Different

Chapter Nine

As more buildings and cars pass by in a blur, the more doubt starts to come over me like a wave trying to drown me. I just grab myself a life jacket and keep myself from going under for the time being. However, my conscious keeps taking it away and telling me that I'm being stupid and need to turn back now.

I actually feel like I should just listen because usually that little voice is right about everything, but honestly, who listens to it? I mean I am a badass in my own world, so I almost have to rebel against it, right? 

I wrap my fingers tighter around the steering wheel in result to my decision, and my nerves that start to get worse. I do not even know why I am becoming such a mess right now. I am literally about to go have a conversation with some guy, not talk to the president. Usually I only get like this when I am put into an unfamilar situation, but I have done this before. I have talked to plenty of guys, so this is not new what-so-ever. I have had a couple different boyfriends for goodness sake.

However, here I am, freaking out...over a guy. 

"Okay...here we are," I say to myself.

I pull into the parking lot and force my car into a spot in front of the enterance. Before unbuckling my seatbelt, I try my best to look through the glass door to see if he is in fact in there. That's useless because all I see is the reflection of me in my car, acting like a fool. I have got to get myself together.

"Rachel, you can do this. It's only a boy you have already talked to plenty of times. I mean it isn't like you're asking him out on a date or anything. You are just..." I stop, realizing I am practically having a full conversation with myself. 

I look out my window to see if anyone is around to see what I just did. Thankfully, no is.

Taking a deep breath in and letting it out, I unclasp the contraption keeping me in this car and from going in the store. With every second that goes by, my heart quickens. Seriously, what is wrong with me? I am usually much better at this and a hell of a lot more confident about myself. This guy just makes me become a whole different person, and I don't like it. 

Enough about me though. I am here for one purpose, and that is to talk to this guy to figure out what exactly is going on his head. I just have this annoying need to help him and his relationship problems. No matter how much I attempt to push the want to help away, I can't just stand back and watch him go through it alone. It bothered me all night last night, and I couldn't stop thinking about him. 

I care way too much about people. 

I finallly climb out of my car and walk up towards the front entrance of the phone store. There is no turning back now. As I open the door, there is a light ring of a bell that echos through out. 

"Hi, welcome to the A...hey! What are you doing back here so soon?" Kyle quickly appears from the back of the store. Surprisingly, his face lights up when he sees that it's me who walked in. 

"Hey, I was actually looking for someone." I begin to fiddle with my fingers, picking at the purple nail polish that has already started chipping away. 

"Someone? I'm guessing since you don't look thrilled to see me, you are looking for Asher?" 

"Y...yeah...him." He disappears to the back of the store, leaving me behind and confused. "Kyle?"

I call out for him. Why would he just leave in the middle of a conversation? He then reappears moments later.

"Sorry, I had to do something real quick. I just called Asher, and he said that he isn't coming in today. Why are looking for him anyways?" he asks.