"Guess who", I felt someone whisper to my ear and a hand covered my eyes. I knew exactly who that was.
I grabbed his hand away from my eyes and turned around to face him with my hand still holding his.
"You're no fun", he pouted a little and I grinned.
"So, aren't you supposed to be in class?". I asked.
"Yeah. I was about to go there when I spotted you sitting alone in here. Is everything OK?", he asked taking a spot beside me.
"Yeah. My professor ditched us at the last minute and I had nothing to do until my shift begin in an hour", I didn't want to go back to the apartment since Dani and James were there as well.
"Oh, okay. So, is there anything I can do?", he asked again.
"Yes. Go to your class. You'll be late", I said slapping his arm playfully.
"Are you sure? I can ditch if you want", he smirked.
"Not gonna happen. Go now before I kicked your ass", I threatened. I hated it when he always ditched. I mean, we paid money for it, right?
"Fine fine", he chuckled and raised his hands in surrender. "I'll see you later, OK?"
"OK", I waved as he went away to his class.
I sighed then continued my reading which was interrupted by Liam just now. As I read the boring book, I felt my eyes getting heavy. I decided to stop and closed the book before I ended up sleeping here.
I looked at my watch and realized that my shift would start in 30 minutes. Going now would be perfect. I put the book back in my bag and walked to the front gate of the campus.
I walked slowly to the cafe since it wasn't that far and taking time to watch my surroundings would be great. I never really watched around the city since I came here because I would be busy with homework or work.
I remembered when I went to my first girls' night out with some of my friends. We went to different clubs and I had no idea where I was and couldn't find my way back to the apartment. I had to ask some people who ran into me for directions.
My thoughts were snapped when I realized I bumped into someone. Gosh, why was I so clumsy.
"Sorry, I didn't know where I was going", I apologized to the person.
"We really should stop meeting like this", I heard a familiar voice. I lifted my head and saw the guy I didn't expect.
"Uh, I'm so sorry. I'm clumsy and I wasn't aware of where I was going and... ", I started to ramble.
"Slow down. It's not a big deal", he chuckled.
I looked up and was met with familiar brown eyes. Gosh, they're so beautiful. I soon realized what I just thought and slapped my inner self for saying that.
"So, what're you doing walking here alone?", he asked casually.
"Nothing. Just on my way to work", I said.
"Where's work?", shit what should I told him? I refused to share my matter with strangers. Wait, I knew his name so was it considered a stranger? Stupid me of course he was a stranger.
"Someplace", I answered.
"Someplace?", he raised one brow.
"I'm kind of late. So I'll see you later", I quickly walked away. He looked shocked but he didn't stop me so it was a good opportunity.
I knew it was rude to walk away like that but we kept bumping into each other and it made me freak out. I turned my head and he was watching me intently. I quickly turned away and walked again without looking at him again.
"You're late", Laura sang once I entered the kitchen. I looked at my watch and I was 5 minutes late.
"Shit", I mumbled quietly. Mrs. Hardy would be pissed.
"It's alright. She's not here right now. I suggest you get changed quickly before she comes back", Laura threw the apron at me which I caught with my right hand.
"Nice catch", she whistled before leaving to serve the table.
I quickly changed and went to help Laura with the orders. Mrs. Hardy came back 5 minutes after I started my shift and she had no idea that I was late which made me relieved. The last thing I wanted was to be scolded at her small office.
I had a double shift today due to my absence last week so I had to work until 10 pm which wasn't a good idea because I had class the next day. If I knew this how it turned out, I'd just come to work last week.
At 10, I was ready to go home. I'd taken out the trash and cleaned the kitchen. Laura was counting the money for today and Mrs. Hardy had gone home before 9.30. She asked one of us to closed the shop today and brought the keys to her apartment which was 10 minutes away. There was no way for me to do that since it was already dark and I had class early in the morning. I could ask Laura to do it since she had a car.
"Laura, could you close the shop and bring the keys to Mrs. Hardy's? I have class early tomorrow and it's already late", I asked politely.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Val but my brother is coming home today and I have to fetch him at the airport", she said apologetically.
"Can't you drop it on the way?", I muttered.
"I'm afraid my brother would be waiting for me", she sounded impatient. I didn't want to do it but if she couldn't then I had no choice. We would get in trouble if one of us didn't bring the keys back.
"Fine. I'll do it", I mumbled.
"Great. Now let me changed real quick and we can close the shop", she said going to the back to change.
I sat at one of the chairs as I waited for her which felt like forever. I kept tapping my foot impatiently as I looked at my watch. It was almost 10.30 and Laura was still changing. What took her so long?
I finally got up and went to the back to check on her. I reached her locker, I saw her texting someone and she was grinning at the phone.
"Laura. Can we go now? It's getting late and aren't you supposed to fetch your brother at the airport?", I snapped.
"Oh, right. I'm coming", she placed the phone in her pocket and grabbed her bag.
We made sure that all the windows were shut before we closed the shop. Once I stepped outside of the cafe, the cold air hit me like a bitch. Great.
After locking the door, Laura gave me the keys and walked towards her car.
"See you tomorrow, Val", she said before she sped away leaving me alone in the cold air. She didn't even offer me a ride. Rude.
I sighed then started walking to Mrs. Hardy's apartment. The street was getting quiet and only some people walked past me which made me paranoid. I turned to the last block and the sight of Mrs. Hardy's apartment building made me sighed in relief.
I entered the lobby and took the lift to the 12th floor. The ding sound signaling that I'd reached the floor. There were so many numbers on this floor which made me frustrated. After some time, I managed to find Mrs. Hardy's room number.
I rang the bell and soon after the door opened revealing Mrs. Hardy. "Valerie. I'd been waiting forever. I thought something bad happen", she exclaimed. Concern filled her voice.
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Hardy. The walk from the cafe to here was pretty far", I said.
"Wait, you walk here alone?", she widened her eyes.
"Yeah. Laura has gone to the airport to fetch his brother", I added.
"I thought her brother's been here since last week? I saw him the other day", she said confused. Did Laura just lie to me? Now I was on fire.
"Anyway. I should be going now. I have class early tomorrow", I said
"OK. Be careful", she said closing the door.
I looked at my watch and it was almost midnight. Great. Now I still had to walk alone in the cold air and may God blessed me through my journey.
I stepped out of the apartment and walked at a quick pace. The street was empty and dark even though there were street lights.
I was two blocks away when I sensed someone following me behind. My entire body signaled me to walk faster and I did but the person behind me kept speeding his pace as well.
I began to run and the person followed too. I ran as fast as I could but he was faster. He pinned me down the floor and I tried to scream for help but he covered my mouth with his dirty hand and touched my whole body with his other hand.
Tears started to stream down my face. This is it. I'm gonna die being raped.
"I'm gonna stop if I were you", I heard the familiar voice shouted making my eyes snapped open and a sign of hope appear in me.