Chapter eighteen

Alina's world shattered as she fled the cafeteria,"Alina, wait! Please, just wait!" Liz pleaded, her footsteps quickening as she chased after her friend.

Alina barely heard her. Her vision was blurred by tears, and she didn't notice Marcus stepping out of the bathroom until it was too late. She collided with him, almost toppling over.

"Whoa, Alina, what's wrong?" Marcus asked, his brow furrowed in genuine concern.

"Mind your own business, Marcus," Alina snapped, wiping her tears away angrily. "Why do you care if I'm crying? Just go!"

Lizzy hurried over, her face visible with worry. "Alina, are you okay?"

Marcus turned to Lizzy, perplexed. "What's happening? Is she okay?"

Lizzy's eyes flashed with anger. "Why are you asking me? Aren't you part of the problem?"

Confused, Marcus asked, "What did I do?"

"You've been ignoring her all day, and now you're acting clueless?"

"Maybe you need a reality check. Who do you think you're talking to?" Marcus snapped at Lizzy, his patience wearing thin.

Ignoring Marcus, Lizzy rushed to Alina's side. "Leave her alone, Marcus. Did she lie?" Alina shot Marcus a withering glare. "You're an ungrateful jerk. After helping you with your homework, this is how you treat me? No thank you?" With that, she turned and walked away.

Marcus, feeling guilty, chased after her and grabbed her hand firmly. "Let go of me," Alina demanded, trying to break free.

Ignoring her protests, Marcus dragged her towards the school exit. "Where are you taking me? Lizzy, help!" Ali screamed, her voice desperate.

"Marcus, stop! Where are you going?" Lizzy shouted, running after them.

Marcus turned to Lizzy. "I'm not going to hurt her," he assured calmly, then turned back to Alina. "If you keep screaming, I'll carry you like a child," he threatened.

"Lizzy, do you believe him?" Alina pleaded, hoping for Lizzy's support.

"Don't worry, Alina. If he hurts you, I'll make sure he pays for it. He won't do anything to you," Lizzy reassured, running back towards the cafeteria.

"Lizzy, don't leave me!" Alina called out, realizing she was on her own. She fought against Marcus's grip. "Let go, Marcus, or I'll report you to your mom."

Marcus didn't answer. He tightened his grip and hauled Alina over his shoulder, carrying her out of the school. She kicked and screamed, but he ignored her protests, dumping her into the passenger seat of his car.

"Where are you taking me this time?" Alina demanded, her voice trembling with fear and anger. "Last time I got into this car with you, I almost got killed! I kept quiet because you begged me, but if anything happens again, I'll sing like a bird."

"Shut up, Alina," Marcus growled, starting the engine. "You talk too much."

As the car sped away from the school, Alina's mind raced with fear and uncertainty. She glanced at Marcus, trying to figure his intentions, but his face was a stony mask. The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the sound of the engine and Alee's ragged breathing.

"Where are we going, Marcus?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"You'll see," he replied, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

The unknown destination loomed like a shadow over Alina's thoughts, her heart pounding as the car continued to speed away from the familiar safety of the school.

Marcus drove in silence, the car cutting through the winding roads until the outskirts of town gave way to an expanse of uninhabited woods.

The trees thickened, their branches interlocking to form a canopy that blocked out the sky. The car finally stopped in a clearing, surrounded by nothing but dense forest.

"Get out," Marcus ordered firmly.

Alina glanced around, scared. "I'm not getting out. The last time I went into the woods, I was jumped by three huge men."

Marcus softened slightly. "I'll protect you. You have nothing to fear."

But Alina shook her head, remaining stubbornly in her seat. Marcus sighed in frustration, then opened her door, dragging her out by the arm. Her protests fell on deaf ears as he led her deeper into the woods.

Alina struggled at first but soon realized there was no point. As they ventured deeper, the path became more visible. She noticed he was following a secret trail hidden from plain sight. She followed him cautiously, the silence of the forest interrupted only by their footsteps crushing the leaves.

As they walked, the beauty of their surroundings began to sink in. They reached a hidden paradise—a breathtaking sight of lush greenery, colorful flowers, and a sparkling river.

"Do you like it?" Marcus asked, his voice soft.

Alina nodded, awe-struck. "It's beautiful."

"I wanted to bring you here to clear your head," Marcus said, a small smile playing on his lips.

They sat near the stream, watching the swans. Alina turned to Marcus, curiosity evident in her eyes. "How did you find this place?"

"My mom brought me here," Marcus explained. "It used to be a secret hangout for her and my dad. No one except us knows about it."

Alina felt a mix of emotions, she was grateful but yet puzzled by Marcus's choice to reveal such a secret place. "Why did you show me this place if it was meant to be a secret?" she asked.

"Just because I wanted to," Marcus replied simply.

"Thank you," she said softly. "It's beautiful."

They sat in silence for a while, taking in the beauty of the scenery. Marcus eventually broke the silence, turning to Alina. "So, why were you so mad at me in school?" he asked, genuinely curious.

She turned and looked at him with surprise, how could he not know why she was hurt?

"Why are you looking at me like that?" he said.

"Are you serious, or are you just pretending that you had no idea?"

"Well, I am not pretending. I want to know why you were so mad at me?"

"You really don't know," she asked him, and he nodded in affirmation.

"Well, since the past few days, you've been ignoring me, acting as if I was invincible, like if I don't exist. So why did you act that way towards me? What did I do that made you behave that way towards me?"

Marcus smiled a little and looked away from her without saying a word.

"Well, aren't you going to answer me? If you won't, maybe I should leave here," she said, standing up to leave.

Marcus equally got up and ran to hold her. "Don't go," he said, holding her hand, "I will tell you what you want to hear," he said.

She sat back down and asked him to speak.

"I am so sorry I hurt your feelings, I did not mean to. It's just that I thought I needed to keep my distance from you," he said.

"And why is that?" Alina asked, sounding hurt and confused. "Did I do something wrong to you?"

"No, nothing like that. It's just that lately, I have a lot going on at home,I also thought you'd be happy since I wasn't disturbing you anymore."

"I don't miss your bullying, but I want us to be cordial when we see each other," Alina said softly.

"I won't ignore you again," Marcus promised.

They watched the swans play, the tension between them slowly easing. Marcus turned his gaze from the swans to Alina, noticing how beautiful she looked with the sunlight filtering through the trees, casting a golden glow on her. His heart pounded as he realized he was attracted to her.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Alina asked, smiling.

Marcus pulled her closer, his eyes fixed on her lips. Alina's heart began to race, their faces inching closer. Just as their lips were about to touch, a noise from the shadows startled them. Three wolves jumped out, their teeth gnashing, howling menacingly.

Marcus stood up immediately, pulling Alina with him. She was trembling, her fear rendering her almost paralyzed. Marcus shook her gently, trying to snap her out of it.

"Alina, run! Don't look back, no matter what you hear. Go to my house and tell my mom. She'll know what to do. Now go!" he yelled, pushing her forward.

Alina ran as fast as her legs could carry her, not daring to look back. But then she heard a scream. She stopped, her mind racing with panic. What if something had happened to Marcus? She couldn't just leave him. She turned and ran back, her heart pounding in her chest.

Returning to where she left Marcus, Alina found the wolves gone, but Marcus lay almost naked except for a torn boxer. and unconscious on the ground.