Page 14

AUTUMN

FLASHBACK: SENIOR YEAR

I leave the dance floor and head over to Heath where he’s been perched for the last fifteen minutes watching me dance with Maya.

I love when Maya and I get to hang out. We don't go to the same school, as I go to Grimstone Prep, and she goes to Sleepy Hollow High only a few minutes away. Her parents weren’t willing to pay for the higher education.

I’m so happy I have Heath though; he goes to prep only because his mom is an alumni so he got a scholarship.

“I could feel you staring all the way over there,” I tell him. Heath grabs the base of my neck pulling me to him.

“You’re teasing me, Freckles,” He whispers in my ear. A shiver goes down my spine at the words. I love it when he starts to lose it over me.

“I’m sorry,” I apologize looking into his eyes. I break out into a smile and stand on my tippy toes and plant a kiss on his cheek. As I begin to find the ground again, I feel a pair of hands on my waist.

“Excuse me.” a guy says behind me. Way too close behind me.

Heath's eyes darken and I know exactly what he’s going to do.

But if I let him, do it here, he’ll get arrested.

This is different than last year when he beat up three football players.

He got a warning; this time it’s jail time for assault. We’re eighteen.

“Heath, you can’t.” I place my hand on his chest, moving his attention back to me.

“He fucking touched you.” He says, through gritted teeth.

“I’m aware and while I don’t appreciate it, I would appreciate it more if you didn’t go to jail.”

“This one time,” he says, and I jump up hugging him.

I know how hard it is sometimes for him to control his anger, so I appreciate this.

“Go get some water. You’ve sweat a lot.” I nod at his instructions overcome with joy and head into the kitchen for water.

He can see me from where he is since the wall he’s leaning on is in front of the living room but beside the kitchen.

I grab a red solo cup and head over to the fridge.

I know Macy keeps some filtered water in here somewhere.

I remember her telling me only a couple weeks ago when I was here for the cheer team sleepover.

I find it right at the top and pour myself some.

I place the pitcher back in the fridge and turn around.

The scene before me isn’t something I’ve never witnessed before.

A girl is talking to Heath. Twirling her hair, touching his arm.

She’s flirting. A deep burn fills my body unlike anything I’ve felt before.

I’m pretty secure in my relationship. Everyone knows he’s my boyfriend and for some reason this tramp thinks she can talk to him.

Never mind the fact he’s ignoring her; I want her head on a stick.

I guess this is how he feels all the time.

I flip my hair over my shoulder and walk over to them. “I thought people said you had a girlfriend. I don’t see her.” She speaks.

“I’m his girlfriend.” I say, swatting her hand off of him.

“Aw you’re so cute.” she says. Excuse me.

“You should walk away,” I tell her

“Or what?” She tilts her head. This makes my blood boil even more. She doesn’t even care that I'm standing here now! I grab her by the hair, yanking her down to me and force my water into her mouth causing her to choke as some got up her nose.

“Walk. The. Fuck. Away.” This gets her attention as she leaves stumbling and coughing.

“Why did you let her touch you?” I ask, turning to Heath.

He never really lets anyone but me and his family touch him so I’m feeling a bit worried.

He doesn’t respond, he just grabs my hand and guides me to the nearest bathroom.

He closes the door. I look at him confused as he pulls out his pocketknife and lifts his shirt.

“What are you doing?”

“You’re worried someone else could have me. I’m going to show you they can’t,” with that he begins cutting into his chest.

“Oh my god, stop.” I may have been jealous, but I don’t want him to cut himself.

“Wait.” He demands. Within seconds he stops and there sits my initials carved into his chest. I stumble back into the wall, slightly confused and terrified of what just happened.

“Are you fucking crazy!”

“Only for you, baby.” He walks closer to me pressing his hands above the wall behind me.

“You Autumn have left a permanent mark on my heart. No one else could ever have me like you do and believe me they never will. I’m going to marry you one day, and I may not have a mansion to put you in, but I’ll make you feel like a queen everyday. ”