Stolen Moments

I rush out of the house, munching on my breakfast bar with half my books still in my arms instead of in my bag. I know that damn devil is going to leave me behind if I don’t hurry. He’s done it to Kate before, and I don’t doubt that he’ll do it to me too if I give him the chance. Ever since he got his license and his car last year he’s become even more insufferable. I know he’s going to want payback for the cockroach prank too. I’d be a fool to give him an excuse.

Carter is leaning against his car, arms crossed and eyes on his watch. He’s wearing dark jeans with a black tee that looks far too good on him. My eyes roam over his body and linger on his crotch. I feel myself blush, my mind flashing back to the way I sat in his lap yesterday. What was I even thinking? I can’t believe I behaved that way. I just can’t think straight when it comes to Carter.

Ever since we were suspended together, I’ve turned into a nympho of sorts. I can’t stop thinking about him and the way he touched himself. I can’t help but wonder what he’ll feel like against me and what he might feel like in my hands. I keep peeking into his bedroom like the pervert I’ve become. In the weeks since our suspension, I haven’t seen him touch himself the way he did then, but he keeps forgetting to close his curtains and walks around half naked all the time. It’s a sight I enjoy far too much. Would he be embarrassed if he found out I’ve been watching him? Would he think I’m weird? I can’t look at him without my thoughts turning indecent.

Carter glances up from his watch and I snap out of it. I jump into the car and glare at Kate, who’s occupying the back seat.

“I don’t understand why we can’t both sit in the back,” I snap, reviving our daily argument. Carter leans over and his cologne washes over me. Whatever he’s wearing smells delicious on him. My heart starts racing and I blush when he grabs my seatbelt and buckles me in.

“For the last time, Minx. I’m not your damn driver. One of you is sitting in the front or neither one of you is coming with me.”

I roll my eyes and cross my arms over my chest. Kate puts her hand on my seat and leans in as far as her seatbelt allows her to. “So, are you excited for your date?” she asks.

My head whips towards her, and I look at her with wide eyes. I shake my head frantically to indicate that she needs to shut up, but she glances at me and then at Carter with a wide smile on her face.

“What date?” Carter asks, his tone sharp.

I shake my head and sit up straight. I look out the window and try to hide my crimson cheeks. “She’s kidding,” I tell him. I see his hands tighten on his steering wheel from my peripheral vision and I bite down on my lip. He can’t find out. If Carter finds out, he’ll find a way to ruin the first date I’ve ever been asked on. I can’t let that happen. Most of the girls in my class have done far more than date, and I’ve never even been kissed yet. If it’s up to Carter, I never will be.

Besides, it’s both his and Kate’s fault I agreed to the date in the first place. Kate is hanging out with Gabby later, and I can’t seem to get Carter off my mind these days. I don’t like it at all. Every time I get lost in thought, I wind up thinking about him.

“What date?” he repeats, his voice low and dangerous. I know that voice. He only ever sounds that way when I’m really, really close to snapping his patience. I bite down on my lip and stare out the window. If I just refuse to answer, he’ll eventually let it go. He knows from experience that I’ll only talk if I want to.

“Oh, Tony asked her out. I can’t believe it took him this long to finally ask. He’s been crazy about Milly for years now, but she barely realized he even existed. I’m so excited!” Kate says. She bounces in her seat, ignoring the death stare I’m giving her from the mirror. She leans back into her seat, looking pleased. I shake my head, shocked by her betrayal. How could she do this to me? She knows Carter is going to fuck this up for me now.

“Tony who? Tony fucking Andrews?” Carter says. He looks at me, his eyes blazing.

I shrug. “None of your damn business,” I reply, fuming. Carter clenches his jaw and stares straight ahead. It’s silent for a couple of minutes.

“No,” Carter says eventually. I frown and look at him in question. “You can’t go. I forbid it,” he says angrily.

I burst out laughing. “You forbid it?” I repeat, my hackles raised. This asshole. “Who do you think you are, Carter? You’re not my dad. I’m going, whether you like it or not.”

“No, you’re fucking not, Emilia,” he yells. He looks furious, which is really unlike him. Carter has his dad’s patience. He never gets mad and he never really snaps at me, but it looks like he can’t help it today. The idea of me going out with Tony really pisses him off.

“When?” he asks. Kate looks from me to him with wide eyes, as though even she didn’t expect his anger. “Catherine, when?”

She hesitates and then answers him truthfully. “Uh, today, after school.” I cross my arms over my chest and ignore both of them the rest of the way. Carter sighs as he parks the car and leans over me to undo my seatbelt, but I slap his hand away.

“I’m not a fucking child, Carter. I can do it myself.”

I storm out of the car and then walk back petulantly a minute later. Carter holds up my bag with an infuriating smile on his face and I snatch it from him. I glare at him and then turn, storming off all over again.

Kate runs after me, but I ignore her. “Come on, Milly, don’t be mad. I’m sorry.”

I stop and turn around to face her. “How could you do that to me, Kate? You’re supposed to be my friend. My best friend. You know he’s going to ruin my date now, you know he will.”

Kate sighs and pushes my hair behind my ear. “I wasn’t thinking… I just figured he’d find out one way or another. I just thought it’d be good for him to know that you’re into Tony,” she says.

I look at her, confused. “What?” I’m not even that into Tony, and she knows it. I only said yes because I’ve never been asked out before and I thought it might be fun to catch up with Tony. I guess part of me wanted to see how Carter would respond though. Kate shakes her head and smiles, but her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“It’s nothing, Milly. I’m sorry. Come on, we’re going to be late for class.”

I nod, and she takes my hand as we rush to our classroom. I sit down in my usual seat, feeling totally out of it. I’m not even sure why I’m feeling so disgruntled.

Mr. Fields goes down his attendance list and eventually asks for our homework. I jump and grab my bag. I spent all night finishing it because I it totally slipped my mind. If not for Kate, I would’ve definitely come in empty-handed today.

I frown when I can’t find it. I know I put it in my bag, I’m a hundred percent sure. I even double checked this morning.

My mind automatically replays this morning’s events and I grit my teeth just as my phone buzzes. I take it out of my bag and check the text message.

Devil: Looking for your essay?

“Fucking Carter,” I mumble under my breath. Kate looks at me with raised brows. “He stole my damn essay.”

Kate bites down on her lips but totally fails to hide her amusement.

“Funny for you. He never does this shit to you,” I snap.

“Emilia,” my teacher says, pausing in front of me.

I look up at him apologetically. “I forgot it at home, Mr. Fields. I swear I did the essay. I just don’t have it on me.”

He looks at me and sighs. I was sure he’d let it go — I’m top of my class and I’ve never forgotten to hand in an assessment, but he shakes his head. “You know the rules, Emilia. Detention.”

I groan and drop my head to my desk. That asshole. He’s trying to make me late for my date, and he’s succeeding. Tony and I were meant to leave school together today.