Page 79 of Had to Be You

We sink further into the maze. It’s now completely dark; the only light we can see is the slight illumination of the moon. “I feel like we’re in a horror movie and Leatherface is going to jump out at us any minute.” Lisa burrows in closer to Garrett, but Zach is nowhere to be found.

“Where’s Zach?” Lisa and my brother stop mid-step. The crunching from their boots goes silent.

“I swear, if he’s trying to scare us, I’ll kill him,” Lisa bites out.

“Yeah, this isn’t funny, Zach!” I yell. We seem to be the only group in this area and I can’t see anything. I hear something to my far right, so I move a little to see if it’s him. “I swear to God I’m going to punch you.” I move further into the field, letting the corn stalks hit my face. After I don’t see him, I turn back around and walk to where I think my brother and Lisa are. But I’m not sure if I came from this way, or the other. “Garrett?” My heart thumps faster as I wait for an answer. I keep walking, hoping this way is right. I know nothing is going to murder me out here but being in the pitch black, alone, is not my thing.

“Lisa?”

Nothing.

“Damn it.” Moving deeper inside the corn stalks, I confirm I’m completely lost. My feet are plastered to the ground and I’m two seconds away from hitting my button. My adrenaline picks up and I’m terrified. I mean, I sleep with a night-light for God’s sake. I fumble for my button with shaky hands, and that’s when someone comes up from behind me. They wrap a strong arm around my waist, while the other covers my mouth. I scream out of instinct, but my voice is muffled under his hand.

“Shh, pretty girl. It’s only me.”

My body relaxes a little when I hear Zach’s voice. But now I’m just pissed. “You jerk.” I try to turn so I can smack him, but he holds me still. His arms are wrapped around me so tightly they keep mine from moving. My back is pressed firmly against his chest. Being in his embrace, I’m not scared anymore. At least not from the maze or the darkness.

“Are you going to let me go?” I ask in a whisper.

“Nah, I don’t think so.” He brushes my long hair to the side, exposing my neck. His soft lips touch my skin and it takes every bit of restraint not to moan. “Your skin feels so good, like silk.”

My insides are screaming. He runs his hand down my arm to my waist, then stops when he reaches the top of my leggings. “Jules… you’ve never been touched before, have you?” I suck in air, but it doesn’t seem to be enough. Everything is spinning.

“Maybe,” I lie, and he knows it.

“I don’t think so. And just so you know, no one will ever touch you but me. Now, let me finish what I started.” He slides his hand down the waistband of my leggings and reaches the hot, wet area between my thighs. My body erupts with fire and my stomach is in pain. Pain for the burning, aching desire that has been lit inside me.

My eyes roll back as they close. I tilt my head until it’s resting on his chest. His hot breath radiates off my temple. My breathing picks up the closer he gets. “I think you like me touching you, don’t you?” He slowly slides two fingers inside me and I’m brought to life. I let out a quiet moan as he goes in deeper. “You, moaning like that, is the hottest fucking thing.”

“Oh my God, Zach.” My fingers grip the hoodie he’s wearing.

“You want more, Jules?” Without even having to think of the answer, I nod my head. Yes.

“Stop denying this, us. It’s obvious you want to be more than just friends.” He pulls away, leaving me unsatisfied. The warmth that was once at my back is gone. I don’t say anything, nor do I turn around. How insanely cruel… I want, I need, more.

“Fuck, finally. We’ve been looking for you two.” I turn around at the sound of my brother’s voice, before shooting daggers at Zach.

I’ve created a monster.

SEVEN

Jules

Sketching has always been my escape from the world. Like reading, I can get lost in the picture. I can zone out from everything. But ever since the corn maze, I’m having trouble focusing on anything but that night—along with the stupid kiss from the party. The stupid, incredible, make my body come apart kiss.

Foy Vance is playing in my room and I’m sitting on my window seat replicating the night sky. Taking in every detail of the moon, the stars.

I happen to glance over to Zach’s house and the same beat-up truck from before is sitting in the driveway. I add more shading around the moon, blending it in with my finger, before my attention shifts.

Shouting erupts from Zach’s house. He stalks out of his front door, followed by an older man. An angry older man. I study what’s taking place in front of me, leaning forward a bit, like that’s gonna help me see any better. The older man grabs Zach by the shoulder, spinning him around before clocking him with his fist.

“Oh my God!” I jump forward, wanting to do something, but what can I do? Should I wake my parents? If they didn’t already wake up from all the yelling… Should I tell Garrett? Then I see Zach straightening up from his blow to the face, and he strikes the man back. Zach’s tall—taller than his opponent. The man flies back, holding his nose. Zach’s mom comes barreling outside next, screaming and crying. She crouches down to see if the man is okay. Is she serious? Her son was just punched in the face by him, and she wants to make sure he’s okay? I’m now sitting with my legs tucked underneath me, watching everything unfold. I feel so helpless, so bad for Zach right now. I see him reach in his pocket and take out his phone. Maybe he’s calling the police.

I hear my phone vibrate on the end table next to my bed. Zach’s name is on the screen. He’s calling me?

I grab it, answer, and look at him from my window.

“Zach!? Are you okay?”