Here's the next chapter. The intensity is rising.

Thank You: 5daysofsummer and Sammie.

Also, I do not own Robert Frost's work.

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

"Hey." Amelie looked up from her laptop. Sarah sat down beside her as the professor walked in.

"You're in my history class?"

"Yeah." Sarah laughed.

"Oh." How did I not realize that?

"How was break?"

"It was good. There was a lot of food," Amelie replied awkwardly. "Uh, yours?"

"It was good. My family had Thanksgiving with Caleb's."

"You two really like each other don't you?"

Amelie saw how they were with each other, always holding hands, smiling like the world was nonexistent. She didn't understand it. They were happy to the point of ridiculousness. It was like a fucking fairytale on steroids. Sarah' cheeks flushed a flowery pink and she just smiled since the professor started the lesson and pulled out her notebook.

Amelie went back to what she was doing on her computer as the teacher lectured about the HIV breakout in China which mostly had to do with prostitutes not using condoms and the Orient Express moving across Asia. She was more consumed in having a few grades changed than wanting to pay attention. The passwords for the security weren't all that complicated to bypass. She liked being able to go where she pleased. The system was too easy. Just a couple of bypasses here, an override there.

At the end of class, Sarah walked with her back to her room then to lunch, talking about how much she dreaded the end of the year project. Amelie just listened to the rant, finding it highly entertaining. She never knew how much she could talk when given the chance. She was a nervous little chatterbox.

"Is my girlfriend pestering you?" Caleb sat down across from Sarah, winking at her. Amelie shook her head no, trying not to laugh. Pester was a strong word and that definitely wasn't Sarah.

"Careful Ellie." Reid sat down beside her. "Somebody might actually think you're happy, you know, with all that smiling."

Amelie scowled and elbowed him. Her elbow collided with his side without a tough reach. He was close to her, closer than she thought he was. She swallowed her pulse quickening. His arm brushed hers. Her fingers twitched unnerved. Did he know that he was doing that? He had to of. Think, Amelie. This isn't real. You know that. He's the one who needs reminding. He's just playing anyway, getting under your skin.

She scooted away from him, making it look like she was just trying sit more comfortably. She let out a breath, not realizing that she had been holding it in since he had sat down then flexed her hand a few times in her lap to try and get it to stop shaking. He glanced at her slightly lost, but played it off with that trademark smirk. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw Aaron watching them. I bet you had a blast with your sister during break.

He put an arm around Amelie's waist and whispered in her ear, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. She rolled her eyes, sighing. He was alerting her that they had an audience. His whisper was a soft flutter on her ear. She fought the sensation his breath was giving her, making her shift uncomfortably. God, why are you doing this?

"Whatever," she grumbled. "I really don't care what he thinks. He got on my case about it during break."

"Who did what?" Pogue inquired.

"My brother about Reid," Amelie said, nodding her sideways at the blonde. "I nearly pushed him down the stairs."

It wasn't a complete lie. She had thought about pushing him down the stairs, making it look like an accident. It was something she had thought about often. She could easily say that she did nothing wrong, that he slipped and she tried to help. That was believable. Aaron was broad and bulky and she was too tiny to hurt anyone. She could break her wrist just tyring to punch his overly muscled behind. Nobody else would say otherwise since the chances of anybody else being around when it'd happen was slim.

"And you didn't because…" Kate said, smirking. "You would've saved the world from an asshole."

Pogue and Tyler chuckled. Amelie took a bite from her apple and set it back down on her tray.

"The world would still have to deal with a bitch," Amelie said pointing at herself. Kate nearly spit food out, laughing.

"I was thinking about Kira when you said that," Tyler said. He took a bite of his apple.

"Nah, she's harmless. Dumb, but harmless."

