Burning Bridges

Thursday 5 p.m.

I wasn't expecting any contact with anybody from my school. I wasn't expecting it, at least not for a few days more. But I guess gossiped traveled fast and everyone eventually found out about Friday after school. Uncomfortably, I shuffled in my spot and avoided a deep-blue gaze. His eyebrows furrowed together in concern and I saw how his hands twitched, as if his body and mind were fighting to get closer to me. His body betrayed him.

What was it that my mother mentioned yesterday? It was something about a boy coming to the house but I was asleep. Was it Eddie? No, well yes, she did mention Eddie but not in that manner. Oh right, Cameron. She told me that Cameron came over to see me. So she was right. I leaned against the wooden door, and let out a sigh out of relief that the pain wasn't as poignant as before. I tried to look everywhere but him. Unfortunately the awkwardness grew tenfold and I wanted to get out of it. Fast.

"So," I began, "What's up?"

I felt his eyes burn a hole through the side of my head.

"Nothing really. I just wanted to see if you were okay." He said after a few moments of silence. "Oh," I nodded, "Well, if you can see, I'm more than okay. Thank you for coming." His visit was thoughtful, I guess. But I was conscious of how the air between us tensed and his body itched to get closer to me. I wanted him right where he was, if not, a little bit farther. The intensity in his gaze did not banished, and I felt his eyes on me.

"I came to visit earlier this week," He finally said, "but I couldn't see you because, well your boy-."

"I know."

"You do?" He looked at me puzzled, and a little hurt by the revelation.

"Yeah, my mother told me that you came by on Tuesday. Sorry I couldn't speak to you, I was asleep." Cameron hesitated for a moment, "Um, I don't know if you know this, but I came by on Monday. The day when-"

"I remember Monday perfectly. No need for a synopsis of it, thanks." I muttered icily as the images flashed back and other similar ones hit me.

"Sorry, err- I didn't mean to upset-"

"No, I'm sorry. I just prefer to forget about Friday and move one, y' know?"

"No, I don't know," He frowned and his head shook with disapproval. "Adrianna needs to pay for what she did to you. She can't act like nothing happened, and you can't let her walk around freely while you can barely move an inch. I know this isn't the first time Adrianna has done something like this to you.

"You've already 'let it go' and 'moved on' way too many times, Loren. So much, that you have given Adrianna the idea that no matter how many times she hurts you, nothing will ever happen to her."

I sighed, "Cameron-"

"I saw her yesterday at school." His face twisted in distaste. "Even with all the evidence held the shit against her, she still thinks she has the upper hand in all of this."

"Evidence?" This was news to me. My mother has given me only a brief summary of what's happening at school. The school's principal is doing everything possible to give Adrianna 'the right punishment,' and she'd come each day twice as furious as the day before muttering how 'useless, and unjust the school system is.'

"Well, yeah. You didn't think Emily was going to keep quiet, did you? And you remember Ethan?" I nodded. He was the one who held my arms back with his brute strength so Adrianna could start pounding- yes, I remember Ethan. "He gave his alibi."

"Why would he do that?"

"I don't know. Probably he felt bad, and it's not like he's a bad guy. Adrianna manipulated him. And he was a poor bastard that fell into her manipulation. I'm not saying he doesn't deserve the ten day suspension and the serious legal trouble he'll be in for being an accomplice and so are Amanda and Rob. But you shouldn't worry about that, just worry about getting better."

I smiled, relief quickly wrapping around me. Cameron smiled too. "You know, I stayed after school on Monday. And I remember seeing Adrianna running down the halls as if she was running away from something, and behind her was Rob holding a screaming Emily. You should've seen how distraught she was. Mad hair, tears spilling down and screams that kinda left you haunted. I approached them and Adrianna gave me this terrified look and I knew she had done something bad.

"I ordered her to put down Emily. And she listened me. When does Adrianna ever listen to anybody? She told Rob to put her down and they left right away. Emily, too shocked to say anything, grabbed my hand and pulled towards the direction they came from. She was frantic, desperate, and I didn't want to believe something bad had happened to you." He sighed, "We stopped all of the sudden and Emily began looking around, she began shivering and crying some more when you were nowhere in sight. After that, we searched the entire school looking for you but we didn't find you. We had given up," he sounded remorseful, like this fact disgusted him. "Then we found out that you were seen with Eddie Duran coming out of the hospital. I didn't believe it, so I went to your house on Monday and there he was, in the flesh." He smiled bitterly. "If I thought Emily looked bad, Eddie Duran looked a hundred times worse. Anyways, I left soon after when I knew you were fine, and I realized I wasn't wanted there."

