Num6 Chapter N1n3

Chapter N1n3
TSU
"Guess what today is!" Analie said bounding up to me that morning.
"Tuesday?"
"Well yes…but it's the best holiday in the world!"
"And that is…?"
"'Everything-you-that-do-is-right' day!"
"What?" She came over and smacked me upside the head for no reason. "Ow! What was that for?"
"'Cause I can!"
"That's just wrong…"
"No, it's right." I shook my head and sighed. She followed me, tripping along until we stopped by the junior hallway to hear the P.A. system come on.
"Students, may I please have your attention? A new student conduct rule is being enforced as of today. Any show of affection beyond a three-second hug is now prohibited. This is not a bar to pick up dates. You are here to learn for your future career, not your future marriage. Unless you are wearing a wedding ring, you will get an automatic afterschool detention if you break this rule. That is all." Huh, lucky me that the rule doesn't apply since I'm married. Too bad it didn't even matter since no one knew we were married.
"Finally! Man I am so sick of seeing people mackin' in the halls all the time!" Analie exasperated. I smiled back at her. William was making his way through the crowd to us. I gave him a wave and a smile. He remained stone-faced. Of course.
"Funny rule huh? I guess we don't need to worry about it." I laughed. He said nothing but grabbed me by the hand pulled me away. Analie looked at us perplexed. I shrugged back. He guided me into the middle of the junior hall. He stopped in a crowded spot, with four teachers standing around. He came very close to my face, and suddenly, I realized that people started watching us.
"What are you doing?" I whispered.
He just smirked. Before I registered what was happening, nay, before I even blinked, he dipped me in his arms and looked at me intensely.
"I'm tired of hiding from everyone." He whispered. Then he distributed a big, fat, wet kiss to me in front of, pretty much, the whole school. My eyes were stuck open. William on the other hand was as content as could be. I heard the senior, sophomore, and freshman girls in the hall coo, and all the juniors hiss. 'They're going to kill me for this!' After his moment of ecstasy, William righted me on my feet.
"Stone!" One of the teachers shouted. "Did you not just hear that announcement?"
"Oh I heard it, sir." He replied with a smirk. "But it doesn't apply to us. See?" He held up our hands. "Wedding rings." I was so embarrassed! Murmurs of understanding echoed throughout the small crowd. "One more thing. Don't call me Stone. It's not my name. My name is William, just as a reminder, because I think everyone forgot." He spoke loud and clear so everyone could hear. Then he looked at me with a very tender smile. "Come on dear, I'll walk you to your next class." I nodded dumbly as he headed back towards Analie. She was laughing and clapping.
"Way to get into the spirit of the Holiday Willy!" He gave her a thumbs up.
That afternoon, I was given a letter in my locker. Addressed from William. I was hoping it was to explain why he did what he did this morning. Just as I was about to open it, my heart skipped. 'What if it's a love letter?' No, he wouldn't write it down, he'd tell me. I opened it anyway, and my breath hitched on the first sentence.
'Funny act huh? You thought I really cared! You're so gullible. I just did that to get the girls mad at you.' What? 'You are so annoying. Why don't you wear a bag over your head and save us all the pain of looking at you.' This wasn't Will's handwriting. 'I really can't stand being with you anymore and I want to get a divorce. You make me look bad and I'm sick of putting up with it.' Okay, seriously people? This didn't even sound like Will anymore. I didn't even bother reading the rest of it. I crumpled it and tossed it in the trash.  
After school, Will waited for me in front of the school as usual. When I came out, a few people stopped to look in our direction. "Ready?" He asked. I nodded. Holding out his hand, I took it and he intertwined our fingers. He was acting like this a lot lately. I thought he would hesitant to show his feelings because of what happened on Valentine's, but instead, he was becoming more open with his emotions. I thought it was a healthy change for him. "How was your day?"
Awful. "Great!"
"What made it so great?"
If anything, that show you gave everyone this morning. "I passed my history test."
"Good job!"
