Fear Me by B. B. Reid

him. I still haven’t told her about the pharmacy and I couldn't tell her about his threat.
    “As if, Keiran would really date you. Un-believable.” Willow and I looked up to find Anya and her posse standing over us.
    “Oh no, it's the hussies of Bainbridge High,” Willow retorted.
    I choked back a laugh. “Is there something we can help you with Anya?”
    “Yeah, stay away from my boyfriend.” She shifted her hip and smacked her overly glossed lips. “Keiran doesn't want you and it’s pathetic seeing you follow him around all day. He doesn't need a lap dog.”
    “Boyfriend? Does Keiran know this?” Willow asked sweetly.
    “I’m not talking to you, weirdo. I’m talking to this loser. Keiran just wants to use you because everyone heard how you give it up so easily, but he’s mine.”
    “I’m sorry he never mentioned you, but I’ll keep that in mind.” I turned to Willow, who was biting back a laugh. When Anya continued to stand there, I faced her again. “Was there something else?”
    She rolled her eyes at me before stomping off with her army of skanks following. “Can you believe that chick? You would think Keiran’s penis was made of gold, the way these girls act.” Willow scoffed. I looked at her in shock. Yeah, definitely something up with her.
     

Chapter Five
     
    I had begun to think school would never end. I almost shit a brick – excuse my language – when Keiran had walked into fifth period along with his closest cohorts. For an hour I felt the chill and tension at my back all the while praying for the period to end quickly.
    Willow had just dropped me off at home and I immediately noticed my aunt’s car in the driveway. I released a low groan knowing there would be questions about my day. Besides Willow, my aunt was someone I hated lying to so I was hoping to avoid this talk altogether.
    “Lake how was your first day as a senior?”
    Stressful.
    “It was good. I don’t have any serious classes besides English and French.” That’s good, Lake. Keep it going. With any luck I could bullshit my way through this conversation.
    “Well that’s great. So…did anything happen?’
    Shit.
    She was fishing and I knew what she was fishing for. Ever since I fainted in the parking lot she’d get a worried look in her eye whenever school came up. I’d work so hard over the years to keep my school life away from home and now it seemed that everything was coming to light.
    “No. It was pretty uneventful. Some guys got into a fight today.”
    “It wasn’t over you, was it?” A teasing smile spread her lips as she watched me.
    “No. Nothing like that.”
    “One day. You’re too gorgeous not to have it happen.”
    “Aunt Carissa, I don’t find the idea of being fought over like table scraps, appealing.”
    “And that’s what makes you such a strong girl.” She kissed my forehead and resumed preparing dinner as if she didn't just send my world crashing.
    I wasn’t strong. I was anything but. I’d let a single guy isolate me my entire life and now he was after me in the worst way and I was too afraid to stop him. After the playground, he’d made it his personal mission to make me fear him. His threats were always done in secret though and I never knew when they were coming. I touched my neck, absently, thinking about the most terrifying time he threatened me…
    * * *
     
    “But I don’t want to go in there with you. Please don’t make me.” I had been walking down the empty hallway, on the way to the bathroom. Everyone had class, including me so I wasn’t expecting to run into Keiran. Literally. We rounded the corner at the same time and collided, causing me to fall on my rear while he watched me with cold eyes.
    “Shut up. I’m sick of your whining. I haven’t even done anything to you yet,” he gritted in a deep voice. Not long ago his voice had become rougher, making him even scarier. It also made me feel strange in another way but I didn’t know how to explain it. My aunt