Fall ❥ George Shelley |Discontinued|

5

CHAPTER FIVE

Just as I feel like I am a safe distance from the Music Hall I take the opportunity to text Alice.

SC: Are your classes over for the day? I need a ride home.To: Alice

Our classes normally end at the same time but not usually. She sometimes needs to go to the library to get books. She loves reading! Don't get me wrong, I like reading too but I have a hard time finding something I like. Normally, I would be patient and wait for her in the library but today is completely different.

Alice: No. Sorry :/ Maybe George could walk you home if you don't want to be alone.To: SC

Whenever Alice was on one of her vacations I would walk with George, if he was available.

SC: Are your classes over for the day? I need someone to walk home with.To: George

George: I'm so sorry; I can't. I still have Graphic Design class to attend. I have an important presentation to present today.To: SC

I am all alone and Ryan could be trailing behind me right now as my thoughts ponder through my mind as I walk. I suddenly become overwhelmed with worry as I try to speed up. Hurry, my mind tells me. I completely understand why as I suddenly hear heavy footsteps.

I jump, slightly, as the body jumps in front of me. In the process, I gasp for air just before I realise who the person is in front of me. "Hi, Scarlett. From first period, Geology. Josh. Remember?"

"Dang, you scared me! Yes, I remember you. What do you want?" I ask, a little on edge.

"Remember you said I could see your notes?" he continues. Why is he acting like he's known me for most of his life?

There is a little click in my brain, as if connecting memories. "Oh! I'm sorry. I'm a little distracted right now, but I remember that I said you could come over and use them. Every Thursday, I take the notes and study them. You're gonna have to study with me if you want your notes."

"Are you inviting me on a... study date?" Josh asks.

"No, no. I've... um... I've got a boyfriend," I say, wearily.

"Oh. Do you think he would mind me going to your flat?" he asks.

"Um... no. He's not the boss of me. Plus, it's just for studying," I reassure him. We begin walking as I don't have any other transportation.

"Are we going to walk?" Josh asks.

"Uh... yes.... Do you have a problem? It's the only way I can get home," I answer.

"No.... But how long will it take to get there?" he asks. Does he ever not ask questions?

"About thirty minutes, but that's if we don't have too many distractions... like talking," I say, trying to hint him something.

For the rest of the journey it was silent; just how I like it. With the minimal traffic we were able to get to my flat within in twenty minutes. When I get to my flat, I take my keys out my bag and put it in the slot and turn it to unlock it. I almost forget that Josh is behind me until I actually get into accommodation and see him standing outside of the flat, waiting to be invited in.

"Are you a vampire or something? You can come in," I tell him. He timidly steps in.

"Thanks," he says. "And I'm not a vampire, Scarlett."

"You can call him SC," I say. "I don't like people calling me Scarlett that much...."

"Why SC? Why not Scar?" he asks, entering the flat further.

"It's just something my friends call me.... I guess it's because Scar is too mainstream of a nickname for someone originally named Scarlett," I explain.

"Ah. Interesting. I think I'll just call you Scar because it's less 'mainstream' amongst your friends.... Wait... does this make us friends?" he asks, happily taking a seat on my small couch.

I place down my belongings as I register what he has just said. "Uh... sure." Yay... I finally made a friend other than George and Alice....

"Yay. I finally made a friend. I thought it would take a little less time than this though..." he says.

"With that horde of people who swarmed you in first period, I'm pretty sure a lot of people would want to be your friend," I suggest, as I get my notebook for Geology out on the table as I take a seat.

"Nah! They don't want to actually be my friend. They just like me because of astonishingly good physical features," he says, stroking his face. Somehow, I manage to choke on air.

"What?" I say, after I recover from my coughing fit.

Instead of answering me, he just laughs it off. After he finishes laughing, he says. "Well, at least I know you actually want to be my friend because of my personality instead of my looks since you're taken."

"Uh... yeah," I say, trying to find this week's notes. "Urg, I hate studying!"

"You hardly even started studying," he says.

"Hey, flipping pages is a lot of work," I say. He just laughs. "Do you want anything to eat?"

"Uh... sure," he says.

"Because all I have are Ramen Noodles," I confess.

"Ah! Living the college life," he says.

"I dabble," I say, getting up. "You can take the notes and study them whilst I make them."

* A couple hours later *

"I don't think I can study anymore!" I say.

"That's good, because I don't want to study anymore," Josh agrees. He gets up, yawns, and stretches. "I think I'm going to go home." he says.

"That's okay. Can I get my notes back," I ask.

"Uh, yeah," he says, getting his stuff before handing me my papers. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," I say. Suddenly he gives me a hug without another word before leaving. Well, that was slightly weird....

I see that he didn't close the door on the way out. I stand up, yawn, and try to close the door. Just right before I completely close it, it gets stuck. I look down and see a foot. I look up and see a face that I don't want to see: Ryan.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I say through gritted teeth. He doesn't say anything, but he pushes the door open to let himself in. He has a stern facial expression whilst he look around my accommodation.

"Who was he?" he asks. His eyes are dark and I can smell the alcohol present in his breath.

"A friend," I say bluntly.

He takes my wrists firmly with his hands and looks me dead in the eyes. He inches closer to my face and says, "You are to not see him again. I don't trust him."

"I don't trust you," I say. I try to say it soft so he doesn't hear me, but I know it doesn't work.

"What?!" he says through gritted teeth.

"I have class with him. I have to see him, just like I have to see you," I say, recalling second period Music today.

I feel his grip ease on my wrist and I become more relax. But the relaxation doesn't last long once I feel a sting on my face. Only once I decide to look up is he finally gone. Even though he's gone now... I still have to face him in my Music class for whoever knows how long.