"Thanks" I smiled. I'm getting better at hiding these things from him. I didn't want him to worry about me all the time. If this gets worse, then I'll tell. But I can handle a little mocking.
"I'm going to my room." He announced as we went inside.
"Of course."
"What do you mean, 'Of course'?"
"Well, 3 days out of 5, you come home and declare you're going to your room. It's like a tradition."
"Fine, I'm retiring to my vicinity. Better?" He stuck his tongue out at me. I just laughed at him.
"Okay have fun…with whatever you do."
"Paddleball." He said seriously and without anything else, he walked upstairs. As for me, I went to the office and did my homework. Playing paddleball sounded very appealing instead. I finished with uncertain success and went to my room as well. Changing into my pajamas to lounge, I was about to step into my pants, when the door slammed open.
"HEY SHIRLEY!" He shouted.
"DO YOU MIND?!?!" He noticed what I was wearing and shut the door behind him, while staying in the room. "That doesn't really make any difference you know."
"I've seen you like this before; don't get your panties in a bunch."
"Did you need something? Or do you get a kick out of scaring me in my underwear?"
"I forgot to ask you how your day was."
"No you didn't. I said it was great because I passed my test."
"Was that ALL that happened?"
"Is this about the kiss?" He gave a cheesy grin. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
"Do you want another one?" He pointed to his face and puckered his lips.
"If you want it, you come over here and get it." I teased.
"Five steps? Jeez, I'm not that desperate." He laughed and left.
"Pervert." I mumbled. I didn't know that he was leaning outside the door trying his best to compose himself.  
The next day, I found myself contemplating in the mirror. I didn't want to do my makeup. I didn't want to do my hair. I didn't want to strain looking through my closet. What was the point? I wore cargo pants and a black sweatshirt. I pulled my hair up into the braid that I had long abandoned, and I wore my coke bottle glasses that I hid behind. I barely recognized myself. William wouldn't be happy about it, that's for sure. There was a note on the nook table for me as I wondered where Will was.
'Left early for symphony. Have a great day!'
At least he wouldn't stop me.
When I arrived at school, Analie and Yoshi looked at me concerned, but I said nothing to them about it. In fact, I barely said anything. I was having a quiet day. Finally, lunch rolled around. William approached the table from behind.
"Oh, we have a new person sitting with us." I turned and looked at him. Surprise! "I-I'm sorry Shirley…It's been a while…"
"Yes, it has." I said shortly.
"Are you okay?"
"Perfect."
"Are you sure?" He touched my shoulder.
"I'm sure…" I simpered.
That evening, I entered my room to see Will reclined on my bed. I let out a surprised shriek.
"Was ist das? Ich dich erschreckt?"
"Yes, you scared me! Why are you in here?"
"Are you on the end of your menstrual cycle?"
"Ew! What kind of question is that?!"
"Are you out of contacts?"
"What? I don't wear contacts…" I suddenly realized what he was trying to get at.
"You don't wear contacts…but you wear those glasses?" I swallowed and looked away. "Why? Are they reading glasses?" He sat up and scooted closer to me.
"No…they're non-prescription." He reached up and took them off me.
"Why do you wear them? You get lost behind them." I grit my teeth.
"I like my glasses." I said solemnly. He raised an eyebrow and put them on.
"But they don't flatter you."
"So what? Why does it matter to you? You're always telling me how to wear my hair and what to look like. Why? I'm more comfortable like this. What if I WANT to disappear with these on. You're more concerned about how I look next to you. Or is it that you want to make me more appealing to you? A little pretty picture that you can look at."
"Excuse me? If you're at all sub-conscious, you shouldn't be dressing like that. It makes you look like a frump."
"You don't understand at all do you!?" I shouted. He looked surprised. "I've always been the ugly one. The one everyone picked on. I dress like this so I don't have to worry about people looking at me. I know what I look like, and I'm not going to pretend like I'm some fashion diva or some whore for you to show off!"
"Hey now, that's too far!" He raised his voice.
