"Let go of me," I straightened up, returning to my seat and adjusting my hair. It's obvious he noticed too, but I simply decided to ignore it. I don't like Kessler, I feel something dark within him that doesn't give me confidence. "Have we arrived yet?"
"Not yet, kitten, we're close.""Don't call me that," I reproached."Whatever you say, kitten."I closed my eyes for a few seconds because dealing with Kessler is like dealing with a wall. Kessler stopped near a huge tree."We have to go on foot from here," he says."But it's raining," I pointed out as if it weren't obvious."A little water won't hurt you."He got out, so I had no choice but to do the same. Luckily, it was just a drizzle and not too strong."Watch your step, this forest can be very treacherous."The grass and everything else was slippery; I used my bag as an umbrella."Why are we here? I'm starting to think Lucas isn't here and that you just brought me to distract me," I spoke. "Kessler!" The guy was blatantly ignoring me. He was ahead of me, so I hurried to catch up with him."We're almost there, don't get impatient.""Why are you doing this? Why are you helping me? I'm starting to think you only do it for something in return."He stopped and looked at me."What could you give me?" he questioned."I ask you the same question, what could I offer you? If you think you have everything.""Hmm..." he thought. "...we're off to a bad start, kitten. Let's be friends, and then you'll know me better."I laughed. "Friends? I can't believe it. Excuse me if I don't buy it, but you seem like the type who doesn't have female friends and who can't just be with anyone.""You're not just anyone," he said. "You're someone special."I looked at him, waiting for the laughter, but it never came. Why is he acting like this? Is he playing with me, right?"Stop talking nonsense and let's move on because I'm getting soaked.""Why do you hate me? You don't even know me yet.""I just know you're an arrogant guy who thinks he owns everyone and everything," I said, but then I slipped on a rock and sprained my ankle. I grimaced in pain. "Damn it.""Wait, don't move," Kessler hurried over to me, took my ankle in his hands, and took off my shoe."What are you doing?""It's a sprain," he began massaging it. It hurt a lot, but his touch was comforting. I wondered why he was behaving like this with me. If it were the first time I met him, then I would think he's a good guy, someone adorable, handsome, and sexy.I hated myself for thinking that."You can't put weight on it," he said, putting my shoe back on. "We have to get back to the car; your brother can wait.""I can't leave him alone, you told me those guys play pranks.""And they do, but trust me for once that nothing will happen to your brother," he looked at me, I only saw confidence in his eyes. He's being sincere; something tells me I should trust him.I nodded, lowering my guard."Okay."He helped me to my feet, but then he picked me up in his arms."You can't walk like this," he advanced over the rocks and wet grass until we reached the jeep. He lifted me into the passenger seat and ran to the driver's side. He started the car immediately. "I'll take you home."•When we arrived home, I got out with difficulty, and Kessler helped me walk. Dad wasn't home, so I'll be alone with this guy. We entered the living room, and I collapsed onto the couch."Do you have a first aid kit?""Yes, in the bathroom. It's in...""I know where it is, don't worry," he said, going to the downstairs bathroom. He returned with the kit in hand and looked for ointment and gauze. "I'll give you a massage to reduce the swelling.""Thank you," I whispered, only this time he deserves it. Kessler looked at me for a few seconds."It's nothing."He started massaging, and I felt so good that I almost didn't feel the pain. Kessler's hands are magical. When he finished, he applied the gauze."You'll feel much better tomorrow.""Now I don't know what explanation I'll give my father," I said. "Wait, give me my phone."Kessler took the phone out of his pocket and handed it to me."You can send the location now."I rolled my eyes at his sarcasm."For your own good, I hope my brother is okay.""He is, Eva, relax," he stood up, started looking around the house and the pictures on the wall. "You know a lot about self-care.""My dad is a cop; of course, he trained us very well.""I see. And that's good.""Well..." I muttered. "Thanks for bringing me."Kessler took off his jacket and sat on the couch."I'm not going to leave you alone, Eva, I'll stay until your brother or your father comes.""Are you crazy? Neither my father nor Lucas can see you here. Go away. And thanks for everything.""I'm not leaving, Eva, you may need something, and you can't walk properly.""Why