The Finished Masterpiece Boxed Set - Pepper Winters Page 0,19

trigger a hunger deep inside me to be on the participating end of her generosity but she was just so goddamn beautiful.

Inside and out.

However, that didn’t mean I wanted her to—

Olin looked over her shoulder, noticing me for the first time. Her nose smoothed from its embarrassed wrinkle, looking me up and down. She took in the grubby T-shirt I hadn’t washed in a while and the jeans that should’ve been recycled rather than cursed to keep covering my overgrown legs.

She smiled a little, her heart pure and perfect.

She didn’t grimace or shame me. She didn’t act as if having me escort her would be a death sentence like so many of the girls in our grade would do.

I tore my eyes from hers, unable to hold her open, accepting stare.

She sucked in a tiny gasp before turning back to our teacher. “It’s okay, Ms Tallup. I think Mr. Clark would prefer I go with someone else. I can take Patty—”

“No. You will take Mr. Clark.” Ms Tallup eyed Patty—the red-haired troublemaker—and smirked. “I don’t trust you girls together.”

I flinched as Ms Tallup’s gaze found mine, freezing me in place. “I trust Mr. Clark. Don’t I, Gilbert?”

My flinch became a cower which I tried to hide with a nonchalant grunt. My hand shook as I dropped my eraser and stood.

There would be no arguments.

Ms Tallup had taught me that last year when she’d held me back a grade. And the year before that when she’d decided I was too stupid to advance with the other students.

Two years of repeats.

Two years of living a nightmare.

I was at her mercy if I wanted to stay in school and get the hell out of this life.

“Yes, Ms Tallup.”

“Good boy.” Turning toward the board again, she waved at the exit. “Run along now and come back to me quickly.”

Standing, I moved toward Olin and hesitated beside her. Already whispers and snickers filled the classroom. My back crawled being centre of attention. My temper spiked.

If we were going to do this, I wanted it over with.

Not thinking of the ramifications, I grabbed her wrist, yanked her from her seat, and dragged her from the classroom. I didn’t let the fact that this was the first time I’d touched her knot my stomach or the fact that she’d probably never want to be alone with me again stop me.

I just couldn’t stand there with so many eyes upon us.

Instead of fighting me, Olin slipped into step, her dainty dancer’s feet light and balanced.

Yet another thing that drew me to her.

The way she moved was magic.

A cat-like grace to her every stride.

I’d often hid in the dusty hall when the school squad practiced their dancing. Her feet had wings. Her body could twist and bend like some silky, perfect ribbon.

She truly was my every fantasy, and that terrified me because the girl in my grasp could never live up to the illusion I’d created, and I didn’t want to lose her. Didn’t want to lose the dream-girl who made my days slightly better just by watching her dance in the field or sneaking home-baked goods to substitute teachers.

I didn’t have much, but I did have my version of Olin. I’d daydreamed her into something my heart desperately wanted because I needed an escape from reality.

I couldn’t afford to risk finding out the real girl wasn’t nearly as good as my creation.

The second we were in the corridor and the door closed behind us, Olin wriggled her wrist gently. She didn’t rip out of my hold, just politely cleared her throat and murmured, “You can let go now. No one is watching us anymore.”

I tore my hand off her, my fingers trembling.

Goddammit, even her voice affected me.

Soft and lyrical, gentle and calming.

My heart tripped and stumbled, a black temper doing its best to protect me from falling hard and falling forever. “Hurry.” I nudged my chin at the bathrooms down the hall. “Be quick.”

She sighed sadly. “I’ll be as fast as I can.” Reaching into her pocket for her cell phone, she didn’t move toward the facilities.

“What are you doing?” I crossed my arms.

“I don’t really need to go to the bathroom.” She gave me another soft, gentle smile. A smile that no longer held light-hearted, bubbly energy she used with everyone, but dripped with unhappiness and truth.

I froze as every instinct to protect her rose viciously and violently.

This girl was invincible in her quest to save, soothe, and help, so why did her shoulders roll and tears