"All my life I've wanted my fairytale ending. To find my Prince Charming and live happily ever after. But I knew I never would. And especially now! I'll never find love! And if I do, it has to be with some blind desperate loser with a faulty brain!" And just like that, my throat ran dry and my anger was spent.
"A blind desperate loser…with a faulty brain? Wow, could you be anymore cut throat?"
"Will…I didn't mean to…it just slipped out…"
"Excuses, Excuses. If you said it, you obviously thought about it."
"I…I'm sorry…"
"Whatever. I've heard it all. I just never thought that I would get it here…nonetheless from you. Well, at least I know how you really feel about all this. But you know what?" He took off the glasses and placed them securely on my face. "At least I'm not ugly." He stood up and left, slamming the door.
I stood stock-still. I couldn't believe I had just said that! I had heard someone else say that about him and I was so furious about it! It felt like I had been stabbed. Then what Will said…that was like someone took the knife and twisted it. I looked at my repulsing image in the mirror.
"You're a moron…and a brat. You know that?" I rubbed my eyes to stop the tears before they fell. For the rest of the night, I hid in the studio with a tube of Tollhouse cookie dough and watched gladiator movies. Nothing cures stupidity like manslaughter.
Coming up the stairs, I paused in front of William's room. "I-I deserved it!" I spoke to the wood. No response. He must have been in bed already. I sighed and went back to my room. I didn't know he was feeling the same gut retching feeling I was. I didn't hear him whisper after I left, "No, you didn't…"
In the morning, I wore much like I had the day before. Making my breakfast, I stood at the counter, after seeing no sign of my husband about. Suddenly, two arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I felt William's hot breath on the back of my neck. I dropped the cheerios.
"What is it? I surprised you?" He said licentiously. "I'm sorry…I'm just so desperate for contact. You know how that is…"
"Whoa! Slow down Casanova!" I elbowed him away from me and scurried off to the corner. I looked back at him and my jaw dropped. He was wearing a short-sleeved white dress shirt with a red bow tie and black suspenders. He had on green Bermuda shorts that showed off his stick legs. Tube socks adorned his feet with sandals. Of course, he had his hair all slicked back and was wearing a matching pair of coke bottle glasses to mine, only apparently, he had dropped them and they snapped at the bridge…so he taped them back together.
"What? You don't like my new style?" He slouched. Losing his dignified air.  
"Um…"
"Jeez, I'm just wearing what I'm comfortable with."
"You look like a dork."
"I know, but I don't care." I awkwardly smiled back.
On the way to school, he held my hand tightly, our fingers laced. I felt very uncomfortable. I used to feel like…a princess standing next to him. But now…I felt like I was the dignified grace in the relationship. It was awful, but the worst part was yet to come.
  William's defense had always been the way he held himself. But this lesson that he was teaching me was taking a toll. No one was afraid of him anymore. Nevertheless to tell him what they thought. William restrained from protecting himself, and even letting his other self come out.  He acted like he was defeated. By the end of the day, his shoulders were hunched and his gaze became down casted. The look of a blind, desperate, loser. I was so mad at myself. Why, oh why did I say that?
As we walked outside, pandemonium cropped up. "You two finally look like a married couple! It's so sad that she dragged you down to her level Willy!" I shook my head at them. Analie came out quickly behind us. I looked at Will, hopeful that he might have switched back. But instead his eyes were glazed over. He looked back at me and I could have sworn I heard his voice in my head. 'Do you see? I don't care how you look next to me. Just as long as you're happy.'
"You know what Stone?" A group of junior boys gathered around us. "I have always wanted to punch you right in the mouth. Ever since you first got here." He cracked his knuckles. "And now there's nothing in my way." William didn't block his face, he didn't even flinch. The boy punched him right in the jaw. And Again. And Again. Every punch threw him off his feet and one of the boys would pick him right back up and throw him back in. I didn't even try to hold off my shrieks.
"Stop it!" I ran forward, but Analie grabbed my arm. "Let go of me! They're hurting him!"