Amelie elbowed Reid, getting him to release his hold around her waist. Even when he let go there was still a shadow of his touch around her. She didn't like it. Nobody paid attention. They were talking about the different encounters they had with her brother. There had been several. Amelie wished she was shocked that he was such an ass, but she wasn't. He made a name for himself here and to some it was almost God-like and to others it was the sheer opposite. She thought about chiming in with her own memories.

It would be a lie is she said that she had no good memories with her brother. She just wished that he good outweighed the bad. But, she didn't and that led her here. At the table of the Ipswich Sons.

"I'm going to go. I have to get a few books from the library for a student I'm tutoring," she announced and stood.

There were other things she had to take care of. They weren't urgent or extremely important, but the excuse made it possible to escape. It wasn't them. It was her. She couldn't afford to get too close. Reid was pressing his luck as it was.

"You barely ate," Sarah commented.

"I'm not that hungry." Amelie shrugged as she fumbled, getting her bag on her shoulder.

Reid watched her, his eyes narrow with amusement. She was tense, really tense, probably thanks to him. I am getting to you aren't' I? It's only a matter of time before you give in.

Amelie breezed out of the dining hall quickly and let out the breath she had been holding in. She pressed her fingers to her cheek. Her cold finger tips met the warm flush of her cheeks. She didn't want this to happen. The plan was starting to spin out of control. She had to stay on track. She closed her eyes, letting out a long, exhausted sigh. Her heart slowed bit by bit.

"I'll see you guys later," Reid said as he stood, staring after Amelie. "I've got to get a few books before class."

It was a pathetic excuse. Especially since he had the books for his next class.

"Do you really think she's going to the library?" Tyler asked Caleb.

"Do you really think he's going to get his books?" Caleb said, countering the question.

Sarah gave him a flat, annoyed look that wiped the smile on his face right off, making Tyler laugh. She shook her head and took a bite of her salad.

The library was quiet. A few students came and went, but not many because of lunch and classes. Come evening it would be busy with students movign about to get assignments finished. And come Finals, it would be a party up in this mini Library of Congress. Amelie took the extra time she had from skipping out on lunch for a little extra work. And work meant cash which meant escape from the ever soul sucking hell this town was.

Searching the library database, she looked for books that would be useful. She stood up from the computer and grabbed the little slip of paper that she'd written down the titles of the books. They were based on artists of the Renaissance. The books would be very helpful with the essay she had to write for one of her clients. They had a midterm due at the end of next week.

She went to the back of the library and scanned the shelves. There were dozens upon dozens of shelves making the library like a maze. She was glad that she had been in here enough to know her way around. Finding one of the spiral staircases to the second floor, she climbed them. She walked down to the art section and ran her fingers along the spines of the books, reading the dewey decimal numbers each book had. There were so many artists-Picasso, Leonardo Da Vinci, Titan, Monet, Van Gough. They were all tortured and beautiful.

"Looking for anything specific?"

Amelie jumped out of her skin, her heart beating hard against her chest from the scare. Reid grinned, leaning against the bookshelf with his arms crossed over his chest.

"How long were you standing there," she demanded, turning back around to look at the books on the shelf in front of her. Easily distracted, she had to reread some of the titles.

"Few minutes," he lilted in almost a whisper. Amelie bit her lower lip and reached up to grab two books on the shelf. One of the small curses of being short.

She stood on her tip toes, but it still didn't do any good. Lifting one leg trying to be taller, she reached again all the while trying to ignore Reid's presence. Maybe he'd go away, but she didn't feel that lucky. His eyes were burning into her, and as much as she didn't like it, distracting her.

He chuckled, reaching just above her and grabbed the book. His chest nearly touched, nearly pressed to her shoulder, teasing her. Rolling her eyes, she took it. Her fingers brushed against his when she did.

"You're welcome."

"Mhm." She looked at her list then grabbed another book.

"So, who needs tutoring?"

