10
In all honesty, I wasn't really sure why I invited Annie with me to Liam's house.
Besides just wanting her around, there wasn't any real reason I had her come along.
If anything, I probably shouldn't have invited her.
Although Liam and Sean are my friends, they're not exactly the kind of people I would expect Annie to want to spend time with.
When I texted her this morning, I hadn't really given it more than a split second thought.
Not that I regretted it. Having her cuddled into my side was something I was more than happy to experience, but the second Liam and Sean laid eyes on her, a deep possessiveness came washing over me.
Possessiveness was something I'd struggled with since I was a toddler. But, it never usually transcended the little things. I mean I'd had girlfriends in the past but none of them made me feel this primal desire to possess or control them.
In fact, I didn't like to think of myself as controlling at all. I prided myself on not giving a fuck. Maybe that's why none of my relationships lasted very long.
Annie, though, was making these vices rear their ugly heads right in my direction. And she wasn't even my girlfriend. Well, not technically. She was mine, though. Even if she didn't know it yet.
Regardless, I needed to not let this ache to possess her control me.
Annie is a real person, a sweet girl, a kind soul.
I may desire her with every fiber of my being but that didn't mean I could go about controlling her.
No, I wouldn't direct her decisions by any means.
Nor do I have any desire to restrict her life.
All I want is for her to be mine, to own her thoughts just as much as her body. And I couldn't really see what was so wrong with that.
My leg bounced the entire ride to school like usual. Even if I was starting to make a bit of progress, especially in terms of making it through the school day, I wasn't sure if it was something I'd ever truly get used to. It certainly didn't feel any easier.
I tugged on the ends of my forrest green sweater, smoothed out my black skirt, and fiddled with my headband before repeating the entire process again. I couldn't get my self to stop moving, to sit still.
Visions of the day before continued to flash through my mind.
Liam and Sean had been unexpected acquaintances and certainly weren't my favorite people, but I was grateful that Knox wanted to give me a glimpse into his world.
Maybe his choice of friends should have had me rethinking how much I thought I knew Knox but people are allowed to be multidimensional.
If he wants to have friends like them, that didn't mean he couldn't also have a friend like me.
Getting out of the car, I bid Serena a 'goodbye' before making my way up the front steps.
My breath hitched as my eyes met Knox's.
He sat on the bench, reclining lazily. Maybe it was vain of me to assume he was just waiting for my arrival, but I only felt validated as he started to stand up at me approaching.
"C'mere pretty girl." Knox said, holding out his hand to me.
I gladly accepted it, far more comfortable with the feel of his calloused hands against mine.
"Hi." I squeaked out, a bit dazed as I looked up at him.
I stayed silent by his side as Knox led me through the hallway, not yet busy with students as it was still too early for class. My eyes only widened as Liam and Sean came into view, bickering as they stood leaning against the locker Knox was directly headed for.
Knox released my hand, instead using it to input his locker combination and sift through his stuff. An underlying panic bubbled within me at the loss of contact. I tried gulping it down as I stepped closer to hook my finger through one of his belt loops.
"Annie, don't you look adorable." Liam whistled, his eyes running me up and down.
My skin blanched embarrassingly. I jumped in my skin slightly as Knox slammed his locker door shut, shooting daggers in Liam's direction.
"Stop talking to her before I punch your fucking face." Knox threatened calmly - as calmly as a threat like that could sound. I nearly gasped at his words, shocked he would speak so roughly to someone he considered a friend.
"It was just a compliment." Liam laughed, crossing his arms.
Knox scoffed, sliding his arm around my waist. The heat of his hand sending shivers down my spine. He flashed Liam a crude gesture, only making Liam laugher harder as Knox turned us around to walk me to class.
Each lesson remained just as uneventful as the last.
I was still not having the easiest time focusing but it seemed like people were starting to get used to me being by Knox's side now.
The stares had lessened considerable since last week and for that I was eternally grateful.
I wasn't sure how much longer I could've lasted if that continued to be my daily experience.
