Bad Boys Bring Heaven To You...

May 3rd

Word got around quickly about the new boy who seemed to be staying in this town for a while, but no one knows where he's staying. It was almost like if you saw him in public, it was like seeing a celebrity. He gained popularity that quickly and no one even knows who he is. Just thinking that I was up close and personal with him the other day makes me blush every time, especially when I think about the way he looked at me like he couldn't take his eyes off of me.

Today in the diner, I've heard some people mention the new boy through rumors they spread, whether true or not. One particular rumor that stood out to me, however, was the rumor about how he's a drifter who's been known to visit different places wherever but he never stays for more than a month. That made me think: for someone who might have been to a lot of places, has he ever been somewhere where someone special might have given him a reason to stay instead of leave?

I'm sure it didn't matter since he'll probably be gone sooner than that and he's rarely seen out in public. I haven't seen him come to the diner again for the past two days and I even kept watching the door yesterday to see if he'd come in. After that, I decided not to bother doing that again and just focus on my job which was going steadily. That was good if it meant I could leave this town without any difficulties.

When my shift was over and it was time for the other waitress to work the graveyard shift, I clocked out for the night and began heading home. Walking route seemed normal for the first few minutes, until I felt like someone was following me. I turned slowly and confirmed my suspicion as some guy wouldn't let up and I was forced to turn away from my way home in hopes he would leave me alone. I tried my best to shake him off but I ended up in a dead end and I was startled as the man who appeared to be drunk and intoxicated attempted to step closer to me with a sinister grin on his face.

I closed my eyes and put up my fists to appear intimidating. At this point, all I could was try to fight him off if he tried to touch me which might not work as well as I hope, but luckily for me, I heard the man grunt in pain and a thud that landed on the ground. I opened my eyes to see he was lying on the ground, as if something had hit him harshly, and it seemed like he was unconscious now. I looked up to find it was the boy I met at the diner, as his fist looked bruised and tightened. I gasped to realize he had arrived to save me from the drunkard man as he turned toward me and approached me carefully.

"Hey, are you okay? He didn't hurt you, did he?", he asked me in concern and I was so surprised to see him again that I almost forgot to answer his questions, "Um, n-no, he didn't hurt me, thanks to you, I guess. I-I'm okay now." He stepped  closer to me possibly to examine if I wasn't hurt, but it just made me more nervous to be this close to him. I then asked him pointing to his hand that looked injured, "Are you gonna be okay?" He looked down at the hand I was mentioning and said with a shrug, "Ah, this is nothing. He's lucky I was able to knock him out with one punch. If he hurt you, I-" The way he didn't finish his sentence told me he was holding himself back from doing something regrettable.

"Well, I should get home now...", I said before making my way back to my route, but then he grabbed at my wrist and exclaimed, "Wait! I don't want you to be in any more danger tonight. Is it okay if I walk you home? Just to make sure you get there safely?" His proposal was more than I could handle, but the way his grip on me made me believe he was genuinely concerned for my safety was enough to convince me to accept as I nodded to him.

For the longest twenty minutes of my life, I walked side-by-side with the boy who helped me feel safer walking the streets tonight. My heart was pounding so much, I was afraid he'd be able to hear it. "Can I ask you a question?", he began to ask me. I nodded and then he proceeded with his question, "How long have you been working at that diner?" I was surprised by such a simple question, so I answered, "For about five years. I'm saving to move out of this place by next month."

"Really? What's the rush?", he went on to ask me more questions, I explained to him, "There's really nothing for me here. Nothing makes me want to stay and especially no one does that either. Is that wrong?" I looked up at him to see what he'd say and his response was, "Not at all. This world is big and I believe we as humans have a right to explore it until we find a place that feels right for us." I was amazed by his response and as he looked back at me, I looked away to avoid making it look like I was staring.

When we finally got to my apartment building, I said to him, "Well, this is my place. Thank you again so much for walking me home. You didn't have to, but it means a lot." He flashed a beautiful smile at me before stepping closer to me and saying, "It was an absolute pleasure. I'd protect you from whatever and whoever might hurt you. Never doubt that." When I least expected it, he took one of my hands in his and brought it up to his face where he planted a soft kiss on the back of my hand. He winked at me again before telling me, "Goodnight, beautiful...", before beginning to walk away.

Overwhelmed by the emotions I was feeling, I gained enough courage to walk after him and ask, "Can I get your name? If I ever see you again so I can thank you properly?" He smiled again before telling me, "Remington Leith, darling." In response, I told him mine, "I'm Amelie Hawthorne. Thanks for everything, Remington." He nodded and added, "Anytime...Amelie." As he walked off and was out of my sight, I felt my heart pounding as the sound of his voice saying my name felt so euphoric, I wanted to hear him say it again.

Remington. I'm pretty sure I'll never forget you even if I wanted to.