Until I Met You

Kidnapping (18) Grace

I processed his words in my head. He knows. How did he know? Oh! right. The rumors. Then why wasn't he looking mad? He should be angry. Who spread this news? Who spread the rumors?

A hand waved across the table. My eyes followed the moment to the person who was doing it. Jake stuffed his hand back in his pockets. Then gave me a wary look.

"Are you okay?" This was the second time someone had asked me. It made me angry. Especially when he was asking this question. I pinned him with a glare then turned on my heels and walked out of the cafeteria. I was too angry to even say anything. Without realizing where I was going I let myself go with, wherever my legs were taking me. My anger blinded me to the point that I didn't even care who fell in my way. My shoulder bumped into a girl.

"Watch where you're going, Bitch." She bit out. Without saying anything to her, I moved on. I didn't want to take out my anger on someone who didn't deserve it. Even if It felt like everyone deserved my anger at the moment. Fasting my pace, I took a turn when I felt someone grab my hand and pull me into an empty room. My anger flared when I realized it was Jake.

"Listen to me." He said in his businesslike tone. His voice seemed like acid to me. How he'd even get into this room so fast? Wasn't I walking at a frightening speed?

"What?" I asked in anger. He shut up and studied my face. My lips thinned in a firm line and I stared right back at him.

"Someone posted an anonymous message. Stating you as my girlfriend. Rumors spread easily and everyone started asking questions about it. I thought that it would do no harm if anyone found out about it. After all, we are in a relationship. Fake or not. Plus, it would stop the girls from clinging to me. You wouldn't like your boyfriend to be mingling with other girls. Would you?" He said the last line teasingly. I let him explain his bullshit. This time I stayed silent. Not on purpose but because I didn't have words. I didn't know how a person could be so selfish.

"Well?" His expectant voice snapped something in me. He looked so satisfied with his explanation.

"Well?" I repeated his words and I closed the distance between us. I walked up to him and stopped at a foot distance. His body went stiff and rigid. He seemed like he was preparing himself for a wild attack or a sudden move from me. I jabbed a finger in his chest.

"You are the most selfish and a self-centered jerk, I've ever seen, Jake Davis." I said. My tears were choking me but I just swallowed hard, trying to push it down.

Jake jerked back. Shaking his head a little he asked, "Why are you making such a big deal out of this? If I'm fine with our relationship being public then what's the problem?"

"It's all about you. Right? Did you ask me once?" I raised my voice. "Once Jake?!" I breathed hard and lowered my voice. "What I wanted? Am I okay with this relationship being open or not? With you telling your friends about my job or not? If I was okay to be even driven in this mess or not? Right now I am being called a bitch for stealing the most eligible bachelor in this college." He pursed his lips and scrutinized me with intensity.

"Who called you bitch?" He asked. I did not say anything. Lord, among everything I said he noticed the most worthless thing. After a beat he spoke.

"My friends don't know about your job. I made a promise to keep it a secret and I'm keeping it. And you willingly agreed to enter this mess." He replied. His first line made me think again but his defense against me willingly entering this mess made my blood boil.

"You do remember that you left me with no choice. Right? If I hadn't agreed with you then you would have shouted out to the world about my living. Easily destroying my hard built life."

For a moment there was silence between us. He didn't move or say anything. Neither did I. I stared into his eyes, and he into mine. Finally, he broke eye contact and ran a hand behind his hair. I straightened.

"Leave me alone for some time. I need to calm down. I can't think straight." I walked past him towards the door. I opened the door and stopped. Turning my head over my shoulder to see him. I wanted to say... .something but decided against

it.

Closing the door behind me, I lifted my head and filled my lungs with fresh air. With that, I began moving. I was still angry. I passed the main corridor and the main ground and then out of the college's gate. I lifted the hoodie on my head and kept on walking. Anywhere was better than this place. I didn't even care about the classes. My emotions were piled up to the point where I wanted to scream and cry. Instead, I kept my calm and composed. Silently forcing my one foot in front of the other.

Everything in my life sucked. Everything. Before and after. Sometimes I feel like there's no future for me. No hope. Foster care or independence, my life will remain hell.

How come it was my fault that an idiot wanted to fake-date me? Moreover, how fucked up the thing was that I could not even tell it to anyone. Right now, I'm that girl who stole someone's guy. Everyone's talking about how it was me who stole their celebrity. Like it was my dream. More like a nightmare.

