When Summer Ends

by Isabelle Rae

  I was snapped out of my thoughts of Will when I felt something on my neck. What is that? I forced my heavy eyelids open to see the guy hovering above me. The guy was kissing down my neck as his hands were lifting my shirt. I groaned groggily and tried to push him off, but I could barely even lift my arms. They felt like they were ton weights or something.

  Oh God, why aren’t my hands working properly? What is he doing? “Stop it, I don’t want to,” I slurred, but my voice was barely above a whisper.

  He pulled back and grinned at me wickedly. “Oh come on, you’ll enjoy it.” His eyes raked down my body slowly making my skin crawl.

  I shook my head and tried to push myself up using my elbows, but I was so damn heavy that nothing really happened. As I moved my head I suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded. The guy laughed and pushed me back down onto the bed, his hand trailing up my leg cupping my ass as he pressed his lips against mine.

  Oh my God, am I about to be raped? Why the hell is he on top of me, and why don’t I feel right? My whole body felt heavy, but yet weightless at the same time. My heart was beating so fast in my chest that it was banging in my ears. I was literally scared stiff.

  I whimpered and tried to move my head away but I was so tired that my movements were barely even recognisable. Every time I blinked, my eyelids would get heavier and harder to open. I was fighting a losing battle. The blackness was taking over and I knew I needed to go to sleep; there was nothing I could do. I didn’t even have the energy to scream or cry.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Just as I was about to give into the blackness, the guy’s weight was gone from on top of me. I heard a crash and the sound of a scuffle. I forced my stinging eyes open; turning my head towards the sound just in time to see Will slam the guy against the wall. He pulled back his arm and punched the guy in his already bloodied face.

  Will’s here! My heart stuttered in my chest. The panic receded. I smiled weakly, trying desperately to keep my eyes open. I tried to roll over so I could push myself up on all fours, but I was so uncoordinated that I almost rolled off of the bed. Will threw the guy on the floor, screaming profanities as he kicked him in the stomach and chest. His face was the picture of rage. I actually felt a little scared for the guy on the floor who was covering his head with his arms and trying to curl into a ball.

  Someone else ran into the room and grabbed Will, pulling him back from the guy on the floor. Will was still thrashing violently, trying to throw off the arms that restrained him. His face murderously angry. I squinted through the haze and realised it was Jack holding him. He was saying something in Will’s ear, holding on to him tightly. Will’s head snapped round in my direction, and his face softened instantly. He nodded and calmed himself down immediately. Jack let him go and Will ran to my side, gripping my shoulders pulling me up to sitting as he wrapped his arms around me.

  “Shit, Chloe, are you okay? Did he…” he trailed off, looking at me horrified.

  I buried my face in the side of his neck and breathed in his delicious smell as I gripped the front of his T-shirt. I couldn’t stop the silent tears from falling down my face. I was almost raped and he saved me. It was so close. If he was just a few minutes later it would have been too late.

  Will’s arms tightened around me as he stroked my back, rocking me soothingly. I forced one of my heavy arms around his neck even though it took almost all of my strength to do it. I clung to him as tightly as I could while he pulled me into his lap, murmuring soothing words that he was there and that I was safe. I could hear him talking to Jack, but it was like he was a long way away or something instead of pressed against me.

  “Do I need to take her to the hospital? What should I do?” Will asked, sounding almost desperate.

  “No, I found an Ambien packet in his pocket. It’s a sleeping sedative. If he’s given her that then you just need to let her sleep it off. The hospital wouldn’t do anything for that, and if she was going to have a reaction to it she would have had it already. Just put her to bed,” Jack answered. I knew from previous conversations with him that Jack was a resident doctor at the hospital, so he knew what he was talking about. Will obviously trusted his opinions.

  His arms tightened around me. “Chloe, I’m going to take you home okay? Can you hear me?” he asked as he shifted me in his arms.

