6 Chapter 6

Finally after shutting off my alarm, I get up and drown yesterday's events with the hot water of the shower.

After my warm shower I got out and dried myself. I dressed in a plain T-shirt and jeans, simple and comfortable.

I picked up my phone; no new messages - just the taunting fact that I had to call my father.

I walk into the kitchen and dive into a fresh cup of coffee. Myra was nowhere to be seen, again having the small apartment to myself. A roomful of thought to wander with no noise to interrupt them.

I finished my cup and pulled out my phone, staring at my father's contact that I'd saved the other day. I press the phone button and see the phone call the number.

I was scared, nervous mostly but the feeling only got more intense as I heard it ring in my ear.

"Sam speaking," the phone spoke into my ear. Tears almost formed in my eyes but I swallowed down the feeling.

I cleared my throat and spoke into the phone, "Hey, it's Emma. I wanted to ask you, I was thinking we could go for coffee sometime soon?"

"That sounds perfect! I'm free tomorrow, would that be okay for you?" Tomorrow? That was so soon.

"That sounds good."

"Thank you, Emma. You have no idea how much this means to me."

I stay silent for a moment, trying to find my breath.

"Y-yeah, no worries." I say nervously. No surprise since I was trying to shove it down my throat as best I could. "I can send you an address and meet there at two?"

"Perfect. I'll see you then." I'm relieved when he ends the call.

I sat down on my bed and laid down on it. I noticed how my bed moulded around my body, creating the perfect cushion.

My phone pings in my hand and I move it to my face. A text from Myra.

'Party! You coming?'

'No thanks, I'm staying home. Have fun!'

'Once, just once I'll drag you to one of these. You just wait!'

I smile at the screen and shake my head.

I sat back up and went to my desk. I looked at my small library of books that sat on a small shelf I hung up before college.

I decided to do something effortless today, so I took out my computer from its case and brought it over to my bed.

I typed in the password and opened up Netflix. I searched through the movie titles, skimming the covers until I reached one that I recognised. It was about a boy who was rescued by a family, they took him in even though he was a different skin colour and gave him a home. It was a movie I always loved watching.

After I had finished watching it I didn't feel like sitting around anymore. I felt a little bored and if I was honest I wished I had some company. For a moment I thought about calling Myra to see if I could come to the party but I quickly got rid of the idea. Aiden was probably going to be at that party and he wasn't someone whom I cared to have a chat with not would he.

Still I didn't feel like sitting around. Maybe I could go for a walk? It sounded like a good idea, there was good weather and I didn't see why not.

I put on some leggings and some coloured runners, I took my phone and headphones with me as something entertaining to do while on the walk.

I stepped out of the apartment, the afternoon was beautiful. Fall here was beautiful. The leaves had begun to turn the orange colour I loved so much but the grass still remained green.

I began my walk and plugged my music into my ears. Listening to my piano music was calming, serene with the nature around me.

I passed a park where children played with their parents, then I picked up my pace. I soon began to run and it felt freeing.

Before I knew it I had made my way back to the apartment in one piece. I was out of breath and my throat was dry.

"Hey!" I could barely hear the voice behind me from the loudness of my music.

I took out the headphones from my ears and turned around to meet this stranger.

"I'm very sorry, I didn't catch that..." I looked up at his tall build, curious.

His face was kind and well groomed, but he had a thin layer of sweat coating his face. By the athletic clothes he was wearing and his own headphones hanging out form his ears, I could tell he was on a run too.

"I'm sorry to disturb you but I was just on my run and I got a bit lost. My phone ran out of battery and I'm quite new to this part of the city. Anyways, I just wanted to ask for directions to the apartment buildings North of the Berkeley college?"

"Oh, sure! I'm new to the city myself." I smiled and took out my phone to open my GPS app to give to him. Then I sat down on the steps that led inside the building complex.

"Thank you for the directions, I'm actually closer than I thought I was." He smiled and returned my phone after he knew where he needed to go. "My name is Elijah, by the way."

He extended out a hand, his name sounding familiar in my ears

"My name is Emma." I shook his hand. "By any chance, are you Lars' roommate?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"My roommate is Myra… Lars mentioned you to me before."

"So does that mean I'll see you around?" His brows raised slightly.

"I'm not sure..." I said, and then continued, "So, are you good friends with Lars?"

"Yeah, we've known each other for a while now. We don't see too much of each other, though."

"Why is that?"

"Well I have a job at the public library of Berkeley just outside of campus so that keeps me busy when I'm not in a class or studying."

"Do you like working there?" He grins at me once more.

"I do. It's quiet and peaceful most of the time. Pays well too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, absolutely. Are you looking for a job?" He sat on the step below mine.

"I am. I haven't started searching yet, but I am going to need to eventually."

"Well, there's a few positions of a library clerk available. I'm sure you could apply for one. I could ask for you if you want. It's just shelving books and checking for damage, things like that if you're interested?" He offers.

"You could do that for me?"

"Sure, why not? It'd be good to have a friendly face around and besides, we're short of employees right now considering it's the beginning of the school year for most people."

"I mean, are you sure? I really don't want to impose or bother..."

"You wouldn't be imposing." He searches my face for a moment.

"Well, thank you… thank you so much. This really helps me out a ton."

"It's nothing." He grins and stands up from the steps. "I can give you my number if you like. Shoot me a text so I know it's you and I'll keep you updated on that library job, see what I can do."

I nod and put in his number into my contacts, shooting him a simple message to let him know it's me just like he instructed.

"I can't thank you enough for this, Elijah."

"Please, it's nothing. And again, I'm sorry for the inconvenience. I'll try not to get lost next time." He grinned with a half laugh, which made me smile.

I watched him walk down the sidewalk and turn the block until he disappeared. Then I entered my apartment again.