Don't Go Into The Woods

Chapter 12

The next couple of days went by quickly with classes and school work keeping me occupied. I could not lie here. I purposely kept myself very busy with school work in order to not have to think about what had happened the other night. I was also kept so busy that I did not have time to even think of talking to Roman. He was surprisingly someone I wanted to talk to unlike Dimitri who insisted on using his sketch of me as his assignment. Ms. Jennings was so pleased by his sketch that she placed it on the front board for all to see and for all to gossip about. I could smell the trouble coming. I dodged certain people left, right and center for the rest of the week till finally Saturday had come. What I only found out on Friday night was that the students were allowed to spend their Saturday and Sunday’s out at the nearby town with a curfew of 6pm. It was a bit early but considering that this was a school they were running, I suppose I could understand. Carmen was all excited to go out and the fact that I was not going to be going anywhere did not deter her in the least bit. I just felt like being alone for a bit and what better way than being alone was to not go with as I knew I would be one of the few students to stay behind. I said goodbye to Carmen before heading to the gym area with my gym bag hanging from my shoulder. I decided to spend my free time there instead of hanging around on all and any forms of social media. The reception here was anyway pretty poor most of the time and I didn't want to be reminded of what normal girls my age would be doing on a Saturday. Especially one who had officially become someone's girlfriend. Neither of which names I would like to mention. There was a possibility which not even I was ready to admit just yet that I was changing. Not all that interested in my old life which revolved around parties, getting wasted and catching on shit which ultimately pissed my mother off. Though in this present moment in time, I was not sure yet if that was a good change for me as it felt like my entire life was taking a whole different direction than what I had originally wanted it to. I past students who were all grouped up and on their way out from the school, happy with the directions their life's were going, filled with excitement. Suddenly I heard my name being called. I stopped and looked around to see it was Roman who had called out my name. He came walking up to me, all dressed in a knitted scarf and a brown winters coat. He looked rather smart especially with the brown pointy shoes. I couldn't help it. The corners of my mouth lifted at the sight of him immediately.

“Hey there stranger.” Roman greeted as he stopped before me. “Please tell me you are not going to be staying in on this awesome autumn’s day.”

“Unfortunately I am.” I said. “I am actually on my way to the gym. Probably going to spend a few hours there.” I clearly did not give the answer that Roman wanted to hear. That I could tell easily by the disappointed expression he had etched all over his face after hearing what I had to say. “You going out to town?” I asked in an attempt to lighten his mood somewhat.

“Yes. I was hoping you would come too, but I guess I will have to wait until next time.” Roman said. He let out a heavy sigh which worked at making me feel a tad guilty for not going with him. I guess my stubbornness was preventing me from caving in. I had made my mind up on staying as I knew I needed some alone time and I was sticking to my decision.

“Don’t make it sound so bad.” I said with a giggle.

“I will try not to.” Roman said. He smiled down at me. He was rather tall so he had that ability to look down at me naturally. In his eyes I could see him secretly admit defeat. He was not going to be able to change my mind. Not today at least. “Try not to miss me too much and try not to have too much fun without me please.” I was sort of left dumbfounded by his words. I was left even more shocked when Roman lifted one hand up to my cheek. He gently brushed his fingers up across my skin. I just froze on the spot, unable to say anything. All i could do was stare up at Roman. He noticed my frozen reaction to his move and laughed slightly at it. He found my reaction to his touch to be funny. I could not blame him for laughing as I probably looked like an idiot. After a few seconds, my face managed to unfreeze itself and I was able to offer Roman a slight smile. He seemed pleased with this. “I will take that as a yes.” Roman eventually said, smiling down at me still. “Hopefully I will see you when I get back.”