Page 61 of Payback
“For how long have you not fantasized about fucking me in this?”
“Is that what you think occupied my thoughts as a child?” he asked, approaching me.
“You drew me. I bet you hung those sketches on your bedroom wall too,” I snarled.
“You’re right, I did draw you. But it wasn’t out of infatuation,” he said, moving closer.
I brushed off a quiet ache in my heart. It wasn’t what I thought it was, I told myself, watching as he circled me slowly. His fingers grazed my shoulder and back before he returned to face me.
“I drew you as a way to channel my anger. I pinned you on the wall so I could throw things at you, gouge your eyes out, curse you. I could do all the things I wanted to do to you in real life, but through your drawing. Adults taught us to release anger in safe and non-destructive ways,” he reminded me. “But I never loved you as you might have convinced yourself. I didn’t sketch you because I was infatuated with my own tormentor. I wasn’t afflicted by Stockholm syndrome. I recognized my enemy, and I aimed to shatter you. I wanted to pay you back for everything you subjected me to. However, back then, I simply lacked the strength. You had affluent and caring parents standing behind you. I had nothing!”
“Caring...” I whispered.
“What?” he asked, but I shook my head, not willing to repeat the word.
“Nothing,” I replied.
“Do you grasp the significance of what I’ve just told you? Can you finally hear me, Alison?” he asked. “I detest you! My hatred for you is immutable. Nothing in this world could ever alter that.”
My heart raced, but I commanded it to calm down. I concurred with him—we harbored an unrelenting enmity toward each other, and there was no force capable of changing that. This was our destined reality. The war between us commenced long ago, and perhaps I was becoming less certain of who would emerge as the victor. I had underestimated Jared and the depth of his anger. I had never even remotely expected him to return to seek retribution. Yet, he was right. In our childhood, he was alone. His weak father was susceptible to any bribe, and even the principal could be swayed with ample money. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so astonished by his pursuit of me. Now he possessed wealth, authority, and was no longer vulnerable. It was truly time for retribution, and I was the reason for that.
“I understand,” I whispered.
A smile played on his lips. “Wow, I could almost believe you sound disappointed.”
“Please,” I mockingly breathed. “I despise you just as much.”
“And that’s why you loath the fact that you relish my touch.”
“I do not relish it. I never will!” I snarled.
“We shall put those words to the test. Now put it on.”
I was about to stride past him to change, but he extended his arm, halting me.
“What?”
“Why would you need to change in the bathroom?” he queried. “You can do so right here.”
“Urgh, fine,” I grumbled under my breath before starting to change.
Chapter 32
-Alison-
Angrily, I took off the shirt while Jared watched me change into the old school uniform, which I was not going to ask where he got from. It was much smaller than I remembered, but my body had also changed from when I was a teenager. While I was still slim, I had gained a bit more fullness around the hips, ass, and breasts. It was no wonder. We changed all the time, and I was no longer a kid anymore. I hoped I wouldn’t have to play one either. Jared hadn’t changed into his old uniform, which I would also be shocked if could fit his large body now. But it made me feel quite uncomfortable, as I feared he hoped I would play some almost-legal teenager and him the grown man I was begging for sex.
As I put on the skirt and zipped it, I turned to him, crossing my arms.
“Tell me, we aren’t playing some perverted game,” I told him.
“Perverted? I think this entire game is perverted by many people’s standards,” he chuckled.
“I meant the roleplaying. Don’t tell me you get to play your own age while I’m some kid!”
He cringed, not looking particularly happy with those words either, and it calmed me to see.
"No, that's definitely not what we're doing," he firmly stated.