"Just watch…" She said patiently. I had to keep my hands over my mouth to silence myself. The glasses he was wearing were cracked beyond repair, his bangs falling back over his face. He was violently shaking as he kept looking up at his tormentor.
"What's wrong?! Why don't you get up and fight!?" He kicked at Will. In return, Will said nothing. "You are such a freak!" Fist to the stomach. William finally let out a sound. But I could tell he didn't mean to. He cried out for me. A painful cry. No one expected it. Not even me.
His dejected glance was directed at me. 'Now you feel my pain. I hate seeing you bullied, so why don't you try to prevent it?'
"I'm sorry!!" I shouted across the fight. I tore off my glasses and mused my hair. "You were right! You're always right! I'm so sorry! Don't do this for me!" Another punch was headed for William.
He caught it. The look on the kids face was priceless. "Jacob, isn't it?" Will's voice was unwavering. He sat on one knee, Jacob's fist still tightly held him his grip. "Thank you."
"What the hell for?!" The boy sputtered. Will raised to his full height. His face still concealed by his locks.
"I was trying to tell my wife something…but we really aren't the best with words. So thank you for your help." Everyone was confused. "But…" He rolled back his shoulders and looked at the boy. I couldn't see Will's face, but the look on Jacob's face was of pure terror. "If you want a fight, I'll give you a fight!" Will twisted the kids arm back before he could blink.  He placed a hand on Jacob's shoulder and rolled him forward. Every move looked effortless, with matchless grace. I saw mouths open around the circle as Will slipped his foot below the kids shin, and flipped him so he landed on the brunt of his back. Jacob groaned. "Inertia. The fat in your arms makes the punch hurt a little and cause a bruise, but next time, drive your heel into the ground. You'll use the force of the earth compared to your arms." He stepped on his chest. "Aren't you glad I didn't punch you?"
He turned away from Jacob and started to come towards Analie and me. For a second I saw yellow eyes, but when he locked his gaze with mine, they turned blue and a smile came over his face.
"Will!" I ran to him. But I stopped before I hugged him. "You idiot!" I smacked his shoulder. "No lesson is worth that! You scared me half to death!"
"But it worked," He smirked.
"Don't do that again!" I scolded. He kissed my cheek.
"Thanks for being worried."
"Um…guys?" Analie nervously rose. Everyone was looking at us. We both blushed.
"What? I told you I'm not heartless!" William shouted back. Then he happily laughed. "Let's go home." He took my hand warmly.
When we got home, I wrapped his face in cold compresses.
"You're going to look like crap tomorrow."
"I already feel like crap. At least he didn't break my nose."
"This whole thing was my fault. I'm sorry I was such a jerk."
"I understand though. This was just a lesson that the more confident you are, the less of a target you become. Regardless of how many people hate you."
"Thanks?"
"Well, I don't know how anyone could hate you."
"Don't ask me, if I knew, I'd stop doing it!" He smiled. There was a pregnant pause.
"I got the desperate loser with a faulty brain part…but why blind?"
"Because…you thought I was pretty…" He looked at me sadly. Suddenly, I blurted out what I had wanted to say to him. "You are my Prince Charming." I nervously quivered my lip while he looked at me wide eyed. I thought I saw a twinkle in his eyes, as a smile crept onto his lips. Then it got larger, until a wild grin, the most real smile I had ever seen on him broke out. He looked beautiful, regardless of the bruises and blood. He jumped up and caught me in a warm embrace. He just held me for a long time, neither of us saying a word. Until he spoke softly and tenderly.
"No glasses, no makeup, no fancy style, or paper bags. Even if you were morbidly obese, or you were horribly disfigured in a fire…"
"Will…"
"Even if you had a plastic surgery go wrong, if you were somehow electrocuted, if you broke out in a terrible skin rash, if you were stung by 100 bees…"
"William…"
"Even if I was blind! I still would think you were the most beautiful girl in the world."
"So you weren't serious when you said I was ugly?"
"Hell no!"
"Ahem."
"Oh…Heck no!" He chuckled and gave me a squeeze. "I guess…I just got frustrated and said the opposite of what I wanted to say." Just like me.
