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The class bell rings and students filter out the room one by one, I pack my books and head for the door. Walking down the corridor -- daydreaming about my music -- my feet trip over something solid.

All of a sudden, I go flying, landing on the cold ground with a thud, the pages from my books scattered around me. My knees burn and I bite my lip to keep the whimper inside my throat.

I can hear a few low chuckles from behind me and I exhale sadly. I stand up from the ground, brush my jeans and walk toward the exit. Before I can make a quick escape, I am pulled forcefully into a small corner.

My eyes widen when they meet the familiar blond-haired boy who I've been trying my best to avoid.

My heart starts beating uncontrollably as I look for any way I can run from my captor, but his body covers mine and his two friends stand on either side of us. I glance over at his friends with a pleading look and they smirk.

Assholes.

"Can't escape me now princess,"

The corridor is now empty, other than the three skyscraper boys towering over me.

"Please, leave me alone." It's my last-ditch effort, I suppose.

"I love it when she begs." the blond asshole tells his friends and they laugh. "You know, I heard you sing the other night. I have to say, I liked it, princess. It made me want you more."

He strokes the side of my face, causing a cold shiver to run down my spine. I turn my face away from him, shuffling to my left to put some space between us.

What on earth is about to happen to me?

He trails his disgusting, thick fingers over my arms as I stand motionless, my hair covering my face like a shield. The blond steps too close and I shriek, my back hitting the metal lockers.

"JAXON!" a voice booms from across the corridor.

I yelp in surprise, my eyes narrowing on the blurry figure down the corridor. Peeping through the small gap over the big guy's bicep, I couldn't have been happier when I recognised those deep forest green orbs.

Good timing, I think to myself. Again.

Reese looks furious right now. His body shakes with rage. His square jaw is tense and his eyes narrow in on the boys.

Reese stalks closer to us and the jocks take a nervous step back. The blond looks a little terrified.

Why are they so scared of Reese?

His mouth parts and he is about to say something when Reese forcefully grabs his blue and white jacket and throws the big guy to the ground. The other boys do not attempt to help his friend that is laying on the ground, groaning.

"I swear to God, if you ever come near this girl again I will fucking kill you. Do you hear me? I will fucking kill you!" my back is stuck to the lockers, watching the scene unfold right in front of my eyes.

I need to stop this. I gulp nervously, taking a slow step forwards and grabbing Reese's fist in my small hand. He is still shaking, however, when I squeeze his hand, he looks over at me and his eyes soften.

"Let's just go Reese, please. I want to go." my voice comes out timid.

He stares at me and then he nods his head once, his face hardens when he looks over at the three jocks, especially the blond still laying on the floor. "Next time I see you touching her, you won't be playing football again for while."

He turns in the opposite direction and we walk out of the corridor hand in hand, small sparks radiating under our skin.

Reese looks down at our intertwined hands like he can feel the connection too.

I don't even know where we are headed, but what I do know is that being with Reese makes me feel safe. I know no one can hurt me while he's by my side.

We approach the back of the football bleachers ten minutes later. I take deep shallow breaths but my eyes sting with unshed tears. Reese faces me and I can see in his eyes how much he feels for me. He's watching me cautiously as if I'm broken.

"Marns..." I start crying, rather unattractively. My body was heaving, my hands flying to my face. I can't control my emotions anymore. He can see me, all of me, exposed right in front of him.

I'm pulled into a warm, inviting chest as I continue sobbing. My tears fall on Reese's black cotton shirt. He smells so good, like rainwater, with a slight hint of musk.

He whispers sweet nothings in my ear and my body melts into him. I don't know how long we stand here in each other's arms. I didn't want to move and Reese made no attempt to move either.

By the time we eventually pull away from each other, my tears have dried. I can see the damp spots I left on his dark shirt, making my face heat up in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry," he says and I look up at him, confused.

"Why are you sorry?"

He sighs, raking his messy dark hair with his hand. He doesn't say anything for a few seconds, his eyes looking over my head, deep in thought.

"You don't deserve this, any of this." I think he's convincing himself more than me.

I blink at him and he continues, "I'm sorry for being a dick to you and I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but... "

"What?"

He gazes into my eyes, a look of longing in them. My heart squeezes in my chest. What the hell was that?

He shakes his head, looking down and I reach out to cup the side of his face. He leans into my palm, those mesmerising green eyes glued to me.

"Tell me."

"I care about you." his eyes flare, "I... like you." he blurts out. My eyes widen at his confession.

Did he just say he likes me? Me?

I wanted the truth however, I did not expect this confession from Reese Black.

Yeah, I'm aware of Reese's reputation, he breaks girls' hearts. He could be playing a game because I'm in a vulnerable state. Yet, when I look into his eyes and I see all his emotions swirling around in the many shades of green, I know what he feels is real.

Also, he's the first guy I've ever been attracted to. For years I've always wondered what it would be like to meet someone I have a connection with, to feel something for someone. I remember my mother and father being so in love -- like there was nothing more powerful in this world.

I craved it. I craved that kind of love.

My lips move on their own when I reply. "I like you too."

He watches me with an emotionless expression, though I feel the atmosphere has changed between us. We look at each other, something sizzling in the air between us. I swallow hard, and I see him swallow, too, my eyes lingering on his lips for a portion of a second.

Suddenly his eyes turn slightly pained and sad. I knew I was losing him again and my heart drops to my stomach. "I'm not a good guy Marns. I'm an angry, selfish asshole and you are pure, kind and perfect. You deserve someone who could give you the world and as much as I want you, I don't want to hurt you. You're too good for me."

I grimace, letting his words sink in. He looks down, ashamed. He wants me but he's scared he'll hurt me.

I stand on my tiptoes, turning his head so his eyes connect with mine. "I understand what you're saying but I also feel something between us and I'd like to see where this develops." I motion between us, "I like you, Reese. I want to at least try to know you... the real you."

He thinks it over for a few seconds, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "I'd like to know you too. Everything Marns, I mean that." he whispers.

My face inches closer and he intakes a sharp breath. "For now, I think we should take things slow. As much as I'd like to devour you right here," he smirks, "I want to do things right with you."

I grin, my heart pumping wildly inside my chest.

"Okay," I reply with a silly smile on my face. His lip hooks up at one side and I mentally swoon at how gorgeous he is.

After my last class ends, I pack up and head out into the parking lot, thinking about Reese and our conversation this morning. At the same moment, my phone buzzes in my back pocket.

I can't keep the goofy smile off my face as I reply to him.

I gave Reese my number after we parted ways this morning and I haven't seen him since then. However, we have been texting on and off throughout the day. Reese has a great sense of humour, sending me hilarious gifs -- making me burst out laughing in the middle of class.

Mr Walters gave me a deadly look a few times as I tried keeping a straight face.

I see the text bubbles appear and then they stop. A minute later they appear again.

A small giggle escapes my throat, I'm acting like a little girl with her first crush. Well, I am.

A part of me worries this might end badly. On the other hand, even if Reese does shatter my heart, at least I'll know what it's like to have someone want you as much as I want them.

Should I take the risk despite everything I know about him?

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