Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Ivy, back then...

"Look who's the teacher's pet again. I'm sure you aced that pop quiz, didn't you?"

My cheeks flushed as I stared at my notes.

Don't react. Maybe he'll get bored and leave me alone, I told myself.

"What, too good to talk to me?" Aidan snatched my notebook and flipped through the pages. "Wow, did you write a novel in here or what?"

My heart raced as I watched him leaf through my private thoughts. "Please give that back."

"What's wrong?" He tossed the notebook across the room. It hit the wall and tumbled to the floor, pages fluttering. "Go get it, little puppy."

The laughter of my classmates rang in my ears. They were enjoying the show, egging him on like always. I gritted my teeth against the sting of tears. I would not cry. I would not give him the satisfaction.

Aidan leaned closer, his breath hot on my cheek. "You know what I like most about you, Ivy?" His voice softened to a menacing whisper. "How easy it is to get under your skin."

He straightened and strolled to the back of the class, high-fiving his friends along the way. My knee throbbed where he had tripped me yesterday, a souvenir of his cruelty. I took a shaky breath and walked to retrieve my notebook, my hands balled into fists inside my pockets.

Aidan might enjoy tormenting me, but he would not break me. I was stronger than that. And someday, he would realize he had messed with the wrong girl.

I gathered the loose pages of my notebook with trembling fingers, refusing to meet anyone's gaze. The laughter and whispers followed me like shadows, dark creatures that clung to my heels.

When the bell rang, I bolted from my seat and hurried into the crowded hallway. Voices and bodies pressed in around me, a suffocating sea of sound and motion. I ducked my head and wove through the streams of students, desperate to escape.

A hand shot out and grabbed my arm, yanking me backward. I stumbled and crashed into a hard chest, books tumbling from my grip. Familiar cologne filled my senses, crisp and woodsy. My heart seized in my chest.

"In a hurry, are we?" Aidan's voice purred against my ear. "The fun is just getting started."

I twisted in his grip, pulse racing. "Leave me alone."

His smile widened, all teeth. "Now, why would I do that? We were having such a good time." He gave my arm a painful squeeze. "Come on, don't tell me you have other plans. I'm dying to see what we can get up to next."

Anger flickered inside me, a flame sputtering to life. I wrenched my arm free and stepped back, meeting his gaze for the first time. "I said leave me alone."

Surprise flickered across his face at my defiance. Then his expression hardened. "You don't tell me what to do."

He lunged for me again, but I was ready this time. I sidestepped his grasp and shoved him backward with all my strength. Caught off guard, Aidan stumbled and crashed into a row of lockers.

For a moment, we both froze, stunned by my actions. My heart pounded wildly in my chest, half-expecting retaliation. But Aidan merely straightened, regarding me with a curious glint in his eyes.

"Looks like the mouse has some fight left in her after all," he said softly. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "But this isn't over yet."

He sauntered off down the hall without another word, leaving me trembling in his wake. I had stood up to the beast, but now I wondered if I had only provoked him further. The game had changed, and I wasn't sure I was ready for what came next.

I saw Lila rushing toward me. "Oh my god, Ivy! Are you okay?" she asked, worried.

I offered her a weak smile. "Yeah, I am fine."

"I can't believe he keeps bullying you! We have to report him to the principal," Lila said, shaking her head.

"No...I don't want to do that," I said.

"Ivy, come on! You can't let him keep pushing you around. He is a bully!" Lila said.

I shook my head, wiping angrily at the tears that had escaped. "It won't do any good. The principal won't do anything besides give Aidan a warning. It will just make things worse."

Lila opened her mouth to protest, but I held up a hand. "Please, Lila. I just want to forget about it."

She pressed her lips together, looking unconvinced. But she just squeezed my shoulder and said, "Okay, if that's what you want. But I'm here for you, Ivy. Whatever you need."

I managed a small, grateful smile. "Thanks. I just want to get out of here."

"Hey, I got invited to a party tonight. Wanna come?" Lila asked.

I hesitated at Lila's invitation. A party was the last thing I felt like going to after the day I'd had. But Lila was watching me expectantly, and I knew she was just trying to help distract me from what happened.

"Sure, that sounds fun," I said, mustering up some enthusiasm. Lila beamed.

"It'll be great! We can dance, eat junk food, and forget all about stupid Aidan Blackwood," she said.

I laughed. "You know just how to cheer a girl up."

We linked arms and headed out of school, the promise of fun later that night temporarily lifting my spirits. I was lucky to have a friend like Lila by my side.

