Bittersweet Memories (Off-Limits)

“Slut,” some girl murmurs behind my back as her friends giggle beside her. They’ve been daring her to say something to me, and I’ll admit I was betting against her. I didn’t think she had the guts.

I slam my locker closed and turn around, my jaw clenched. Her eyes widen, and she turns around, her cheeks crimson.

“You,” I snap. “What did you just say to me?”

She rushes off, and her friends send me taunting looks as they follow her, their giggles grating on me.

“It’s not like they’re wrong.” Pure violence rushes through me at the sound of Caleb’s voice. “I saw how that guy held you. There’s no way he ain’t screwing you.” I turn toward him angrily, and he chuckles. “Should’ve just kissed me when I gave you a chance. If you want this to stop, I can make that happen. Just go on a date with me, Alanna.”

I cross my arms over my chest, but all that does is draw his gaze to my breasts. “You need to stop harassing me,” I warn him. “I’ve been lenient so far because I’m not into drama, but I will sue you for slander. It’s clear you’re not used to hearing the word no, so read my damn lips, Caleb. No. I will never date you.”

I walk past him, barely able to contain my temper. I’m trying my hardest to pretend that words can’t hurt me, but they do. Every time I’m called a slut or a whore, my heart breaks. I’m a virgin, for God’s sake. It’s unfair that this is happening to me because I wouldn’t let Caleb take advantage of me.

He’s hot on my heels as I walk to the exit, and I’m so tempted to turn around and punch him in the face. I’ve never truly hated someone before, but I can honestly say that I hate this guy. I hate everything about him. His stupid hair, his entitlement, the way his stupid friends fall in line, the fact that no one will stand up to him.

“It’s just one date, Alanna,” he says, his tone coaxing.

“Are you dumb?” I ask, pausing in the hallway. “What makes you think that harassing a girl will make her want to go out with you? We aren’t in kindergarten anymore, Caleb. I get that your emotional intelligence hasn’t caught up yet, so allow me to enlighten you. Bullying a girl whose attention you want is childish, and it’s ineffective. Leave me alone, or I’m submitting a formal complaint.”

I walk out of the building, relieved he isn’t following me. I head toward my car in a rush, but before I reach it, I’m yanked back. Caleb has his hand around my wrist, impatience flashing through his eyes. He opens his mouth, but before he can speak, we’re interrupted by a voice I know all too well.

“I highly recommend that you let go of my girl.”

The tension flows out of my body at the sound of Silas’s voice. I turn around to see him walking up to us, his eyes on mine. He wraps his arm around my waist and leans over me, roughly yanking Caleb’s fingers away.

“I’ve warned you once. I won’t warn you again,” he says, his voice soft. It looks like he’s holding Caleb’s hand with considerable force before he pushes it away, and I notice the way Caleb clenches and unclenches his fist, as though his hand is hurting.

Caleb looks at me, distraught. “You’re not seriously dating this guy, are you?”

I nod and turn in Silas’s embrace, pressing my body against his. I rise to my tiptoes and press a quick, nervous kiss to the edge of his mouth, not quite on his cheek, yet not on his lips either. “You’re late,” I say, my voice trembling just a little. What is he doing here?

Silas looks into my eyes, his intense gaze making my heart skip a beat. I almost stop breathing when his free hand slides up my back and into my hair. He cups the back of my head, his touch possessive. “I’m sorry, baby. My seminar ran longer than it should have.” He tips his head toward Caleb, a questioning look in his eyes. “Is this guy giving you any trouble?”

I hesitate, wanting to say yes, but knowing that I can’t. Silas has so much on his plate already. There’s no way I can add to it. Besides, I don’t want to be the kind of girl that needs help from a guy. I can deal with this myself. “Not at all.”

He nods and glances back at Caleb. I follow his gaze to find Caleb staring at the two of us, his eyes dark with jealousy. He throws me a venomous look before he turns and walks away, his demeanor spelling trouble. I sigh and drop my forehead to Silas’s chest, enjoying the way he’s holding me.

