Chapter 40

**Alyssia**

When finally returning back to campus does Zac move to park his car. Zac parking his car in a spot where no one would be able to see us. “Thank you” I whisper. My eyes now upon my lap.

“For what?” asks Zac. His focus now on me once he manages to turn off the car.

“For not pushing me away. And for you listening to me. That really meant a lot to me.”

“But of course baby. Your my woman. I’ll always listen to you. Besides, what your parents did to you is wrong. So wrong that I want nothing more than to go straight over to Mr. Lane and clock him in his face. Yet, I know that I can’t without putting you and our child in some kind of danger. And that’s something I will not do” explains Zac.

A small smile rising at his words.

“Thanks daddy. You’re the best”

“Of course I am. Now off you go, shoo, shoo. I’m sure Annabel is already looking for you.”

Giggling at his words do I move to kiss his cheek. My hand quick to open the door only to pause. Zac now opting to grab my hand. My focus now back on him.

“Do a date night with me”

“Huh?”

“I said, do a date night with me”

“Sure, but when?”

“Saturday. We’ll make a day of it. Just you and me and our unborn child”

“Sure, that sounds fun”

“Perfect. I’ll see you then baby” smiles Zac. His eyes full of love and devotion even as I quickly move to leave the safety of his car. My hands now closing the door behind me as I quickly scramble off to find Annabel.

My mind now hoping that nobody saw us upon exiting his car. Butterflies dancing along the pit of my stomach as I move to where Annabel should be. Our usual spot. A spot no one knows about except us.

\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**Annabel**

I’m currently waiting for Alyssia like always. Having texted her earlier only to learn that Zac had taken her out to lunch. A smile rising along my lips at the sweet gesture he did. A part of me glad that Zac took Alyssia serious. Unlike Brian who only used Alyssia for his own selfish reasons until it eventually hurt her in the end.

Another part of me really wanting to beat the living shit out of him but knew that I couldn’t because then I would be in serious trouble with both of my parents. A trouble I couldn’t afford to have as it meant leaving Alyssia alone and unattended.

My phone now buzzing as I move to see who it was. A smile soon rising. Sam. Zac’s best friend from what I knew and my current love interest. My eyes curious as to what he sent me do I move to read the text.

*Sam: Hey beautiful. How’s school? We still on for dinner tonight? I’d love to see you.*

Unable to deny this man anything he wanted do I move to text him back willingly.

*Annabel: Yeah, of course we are. Never in a million years would I pass up a chance to have dinner with you. What time were you thinking?*

*Sam: 7? I mean, if that’s alright with you first.*

*Annabel: Sure. 7’s just fine. See you later than babe.*

Hitting send do I move to tuck away my phone. Alyssia now soon arriving. “ANNABEL” exclaims Alyssia. Alyssia clearly happy from her lunch date with Zac.

“ALYSSIA” I say back with equal happiness. Both of us now hugging the other once Alyssia was standing next to me. “So? How was lunch?”

“Amazing. He got us pizza with ham and pineapple and bacon bits. Including a Dr. Pepper for me to drink” gushes Alyssia, Alyssia clearly happy with how Zac handled himself over lunch.

“That’s good. He should get you whatever you want. I mean he is your boyfriend now right?”

Quick to nod her head does Alyssia move to blush. “Yeah. He… He just confirmed it today during lunch. Just after I told him about my parents. And how they abuse me” whispers Alyssia. Her voice soft as her eyes move to look away from mine. As if embarrassed.

A piece of me wishing I could do more to help her, but I only knew so much about Alyssia based off the information she’s given me. Another part of me wishing that she trusted me more and came to me when she needed something and not hide. Yet, another part of me knew that Alyssia had to be the one to decide just how much she wanted to share with others without prying into personal space.

A sigh rising as I move to take her hand with mine. “At least the important part of everything is that he accepted you for you. Because if he didn’t.. I would have told you to dump his ass just like Brian.”

At the mention of Brian does Alyssia giggle. “Yeah, no. Not happening. I really do think that he’s the one for me” admits Alyssia.

“Good. Because I think I would be very devastated if I had to stop seeing Sam because you two couldn’t make things work between you” I tease, another giggle rising from between her lips.

“Come on. Let’s get to class. You can tell me more later when I’m getting ready for my dinner date with Sam.”

“Ooo.. deal”

Then, with that said do we both move to head for our next and final class of the day. Another rare moment in which both of us shared another class together besides English.

\~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**Alyssia**

When finally meeting up with Annabel I couldn’t have been more excited than that. The fact that we both had really good guys within our lives was enough to make me feel happy regardless of how the rest of my day went.

The bell now ringing as it finally signals the end of class. Annabel and I now leaving the room as we both move to head for the dorms. Both of us unaware of the dangers that would soon follow me back. Dangers that would forever tip the scale of my life moving forward.

Annabel and I soon approaching the dorms as the dorms weren’t far from the main campus. Both of us on the same floor as the other except on opposite sides of the building. Annabel suddenly worried once we exit the elevator upon reaching our floor.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” asks Annabel. Her eyes now one of concern. Something having shifted between us upon leaving the class. Almost as if someone was following us.

“Yeah. I’ll be fine. You just go back to your dorm. After all you have a hot date tonight” I say. Annabel now blushing at being reminded.

“Okay, fine. But promise me you’ll text me if anything happens to you. I mean it”

“I will. Promise”

Then, with that said does Annabel move to head for her dorm. My legs carrying me towards mine. Unaware of a shadowy figure behind me until it was suddenly to late. The voice low as they move to speak against my ear.

“Hello, Alyssia. Did you miss me?”

Gasping at the voice does the figure in question move to press me against my dorm room door. Fear and panic now rising within me. “Scream and I’ll do a lot more damage than just this. A lot more. Now be a good little girl and open the door.”

Whimpering at the words do I move to do as told. A piece of me now wishing that I had Zac here to help me. The figure in question now holding my hips as they move to walk me inside the room.