When did I get used to this? Weren't his kisses and hugs rare? How hard did I have to work to get him to smile? Not that I'm complaining, but did I just slip into his side? Will his arms…always be open for me? It seemed like the more I screwed things up, the closer we got. Why? Did he really care that much? His warmth. Why did this have to be my favorite place? And why did it have to end? I didn't know that he was inner turmoil. I didn't know he was holding me out of fear.
I arrived at school the next day, with my hair loosely curled. Lip gloss, eyeliner, mascara delicately painted on my face, and an outfit that made William blink a few times, and then blush.
"Alright, you look cute. Do you know what you do now?"
"Blend in?"
He sighed. "Tilt up your chin, straighten up, heels together, toes apart, chest out, eyes forward. Got it?"
"What about my arms?"
"You have to carry your books…"
"Oh yeah…" I adjusted my stance like he instructed and he gave me a satisfied smile.
"Good, you won't be a human piñata…at least today. Just keep practicing, it's not that hard."
"Yes sir!" I saluted. He saluted back. "I shall see you later."
"Have a great day hon." He patted my head.
I arrived at my locker, and I immediately slouched, put my toes together, and heels apart. My eyes, however, were stuck on the bright red spray paint on my door that read 'Go to Hell!' My lip quivered. Who would do such a thing? Big fat crocodile tears rolled down my face. "Will!!" I cried and ran off looking for my guardian.
He was happy I filled him in right away. He looked at my locker, took out his camera from his bag, and snapped a picture. "Don't you fret. I'll take care of this." He said with a tap on my nose. I tried to stay confident the rest of the day, but I felt someone starring daggers into my back.
The next day started out much the same. I refreshed my 'can do' attitude, and thought to myself, 'yesterday was bad, but they aren't going to get to me today!' I was wrong. After second hour, I went to use the bathroom. Upon entering, I realized there was a very intimidating group of girls smoking. They all happened to be juniors. I instantly turned around and tried to run, but someone grab my arm.
"Where do you think you're going Dearhart?"
"You of all people should know my last name is Nový now!"
"We refuse to acknowledge it. Let me see your ring." I clenched it and hid it with my other hand. "What's wrong? Do you think we're going to take it?" I nodded and tried to back up again. "Come on…we just want to see it." She grabbed at my hands.
"No!" I pulled away.
"Give it!" Another girl joined the fight and soon a bunch of girls were pulled and tugging trying to get the ring.
"Stop it!!" I cried. I screamed at them. My hands broke apart and it felt like they were ripping my finger off. The ring slipped off but flung across the room. A senior came in the room just as it clinked on the floor. She picked it up.
"Does this belong to one of you?"
"It's mine!" One of the girls shouted as they let go of me. I slid down the wall. The older girl pushed past them and stood in front of me.
"I think the crying girl deserves it." She walked over in front of me. "Is this yours?" I looked up at her and she smiled. "Mrs. Nový?" I blushed and nodded. She handed me my ring and I slipped it back on. The only time I took it off was when I was in the shower or doing some heavy-duty painting. It felt so wrong not to have it on.  
"Thank you." I whispered. She helped me stand. Then she looked at the other girls,
"Why don't you all stop acting like you think you're cool, and be the annoying fans girls you're supposed to be. I REALLY don't think William likes people picking on his wife." I suddenly recognized her as one of the girls in the background during the fight. "Come on Shirley." I followed her out.
"Those Girls are stupid and don't know what they're doing. They're so blinded by jealousy, it's not even funny. Your husband is in my next class, I'll let him know what happened, just go to class."
"Thank you uh…"
"Aris Totle Raylyn, at your service." She bowed.
"Thank you Aris."
"Anytime, Just let me know what I can do to help! You guys are so adorable!" I blushed. "Awww!"
