Nero looked at his crew, who were laughing and shaking their heads. Nero was on the verge of giving them a lesson or two. He ran his hands through his hair.
“Let’s go.” This is going to be one long-ass day.
* * *
Elle went to her seat, not believing the way Nero was acting toward her. He can’t even tell me bye!
Once they were settled, Chloe asked her the question Elle had been waiting for. “You okay? You’re, like, zoning out now.” Elle knew Chloe always worried.
“Yeah, I’m fine, Chloe. I’m just a little tired from work.”
Chloe nodded and their class began, bringing Elle back to her memory from earlier. She had been forced to get her nose reset and her arm had indeed been broken. That was another day she had learned a valuable lesson. Don’t look anyone in the eyes.
Unfortunately, Elle wasn’t the only one who had learned a lesson. From that day forward, Chloe had started completely walking behind her. Elle welcomed her there. She was glad to become Chloe’s armor.
Calculus flew by and Elle hoped Nero’s mood was no longer sour. Something in her even wondered if she would find them in the hall waiting for her.
When she exited her classroom, she didn’t know whether she was grateful to find them there or unhappy. She looked at Nero’s still-pissed-off face and came to a conclusion. Very unhappy.
This hall break went the same as the last. Nero continued to walk behind her, next to Vincent, when he was more than capable of holding her hand. That was what was driving her mad. Her hand itched to be held by his, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
They were close to the Spanish door, and still, Nero refused to talk to her. He’s acting like a child.
Elle really hated the whole silent treatment thing.
She watched Amo do as he usually did; stand beside the door. She knew he hadn’t opened it because that would force her to go in and not talk to Nero.
Chloe walked in the classroom, and Elle’s feet told her to walk in, as well, but her mind told her otherwise. Elle decided to turn around instead and face Nero.
“What is your problem?” She looked straight at his green, scary eyes, wishing she hadn’t said it.
She saw Vincent smile and walk toward Amo, leaving her to deal with Nero alone.
Nero calmly asked, “What do you think my problem is, Elle?” She didn’t like his calm voice because it didn’t match the way she knew he felt.
“I don’t know what your problem is, that’s why I’m freaking asking.” She tried to mimic his calm voice.
Nero was quick. He grabbed her arms and scooted her away farther from the others’ ears, placing her against the lockers. What is it with him and shoving me against things?
Nero lowered his head to speak in her ear, keeping his hands on her arms to lock her in place. “My problem is simple, Elle. I have a problem with you having no trouble saying thank you to someone else. I have a problem with you wrapping your arms around someone else. And I have a big fucking problem with you not minding kissing someone else. Not one fucking time have you done any of those things to me without my asking, or just doing it because you want to, not because I want you to.”
Elle listened to every word Nero said to her. She had never considered he was mad at her, much less that he could be mad at her for that. She hadn’t even thought about what she was doing to Amo; she had simply been elated Chloe was safe and sound.
Nero looked at her face for her reply, but she didn’t know what to say. She had been caught off-guard.
“I-I wasn’t even thinking. I was happy that he brought Chloe there safely.”
“Why do you think he did that, Elle?” His eyes were becoming even more furious.
Elle knew, but things were different between them. “I know, Nero, but I don’t like Amo.” She turned her head away; she couldn’t look at his eyes for this. “It’s not easy for me to do those things when I’ve never done them to someone I like.”
She heard Nero exhale before he grabbed her chin to look at him. “I don’t want to see you ever touch another guy again. You can kiss and hug your father and brother, but if I find out you’ve touched another guy—I don’t give a shit who it is—they won’t live to let it happen again.”
Elle swallowed hard and nodded her head. She believed him. She couldn’t believe she was going to say it. “I’m sorry.”
She thought Nero was waiting for something, yet then he kissed her. It was a hard kiss, and she let their tongues meet for a brief second before he pulled away.
“I’m still pissed, but we’re going to be late for class.” He let her go, and she pulled away, going into the classroom. She blushed and ran in the room when she saw Amo and Vincent smiling. This time, Amo held the door open for her.
Chapter Seventeen
A Page from Chloe’s Book
The lunch bell rang and Elle and Chloe walked out of their Spanish class. Elle was happy to see Nero’s face and eyes had calmed down. She walked over to him as Amo started walking toward the cafeteria. Elle reluctantly began walking behind him when Nero didn’t act like he was going to move. I guess he is still pissed.
After a few steps toward the cafeteria, Elle felt Nero’s hand grab hers. She looked over at him and smiled, and then, on her own, she decided to walk closer beside him. She really had missed holding his hand.
When they reached the lunchroom, Amo stopped to wait for them. Once they were in one, big group, Nero spoke.
“So, what do you girls want to eat?”
Elle dropped her hand from Nero’s when Chloe and her eyes met. They didn’t know how to respond.
“It’s either pizza or the same line that’s always been here of chicken patties and hamburgers.” Elle and Chloe both turned their heads to stare at Nero. They had never gotten to pick on taste.