The Notebook

Chapter 4

Lily

I fiddled with my lip ring as I continued my way to my apartment. As I was walking, I spotted a small convenience store beside my apartment. I paused, unsure what to do. Finally, I sighed to myself and made my way inside the convenience store. There weren't much customers inside, in fact I was alone besides the cashier.

"May I help you, Ma'am?" She asked politely. I walked towards her and flashed a smile. She's a gorgeous woman, around my age or possibly a bit older. Her black hair was slightly wavy and framing her heart-shaped face perfectly.

"I was wondering, do you have a cigarette with a cherry flavor? I really do not know the name but it was black or dark brown." I explained lamely. She tilted her head slightly to the side and her  expression looked as if she was deep in thought.

"Oh you mean black stone? Yeah we have that but it's not cigarette." She said. She turned her back at me and started searching for it at the back.

"What is it then?" I asked, slightly confused.

"Cigars." She said as she continued looking for the pack. I heard a small sound came from her mouth that suspiciously sound like "got it" then I saw her walked towards me with a smile.

"Here." She showed me the pack and I quickly took it from her. I examined it and a slight smile made it's way from my lips.

"Yeah, it's this one." I said. I smiled thankfully at her.

"How much is it?" I asked.

"$40." She said. I blinked slightly and bit my lip.

"Too expensive?" She asked. She smiled at me with slight pity in her eyes. I nodded in embarrassment. She eyed me with slight interest.

"Have you tried Djarum Black? It's not as expensive but we only have the vanilla flavored one. What do you say? " She suggested.

"How much is it? I asked.

"$13. " She said. I  nodded and pulled out $20 from my wallet.

"Here you go." I said. She smiled then went away to pick up the cigars.

"You know, it's totally obvious you're underage and it's your first time buying a pack." She said, her back still turned away from me.

I gulped, feeling the dread but I was shocked when she suddenly smiled at me.

"This will be our little secret." She said. I smiled back at her.

"In exchange, Let me take you out tonight. " She offered. I frowned slightly, unsure if I should accept or not.

"Come on, You're new right? Maybe we could be best friends." She said. I fiddled with my lip ring.

"There's blunt over there too, and ecstasy. My friend's brother set up the party. It'll be fun. " She tried to sweeten the offer.

I hesitantly nodded. "Okay then, I mean, you're too pretty to be a killer anyway. " I joked. She eyed me with an expression I couldn't comprehend then laughed slightly.

"What's your name?" She asked.

"Lily Roberts. You?" I asked.

"Ruby Porter." She said. I nodded, trying to remember her name. 

"Come here at 7:00 pm, Okay? By the way, I saw you at my school awhile ago so don't worry school mate." She said. My heart started calming down, That girl seemed harmless anyway. Ruby Porter. Her name suits her well.

I grinned at her and left the place. It feels kinda good to have a friend without an ulterior motive towards me. I want to have a friend who I could be normal with anyway. Ethan's face flashed from my mind but I quickly shook it away. No. I can't trust men. I know that because the person who I feel the most safe around turned out to be a wolf dressed in a sheep's clothing.

I made my way to my humble apartment and opened the door using my key. The moment I entered, I made my way to my laptop and opened it.

One Message from Sarah Roberts

I quickly clicked it.

Hello Sweetheart,

Did you manage to escape well? Is the money enough for you? I could borrow a few more dollars from my friends if that's not enough for you. Please reply, I've been trying to cover your tracks away from him but he was very angry. He was looking for you everywhere. Please be careful. I'm worried about you but I'm also really proud. I'm sorry if I can't go with you. I have to protect our business so he won't take it away from us. If you ever need anything, just message me. I love you xx

I smiled slightly to myself and wrote a quick reply, answering her questions with lighthearted ones. I clicked the send button then turned off my laptop.

 My mind quickly drifted to Ethan. I cannot help but be drawn to him. My left hand twitched slightly. I can't help myself. I have to draw him, every inch of his beautiful face.

I quickly dug through my bag to find my sketchbook. In my haste, I failed to notice the slightly battered look of it or the childishly drawn star around it.

I looked at the notebook in disbelief as my thoughts fueled from agony to curiosity. This notebook is not mine. I have to figure out where is my sketchbook and whose notebook is this.

I opened the first page and stared at the messy, boyish handwriting.

"To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

My blue eyes narrowed slightly as I turned to the next page, both nervous and excited to know the mysterious person who managed to steal my book and possibly my heart as well.

I wrote this for a girl that I have to leave for the sake of my destiny. It hurts to just leave her without any explanation but I can't show her that the person she loved turned out to be someone she doesn't expect to be.

So, M.H? If there was a 1% out of a 100% that you are reading this, I want to tell you that I left you but my heart stayed there with you. I know it's battered and broken but it is yours to keep. Keep it, babe. It will never leave you alone.

All the love, A. x