~-~

After school, Lila came over to my house to get ready. She did my hair and makeup, chattering away about which boys might be at the party. I nodded along, but my mind kept wandering back to my encounter with Aidan.

As much as I hated to admit it, his cryptic words troubled me. This isn't over. What did that mean? Was he planning something worse?

"Ivy? Earth to Ivy!" Lila said, snapping her fingers in front of my face. "Where'd you go just now?"

I blinked, shaking off my unease. "Oh, sorry. Just spaced out for a minute."

Lila frowned, seeing through my casual tone. "This is about Aidan, isn't it?"

I sighed. "Yeah. I didn't do anything to him. I don't know why he hates me so much."

"That jerk. Don't worry about him. He is not worth your time," she said when I finished.

I laughed. "I know, right? Let's just forget about him tonight."

Thankfully, tomorrow was the weekend, so I didn't have to see him until Monday.

Or so I thought.

We arrived at the party fashionably late. I hesitated at the front door, nerves fluttering in my stomach. Lila gave me an encouraging nudge.

"You look amazing, Ivy. Now let's go have some fun!"

I nodded, mustering a smile. We stepped inside. The house was packed with our classmates, everyone laughing and dancing under glaring neon lights.

After finding the snacks, Lila pulled me towards the makeshift dance floor. I started to relax as we danced together, my worries slipping away.

Until I caught sight of him.

Aidan.

He stood in the corner of the room, arms crossed, those intense blue eyes fixed on me. My breath caught. How long had he been watching me? And why was he even here?

Lila followed my startled gaze. Her lips tightened. "Just ignore him," she muttered.

"Why didn't you tell me he was going to be here?" I croaked out.

"I had no idea. I swear!" Lila insisted.

But I couldn't tear my eyes away. Aidan stared at me a moment longer, then turned and disappeared down the hall.

Unease gripped me again. What was he up to?

"Ivy?" Lila touched my arm. "Don't let him ruin your night."

I took a deep breath. She was right. I wouldn't let Aidan intimidate me, not this time.

But it turned out that luck was not on my side tonight.

I tried to lose myself in the music again, swaying along with Lila, but my nerves were too frayed. I kept glancing around, expecting Aidan to reappear at any moment.

My worst fears were confirmed when I heard a shout go up from the other room - "Spin the bottle, everyone!"

I shot Lila a worried look as a crowd of people started migrating to the living room. "Maybe I should go home now."

"Come on, it'll be okay. I won't leave your side," she promised.

"I don't really want to play, Lila. Besides, I think I saw Aidan joining the game," I told her.

"But you can't miss out on fun because of him! You are letting him win by being scared of him," Lila said.

I hesitated. Maybe she was right. Why should I live in fear because of that jerk?

Reluctantly, I followed her, hovering near the edge of the circle that was forming on the floor. Aidan sat directly across from me, regarding me with that unnerving stare. I looked away quickly.

The first few spins were harmless, generating giggles and awkward kisses between the other partygoers.

Then, it was Aidan's turn. He spun the bottle forcefully, and I watched with sinking dread as it rotated to a stop, the neck directly aimed at me.

Oh no...

Aidan's mouth curled into a cruel smile. "Well, well. Come on Ivy, pucker up."

My face burned as I shook my head, backing away. But Aidan was already on his feet, grabbing my wrist and yanking me into the center of the circle. I struggled against his grip, my heart pounding.

"Let go of me!" I cried. But his friends just laughed as Aidan pulled me closer, his arms caging me in.

"Give her a good one, man!" someone jeered.

"Yeah, teach her a lesson," someone else joined in.

Aidan's grip on my wrists tightened.

I froze, paralyzed by fear as Aidan leaned in. His lips crashed onto mine in a bruising kiss. I whimpered in protest, trying to twist away, but his grip was too strong.

After what felt like an eternity, he finally released me. I stumbled back, raising a hand to my swollen lips as laughter and cheers erupted around us.

"How was she?" someone shouted from across the room.

Aidan smirked, his cruel gaze fixed on me as I backed away, trembling. "As bad as I expected. Like kissing a dead fish."

The room erupted in howls of laughter. Humiliation washed over me in a hot wave and I blinked back tears, wrapping my arms around myself.

"Please, just leave me alone," I whispered, but my plea only brought on more jeering.

"Aw, is the little baby gonna cry?" Aidan taunted. "I didn't even use any tongue!"

"Stop it!" Lila screamed, grabbing my hand. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Aidan narrowed his eyes. "None of your business, blondie. Mind your own damn business."

"Come on, Lila, let's just go," I pleaded with Lila, my voice barely above a whisper, as I led her towards the door. My heart was heavy and I couldn't bear to stay any more.

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