Stir

CHAPTER 8

THE NEXT DAY

I have been anxious all morning. Unsettled. Unsure. Excited. I woke up with all of this excess energy, looking at myself in the mirror, wishing I had more modern clothes and makeup. For the first time ever I wished I could do something to alter my appearance like others. It wasn't until I saw Rayna staring at me that I snapped out of it.

Like every day my father drops us off but something is different today. I don't know what but there is something buzzing in the air. I look at my sister to see if she notices it or if it is just me, but she is busy checking her bookbag.

The car comes to a stop and we both get out. “Be virtuous, Imogen.” My father calls out. When I look at him I see my own impure thoughts flashing in front of my face. I duck my head and nod before heading toward the door. All I keep thinking is he should have said that to me last night.

I am walking toward the building looking for him, actively searching for him though I know I shouldn’t be. “Hola Pequeña.” I jump when his arm wraps around my shoulder and he guides me into the building. Seconds ago I was searching for him, wanting his attention on me, but now, I find myself trying or acting like I want to not be so close to him. Fat chance. His grip gets tighter. He pulls me flush against him and he kisses the side of my head. My entire body lights up like it was my mouth.

“What are you doing?” I ask him trying to mask my labored breath and sweaty palms.

“Staking my claim so they know you belong to me.” Yes! No. Wait. Pay attention Imogen. You are falling fast, girl. Get a grip.

“But I don't.” Shoot. The minute I say it I know it is a mistake. Someone like him would view it as a challenge. A personal affront to his virility. His masculinity. I basically just armed a sniper with a weapon.

“Oh you do, you just don’t know it. From now on you wait here for me every morning.”

“What?” Is he serious? I mean my body is responding to his command but I can’t possibly be seen with him.

“I don’t want you walking around without me anymore, Pequeña.”

“I have been going about my day, before you.” I stop walking to look at him, curious to see his expression. He looks at me shocked that I spoke up and smirks. His arms cage me against the wall and his mouth is within a breath of mine.

“That was before me. There will be no after me.” Oh God. I can’t breathe.

The words leave his mouth and my knees begin to buckle. I am no longer holding myself up. His proximity is the thing keeping me upright. I attempt to swallow my spit and take a deep breath but then he leans into me and whispers into my ear. “Nod your head and say you understand, Pequeña.” Like a trained Judas, I abandon all of my senses and do as I have been told. I nod my head, so lost in the feeling of him leaning against me. Being trapped between him and the wall feels right. I feel protected and untouchable. All of this is a problem. “Such a sweet little thing. Come on baby, let’s get you to class.”

I have no doubt people saw that exchange and thinking about it makes my cheeks heat up. As we walk down the hallway, I see the stares from people and duck my head under his arm, trying to shield myself from the gazes.

I am so busy trying to ignore everyone in the hallway, that I don’t realize we are in front of my classroom until he stops and turns me in his arms and once again stuns me. “Kiss me.” He says staring in my eyes like a viper waiting to attack.

“What? I never..” I am vigorously shaking my head at his request. Or am I? Surely I heard him wrong. Right? I mean he can’t expect me to…

“I know. I want your first one to be in front of everyone. Now kiss your man baby.” his hand grips the back of my neck and pulls me into him. Our mouths connect and my ears are flooded with the sound of bells and melodious noises. Like how I imagine angels sound singing Hallelujah. Holy… .I have been dead. I didn’t know. I didn’t know. I have been walking around half a person until now. It is so right being connected to him right now. Everything has fallen away and there is only us inside of this hallway, this space, this universe. “I will be here after class to walk you to your next one.” He kisses me once more and walks away.