2 Chapter Two

"Move it freak." A gruff voice muttered before I was pushed to the side. I groaned in response and rubbed the bags under my eyes. It had been maybe a week since my encounter with the boy and his sister. Not much happened in the library that day. I pointed to the little girl scurrying about who ran up to her brother in an adorable and loving fashion. He thanked me and apologized like a gentleman before leaving the library with his sister in hand. I found it incredibly odd that I saw him not once, not twice but three times in one day. Ever since then I've been catching glimpses of him around. On my walks home or to work, hanging out with friends or even from a window-- whether it belongs to a car or my home. It was strange to me but he never made any contact. He barely even seemed to notice my existence. If he saw me in response he would wave and continue on with life and I would reciprocate. Now I was trapped in the cesspool known as school, trying to find a shred of peace and quiet. I felt nauseous and weak from not eating that morning and only sleeping for a handful of hours.

"Note to self, not eating and three hour sleep is a bad idea." I grumbled and continued on my way. I caught a glimpse of my bedraggled figure in a window as I passed by and almost gagged. My eyes were bruised from lack of sleep and my hair was a static mess. I groaned in annoyance as I continued to trudge around the school. I had a fourth period spare and did not feel like venturing to the seventh circle of Hell known as home. Instead I pushed my bookbag further up my shoulder and walked out into the cool autumn air. It woke me up slightly and I sighed in contempt.

"School life is crap, home life is crap, social life is crap and my sleep and eating habits are crap. What does that say about me?" I grumbled in annoyance as my legs started to guide me around the pavement. Cars whizzed beside me as I walked, drawing my attention.

Maybe I should walk in front of them and end it all, I thought to myself.

"At least my grades are good." I mumbled to myself again-- a vain attempt to distract myself from my previous thoughts-- and stretched my back out, passing the plaza that was a popular lunch destination for the high school kids. Pizza, fries, burgers and more were sold within the plaza and the smells wafted across the street to where I was. My mouth started to water and my stomach started to grumble at the prospect of food.

"Jesus Christ, was that you?" An unfamiliar voice chuckled beside me. I squeaked in terror and raised on my hands in a kung fu like motion. I was met with a burst of laughter from my follower and my eyes finally cleared to see who it was. It was a woman around the age of twenty five. Her slitted honey gold eyes gleamed down at me mischievously and her impish ears were adorned with glittering rings. She wore a pair of black pumps that elevated her above me, blue jeans that hugged her legs and a creamy off the shoulder cowl neck shirt that exposed her collarbone and elegant shoulders. I saw ink swirling around her shoulder as she placed her tattooed hand on her small mouth. Her skin matched my own and her hair was a beautiful white that was pulled back into a messy yet elegant ponytail that spilled over her shoulders.

"Who are you?" I squeaked in terror. The girl's expression softened.

"You sound a little bit hungry. I can buy you lunch if you want." She went in stride with me as we walked. I glared at the strange woman in defiance and looked away.

"I don't accept food from strangers." I growled and quickened my pace. The woman easily caught up with me with bits of laughter spilling from her lips.

"Aren't you the funny one?" I felt heat rise to my face.

"Please go away." My stomach growled with my words and I cringed.

"I'm guessing you forgot your wallet today?" I nodded at the woman's words as we came to the stoplight. Instead of walking straight the woman grabbed my wrist and yanked me perpendicular to my path and dragged me across the street.

"You need to eat. How does pizza sound?" The woman glanced back and smiled down at me, making me feel slightly comforted. I felt like I had no say in the matter as the woman pulled me to the shop. It was warm and cozy. No seats were available and the walls were washed white. There was a display case full of slices attached to the cashier. The woman ushered me inside before letting me go to order.

"Two pepperoni slices with a drink and garlic sauce." The grumpy man behind the counter grunted before ringing it in. I was motionless and still with my jaw open like a fish until the woman pushed me out carrying two bags and the cans balanced in one arm.

"Sit." She commanded and pushed me down onto the curb. Handing me a brown paper bag and a cold blue can of Pepsi she sat beside me. My hands gripped the can as I watched the woman take out her food. I watched as she took large hungry bites, humming happily as she did so.

"Are you gonna eat or watch me eat?" She said through bites. I jolted in surprise and bowed my head in embarrassment.

