Manual of The Forbidden ➡ Irwin

Chapter 41.

I rushed my way down the stairs, my shoes hitting rhythmically the steps beneath them. I walked out and inhaled the cold and clean air from the streets.

I was scared, I didn't know what to think, or which thought to obey. I needed to get away for a while, clear my head and get Ashton out of it for at least a fraction of time.

I took my phone out and dialed Luke's number.

"Hello," he answered.

"Hey Luke, it's me, Dawn," I knew he knew it was me, but as troubled as I was I couldn't help but to point out something so obvious. "Can you do me a favor?" I asked, my voice shaky.

"Off course, what can I do for you?"

"Can... you pick Sharon from work today?" I inquired as I shifted my position.

"But she must've left already, right?" He replied.

"Yes, I think so, but hurry before she takes a cab, and offer her to let you pick her up from work everyday, can you do that?" I asked as I walked down the street.

"Sure, but can I ask you why are you doing this?" He sounded confused.

"Just bring her home, would you? I'll explain later."

"Okay,"

"Hurry please," I pleaded.

"Goodbye," Luke said.

"Luke, thank you,"

"Oh no, thank you."

I ended the call and kept walking aimlessly, I hugged myseld because of the cold weather.

My plan was to get Sharon to come home earlier everyday, or at least the rest of my time here, that way it wouldn't seem so obvious that I was trying to avoid him. I'd be spending less time with him and that would help me to control my feelings for him.

I stopped walking in the middle of the sidewalk, I didn't know where I was going, and if I kept wandering around I would end up lost. And I couldn't go to Tay's because there was nobody there, she was on her date with Michael.

People walked beside me indifferently, ingnoring the fact I was right there. I had walked only two blocks, and I was afraid I would get lost if I kept going.

I remembered a little park I had seen before, just a few blocks away, I decided to go there and I would still be able to remember the right way back to Sharon's building, I was going to sit there and waste time, and wait until it was late enough to back and not see his face.

When I got to the park I sat in one of the black benches that were set there. I looked up at the beautiful Venice sky, admiring how it darkened as the day turn into night. And while I was there, I thought of Ashton, I loved him, and I didn't know how it happened so fast it was absurd and illogical. It was almost ridiculous to try to get rid off those feelings that shouldn't have a home in my heart.

Ridiculous? Yes, because with all honesty, being with him was what I wanted in that exact moment I held the envelope tightly making a crunch sound.

The wind moved strands of my hair, and it cleared my mind just a little, and it made me think of something I had completely ignored, I knew I wanted to leave, but what would happen when I did? What would I take with me?

The pressure building in my chest crushed my heart and violently shook it. Just the thought of leaving hurt, I knew I had to do it eventually, but by doing so I would leave my heart here, but it was all for good. I quietly laughed at myself, maybe I wasn't so different from Sharon as I thought I was, running away was also the best and easiest option.