From Unwanted to Wanted

Dark Alleys

It had been days. even weeks maybe since I had talked to Maxson. I hadn't even seen him at school. It was lonely not having him come to my lunch table, but at least he wasn't claiming me, or randomly kissing me. Katie would stare at me at lunch and ask why I was so upset. I never said anything. I wasn't upset. I was just fine. I knew that I was, no matter what Katie said, Alex said, or Leslie and Maria said.

~

Alex and I walked out of the agency. It had been a hard day, my boss had to let me take a vacation because I was too down. Alex offered to drive me home since I my truck broke down halfway to the agency.

"Thanks again for taking me home." I said, looking down at the pavement. "No problem." He said. We walked in silence for a bit before we reached his car. He opened my door for me and then went to his side and let himself in. He drove in silence and I waited unti a few blocks before my actual house to tell him to stop. He pulled over and watched me as I got out.

"You should be happier, Adeline. He's not stalking you anymore. Besides, you were the one that wanted him gone, remember?" He said. I froze before slamming the door behind me. "I'm not upset and I don't want to talk about it." I stalked away, hoping he wouldn't follow.

~

I made it to my favorite bakery shop. It was always open until 11, so I went there often. It had really good crossants and it had my favorite coffee, so it was the perfect place to relax. The barissta's were friends of mine since I came often, whether it was to cheer up, or just to reward myself.

I sat down at a table and waited for the waitress to serve me. It looked like Eva was on duty tonight. We smiled at each other when she came to my table.

"Adeline! I haven't seen you in forever! How are you?" She said. I smiled at her and she gave me a disheartened look. "What happened?" She asked. She sat down at the table with me, setting my usual, a crossiant and cinnamon latte, in front of me. I gave her the money and she quickly put it in the register before returning.

"Maxson, this guy at my school, he kept telling me that I was his and he kissed me, and I slapped him a few days ago, and I think I like him, but I don't want to say it." I said. Eva looked at me apologetically. "Listen, if you like him, tell him. If you don't, don't. It's as simple as that. Girls try to make things more difficult than they really are, this is one of those cases." she said. I hugged her and ate my food as she talked about her day.

~

I walked down the street, my belly full from the food I had eaten. It was dark and it was hard to tell which way was home and which way wasn't. I turned into a dark alley, and quickly walked out. I kept doing it and about the 5th time, I grunted out of frustration. The air was filled with it and I shrunk down in fear. This part of town was known for its crime. Anything could happen to you if you made yourself noticed. A little bit after I had grunted, a couple of guys walked out of a door further into the alleyway. I caught my breath and hoped they didn't see me. I was wrong.

They began to walk towards me. I started to run a little too late and they grabbed me. I screamed, but they wouldn't let go. One of them pulled out a knife and I could see the devilish grin on both of their faces. I was done for. He raised the knife and I closed my eyes, bracing for the impact.