Amelie ignored his question and continued to scan the shelves. The books in her hands were quickly snatched from her. Reid held them out of her reach before she could try grabbing them back. Amelie glared at him, getting annoyed very quickly with is antics. Jumping to get them, Amelie stumbled and fell into him.

"Whoa," he caught her around the waist, dropping the books. "Careful."

The huskiness in his voice made Amelie bite her lower lip once more. It was all she could do to try not to blush. He held her there, his eyes lingering down over her. This was wrong. Bad. All kinds of alarms were going off in her head. He needed to let her go. Right now. But, she didn't make any move to enforce it.

For a split moment, Amelie wondered how it would feel if she were one of those girls that he had. He could just push her up against the bookshelf, put his mouth to hers relentlessly, and make it hard to breathe. Oh wait, it already was hard to breathe thanks to how she was being held, tightly and restricting. Would he ever stop his pursuit? She shouldn't-didn't want this. She didn't want to be just another girl. She didn't want to be any part of him. But, he was making it difficult with his constant affection which was great to keep up appearances and all, but they were very alone right now in the back stacks. There was no audience to perform for.

Amelie shoved him away and picked up the books he dropped on the ground, quickly. Her chest raged with a rabid beating that wasn't ceasing. Being nervous wasn't something she dealt with often. Then again, she hadn't had to deal with men that weren't her father or Aaron. She was good at avoiding them and getting them to avoid her with good reason. She wasn't interested in them and they weren't interested in her.

She moved fast toward the stairs back down to the first level, but Reid grabbed her by the arm and threw her against the book shelf making it rattle. She winced at the slight pain that shot up her back.

Reid put his arms up on either side of her head, caging her in. Amelie gulped as she met his heated gaze.

"Why not have fun?" he asked.

"Fun with you?" she breathed. "No thank you. I don't' want STDs."

Each word was harsher than the last. He needed to get it through his head...or maybe she needed to get him out of hers. They needed space.

In no way will you ever kiss me again either.

Reid chuckled, not amused. His eyes traced her eyes, cheeks, and lips.

"Is that what you're really worried about or are you scared that you might enjoy it?" He pressed his hips against her; one of his legs sliding between hers, lifting her skirt some. Her breath hitched as he did.

"Don't count on it," she hissed, trying to ignore his advances and failing.

Amelie didn't get the chance to push him away again. He moved swiftly and suddenly, a skill he had to improve greatly with her. His lips were on hers, parting her lips so that he could taste her and she him. She didn't fight, hard, and quickly found herself kissing him back. He moved his hands so that they were sliding down and around her waist while he pressed himself even more against her, pressing her harder against the bookshelf.

Feeling his tongue skate across the roof of her mouth, she held back the moan raging from deep within. Reaching for something to grab and keep her stable, she groped above her head, finding a hold on a couple books on the shelf. They fell to the floor, away from her grasp. She gasped from him biting her lower lip, sending a shock through her, making her stomach ache just like it had Halloween night. He kissed her jaw, her throat. She tilted her head up automatically then jolted as feeling his teeth on her skin. He didn't bite hard, but enough to cause to whimper.

His skilled hands moved further down to her thighs and lifted her from the floor. She refused to hold him and used the bookshelf to stay balanced causing a few more books to fall to the ground.

He kissed her once more, twisting his tongue with hers, sucking the air from her lungs. Amelie moaned lightly then as he grinded into her. A chill ran through him from the sweet sound that passed her lips. He knew she was trying to resist this.

He pulled away and set on the ground. Her chest moved heavily. Tilting her head up, he said, "Just cave, Ellie. Let your body have what it craves."

"And you think it's you?" She snorted.

He ran his thumb along her bottom lip, now swollen, and then moved his hand down stopping at her ribs, just below her breast. He ran he thumb underneath it, barely grazing her breast, but sending a teasing, sexual quiver through her making her wonder if he was going to move his hand higher.

"I think that you're scared it could be, and that brings me nothing, but joy," he whispered seductively.