I soaked in all the pieces of information he was giving me. It was all too much, but I was beyond relieved at everything now. "Thank you, Cameron. It means a lot to me that you came and filled me with this. My mother hasn't said anything to me, probably because she doesn't want me to worry, and partially because I thought Adrianna would get away in the end. So I thought, why even bother if she wins every time no matter what?"

"Ah, see, that's where you're wrong." Cameron was thoughtful, "If you should know, I would have done everything that it's in my power to prove just how cunning and deceiving Adrianna is and make sure you would never ever get hurt again. I'm sure your mom is doing the same thing, and I'm sure-" He sighed, "I'm sure Eddie Duran will never leave you alone if your life is in jeopardy."

"That's sweet, but I don't need to be watched 24/7. I can take care of myself perfectly."

His fists clenched, and he unconsciously took a step forward. I leaned away. My back fully touching the door. And there went my manners. I didn't even think about inviting him in. Good, I wouldn't want him to get the wrong idea.

"I'm sure you can, Loren. But there are things you can't control. Like," the distance between us was diminishing. My heart pounded and I looked for ways to escape. With his body closing the space and the door behind my back, I couldn't move. Move you fool! "Cameron, I-I-" Tell him you're with Eddie. How did I get into this situation? Eddie will be furious. No, no he'll be burning with rage, kill Cameron, then sue him if he could- in that order.

"Like my falling for-"

"You need to go, Cameron."

"Why?" He was hurt, but what did he expect? "Because Eddie will be here any minute. So if you want to save your pretty face from any beating, you should leave."

He gave up, and took three steps back. "Sorry about that. I-I just don't understand."

"What don't you understand?"

"Loren, I've known you for 12 years. I've always tried to get to know you but you always pushed me away. I don't even think you knew my existence until last year, when we had the same physics class. For the past 12 years I tried to talk to you, and every word you said to me, even if it was a simple 'okay' made my day because I got you to say something to me. It's pitiful, I know. But it just took Eddie Duran a few days to get you chasing after him like some lost puppy."

I inhaled. Getting angry at this point will do both of us no good. "Are you done? Listen, my relationship with Eddie is none of your business."

"I just don't think he's good for you."

"That's your problem. Now, just leave before this gets out of hand."

"Fine." I was exhausted. Cameron shrugged, "Before I leave, I just want to tell you that Emily feels guilty about what happened to you."

I looked at him instantly, "Why? She had nothing to do with it."

"She feels like she could have done anything to prevent it."

"She couldn't have done anything. Adrianna always gets what she wants."

"You really need to stop thinking like Adrianna is some higher power that can't be trampled down. Anyways, that's why she hasn't visited you. She feels like she can't look at you knowing that she let you get hurt. I've tried talking her out of it, but it's no use."

I nodded and Cameron hesitated in turning around. "Bye, see you around." He quickly took off and I didn't wait for him to enter his car. I closed the front door and deliberately walked towards the couch. I succumbed in a fetal position and closed my eyes.

When my grip of reality quickly demolished that afternoon, it was Emily's scream that held a thin string of sanity for me. It's foolish for her to think that it was her fault I got hurt. One way or another, Adrianna would have come after me. Apart from Melissa, Emily was the first person to ever want to form a friendship with me willingly. I was always the alien in school. Soon after Trent went to jail, I was treated even more differently in school. Adrianna isolated me from every one. She made sure no one wanted to be near me. She made it her life mission to destroy me completely since Trent wasn't able to finish the job. Emily was always in the sidelines with a sad face watching Adrianna do whatever she pleased.

There were a couple of occasions where I had a few class projects and I was partnered up with her. Each time she made the attempt to speak to me, even if it was in vain, she never gave up. I'd always give her a cold shoulder, but she'd keep talking to me, and it was sort of comforting. Even if I was quiet, and only spoke when it was necessary, she filled the silence with her boisterous attempts of conversation.

A little bit before I moved into the valley, she was my partner for the science fair. She came over to the big white house my mother and I used to live in with Trent. As soon as she stepped in the house, she shivered and told me "this house gives me the creeps." I smiled in empathy for her. The house will always hold those haunted memories.

Emily never judged me for my past. Even after I came back from the hospital, she told me she liked my blue cast and tried to make conversation with me by talking about all the times she broke bones. And in those few times we worked together she made forget about the past. She made me feel somewhat normal. But she was with Adrianna. I never let myself trust her.

At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door. I strained myself to get up. My heart leapt as I hoped it was Eddie, but then I frowned. If it was Cameron, then I would shut the door on his face.

