Real Love

Chapter 6: New Beginnings

I had moved out of Mike's house about a month now and I was still feeling the effects of what had happened, it's been four months and I still felt like i was worthless that I was somehow inadequate.

It was all my fault I could not shake that, the sleepless nights I've had are less frequent but I still wake up some nights in cold sweat, heart beating a mile a minute.

Today I was forced out of my cocoon, a small two room apartment close to the bad side of town I was living off of the savings I'd done when living with Mike. It was not much but it could keep me for awhile as I wasn't eating much and getting up from the all too soft couch was a chore in itself.

A chore i had to endure today to pay my bills as for some stupid reason the internet was down so I couldn't do it online, I just couldn't wait to get home and curl up on the couch I had a Ben and Jerry vanilla waiting in my fridge and Seventh Heaven on DVD, yep I was torturing myself with images of perfect family and love something I really wanted but that seemed to be out of my reach somehow.

"Excuse me miss"

I kept walking down the road as I was sure it couldn't be me as I was a mess, I was toe-up-from-the-floor-up. I was in sweats and my hair was in need of combing.

"Miss?" A hand touched my shoulder, I stopped and turned to see this god of a man as that was the only description to describe this man with his hand slightly on my shoulder.

"Sorry, I was wondering if I could get a minute of your time"

I stood there stock still looking at the man,he was cute too cute and he really wanted to talk to me,me? Okay bring out the camera cause am definitely getting punked, my lack of response resulted in him removing his hands.

"Am sorry i just had to talk to you,you are one  beautiful lady"

That got a response from me, I raised my eyebrow.

"I'm sorry I did not mean to offend you in any way"

"That's OK, am just a bit preoccupied at the moment" I said finally finding my voice.

"Ah, I see, is that what has your face so sour?"

"That's rather complicated and personal"

There was silence as I looked down on the pavement.

"Okay no problem, would you mind if I walked you home?"

"Why?" I was not crazy about letting a stranger know where I live.

"No worries am not the crazy stalker type" he said smiling, seeming to notice my hesitation he continued,

"Am harmless really"

"Yeah, that's exactly what a stalker/serial killer would say"

"Okay if you do not believe me then that's fine, can I have your number then?"

"Fine no problem" I took his phone and entered my number, I could always ignore him if u wanted.

"I've gotta go, it was nice meeting you" I said not extending my hands but turning to continue my journey home.

Two minutes away I got a text

'Crazy Stalker here, am noticing that we didn't exchange name and that you put Punked as yours, is that a real nickname or is that your real name? '