Escape | Updated Weekly

34

Run

It kept playing over and over in my head for weeks. I just couldn't figure out why it was sent to me. Even if it was a joke I didn't understand it. My first suspect of the text was Mac, like maybe he was trying to reference the night we ran away to his parents cabin. That thought quickly went away though, he wouldn't do something so sick and nothing has come of it since. Besides if he wanted to talk to me about any of that, I figured he'd be man enough to come to me himself.

Run.

Run from what? There was nothing that I needed to run from? Was it someone who didn't want me to publish? Or jealous because I could publish? I found myself silently accusing people for stupid reasons. Three letters driving me crazy. I showed Chloe the text, but even her detective skills couldn't make any sense of it. She told me to ignore it, but that was 3 weeks ago and it's never left my mind since. 

Josh: Hey! What you doing today?

Everything my phone buzzed now I held my breath, thinking it would be some creepy text again. I let out a sigh of relief whenever I saw Josh's name instead. We had talked every day since the concert, he was still trying to get a date out of me. I figured the longer I made him wait the more I would see if he was serious or not. So far he's very serious. 

Me: Not much, got to meet with my professor and then I'm free

Josh: Coffee?

I rolled my eyes to myself. It didn't matter if it was dinner, coffee or even just sitting with me whilst I wrote. He always had something to suggest for us to do.

Me: I'll tell you how it goes. 

I was already outside of my class, I put my phone away and opened the door. My professor was no where to be seen. Instead Alice stood by the desk with a cheery smile. I took a deep breath and shut the door.

"I already know what you're gonna say" I said as I walked in to the room fully. She seem surprised but I knew she was faking it. "About the book?" or at least that's what I was hoping it was about. She shrugged. "I just want to know if you made a decision yet. Since you've been ignoring my phone calls I've had to come here instead".

I didn't have Alice's number saved to my phone, whenever an unknown number called me now I never answered it. The text had freaked me out so much it never crossed my mind that it would be Alice. "Sorry" I muttered. She smiled again and leaned against the desk. "So?". I put my bag down, I had been thinking hard about her offer and finally came to a decision. 

"I want to do it" I said and she looked pleased. "But only if I can add to it" I added quickly. She considered it for a moment before saying 

"Like what?"

"Just some finishing touches to it"

"Okay. You have 2 months to make your changes and then I'll submit it to an editor, they'll work closely with you to make sure everything is perfect. I'll then re read it and hopefully, it'll be ready for publishing"

I grinned, I couldn't help being happy that my book would actually be out in the world with my name on it. Even if it was about Mac. "Thank you" I said trying to contain my excitement over it. Even though inside it felt like I could hug here. I left the class room and immediately text Josh.

Me: Meet me in an hour?

Josh: Done.

I met Josh at a cafe in town, when I got there he was already sat at a table with two coffees ready to go. I got to the table and joined him, he pushed a cup towards me. "I didn't know what you liked so if you don't want that one you can have mine". I glanced between the two cups. "Miner's regular latte yours is caramel" he seemed nervous, I found it sweet that he went to that effort to have a coffee ready and waiting for me. 

"Caramel is fine, thank you". He leaned forward with his elbows on the table. "So tell me Eve, Why did you agree to have this coffee with me?" I took a sip of my drink, trying not to smile so much. "I wanted to celebrate something" I teased. "My book is getting published and I'm not even 2 years into uni yet". He high five fives me as he said his congratulations, he seemed genuinely happy for me. It was refreshing to be around.

I knew that I should have called Tom first, but things with him have been a little of since I had a go at me at their big show. He's never actually said he was unhappy with me. However I've known Tom long enough to know when he is. It wouldn't be fair for me to rub this in his face after I almost ruined his night. 

Josh on the other hand, I knew I could tell him just how happy this choice made me. It let me show off just as much as I liked without feeling guilty. "That's really amazing news" he continued. "What's the book about?". I took an extra long sip of my coffee. I didn't want to explain that it was based of the guy that came before him. I figured a brief description would be better in this situation.

"It's just a romance" I said, trying to brush it. "It's boring stuff for a guy" he laughed "That's what you might think, I would love to read it". 

Oh God.

I didn't think he would actually want to read it. Maybe telling Josh about this was a bad idea. 

"Not until it's published" I joked, trying my best not to sound so nervous. He grinned "Okay fine. Only if I can get the Author's signature inside".

I made the deal with him and we carried on talking. We were there for ages, to the point where the staff had to let us know they were closing soon. I hadn't realised so much time had passed. We left the cafe together, but stood outside for a moment. I wasn't sure what to do next. He also lingered before saying, "Come home with me". I raised my eyebrows. He was shy put it that way. He just says things how it is. 

"I probably shouldn't" I replied. He grabbed, placing his hands lower than my waist and bringing his face close to mine. "But you want to?" he formed it as a question but really it was like he could read my mind. "Maybe" I whispered. 

He bought his face even closer and kissed me, he wasn't shy about that either. It was hard and passionate kiss, like he was determined to do it. 

He walked me to his car and fiddled wit the keys, looking me up and down. That look made me want him more, I couldn't put into words why. He must have read my mind again, before I knew it he had taken me back to his house and I was in his bed.