I slowly opened the door and a smile spread across my face. Even with his hair tasseled around, his eyes pleading for some sleep, he smiled and a blush gradually appeared on my cheeks. His smile widened. Eddie delicately pulled me into an embrace, gently placing his lips on the top of my head. "Hi." I muttered on his shirt.

"Hey, I've missed you."

"Hmm." I pulled away and smiled brightly at him. Eddie flashed colorful envelops in front of me. "I got your mail." I saw him gently bite his lower lip, deliberating something. I gulped and quickly took the mail. "Err- thanks." I turned around too quickly and felt my abdomen burn at the movement. I clutched my stomach instantly. Eddie was right at my side. "Are you okay?" His voice hummed with concern and I nodded my head. I felt his heat radiating right off him, and his ragged breathing was right on my neck. "Oh yeah, I'm fine. Just make yourself at home. You want something to drink? Yes? Okay, I'll get you something to drink."

I moved away from him slowly, and Eddie smirked. "You want water? No? How about some juice? I can make coffee if you want. You look famished. Do you want something to eat? I'll go make something to eat." I kept rambling and Eddie's eyebrow rose in amusement. "Um, so just sit and I'll be right with you. Um-um yeah." He took a step closer, and I stayed still.

All the confidence I had two days ago is gone. He looked at me for a few moments, still deciding on something. His arms moved towards me and I quickly pushed him onto the couch, forcing him to sit. He looked at me surprised. "Sit down. Make yourself at home while I make you something."

"Loren," he began, "I haven't seen you for the past 48 hours. I'm not hungry or thirsty. I just want for you to stop talking and come sit down with me."

"But-but-" Where did all that confidence go? Whatever made me kiss him two days ago completely betrayed me and left. If he is expecting me to grab his face and kiss him senseless, then he will be disappointed. I can barely look at him without my face heating up.

"Is that too much to ask?" He grabbed my hand and held it in a firm grip. He wasn't planning on letting me go. I avoided his gaze. He pulled me towards him and I sighed, "Fine."

Eddie smiled in victory and pulled me down. My face instantly heated up as I sat down on his lap. He accommodated me to face him, took my envelopes and placed them on the table. I instinctively placed my head on his chest, and found comfort on how warm and soft he was, even if his toned body showed otherwise.

"See," he whispered, "This isn't so bad. It's actually really nice."

"Mm-hm." We were quiet for a few minutes. It was comforting. I felt myself relax and Eddie closed his eyes in a placid moment. My body gave in to his soft caresses. His middle and index finger gently trailed down my spine, leaving a trail of burning sensations. Eddie's breathing was controlled and I carefully surged upwards to look at him. I found his eyes looking back at me.

"How was your day?"

"Miserable knowing that my beautiful girl was here, and I was miles away from her."

"You're such a sap." I teased, but that didn't stop the blush on my face. He smiled sheepishly. "Only for you, Loren. Only for you."

His trail on my spine still buzzed, but his fingers were now moving upwards to my neck. I shivered slightly and he whispered, "Are you cold?"

"Kind off." I said breathless. In respond, I felt his arms wrapped around me, and he softly laid his head on the arm of the couch. I placed my head on his chest again, closing my eyes at the same time his fingers found my jaw. He began making a trail of sensations once again.

I let myself drift into the moment of intimacy we were both sharing. The space in our body was nonexistence, and our bodies gently molded into one. I exhaled out, and Eddie was right back to making trails down my spine and back up again. I felt his breath speed up every time he trailed down, and slow down every time he went up.

I ended up falling asleep right there in his arms. And when I woke up, I no longer felt his fingers on my spine but on my hair. He gently locked strings of my hair with his fingers. I looked up still drowsy from the sleep, his eyes found mine and a smile instantly formed. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Not long." He responded and there was a look of disappointment on his face as I began sitting up. "Sorry I fell asleep on you." I said as I got off his lap.

"It's fine, I found it comforting."

"Comforting? Over a hundred pounds slept on you for an hour. Your body must be all tense and what-not and you found it comforting?"

He chuckled, "Don't worry. My body is perfectly fine. Now you, how's your stomach?"

I shrugged, "It's better than before." I felt Eddie tense up. "But if you're worrying that I'll be back to school anytime soon, don't worry. I'm not ready to face people any time soon." A picture of Cameron and Adrianna appeared in my head. No, I'm definitely not ready for that.

Eddie seemed to relax a bit. He sat up and I looked at him thoughtful, "Has my mom told you anything that's been happening in school with my case?"

He smiled guiltily and I sighed exasperated. "So she has. Am I the only one that doesn't know what's going on?"

"We didn't want to worry you."

"Yeah, yeah."

"Well, if you want to know, I can tell you." I shook my head, and sighed again. "It's all right, I already know."

