Help from the Aid
I nibbled on the end of my pen as I daydreamed. I couldn't wait to get home and open my package that would arrive that evening. I had ordered some new dresses for the upcoming party at my friend's house.
It was another day, another boring class. I didn't really care about anything that my Professor had to say.
"Ms. Williams?" my Professor asked and pulled my from my trance, "Would you like to explain the dicotomy of the protagonist and antagonist in the text?" I shook my head and stared down at my papers in shame. My Professor sighed, "So..."
By the time class ended, my brain was fried. I was ready to go; exhausted from "learning." All I could think about was going home and taking a nap. I adjusted my bag on my shoulder and made my way to the door.
"Ms. Williams?"
I stopped in my tracks and rolled my eyes. I turned around on my heels and put on a fake smile, "Yes, Professor?" I made my way back towards him. I clutched the strap of my purse.
There was some guy from my class standing next to him who honestly looked like he couldn't care less either. His shaggy hair fell into his eyes. He was wearing dark grey sweater. He always sat in the front of the class and texted people all through class. I had no idea why he could do that, but I couldn't daydream.
My Professor seemed to be shuffling through papers, but he looked up for a moment and pointed to the tall boy next to him, "This is my aid, Liam. He is going to help you with your next paper. Maybe this will encourage you to pay more attention in class in the future, Ms. Williams."
My eyes found Liam as he began to speak, "Hi, Sara, is it?"
I rolled my eyes, "Yeah." I didn't want him to have any impression that I was to enjoy any of his company.
"Alright then, be sure to exchange phone numbers so that you can plan to study together in the near future," the Professor began to zip up his breif case and gave us a weak smile before heading out of the classrom and leaving me with Liam.
The Professor's footsteps on the floor were the only sounds in the room. I refused to say a word.
Liam pursed his lips, "So," he reached for his phone in his pocket, "Your number?" He offered his phone to me.
If I could roll my eyes any harder, I would have. I took his phone in my hand and quicky added my number to his contacts. My manicured fingers tapped against the screen. Liam held a slight smirk on his face.
"Can I go now?" I sighed. I was more than ready to go home.
Liam nodded, "I'll text you later, Sar."
"
Sar
?" I repeated, clearly confused and annoyed, but something deep inside me felt challenged.
"You don't like it?"
I was caught a little bit speechless. I didn't know what to say. On one hand, I wanted to rip his throat out and on the otmy hand, I wanted to push it farther. I opened my mouth to speak, but then thought otherwise and closed it. I bit my lip instead.
He chuckled, "I'll see you." He walked past me and left me with my confused thoughts. I watched him walk out of the classroom with that smug look on his face.
I changed my mindβI definitely wanted to rip his throat out.
When I finally gathered myself, I left the classroom. I guess this was going to be my life for the near future.
I couldn't fucking wait
. I hated it. I tucked my hair behind my ear and sighed.
My walk to my dorm was uneventful. I didn't see Krissy today, so I didn't stop for coffee like usual; I went straight home.
As I put my key in the lock, my phone buzzed. My body became flooded with dread. I knew it was
him
. I unlocked the door and threw my bag onto my desk. I slipped my feet out of my wedges leaving them in the middle of the room. I held my phone up and nestled myself under the covers of my floral bedset.
Unknown Number
It was definitely him.
I opened the message:
How's this afternoon? This is Liam by the way.
I rolled my eyes. He really wanted to get a move on with this, but I couldn't care less. I pulled my covers over my head and screamed into them. This was going to be a long two weeks.
I pulled my phone out and responded to his message:
Is kicking and fighting okay?
I got a response almost instantly:
Only if you're okay with restraints.
I stared at my phone in shock. Who says things like that? I mentally shuddered. Liam was a strange guy.
I typed out reply:
What time?
I didn't even want to give him the satisfaction of responding to what he said.
Liam didn't repond immediately, so I opened my Instagram. Krissy was out with her boyfriend right now. They were on a date at a local park. I pursed my lipss as I double-tapped the post. As I was scrolling, I got a text message from Liam.
5:00 pm. 805 Bailey Way.
I thought 5:00 pm seemed a little late, but I realized I just wanted to get this done and over with. There was a mix of nervousness and unexplainable excitement in my stomach. So, I texted him back.
I'll see you there.
I fell asleep. When I woke up, it was 4:45 pm. Panic coursed through me. I missed my afternoon class and I was about to be late to meet Liam to work on my essay. I mentally cursed myself as I jumped out of bed and quickly ran my hairbrush through my hair, smoothing the blonde strands out. I threw my bag on my shoulder and slipped my wedges on before literally running out of the door.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and pulled my phone out to get the address. It felt like an eternity to get to my car, but it was only a 7 minute drive. I shouldn't have been
too
late. I figured that Liam would understand. I put my key in the ignition and reversed out of the parking spot. I let out a soft sigh.
I was a mess in more ways than one.
When I parked my car outside the grey house, it was 5:00 pm, but when I knocked on the door, it was 5:01 pm. I stood outside sheepishly with my bag on my shoulder, nervously tucking my hair behind my ears.
By the time Liam made it to the door, it was 5:05 pm. He slowly opened the door and had an mischevious look on his face that I couldn't decipher. It both worried me and sent a rush through my body. I blamed the adrenaline rush I was still coming off.
"Hi," I offered, feeling completely uncomfortable.
Liam seemed to see through my being, "You're late."
I hung my head in shame, "I fell asleep."
He shook his head as he moved away from the door, inviting me inside. It was fairly dimly lit inside the house. I suddenly felt a sense of fear. Liam motioned for me to follow him into a room down the hall. I followed even though something told me that this wasn't going to be a normal tutoring session.
"I like punctuality, Sara," he said as we walked. He stole a glance at me before opening the bedroom door.
When we made it into the room, there was only a bed, a desk, two chairs and his laptop in the room. The closet was shut and everything looked pristine. It was unsettling. I sat down in one of the chairs and took my books out from my bag.
As I was distracted, I felt Liam's hands find my shoulders and gently squeeze. I froze. Instead of panic, I felt excitement. His fingertips massaged into my flesh and I shut my eyes to hopefully prevent myself from showing any enjoyment.