3. Between Heartbroken And Terrified

Casey POV 

My mood was totally shot, especially when I saw Noah, this guy I didn't even know, looking at my phone and laughing at me. I snatched my phone back, hard. All the fear I had a second ago just poof, vanished.

"That's none of your business!" I yelled.

"Don't lie to yourself. Your eyes can't hide it. You're definitely hurting, right?"

"What do you want from me? Why are you suddenly here, acting like you know me? I don't know who you are. Just stop bothering me!"

I must've been nuts. This was the first time I'd ever talked that boldly. The pain from Anthony's cheating was just gnawing at me. I couldn't think straight right now.

"Look at you." Noah stayed chill, still smiling at me. "They're watching you yell like a maniac."

"I don't give a shit!"

I couldn't hold it in. Tears just poured down my face like a waterfall. My chest felt tight. How could Anthony do this to me? Three years of our relationship, just meant nothing.

"You wanna forget all this?" Noah spoke up again.

"Just leave me alone."

"Really?" Noah gestured to some students walking by, staring at me looking like a hot mess.

Suddenly, I felt so embarrassed. They were watching me cry. Noah went back to his bike, getting ready to peace out from campus.

"I'll go if you really want me to."

What now? I couldn't go home looking like this, totally wrecked, but I couldn't get a grip on my emotions. I was seriously heartbroken. I didn't want Mom to see me like this. She already felt guilty for making me do the long-distance thing. If she found out Anthony cheated with Nathalie, she'd totally blame herself. Mom's already a wreck from her divorce. I didn't wanna make things worse.

"Hold on!"

I rushed over to Noah, then hopped on his bike.

"Woo, the swan's not scared of the wolf anymore."

"Just take me away. Hurry up."

Noah grinned. Without a second thought, he peeled out, taking me away from campus. He started slow but picked up speed. I'm usually a total chicken, but right now, the pain in my heart was bigger than anything. Tears kept streaming down my cheeks. All those sweet memories with Anthony kept replaying in my head.

I didn't even realize how far Noah took me. We ended up on a road right on the edge of a forest. Noah stopped his bike there, on the side of the road. It was midday, but the vibe here was like dusk. Sunlight barely filtered through the trees. The road was so empty, not crowded like back in the city.

Noah got off his bike, leaving me sitting there.

"Why did we stop here?" I was so confused.

"Why are you crying?"

I didn't wanna answer. Should I even tell him after he saw what happened to me?

"Your boyfriend cheated? Why are you acting like you're the most oppressed person in the world? You could just get him back, same way. Or even worse than what he did to you."

"Don't butt in."

"Then why are you with me right now?"

I sighed. Nothing to say because I'd done all this on impulse. I was confused why I was here, but I couldn't go home just yet.

"Wanna make your sadness go away?" Noah offered something in his voice.

"Don't you dare try to lead me astray."

Noah burst out laughing, totally mocking me.

"Alright, whatever you want. Fine, I won't butt in. I gotta go. Figure out how to get home yourself."

"You're gonna leave me here?"

"You're the one who told me not to bother you, right?"

"This is a forest!"

"Everyone in this town knows that. And no one has a problem with it."

"You're seriously such a jerk!"

I didn't wanna move. If Noah left me here, I'd be stuck. I didn't know my way home yet.

"So, you coming with me?"

I didn't answer, and Noah took that as a ‘yes.’ Honestly, I was just a bundle of nerves. He hopped back on his bike, drove it towards a busier area, but then we turned into a neighborhood with small streets. I barely saw any trash lying around here. Wow, this place was stunning. Now, I know why Mom picked this spot.

We pulled up to a building that looked like a diner, and out front, there were tons of bikes lined up. I remembered that forest bike with the rose and skull on the tank when it zoomed past my house.

"What is this place?" I asked when we finally stopped.

"You'll see," Noah replied.

I got off the bike. Noah just walked into the diner. I mean, I knew he would, but it was super quiet around here. I followed Noah inside. There was that rose and skull symbol again. Then I saw "Black Hell" written above the door. It hit me instantly: this was a biker gang's clubhouse.

My body just froze when I walked in. This place was more like a bar, packed with people who looked exactly like a biker gang. Some were chugging alcohol. Others were chatting super excitedly. I even saw a couple, like, totally making out, all hot and bothered.

"Noah!"

A guy with an exotic complexion yelled out. He walked over to us. He was tall and built. He wore a leather vest, and there was a skull tattoo on his temple. He was so intimidating.

"You brought something cute here," the guy said, looking at me with a flirty smile. I immediately felt a wave of fear. I hid behind Noah. Noah glanced back at me.

"What are you doing?"

"Why did you bring me here?"

"You wanted me to take you to a hotel?"

"Noah, this pretty girl's scared. Don't be so harsh on her." The guy smiled at me, but it was still kinda creepy. "Lady, let me introduce myself. I'm James Howard. Glad you could make it into this place."

I didn't know how to respond. This place was totally foreign to me.

"What the hell is it?"

A woman with short black hair walked over to us. She stared at me intensely. Her expression was sharp, and there wasn't a hint of a smile on her lips.

"Why did you bring a stranger here, Noah? I don't want any trouble. Fallen Bike will think we're breaking the agreement!" the woman snapped.

"She's my classmate. Let her hang out here for a bit. I'll send her home later," Noah said, just walking deeper inside. He left me with these two creatures.

My heart was pounding with fear. Why did I have to be here? I was seriously terrified. I tried to smile at them.

"Sherly, she's kinda cute," James said, looking at me and grinning.

"Shut your fucking mouth. I don't want any problems." The woman, Sherly, spun around. "Come here, Girl. Don't stand in the doorway. If anyone finds out you came into a den of bastards, we're gonna have problems."