Desolation

seven

He entered the elevator and nodded his head at me. Now that I knew he didn't mean any harm I was unbothered by him. But one thing that still bothered me was how he knew my middle name. Rarely anyone was aware of it and how a stranger like him had found out was completely beyond me. There was no point in beating around the bush, I had to ask him directly. Right now.

"Why did you call me Rose?" I tried to play it safe.

He looked at me and raised his eyebrow.

"That's your middle name?" he sounded pretty unsure himself.

That gave me all the assurance that I needed. He didn't even know himself if he was completely right. He'd definitely asked around or something like that. Dumbfuck.

"Who told you?" I asked him.

"You really think I'm gonna tell you?" he seemed amused. Son of a bitch I could punch him in the face right now.

"Look dickhead I'm gonna find out even if you don't tell me," I rolled my eyes.

"Why should I tell you who it was when you're not even nice to me, god you're rude," he shaked his head.

"You tell me who it was and I'll be nice to you, I promise," I tried to negotiate.

He looked at me and tried to gauge if I was being real or straight up lying to his face. Honestly I didn't even understand why he wanted me to be nice to him. It was so much fun irritating him. I wanted to see how far I could push him until he'd finally snap. And he wanted me to be nice damn that was no fun.

"Fine, it was Lucy," he gave in. I smiled.

Lucy. That was a bit weird. I didn't know that she was aware of my middle name. Uncle Xavier was the only one who knew but she might have found out through him. That must be it.

"There you go, now that wasn't so hard, was it?" I beamed at him.

"Alright you gotta keep your promise now," he looked at me seriously.

We had almost reached the ground floor and the doors would open any minute.

"Oh but haven't you heard? Promises are made to be broken," I said before letting myself out of the elevator and leaving him there. I got what I wanted.

I reached my car and got into the passengers seat. I opened the cabinet in the front and pulled out the pack of cigarettes that I kept hidden in there. I took one out and grabbed my lighter. After putting everything back and getting out of my car, I walked to the alley that was beside the hotel and leaned against the wall.

I lit the cigarette and took a long puff. I didn't smoke on a daily basis, only when I was too stressed or I just had a lot going on. Mostly it was when anything from my past came up. I had learned how to control myself over the years but it was still tough to deal with. I blew out the smoke and kicked a small pebble with my boots.

All my life I had been so careful and cautious about every little thing. I didn't even let myself get too close to anyone. I was only close with Kathy and Blake and both of them knew everything that had happened with me. I didn't want anyone to get hurt because of me. It wasn't like I didn't have guys pinning after me. I knew I was pretty but getting involved with someone would be too much of a risk, for their life. I knew there was danger creeping in the shadows. Even if it wouldn't come to light right now, I knew it would eventually ruin everything that I am.

I took one last puff before blowing out the smoke and crushing the fag beneath my shoe. I stood there for a couple of minutes just thinking everything through. I was safe, for now.