Chapter 4 Chapter 4: The Party

Milo

"Looks like you've gotten lost."

No, it wasn’t Blake. By this point, I wasn’t even sure which of them was worse, but when I caught sight of blond hair beneath the glow of a streetlamp, I knew exactly who it was.

"Cameron..." I said when he removed his hand from my mouth.

He was Blake’s evil cousin. Every girl was obsessed with him: tall, athletic, blond, rich, and hot. Even though he didn’t attend our school, he always found a way to involve himself in anything related to Blake.

“You recognize me... That makes me so happy. What are you doing out here?”

“None of your business,” I replied.

The next second, he had me pinned against the wall with one hand wrapped around my throat. He was unnaturally strong. I kicked out instinctively until another voice cut through the darkness.

"Let him go, Cam..."

"Blake? Nice to see you here. You missed our meeting, and I happened to run into this little idiot. He goes to school with you, does he not?"

"I told you I couldn’t make it. Besides, he’s under my protection," Blake replied.

As he stepped closer, I noticed his hair was disheveled, as if he had been running. What did he mean by "under his protection"?

"You’ve always had a weakness for the townies. What exactly can this pathetic nerd offer you? He looks gay."

“He helps me with assignments.”

Cameron finally released me.

"We need to talk, cousin."

"Tomorrow. I promise," Blake swore.

"Well, if you don't, I already know how to get your attention," Cameron whispered before disappearing deeper into the park.

Blake grabbed my arm and dragged me away.

“What the hell are you doing?”

"I told you this place was dangerous."

“What does your cousin have to do with any of this?" I demanded.

“You just need to listen to me. Stop asking so many questions," he growled. Then looked at my neck, "Are you okay?"

I struggled against him all the way back to our dorm room. The moment we stepped inside, I froze.

My things were neatly arranged. Did he do that?

“If you think you’re going to control me, you’re completely wrong,” I snapped.

He looked like he was barely restraining himself, his fists clenched tightly at his sides. Then, suddenly, he turned toward me.

“What happened to the boy who behaved himself and did what everyone told him to do?”

“That boy doesn’t exist anymore. The only thing left of the old Milo is that I still hate you," I muttered bitterly.

Something flickered across his face.

Disappointment?

Sadness?

"I promise I won’t hurt you if you listen to me," he said, extending his hand. "A truce."

But I wasn’t ready to let the past go.

“Stay on your side, and I’ll stay on mine,” I said, and leave him with his hand extended.

I climbed into bed and wrapped the blanket around myself. Blake lowered his hand with a frustrated growl, but eventually went to sleep.

That was how our first week passed: He talked to me, and I ignored him. He yelled and tried to get close to me, but I pushed him away every time. I never crossed my line, and I made sure he didn’t either.

He seemed more agitated and confused with each passing day. I had to admit, though, that he hadn’t humiliated or attacked me again.

Honestly, it almost felt like I was winning, if this could even be called a competition.

But then the weekend arrived, and Dolores brought news.

"There is a party at a bar just outside campus."

“We don’t go to parties..."

"That was the old us. But now..."

"Now we’re new people. Fresh start," I said with a grin. For the first time, I found myself thinking about what I was going to wear.

I was digging through the closet for something decent when Blake walked in.

My entire body reacted to him in inexplicable ways. Fear mingled with something dangerously close to excitement.

“Where are you going?”

"Nowhere," I lied.

I did everything I could to avoid him, usually making sure I was asleep before he returned to the room.

"You better not get yourself into trouble," he warned.

I kept silently sorting through my clothes, pretending to organize them.

"How are your classes going?" he suddenly asked. I didn’t answer. “I know we don’t get along, but we could at least...”

I spun around sharply.

“I don’t want anything to do with you," I snapped.

He looked irritated but held himself back. He stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him. That was my chance.

I quickly changed into a sleeveless V-neck T - shirt and my usual jacket.

I stared at myself in the mirror. My dark, slightly curly hair. My glasses. For the first time in a long while, I saw someone different staring back at me.

I wasn’t as tall or as built as Blake, but I believed for the first time... I looked good.

As ridiculous as it was, it genuinely felt like I was escaping. When I arrived at the bar, surrounded by music, lights, and people, and found my friends waiting for me, I felt truly free.

"Milo!" Emma and Dolores shouted excitedly as they pulled me in.

We danced for hours, joked around, and drank beer.

"Oh God, I’m dizzy," groaned Dolores.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I just need to use the bathroom."

"I’ll go with her," Emma offered.

"I'm going to get some water," I added.

I was heading toward the bar when someone suddenly yanked me backward.

"What the fuck?"

"I told you not to go out. Look where I find you," Blake growled. His gaze swept over my outfit, and his eyes darkened instantly. "What are you wearing?"

"What the hell are you doing here?" I demanded.

He was dressed entirely in black, and a leather jacket stretched across his broad shoulders. Instead of answering, he grabbed my arm and dragged me down a narrow hallway behind the bar.

“Why can’t you ever listen to me?”

"Why would I listen to anything you say?" I snapped. "Stop following me around and giving me orders! What do you think I am? Your toy?"

He stepped closer until his body was pressed fully against mine.

"My toy?" he murmured thoughtfully, as though savoring the idea. "Would you like to be my toy?" His mouth brushed against my ear, and once again, I found myself falling under his spell. "I have to admit, this new version of you is incredibly irritating..." he whispered. "But also intriguing. Honestly, who knew you were this fit?"

His hands slid over my arms and squeezed my shoulders. His hands were warm, and that touch alone had me hyperventilating.

"Farm work..." I muttered weakly.

I didn’t even know why I was explaining myself to him. Then, his lips brushed dangerously close to my neck, and I thought my knees might give out.

"I told you that—"

Before I could finish, Blake cupped my face in both hands. Without warning, nothing in my life ever prepared me for it, not even in my dreams or nightmares... Blake kissed me.