Painful Reminders

Chapter Seven: Hiding History

A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to read up to this point. Please, if you haven't already, consider voting and leaving a comment or two to help me improve. Enjoy!

Becca, Andrea, and I moved to a booth along the wall of the place about two hours after I had been pulled off to the dance floor. Although I left the socialization to Becca more often than not, Andrea was an easy person to like. I watched from my seat as the two of them danced together in the crowd. Turning my attention to my phone, 12:43 flashed across my screen and I thought longingly of bed. Nights out with Becca rarely ended before three in the morning. Stirring my drink idly, I let my mind wander.

It had been just over a week since I'd last spotted Cassian or Zeke. Why had they been following me, and why did they stop? Had Cassian actually listened to me when I'd said I never wanted to be bothered again? He didn't strike me as someone who listened to others. He definitely hadn't listened to me any of the times we'd talked before.

"It's coming, Amya."

My grandpa's words echoed in my head. I knew that dreams were just your subconscious trying to send you a message but...what if it had been him? What did he mean? What was coming? Did it have anything to do with why I was being stalked? It wasn't like I had a lot to offer anyone. I was a college student working as a waitress; all of my money went into living expenses. Everything that had been left to me had been used up to pay for school. Cassian hadn't looked like he needed money, although looks could be deceiving. Even if I had money, didn't con artists usually try to charm their victims? Cassian didn't have a charming bone in his body.

"Want some company?"

The words yanked me out of my thoughts, and I looked up at the smiling man at the end of the table. I began to stumble out an answer, "Oh, thanks, but I—"

"What's a lady as lovely as yourself doing over here all by herself?" he asked, sliding into the booth across from me.

"I'm not."

"You look alone to me." He leaned forward, setting his forearms on the table as he continued to smile at me. "What do you say you and I get to know each other?"

I began to feel a prickle of irritation. "Those seats are actually taken."

"Aww come on now, don't be like that." He reached out for the hand I still had resting on the table, and I quickly pulled it back into my own lap. "Let me buy you a drink."

"I'd rather bathe in bleach," I informed him flatly, leveling him with an icy look.

He laughed, unperturbed. "I love a woman with a sense of humor."

"Hey Mya," Andrea said, appearing suddenly beside the table. "New friend?" She wore a friendly smile, but something in her eyes warned of danger.

"Oooooh yeah, who's this?" Becca sing-songed as she danced up behind Andrea and studied the unwelcome visitor. "He's cute."

"Thanks, so are you." He held out a hand toward the two, completely at ease. "I'm Michael. Why don't I buy you three a drink?"

"Yeah, than—"

"No, you were just leaving," Andrea cut Becca off firmly, a concrete smile on her face. Too bad Michael wasn't a guy to take hints.

"Maybe another time," Michael said, sliding out of the booth and winking at Becca. Both of my brows shot up and I watched him in disbelief. A few firm words from Andrea send him packing?

"Well, that sucks," Becca pouted, taking his vacant seat and looking over at me. "Free drinks are the best kind, don't you think?"

"Not when they come from a guy giving off date-rape vibes," Andrea responded, scooting in next to me with a laugh. She turned her face toward me and squeezed my shoulder, "Are you okay?"