as soon he leaves the school, he can't blow it off, but wishes he could. How is he gonna focus on anything with her being so absolutely beautiful without trying?