Honor Student - By Teresa Mummert Page 0,24

and unlocked my legs from the wall. As he stood, he pulled the cloth from my eyes and began to release my hands. He did not speak a word or even look at me. “Thanks” I said as I rubbed my wrists gingerly. He turned his back to me, sliding on his jeans. I quickly gathered my clothes and pulled them on.

He began making his way to the elevator shaft. I followed behind him, not saying a word. We rode down to the next floor in silence.

We reached the lower level and I quickly headed for the bathroom to make myself look presentable. I splashed some cold water on my face and stared at my reflection for a long moment. William had gone from wanting me to acting as if I did not exist again and I was wondering how much more of this I could take.

I took a deep breath and walked back out into the main living area. Mr. Honor was in the center of his living room with the phone pressed firmly to his ear. His jaw clenched and I could not make out what he was saying but I knew he was not happy. I walked over to the kitchen island at sat on one of the stools. The folded piece of paper I had found in his car was now laying on the counter in full view.

“It’s not a fucking joke. If you did this I will find out.” He yelled angrily and ended his call. He walked hurriedly to the kitchen and I sat up, averting my eyes from the threatening note.

“What’s wrong?” I asked quietly as he opened the fridge, grabbing a beer. He slammed the door closed and twisted the top off his bottle. He walked over to the island and shoved his finger into the note.

“This is what’s wrong. This is why I came to see you this morning.” He explained, taking a long drink from the bottle.

“What does this have to do with me?” I asked, confused by his sudden anger. “It was that woman wasn’t it? The one I saw you with at the theater.” The questions poured out of my mouth as I put all of the pieces together. “We have to call the police!” he shook his head and thought for a long moment.

“It’s not that simple.” He replied.

“What are you talking about? She threatened your life!” I stopped short, realizing I was shouting at him.

“She doesn’t seem to know anything about you.” He said as he took another long drink from the bottle. It had not even crossed my mind that this person was a threat to me. I ran my fingers through my hair, but they caught in a giant knot.

“Shit” I said under my breath. Mr. Honor smiled and opened the drawer in the island. He pulled out a pink hairbrush and held it out for me. “Thanks” I smiled, wondering why he had this and whom it belonged to. He grinned and it was hard to remember how mad I was at him just seconds before. Sometimes he seemed so caring but in the blink of an eye, his mood switches to something dark. I wish I could learn more about what is going on being those blue eyes.

“We have to find somewhere safe for you to go tonight.” He said, breaking me from my thoughts.

“Why can’t I stay here?” I asked, but I immediately felt foolish for assuming he would want me to stay. “Never mind” I sat the brush back in my back and stood up from the stool.

“It’s not that I don’t want you to stay. I wish I could lock you up and never let you leave.” He joked, but I knew he had entertained the thought. “The last place you should be is with me.” He explained and I relaxed a little. I always assumed the worst. William walked around the counter and cupped my face in his hand, his fingers stroking my cheeks. “Why do you think so little of yourself?” he asked. His question caught me off guard and I did not really have an answer.

“Why are you so distant?” I countered. He drew in a deep breath.

“That has nothing to do with you, Emma.” I placed my hand on his chest, feeling his pulse race under my fingertips. He grabbed my hand and pressed it harder against his chest.

“You are the only person who has ever made my heart race like this.” His eyes stared