Loose Ends - Book One

Ana ~ No Autographs

When we get inside, I don't see the little girl anymore. I'm not too actively looking for her, as we have our own issues, but I keep my eyes open.

            I browse the coolers and get a couple beverages for Levi and I, while he uses the restroom. I keep thinking, and figure if anything, we could try to get a taxi and leave my car here until tomorrow. If there's no security to worry about, like Levi said, then we should be okay even if we're a little late. Just not too late. I just can't let him give up. He didn't give up on me when I was searching for my knight. No, we didn't find it, but I wouldn't have gotten into the damn house if not for him.

            As true as that all is, I won't pretend it's the only reason I'm here with him. I'm falling so damn hard for this boy, and I don't know what to do. We clearly have feelings for each other, but I'm afraid that if he can cut me off one time, he'll do it again. Granted, it was to protect me, but he didn't even talk to me. If I fully open myself to him, and he does this again... I don't know. I've survived a lot of things, but I've never experienced a broken heart. Not from a boy. I don't know if I can survive that.

            "I see her."

             I turn and see Levi standing behind me, focusing on someone ahead of us.

            It was the little girl, hiding between two beer coolers. She was very light-skinned, maybe Hispanic, wearing a little purple sweatsuit.

            "Where are her parents?" I whisper, watching her.

            "I'm gonna ask," Levi passes me and takes a few steps towards the coolers. When the girl sees him, she squeezes out and runs to the lady's restroom on the other side.

            Levi halts and turns around to face me. "Or maybe not."

            "Does it seem like she's hiding from someone other than you?"

            "There's no one here, but us. I'm a stranger – she was probably just saying away from me like she was taught."

            I shake my head and glance at the bathroom door, again. "She was hiding before she saw you," I hand Levi our drinks. "I'm gonna try to talk to her. Maybe she needs a girl."

            Levi sighs out of frustration. "Okay, fine, but we don't have much time."

            "I can't just watch a scared little girl hide by herself, Levi."

            "I know, okay? I'm just anxious. Go ahead, see if she's okay."

            "Thank you," I grab his hand and squeeze it. "I'll be quick."

            "I know, sweetheart."

            When I reach the lady's room, it's quiet and I only hear my own footsteps. There's no one at the sinks, and every stall is open, except one.

            I slowly approach the closed stall and peek under. Sure enough, there's a small pair of feet in little white sneakers holding her on top of the toilet.

            I softly knock on the stall twice. "Honey, are you okay?"

            I wait for a response, feeling like an old woman after calling her "honey."

            She doesn't answer me, so I say something else. "My name's Ana," I place my hand against the stall. "I know it's scary to be alone. Did you lose someone?"

            I wait another ten seconds for an answer. I internally beg for her to comply. I'm in two sticky situations that are time sensitive.

            "My Papa."