"Thank you, but why did you buy me food?" I asked softly as I pulled the warm food out of the paper bag. The cheesy smell perforated the area. I took out the small black container as well and pushed the slice into the dip before taking a bite. The woman shrugged as I did so.

"Why not." I was unsatisfied with her answer but chose to keep my mouth shut.

"Thank you again." She hummed in response and nudged me playfully.

"You remind me a lot of myself, kid. You'll do just fine." She grinned before setting her pizza down and ruffling my hair. My shoulders hunched up in response but I did not push her away.

"Why do you say that?" I asked as she turned to watch the fleeting cars.

"Do you have a boyfriend kid?" I shook my head. She rolled her shoulders back and I heard the faint crack of bones as she did so.

"Anyone who comes close?" I pondered for a second before my face flushed.

"There's been this kid I keep running into around town," Her eyes sparkled at my answer.

"Go on." She urged and rested her chin on her hands.

"It's more of just a menial crush, I've only talked to him once and that was the first day I saw him a few months ago. That's as close as it gets to me having a love life." I bit into my pizza again while the girl chuckled.

"I've felt like that before."

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

"I do indeed."

"What's he like?" The woman's smile softened and her eyes filled with adoration.

"He's a fucking idiot." I almost choked on my pizza when she said that.

"I met the guy by accident. He talked to me first and the first time I met him I fell for him, but I didn't know it. Then it was a stupid period of both of us liking the other but not saying anything until he mustered the courage to tell me. We've had our ups and downs," I saw her outwardly cringe at that part, "but it's been eight years and we're still together." That's when I noticed the band of silver wrapped around her finger. It was a silver rose with a shining light blue stone in the middle of the bud.

"You're engaged?" I blinked at the ring.

"Gonna be married in a month." That's when her leg started to jitter and her fingers twitched. Thinking about her wedding made her outwardly nervous as she began to fiddle with the ring.

"His family loves me, and mine barely tolerates him. Mainly my father and brother." She twisted the rose around her finger as she spoke in a low voice.

"You love him?"

"More than anything. You'll understand that too, someday." She reached out and patted my back. After the sharp crack of the can opening she stood up abruptly.

"This has been fun. See you around kid." She grinned down at me before sauntering away, tipping the Pepsi into her mouth.

"W-Wait!" I called out and scrambled to a standing position with my own can in my hand and the garbage in the other. The woman faltered for a second.

"Who are you?" The wind ran through my hair and I shuddered. The woman craned her head over her shoulder and winked at me.

"You can call me Ari." And with that cryptic name she disappeared.

I had finally achieved some level of silence. I was staring at the flaky ceiling above me with the world absolutely silent and still around me. The only movement in the room was my breathing and the dust particles swirling above me. I watched the particles shimmer in the streaked and faint sunlight like stars falling slowly out of existence. It was strange to watch but incredibly peaceful to do so. I thought about the woman I met and her words as I laid there. My mind drifted to the boy I kept seeing around town and his little sister.

"Weird people keep popping up around here." I muttered under my breath and closed my eyes so darkness enveloped me.

"Salayria!" My mother screamed from somewhere within the apartment. I felt my body crumble inwards as I propelled myself up.

"What?" I yelled back. No answer.

"What?" I yelled a little louder.

"Salayria!" She ignored my answers. I groaned in annoyance and hoisted myself out of bed. I stormed out of the room and followed the line of smoke to the living room where my mother was lounging. She was glaring at her phone in frustration and knocked it against the wall.

"What?" My voice was slightly edged with annoyance.

"Don't speak to me with tone," She hissed and flung her arm to me, "Fix it." I frowned and took the phone from her hand. I saw that the screen was frozen on her facebook feed. I pressed my finger against the power button and pressed the restart option that bubbled up.

"There." I handed it back to her and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to my room." I ducked my head because I could feel my mother's anger boiling behind me. Something smashed on the wall and I rushed forward to get away. Fortunately my mother did not pursue me and I scampered into my room for safety. I was a prisoner in my own home, and a slave to it as well. I curled up on my bed once more and watched the dust swirl around me, disturbed by my breath. I was really hoping that woman was right and soon my life would change.

Preferably for the better.