It’s insane, and I know this is all fake, but Caleb’s behavior is granting me moments with Silas I’d otherwise never have. “What are you doing here?” I murmur against his hoodie.

“Something about our conversation yesterday didn’t sit well with me, and I wanted to come see you at school, just to make sure you really were okay. As expected, that guy is still pursuing you, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to give up anytime soon. I thought being seen with your alleged boyfriend might make him back off.”

He smiles at me in a way he never has before, and I can’t help but smile back. “You didn’t need to do that for me,” I murmur. My school is really far from the shelter, and I can’t imagine how long it must’ve taken him to get here.

“It’s okay,” he says, the back of his fingers brushing over my cheek tenderly. I swallow hard at his touch. It’s strangely intimate. I know I should step out of his embrace, but I want more of this. I’m not ready to let go of this fantasy. “Your school is pretty close to Astor College.”

I gasp, my eyes widening. “You go to Astor College?” It’s the best school in this state, and it’s my dream college. It’s not easy to get into Astor College, and because it’s a prestigious private school, it’s insanely expensive too. I can’t even imagine how high his student loans must be.

“I do. I study Computer Science. Their programme is among the best in the country, and I’ve always wanted to go there. Some days it’s still surreal to me, to be honest.”

Silas lets go of me and takes a step back. I sigh, missing his touch already. The way he smirks at me makes me suspect that he realizes how I feel about him, but thankfully he isn’t teasing me.

“Let me drive you back,” I murmur, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Silas glances at the car behind me and nods. My dad bought me a Porsche for my sixteenth birthday, and at the time I loved the car, but now that I’m standing in front of Silas, it seems pretentious and shameful. I hesitate for a moment, and then I hand him the keys. “Actually, why don’t you drive?”

He looks at me the way he does sometimes. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve managed to decipher the looks he throws my way. He’s trying to figure out if this is a pity move or not. “Si,” I murmur. “I’ve only been driving for a couple of months, and I don’t want you to judge my driving. You just drive.”

He smiles then, and I breathe a sigh of relief when his fingers curl around the keys. He walks around the car and holds the passenger door open for me, surprising me. I don’t think anyone has ever done that for me before.

I’m nervous as he gets behind the wheel. It’s silly, but I’ve never been in a car with a guy I like. I frown when he adjusts the seat and mirrors with ease. It took me ages to figure out what all the buttons did, and where they even were. “You seem really familiar with my car,” I murmur, surprised.

He smiles at me. “I used to have a Porsche 911 myself. It’s a good car.”

I blink in surprise. “What?”

Silas glances at me as he reverses out. “Alanna… I grew up really rich. My father was the founder of a popular hedge fund.”

I nod, surprised. “I see… but then how… I mean…”

“I don’t know,” he says, his tone strained. “I’m sure something dodgy went down when my father passed away. There’s no way he wouldn’t have had a proper estate plan. He wouldn’t have cut both my brother and me out of his will, and his will couldn’t have been as simple as it was, but I can’t prove that. I couldn’t then, and I still can’t now. One day, I’ll regain everything I lost, but until then, I’m biding my time, studying as hard as I can and working my way up the only way I can. I’m in no position to forcibly take back what’s mine, but one day I will be.”

I nod at him. “I have no doubt,” I tell him. “You’re going to do amazing things, Silas.”

He smiles at me. “So will you, Alanna. I know it probably isn’t easy for you right now. You may not have said much, but I was sixteen just a few years ago, and I have a pretty good idea how much of an asshole that kid must be. Always remember the bigger picture, okay? Don’t get into silly fights, and don’t let him get to you. If you need help, just ask me, all right?”

I nod, refusing to voice the words. I can’t promise him anything. I don’t want to rely on Silas. I don’t want to be another burden to him. I’ll take care of Caleb myself.