Bruised-Chapter 2 (Close Encounters)

I burst through the double doors at the end of the hallway into the September sunshine. I collapsed onto the sprawling lawn, retching. The tears were coming fast and hard now and I wiped at my eyes, grateful I was wearing waterproof mascara. I could not believe how terrible my luck was. Of all the people to slam into it had to be him. I sprawled myself out across the cool grass and stared up at the white, stringy clouds interrupting the bright blue sky. People were going to be talking about this for a long time. 1

I took deep breaths, attempting to calm my racing heartbeat. I closed my eyes and let the warm sun heat my eyelids, softly humming an old lullaby to myself to block out what had just happened. 2

“Hey there.” 3

My eyes shot open and I was looking up into strangely familiar green eyes not six inches from my face. I hurriedly sat up, facing the stranger. He was crouched, staring at me. My first thought was, ‘great, another Abercrombie model.’ My second thought was, ‘wow’. This guy was…there’s no other word for it. Beautiful. He had lush, curly auburn hair and shockingly green eyes watching me from behind thick lashes. Boyish freckles spackled his cheeks lightly and his skin was deeply tanned. His lips were curled in an amused smile and I blushed, reaching up to wipe my face. 4

“Allow me.” He said and he leaned forward, using the sleeve of his cream-colored, form-fitting, turtleneck to wipe my cheeks. My skin blushed ever redder under his gentle touch. He stopped and watched me, apparently amused by my brilliant shade of red.5

“Thanks” I murmured quietly. 6

“No problem.” He responded in a warm voice. “You know you’re late for class, right?”7

I nodded and said, “I don’t think I’m going.”8

His grin widened, lighting up his eyes. “Playing hooky on the first day? Impressive.” 9

I just nodded again. Why couldn’t I think of anything to say? 10

“Mind if I join you? I don’t feel like studying Trigonometry today.” I shrugged, mentally kicking myself for my inability to be articulate. He moved so he was sitting next to me, leaning back on his elbows with his legs crossed. I stayed sitting with my legs curled up, my arms wrapped around them. I could feel his gaze burning into my skull. 11

“So what were you doing out here, anyway?” He asked.12

I sighed and turned my head away. “It’s a long story.” I said barely audibly. 13

“Well, we have exactly seventy three minutes until second period ends.” He said, chuckling. It was a wonderful, melodic sound. I turned to stare at him, wondering why he was so interested. I expected him to turn away from my stare, but he held it steadily, his eyes never wavering from mine. I felt a chill run down my spine and I shivered, looking away. 14

“Are you cold?” He asked, his eyes still searching my face. I shook my head, and rubbed my arms. He shrugged out of his tan jacket and draped it around my shoulders, moving so he faced me again. He watched me fixedly. I squirmed a little, but stared back. 15

“What are you looking for?” I finally asked. 16

He chuckled. “Who says I’m looking for anything? Maybe I just think you’re beautiful.”17

If it were possible, my face turned more crimson. He noticed. “Why do you blush so much?” 18

I hid my face behind my hands and simply, “Don’t.”19

“Wait.” He said, grabbing my wrists and pulling them away from my face. “I like it when you blush.” 20

My wrists tingled where he held them and I found myself wanting to reach up and touch his face. I quickly yanked my wrists from his grasp and stood up.21

“I have to go.” I declared.22

He looked surprised at my sudden change in attitude. “Where are you going?”23

“To class. I can’t afford to get behind.” I said hurriedly as I picked up my backpack. 24

“It’s the first day. All they do is take attendance.” He stood and followed me. 25

“I know! That’s why it’s so important to be there. Attendance is vital.” Even I didn’t buy that. I started walking away, but he reached out and grabbed my hand.26

“You’re already twenty minutes late, Amanda.” He said persuasively. 27

I froze and turned around slowly. “How do you know my name?” He dropped my hand and swore under his breath. “How do you know my name?” I repeated slowly.28

“You told me. Remember?” He insisted as if he were trying to convince me rather than remind me. 29

“No, I didn’t. And if I had told you my name, I would’ve said Mandy, not Amanda. Only my two best friends know my real name.” I stumbled back a few steps. He looked at me as if he were concentrating. 30

“Anna.” 31

“What?” I asked, confused.32

“Anna told me your name.” Something in his tone implied he was lying.33

“How do you know Anna?” I asked suspiciously.34

He hesitated again, staring at me then laughed somewhat nervously, ran a hand through his thick hair and said, “Doesn’t everyone know Anna?” 35

Something about the way he laughed made me uncomfortable. “I really should get going.” I mumbled, reminding myself to breathe. 36

As I turned to leave, he was suddenly in front of me, holding out both hands in front of him to stop me. I gasped and attempted to push past him, but he grabbed my shoulders. 37

“Listen, Mandy, Amanda, whatever. I need to tell you something.”38

I folded my arms and shrugged his hands away. “What?” I demanded impatiently.39

He looked around nervously then grabbed my hand. “Follow me.” He said quickly.40

Something about the way he said it made me think I didn’t really have a choice. I walked dutifully along behind him, my mind scanning for an answer to all the questions this stranger had just presented. 41

