Second Chances

Chapter 4

Chapter 4:

Today was the day I needed to find a job. My rent was due at the end of the month and even though my parents said they'd help. I didn't like the idea of being a financial burden to them.

I got up showered, brushed and dried my hair, took my time doing my makeup, and slipped on one of my favorite summer dresses. It had a yellow bottom half and white top part I added a long black necklace and straightened my hair. Added some black bracelets to top it off and slid on my flip flops as I headed out the door.

I walked along the boardwalk and looked at shops and restaurants picking up applications here and there. I decided to get something to eat and grabbed a hot dog from a vendor. I walked along taking it all in. I bumped into a guy who was standing in line for another vendor cart and apologized and kept walking.

A hand grabbed my wrist and as I turned around to come face to face with the man, he smirked and sneered, "and just who are you?"

The look on his face gave me chills. Nothing about this guy screamed friendly. His eyes were like something only the villain in a fairy tale would have.

I wasn't sure what to say. Back home I would've yanked my arm away and said, "not interested" but that approach here could set him off. This guy was a creep.

"Let go of me please." I meant to say it louder but it was barely a whisper. I came off as weak and this made the guy almost chuckle as he released my arm but not his stare.

"Why don't you let me show you around?" He smirked

"No thanks, I'm leaving."

His hand shot to my wrist again and I frantically looked for help in the crowd. Nobody was looking. I started to panic. I knew he could see I was scared by now.

"Aw come on you can't leave yet." He said as if joking with me.

I looked around again. Someone, anyone has to see this. See me getting abducted. Getting kidnapped. But again no one looked at us.

I opened my mouth to speak when a voice behind me made me jump.

"She's with me." A voice said almost growling.

I turned to see Ross staring at the man. The man let go and slowly walked away glaring at Ross.

I took a deep breath. I felt sick.

"Thanks"

"Are you ok?" He looked at me like I was gonna pass out.

"Yeah I think so"

"Little different then small town Minnesota huh?"

"Little bit" I managed a small smile.

"I was actually here looking for you."

"Why?"

He put a hand on my back and guided me to a table where we sat down.

"You never called this morning." He looked hurt.

"It's just, I didn't think you were serious." He smiled. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know I guess I thought you'd forget about me."

"I haven't been able to stop thinking about you." He looked at the table.

Did he just say that, to me? For some reason it still didn't seem 'real' to me. What does he want from me? First he compliments me out of the blue and then saves me and now he can't stop thinking about me?

"I don't know what to say" I stared at the table also.

"Say you'll come with me."

"What?"

"I have a surprise for you." He smiled.

"This is the part where I'm stuffed in a trunk and never heard from again right?" I asked sarcastically.

"Only the lucky ones" he laughed.

Something about his laugh was contagious. I stood up with him and we walked along the beach. We talked about California and things we liked and disliked. By the time we reached wherever we were going I felt like I could trust him with almost anything. We sat down on the beach and talked about our families and we laughed about funny stories. Talking to him is so natural.

"What exactly is the surprise?" I asked

"You said you wanted to pursue music right?"

"Yeah" I dragged it out so it sounded like a question.

"We'll if you promise to meet back here tomorrow at exactly this time. Ill show you your surprise."

"Ok so I'll see you tomorrow then." I smiled as I started to walk backward away from him.

"Oh one last thing I forgot to ask."

I stopped and waited for the question.

"Do you have a boyfriend?"

My face froze. I'd been having such a good time with Ross and totally forgot about Jason. How could I be so stupid. Now I've just been leading Ross on. He'll probably never talk to me again. He needed an answer. Come on Brooke just tell him. Why can't I tell him? I don't wanna lose him. But why? I just met him.

"I'll take that as its complicated." He smirked.

"Yeah something like that."

"I'll wait." He smiled and turned around.

What did that mean?