The rest of the week advanced. The bullies progressively became even more vicious. Of course, they pushed my lunch tray into me again. Someone put bleach in my shampoo at gym, so my hair turned a bright pink…Analie thought I joined her in cosplay. Fortunately, William came home from work that evening with hair dye. I ended up in the dumpster too, twice! And I somehow managed to get duct taped to the flag pole. After Will took a picture, he helped untie me. And I was out the rest of the day after I was pushed down the stairwell. I couldn't be happier to leave.
That afternoon, I got a letter in the mail from an unknown address.
'I know where you live and I'm coming to get you. There's no use hiding, because I will find you. Don't even think about involving your husband in this. You're the one I want, but I will get rid of him too, if I have to.' Things were going too far. I called the police and told them what happened. They said they couldn't do anything if they didn't have any leads. They assured me that they would drive past the house a couple of times. Contradictory to the note, I told William the second he came home.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down, I can't understand you when your screaming franticly at me!" I thrust the letter at his face. "'Ello, What's this?" He held at amused look for the first line, then it contorted to shock, and then anger. "We're locking all the doors and windows tonight." Then he took my shoulders. "I guarantee you, this is just a prank by someone to scare you. It's okay."
"Thank you for not blowing it off." I said shyly.
"I wouldn't dream of it." He rubbed my head.
It was Friday night, I collected my thoughts as we watched 'Victor Borge' special on TV. We were in the state of our relationship where if we weren't married, we'd be at the awkward boyfriend and girlfriend stage. It was funny in a way. We never were boyfriend and girlfriend…just acquaintances then BOOM husband and wife. Strange.
"William…do you think we'd be this close if we weren't married?" I asked as I leaned on his shoulder.
"No." He simply replied.
"Friends…?"
"…I…" He put an arm around me. "I hope so…" There was something on his mind, as he stared at the Television. His bangs fell over his eyes, so I couldn't see what emotion he was hiding. I reached up and brushed them out of the way. He looked at me with a smile. "Time for bed."
"Okay" I yawned. In a swift motion, he had me up in his arms, bridal style. "Will?!"
"I could make you walk all the way upstairs…or I could carry you."
"I'm so tired…" I exaggerated as I put my arms around his shoulders.
"That's what I thought…" He laughed.
He carried me to my room and tucked me into bed. "Goodnight." He kissed my forehead. After he left, I let a lazy, silly smile crawl over my face. But the moment I closed my eyes, I heard it.
'I know where you live and I'm coming to get you.'
I jumped up from my bed and looked around. Nothing. I ran over to the windows and made sure they were latched. Drawing the curtains closed, I tasseled them so no one could see in. Then, I locked my bedroom door. No one was getting in. I hid tightly under my comforter, shaking. Sometime later, I fell asleep.
Around maybe two a.m., I heard a jiggling noise. I awoke from my restless sleep. I peered out from under the blankets to see the doorknob jiggling. What was I supposed to do? "William?" I murmured, hoping he was just trying to check up on me. The jiggling became more frantic. Then the door started shaking.
Suddenly, it stopped. There was a dead silence. The door slowly creaked open and the light of the moon coming in the hall windows flickered into the room. No one was there. I swallowed deeply. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a twinkle. I turned and saw a fist with a long sharp knife coming for me. I had two seconds to scream. A blood-curdling scream. The weapon hit me twice, and surprisingly I didn't feel it. But the blood rolling off of me was evidence enough.
Abruptly, William barreled into the room. "Shirley!" He cried. My attacker turned his attention to him.
"Run!" I howled. It was too late, the man leapt at him. "William!"
He kept calling for me, but I couldn't move. I could only watch as the blade kept coming back again and again. He writhed in pain. Oh, there was so much blood. My William… "NO!!!!!" An eerie pounding noise came over the room, but it was soon drowned out in laughter of sheer bliss. I looked to Will, his face was turned away…his body was still and limp. I cried for him. The man was gone. I sniffed, expecting to smell copper, but instead I smelled nothing. Only the hint of salt on my cheeks. The air was so cold.
The insistent pounding returned, louder than before. I recognized it as my door…but the door was open? Then, I heard William's voice.
"Shirley! Shirley! What's wrong?! Answer me!"