His touch was gone instantly and so was he, leaving her there frustrated and out of breath. She ran her fingers through her hair, straightening it out.

Oh god.

Amelie was nearly late to English. Choosing not to sit by Reid, she went to the very back. Aaron gave her a strange look, but she ignored it and kept her eyes front. She tried to focus on the lecture today deciding to do the artist paper later, but she caught Reid glancing back at her. She kept thinking about the library.

After class ended she quickly went to lab, happy that he wasn't in that class. She watched the snow outside as the professor went over the properties of substances. The properties were simple.

"Miss Abbott, I see you yawning back there. Want to tell us how to find the density of an object."

She sighed heavily.

"Density equals mass divided by volume," she said, not directing her attention away from the freezing rain outside.

"Great," he said, as he wrote the formula on the chalk board.

Her mind wandered as he continued with the lesson and gave the class an example problem. She thought about what happened in the library again and crossed her legs as it played in her head all over again. Trying to ignore the recent memory, she wrote down the formula and example problem in her notebook where she had been doodling.

When classes ended, she got changed into dark blue jeans and a white tank top with a dark green and blue plain button down long sleeve shirt. She rolled up the sleeves and left it unbuttoned. Much more comfortable than a lemming uniform.

She pulled her laptop out and worked on the artist essay, sprawling the books she'd gotten all around her. Art wasn't her favorite subject. Two hours went by and she was finished with it and emailed it to her client who just happened to be Kira. She gathered the multiple books together after putting on shoes then grabbed her keys real quick and left for the library hoping it wasn't closed just yet.

Leaving the building to the library, she regretted not grabbing her coat. It was snowing now blanketing the ground in sparkling, white coldness. She clutched the books to her chest and hurried down the sidewalk. By the time she got into the library, her head was covered with snowflakes. She shook her head.

There were only a few students in the library with books open. I should probably be doing homework too.

Going to the front desk, she turned in her books. The walk back to her room was just as quiet as it was to the library. Wrapping her arms around herself, she took her time getting back. There was nobody around. The lamps lit up one by one making the snow glow sparkling orange. She wouldn't deny it. The snow was beautiful, but that was the only thing about it that was nice. It was cold and wet and got people sick.

"Ellie."

Amelie stopped and turned. Reid walked to meet her. His hands were tucked in his jean pockets. Jesus, you're everywhere.

"Where are you coming from," she asked.

"Dining hall."

"The dining hall is that way." She pointed to the left. His lips pulled up into a smile/grimace. She took pride in catching him in his lie.

"Right, well I was doing some research in the library and I saw you walk in."

"Ah, so now you're stalking me," she said, shaking her head.

"It's not stalking if you're dating the person."

Amelie rolled her eyes.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing. I saw you come into the library and wondered what you were up to."

"Just finished up with a little homework."

She continued to walk, looking anywhere, but at him. A cold wind swept through her making her shiver.

"You're one of the smartest people at this school and you didn't where a jacket," Reid kidded.

"I didn't think about it," she grumbled, averting her eyes. Her shivering turned into shudders as Reid wrapped his arm around her. It was comforting, warming.

Amelie shrugged from his attempt to comfort her.

Reid stopped. What is your deal? You weren't shy about kissing me back when we were in the library.

She spun to face him and rolled her eyes at his less than thrilled face. He couldn't think that what happened today meant something.

"We're not together," she reminded him.

"We were extremely together early today if you don't remember."

"Oh, I didn't forget. It won't happen again."

"Oh really?" he took a step toward her. She took a step back, reinforcing her words.

"Yeah, I believe it'll stick." She winked at him.

Turning she walked away, leaving him in the cold to wonder what she was up to. Something about what she said was threatening. He didn't regret one second of what happened in the library though. You can't deny this forever, Ellie.

He ran to catch up with her and met her as she was unlocking her door.

"Wait," he said, "have coffee with me."

"Why?"

