A New World

Chapter 1

Rachel's POV
Pre apocalypse

"Bye Rachel! Have a fun night studying!"

I wave to one of my friends from medical school. We were leaving the hospital after clinicals to be told we'd have an exam to take in class tomorrow.

I unlock my car and get in. I sigh just thinking about all I have to do tonight before I can study. I know I'll do fine, but there's always that nagging voice in the back of my head.

As I think of the list of things I have to do, I drove to the store not even realizing I left the hospital parking lot.

I shake my head and run into the store to get my groceries.

The entire time I shop, my head is in the clouds and when I finally bring my head back down and check my phone, I realize I'm running late.

I forget about the rest of the items on my list, they'll just have to wait, and I make my way to the checkout lane.

I bring all of my groceries out to my car and load them into my trunk. I quickly hop into my car, turn it on, and start pulling out of my parking space.

When I came to a sudden stop with a small crunch being heard, I realized I never looked before pulling out of my parking space and I managed to hit someone.

I place my head on the steering wheel, feeling like a complete idot. I put my car in park and shut it off. I grab my insurance information and get out of my car.

"I am so sorry! My head was in a different place and I wasn't thinking."

"It doesn't look too bad. I don't see a dent or a scratch, yet anyway."

The man was tall, with black hair and beautiful blue eyes. He was very fit, as his muscles seem to pop out of his shirt like they didn't care that he was even wearing one, not that I was looking though.

"Here's my insurance information just to make sure that you have it if there was any damage done."

He takes the information and looks at it. While he was checking it out, I was looking at his expensive car. Eventually, my eyes left the car and looked in his windshield to find a badge tucked up in the corner of the window on the driver's side.

"Oh my Azar, I hit a cop's car."

I run my hands through my hair and try to remember to breath.

"I'm not on duty currently so you just hit a pedestrian's car."

I gave him a look that told him what he just said didn't ease my anxiety any.

He smiles and hands me back my insurance information.

"How about this, you give me your phone number and I take you on a date. Then you don't have to worry about the insurance information."

I just stare at him.

"No tricks, just a date."

"Ok."

"Really? I didn't actually think that would work."

I chuckle and write my name and phone number on a piece of paper. When I'm done, I close the distance between us and hand him the piece of paper.

"I'm Rachel, by the way."

"Richard. It's nice to meet you." He says as he takes the paper from my hand.

"I hate to cut this short, but I'm running late for an appointment." I say as I slowly inch towards my car door.

"No, I understand. I'll text you later tonight."

"Sound good!"

Richard waves as I get into my car. I turn my car on and look in my rear view mirror to see Richard moving his car.

I leave my parking spot, not hitting anyone this time, and successfully make my way out of the parking lot.

On my drive home, I think about how mad he'll be because I'm late. I try to get the thought out of my head while I drive, but my mind keeps drifting back to the thought.

I eventually pull into my driveway, park my car, and shut it off. I grab my bag out of my car and all of the groceries and walk up to the front door.

I stand there for a minute and breath trying to ease my anxiety before I face him. When I feel calm I open the door and enter the house.

As soon as I open the door, my nose is invaded with the smell of alchohol and body odor. I shake my head and close the door behind me.

I put the groceries on the counter and put all of the items in their respective places.

When I was done, I turn around to see if he was looking at me yet, but he was still watching TV. I sighed in relief and quietly started to make my way toward the stairs.

"You're late, Rachel."

I pause on the first step and drop my head. I turn around to face him to see that he wasn't even looking at me, his eyes were still fixated on the TV.

"I'm sorry father. I was helping a classmate who had some questions about the exam that we have tomorrow. I lost track of time while I was helping her."

"Do you think she'll pass the exam?"

"Yes father, I think she will now that I've helped her."

"Good, don't let it happen again. Now go up to your room and study. And don't come down for dinner."

"Yes father. Goodnight."

I quickly climb the stairs and enter my room, shutting and locking the door behind me.

I sigh and think about a hundred ways that could have gone worse. I shake my head and pull my books out of my bag and start studying.

A couple of hours into studying, my phone buzzes. I pick up my phone and see a text from an unknown number. I unlock my phone and read the text.

'Hey, it's Richard!'

Underneath that text there was a picture of his car where I hit it. The picture showed the tiniest dent.

'Look, there's barely a dent, but I still want that date!'

I chuckle and reply back, after I added his number to my contacts.

'I'm glad that it's that small, your car is too pretty to have a big dent in it. And don't worry, I still plan on going on that date.'

I put my phone down to start studying again, but as soon as I set it down, it buzzed again.

'Good! I have an awesome idea for our date. How does tomorrow night sound? And did you seriously call my car pretty!? It's manly, thank you very much!'

I let out a small laugh. What is it with men and their cars?

'It's just a car.'

'Oh yeah? Well, Xavier is very offended now and he isn't sure that he likes you. I can't blame him. You did hit him and now you called him pretty.'

I shake my head

'Ok fine, I'm sorry. Xavier is manly and handsome. And I didn't mean to hit him.'

'Xavier forgives you and is excited to take you on our date tomorrow'

'I can meet you half way tomorrow, if you want.'

'Sure! Whatever makes you comfortable. Hey, my break is over, I'll text you the details of our date tomorrow. Have a good rest of your night Rachel!'

I smile.

'Thanks, you too!'

I put my phone down and realize I'm still smiling. I don't know what I'll tell my father yet, but I'm not going to let my fear stop me from going on this date.

I try to go back to studying, but I'm just too excited to focus. I close my books and decide to just go to bed.

I turn off the lights and climb under the covers, hoping tomorrow will go well.