Less than Perfect, S. J. Evans [classic literature books txt] 📗

shirt, before pulling it down over his head he looked at Skye’s shaking body. She had just come from the water and she was shivering. Jules tossed the shirt over to her. “Here, keep yourself warm.” He said gently.
Skye shook her head in disagreement and held the shirt out to him, her hands shaking. “No—Jules—k-keep—it—you—n-need—it—m-more—than—I—d-do.” She said through chattering teeth.
“I don’t.” Jules walked closer to her. “You’re freezing, Skye, please take it.” His usually bold eyes were filled with concern but his lips tipped into a soft smile. He stood right beside her, his eyes glazing over her timid expression.
Skye stared down at the dry shirt in her hands, something so warm felt so good, and carefully stepped away from Jules. She didn’t say anything more; she only looked at him while she pulled her wet tank top off.
Before Jules could even have seen anything he had turned around and headed for the path back through the woods. He bit his fingernail nervously as he waited; he was suddenly very uncomfortable around Skye. “Um, we should probably be heading back.” He said uncomfortably.
Skye walked over to him, clutching her wet top, and looked up at his tired face. “We should.” She agreed. Jules smiled uncomfortably and tipped his chin in the direction of the path. Skye couldn’t understand why he was acting so awkward, but she didn’t want ask him; silence was better than finding out things she didn’t want to hear. It was just a simple action, Jules, our touch didn’t mean anything.

She wanted to tell him. She didn’t want to find the one good and promising friendship she had crumbling because of one mistake.

They were walking through the dark moonlit park, an awkward silence still biting at the air. A glow from the moon eclipsed the night, and the shining stars decorated the night sky. Jules glanced down at Skye and moved his lips to speak, but he backed down.
They neared the exit of the park and Skye stopped in front of Jules. “Where are you going?” She asked him.
Jules stared at her. “Walking you home, is that alright?” He wouldn’t believe that she wouldn’t want him to.
“Oh, yes. Thanks, Jules.” She smiled up at him.
“Anytime.” He grinned and his white teeth glistened in the darkness. He looks so much paler in the night glow.

Skye thought. Her own skin was ghostly pale in the darkness of the night and it practically was glowing.
“Look, about tonight…” She let the words hang; she didn’t know how to finish it.
Jules started walking and Skye was quickly into pace with him. He looked tired, as if he was tired of trying to explain things. “It was good. We’re good, there’s nothing we need to explain. I understand that what happened back at the water meant nothing. I don’t even know why it happened.” He explained lamely. He squinted and laughed at himself awkwardly. “Wow that sounded pretty stupid.”
Nothing you say sounds stupid.

Skye smiled despite her own sheer feelings for him. She didn’t know if the feelings were real or meant nothing; they were too confusing. “No, you’re right. It was silly and I don’t know why I did it. It was just a silly move; we don’t have to feel weird about it.”
Jules nodded his head. “Exactly, I mean let’s just start over and have a good rest of the night.” He said kindly.
Skye couldn’t help but smile, truly smile, at his words. “I’d like that,” she said in relief, “what’s your favorite summer activity?”
Jules laughed abruptly. “What kind of start over question is that?” He teased.
“Hey, don’t laugh at me; it’s a very understandable question.” She laughed carelessly, her life at home falling to pieces.
“Okay, miss know it all, if you really want to know what it is I’ll tell you. My favorite summer activity would have to be going to the beach on a clear night and stargazing. I know, I know, it must sound strange hearing it from me, but I really like it; it’s refreshing and good for freethinking.”
“It’s not strange at all. It’s actually nice to hear a guy say that his favorite ‘summer’ activity isn’t something involving a girl. Just don’t even ask.” She said softly.
“Okay, I won’t.”
“Good.” She exhaled the breath she had been holding and sighed. Finally. I don’t have to explain myself.