"Because you could probably use a break from your homework. As a matter of fact, cancel coffee. I have a better plan."

Not getting the chance to reject his offer, she was pulled down the hallway by the wrist.

"Reid, no." she growled. She yanked her wrist, but his hand had a full grip, like a handcuff.

He ignored her and kept going.

"I'm serious. I have work I have to do."

They walked past a group of girls. They giggled to themselves, giving the pair weird looks. Amelie huffed and continued to try and get away from him. He pulled her through the parking lot towards his car. The red machine reminded her of her drunken escapade.

Reid let go of her hand and went to the driver's side. "Get in."

"No."

"Get in the car, Ellie." His voice went hard and cold.

Amelie looked around the barren parking lot. The last thing she wanted to do was get in a car with him, but she did. Them doing anything together was just a bad idea, she knew that. She had to give leeway or he'd never shut up.

"Doesn't this bring back memories." He smiled cockily.

"Where are we going?" she asked with a glare, changing the subject quickly.

"Nicky's." That cocky grin was back, but soon enough she was going wipe it from his face.

The overcrowded bar was blasting Three Days Grace loudly. Some of the people there, Amelie knew from school. There were a few teachers that were hanging around. One of them, Miss Verani who had been her teacher for a cooking class she had taken was hitting on one of Aaron's buddies. That would be useful if she ever needed the blackmail.

She followed Reid towards the back of the establishment where there were two pool tables. She stopped instantly at seeing her brother playing at one of the tables.

"Relax," Reid said, placing his hands on her shoulders. "We're here to have a good time."

She let him lead her to the open pool table and handed her a pool stick. She held it tightly. Aaron glanced at her, but said nothing. He seemed stunned to see her here at all. She'd never been out to Nicky's. Said it was for the pathetic degenerates of this town.

"You know how to play right?" He asked after setting up the table.

"Of course." Gabriel had made her a champion at the game. "I'll break."

She bent over knowing that Reid was taking the opportunity to check her out. She smiled. There was nothing wrong with teasing. Two solids, purple and orange sunk. Maybe kicking his ass at a game or two would be a nice break.

Two games later they were laughing, and Amelie was shocked that she was having fun. He was the last person she would've expected to have a good time with.

"So tell me, what are you doing after graduation?" Amelie asked, leaning forward on her pool stick.

"Leaving this place."

"Really?" She was instantly intrigued. "Your parents are okay with that?"

"They...don't exactly know?" He shrugged. "They have it all figured out for me, but the way I look at it, I have to learn from the mistakes of my own decisions."

"And have you?" Amelie's gaze grew skeptical for a playful minute.

"I don't make mistakes," he said grinning, stepping closer to her until they nearly touched. "Your turn."

Amelie moved back and set up her shot. She glanced at Reid out of the corner of her eye who shook his head. This game was nothing more than geometry and she was good at geometry. She made two shots before missing.

"Your-" She stopped seeing that Reid was talking to some blonde girl whose breasts were definitely done by a plastic surgeon. She flipped her long hair over her shoulder, exposing more cleavage. Amelie looked at the table bent over and took one more shot, sinking the eight ball. Reid wasn't paying attention.

He was taken with the nameless girl's features. Amelie cringed when she laughed. Geez, she's a hyena.

A twinge inside made Amelie give them a look of disgust. This evening of fun went down the drain quickly, and she was suddenly the third wheel. She set her pool stick aside and waited one more second before walking away. Reid moved closer to his 'new' friend as she twirled her blonde hair around her finger and trailed her fingers over his chest with her other hand.

Aaron watched from the other pool table as Reid paid no mind to Amelie leaving.

"What an asshole," Blake said, shaking his head with disgust. "I can't believe him."

Aaron said nothing and took his turn missing the pocket. He didn't take his eyes away from Reid who was smiling with incentive without a care in the world that he let Amelie walk away and he'd seen all of it.