He pulled me along persistently until we reached a flaming red sports car. He pulled out a key and pushed a button. I heard the locks snap open in the car. He dragged me to the passenger side, opened the door, then walked to the driver’s side without waiting for me to get in. I stood outside the car, unsure of what to do while he climbed in and started the engine. 42

“Get in.” He said, leaning towards me. I took a step forward then hesitated, suddenly remembering my Elementary school days and my teachers drilling into my head ‘Never talk to strangers’. I was pretty sure climbing in the car with one went against everything I’d been taught.43

He sighed, sensing my indecision. “Amanda, years from now when you’re looking back, will you regret not getting in the car?” His deep green eyes burned into mine and I took another step forward before stopping, my hand on the top of the door. 44

He continued to stare at me, his eyes almost pleading. “I won’t hurt you.” He said. That was all it took and I suddenly found myself sitting on the warm leather seat, the door shut securely. I felt a little trapped until he smiled at me.45

“You won’t regret this.” He promised. “Fasten your seatbelt.” I complied and he reached down, turning on the sound system. Rock music poured out of the speakers and he peeled out of the parking lot, his speedometer reaching sixty before we even reached the end of the street. I grasped the door tightly, gritting my teeth.46

“What are you doing? Slow down!” I screamed over the deep bass. He just looked at me and grinned. That grin made me nervous. He simply slammed the gas down harder and made an impossible turn as the speedometer hit 120. I screamed as the car nearly flipped, absently grabbing his arm. Two death-defying turns later, we were on a twisting canyon road. He slowed down slightly as he negotiated the hairpin turns on the dirt road. I was breathing heavily, unable to slow the adrenaline in my system. He pushed a button on the steering wheel and the volume on the music dropped dramatically.47

“What…the…HELL?” I yelled between gulping breaths. He just laughed and slammed on the brake long enough to turn the car onto a small, tree-lined road. 48

“Not that I really mind,” he started, “but you do know your fingernails are digging into my skin, right?” 49

I realized my hand still had a vice-like grip on his right arm. I released his bicep quickly, ignoring the twittering voice in my head that pointed out how firm and big that bicep was. 50

“Sorry.” I mumbled, embarrassed. 51

“It’s alright, I have two arms, I don’t really need that one.” He chuckled. 52

My breathing had finally slowed as the car did and I began to relax. I looked around at the beautiful landscape as it whizzed by, still too fast. 53

“Where are you taking me?” I asked as I suddenly realized how far we had gone. 54

“Patience, my dear. Patience.” 55

I was fresh out of patience and the nervousness had started to come back. 56

“Stop the car.” I said. He ignored me and sped up. “STOP THE CAR!” I screamed. 57

He slammed on the brakes and I nearly hit my head on the dashboard. 58

“What? What’s wrong?” He questioned, seeming concerned. 59

I fumbled for the door handle, finally locating it and I stumbled out of the car, looking like a sailor who hadn’t yet found his sea legs. 60

The stranger climbed out after me and followed as I tripped back up the trail the way we had come. He let me walk for a couple minutes, maintaining a short distance behind me before he finally ran and caught up with me, grabbing my wrist. 61

“What is with you and running away from me?” He sounded irritated. I pulled myself free and spun to face him, ready to give him a verbal lashing for dragging me on a wild ride that very well could have ended my life without even telling me why, but as I opened my mouth, I couldn’t seem to find the words to say. That never happened to me and I was immediately annoyed. I simply turned on my heel and started to walk away again. 62

“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice floated over my shoulder. “It’s a long walk home. About 75 miles to be exact.” 63

I gasped and tripped, having stopped walking mid-step. My foot connected with nothing but air and I went down hard, scraping my knee and landing hard on my butt. I saw him start running towards me, looking worried. I knew we had gone a long way, but I didn’t expect it to be that far. 64

What have I done? I thought as he knelt down next to me. I could see his mouth moving and I knew he was talking as he touched my hurt knee, but I couldn’t hear him over the ringing in my ears. I had trusted my life to a complete stranger…again. Buried memories came rushing back in a flash of images. The carnival, the ferris wheel, his blue car, him shoving me down in the backseat, me screaming, pushing him away, his laughter at my weakness. 65

I heard screaming in my head and it took me a moment to realize it was me. I could feel rocks pounding my back as I rolled on the ground. The tears stung my cheeks, drawn unbidden by those memories I had worked so hard to suppress. I clenched my eyes shut. I felt hands on my shoulders, pressing gently, holding me still. I slowly stopped moving, sobbing quietly as the screaming faded. 66

“Amanda, are you alright? Amanda please talk to me.” I heard his voice but I couldn’t seem to respond. “Oh shit, Amanda don’t do this.” 67

Finally I was able to bring myself out of the black fog surrounding me. 68

“Clark.” I whispered as I sat up.69

“No, Amanda, it’s me. It’s ok” 70

I started sobbing again, unable to control my emotions. I felt strong arms surround me and I was crying onto his shoulder. At first I resisted, but he smelled so mouth-watering and I needed comfort. I gulped in the cool September air, feeling it cool my burning throat.71