"Will!?" I called.
"WAKE UP!!" He shouted. It was then that I realized, that it had all been a dream…a nightmare. William wasn't dead, he was at the door.
I blinked my eyes open. The door was still locked, and he had fallen silent when I stopped wailing. I got up and opened the door. He was bracing himself against the doorframe. He was only in his sweat pants and his hair was disheveled, like he jumped right out of bed and ran to get to me. He stared at me with a creased brow. A face that broke my heart.
"Shirley?" Tears filled my eyes as I sniveled. His heaving chest looked like the safest place in the world, and I wanted to be there.
"William!" I wailed as I clumsily threw my arms around him.
"Shhh…It's okay…" He soothed. His voice was calm, but his heart was beating rapidly.
"H-He was here! He came in…Oh Will…There was so much blood!"
"Oh Shirley…He's not here…He won't get you…"
"He got you!" His hand stopped on my head. He pulled away and took my hands.
"Look at me." He put my hands over his heart. "Do you feel my heart beat?" I nodded. "Do you see any wounds? Any blood?" I shook my head. "I'm fine. I'm alive, and right here." I rubbed my eye. He led me to sit on my bed.
"I was just scared…" He hummed in response and grabbed a box of Kleenex from my bedside table. Tenderly, he caressed my cheeks and wiped away my tears.
"You don't have to be anymore…" He kneeled in front of me, his hands on my knees. "Because I will protect you." I didn't care so much about myself as I did about him.
"Will you stay? I don't want to be alone."
"Of course." He simpered. He looped my arms around his neck and lifted me gently. I closed my eyes and rested my head against his shoulder. He seized me tightly in his grasp.
When I was alone. When I was upset. When I was scared. When I was weak. Every time, he was there, doing his best to fix it. Every time. That warm feeling that I got in my chest when he smiled. The absolute guilt I felt when he was mad. It was him. How could someone do this? Was it humanly possible to weave yourself into someone's heart so tightly? How could I not see this before? Why did I deny myself? This was love. Pure ecstasy to be so close to him, euphoria just to hear him say my name.  His soft skin grew warmer as I drew closer, blocking out all of the darkness. I clutched his back, digging my nails into his spine. I wasn't even concerned if I broke his skin. He was the only lifeline I had to keep from losing my sanity. I let myself drown in his essence. His breath…his scent. Tranquil silence set in and the air was warm with emotions. Happiness? Sadness? Anger? Fear? Love. It was weighty on us, but like a shield to my greater fears at that time.
"Are you still crying?" He whispered. I brought my hands up to my face, and sure enough, there was wetness on my cheeks.
"I'm sorry…I didn't mean to…" He just shook his head. The way his bangs slid across his face, the crease he got right under his lip when he smiled, and that certain look he had in his eyes when he looked at me…it drew me closer.
"Shirley?" He asked in wonder. That tone made him sound like a clueless child. An adorable tone. I loved him. I looked at him intimately. "S-Shirley?" The way his eyebrow quirked, the flickering of his eyelashes, even the way this lips moved when he said my name. My hands were suddenly stroking his cheeks, jaw, brow…everything. Committing his face to memory. I traced his bottom lip with my thumb, wishing that I could kiss him. He was questioning me now, with a 'What-the-deuce-are-you-doing?' kind of look. So why not? I kissed him.
'I love you.'
My fingers curled in his ebony hair. That wonderful shivering feeling went right into my back and made my toes curl. I felt a bit mischievous, being that he didn't see it coming. What if he didn't want it? I broke it off. "Will…I…" His eyes flushed emotions. I think I saw yearning! Who am I to deny a man his wish? So I kissed him again. Passionately. He let out a whimper and all I could do was inwardly chuckle as I held him closer. I really didn't think he'd mind.  
Do you know what's like to move listlessly through your dreams, with no fear in sight? How about moving through them being guided by the hand? You don't know who by, and you don't know where. But, you trust them completely.