  I nodded but didn’t bother to open my eyes. I tightened my arm on his neck as I was jostled. I cracked my eyes open, wincing against the light in the room, to see that he’d stood and was carrying me. He strutted effortlessly out of the room, heading through the lounge, weaving past people as he muttered “excuse me” here and there. The party still carrying on, oblivious to what had almost happened to me. Crying to my right caught my attention. I glanced over to see that Amy was stumbling along behind us, crying uncontrollably. I tried to smile reassuringly, but I was just too tired. Cool air blasted against my face making me moan and press against Will more as I got goosebumps.

  “Get in the backseat, Amy; I’ll lay her down with you so you can watch her. Shit, her parents are going to go crazy,” Will mumbled. I winced at the thought of my parents. I can’t go home like this, I’ll never be allowed out again until the day I die!

  “I don’t want to go home, don’t make me go home,” I croaked against Will’s neck, gripping my hand in his hair as he moved me and laid me down with my head on something soft. I didn’t move my hand, not letting him pull back from me. “Please, Will, my parents will kill me,” I begged him with my eyes.

  He sighed and reached behind him, pulling my hand from his hair effortlessly. He frowned and looked like he was trying to decide something before he groaned and nodded. “How about I take you to mine?” he offered, looking from me to Amy. I turned my head looking up at Amy and realised I had my head in her lap.

  “She’s supposed to be staying at mine tonight though.” Amy shook her head sadly, obviously knowing we were both in deep trouble for this.

  Will straightened himself up and nodded. “You can both stay at mine. Text your parents and tell them you’ve decided to stay at Chloe’s instead,” Will ordered as he moved my legs slightly and then pulled back, slamming the car door closed.

  Amy smiled weakly and pulled out her cell phone. I looked at her apologetically, but she just smiled and stroked my face softly. “It’s okay now, Chloe. Don’t worry, Will’s got it,” she cooed.

  I smiled and closed my eyes. I knew she was right, Will had everything under control and just being here with him made everything okay. I didn’t need to worry about anything when he was near me.

  I was vaguely aware of being moved again, this time I didn’t even have the strength to hold onto him as he carried me to goodness knows where. I felt him settle me on something soft and I gripped his shirt weakly, not letting him away from me.

  “Where are we?” I mumbled, forcing my eyes open but it was fairly dark in the room so I couldn’t make anything out.

  “You’re at my place. Everything’s fine now. Amy’s going to sleep in with you and I’m sleeping on the couch. Do you need anything?” he asked, brushing my hair from my face softly. His fingers left a burning trail along my cheek.

  “I need you to stay with me.” I pulled him closer to me as I snuggled into the bed more. I should have guessed where I was, his smell was all around me making me feel safe and content.

  “I can’t, Chloe,” he whispered, shaking his head slowly as his eyes flicked behind me. I felt the bed dip as Amy got in the bed the other side of me.

  I gripped his shirt tighter; I needed him near me tonight. I didn’t want him to leave. “Please?” I begged, trying not to cry.

  He sighed and nodded. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.” He sat down on the floor next to the bed and took my hand, tracing circles in the back of it with his thumb. I smiled at him gratefully and he smiled back tenderly, his other hand stroking my hair softly. “Go to sleep,” he whispered. I nodded and closed my eyes again, gripping his hand for dear life, afraid to let go because I knew
he would get up and leave.

  After a few minutes of silence I felt his hand leave mine. I tried to open my eyes but I couldn’t. I needed to sleep now and I couldn’t fight it anymore.

  “You’re Will aren’t you? Chloe’s Will,” I heard Amy say behind me.

  “Yeah I am,” Will answered. Something soft pressed against the top of my head. Was that his lips? Did he just kiss the top of my head? I smiled, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t open my eyes. “We’ll talk about it in the morning. Get some sleep, Amy,” he muttered. I heard the door open and close, but I couldn’t remember anything else.

  Chapter Twenty

  I slowly started to come around in the morning. I fought desperately to hold onto the last moments of sleep though, because in my dream, I was surrounded by a beautiful smell. I didn’t want to open my eyes and wake from this incredible dream. I felt so contented and happy that I never wanted it to end. I ignored the pounding in my head and just focused on the scent that could only be one man, the one I was crazy about, the one I needed in my life. Just Will plain and simple.

