Caught

I recognized Chris's cold voice as soon as I heard it. How did he find me? Was he lurking in the backyard waiting for me all along? The swimming pool was so far from where we stood and I couldn't scream because of his right hand on my mouth. I imagined there was a gun hidden beneath his dark clothing. That terrified me, making me tremble from the crown of my head to my feet. Was I really going to die? Chris seemed capable of strangling and dumping me in the yard. His dark clothing and the coldness in his piercing eyes screamed danger. If he killed me, no one would care until morning. They'd think I passed out. I shook my head, trying to get rid of my pessimism.

I looked up to the sky begging God to hear my humble prayer. I hadn't prayed in a very long time and I wondered if that was my punishment. I silently asked for a chance to get out Chris's clutches. They said God loved us despite our darkest sins. I let my troubled mind dwell on God's love instead of the dark hearted 'killer' behind me.

"Thought you'd get rid of me that easy, huh?" He teased, tightening his hold of me. "I'm going to show you what happens to young girls who think they can run away from me."

My heart almost stopped because I realized he sounded so serious. I decided to remain silent because if I spoke, I'd regret immediately. There were no kind words for him in my mind at the moment.

"You think you're very brave, right?" He continued. His other hand caressed my tummy over the thin dress. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. My body loved betraying me even in the most delicate situations. I was about to lose my life because of Clyde. Why did he have to have enemies? Chris seemed to be jealous of Clyde. Just because he hated Clyde didn't mean he had to hate me. I'd only slapped him, he could have just done the same. What a douche!

After warning me not to scream, he withdrew his hand from my mouth and turned me to face him. I stared into his dark brown eyes, illuminated by the lights. Close up, he was even more beautiful than I had thought. His face was pure perfection and I liked having him look at me. If Clyde hadn't warned me off him, I might have begged him to do whatever he wanted with me.

"I'm sorry," I said, relaxing a bit. "I didn't know what I was doing."

"Are you really sorry?" He looked into my eyes and bit his lip. 

"Yes," I sighed and looked away, focusing on the walls of the house.

"Yes what, Shannon?"

"Yes, Chris," I trembled. His gaze went to the pool. Then he surprised me.

He began laughing hard.

"I really frightened you, didn't I?" He laughed.

"What?" I couldn't believe my eyes. Was he kidding me? What was his game?

"You were really scared and trembling allover," he said, upon recovering from his laughing fit. " I never thought I was that scary. Besides, girls like a dangerous man, don't they? Wait, you're not exactly a girl if you know what I mean."

I sighed, not quite believing that he just tricked me. I searched for lying signs in his eyes but saw none. Chris had been playing around with me and I'd fallen for it.

Ignoring the insult about me not a being a girl, I asked him the question that had been in my mind.

"How did you find me?"

"I knew you'd ask that," he grinned," I knew you were hiding behind the DJ's but I enjoyed seeing you so scared and uneasy. What did you drink, anyway? Your friend was great company. Unfortunately, she had to leave early, along with Beck and Kelsey. I promised to get you home safely."

"They left me?" I couldn't believe it. "And why on earth would you offer to give me a lift?"

"Doesn't matter," he said. "Can I ask you something?"

"Okay?"

"Why were you really scared of me?"

"You were after me," I replied.

"So even if it was any other guy you'd do the same?"

Definitely not.

"Yeah," I lied.

"C'mon Shannon don't lie to me."

"I'm not lying," One lie leads to another. "After slapping you, I thought you were very angry."

"Did Clyde tell you anything about me?" 

"No, why would he?"

"He might have his own reasons."

"Well he didn't say anything. Weren't you furious when I slapped you?"

"I was," he admitted. "But when I realized you were so scared, I thought it was funny. You don't have to apologize because you're the type of person I'd never fail to forgive."

"Why?"

"You look so innocent. I was actually more surprised than angry when you're palm hit my face. Guess you're very defensive when it comes to those you love, huh?"

I didn't raise any comment on that.

"I understand," he chuckled. "Shall we get back inside?"

"No, i want to go home."

"Why? It's a bit early"

"I'm exhausted."

"You can't be. You neither danced nor drank anything."

"I ran away from you," I laughed. " It was hectic."

"Sure, maybe I'll just get you home then."

We walked towards the parking lot conversing about normal issues and getting to know each other. It was me mainly talking about myself as he asked lots of questions. He turned out to be a really cool guy.

"What happened between you and Clyde?" I blurted out. His expression changed immediately and I cursed myself for being careless with words.

"Why don't you ask your boyfriend?" He said coldly. It's astonishing how only a few words can change a person's mood.

"Forget it," I said, sliding into the passenger seat. He'd opened my door for me. He turned out to be more of a gentleman than Clyde.

I wondered where his girlfriend could be. Or was he a player? That wasn't my problem.I had my Clyde.

Clyde is forbidden, the inner me screamed.

Why did he have to be so cute? Life was so unfair.