Possessive

I didn't have to turn around to know that Luca had entered the room. I could basically feel the temperature of the room drop with his presence, and each time I felt his eyes on me, my skin tingled and burned. He was watching me play with Candace, and he was also watching my now-uncovered neck.

Which meant I had not successfully returned a ball the entire time he was in the room. All I could think about was going to get my scarf, and the way he had looked at me when we were in the closet... Like I was a delicious piece of Jerky.

~No, calm down. I'm probably just over thinking it. Luca probably isn't watching me. why would he watch me, anyway? He's basically gone out of his way to express to me how extremely un-important of a person I am.~

I swallowed and attempted to hit another ball that went flying past me.

"Are you alright, Tia?" Candace asked, she no doubt had noticed my change in demeanor since Luca arrived.

"Yeah!" I answered, but my voice cracked and deceived me. "I think I'm just getting a little worn out."

As I went to retrieve the ball I let my eyes shift toward the bleachers to see if Luca was really watching me or if it was just in my head and....

~Dammit!~

I nearly tripped over myself. Luca and Travis were both STARING at me.

~Holy Shit~

Not just watching me, it was like there eyes were hunting me like freaking lions.

~I need to get my scarf back.~

My eyes darted to where Zen had thrown the blue scarf but it wasn't there any more.

~Where did it go..... ohhhh Shit Shit.~

Luca was holding it. He was running his fingers over it, and wrapping it around his hands playing with it absentmindedly as he watched me.

I swallowed.

~Why would he? no no... he probably didn't know it was mine, right? That's the only explanation.~

I let my gaze drift back to his face and when our eyes met a small smile pierced his lips.

"Tia?" Candace spoke my name and I realized that I had simply been standing in the middle of the room staring at Luca.

I wanted to face-palm. "Ah, sorry." I returned to the table and got in position to serve the ball. I looked over my shoulder at the two boys again and...

~Shit they're still watching me.~

I attempted to serve the ball and literally just hit air with my paddle. The ball bounced off the table then onto the floor again.

"What have you been teaching my student?" My body tensed at the sound of Luca's voice.

~Is he talking to me?~

Candace laughed at Luca's question, and I realized he was talking to her. "What do you mean?" she asked, and I was amazed that she wasn't the least bit intimidated by Luca.

"I mean," Luca crossed his arms and I slowly turned my head to look at him, he was still holding my scarf in his hand... "Yesterday, she was playing quite well. Then, when I came in here today, she's been holding her paddle different and missing every ball served to her."

"Well, actually." Candace crossed her arms as well, and I suddenly felt like I was about to watch a street fight take place, "She was doing much better today until you walked into the room."

Luca scoffed, "you expect me to believe that she got worse just because I walked in the room?"

~Well actually...~

I was almost tempted to butt in and tell him that was the truth, but I kept my mouth shut instead.

Candace opened her mouth to argue back but before she could say whatever angry thing was on her mind, Charlie was there.

"Hey hey hey!" Charlie grabbed hold of Candace and gave her a tight squeeze probably in order to shut her up. "no need to argue." She laughed trying to ease the tension.

"That's right. No need to argue." Luca agreed, "But I don't want you practicing with Theresa anymore."

Candace glared at him then looked to me as if hoping I could defend her.

"erm actually," I began because I didn't want to make anymore enemies, "Candace was a really big help to me and-"

"And you." Luca turned toward me, "If you want me to teach you how to play, you will listen to me. I only want you to practice with me for the next two weeks."

My mouth gaped and I heard Candace scoff and leave the room, Charlie chased after her and I was left searching for an answer to give Luca, "I, I-"

"The answer to that is 'yes'" He supplied and smiled, I knew he liked torturing me like this.

"Yes?" I repeated.

"That's a good girl." he said and stepped closer to me, "and another thing." He took my scarf and wrapped it around my neck. he wrapped it tighter than I ever do and I felt my fingers shaking as he did it.

~Is he going to choke me to death?~

After he was done wrapping the scarf he kept his hands on the fabric next to my shoulders and neck. "Don't take this off again." he whispered.