The Real You (BWWM)

19:Its a date

August 20th, 2015

We stayed the night at the motel and left early in the morning. As we leave the room, my eyes burn at the sight of the morning sun. We walk down to the library and I print her out a bus ticket. We wait at the train station where the bus meets and head on. We sit in silence until Kyra speaks up. "Thank you for helping me. Really." I softly sigh, trying not to feel pity and sympathy for her.  

"Its no problem." I say, being as cold as I can be. I look at her and see sadness, loneliness, heart break. "You know, your parents are still okay. And you're going to be too." She flashes me a weak but endearing smile. 

"What do we do when we get there?" 

"I need to find some people linked to Charlie. See if they have any information about him." 

"What are you going to do to them?" Fear strikes in her eyes. I know I can't tell her the honest truth, it'll break her heart even more. 

"I'm going to send them to jail, where they truly belong." I can't dare get involved with the police. They will ask questions, and questions leads to suspicion. She slightly smiles, yearning for comfort. I hesitantly wrap my arm around her, telling her its going to be okay.

We finally arrive to Savannah and I head to a near gas station for a payphone to call Sandra. "What are we doing here?" I put the quarters in their and hold it to my ear.

"I'm calling a friend." The phone rings and Sandra answers.

"Hello?" I hear a groggy Sandra on the other line and start to bring a piece of paper out my pocket and a pen. 

"hey, its Ava."

"Ava? Are you okay? Are you hurt? Oh my god did the police get to you?" 

"No Sandra I'm fine, really," I interrupt her rambling, "but I need some information on the people that do business with Charlie." 

"Alright, let me try to remember. The major people he does his business with is William Fisher, Xander Mallock," I start to write the names down on the paper, "and Sasha Newton. There was another guy, Damien Muto, but he raided him and his family and killed them not too long ago."

"Alright, thanks Sandra." I hear her sigh on the other line. 

"Try to keep in touch okay? Don't be a stranger." I let a boxy laugh out.

"I-I'll try. Thanks again, for everything." 

"Of course sweetheart. Be safe."

"I will." And at that, we both hang up. Kyra and I walk to the nearest motel and check in. The room smells of mold and sex. The bed has stains of what I assume soda and cum and the chairs look like bricks to the touch. But its better than sleeping on the streets. The rain starts to pour outside with lighting and thunder following right after. I can tell Kyra is scared of the thunder; she hasn't said a word in minutes. "Hey." I take a seat with her on the bed and put a hand behind her back. "You know, I was scared of thunder when I was about your age. But you know what helped me?" She looks up at me intrigued. 

"What?" 

"My mom told me, 'If you're ever alone and scared, sing our song.' and you know what the song was?" She giggles and asks me,

"What is it?!" 

"She called it Somewhere." 

"Sing it for me!" I smile extensively at her and bow my head down in embarrassment. She then starts to chant 'Sing it' for about a minute until I finally give in. 

"Okay okay I'll sing it!" I cleared my throat and began to sing. "Somewhere, over the rainbow. Somewhere, deep in the sky just you and I, over the rainbow. Tonight." Kyra begins to yawn and places her head on my lap. I'm taken back by her gesture for a moment until I stroke her hair and continue singing. "Somewhere, deep in the forest. Somewhere, under the ground we're safe and sound, deep in the forest. Tonight." I notice she's fast asleep and I tuck her in and lay myself down right beside her. I can't believe I'm saying this, but she's grown on me. 

August 21st, 2015

"I'll be back okay? Keep yourself busy inside the room while I'm out. Do not go outside, you understand?" She nods her head and shines a gummy smile. I ruffle her hair and head out the door. I ask for directions and walk to the library. I look up the names Sandra gave to me and discover that Xander Mallock lives in Savannah and works at a firm in the city. I print out the address and head over there. 

I stand outside with a newspaper for about 30 minutes before the firm goes to lunch. I take in the scenery. The oak trees surround the nearby park and the sun shines radiantly. The children prance around the sidewalks with there parents with smiles as bright as the sun. The sight warms my heart, but it also breaks a little inside as well. My family bares my mind. I remember their laughs, their smiles, their love for each other. And I took that all away. I took away their biggest gift; life. I notice Xander coming out of the building with a brief case in one hand and his blazer in another. His hazel green eyes glared at the sun while his nicely cut salt and pepper hair shines in the light. I cautiously follow him as he makes a beeline for the coffee shop next to the building. I see him scan the menu while he scans a college students ass swiftly. An idea rushes to my mind. I know how to get his attention. 

I walk to the nearest Walmart and shop for some slutty yet modest clothes that screams 'lonely college student'. I also check the cosmetic aisle and apply a light coat of makeup. I make my way back to the coffee shop and spot Xander sitting down. I order an ice tea and walk past him, purposefully spilling it over his shirt. "Oh my god! I am so sorry. Here let me help you." I get some napkins and start to dab on his shirt. "God I'm such a klutz sometimes." I say as we both laugh. 

"Its okay, really. Good thing it wasn't hot coffee." 

"I guess you can say my craving for something cold saved your shirt." 

"I guess you can say I'm glad you spilled your drink, seeing as I got to meet you." I flash him a convincing coy smile. 

"I guess you can say I'm glad too. Hi, I'm Maggie." I reach my hand out to him and he accepts it. 

"Xander, Xander Mallock." 

"Nice to meet you Xander. Tell you what, I'll buy you a croissant if you're willing to take me on a date tonight. Deal?" 

"Deal."  We shake on it and I lead him to the cash register, buying the croissant I promised. We talked for some time about our past and our aspirations until he had to leave for work again. 

"See you tonight." He says seductively as he winks at me. 

"Its a date." And with that he heads out. I try to contain a smile until I see him leave the shop. I laugh to myself. I guess the plan is in motion.