He rode his bike home after the clock stroke 4. He like the feel of the wind against his body and the energy he had to exert to move the whole thing on the steep road. The new town he had just moved in was located within the slopes of short wide hills. Everywhere you look there were always tall old trees hovering over you. The town was packed with modern and old houses. An odd mixture of them. He stopped pedaling and let gravity pull his weight down the slope. His eyes would wander at the tall Gothic church at his left. His nose would catch the sweet smell of Camellia in the air. And the sound of bells echoes from the inside. He swiftly turns the handle bars as the road makes a curve. He jumped from his seat and went to open the gate of an old colonial mansion. It’s walls were painted white and the roof, dark blue. It has a small fountain in front of it that was empty but laced with thin flowering vines. There was an external elegant staircase leading up to the second floor where he rented out the space for the lowest price. The parking lot was empty meaning that the old couple was out. He parked his bike at one corner of the parking lot before going up the second floor.174Please respect copyright.PENANAMv3b4y0H8j
‘Aren’t you going to call them?’
‘No.’ she paced across the room and took her shoes off the floor. Barefooted she turned back around and faced a sickly looking girl who also looked like she had not taken a shower for days. Her shirt hang off on one shoulder exposing her protruding collar bones.
‘And..?’
‘They had been stuck in this town nearly all their life. I doubt they would miss me. They were looking forward to going to Italy. It’s once in a lifetime.’
‘But you miss them, don’t you not? Isn’t that the reason why you left and stayed in the dorm instead?’
She smiled at the girl and sat on her bed. She caressed her matted hair and slightly flinched.
‘You should really take a shower Chloe. You stink. Like S.T.I-’
‘Alright, alright!’
Her smile disappeared.
‘Don’t rush it. It’ll slowly be gone. I promise.’ She whispered to her. Chloe began to shrunk the same way she did before she got inside her room. Withdrawn, sad, broken. It hurts to see her so different. And she knows better than anyone else that the Chloe everyone knows would never be the same.
‘I wish you could just stay over.’ She heard her say before closing the door.
Passing by the kitchen she met Chloe’s mother who was cooking her favorite dish. It smelled scrumptious with the butter, shrimp and spices.
‘Fay, aren’t you going to eat with us today?’
‘I’m sorry but I have somewhere else to go. I’ll visit soon.’
‘Alright, be careful.’ despite how much she tries to hide it with the cleaning, cooking, the outfits, what had happened took a heavier toll on her mother.
It must be more harder to act normal for everybody else when you’re the one hurting the most. But again, who else would be the others lean on to for comfort?
She looked at her watch and clicked her tongue. She put on her shoes and grabbed her bike. Just 30 minutes before it would close down she managed to arrive. Breathing heavily with droplets of sweat trickling down on her back she embraced the cool air inside the store. She bought tons of girl stuff, deodorant and mint. Her attention was clear today, she noticed. Not much of daydreaming or anxiety attacks apparently. Good. The cashier started to pack her items when she heard the doors open. Looking up she suddenly felt a chill crept up her skin. The figure didn’t seem to have noticed her yet. She went back to face the cashier and which handed her her change. She snatched the package from the cashiers hand and bolted off the store. Her steps were brisk as she scanned for her bike. Not here! A hand touched her shoulder, squeezing. She froze. ‘It’s been a long time, Fay.’ Turning around, she slowly looked upwards, starting from his leather black shoes, green pants, and dark blue jacket. Something shiny caused her to blink. He still wears the earrings. 174Please respect copyright.PENANA4KIAA3bB0D
His lips smirked cockily. The same one she used to go crazy over. The same one that no longer made her feel the same.
‘Running away again?’ He lets go and takes a closer look at her. She has become more pretty. ‘I heard Feb has come home in town? He actually called me to hang out sometime. He asked how have you been. Of course, I told him we already broke up…’ he trailed off, observing her expression. ‘How are you?’
She looks away from him. Hugging the paper bag closer to her chest. ‘I’m doing well. How about you? How’s college?’
‘Well, first off if I’m going to ask your question you need to walk with me first.’
‘No. My bike.’
‘What?’
‘Where did you hide my bike?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. I just got here, never saw a bike… anywhere near the entrance?’
Her eyes went wide as she looked over his shoulder.
‘Shit.’174Please respect copyright.PENANAPj6DX3ZmvD
‘Did it get stolen?’ the moment those words came out of his mouth she looked more worried. ‘I’m sure the store has some camera’s in here, we’ll be able to check it out.’
‘Ah! No, I mean, I’ll take of it myself. You should probably go. You might be late or something.’ Just as she waved her hands in front of him a tall girl stopped short in her walk and looked more closely at the couple across the street. Letting out a small gasp as she realize who they were. ‘Look-’ He stopped short, knowing what she was trying to do. ‘Alright, alright.’ he sighed ‘Do you know the November concert?’
‘I refuse.’
‘You’re quick. I have some extra tickets here. You can bring anyone if you like. Maybe help someone get some fresh air.’
‘I-’ he took her hand and place 3 tickets on her palm. With that he said his goodbye with a smile and waved off. She stood there alone with tickets on hand, unsure what to do with them.
When she was sure he was gone she hastily ran behind the store. Few bystanders looked at her that made her go slower, she walked fast without looking at her surroundings. She jumped to her feet when the sound of frantic screeching of wheels surprised her. She lost her balance and fell on her side. Her right hand scraped on the cement. She heard the bike being thrown to the side and the footsteps of it’s rider coming towards her.
‘I’m so-’ The voice stopped and when she looked up, she was looking face to face with Kharel Ulrich.174Please respect copyright.PENANAvO76JFAhx2