"Thanks for the break," Amelie mumbled discouraged as she looked back before walking out of Nicky's.

Once outside, she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and dialed the first number she could think of.

"Hello?"

"Hey, are you busy?" her voice quivered letting out a frosty breath. She shook hard making her bones ache. I hate this.

"No, what's wrong?"

"I need a ride. I'm at Nicky's."

"Okay, I'll be there."

"Thanks."

Twenty minutes later, a silver Porsche pulled up next to her. Amelie waited a moment, god know why, before climbing in. She didn't look at her savior, but down at her lap instead.

"Thank you," she said.

"Don't mention it," Caleb said and they drove off.

The drive was quiet. Amelie was quickly warmed up. The heated seats were a plus. She watched out the window hypnotized by the trees and darkness of the woods. Her favorite poem by Robert Frost kept going through her mind.

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village, though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer

To stop without a farmhouse near

Between the woods and frozen lake

The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake

To ask if there is some mistake.

The only other sound's the sweep

Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

She wondered what was in them. Caleb stayed quiet. There were no questions or attempts at conversation and she was grateful. When they got to the school she said thank you again and got out. She stuffed her hands in her pockets and went back to her room. Her pocket vibrated as she got through the door. It was a message from Reid. She didn't bother to read it and just hit the delete button. She set her phone and keys on her nightstand deciding not to answer. There was one more thing she needed to do before working on her homework. This sudden idea was for fun.

The next few days went on like usual. Get the mail, go to class, ignore morons aka Aaron and Kira, go to class, and survive the day because there was only a week and a half until Christmas vacation. A nice long three weeks was what she needed. She could get a massage, ride Jubilee, get Gabriel to play pool with her and avoid any time she had to spend with Aaron.

"Hey, where'd you go last night?" Reid asked as he sat beside her. Amelie didn't reply.

"Mr. Garwin, what's so important that you feel the need to talk during class?" The teacher asked, his voice echoing across the classroom. Students turned their heads to him.

"Nothing." He smiled innocently.

"Good. Also, I've noticed you're on my roster for detention until Christmas break so I will see you after class."

"What!?"

Amelie grinned proudly. Fun indeed and definitely worth seeing the look on his face.

"What did I do?"

"Cheating on any assignment is not permitted here. You're lucky that you weren't suspended." The teacher continued with the lesson.

Reid's mouth hung open. He slowly turned his head and saw Amelie struggling to keep a straight face.

"You think this is funny?" His jaw tensed.

"No, not at all. It's fucking hysterical," she whispered.

"You did this didn't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're a bitch."

"You're a whore."

"So, you're mad that I gave somebody else attention last night? Is that why you left?"

"No Reid, I could care less about a bimbo with a boob job. It's you. My brother was there. He saw everything. Plus, I told you that you'd never touch me again."

Reid stared at her speechless. All that because of our library time and Aaron catching me flirting, who cares—oh crap. The deal.

He opened his mouth to apologize, but paused. She was tense, and trying so hard to keep her eyes to the front. Her foot tapped on the ground rapidly. It couldn't just be that Aaron saw him. She did too. If she was hurt, it was well disguised. He couldn't understand why she'd be hurt.

"You're jealous." It wasn't an apology, but something more interesting.

"There's nothing to be jealous over."

"If you wanted me to yourself all you had to was ask."

"What am I asking for? Oh right, you. If I wanted a hooker I would purchase a high end one. There is no way I would want you like that ever. The sooner you get that out of your head the better. I let you get your little kicker from me. Do your part." The words sliced through him.

Kicker. That's all it was…

Reid felt his pride sink from her words. If only she knew the real reason he took her deal. Sure, at first it was about nailing her, but more prominent feelings came back to the surface. He knew that he was quickly getting lost in all of this and so was she with the way she was going back and forth trying fight him.

Aaron glared at Reid, his fist clenched.

Shit…

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