Philophobia

第三章

3.0 t h r e e

8.33p.m.

Mathias pulls up beside a ridge and I have no clue where we are. Although it wasn't pitch black, bless the street lights, it was eerie quiet. There was no one around. The neighbourhood I lived in was at least half an hour away. Paranoia settles in like waves crashing into the shore. Why did I get into his car in the first place? I suddenly feel so stupid.

He opens his car door and steps out of his car. Stretching his arms out, he takes in a deep long breath then leans down and looks back into the car, at me.

"Are you going to come out or do you just want to cramp in here?"

Speaking of cramps, my legs felt like there wasn't enough blood flowing through it. They needed desperately to be stretched. I think about my options and conclude that it would plausibly be best for my body if I didn't stay in the car. So I climb out of the seat, letting the blood rush to my legs.

As I do so, Mathias runs towards the hill top, excitement shining out from him. I take advantage of his obliviousness and reach for his phone from back inside his car. He had thrown it on the back seat. I shake my head at how chaotic this vehicle is.

I unlock his phone, he didn't set a passcode, then quickly tap on the phone app. Dialling Bronwyn's number, in full acknowledgement that she wouldn't answer, I leave her a voice message.

"Hey, it's Klaudia. I know you're at the gym and will only listen to this much later but I just wanted you to know if anything happens to me, I'm with Mathias right now. I'm using his phone to call you. If that's not enough proof, here's his voice-" I call for him. He answers me, then walks back down the hill. "There. Gotta go." I end the call and throw the phone back to the back seat as fast as I could.

I slam the door shut before drinking in the view, making sure there was nothing suspicious. Nodding to myself, I start hiking up the hill to meet him in the middle. It wasn't an arduous path to walk on, not steep or wet. It was safe. I was safe.

I meet him in the middle and we're facing eye to eye. Not really. He's at least half a head taller than me. We stand facing each other, he looks at me like he's familiarizing himself; like he wants to memorize every freckle and spot I have on my face. I look away, clicking my tongue. He holds his hand out to me.

"Come on, I want to show you something," he smiles and I take his hand, not knowing what possessed me to do so.

I follow him up the hill, his hand never leaving mine; my hand not leaving his. I don't feel like my usual self.

No, my usual self was nothing like this. What am I doing? Holding hands with a boy that's practically a stranger. Putting my life into the hands of someone I don't even know. Heck, I don't even remember his last name. What am I doing? This isn't me.

Yet, still. My palm resting in his, I'm a step behind him. This feeling is different. I'm stepping out of my circle; doing something different. I can't help but feel excited. Trying something new that had nothing to do with benefiting my education whatsoever. It seemed so distinct, I shiver.

"Here," we both stand on the top of the hill, darkness surrounding us. I didn't see anything special. Just rows of dimly lit houses.

"So?" I say, trying to fathom why he would bring me here. He turns to me, lifting our arms then uses our hands to point at a far off distance.

"There," I realise that our fingers are still entwined. Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, I let go, clicking my tongue. I look up to where he pointed, it's the skyline. The skyscrapers. The bright lights. They look like stars, I feel the urge to reach for them.