Until I Met You

Grace

I started running. I pumped my legs harder to get away from those fuckers. I heard two pairs of legs running after me which only made me run faster. Pitter patter of their legs stopped and some maniac laughter boomed across the silent road. "Hey stop." I heard someone yell behind my back but I didn't stop.

"We were just kidding. Come back." It doesn't matter that they were kidding or being serious. I couldn't take the risk. Who knows they might trick me again to go back and do, god knows what.

Wind was slapping hard against my face making it cold. I couldn't breath, and I was sweating like a cow. When I just couldn't run any longer I stopped. I put my hands on my both knees and started heaving deep breaths. My chest hurt like hell and I had to bend my shoulders to ease the pain. I didn't know how long I had run but I've lost the sight of them long ago.

"Son of a bitch!" I cursed. Finally, I straightened and wiped the sweat of my face to the sleeve of my top. My big crop top was all sweaty and it was sticking to my stomach. I thanked myself for choosing this dress even though it didn't actually help with the sweat. I looked into my phone.

Forty percent battery.

That's what I had left in my phone. I looked around to find myself surrounded by a forest on both sides. I didn't even know where I was. I brought my phone up to find no bars. No signal yet again.

I had no other option but to walk that straight road. Probably, if any car passed this way then I could hitchhike it. Calming myself down I started walking. A person with no direction. Thoughts started running through my head.

Was being independent means facing these kinds of struggles on a daily basis? Am I going to survive this college? How am I going to survive this? Why could not they just leave me alone and let me have my peace. I didn't even interfere in anyone's life! I never wanted to hurt anyone's ego, not even without intention. What would have they done to me if I had gone back to them? I hate them and especially Angela. If she was not sure about the ride then why did she insist to me about going on to that concert? I knew it wasn't her fault. What she said she did. She made sure I had a ride to go home even if it meant, a drive with devils itself. I was still mad at her.

A gust of cold air hit me and the hairs in my ponytail rolled with it. I stopped. I wrapped my arms around myself. I had never really cherished the calmness of night. My life was all about surviving the next day. I stayed up late at night to steal and fill my hungry stomach. And another and then another but standing here listening to this eerie silence, I found it both terrifying and soothing. Hearing nothing except cool wind, rolling leaves and swaying trees was peaceful. I looked up to find stars shining in the black and little cloudy sky.

"Wow." I murmured to myself. This is the beauty. 'Beep... Beep...'

I turned back to find a car coming my way. It's headlights shone bright, blinding my vision. I pushed a thumb up in the air indicating I needed a ride. It passed next me, crushing my hope but with some sort of luck it stopped a distance ahead. I ran towards it. As I reached it I looked to find a known person. It was one of the bodyguards at the place I worked. He rolled down the window glass and asked.

"You. What are you doing here?" He looked back in the rearview mirror and then back at me.

"And alone." He said as if accusing me. I sighed.

"Long story. Would you mind giving me a ride to just around my block?" He nodded.

"Hop in, girl." He said and I entered his from the passenger side door. I shut it and pulled the seat belt on.

"So tell me about your 'long story'." I rolled my eyes at his sarcastic tone. I opened my mouth to speak, but he shut me off with his next series of questions.

"You should not be out here alone. It's not safe. You should be careful around here. Were you here to meet a client? Don't tell me that you did. That's insanely dangerous. Those types of people are jerks." I groaned.

"Hold your horses. I was not here to pick a client, okay. I don't work anywhere aside from it's designated place, where people like you can smash anyone's head off." I patted his muscles on his forearms. He chuckled at that. "Tell me what happened?" I looked outside the window.

"Life happened." I could sense him glancing my way.

"You know if you want you can share anything with me. I won't share it with anyone else."

"Hmm." I made a noise in the back of my throat to tell him I heard it.

"You don't want to talk about it?" I shook my head.

"No. Not really." He pulled down the glass a bit, my side of the window. Air rushed in. I rested my head to the glass and closed my eyes.

"Alright then.” He said as we rushed through the night.

He pulled in my block and stopped the car. I unlocked the seat belt.

"Thank you." He nodded. I opened the door, and he said "Be safe." I replied "good night." and headed to my house. I walked to my house but turned my head back to see Mrs. Johnson peeked in through her bedroom window. I smiled and waved at her, and she ducked back like she was caught in a crime. As far as I know, she was. I opened my door and entered, for a short while shutting the outside world for once. I pulled off my shoes. I changed into my pajamas and went to sleep. I didn't know whether I would attend the classes next morning or not.