My eyes were fixed on Tad who was now looking back at me, with no expression on his face. I was confused until a lone tear rolled down my eyes and my vision cleared. I didn't even realise that I was in tears, all thanks to him.
"The thing that differed his story from others," The professor spoke, "is that everyone either hinted towards the girl leaving, meeting someone or sadly dying. But he explained her emotions and pain as to why she was there in the first place. And that is what brings life into the plot. It's not the characters, it's their emotions that write a story."
I abruptly stood up, "I...m not feeling well, Mr. Owen."
"You're excused." Professor replied and I almost sprinted away from the crowd while wiping my tears.
I made it to the general washroom on the ground floor and splashed water on my face, holding the sink.
My breathing was shallow and shaky and I could feel my soul shivering at the pieces of memories from the night and as if on cue, thunder roared outside and the chaos outside increased.
The bell rang and just a few seconds later, someone yanked me by my arms and I was taken inside a cublicle.
"Wha-mmm" It was so quick that I almost didn't recognise the touch until I saw his face.
"Shut up!" I sighed in relief seeing Tad before me, covering my mouth and locking the door. He pulled me close by my waist and silently looked into my eyes.
He looked confused, concerned but cold. He wasn't angry but his grip on my tightened when I flinched at the sound of thunder.
His frown deepened as fresh tears rolled down my eyes.
He left my lips and wiped my tears, leaning closer. The room echoed with our breathing when suddenly the door of the bathroom burst open and in walked several footsteps followed by a knock on our door.
"Hurry up!"
We remained silent for a few seconds so Tad picked me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist.
"Man, hurry up." Someone spoke again.
Tad sat on the closed cubicle and his hand travelled inside my tshirt, softly touching my back. My breath hitched and eyes widened but he looked deeper into my soul, pulling me closer.
"No!" I mouthed and he slightly smirked, his lips then suddenly kissing my collarbone and I fisted his shirt. I shut my eyes when he continued rubbing his nose on my neck slowly exhaling against my skin.
My eyes welled with tears and fell on his shoulder as I wrapped my hands around his neck when the rain started pouring outside.
"Stop." I whispered and he stopped before safely wrapped his hands around my waist.
A few seconds passed by when no sound echoed in the bathroom and I slowly pulled away. His brows were furrowed, eyes shaking but remained cold still, his hands cupped my cheek wiping my tears yet again.
"Don't be scared of me. I won't hurt you ever again, I promise." He whispered, kissing my crown.
Promise was heavy word for a man like Tad Fidger. He hardly made promises and easily broke them. How could I trust a man like him?
But all I could do was slowly nod. He kissed my knuckles one by one and stood up with me. I swiftly turned around and sprinted out of the bathroom. Thankfully, the recess was over and everyone was back in their classroom. Hanging my bag over my shoulder, I ran to my class.
The rest of the day, he didn't show up.
I avoided going to the cafeteria or meet my friends and headed home. Like it or not, once upon a time, my life was dependent on my friends.
I switched off my phone as I got off the bus and ran towards Tad's apartment. He was already in the kitchen and I left to my room wiping my wet clothes.
I laid on the bed and closed my eyes.
How hard could it be? Pretending that everything was okay, that I was moving on, that I didn't care, that I was the who hated everyone and not the other around.
I needed him, he somehow made me feel secure. He was my only one, until he chose not to.
I chewed on my tongue to push down the heavy lump in my throat when I heard a knock.
"Come out for dinner." His faint voice spoke and I sniffed hard and the tears rolled down as if his voice broke my control.
Well, it did.
I was never able to hold strong in front of him, because he saw me vulnerable, helpless and broken. Sadly, he knew every corner of my life as if he wrote it.
Well, he did.
He'd never let me move on.
I changed my clothes before sitting on the dinner table.
"I'm gonna take some part-time jobs." I spoke.
He stopped his hand and looked up.
"Why?" He carefully looked into my eyes tilting his head.
"To earn. You had my boss fire me last night so I have to look for something else." I still left the message on seen because there was no doubt, he'd glady fire me with just one word.
What hurt me was Tad's wish to control my life.
"Well, if you already know I was the one, then why'd you I'd let you work anymore?"
"Then what do you want me to do? Starve to death?" I spat.
"Are you starving right out?" He spoke, coldly.
"I don't want be at your mercy! Eating when you cook, sleeping on the bed provided by you, going to college with your money. I don't care where I end up, but I'm not ending up at your feet!" I gritted my teeth.
He shut his eyes and took a deep breath and I swallowed my gut knowing I pressed the wrong button.
"All of this belongs to you too. You're my wife." He spoke rather calmly.
"Don't curse me." My eyes widened realisng what I said.
"What?" He snapped. "What did you say?"
"N...nothing-" I avoided his blood red eyes but I noticed how thin the ice was with the way his palms squeezed the spoon.
"Fine." He slammed the spoon and stood up, "Tomorrow at the company."
"You-"
"Or forget about finishing your degree." He said and stormed to his room. I flinched when he slammed his door and I looked at our unfinished food and buried my head in my head.
I hated this. How did I even end up here?
He should've hated me, then why was I married and living with him?
Why does he still claim to love me when he lost his everything because of me?