Fighting Darkness

Chapter Eight

The heavy sidewalk runs as my feet trample it. I would have chosen my car, but the cafe is only two blocks away; I can't clear my head in a car.

Early this morning people should be up, moving, waving to their neighbors, chatting how it's such a great day, but it's Friday. The one day everyone gets to relax, the day kids will go to school with a gleaming smile on their face. The day no robbery will happen, but a friendly handshake. As I know, today won't be a good day. I will be questioned, judged, stared at, anything will keep them staring at me. My shirt covers up most of the horrible, fresh bruises, but some still longer on my skin, mocking every part of me. Music blares out of speakers, at a little shop across the street. British accents sip through the poppy lyrics, disguising what the song really is. Breakup. And that's all it will ever be.

Small signs pass by as the cafe's sign gets closer. A coffee cup is placed in the middle of all the letters, that have a neon yellow glow. Central Coffee. Under it blue print creeps in to let you know it is the best, and that they won't doubt it is. People pass through me as the door's black, sleek handle rests in my hands. Silent "thank you" are exchanged from them, filling my ears with their politeness. I had a job here three years ago, before I met Derek, and it was pure bliss. The aroma of coffee filling every inch of air that you could breathe, fresh baked good lying in the crates for the eyes to admire but not touch. It was a good simple time.

Peace filled every inch of my body before Derek wrote the next chapter of my story. Happiness was placed in my life, but some point in time, you have to feel sadness. I don't think you can be happy all the time, you can't be happy all the time. Once in your life you have to cry yourself to sleep, at least once you have to feel the intoxicating pain of someone hating you so much, it tears you apart. That the glass house you built up to protect yourself has been shattered by the one pebble your enemy through.

Placing myself at the booth with the red cover it, I order a simple frappe and wait silently for Nathan. The boy with emerald green eyes and curly hair that seeps through with dark brown. Dimples stuck out in the smirk that was placed on his face that night. Body structure that tells he doesn't sit up straight, and uses body language to tell how he feels.

"Hey." Nathan's husky voice leaks into my ears as he sits down and locks eyes with me.

"Hey." I clear my throat, looking at the view through the giant window that covers the whole wall. Scenery telling an untold story.

"I see there are fresh bruises."

"Can you not stare at me for one second?" I say back, fists clenched into white knuckles by my side. Now the scenery is tell a cruel story.

"Shouldn't I be worried?" He asks, as a sideways smile twist on his tan face, his left dimple showing along with it.

"I think I can take care of myself, thank you." Hastily, I grab the end of my shirt playing with the falling out thread. A quite chuckle leaves his plumped lips, making this game he plays, hate him more.

"If you could handle yourself then-"

"Here's your order, ma'am." The waitress says with a perky face. Tan skin, curved body, non-ugly, man, Derek would practically have a swimming pool of drool just watching her.

"So how has your week gone so far?" Nathan's attempt to start the conversation is pitiful. My eyes dart down , not from sadness, or happiness, but because he really sucks at trying to start a conversation.

***Nathan***

I saw the smile creep on her face, making the one dimple she has on her left cheek stand out even more. My failing attempt at trying to see how she was doing fell hard along with some pride. I want to know how she is. It takes all the strength in me, not to ask her what's the address so I can kick Derek's ass, but even if I did, she would tell me she could handle it because she's strong.

"I'm fine." She laughs. "And yourself?"

"Pretty good. Just really worried about you." Paige's smile disappears as she looks up at me.

"You shouldn't be worried. I can- I can do this." I can tell she's trying not to burden me with what she really feels. Is it because they say guys don't care? Do they know we truly do?!

I nod slowly, solemnly. The pain she weeps is killing me. Stabbing my insides because I can't help and if I do it results in her being tossed around like a rag-doll and her going around like she's fine.

Blankness fills my mind, every crack and crevasse of my brain. I don't know what to say. Do I just walk around the table and give her a hug? My phone vibrates in my pocket. I need her number!

Dude theres a party 2morrow totally go! Kristas coming ;)

- Andy.

Krista, the girl who thinks I'm in love with her because I fell asleep in her room on a drunken night.

Can't. Plans.

I simply type back. The morning air feels like the afternoon; it slowly flows through the cracks in the door, hitting everyone with a different heat. The place starts to clear with the exchanging of old to new. I can't tell if she had to be somewhere or if she dying not to go back. Paige just stares at the window covered in children's Han d print when they want to watch the cars drive by.

Her empty figure slumps against the long seat on the other side. Brown hair stopping at her middle, hazel eyes focused on the nothing going on outside the cafe. Pale face filled with depression, sickness, loss of hope. Anything ranging from it was okay to it will never be okay. She built so many walls and tore them all down for a creature who she thought she loved. A creature that never showed her affection, no love ever came from him. Not meaningless sex, but a feeling you know you're loved. I don't think she's entitled to her own opinions.

"I told you not to stare at me." Her voice rings through my head; she has a smirk on her face, until she looks at me breaking out into a smile that shows her white teeth.

"Can I have your number?" I say in a rush, trying to get all the words out without being embarrassed. A simple shrug is her answer; I pull out my phone, handing it to her. "My phone got ruined..." She trails off. That's right it was ruined in the water! "But I can sneak Derek's phone at night, because that's what you called." I nod my head, watching her nimble fingers type away on the screen.

"I have to go. Umm, I guess you'll call me later?" Paige says in more of a question then a statement, but I'll take it anyways. I nod and watch her walk out of the cafe, head low with arms wrapped around her fragile body.

Yeah, I'll call you later. I think to myself.