Amia The second bell announced the start of the school day. I ignored Levi when he walked in five minutes late. I avoided lifting my chin and looking at him. I didn’t miss the way he froze by my table. I could feel his gaze as it traveled over my downcast face. I didn’t want to admit it but Levi knew me better than almost everyone at this school. I could feel his gaze on the side of my face like every morning. I focused on class and followed along with the teacher. Classed past by in a blur and before I knew it the hour was up and it was time for second period. My stomach flip flopped knowing that I would be separated from Liz now. She waited for me as I gathered up my stuff. I got to my feet, threw my backpack over my shoulder, and followed Liz toward the door. I grabbed Liz’s hand and held it tightly. She squeezed my hand. I tried to keep my eyes in front of me but I could feel Levi’s warmth at my back as we shuffled out. “Hey Levi!” Liz said cheerfully. “Morning Liz,” Levi said

After Levi watched me walk to my seat he left without so much as another word. There were a few stares from the girls in the class, but I was feeling so weird with his absence that I ignored them. I felt as if something was off or missing and I had the need to run after him. It was the sound of the tick-tick-ticking of the hand moving on the clock as time passed that ground me and kept me in my seat. Class was a blur and I missed out on a majority if not the remainder of class. The events that had transpired in the few minutes we spent in the empty classroom took up most of my attention. As crazy as I felt for thinking I saw Levi with red eyes, I know what I saw. I couldn’t shake the feeling of being in a trance. My cheeks warm as I recall the neediness I had felt. The need to please him, the desperation to do everything and anything to please him caused a shiver to run down my spine. In that moment I knew I would have done literally anything. It was that thought that scared me the m

AmiaI spent the drive to the coffee shop hovered in front of the air vent trying to warm up. As much as I tried to get Liz to ride shotgun with Levi, she refused. Insisted she had to sit in the back seat. It was clear she wanted me and Levi to talk, but I had nothing to say. I kept my eyes trained on the dash as he drove. I could feel Levi’s gaze on the side of my face, hell, I could feel Liz watching us from the back seats. Still, I refused to look at him or try my hand at small talk. It wasn’t until he pulled into a parking spot across from the coffee shop and he hopped out that I raised my eyes from the dash.“That was awkward as fuck,” Liz murmured.“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said as I unbuckled my seat belt.“You know damn well what I meant,” Liz hissed.I eyed her in the rear view mirror and laughed. She was giving me a you know I’m right look. I reached for my handle when the door swung open. Levi stood outside holding not only my door open, but Liz’s.Well, t

Amia What the hell does he even know?! “If I’d done my part what?” Calum asked. “Just answer the questions,” I said. “I was told that you had a happy life here, your mom’s… partner was good to you, held a stable job and you had a lot of friends. I didn’t leave you… I gave you the space to grow up in a normal home. I did come back for you. I did come check on you. I came to get you years ago, but was told it wouldn’t be in your best interest to go back with me. She said she didn’t want you to feel less than enough with my mate. Your mother worried you would be looked down upon, she feared my mate would.. attack you. Even though I told her that wouldn’t happen, she was insistent. I left because she promised I could meet you when you came of age,” he explained. “Is that supposed to make everything better? That reason, that one reason is what kept you away all these years? Was I not worth fight for? Was I not worth checking on? Was I not even on your mind that you didn’t think to come

Amia “No one was stalking me Dylan. I came here with the two of them, we drove here together. They were giving me privacy while I talked. They’re my friends, Dylan, that’s all,” I said, hoping to convince him. “I don’t believe a single word coming from that whore mouth of yours,” Dylan growled. “Nor do I remember asking you for an explanation.” “You kind of did,” Liz said rudely. “I don’t think I remember asking you human,” Dylan snarled. “And I don’t—” “Don’t talk to her that way,” I said. “What?” Dylan asked. “Don’t talk to Liz that way. You aren’t angry with her, you’re angry with me. They care about me and they don’t want to see me… they don’t want to see me hurt,” I said. “I don’t care who they are to you. You are mine, you belong to me, and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone,” Dylan spat. “Maybe not,” Calum started, “but you have to explain yourself to me.” “Oh? And why would I give two shits about what you think?” Dylan asked. He yanked his arm free from Levi’s