15. WHAT I DESERVE

Slade jumped out as soon as the cars stopped, having sat as far away from me as he possibly could. I opened my door and by the time I jumped off he was already up the steps. I rushed after, afraid he would lock me out to die in the cold.

All the courage was gone, vanished away.

He marched through the door and I followed after. The door shut and locked after me. By the time I turned, Slade was eating up the stairs two at a time. Run? Hide? When he was far enough I ran up the stairs and slid into my room. I shut the door and leaned on it, listening. He was in his room. For two full minutes nothing happened so I let out a breath and rushed to the bathroom. I stared at myself in the mirror and I looked a mess, tear stains down my face, red crazy eyes. My head was pounding and a jumble of thoughts.

It was clear I couldn’t stay. I could stay for a lot but not this. My heart was already too invested in Slade. It was his age, the way I just felt around him, as if nothing could touch me. I