Kiss me in the crossfire

Chapterfifteen

Chapter Fifteen

Annika's POV

“Get yourself a life! Miserable old lady.” Sloane turns to the woman and yells. “It's easy to talk about someone else's life and analyse it like they are some fool when you haven't had to sit in their shoes.”

The crowd watches Sloane as she speaks, and they remain calm.

“What is this supposed to be? Adult Bullying? This shouldn't be the community where words like these are heard. I thought we were all to support one another?” Sloane speaks bitterly. Her house is nearby, and I believe she's familiar with those people who were speaking.

I could not bear it as I stood there in their midst. I did not want Sloane to have to fight for me in public, despite appreciating it so much. At least it shows how much they are willing to hear my side of the story when it's someone else standing up for me since I never get the audience to say the right words myself.

“Let's get going. I don't want to be here anymore.” I whisper in the back of Sloane's ear as she stands in front, speaking on my behalf.

“What you all have done to Mrs Brooker is grossly unacceptable. It is never what we do here or stand for. I do not appreciate such behaviour at all. And we all know the news lies.” She steps away from where she stood, making me more visible to them, “Just take a look at her, does she look like someone who will leave her husband for money? Let's be considerate with our thoughts and choices of words next time.”

All I just wanted to do was open the ground and enter it. I did not know what was worse. The looks on the faces of people who seem pitiful, or the fact that I was being portrayed as my fragile self in public. Something I know will irk Ares badly if he were here.

Unable to stand any longer, I walk back to the car, leaving Sloane behind.

My hands tremble as I sit in the car, waiting for Sloane to get back.

I guess she still went ahead to get the Cheeseburger. I don't even know if I like cheeseburgers anyway. I don't know how theirs will taste.

Moments after, the driver's seat opens and Sloane bends her head into the car, holding brown packed meals, with two cups of iced coffee.

“I don't think this is the right time to take this, but it will make you feel good. There's a strawberry flavour in it. Trust me, you will like it.” She says as she places them down between the two seats and enters the car.

“Those people and misbehaving. Sorry, I just could not stand everyone doing their best to act rudely to you while you quietly absorb all that they do and say.” She adds and sits on the seat. Her hair bounces forward as she rests her back on the chair and sighs.

“I just need to be calm.” She says, holding firm the wheels of her car, with her two hands as she takes in a deep breath in and out.

Sloane turns to me and asks, “Are you good?”

I had been watching her act all day. She's quite an interesting person. I did not know someone could absorb my frustration the way she does. She seems like she's fighting my battles more than I am. Her beautiful eyes and perfect body make her look so adorable, and for the first time, I am truly seeing how precious she is. Anger makes her even more cute.

“You don't have to get worked up over how people treat me. It's fine.” I had not said anything all through the time she spoke.

“I'd try not to.” She says in a way to dismiss my words. She starts the car.

We get back in no time, and I walk into Sloane's beautifully coloured apartment.

Very small compared to what I expect an apartment to look like anyway, but the items in it are well put together.

I wish I could get myself something that looks exactly like hers some days. I guess this is why she has so much peace. I mean, it will be easier to keep such an apartment clean without feeling exhausted.

Sloane walks over to her small dining room and clears it. I guess she wants us to eat at the table.

“I got us some fries. I don't know what you like and I don't think you will say anything. Later today, I'd make some real food for us.”

It is getting late already. I wonder what space in my stomach was going to take “some real food,” but I smile anyway as I sit on the chair and begin to eat the cheeseburger.

It was creamy and full. It's quite better than I expected, but I think it's a little too sweet.

If I continue to eat like that, I might add some bad weight and that won't be good for me. The news will have it that I look like an orangutan because I left Ares' house. I do not want to lose my fitting.

I ate it all anyway because Sloane seems to enjoy hers so badly.

“You've not eaten any fries?” She asks after sipping down her coffee.

I pick two from the carton and bite them like I was trying to prevent them from hurting me.

Sloane smiles at me and continues happily with her meal. I've never seen someone as happy as she is. I don't even know if she has a problem of her own.

I hear the footsteps of someone approaching, so I stop chewing and look Sloane in the face.

“Anyone in?” A cheerful voice echoes as the person reaches the front door and bangs it.

“Are you expecting someone?” I was uncomfortable knowing someone was by the door, and it shows as I ask Sloane in fear.

“Oh, that should be Susan. She's earlier than I had expected.” She says, dusting her hand with a napkin and standing. “You'd love Suz.”