  My mind started to wake even though I didn’t want it to and I sighed deeply, squeezing my eyes shut, begging silently in my head for more sleep. After a couple of minutes I cracked my eyes open to see red numbers flashing on an alarm clock, instead of the usual green. What on earth? I pushed myself up a little and groaned as the room span making my stomach lurch. The pounding in my head got louder as I glanced around the familiar room, a room I never expected to wake up in again in my life.

  Wait, am I still dreaming?

  Something moved behind me in the bed. I gasped with excitement as I flicked my head around, expecting to see Will. Maybe the last couple of weeks have been a horrible dream. Maybe he isn’t my teacher, and this was all just some sick nightmare that he’ll laugh at when I tell him about it.

  Though my thoughts were crushed when I saw the person there. Instead of Will lying behind me, spooning my back, it was Amy. I felt a rush of disappointment as I swallowed the lump in my throat. She was still sound asleep. Her make-up had smudged under her eyes making her look like a panda. I laugh quietly. I sat up slowly, gripping the edge of the mattress, wondering if I was going to be sick. I definitely needed to get out of the bed because lying down was making me feel worse.

  Why on earth am I at Will’s apartment with Amy? The last thing I remember is going to the party with Sam, then Will showed up and we had a little argument then that’s about it. My memory was all a little hazy from then on. I swung my legs off of the bed and tentatively stood up. I needed to find Will and ask him what the heck we’re going to say to Amy about how we both wound up in our teacher’s apartment for the night.

  I crept over to the door and rested my forehead against the cold wood for a couple of seconds, trying to soothe my throbbing head, but I knew nothing would touch the pain except pills. I headed out quietly, trying not to wake Amy; I needed to know the cover story before she quizzed me about it.

  As I stepped into the lounge my eyes instantly found the sofa, but he wasn’t there. It looked like he’d slept there though. The mess that was probably from his sofa, was piled on the floor instead, and there was a throw and pillow there all scrunched up. I headed over to the only other room in the apartment.

  As I walked into the kitchen his eyes snapped up to mine as he jumped out of the chair looking at me worriedly. He grabbed my arm quickly. “Are you okay?” he asked, bending to look at me as he guided me over to one of the two kitchen stools.

  I frowned. “Yeah, I have a headache, but I’m okay.” I nodded, pulling my arm from his grasp. I didn’t like him touching me, even a casual touch like that was making my stomach flutter. I didn’t need anything else making me feel sick, the alcohol was doing a pretty decent job of that on its own.

  “I’ll get you some pills. Sit down.” He headed over to the cupboard and I couldn’t stop myself from watching his toned back as he reached up and grabbed the little first aid box he had. Why on earth does he have to be shirtless? Is he trying to tease me to death; a little reminder of something that I couldn’t have?

  He passed me a glass of water and two pills, sitting down opposite me, still looking concerned. I swallowed them gratefully, silently praying that I wouldn’t throw them back up again in five minutes.

  “Thanks Will. So er… why are we here?” I asked nervously as I looked around his kitchen. Everything still looked the same, and I’d missed it so much. I missed hanging out at his place with him. I missed him flicking water at me as we washed up the plates and stuff we’d used; I missed the smell of this place. I even missed the stack of newspapers that he still hadn’t gotten around to taking to the recycling like he said he was going to. Just little things but I missed them all.

  He looked at me quizzically. “You don’t remember what happened last night?” he asked, recoiling.

  Something happened last night? Oh no, please don’t tell me I threw up all over Jack’s place or broke something expensive! I shook my head, looking at him curiously, waiting for him to hit me with the bad news.

  He sighed and ran a hand through his already messy bed hair making it stick up everywhere. “Chloe, someone put something in your drink last night. You don’t remember almost being… attacked?” he asked, his hand making a tight fist on the table.

  Attacked? What on earth is that about? I closed my eyes and thought about it, suddenly little pieces of it started to come back. It was like a dream; the more I tried to think about it, the further away it seemed to get, but there were some things coming back. Like how I’d danced with a guy and he led me into the bedroom instead of outside, I couldn’t quite remember his face, but I remember feeling scared and that I couldn’t move properly. I remember Will punching the guy and shouting at him. Oh God, was I almost raped last night? I gasped and snapped my eyes to his face to see if I was remembering right, Based on the sombre, sympathetic look on his face I knew it was true. Holy crap, I owe him a lot for that!

