All Chapters of Atticus: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

57 Chapters

Chapter 31

What Am I Going To Do With You?"You know, you could have any girl you want in this school..." He puts a finger up, stopping me in mid-sentence and gets really close; so close I can smell the soap he used to wash his face. I look down and watch his lips curl up into his usual sexy smile and his entire face lights up. All it would take is a couple more inches and another kiss...and I'd be a goner. "You seriously don't get it, do you?" he asks, placing his palm on my cheek. "And the really sucky thing is the bell's about to ring so I can't take the time to explain...but I want to kiss you so hard right now it hurts." Before I can say anything he turns his head, placing his other palm on my face, and says, "What the hell."His lips are on mine so fast I barely have time to catch up. They're soft at first, then press a little harder, his warm hands cupping my cheeks. Our lips move in comfortable unison, slightly opening and closing as he teases me with his gentle tongue. I don't wa

Chapter 32: Mortified

"Earth to Miss. Crawford. I hope I'm not keeping you from something," Ms. Barnes's voice interrupts my thoughts.And everyone is staring at me again. Even Brad. But at least he's not snickering under his breath. "I'm sorry, what?" I look up at the teacher, catching her slight eye roll. "I just asked if you knew the degrees of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn?" She slowly smiles, as if she's stumped me. "Oh, um..." I pause for a second, shoving my fantasy away with the giggling behind me. Luckily, I've always liked maps and I smile because the answer is easy for me. "The Tropic of Cancer is 23.5 degrees north of the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn is 23.5 degrees south," I reply, pretending I don't notice her total bitchiness. "That is correct." Ms. Barnes pauses with a faint look of frustration, then walks closer to my desk. "But let me give you a little advice." She tilts her head slightly as if she's already enjoying what she's about to say. "You've a

Chapter 33

** Brad **Something's wrong, I can feel it-something that must have happened in class. She was fine, and then it was like she was a caged animal, desperate to be freed. But what could it have been? Our kiss? The bullshit Ms. Barnes gave her? I sure as hell don't know. The look on her face was pure determination, like she couldn't get out of here fast enough. She was also stumbling for excuses and I have no doubt she was lying. She blew right out the door before I could catch her but I'm not far behind. I know she's got to be around here somewhere but when I scan the parking lot, there's no sign of her. She couldn't have gotten that far, it would've been impossible, but it's like she literally disappeared. I have a bad feeling and rush to my car and start the engine, pulling out quickly as I pan the parking lot one last time. Nothing. Jesus, did she sprint the whole way? I have to slam on my brakes to keep from hitting another car. I'm not paying attention but right now, I d

Chapter 34

** Candice **I only stop when the house is in full view. I ran like hell the entire way and have pause to catch my breath. I feel so out of control even though I'm doing everything I can to get to the house. The pull to keep moving is impossibly stronger and my headache is beginning to turn my stomach into knots. It's clear that the longer I wait, the more severe everything becomes.I manage to look around, hoping like hell no one can see me because I feel like I'm going throw up any second and I don't want anyone to see me puking in their bushes. Thankfully, there's only one car coming down the street, and it's pretty far away. Glancing back at the house, I know I can't wait any longer. I have to make a run for it, to get there before my head explodes or my stomach has time to catch up.As soon as I cross through the window I scan the room, half expecting Atticus to be standing with his arms folded across his chest, tapping his foot. But he's nowhere in sight. The room looks exa

Chapter 35

** Brad **I search the both sides of the street for what seems like hours but is probably only been minutes. I think I catch a glimpse of Candice or someone running toward the Emory house but I can't be sure. By the time I realize it might be her, she's gone. Did she go in? Could our conversation have sparked her interest? Why would she stop there if she was in such a hurry to get home? She was clearly bugged about something and the more I sit here, hoping like hell I spot her again, the crazier I feel. I literally just met this girl and can't believe I'm not only running after her, but also skipping school to do it. If someone had told me I'd be this insane about a chick I would have laughed in their faces. This isn't me. This isn't how I do things. If I were smart, I'd get my ass back to school and forget all about her. It's not like she asked for my help or begged me to come find her. But it's not that easy. I'm falling for her. She's cast some kind of spell on me or has a secre

