Page 16

Nick wanted to meet with me after school in the school parking lot.

I decided to wait outside of my truck, sitting on the tailgate.

I fidgeted with my hands as I waited, rubbing the band aids that were always covering the sores on my hands.

I looked across the parking lot and saw that Dominic's car was still there.

Why am I still thinking about him? I must be going insane.

Dominic made me feel electric every time I was near him.

I never feel that way around Nick. Once I had that thought, I felt immense shame. I need to stop thinking about him.

I felt a touch on my hand, and when I looked up it wasn't Nick standing next to me.

"Do you have a second?" Dominic asked, his blue eyes blazing into me.

I could feel my heart start to race. What did he want to say?

I told him to stay away from me, but he seemed to persist anyway.

Maybe my only option was to hear him out, but I was terrified of what I was going to hear.

Dominic was bad news. His outburst and delusions were bright red flags warning me to stay away.

But for some reason, everything in me called out to get closer to him.

I know it was a bad idea, and that it was possible that Nick would see us. But, I decided to listen.

"Yeah." I replied and patted a spot next to me on the tailgate. What am I doing!!!

Dominic's eyes widened in shock, and his lips curled up into a small smile.

He sat next to me, closer than an acquaintance should, but I didn't seem to mind even though I should.

Him sitting this close caused tingles all over my body that excited me.

Though I was usually anxious around him, for some reason this time I was not.

I turned and gazed into his eyes. He had dark circles under them, and a dark cloud seemed to loom over him. I had never seen him like this before, and I felt sympathy for him. He looked down at his lap and didn't say anything.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly.

He looked back up to me, and his eyes glowed gold again.

I couldn't help the gasp that left my lips when I saw it happen.

I covered my mouth immediately after. I didn't want him to know I had begun to hallucinate things.

I didn't want anyone to know in fact. Dominic's eyes returned to blue, and I took a calming deep breath.

"I'm fine." Dominic said, but his gruff voice betrayed him.

He clearly wasn't ok, and I couldn't help but feel the need to comfort him. I placed my hand on his shoulder and gave it a quick squeeze.

"It's ok, you can tell me." I said encouragingly with a small smile. Seeing people hurting always triggered the caretaker in me. Maybe it was because of the pain I went through, but I was ok with me suffering. I just couldn't stand to see others suffering. That's why I always avoided going home.

Dominic sighed, and ended up pulling me into a hug. He started to cry, practically sobbing. I hugged him back, and rubbed small circles on his back. My heart wrenched myself, and I felt like I was going to shed tears for him. But, I held back the tears. This was his time to mourn, not mine.

"I'm sorry, Elaine." He cried out, clutching me as close to him as possible.

"What are you sorry about?" I asked with a soothing voice.

Dominic just started to sob again, taking ragged breaths as if he were struggling to breathe.

"Dominic..." I whispered, feeling a deep sorrow for him. It was almost as if I could feel his emotions. A swarm of sadness, anger, and regret. It felt like a hurricane, and I got caught up in it as well. I began to cry myself, holding him tight.

"Elaine... I'm so sorry. I really fucked up." He said, his voice cracking.

"What happened?" I asked, pulling back so I could look at his face. I placed my palm on his cheek, and he leaned into my hand. He made a strange sound that sounded like purring. Though it was startling to me, I didn't pull away. I could see he needed me.

"I-I..." He paused, sucking in a deep breath. "Elaine, I..." His eyes filled with tears once again, and I could see him staring at me as if I were going to disappear.

"It's ok Dominic, I'm not going anywhere." I assured him. What am I even saying? Who am I becoming? I couldn't explain what I was feeling for Dominic, but I found myself unable to resist him.

"Elaine, I had sex with another girl." He finally said, his voice deep with regret.

It was like I was being stabbed in the chest. I was so hurt by his words, like a deep betrayal.

Why do I even care? It's not like we are together or anything.

Heck, I barely know him. I took in a ragged breath, and I covered my face with my hands. What am I even doing?

"Elaine, I regret it so much. Please believe me. I-I was just so hurt when I smelled Nick's scent on you. I was blinded with rage and I fucked up." Dominic said before pulling me into a hug again. Nick's scent? How could he smell him on me. It doesn't make any sense.

I finally started to feel regret of my own.

Didn't I do the same thing to him? I got together with Nick.

But, why did that even matter? I owed nothing to Dominic, but I couldn't help but feel like I betrayed him.

It was like I had no control of my emotions anymore.

They were being fueled by something deep inside of me that I couldn't explain.

"I'm so sorry Dominic." I said before looking up and seeing familiar eyes meet mine across the parking lot. I suddenly jumped back from Dominic, and got off of my tailgate.

"I need to go." I stated, finally coming back to my senses. I could see Dominic's heart breaking again, and I took everything in me to stop from pulling him close again. He made a loud huff, and angrily walked away from me. I looked back to the direction I saw Nick from, but he was already gone.