Minutes later, they arrived at Skye’s house. “Well, this is it.” She said walking up the steps.
Jules looked at her and regarded her with a carefree smile. He wanted to follow her up the stairs and give her a hug, but he couldn’t find himself doing it. “I’ll see you later, Skye. It was a nice night.”
“Yeah, it was great. Thanks for the refreshing splash.” She said around a smile. “See you later, Jules.” She waved goodbye and turned the doorknob, walking inside quickly.
“Goodbye, Skye.” Jules whispered before leaving the property. He gave glances back at the house as he walked away with his hands in his pockets.
Skye leaned against the door and grinned in satisfaction. He thought it was a nice night

. She thought happily. Maybe this will actually be a good friendship

. When Skye brought herself back into the moment she realized that all of the lights were off. She took a step forward. Why is it so dark?

she asked herself.
Suddenly a shadow near the staircase stood out to her and a figure stepped out. She gasped and fell back against the front door. “Bryan?” she whispered in disbelief.
He stepped out of the shadows and Skye could see the grin that had crept up his face. “Hey, beautiful.” He whispered darkly as he stepped right in front of her and pressed his hands up against the wall, capturing Skye between them.
“What are you doing here?” A cold fear trickled down her spine and she swallowed hard. If he had seen Jules she was dead.
Bryan looked her over, the moment his eyes met up with Jules’ shirt they became coated with furry. “What’s this?” he fingered the shirt and showed it to her.
No, not the shirt. Why did I have to wear the stupid thing?

She thought dreadfully. “It’s nothing Bryan, move out of my way.” She tried to go under his arms but his hand violently shoved her back against the wall. “Bryan, you’re scaring me.”
“Who’s is this?

” He said venomously, his bold eyes darkening to a threat. Skye gasped as his hands pinched at her hips and he shoved her against the wall again. “Skye!” He said through gritted teeth.
Skye could feel the anger he was feeling and she thought better of telling him a lie. “Jules’,” she breathed, “it’s Jules’ shirt.”
Bryan’s jaw tightened and he growled under his breath. “That was a very stupid choice, Skye.” He said angrily as he slid his hand up her and slapped her across the cheek. “Goodnight, Skye.” He clutched her neck between his strong hands and squeezed, Skye grabbing a hold on his arm as she was slightly lifted off of the ground. He threw her to the ground violently a moment later. She crashed into the ground, her head hitting the floor with skull cracking force. Bryan grinned wickedly down at her as the world crashed into a dark coldness.

Torn Apart

Skye opened her eyes drowsily to find a coffee table right in front of her. Her eyes shot open and she realized that there were strong arms holding her close. Her head was throbbing and aching, so much that she thought it would explode. What’s going on?

She thought offhandedly. She pushed gently on the arms engaging her and winced as a pain pierced her head. She sucked a breath in sharply when Bryan’s arms squeezed her. A smile crept up his face.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He asked Skye drowsily. Skye shut her eyes tightly and took a deep breath.
“Nowhere—I mean I was just going to go to the bathroom.” She stammered in a whisper.
“The bathroom? Skye, come on beautiful, you expect me to believe you? You broke our promised agreement.” He said sinisterly.
Skye felt overwhelmingly cold, despite Bryan’s warm arms around her. “No I—I’m so sorry, Bryan. But, you can’t be mad at me for getting out of the house; you sure got around

when I was all alone at home.” Skye’s body started shaking and she tried

to hold back the fear. She was still entirely angry at Bryan, but there was still that part of her that wanted to work things out and forgive him.
Bryan swallowed hard on his own anger and squeezed her even tighter, squeezing the breath right out of her. Skye could feel the vibration of his quiet laughter roughly against her back. “The difference being, I

didn’t promise anything.” He whispered slyly in her ear, the warm breath sending chills down her spine.
Skye gasped and her eyes suddenly stung. “Do you even love me anymore, Bryan?” She said softly, her entire body trembling.
“Of course I love you, beautiful. I was just joking, babe.” He snickered. “You’re so easy

,” he growled quietly.
Skye couldn’t breathe; all of her breath had been sucked out of her by his words. She let out a muffled sob and her eyes stung with tears, tears of pain and hatred. “Get away from me, Bryan.” She said, desperately clutching at his arms and trying to pry his arms away from her.
Bryan chuckled darkly. “I don’t want to.” He groaned. “Stay with me, we have some unfinished business to take care of. How about you come with me downstairs,” he hissed.
Skye’s heart stopped beating. She couldn’t move, her body went numb as she was still grasping what he had said. We don’t have any unfinished business; you’re only a psychotic freak!

She wanted to scream at him, but the words weren’t coming out, it was as if there was some amount of feeling still inside her that cared enough to hold back. “No, Bryan, get away.” She breathed.
“You’re mine, Skye; you need to listen to me

.” Bryan got up from the couch, holding Skye by her stomach, and dragged them over to the door to the basement. Skye dug her nails into his arms and he let her