My head pounded with a new building headache. I passed streets, houses, traffic, cars, buildings. Feeling nostalgic as I watched the afternoon sun, high up in the sky. After an hour, I found myself standing near a lake. It was empty and clear. I walked closer to the edge of the water and saw my reflection.

My hair was wild, coming out of the hoodie. Pushing my hoodie back, I knelt down. From afar, my face didn't show anything but as I sat close to the water I saw there were lines of tears on my face. I didn't even realize that I had cried. My light makeup was smeared on my cheeks, giving me the look of a sick person. My fussy hair was flying with the wind and I felt dirt on my face.

I looked around and saw nothing at all for a far distance. Hearing water flow in a rhythm and watching its waves. It calmed me down. I folded my jeans to its knees and dropped my legs into the cold water.

"Ah..." Closing my eyes, I sighed.

I didn't even know where I was but I didn't care. This lake seemed like treasure. A quiet safe place that I needed at the moment. Putting my bag behind my back, I lied down. I didn't even care if someone thought I was homeless. It was just way too amazing. The wind caressed my skin. My flowing hair gave me the feel of a free soul. I lay there, for how long, I don't know. Maybe because I fell asleep. But when I opened my eyes I saw the sun had gone down.

Rubbing my eyes, I looked around, again, there was no one. The weather had turned cold and afternoon's warm waves were now replaced with cold once. Sighing, I pulled my legs out of the water and pulled my jeans down. I didn't have anything to dry myself so my jeans also became wet from the water on my legs.

Picking up my bag, I dropped it over my one shoulder and then checked my phone. It was seven pm.

"Shit." I muttered. Opening up Google Maps, I found my current location. It was one-hour ride from my college and miles away from my actual home. It showed no nearby bus stop or public transport service. I need to buy a car, seriously. Even if I bought a car it was of no use. I don't know how to drive it. I had seven missed calls from an unknown number. I thought about calling back but stopped myself. First, I need to get home. Frowning, I started walking to the main road. I had to call an Uber if I didn't want to spend the night out here. As I walked, I saw a bus stop. It was empty but still it was a bus stop. Google Maps did not show any stop sign. Guess you can't depend on technology completely. I sat on the seat and tried to find a nearby Uber.

Tried was the keyword.

No Uber was close enough to pick me up. The nearest Uber showed was half an hour distance. Still, I booked it.

Something was better than nothing.

I looked around for no reason. I started to feel cold and my wet jeans didn't help me. Shivering, I sneezed hard. Confirmed. I would have a cold the next day. I saw headlights and my hope widened. It was only fifteen minutes before I had booked the Uber. The driver managed to get here so fast. At least one thing will go the way as I hoped.

Not.

Of course not.

It wasn't the Uber as I was hoping for but a random car. How was I even surprised? Nothing could go the way I want it to be. It won't be my life otherwise.

The car came to a halt next to me. Its windows were tinted, blocking the view who was inside. The driver seat window rolled down and I gasped in surprise when I saw who the driver was.

Ben Smith looked at me and smiled. I got over the shock.

"What are you doing here?" He asked me.

"Nothing." I replied.

"Get in. I'll give you a ride to your house." He said opening the other side of the door from inside.

Ride with him? Bad idea.

"No thanks. My Uber is coming." I replied in a monotone tone. Hoping he would go away.

"Oh come on. I can't leave you here. This area is not good for beautiful girls like you." He said and I wanted to gag in disgust at his 'beautiful' word.

"No thanks but I'll manage." My sentence didn't leave any room for argument.

"Get in the car." He said. His voice went cold and bone chilling at the same time. It was not a request but an order for me to obey.

"I said no. I'll manage." I replied, cautiously.

"Get. In. The. Car. You. Bitch." He spoke every word with command. I saw his body turned rigid and his muscles flexed from where he seated. Suddenly, I became aware of my short height and petite structure. I didn't know where I was or how far the Uber was. Nobody knew where I was. He could rape and kill me for I know and no one's going to find out about it.

He turned to open the door and I reflexively started to run. I dialed the first number I could find and put it on my ear, all the while running. Behind me, I heard an engine flared.

"Grace." I heard Jake saying.

"Jake, help me." I said frantically.