are you doing this? You don't know me."Kessler approached, his black eyes now seemed brown. Which seemed strange to me."Eva, you don't understand it yet, but one day you will. I don't want to tell you something that you'll misinterpret later. I want to be your friend, that's all.""Why?""Because after friendship comes everything else," he said, smiling."Do you really think you and I...?" I laughed. "Not in your dreams, Kessler.""You say that now, Eva," in a quick movement, he dragged me until we were inches from each other's faces. "But in a few weeks, you'll be dying for me. I bet you that.""Get away from me," I said firmly. "I don't like you, and I could never fall in love with someone as superficial as you."He smiled to himself."You're very sure. I love challenges, Eva." With that said, he took me by the face and kissed me on the lips. I opened my eyes wide in surprise at what was happening.Kessler is giving me my first kiss.My first kiss!IT CAN'T BE.Why the hell didn't I push him away?!I parted my lips to let him in more; I was surprised by that gesture on my part. I closed my eyes and just let myself be carried away by the moment of my first kiss. I felt a tingling in my stomach; I wish I could drown those damn butterflies because this can't happen.I refuse!"Kessler!" I pushed him away; my heart was beating faster than normal. My lips were throbbing. "Why did you do that?" I whispered in a thin voice.Kessler smiled satisfied."Because I knew it would be your first kiss, Eva, and no one else but me will touch those lips."I got up abruptly, forgetting about my injured foot, which caused me to wince in pain."Be careful," he said, getting up as well."What's wrong with you?! Why do you come and kiss me like that out of nowhere?" I wiped the area with my hand.I could see a glimmer of sadness in Kessler's eyes, but he quickly brushed it off."Eva, don't exaggerate. It was just a kiss.""The first one. And how the hell did you know it was the first?"He shrugged."You look like someone who hasn't kissed before."What exasperation."No one believes that, Mr. Know-it-all. You better leave, Kessler, because you're stressing me out."Kessler made a swift move, his hands now on my waist."I told you I won't leave you alone, and it's still raining."I grabbed his hands and tried to remove them."Get your hands off me."Kessler stepped back."Tell me, Eva, what brings you here?" he asked, walking around the room as if he knew it perfectly."Don't you realize? My father is the new sheriff in town, he's here to in
As the evening passed and night fell, I felt even more worried because Lucas hadn't come home. It's all Kessler's fault; that guy will give me a lot of trouble. It was almost seven in the evening. Dad wasn't coming; I think he'll be late because of that boy's death. I'm anxious, uncomfortable, and desperate. I can't wait any longer. Limping, I left the house and crossed the garden to Kessler's house. I knocked on the door desperately and waited for someone to open it.Kessler appeared in my field of vision almost immediately."Eva? I thought something had happened. Why are you walking? You have a injured foot; you should be resting.""Lucas hasn't shown up," I entered his house without even asking for permission. "I need you to call one of your friends and make sure my brother is okay. Lucas isn't answering my calls.""Calm down, Eva, relax.""I can't! My brother is missing.""Eva, he's not missing. Your brother is fine.""Take me to him."God, I'm acting like a crazy mother. I can't
I stopped breathing for a few seconds, never taking my eyes off that huge animal. I feel like it's the end, that I'm going to die here and now, and that there's no one to protect me. If I run, the wolf will chase me; if I stay, it'll catch me. What should I do? I also don't have the good foot to run. The cell phone had no signal, and I'm sure that if I were to call someone, they wouldn't be here in time to defend me.I slowly backed away from the forest; the wolf was still there, looking at me untouched and with a thirst for human blood. Then the wolf advanced, and I froze in place as if not moving would serve any purpose. I was paralyzed. The wolf is black-haired, huge, and its eyes are as black as the night. It reminded me of Kessler. I felt a tear roll down my cheek; I knew it was my end. It hurts for my father, for Lucas; they'll be alone and feel the loss of another person.The wolf is in front of me, with no intention of attacking, just watching, analyzing me, and licking its ch
