Small CAGED MOON Excerpt - updated

“Charlotte, please?”

He sounded closer. What a surprise. Stalker. I quickened my pace, when he stepped in front of me, making me jump.

“What are you doing, Liam?” I tried to catch my breath. “How did you? You know what? I don’t care.” I started to walk around him, but he moved in front of me. “Move out of my way, Liam.”

“Charlotte, please,” he said. “Just give me one minute. We need to talk.”

“We did that already. I know where that led me. You made yourself pretty clear.”

Liam ran his hand roughly through his ashen hair. “I’m sorry about what happened. It’s not what you think.”

“How do you know what I think? You didn’t stick around long enough to find out.”

I saw my words sting him, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t. He had his chance.

“I shouldn’t have left like that, Charlotte. I’m sorry. Something didn’t make sense. I freaked and ran. It was a mistake. At the time I didn’t know what else to do. I’m sorry. Please.”

I turned and started past him.

“Please give me another chance. I’m sorry.”

I spun around on my heels, and my words whipped off my tongue. “Why did you leave?”

Two students walked by, staring, and Liam fidgeted. “Can I give you a ride? We can talk in the car. Please? This is kind of private.” The classmates whispered to each other, giggling as they continued on their way.

“I like taking the bus.”

Liam arched an eyebrow. “Have you been eating the school food?”

“Not funny, Liam.”

He smirked tightly at his failed joke. “All right, all right. But come on, Charlotte. Please? Give me a chance to at least explain myself.” He fidgeted and lowered his voice. “You know I can’t talk here.”

“How am I supposed to trust you?” I whispered, but for whose benefit I didn’t know. “You don’t tell me anything. Everything with you is a secret. Now you want me to get in your car? Put yourself in my shoes, Liam.”

“All right. I know.” He groaned and rubbed his forehead. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for putting you in this situation, but I don’t know what to do. I’m crazy about you, Charlotte. My leaving had nothing to do with that. You have to believe me.”

“Then tell me why you did it.”

“Charlotte, I…I can’t. You don’t understand.”

It hurt. I wanted so much for it not to, but it did.

“Then I’m not getting in your car.”

“Charlotte…Please…”

“Goodbye, Liam.” My lip trembled and I bit it as I started to walk away.

Pg. 68-69, Caged Moon