Perfect Strangers

Chapter 2

After leaving the flat, Heather sat in the library waiting until classes started. She was in such a daze she wasn't even reading the book before her. She didn't even notice the familiar face sitting opposite her until he spoke up.

"Everything okay?" he asked, his deep, soft voice pulling out her thoughts with a start. His voice was nothing like the rough, deep one Derek had.

"Oh Eric," she acknowledged. "Everything's fine," she reassured, looking back to her book that was still opened on the first page.

Eri didn't look convinced but said nothing more as he too went back to his book, falling into their usual routine. They would always come to read and study before and after class, sitting across each other in peaceful silence.

After class, Eric and Heather walked out of the library their arms full of books only to run into Derek who immediately scowled at Eric who glared back.

"I this why you didn't answer my call?" he asked darkly, making Heather flinch.

She knew how much he hated being ignored, intentional or not, but she was so into her reading she didn't notice.

"I'm sorry." she simply said, her gaze cast to the floor, and although he didn't say anything Eric could only frown at the interaction.

"Whatever let's go." he snapped impatient, grabbing her arm painfully and dragging her off.

She could only prepare herself for the outburst that would occur behind closed doors.

"What the hell were you doing with him!?" he questioned angrily, cornering her by the front door and sending all her books crashing to the ground as his heavy hand landed on her cheek.

Holding her throbbing cheek, Heather didn't dare look back at him as she replied. "We were just reading." she defended weakly.

"Reading, huh? Is that your excuse for missing my call?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't notice," she confessed.

"Didn't notice?" he repeated slowly, making her tremble. She so wanted to run away, but why should she run from the one who loves her? She was only suffering because of her own mistakes. "I don't care if you didn't notice! Don't ever do it again, you know I hate it!" he raged, grabbing her arm in a bruising grip, and shaking her a little

"I won't! I promise!" she quickly responded.

"Good, and I don't want you around other men, especially not Eric," he ordered before stomping away.

Heather could only deflate, losing all the strength in her legs the moment he left.

How was she to avoid Eric?

The little moments they would just spend sitting together in silence was enough to distract her from her swirling mind.

After that incident, Heather found herself glued to Derek's side, his arm around her shoulder's as he smoked with his friends every day. Used to the scent, she no longer tried to hold her breath as she did the first time, he smoked so close to her, she could only try to make herself look smaller every time someone passed by and gave them a slightly scandalized look.

She felt alone.

Her peaceful moments in Eric's silent company had come to an end, and she ignored the texts he had sent her. She couldn't risk upsetting Derek again. He hadn't lashed out recently, and she could happily live in the delusion that he loved her without a doubt these days.

"There you are." a familiar, joyful, delicate voice said, surprising her.

Today, Derek wasn't there to walk her back home, so she was just walking on her own.