Once lunch arrived, we sat at the same table as before. Only this time, Liam and Sean joined us. Knox switched to share my side of the bench, sparing me from having to be too close to either of the other boys.
I felt stiff and unnatural in my own skin, hyper aware of the size and proximity of the boys across from me.
I drew a shuddered breath as I began to unpack my lunch. I tried my best to avoid looking at them, even if they didn't make that task easy. They were loud, crude, and their presence could be felt even in the air around them.
A low whistle rung through my ears.
Peaking up, I saw Sean shaking his head at a smirking Liam. He was staring across the field at a girl who turned around to wave.
"Lara is low, even for you, Liam." Sean said, rolling his eyes as he bit into the burger he got from the cafeteria.
Liam scoffed, "You're just jealous she wouldn't do you."
Sean swallowed his bite, rolling back his shoulders as a disgusted sneer took over his face. "I wouldn't touch her even if she was laid up in my bed with her legs spread. Which I'm sure she'd do willingly if I so much as blinked in her direction."
I nearly choked on my sandwich, my hand coming up to cover my mouth. Did they always talk this way about women? If so, I was already beginning to lose my appetite.
"She's better than Rebecca Kline." Liam reasoned, staring down at his tray as he picked at his fries.
"Yeah right. Good luck pulling her." Sean argued.
"You think I couldn't?" Liam shot him a challenging glare.
I shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Knox who was too busy scrolling his phone to be paying attention the conversation before us.
"Not a chance. Your shit face doesn't make up for the fact that you're a walking STD." Sean all but laughed out.
A subtle tug of a smile graced Knox's face - the only thing that hinted that he was paying the other two any mind. Liam, however, did not find anything Sean said to be amusing. Squaring off his shoulders, his mouth was set in a firm line.
"Fine, let's ask the only person here qualified to know if I have a shit face." Liam ground out bitterly as he turned his attention to me. "Annie, babe, do you think I have a shit face?" He asked.
I almost squeaked in fright as his eyes met mine, yet I couldn't bring myself to look away. My mouth opened and closed as I struggled to find my voice, very closely resembling a fish. I stuttered before clearing my throat, "I-I don't really know." I blinked, my eyes darting between Liam and Sean.
"Sure you do." Liam said, narrowing his eyes in seriousness.
I subtly inched closer to Knox, wringing my hands together. Liam's stare was becoming all too much and I was entirely too scared of saying the wrong thing. Isn't there such thing as intimidating the witness?
Sean's laugh spared me, "She just too much of a sweetheart to be mean to your jackass."
I gasped at the implication that I was calling Liam ugly, shaking my head. "I-I didn't say that."
Sean only laughed harder, clapping Liam on the back as he hunched over. Even Liam started to crack a smile.
"If you wanted to smoosh, Annie, you could've just said that." Liam chuckled, eyes glinting with amusement.
My face grew hot, no doubt burning bright red. Slowly I let out a small laugh, biting my tongue.
"Uh-oh, Annie, babe. I don't think Knox-y is too happy about our new found love. His big fat head can't comprehend how hot you find me." Liam mocked, nodding his head to a clearly unamused Knox.
I had to cover my mouth in an attempt to stifle my laugh. Heat bloomed in my chest as Knox looked down at me, his face instantly softening.
Gently snaking his arm around my waist, his hand softly squeezed my side as he leaned down to whisper, his warm breath tickling my ear, "When are you going to smile for me like that?" My stomach clenched as my skin blanched yet again.
The pure need, the pure desire mixed with the envy of my smile being for somebody else that dripped from his words had me nearly unraveling. I felt like putty in his hands - clay that only his hands could mould. The look he gave me in the moment told me there was truly no going back.
A/N
AHHH bonus extra chapter this week!!! I hope you guys liked a hint into Knox's pov.
I know I kept that part short but I just wanted to give a brief glimpse into how he's thinking and maybeee I'll include another glimpse later on.
Let me know what you think and once again I'm so grateful for all of you! ! xoxox - KATT