—Eva!" Lottie's voice startled me from my sleep. I woke up abruptly, not knowing what was happening or why this girl was making such a fuss outside my room."What's going on?" I wrapped myself in the blanket; I was very sleepy."Wake up, please.""Hmm," I looked at her, she was very agitated and seemed worried, so I knew something bad had happened."What happened?" I wanted to know, sitting up."Something happened last night," she murmured. A wave of fear washed over me as I imagined that something might have happened to Lucas."What? Don't scare me.""It's about... your father."I opened my eyes wide."What happened to my dad? Speak, Lottie!""Last night, he went to find your brother in the woods and was attacked by a wolf.""What?" I exclaimed, jumping out of bed and running downstairs. Lottie followed me. How could I not have realized this?"Wait! Your father is okay!"I looked at her."Your father was in the patrol car when the wolf attacked him. It seems your father shot and kill
I was thinking about what he said about his brother's death; he seemed sad. Besides, the death of what seemed like his sister, already deceased, so I put on my clothes and left the room. I headed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. I wasn't very hungry, but I had to eat since I didn't have dinner yesterday either.My brother came down the stairs, went to the fridge, grabbed orange juice and a packet of cookies, and sat down to eat."What are you thinking about?" he asked me, looking a bit shocked about yesterday."Nothing, Eva, let me eat."Lucas stood up and left the kitchen. I started washing dishes and tidying up the kitchen because it was a mess. I grabbed my backpack and left the house. It was raining outside, so I took out my umbrella and walked slowly along the sidewalk. I couldn't get Kessler's words out of my mind. I wanted to stop thinking about it, so I hurried my pace until I reached the high school.Outside, Lottie was chatting with a guy. As soon as she saw me, she appr
Penny had me by the hair, pulling it. I grabbed her waist and threw her aside."Don't get in my way!" I yelled. It seemed like today was the day for fights. I punched her in the ribs, making her stagger, then someone's arms grabbed me by the waist and pulled me away from her."What are you doing, Eva?" It was Kessler.Penny got to her feet. She didn't like at all what she was seeing. Penny now looked like one of those wild wolves from the forest, disheveled and growling with anger."Don't touch her, Kessler.""What the hell is going on here?" The principal appeared in our line of sight. "First, two young people fight outside, and now you two in here. The four of you, to my office. Now."I grabbed my bag, broke free from Kessler's grip, and followed the principal to his office. I knew perfectly well that we would get a very boring lecture. All I wanted was to get out of here quickly."And you, miss," he looked at me, "Your father is the new sheriff of the town; you should set an exampl
When I woke up the next morning, I waited until late to get up. The good thing about the suspension is that I could sleep in and rest from the late nights I've had these past few days. Although they say lost sleep can't be recovered. When I looked at my phone, it was ten thirty in the morning."Quite late," I thought. I rubbed my eyes and went to the bathroom to take care of my morning routine; I took the opportunity to shower and get ready. I remembered that today Kessler had invited me out. I still don't understand why he did it. Isn't he supposed to be grieving? I feel sorry for him; surely he's one of those guys who hides his sadness deep down to avoid showing weakness.I went down to the kitchen. Everything was pretty quiet since neither Lucas nor my father were there. It's incredible that they also suspended Kessler since he's the mayor's son. I looked out the window; there were gray clouds in the sky, a sign that it would rain at some point. It was cold, but this time I liked f
When we finally arrived at the place, I was amazed looking at it; it was spacious, very large, with lush green grass and isolated. It was, of course, surrounded by forest but in the distance. This place was perfect for a picnic, stargazing at night, or playing some baseball. But the gray clouds and cold weather gave it a more somber appearance. Still, it was beautiful."Do you like it?""It's beautiful, but why did you bring me here?""I like to come here to think, it's secluded, no one comes around here, and when the sun is out, it's even more beautiful. Come, let's go this way."He led me to the center, took out a blanket I didn't know he had, and laid it on the ground for us to sit on."Come," he patted the spot beside him. I sat down in front of him, and he smiled sideways."And why did you bring me to your favorite spot? Am I special or something?" I laughed, joking."Believe it or not, yes, you are. You're very special to me.""Why?""It's something I can't explain, Eva, you wou