"Huh?" He looked at me puzzled.

"This guy from school came here and told me. I didn't even think I wanted to know about it until he told me."

"Some guy, huh?" Eddie scratched the back of his head, and looked before him. "Yeah," I said carefully. "I think you met him on Monday. You know blue eyes, and sandy hair, kinda tall, too." His eyes snapped back to me, and his eyes narrowed the slightest for a second. "I remember him." He murmured. "What did he want?"

"He came to inform about Adrianna."

"No, that was his excuse to see you. What did he want?"

"Um, I don't know. He told me he wanted make sure I was okay, I guess?" My answer came out more like an question. Eddie wasn't satisfied with my response. "Did he do anything to you?"

"No…" I shuffled in my seat uncomfortably. He did. He tried to kiss me. Or at least I think he was trying to. "I don't think so."

"Loren," Eddie leaned closer to me. I gulped as I felt his face inch closer to mine. "What did he do?"

"Um-" His gaze never faltered away from me. But my breathing did faltered. I gulped and he kept moving closer. "Loren," he looked at me and although there were sparks of anger in his eyes, there were hints of affection somewhere there.

"Fine, he tried to kiss me." I murmured. Eddie sighed in annoyance. He rubbed his face with his arms almost like he was trying to get rid of the anger burning him up. His gaze shifted to me and he appeared more controlled. "So he tried to kiss you?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Did he?"

"Did he what?"

He was impatient now. "Did he kiss you?" I shook my head and he nodded in approval. "Good." Then swiftly, he closed the distance between us. His lips collided against mine with an unnamed emotion. His hands cupped my cheek, and I felt him exert whatever he was holding back before. He breathlessly pulled away. His cheeks as crimson as mine, and his breathing as disrupted as mine. "Feeling territorial, are we?" I asked.

He smiled. "You're not some object at stake, Loren. But I can't help claim what's mine."

"You said I wasn't some object."

"That doesn't mean I won't feel possessive when another guy throws himself at you." Eddie leaned back on the couch. He smiled softly, and gently pulled me towards him. "Now come here." I complied. I leaned into his chest and he sighed. "I know he'll try again, so just promise me one thing?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Just promise me that you'll never find yourself alone with him. Always be with someone when you're around him. And if he asks to speak to you alone, tag that someone along."

"Why? You don't trust me?" I had to admit, that did hurt. Eddie chuckled lightly, "No, no. I trust you. But I don't trust him."

"Okay. I promise I will never be alone with him, ever." I looked up at Eddie, "It's so strange though. A month before, we barely even spoke. And now, he's launching into me way too strong."

"Whatever his reasons may be, he needs to know that you're with me…" He held his breath, "You are with me, right?"

"Of course!" I answered way too quickly, surprised he would even ask. Eddie smiled and nodded. "Good."

"Oh! Did I interrupt something?" We both instantly looked at the entrance and I discreetly slipped away from Eddie's lap. My mother eyed us suspiciously and shut the door behind us. "Um, no." Eddie said first. "Not really." I nodded. My mom placed her jacket and purse on the table, and continued to look at us. "Hello to you Eddie."

"Hi, Nora." Eddie sat up straight and I looked around to change the topic for the awkward situation. My eyes spotted the flamboyant letters and I picked them up. "We got mail." I announced. My mother eyes quickly landed on the mail. With no time wasted, she took the letters and stuffed them on her purse. I looked at her weirdly. "Whoa, okay."

"Did you open them?" She asked frantically.

"Nope. I wasn't planning to either."

"Oh, okay." My mom calmed down and looked at us embarrassed. "Sorry about that. I, um- do you guys want something to eat? I'll go make dinner for you guys."

Mom quickly turned towards the kitchen and took everything out, dropping a few pans on the floor.

"Is she okay?" Eddie whispered. I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Does that run in the family?"

"What?"

"That every time you guys are nervous, you turn to feed people."

"Probably," I glanced at her purse with the letters sticking out. Her attitude left a haunting feel. What are in those letters? I turned to look back at the kitchen. I caught my mother eyes and she sighed dejectedly. She didn't look at me again. Eddie went back to lay on the couch, pulling me down with him. I sighed and thought of my mother.

What is she hiding?

Hey guys! I'm alive... So here is an updated chapter of Worthless and I hope you guys like it. ANyways, a lot has happened in these few months. School, school, oh and more school.

Shh, don't tell anybody but I have this huge crush on this guy that I can't get rid off. Arghh, it's really bad. Well, have a nice day :D.

Song: Buring Bridges by OneRepublic

Dedication: To all of you for your nice PM's and Reviews. I really am sorry I haven't updated recently.