Chapter 12 The events of the day had left me weary and yet my mind wouldn't still . Every time I closed my eyes , Noah's cruel smile and wicked eyes would haunt me . I couldn't fathom how he had managed to get out of the trouble he was in and back into school . I had found the news articles about the supposed attack online . Allegedly he had attacked one of the tutors his parents had hired him . The tutor had immediately pressed charges and even taken a civil suit out against the family for medical costs . Little more was explained however , a quick scroll through the local news sites confirmed all charges had been dropped and the tutor was nowhere to be found . This information did nothing for me except to fill my heart with dread and ice cold fear . I could tell someone what was happening , report Noah even but I was convinced no one would believe me . It was common knowledge that Noah was a bully but until the incident with the tutor , he had never actually physically hurt anyone … or so everyone believed . I knew differently . I knew about how he broke a freshman's wrist two year ago just because he felt like it or landed the star football player in hospital just days before the start of the season . And as if that wasn't enough , how many times had I been left with bruises from our encounters ? Sure , there was nothing stopping me from telling someone but Noah would win and I would find myself in more danger . Noah's warning about Kyle still haunted me . I didn't know how I could meet that demand . I didn't want to either . Kyle was nice to me . He was a friend . Yet I knew if I didn't put distance between us , Noah would take it on himself to deal with Kyle and I couldn't put Kyle in danger like that . I needed to keep him safe . " How come you left school early ? " Aiden's quiet but deep voice broke through my thoughts , pulling me back to the present . It was dark in the living room save for the pale flickering light coming from the TV . Kyle had insisted on watching The Expanse but fell asleep through the first episode . I'd read the books so I knew what to expect for the most part however , I was enjoying the show as well . " I wasn't feeling well . " I replied , my eyes moving to Aiden only to find him watching me . " But you went to work ? " " They sent me home . " I countered . Aiden was silent , intimidatingly so . His eyes flickered as they searched my face for any evidence of my lies . I found myself holding my breath , the bruised muscles in my stomach throbbing from tensing . I could no longer tell if I was holding my breath because I was waiting for Aiden to accept my excuses or if I was waiting for something more . The weight of his scrutiny had a shiver running down my spine and suddenly I felt like I needed to run much like a rabbit being hunted by a wolf . " I think I'm going to get some air . " I whispered , pushing myself up from being sandwiched between Aiden and Kyle . " I'll come with you . " Aiden replied leaving little room for arguing . Neither of us spoke as he stepped onto the deck in the backyard , leaving Kyle to sleep . The air was growing colder as winter slowly crept in to take over from autumn . However , despite the cold air running through my hair , I feel hot , my heart thrumming in my chest like a caged bird . Aiden had stepped out last but rather than move towards the makeshift ashtray to smoke , he remained impossibly close , the scent of his aftershave wrapping around me like an embrace . Even in the dark I could see his features with him standing this close . His skin was like gold and his lips a pale pink . He had a small scar on the bridge of his straight nose that looked like it was from a piercing maybe . " Where did you go tonight ? " Aiden finally spoke , his eyes watching me . 1/2 I'll Be Seeing You