Page 40 of Pretty Little Fears

Finalprojects and papers for the semester are going to be assigned soon, soI’vebeen using all of my free time to dive into my coursework.Thegirls have been busy with their own assignments and extracurriculars, too.Itwould be nice for us all to get together and do something fun.Hopefully,Ican catchAspenat home or between classes, and plan something.

Butright now,Ineed to get to class.Economicsisn’t my favorite subject, but it is my only class withEmmett, and today,I’mactually looking forward to seeing him.Thestutter of my heart and the warmth that spreads over me whenIsee him is surprising.

Afew weeks ago, whenIwould lay my eyes on him,I’dbe irritated, praying that he'd get the hint to stay far away from me.Butlately, allIcan think about when we make eye contact, ishow his lips feel when they’re pressed against mine,and other parts of my body.

OnceI’msettled into my seat,Iglance over at the empty one next to me, remembering whenBraxtonoccupied it.Myheart pangs, the sin of his potential death hanging like a noose around my neck.

IknowEmmettdidn'texplicitlytell me he killed him, but based on the texts he sent me beforeBraxtonwas reported missing,Iknow he’ll never be seen again.Attemptingto shake these feelings of shame away,Ibreathe out and face forward to find two forest green pupils staring down at me.

“Goodmorning, baby.Hungry?”Heasks with a smile.Nota smirk or a smug look.Anactual smile.EmmettBlackwoodis genuinely smiling at me and his dimples elicit an immediate reaction from my core.

Heplaces a small paper bag on the desk and says, “Bacon, egg, and cheese on a roll.Condimentsare in the bag.Enjoy,” he leans in, his lips grazing my ear and whispers, “Iwant to see you savoring every bite, the same way you savored my cock in the graveyard.Thesame way you’ll savor it the next timeIhave you on your knees.”

Ifeel a blush creep across my face.I’mat a loss for words.Standingup straight, he follows up with, “Yeah?Soundsgood?”

Inod, my mouth slightly ajar, not able to form a coherent sentence.

“Perfect.”Hepurrs with a wink. “Seeyou later, baby.”Heplaces a quick kiss on my temple and retreats back to his seat.

Iopen the paper bag, reaching inside.Theroll wrapped in aluminum reminds me of home.Iunwrap it, revealing the smokey scentof bacon.Takinga big whiff, my stomach reacts with a growl.Typically,I’dsurvive on my morning coffee until lunchtime, butIthinkIcould make an exception just this once.

Bitinginto the roll,Ilet out a small moan.It’sstill warm and the delicious flavors explode on my tastebuds.Finishingmy sandwich right before the lecture begins,Isend a quick text toEmmett.Ithank him for my breakfast and he responds immediately.

Emmett: I can think of a few ways you can thank me.

Rollingmy eyes,Islip my phone away.Full-bellied,Ireach into the bag for a napkin to clean off my fingers, but whatIpull out is a ripped piece of looseleaf paper.

LittleObsession,

Lookingforward to the next timeIget to make those pretty little eyes roll.Enjoythe food, you’ll need it.

-Emmett

Chuckling,Ifold the note and tuck it into the pocket of my jeans.Forthe remainder of the lecture,Iam laser focused, with renewed energy.Whenthe class ends,Iam eager to get home and see ifAspenis up for some desperately needed girl time.

Walkingthrough the front door of the house,Idrop my bag off my shoulder and let out a sigh.

“Aspen!”Iyell.

Ihear her bedroom door open and her footsteps come barreling down the hallway towards me, “What'sup, babe?” she questions.

“Ineed a girl’s night.Areyou free?Please, please, please.”Ibeg her, holding onto her hands.

Herface lights up and she exclaims, “Oh!Yes, absolutely!ShouldIask the others if they want to join?”Inod and leave her to invite the girls whileIcater to my appearance which needs a quick touch-up.

Itake a brisk shower and begin my normal makeup routine.Decidingto step out of my comfort zone for the night,Ido a dark smokey eye, with winged liner and pair it with a mauve gloss.Lettingmy hair air dry,Iallow it to fall naturally, leaving it straight.

Openingmy closet,Itry to figure out what vibeI’mgoing for tonight.Ipick a short burgundy dress with a halter neck and open back.Thematerial hugs my hips and sinches my waist, giving me the perfect hourglass figure.

Irummage around the bottom of my wardrobe in search of some suitable heels.Pullingout a pair of strappy black pumps,Istep in front of the mirror to examine the finished look.I’mabout to check my appearance when my phone vibrates.

Pickingup my phone,Iopen up my messages and feel my eyes widen as my mouth falls slack from his text.I'mshocked, but only for a moment.

ThisisEmmett, the one who snuck into my room and fucked me whileIwas passed out.Mycheeks redden as heat coils in my core at the reminder of that night.

Emmett: Where are you going all dressed up, little obsession?

Irun over to the window and peer outside, trying to see where he's lurking.Mymind short circuits asIcome to the conclusion that he's not out there.Thatmakes no sense.Hehad to have been there and then left beforeIhad the chance to catch him, otherwise, how the fuck would he have known?

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