I woke up in the morning with Will's arm in a death grip. He was already awake and looked at me impatiently. "Are you going to finally let go?" He asked hoarsely. I shook my head and crushed his arm. "That hurts! Let me go, psycho woman!"
"Never!" I said teasingly. "And I'm not psycho!" He easily yanked out of my grip. Standing up, he stretched and yawned. My eyes widened. He had huge scratches over his torso. "Um…did I…?"
"Try to kill me with your cat nails? Yes. It didn't help that you wouldn't loosen your grip after you fell asleep. That's not even it! Look at this!" He pointed to his mouth. His lips were darker then they should have been. Actually, a lot darker. "You bruised my lips!" I clapped my hands over my mouth in embarrassment. "Like I said…" He came inches away from my face. "PSY-CHO." He emphasized each syllable.
"I'm sorry."
"What got into you last night?"
"Uh…" I wasn't about to tell him. "I was just really scared, and I distracted myself." He only laughed. "But…we're even now."
"Even?"
"Thunderstorm."
"Oh…" He blushed. "Fine. We don't talk to anyone about this."
"Deal!" I smiled.
Monday morning, things got a whole lot worse. I was called down to the office during first hour. When I got down there, William was already there, looking at me like he was about to kill me. I took a seat next to him.
"Mrs. Nový," I still couldn't get use to that. "Do you know what we found in your locker?"
"Not to be disrespectful sir, but I don't have anything in my locker against the rules…my walkman?"
"No. This." He held up a bag of white powder.
"What is that?"
"Crack Cocaine." My mouth ran dry. William sat silently.
"That's not mine! You can do a blood test if you don't believe me!"
"You don't have to be doing it. What if you were selling it?"
"But I'm not! I've been framed! I promise!" I bit back tears.
"I'm sorry, but you have no proof…I'm afraid I'm going to have to suspend you until we hear otherwise…if we don't, the suspension will turn into expulsion. Do you understand me?"
"But sir!"
"Excuse me." William spoke up, taking out his camera. "I have proof that she's innocent." He handed the camera to the principle, and he flipped through the photos. A thoughtful look came over his face.
"How long has this been happening?"
"It picked up a week ago, but it's been happening since I got here."
"And you never told any school officials?" I bowed my head. "Can you give me the names?"
"No…but it's a group of junior girls…"
"That crew? Not again…" We both looked at the principle in surprise. "They are so misbehaved, they only need one strike against them."
"And then?"
"Expulsion."
I inwardly smiled.
"And this is that strike?" Will asked.
"Yes." William smiled at me. "Although…I would suggest you both go home and don't come back until tomorrow afternoon. If you've been bullied, and they find out that you turned them in, they might try to hurt you. Your safety is important to us. It'll be excused. Think of it as an honorary suspension."
"Thank you sir!" I exclaimed.
"You are dismissed."
Outside, William and I linked arms. "You are such a Mary Sue, you know that?"
"What's wrong with being a Mary Sue? I'm Pro-Mary Sue!"
"You don't know what Mary Sue is do you?"
"Not a clue."
"It's the lead female Character in a movie that always gets in trouble or hurt and is helpless to save herself."
"I am not helpless!"
"Shall we list the things that have happened to you since Chapter one?"
"…"
"You've been put into an arranged marriage, gotten harassed by Seniors on your first day of school, slapped repeatedly, fell down the stairs, locked in a closet…"
"That was your fault!" He ignored me and continued.
"Burned with a cigarette, tripped in the hallway, broken nose, pushed off the roof, hit by a car, almost raped, almost murdered…"
"I haven't gotten kidnapped!"
"Valentine's day."
"Poo."
"Listen to me Shirley," He pulled me closer toward him. "I don't want to add anymore to that list. So, do exactly as I say."
"Will?"
"I know it doesn't make much sense…and I don't know if it ever will."
"I'm really confused…"
"I'm just trying to say I'm going to try to take better care of you from now on. I'm going to stick close to you."
"You don't have to worry so much anymore, those girls are going to leave…"
"That's not what I'm worried about." He put his hand on his forehead. We walked the rest of the way in silence.