  “I got there in time, everything’s fine. He didn’t….” he trailed off, looking like he was in pain.

  “Thank you,” I whispered trying not to cry about it.

  He smiled weakly and shook his head. “You don’t need to thank me, Chloe. Just please don’t ever take a drink from someone you don’t know again, I can’t even think about what could have happened. I just-” He groaned, squeezing his eyes shut and clenching his jaw tightly.

  I pushed myself off of the stool and moved to his side, wrapping my arms around his neck tightly, hugging him as if my life depended on it. He really was a hero. I didn’t know what to say or how to show him how grateful I was to him for saving me. His arms snaked around my waist and he pulled me onto his lap, holding me tightly. I tucked my head under his chin. I could hear his heart beating steadily in his chest. I smiled because of how close he was. His naked torso was pressed against me, he smelt so delicious and mouth-watering. He stroked my hair softly, and we just sat there like that, neither of us speaking or moving until I heard the bedroom door open again and I knew that Amy was now up.

  Will’s arms loosened around me but I noticed with some small measure of satisfaction that he didn’t push me off of him or anything. I smiled to myself a little and forced myself out of his lap, looking towards the kitchen door, waiting for her to come in. Will’s hands dropped down into his lap as he looked in the other direction, his shoulders hunched.

  Amy stopped in the doorway tentatively, looking from me to Will. “Am I interrupting something?” she asked, blushing. I wanted to say; hell yeah you are, the best hug I’ve had in three weeks, but luckily I resisted the urge.

  I frowned. That’s actually a really weird thing to ask. Why would she think she might be interrupting something? I smiled and gave her a quizzical look. “No, why would you be?” I asked confused.

  She frowned in disapproval and shook her head. “You can give up the act now, Chloe. Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, looking a little hurt as she sat down
on the stool that I was sitting on earlier.

  Okay this conversation is getting weirder and weirder by the second! “Tell you about what?” I questioned, trying to look innocent. She can’t know about Will, can she? She was just as drunk as I was last night so surely she wouldn’t think anything of me knowing his name and talking to him…

  She rolled her eyes. “About you… and Will.” She pointed to Will who was just sitting there tense and uncomfortable, and actually dreadfully sad looking.

  I gasped as I screamed a list of profanities in my head. How the hell did she guess that? What on earth do I say? Can I tell her about us? What does Will want me to do, deny everything or confirm? I felt sick with worry. I could feel my hands starting to shake with stress as I questioned everything. What if Amy saw it as rape too and told someone, what if she went to the police and Will got into trouble for it? Best case scenario he could lose his job, worst case scenario he would go to prison.

  I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Come on, stupid brain, think of something to say! Why couldn’t I have been born a witch with the ability to turn back time? If I could then I would have never gone to the stupid party with Sam last night, and then I wouldn’t be sat in Will’s kitchen, facing Amy who was just looking at me accusingly waiting for my reply.

  I gulped and shook my head trying to look innocent. “Amy, what are you talking about? Are you still drunk?” I asked, my voice breaking slightly like it always did when I lied.

  She raised one eyebrow and gave me the look that said one thing; ‘I’m your best friend and I know you’re lying’. I gulped again and looked at Will for help. He’d be able to lie to her; she didn’t know all of his tell-tale signs like she did mine.

  He sighed and leant forward, resting his elbows on the table as he looked at Amy. “I didn’t know she was seventeen. We met at the club and when Chloe said she was in school I thought she meant college. She thought I knew, and I thought she was twenty-one. Another unfortunate thing that happened is I get assigned to the one school where you both go, I mean, talk about coincidence.” He laughed humourlessly. “It shouldn’t have happened, but it did. I don’t know what else to say apart from that.” He shrugged, looking at her sadly, as if he was waiting for her to shout at him or call the cops from the kitchen or something.