For You

Someone whistled. "Should I go throttle the asswipe, Zanya?" "No. Leave him be. I'm already late for work anyway." I shrugged it off like I always did. Even if we took that one down, how many more would there be? The real solution to situations like this is simple: ignorance. Heading to the coffee shop on a Monday morning is always a pain in the ass. Know why? Because people in suits have no concept of patience or normalcy. If not for zebra crossings and traffic lights, I swear there’d be a pileup every morning. The thought made my stomach churn. Thinking about my job tonight made it churn even worse—until I was damn sure I was going to puke. I might as well be wishing on a damn star at this point. Sighing, I unlocked the café door. At least I should be grateful he let me have this... As I headed straight to the locker room to change, Queenie and Kaili shot me questioning, worried looks. Honestly, I didn’t even know why they were still in my life after I’d warned them—he could hurt them just because they knew me. Choking back a sob, I closed my eyes, trying to get a grip on my emotions. "Zanya, are you sure you're alright?" Kaili asked. If I could rewind my whole life, I’d make sure never to meet her. She’s too sincere, too kind, to have someone like me—a walking shadow—tainting her world. "Or should I have gone and beaten them up against your wishes?" Queenie seethed. She never lets harassment fly under her radar. She’s saved hundreds of girls from abuse. But her only regret? She can’t save me. My case is different. The worst kind of different. It’s always been that way. "I’m fine, guys. I just have another mission tonight. Gotta get in the zone, you know?" I joked, trying to ease the tension. "Oh, Zee... I wish we could help you," Kaili sniffed, wrapping her arms around my smaller frame. Queenie went silent, and I could almost see her mentally torturing herself for not being able to do more. "I'm alright, really. Same drill as always," I said, trying to convince them—and maybe myself. "Somehow, I don't believe you today, Zanya. Are you hiding something from us?" Queenie asked, sharp as ever. "Like I said, I’m good," I insisted. Their expressions didn’t change. Not one bit. Oh well. I tried. "Now, let’s go. We have a busy day ahead of us." ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Later... "Zee, why is that hottie looking at you?" Hell if I knew. The guy at the table closest to the door had only ordered black coffee, yet he’d been watching me the entire time he’d been here. Realizing I’d left Kaili hanging, I shrugged. "He’s probably one of those," I muttered. But deep down, I knew he wasn’t. His stare brushed my skin like a whisper of fire, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. I shuddered. He wasn’t like other guys. That, I was damn sure about.