Luck is on My Side

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

It didn't shock me that whoever met my eyes was a man. After all, the footsteps I heard were a great deal too heavy to be a girl's. But what did surprise me was how incredibly stunning this man was. He looked a few years older than I, a year or two maybe; although, I have never been a good judge of age. He had golden hair with streaks of lighter blonde well-placed throughout, which gleamed even in the dim moonlight. His sapphire blue eyes were wide, like he was running from something that he found scary. I could see his skin shinning where the moon's rays hit it. There was a large V-shaped dark stain near the neck of his pastel red shirt. I figured he was sweaty from running from whatever had startled him.

A cloud glided out of the moon's path, illuminating both of us more than before. Now he could see my face and the tears streaming down it. He met my burning, tear-filled eyes. I took in a short breathe, my stomach clinching tightly, exploding into a frenzy of butterflies at his gaze. His subtle features instantly transformed into only concern, not panic like a few seconds before. He tilted his head curiously, crinkling his brows like he was concentrating on figuring out a lengthy algebra problem in his head. He started to walk slowly towards me, and I stayed stock-still, hoping that he wouldn't try to touch me, worried he'd be just like Dad. But surely this handsome of a boy couldn't be a horrible tyrant, I thought. Then again, I was sure my dad loved me before he started to beat me, and now I'm not sure about anything.

Now the boy was a few short steps away, with what I thought was sympathy across his face. He closed the distance between us in one stride. I felt myself gulp at our sudden close proximity, anticipating the beating. He crouched down to my level slowly, never breaking eye contact until I closed my eyes and tilted my head to the side, bracing myself for the first blow or attack. I could hear him take in a sharp breath. I waited, but the assault never came. I swallowed again and gathered the courage to peek out at him. He was in the same position as before and didn't seem to have moved an inch. He watched me with parted lips. I wished he would just get it over with.

"If you're going to do it, please, just get it over with" I mumbled, still sobbing slightly. He looked confused and sorrowful at the same time. The mix of the emotions twisted his face in a cute way. Really cute... Wait, cute? No, I can't think a man that will probably hurt me any second now is cute! Where did that come from?

"What are you talking about?" his voice interrupted my inner scolding. I blinked at the sound of his voice. His accent was different than any other I had heard today from the stewardess, the pilot, the ice cream shop owner, and the random strangers I heard on the street. It sounded more rustic and deep but still soft and kind. I was taken aback.

"If you're going to attack me, just do it and leave me alone" I explained, looking away from his calculating eyes, ashamed that I had gotten myself into this situation.

"What? I won't hurt you. I promise" he replied softly, reaching out to touch my cheek. I flinched back instinctively, causing a hurt look to flick across his face, but that look was soon replaced by a look of determination.

"That's what he said" I muttered sadly.

"That's what who said?" he inquired. Shocked, I realized my mistake.

"Nobody. Forget about it" I answered curtly.

"Okay. Well, at least let me take care of you because obviously you're new here and don't have a place to stay. Am I right?" he asked, raising an eyebrow playfully. I grimaced and didn't answer. He smiled a huge, triumphant smile.

"Just as I thought. Come on then" he said, standing up and offering me a hand. I stared at it, not moving. He sighed, the smile wiped off his face.

"Look I understand. You don't trust me, but I can't just leave you here. It goes against everything I believe in. So please, do my conscience a favor and come with me" he pleaded, looking earnestly into my eyes. I couldn't say no.

"Okay" I replied softly, taking his outstretched hand, getting gently pulled to a standing position.

"And I'll take this" he added, slinging my duffle bag onto his moderately slender but still well-muscled shoulders. I started to protest, but he silenced me by putting his figure over my mouth. "It's okay. The lady shouldn't carry her own bags. My dad taught me that."

"Hmm" I muttered, stiffening at the mention of dads. I wondered what mine was doing at this moment. Did he even know I was gone? Surely he did, noticing that his favorite punching bag was no longer around. I chuckled lightly at the bitter thought.

"What are you laughing at?" came the man's voice from beside me.

"Oh, uh, nothing" I replied, blushing stupidly. He took one look at my face and smiled largely.

"You are a very strange girl, you know? What's your name?" he asked. I didn't seem smart to tell him my name, but some part of me, deep inside, knew it was okay.

"Ginny" I replied.

"Cool name" he complimented with a smile. I blushed again and grimaced when it made him smile larger.

"Thanks. What about you?" I inquired. He looked shocked for a moment but quickly grinned widely.

"Peter Knox Burns at your service, but everybody calls me Knox" he remarked.

"Wow, that's a pretty unique name" I said slowly, taking in his strange name.

"Well, thank yo- oh look we're here" he interrupted himself, pointing to something in the distance. I looked a large bus, like the kind you buy for cross-country road trips. My lips parted, staring at the artwork on the side of the bus. It looked like a mixture of Ed Hardy and Andy Warhol. I noticed there were words in the middle of the mural. "Awkward Harmony" was written in very artistic font on the side of the bus.

"What's 'Awkward Harmony?'" I asked Knox who smiled secretively at my question.

"You'll see" he replied, striding towards the bus. Confused, I followed.