One Finite Moment

Chapter 3

--- J U S T I N ---

I tried to recollect my thoughts, avoiding the dark ones, when a girl stopped in front of me. She placed a book next to me and flipped her hair. She expertly took in the dark brown strands of her hair into a messy bun. I kept my head down nonetheless, just to keep her from knowing that I was staring.

My heart pumped a little faster when we made brief eye contact. Although she wasn't wearing makeup, as if she didn't plan on meeting anyone that day, her skin seemed as if it was flowing. Her hazel eyes seemed lovely but dull. Empty. Lifeless, even. Suddenly, she took in a breath sharply and my head quickly snapped up in attention.

"Are you alright?" I blurted, my voice dry from the lack of talking. 

She nodded shakily. "Y-Yeah. Thank you." Her eyes seemed frantic as her skin tinged pink. Her hands seemed to shake as she reached for her book. To attempt at helping her, I reached out and gently took her wrist, hoping it'll stop her from shaking. But she snatched it back as if my palms were coated in acid.

I raised my hands up, hoping that it gave the impression that I wasn't going to hurt her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. But, uh, you seemed red. And, uh, I thought you looked sick or... uh... your hands were shaking..." I tripped over words, wracking my head for sentences that wouldn't offend or hurt her. 

"I-It's okay." Her voice shook again. "It was my fault. I should go. Sorry."

She quickly turned around and panic swelled within me. Was I going to let her go?

"My name's Justin!" I called out desperately. She didn't look back. And in those few short minutes, I was more whole than I ever was in my entire life.

--- G R A C E ---

I pushed down the urge to run. Calm down. It was just a stranger. Named Justin. I tried to calm my thoughts but failed. I continued to walk out the park and back home, safe and sound. I reached the front door, about to unlock it with my  own keys when Ava pulled the door open.

"Oh, are you alright?" she asked, swiftly pulling me into her embrace. "Are you okay?" When we were both inside, I gently pushed her away.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, frowning.

"What are we talking about?" Tyler repeated, his expression set in a worried look. It was these rare occasions when he panicked. "It's nearly 8. You never come home this late."

"What?" I asked, shocked. I checked the clock once more and realized it was 8 PM. "I'm sorry, you guys. The sun was still up... I didn't check the time and..."

"It's okay," Ava reassured me. "You could've at least called or... something. But you're safe and that's all that matters."

Tyler nodded in agreement before gathering his 'girls' in a group hug.

Later that night in bed, I couldn't help but think about Justin. I laughed softly to myself. He doesn't even know my name.

I fell asleep, dreaming about the boy at the park.

---

The next morning, I told my brother and his girlfriend I was going to spend the day at the library. They nodded, explaining that they were going to go visit a high school friend and staying over. This time I brought my phone. As I walked to my destination, I couldn't help but shiver as I felt like I was being watched.

I shook it off, labeling it as a paranoid tic from my past. I shivered despite the warm weather and entered a paradise called the library.

The next few hours I spent was filled with thick books filled with action and adventure. My head was buried in thick collections of famous authors and poets. Time flew by and soon it was lunch. Leaving my post, the librarian promised to look out for it. I decided to just buy a burger from the McDonalds across the street.

When I entered, I waved hello to the lady that always worked the counter. Although she had piercing on her lips, nose, and eyebrows, she was probably the sweetest person I've ever met.

"Hey, Grace." She waved a tattooed hand at me. I smiled back when she did as I walked towards the counter.

"Hi, Anna." I greeted. "Anything new?"

"Hmm..." her eyebrows furrowed. "I think we had a couple of new copies of Michael Jackson stuff in the back."

"Is it 'Bad'?" I asked, referring to the record I saw a couple of days ago. She nodded. "Oh, I saw that one already." She hopped over the counter and her mauve lips stretched wider for a larger smile.

"Actually, something special was shipped in yesterday. I think you'd like it."

My silent footfalls of my Chuck Taylor's followed her click-clack of her stilettos to the back of the record store where most of the extra instruments and records were stored. Underneath all the items, you could make out a small stage ready to be used for a band that doesn't exist. "What is it?" My brows furrowed in confusion.

With a dramatic flair, Anna pulled back a curtain to reveal a white grand piano. "I thought you'd like to be the first one to try it out," she shrugged, as if what she's offering me isn't the best thing I've heard all day. 

I only nodded excitedly, unable to form a coherent sentence so I offer a one word answer. "Yeah." Finding myself on the leather clad bench, my fingers glided smoothly across the ivory keys. Before I actually could start playing a sweet melody that's been running around my head, Anna giggled.

"I'll leave you two alone," she teased before stepping away to return to the counter to help a customer in the front. I played a couple keys, my finger bouncing back to my chest at the crisp tune.

Soon, the rest of my fingers danced across the black and white keys, making beautiful melodies and harmonies. After my fingers started to grow numb. I stood up and noticed it was nearly dark outside.  Quickly, I gathered my bag and phone and waved goodbye to Anna.

As I stepped outside, cold air whipped my face causing my head to snap to the side. I searched for the signs before turning to the right then started to make my way home.

A couple of blocks later, nothing looked familiar anymore. Everything was different. I was lost. I gasped and ran a hand through my hair. I turned back around to see a man stumbling towards me. Panic settled in, so I turned the other way, only to see another man dragging his drunk body to me.

"Oh God..." I whispered to myself. I tried crossing the street but they already cornered me into an alley. "HEL--"

One of the men's hands slapped itself over my mouth, effectively cutting off my cry for help. I kicked and fought but his accomplice held me down. I cried, tears streaming down my face as my senses were on high alert. It didn't help that all I could smell was alcohol on their breath. They pushed me down onto the hard ground, shards of glass from broken bottles embedding themselves into my skin. I hissed as blood trickled out.

They kneeled, positioning themselves closer to me but I managed to let out a blood curdling shriek before a greasy hand slammed down back on my mouth. I continued to wriggle underneath them, fighting but they only find my struggles amusing.

Before they could do anything more than leer pervertedly at me, a sudden loss of weight surprised me. Someone pulled the man on top of me off. My eyes were blurry with tears but the extra person was enough to surprise the other one, allowing me to pull myself into a sitting position.

The other person... the one who pulled my attacker off? 

It was Justin.