LOVE YOU, LOTTIE.

Ch. 9 - Split

⚠️THIS CHAPTER GETS REALLY DARK.⚠️

Ruden: Hey Lottie! You left your uniform over at my place, can I drop them off to you?
I really don’t want you to see my house.
Whatever. I’m so tired.
Lotss: Yeah sure, I live at 246 Piney Cove Dr.
Ruden: Got’ya, i’ll be there in 15 minutes.
Her night had been hell. Hundreds of missed calls from Hoya, sickness, crying, anxiety over if Hoya spreads the news about her past school.
If it wasn’t clear, she was most scared of Hoya.
She was scared of almost everyone in Sora’s group, because they were all so rich but Hoya is unstable.
And rich.
Letting out a sigh she wiped her red, glossed over eyes.
Not knowing someone was in the bushes.
Watching.

“Hey- woah.”
Ruden was surprised at the state of the girl in front of him.
She rolled her eyes and wiped at them with her pijama sleeve, “Don’t.”
“Sorry..” He looked down, feeling guilty.
Lottie reached for the clothes and once retrieved, started to go back into her house before Ruden called out to her again.
“Lottie?”
Stopping in her tracks she turned her head, “Yes?”
“Just know that, we’re your friends and.. we’re only a call away..”
He stuttered before starting again, “I’m only a call away.”
Whipping her head away from him she replied with a small “Thank you.” and eased the door shut.
And she began to cry. Again.
I’ve gotta do something.
I’m going to be miserable next week if all I did was cry all weekend.
So, she decided to get dressed in some comfy clothes and walk down to the local diner for some breakfast.
Aware that she probably looked like shit, from her red eyes and dark circles, on top of that puffy cheeks and a sad expression, food could help her.. hopefully.

Why was he there?
Hoya had been following her during her walk, telepathically asking her questions.
Why was he at your house Lottie?!
What did he say to you?!
The day after you profess your love to me, a man is at your house?
He was getting angrier.
He wanted to hurt her.

I’ll go in and see what they have.
Walking in and checking out the menu a familiar voice called out to her, “Lottie?”
She turned, “Mr. Mackus?”
It was strange seeing her teacher dressed down in casual trousers and a sweater.
“What are you doing here?” She asked as he stood beside her.
“To eat!” He laughed.
Lottie face-palmed herself in her head for such a stupid question.
“How many?” The waitress asked the two, as they were next in line at the check-in counter.
“Two, please. Preferably a booth.”
The waitress nodded at Mackus’s words and led them to a booth by the window. Giving them menus and silverware and asking, “What’ll be your drinks?”
“Coffee, black, two sugars please.”
“Got’cha” the waitress turned to Lottie, “And for you love?”
“Oh, uh, orange juice please.”

Are you serious Lottie?
First that guy friend of yours AND Mr. Mackus?
Your teacher?
I will not have this!

Hoya: Why are you sitting at a table with Mr. Mackus?

Lotss: I don’t owe you an answer.

Hoya: You’re making a big mistake Lottie Rose Wright.

Her breath was caught in her throat.
How did he know her full government name?
His texts sound.. threatening.
And it scared her. But, she would stand her ground.

Hoya: You said you loved me.

Lottie: I told you I wasn’t in the right headspace.

Hoya: YOU STILL SAID IT! JUST ADMIT IT!

Soon her orange juice arrived and the waitress took out her notepad to take the actual orders.
“I’ll have the 3-meat-one-cheese omelet.”
“Great choice sir. And for you?”
Lottie whipped her head towards the waitress, slightly teetering.
“A french toast meal with sausage c..casarole.”
The woman noticed something odd with the girl but continued to write the order down and skip off.
“Everything alright Lottie?”
“Yeah.”
Mackus nodded, “Great job on your classwork analysis last week!”
“Thank you.”
The teacher was also stunted by Lottie’s nervousness.
“Are you sure you’re okay dear?” Mackus pushed the cup of orange juice toward her, “Drink some.”
Clutching the glass she brought it up to her lips and took big gulps of it. Slamming it down when half the juice was gone and wiping her mouth with her sleeve.
“Easy there! It'll go down the wrong pipe!”
Lottie shook her head in response and continued tapping on her phone.