Unwritten Rules Read Online Free PDF Page A

pajama bottoms and a simple white T-shirt. He must have been col ecting his mail and heard the commotion outside.
    “You don’t need to do that,” I whispered.
    “Huh?” he asked, but comprehension dawned and
    seconds later I could see he understood what I was referring to. “El e, you have to report this.”
    “He didn’t steal anything, and I’m just a bit sore. He didn’t do any damage, Jonah.”
    His eyes widened. I realized it was the first time I had said his name out loud. I adored the sound of my name on his lips and wondered what he felt hearing his own name from mine. I watched his chest rise then fal deeply when he expel ed a large gust of air.
    “What if he tries again? Maybe this time the
    woman won’t be as strong as you.”
    I guessed that was a back handed compliment
    and stopped a smirk from forming across my lips.
    “I have nothing to tel them. It al happened so fast. I bet you don’t have a description, do you?”
    He mussed his hair and shot me the cutest pout I’d ever seen. My chest clenched.
    “I guess not. But you stil need to cal them.”
    I remained silent, studying him as he shuffled uncomfortably around the room. I was tried to concentrate on breathing in and out as he continued to distract me. He fil ed the space with his presence, my body sensing him no matter where he was in the room. He entranced me with his slow, steady steps around my furniture. I grimaced when he handed me the telephone and eventual y buckled, cal ing the police.
    Jonah waited with me until they arrived. He
    continued to pace around the room, averting his eyes from mine, but blushing each time they met. When the cops arrived, Jonah sat on the armchair facing me, prompting me when he thought I was struggling. He then offered up his version of events to the officers. I kept my tears at bay, desperate not to seem too weak to him. It took every ounce of strength I had not to lose it once the police left my apartment.
    “Should I get you a drink?” Jonah asked.
    “No, it’s fine. I want a shower. I feel real y gross,” I replied with a sigh.
    He looked me in the eyes; his jaw rigid.
    “Can I do anything for you? You look like you’re going to pass out, El e.”
    I stood and walked toward him on wobbly legs but tried to put on a facade.
    “You’ve already done so much.” I braced myself and rose up on my tiptoes, kissing his cheek. “Thank you, Jonah.”
    I gasped in surprise, when he wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing me back into his embrace. On a whim I placed my arms around his neck and hugged him close.
    My body sprang to life.
    It was as if a charge of electricity surged through my body. Every cel demanded more – demanded Jonah. I wanted to stay here with him surrounding me, making me feel so much better.
    For one moment in time, I forgot what had
    happened in the street below.
    Al too soon it was over, and he was pul ing away. He’d become self-conscious, trying to get to the door as fast as he could. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, as if he wanted to say something but didn’t know how. I thanked him again, and eventual y he relented.
    “Can I check on you later?”
    I exhaled, liking his concern. “I’m good. I promise.”
    He turned the handle on the door, adding before he left, “I’m sorry that this happened to you, El e.”
    The door clicked closed, I crumbled.

    I col apsed onto the floor and sobbed, rubbing my arm where my attacker had tried to wrench the iPod from me. I’d never felt so violated.
    Meow prowled across the floor, coming to rest on my lap and sniffing up at my tear stained face. He purred loudly, trying to comfort me in his own noisy way. It only made me weep more.
    I’d spent the rest of the day in bed, crying and hoping to fal into an exhausted sleep.
    It never arrived.
    I tossed and turned, trying everything I could. The mixed up images continued to swirl in my head. The whole assault was one big blur. The only thing that made any sense was