Chapter Ten

I got up quickly, ignoring the heat coming from my cheeks.

“What are you gawking at?” I walked right past him, trying to get my breathing back to normal, and to think straight.

Nicholas lurked behind, staying with Xander in the room. I glanced behind me and let out a large breath as I saw they weren’t following me. Quickly but quietly, I darted in and out through the hallways.

I was going to escape.

I had already decided that after I kissed Xander; this place was driving me insane, and this was the perfect opportunity. Finally seeing the exit sign, I raced to it and sped into the parking lot.

I was about to just run wild, but I stopped and thought for a moment.

Xander never locked the doors to the car.

Faster than Flash on wheels, I raced to the spot where the old, beat up truck was parked.

Sure enough, the door was unlocked and the keys in the ignition. I started up the car, cursing as it huffed and puffed but didn’t come on.

“Valerie, stop!” A familiar voice called out.

I turned my head and nearly cried when I saw Xander and Nicholas running towards the car. I locked the doors before attempting to start the car yet again.

Vulgar words passed my lips as Xander and Nicholas got to the car and tugged on the door, only to find it locked. They knocked on the windows angrily.

“Let us in, Val!” Nicholas glared at me.

“I swear to God, if you do not let me in, I will fucking kill you.” Xander snarled, his eyes burning holes in my head.

“Yeah, because that would make me want to let you in.” I replied, my eyes never leaving the ignition as it finally started up.

“Sayonara, assholes!” I rolled down the window and called out as I sped away, leaving Nicholas and Xander in the dust.

Due to my lack of attention, and my lack of a driver’s license, I crashed.

It happened so quick, all I could remember was the airbag slamming into my face.

I felt rough hands grab my shoulders and tug me out of the car.

“You are going to be in such trouble when we get home.”

I tried to resist, but the pounding in my head was so bad, it was hard to think, let alone move.

“Keep your eyes open, idiot,” I heard someone mutter. In the next few minutes, or hours, heard the words “...awake....” “concussion...” and “..kill her...”

My eyes slowly cracked open.

“Don’t, don’t kill me.” I whispered sleepily, the words barely passing through my lips.

“Oh, thank god.” Someone else muttered in reply. All these voices were mixing up in my head.

A pair of hands grabbed my legs and head and lifted me carefully out of the wrecked car.

“It’s alright, we’re going home now.”

I was placed in a chair, but I fell over from exhaustion, landing in someone’s lap. They chuckled and began to say something, but I fell asleep before hearing the words.

When I woke up, I felt like someone was looking at me. All the memories came rushing back with the headache. I groaned in pain, clutching my forehead.

“Valerie? You okay?” That had to be Xander. Aw shit, I was in so much trouble. I probably should have gone on foot rather than drive, considering I didn’t know how to.

“Oh yeah. I’m absolutely fantastic. Just great.” I muttered, keeping my eyes shut. I could just imagine the cold look on his face.

“It’s your own fault.” Yep. His voice was like ice.

I closed my eyes, trying to lull myself back to sleep.

“Oh no you don’t. You’re going to stay up and face your punishment.” Xander stated, the cold tone never leaving his voice. I didn’t even want to imagine what my punishment was. He shook me but I kept my eyes closed. Why did I have to wake up at this sort of time?

He kept shaking me, but I was as stubborn as a mule. Finally, after a long while, he gave up. Or so I thought.

I opened one eye and saw his face very close to mine. “Xan-” He crashed his lips onto mine. But this time, I resisted and tried to get him off of me.

But he was too strong for me. After a long while he finally let go of me, both of us panting and out of breath. “Now...Did that wake you up sleeping beauty?”

I glared at him. “Yes, thank you so much for the wake up call prince charming. Was that supposed to be my punishment? Because if it was, you’ve got the wrong definition.” I said, trying to flirt cutely. And failing, I realised, as he groaned and falcepalmed.

“You are such an idiot, Val. No, I mean it. I have never met someone as stupid as you. How did you ever pass a driver's exam? And why would your just run away like that!?! You have no idea what would have happened to you! I'm surprised you haven't managed to kill yourself by accident already," he ranted, and then exhaled loudly as if trying to calm himself.

"Well, I didn't..." I muttered, somewhat embarrassed. Driving had never been my strong suit. Risking my life in top secret, incredibly dangerous situations, that was a piece of cake. But, once I was put in a giant metal cage and faced with all that powerful machinery, I was in deep water.

Xander lifted his head and eyed me speculatively, " Excuse me? " he queried, somewhat impatiently.

"Umm, well, you see... I never actually got my license," I admitted sadly. "I tried, once or twice, but I never really had anyone to teach me - you know Dad's always busy on missions and stuff...I just couldn't figure it out on my own."

He stared at me impassively for a few moments, his face devoid of emotion. I began to get nervous, afraid that adorable bastard might try something unpleasant.

And then he started laughing. He just started laughing. As if he were watching a rerun of the Benny Hill Show, or seeing how sadistic these creeps were, maybe Tales from the Crypt.

"YOU THINK THAT'S FUNNY?" A voice suddenly yelled from the other side of the wall behind me, " THAT BITCH JUST COST ME A CAR!"

"Calm down, Norman," another voice pleaded sternly, "You'll only give yourself another attack if you carry on like this."

There was more grumbling for a few minutes, and then silence again. I was relieved that Norman was okay, yet I knew our relationship was null and void. I had to start over with everyone, again. Trust was a necessity. If I didn’t have trust I would need a golden opportunity with no mistakes. So far, I had treated the opportunities as if it were defecation. My mind began to wonder; what if I never saw my father again?

Xander snapped his fingers in front of my face, bringing me back to reality.

“You can’t be any more dumb, Valerie.” I rolled my eyes, now looking through him. “I find it hard to believe that you’re much of an assassin. Seriously. What can you do?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Xander, seriously.” I put my hand up, disregarding him.

“Are you mad because you can’t seem to do anything right?”

“I’m not dealing with this bullshit, right now.” He jerked back shocked at the way I was talking to him.

“What?” He leaned in closer to me. I sat until I felt his breath on my nose.

“You kidnapped me.” I had my finger pressed into his chest. “Do you think I want to be here with you?” I saw the vein twitch in his forehead. His expression remained the same. He didn’t say a word. He only nodded. I watched as he left the room, quietly. Norman turned to look at me, shaking his head before cutting the light and slamming the door shut. The lock clicking was the last sound I heard for three days.

Author's Note:

Soo.. I know it's not my turn, but no one else has written one and we haven't updated it FOREVER, so.. yeah.

Words; 1386

~KissMeOrKillMeSlow