Chapter 36

** Candice **His green eyes are practically glowing. I can't stop looking at them as I make my way back to the chair. Reaching down, I feel around for the armrest and slowly ease into it. The air is suddenly thick, making it hard to get a deep breath, but I can't pull my eyes away from his. "My temper is quick, but you need not fear me," he says, shifting his gaze away like he's releasing me from his spell.Blinking to clear my thoughts, I play back what he just said in my head. "It's kind of impossible when you scare me like that," I whisper, trying to keep my voice calm.As if thinking of his next move, Atticus begins pacing back and forth. The glow in his eyes is dimming. He's right, he definitely has a temper and I should probably keep that in mind. I'm instantly thankful for my years of practice with rage. Never thought that would come in handy.He stops and turns his head, staring directly at me, but this time I don't feel trapped in his eyes. "There are things you mus

Chapter 37: Control

I awake later to a quiet room, candlelight flickering on either side of me. I slowly begin to recognize the ornately decorated space as my eyes pan over to the fireplace, with its intermittent crackling of freshly cut wood. I'm still in the house. This is Atticus's room. But where is he? And why did he make me sleep again? Panic rises in my stomach and I have to breathe quickly to get any of air. I'm either dying or hyperventilating and now the room is starting to spin. I jerk up on my elbows, attempting to stop whatever is happening to me."Hello, Candice," he says, right on cue, still wearing the same clothes from the portrait. He pauses and comes closer, as if he knows I'm on the verge of a full on panic attack. He raises his hand over my head and then closes his eyes. The panic and struggle for air has been replaced with calm as I take a soothing deep breath."Better?" he asks, smiling down at me."Yes." I confirm what I'm sure he already knew, but I'm still curious how I got fr

Chapter 38: The Emory History

He walks over to the fireplace and stares at the flame with a faraway look in his eyes. "I was born in this very room in the year 1868." He turns his head so he can look me in the eyes and I can actually feel his anger. "Twenty years later, I also died here." His tone immediately changes my mood. I look away, hoping he doesn't suspect I'm starting to freak out again. I need to keep my head clear even though I'm asleep.This is crazy."You do understand that you must keep me a secret?" His eyes glow slightly, as if revealing the severity of his request."Of course. There are lots of rumors but nobody would believe me anyway," I say, trying to take breaths between my words.He notices and narrows his eyes. "Is there something you are not telling me?" If this is a dream it's insane how real this feels. I can smell the wax dripping from the candles and hear his voice echo in the room."When I was twenty, I fell in love. She was the love of my life..." He pauses. "But I lost he

Chapter 39: Captive

I toss the covers all the way back and sit on the side of the bed, hoping it will snap me out of this nightmare. I need to wake up. I need to stop this craziness."You are not leaving, I will not allow it! We are not finished!" he growls."Oh, so now I'm your prisoner?" My anger overrides the fact that I should probably be scared shitless right now. I know what he's capable of."Do not make me force you to stay," he says in a much calmer voice.Do I have a choice?" I snap back."You always have a choice. The question is, will you make the right one." "What the hell is that supposed to mean?""How do you feel about your mother?" he shoots back.Stay calm, Candice.I shrug. "She's an angry alcoholic who has deep issues with abandonment. Is that what you want to hear?""I only want the truth.""Well, that's the sad truth. But she wasn't always like this. We used to be closer but..." I stop, wondering why I'm babbling about her.

Chapter 40: Insanity

"Go on," he encourages me."Why do you want to know?" I ask, somehow dreading his answer."I can make her go away. Would you like that?" His lips curl into a smile as if he expects this to make me happy."Wait...what? Make her go away? What are you talking about?""Would you like her out of your life?" "Uh, no." I can hear my disbelief before it leaves my mouth. "I do not understand. She has been hurting you for a long time. I think she should pay for her actions.""She's messed up but that doesn't mean I want her gone.""Why not? Do you think she will suddenly stop drinking and get her life in order?"This is insane. He can't play with people's lives like this. I need to do something, anything to wake up from this nightmare!"Well, no. But, I'll be graduating soon and getting my own pla-" "Your place is here. With me," he says, fading out of sight.I wake up screaming on a floor, but this time, I can move more freely. I know exactly where I am because this is reality. T

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