DARK LIES

COFFEE? (Chapter 4)

I walked into my lecturer’s hall only to be met by shocked and confused gazes directed towards me. I smiled at everyone and quickly took my seat on the front bench. I felt cold and I wanted to go home because I was completely exhausted, but I let out a sigh and quickly pulled out my laptop to take down notes. I could feel everyone looking at me. Their annoying and judging gazes only made this situation worse. I couldn't let them get to me , so i ignored them.

I was reading through my bio-physics notes when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I turned around , frustrated .

“Avella ! Darling ! What happened to you ?!” exclaimed someone with concern so fake that it made me want to barf.

“Oh . Hey Reanne .Nothing much really. Just almost got murdered. That's all . I mean its perfectly normal, right ? “ I answered sarcastically.

I wanted to laugh at their shocked faces. But i held it in.

They stared at me for sometime but then eventually they walked away. These are the kind of people you wouldn't want to meet after you almost got murdered. I really hate Reanne and her gang of rich girls. I mean, how can someone with such a horrible personality be Reye’s sister ? Reyes is so gentle and kind but at the same time charming and daring, and then there is Reanne. I dont know one person in my college who wasn't bullied by her and her gang.

Anyway, I don't have time to break my head because of these people.

College ended at six , with our final lecture being bio-chem . I walked out of the college building and stood there . Snowflakes gently landed on my cheek and melted away in an instant due to my body temperature. I caught one snowflake in my hand and blew at it. I smiled as it melted away into nothing. Then I realized that my life is as gentle as this snowflake. If I fall into the wrong hands , sooner or later , I will be nothing.

I started to walk towards the bus stop hoping that i would be safe and not fall into the wrong hands.

I finally reached the bus stop and I noticed that the bus was already there. I quickly ran to catch it.

I climbed aboard the bus and quickly pulled out my pocket knife as I sat. I checked to see if the driver was suspicious and smiled at myself as I the wrinkled face of Mr. Hopper.

“Good day Mr.Hopper ! “ I greeted him.

“Ah Avella. Good day to you dear. Sorry about this morning. Some weirdo stole ma bus! Nothin happened, right ? “

“No ,nothing at all.” I replied as i stared outside the window , watching the snowflakes gently float around. The bus started to move and I started to doze off.

By the time i reached home , it was eight. I got off the bus and started to walk to my apartment.

I walked for sometime but then something felt off. There was someone following me. I couldn't see them but there was someone. I started to walk faster and before i knew it, I was running.

The snow crunched beneath my feet as i ran as fast as i could. I wanted to cry but i had to stay strong. I wanted to turn around and scream at the person chasing me to leave me alone. I pulled up my phone preparing to dial 911 when I looked up and realized that, I was at my apartment. I shouldn't enter my apartment. I had to misguide this person. But what if the person who is following is the same person who was trying to kidnap me ? Or maybe this person is the one who keeps climbing through my window , trying to kill as i sleep. Whatever.

I took a right turn and ran to the main street, trying to hide among the crowd.

I entered a bakery at the end of a food street as i needed to breathe. I could also ask for someone to help me. I sat down at a table for two people at the back end of the bakery and closed my eyes. I am so exhausted. I am so tired of this. Was it too much to ask to just make things go back to how they were? Why do I have to go through this ? Why did i borrow that damn book that day ? How do I fix this mess ? . So many questions were running through my head that I didn't realize that someone was calling me .

“Neighbour ! You ok ?! “

I opened my eyes and looked up at my neighbour, looking down at me with eyes of concern.

I didnt know why, but at that moment I felt so relieved that I laughed. He looked at me as though I had gone mad, but then he smiled, a slight hint of pink appearing near his cheeks. When I finished laughing, I pulled him into a hug. His arms wrapped around my waist as he pulled me closer to his chest. I could hear his heartbeat loud and clear and i closed my eyes , engulfing his sandalwood perfume.

We stayed like that for some time. Then i eventually pulled away from him.

“I have never been so glad to see your annoying face, Andrian Maximilan”. I whispered with a smile.

“Did someone finally lose their head because of medical studies ?” He asked childishly.

“Maybe, but I am okay now.” I said as I laughed.

“Well ,wanna get a coffee and talk about what made you so paranoid ?’

‘Are you asking me out ?” I asked mockingly.

He pushed his hair back . His fingers gently stroked my cheeks as he looked down at me , his blue eyes shining ever so brightly. The warmth of his fingers caused my skin to tingle.

“Maybe” he replied with that mischievous smirk which makes my heart beat faster every time.

i must have looked stupid because, in the next second, he started to laugh.

“You are absolutely adorable! Well Miss. Thatcher , should we go get some coffee ?”

Nodded my head in approval. He gently grabbed my wrist and we left the bakery .