Chapter Two

" Hey Lyra, you look beautiful." Norman's voice echoed in my ears like the sounds from a nightmare movie.

 He shifted a chair for me to sit, but I was in no mood to sit.

"Lyra, this is my business colleague Mr Benson and that is his son, Norman….."

" I know him," I interfered before my father could finish his little speech.

" Oh you know him? That is great news, at least you won't be accepting the proposal of a total stranger," he said.

" It is not happening. I won't accept the proposal." When I said this, the look on my father's face changed to confusion and shock.

" Why is it so my dear, do you have any problem with my son ? Just tell me, we can figure it out together right?" Mr Benson spoke trying to be as convincing as possible.

" I just can't." I yelled as I ran out of the restaurant before they could say anything else.

"Lyra!" My father's voice echoed from behind me.

I knew he was disappointed, but I couldn't turn back. Of all people, why was it Norman? The images of his senseless fight earlier in the day kept replaying in my head as I boarded a taxi and headed home. I wouldn't want to end up with someone like that.

—

I arrived home and went straight to my bedroom. I hopped on my bed and held my pillow tightly as I reflected on what transpired at the restaurant.

It wasn't long before I heard my father's car stopping outside. He entered the house and as expected, he went straight to my room.

" Lyra, are you in there? Open the door." His voice thundered from the other side of the door.

" I need to be left alone," I replied.

" Not until I get an explanation," he stated. 

"We had an agreement, so what made you turn down the proposal?" He asked.

" Dad, of all people, Norman is the last person I can marry. He is the most arrogant person I have ever known." I replied.

" But people do change, just give him the chance." My dad explained.

" Norman is someone who can never change. He had been punished several times and he is responsible for half of the troubles caused in school. I would never marry a bully like him and that is final." I said.

My father was silent on the other side of the door for some time, then his footsteps slowly faded away as he left. A feeling of relief rushed over me,  at least, it was over for now.

–

The next day, I arrived at school late because I woke up late. Mr Peterson, our chemistry teacher, was already in class. I stepped in and the first annoying thing I noticed  was that Norman had switched sits with the guy who always sat behind me. I tried my best to ignore him as I took my seat.

" Hey sugar, you are late. What kept you for so long?" His annoying voice whispered from behind me.

" Did you miss me?" He asked, but I continued to ignore him. 

As classes went on, he kept trying to talk to me. I couldn't learn a thing and I was already feeling sick. Finally it was launch time and when I looked behind me, Norman wasn't there, so I let out a big sigh of relief. My two friends, Sarah and Liah approached me.

" What's up with Norman? We noticed he kept trying to talk to you, was he causing you any trouble?" Sarah asked.

" Yeah, was he bothering you? Tell us and we shall give him a piece of our minds." Liah added.

" It's nothing guys, he was just trying to be friendly," I lied. 

" Norman, being friendly? Come on girl, no one can fall for that. He was clearly bothering you, just spill it out." Liah said.

" I really do not wish to talk about it please." I pleaded.

Sarah and Liah were the stubborn type of friends, but they decided to let me be for the moment. 

" By the way, are you coming with us to the cafeteria?" Sarah asked.

" I don't think so. You guys can go ahead without me," I said. 

Sarah and Liah left for the cafeteria and I decided to have a little nap because I was feeling dizzy. I don't know for how long I had been napping when I heard a bang on my desk, that woke me up.

" Hey Lyra, were you dreaming about me? You don't need to dream about me anymore because I am right here in flesh and blood." Norman said smiling as if we were old time friends.

I felt like giving him a big slap across his face as I looked at his arrogant smirk. Who else could wake me up from my little nap apart from him?

"You are the very last person I can dream of, even if it was a nightmare," I told him.

It didn't surprise me that he still tried to maintain his smile, but he did not do a good job hiding his anger.

" Listen Lyra, I know you think you can run away from me forever, but I assure you that one of these days you will realize what is at stake, then you will come crawling back to me," he said.

" That will never happen. You and your father should be ashamed of taking advantage of someone's predicament for your personal gain." I said before laying my head back on my desk.

Norman stood there silently for a while, then he left without saying a word.

When the school day finally came to an end, I left the school and as usual I headed to my car to drive home.

I realized I had a flat tire. It was strange because in the morning, it wasn't that way.

However, I decided to walk home since my home was just an hour walk away. After walking for a while, I took a turn down an alley, between two buildings. That was the shortest way home. 

That's when I started feeling as if someone was following behind me, but when I looked behind, I saw no one.  I looked behind one more time and I saw Max and Sam standing there, immediately, I knew Norman would be in front of me.

" What do you want this time Norman?" I asked, turning my head in front.

 I was surprised how close to me he was already. He grabbed my hand in a painful way and looked straight into my eyes. The look on his face was frightening.

" Norman what are you doing?" I asked.

" Lyra, Lyra, Lyra, why are you forcing me to do this, why can't you accept a single proposal that could make you the happiest woman on earth?" Norman asked. 

I was already feeling immense pain because of his grip on my hand.

" Let go of my hand, you are hurting me," I yelled.

" That is the kind of pain I feel in me, you know..." Before Norman could finish his sentence, he paused and sniffed the air like an animal.

" Let her go." Another voice sounded from behind me.

When I turned my head, it was the new student Adam.

" This is none of your business, so why don't you run home now?" Norman said, finally releasing my hand. I could see red marks on my arm.

" It just became my business." Adam voiced out with no fear.

Norman started walking towards Adam with his two goonies following behind him.

" And who do you think you are?" Norman asked.

" The guy who will kick your ass if you keep troubling her." Adam said this as he walked past Norman and his goonies, then he grabbed my hand, but this time it was gently.

 " Let's go," he said.

As we turned to leave, Norman let out a battle cry as he ran towards us. Adam quickly turned around and countered the attack. Norman was sent flying, and he crashed some meters away. He quickly woke up and charged in again as he was ready for another attack.

" Stop this you two!" I stood in the middle with my hands open sideways. I was already getting tired of all the violence around me. I couldn't stand and watch two guys fight because of me.

" Please just stop." I pleaded. 

 Norman listened and stopped, then he looked at me and said " I will stop for now Lyra, but I will be back." Then he left with his goonies.

" Thank you," I said to Adam.

 He never replied, instead he took my arm and held the place where it was hurting. My heart was racing and I was very nervous. I had never really taken a good look at Adam till that moment. I must admit he was a hottie when I looked at him up close.

His dark hair matched perfectly with his blue eyes. His muscles were in the right place and his t-shirt didn't do a good job hiding his abs. His strong grip on my hand made my body quiver, wanting him to touch me more. While lost in thoughts, I never realized when my hand stopped hurting.

 " Are you feeling better now?" I was brought back to reality by his charming voice.

" Ye.. yes," the words barely came out of my mouth. When I looked at my hand, the red marks were gone.

" How did you do that?" I asked him in amazement.

" It's something my grandma taught me. By the way, I am Adam." He said, extending his hand to greet me, then he gave me a reassuring smile.

" I am Lyra," I replied, returning his greeting.

" That is a nice name," he remarked.

" Thank you." I replied looking down. My cheeks were already red in embarrassment.

" I'm sorry that our first meeting was such a scene, but I wish to ask, why were you moving alone in such a lonely place?" He asked.

" Oh, I had a flat tire, so I was forced to walk home, then he showed up." I replied.

" Oh I see. Do you mind if I drop you off?" He asked.

 Coupled with the fact that he was handsome, he was also a kind gentleman. I don't know what else could happen if I kept heading home alone, so I couldn't refuse the ride

" No, I don't mind."