Androphobia

Coffee

I wake up to the smell of hamburger. Adjusting my eyesight I see Sky cooking.

"Hangover?" I laugh.

"Fuck you. I hate you so much," she groans.

My phone buzzes and I see that it's 12:30.

"Damn. Shit. Fuck," I jump up.

I run to my room and change. I tie my Converse and grab my phone. While hailing a cab I call Seb.

"Hey. I'm so sorry I'm not standing you up. I just woke up. I'm climbing in a cab and I'll be there soon," I speak.

"Okay. Do you want me to order you something or?" Seb asks.

"Starbucks. And no I'll order. I always change it up," I state.

We hang up and I arrive at Starbucks. I see Seb sitting at a table and walk over.

"Hey," I smile.

"Hi. Um... Don's over there," Seb slightly points in the opposite corner.

I excuse myself and walk over.

"Are you stalking Seb or me?" I question.

"Neither. I'm waiting on someone," he says looking up.

"Oh. I just want to tell you I'm not using Seb. We're just friends," I inform Don.

"You just met last night. And you slowed danced. And you guys are meeting up for coffee," Don says.

"Will you get me a coffee?" I ask.

"Yeah. Black?"

"You know it." I smile.

Don brings back my coffee and I join Seb. We talk like we've known each other forever until Seb asks about my childhood.

"So what about your childhood?" Seb questions.

"Oh it was great. Grew up in London. The people were great. It just wasn't for me," I smile.

"What about your parents?"

"My mom died when I was seventeen and Sky was seven. Our dad was never around my mom remarried and yeah," I fake a smile.

"Well you had a dad. That's good," he gives me a warming smile.

I just got home from coffee and Sky is on the couch asleep. I cover her up and head to my room. My west wall is covered by albums from Tupac to Garth Brooks. I listen to literally anything. I have a queen size bed and a fluffy chair.

Sky just woke up and it's now five. Lying to Seb about my childhood has been eating at me.

"I lied to Seb," I blurt out.

"About what?" Sky questions.

"Our childhood. I couldn't tell him. He wouldn't want someone who was abused," I stare at the blank tv.

"Sebastian seems really nice. You should tell him the truth," Sky says.

"He really is. He's from Romania and he moved here with his mom at age twelve. He's so adorable and funny. He's amazing," I smile slightly at the thought of him.

"You're scared aren't you?" My sister asks me.

"I don't want to mess up a relationship with him. I'm positive he's not like Drunk. He wouldn't hurt a fly. I don't want to mess it up like I did with Chris and I," I state.

"That was Chris. Chris cheated on you it was nothing you did. Believe that for once. But look at you and Amelia," Sky snaps.

"You're right. Thank you."

I give her a hug and grab my jacket.

"Where are you going?!"

"I'm going to go talk with Seb," I smile, closing the door behind me.

I jog down the stairs and double click my unlock button. As I open my door my phone buzzes.

Asshole- Hey can we meet?

Cam- No.

Asshole- Please. I need to see you.

Cam- Chris no. Drop it.

I throw my phone in the passenger seat and start my car. I call Seb.

"Can we meet at this local bar?" I ask once he answers.

"Yeah. I'll be there in about ten minutes," he says.

We hang up and I pull up to the bar. I walk in and take a seat in the corner. I get Seb a beer and me a whiskey. As I wait I talk to one of my dance students, Caliy. Soon Seb is sitting across from me.

"Thanks for coming," I smile, giving him a hug.

"No problem. What's wrong?" He takes a seat.

"I lied to you. I didn't want to but my childhood wasn't all what I said it was," I stare at my empty glass.

"How bad was it?" Seb asks.

"When I was ten my mom had Sky. Life was great. I had a little sister, a father that was amazing, a mom who was happy, I had a perfect life. When Sky was six months old my mom and dad fell out of love. The day before Sky's first birthday my dad left. It sucked but he still visited my sister and I. Then he dropped everything having to do with us. My mom soon remarried to Tom Hiddleston's father and life went to hell. For my mom, sister and I anyways. My mom is Romanian and my father is Russian. It's a weird combo I know that's the truth though. I didn't think you'd want anything to do with someone who was abused growing up," I stare into his eyes.

"You are amazing. You survived hell and you're Romanian," he smiles.

"And Russian," I laugh.

He laughs along too. Seb decides to drive us to a park. I race him to the swings and see someone sitting under the slide.

"You okay?" I ask the person.

"Rosie?!" A voice says.

"Caliy!?" I confusingly question.

"Thank god your here," she jumps in my arms.

I hold her close and she cries. Seb calls 911 and an ambulance is on its way.

"Hello?" I answer annoyed.

"Amelia is wanting to come home," Chris states.

"I'm at the hospital with a student at the moment. You can bring her by," I inform him.

He agrees and the Doctor walks out.

"Are you her parent or guardian?" She questions.

"No I'm her dance teacher. I was on a date and she was hiding under the slide," I explain.

"Do you have her parents address or number?"

"Their address but no number. You can't let her go back. This isn't the first time," I state.

"Her x-rays show older bruising and sprains. We called the cops and they want to talk to you. You can sit with her for now," the doctor smiles.

"Can you stay out here and wait on Chris?" I ask Seb.

"Of course."