Leave {z.m.}

Four

What was I doing? 

I could not start following girls around. I could not be interested at all. I had to go back to feeling nothing completely. I was doing fine until she came along. I would not let her ruin everything for me; she would ultimately ruin herself. The curse...it would destroy her as it continued to try to destroy me. It would only destroy me if I allowed it to. That was why I was obligated to feel nothing; that way, the curse had no affect on me.

The wind howled around me as I paced back and forth outside of the restaurant. I could not turn back and go inside again. She thought she knew what she was talking about, but she most certainly did not. She didn't know what I had gone through. She didn't know anything. 

I intended to keep it that way.

I enforced myself to keep going and I noticed the man from not too long ago with another cigar. What a waste of a life. He recognized me and became even more disheveled as he tried to get away from me. My eyes snapped away from him and soon I was able to block him and my surroundings out, just like I used to be accustomed to.

Step by step. One foot in front of the other. Ignoring the journey and not concerned about the destination. 

"Hey, wait up!" Her eager voice prevented me from going any further. In a second, she was there by my side holding a bowl of fettuccine. 

"They allowed you to take the bowl?" 

"Yeah, Julia said I could. She knew I'd be in a hurry."

"A hurry," I repeated. 

"Yep, I had to catch up to you." 

"You should take my car." 

Her eyes widened, remembering that she was about to ditch my car. "Oh, right. You're riding with me, right?" 

I stared at her and shrugged, which caused her to glare. 

"Come on. You seriously won't even go in your own car?"

"Walking is healthier," I indicated.

"What's the point of owning a car then?" 

"I do not know actually." 

"You're stupid," she fumed.

"Excuse you?" 

"You heard me." 

"I wish I hadn't." 

"Well, that was rude." 

"And you aren't rude?" 

"Well..." 

"Exactly," I straightened myself and stood tall in triumph.

"I've never fought with someone so much in my life." 

"Ditto." 

"Ew, who even says that?" She laughed, clearly enjoying herself in amusement.

"I do." 

"Well, thanks, Captain Obvious." 

"You enjoy being sarcastic it appears," I commented dryly.

"Yes, actually I do." 

"Let's get in the car," I sighed.

"Finally, you make a decision." 

I disregarded her and strolled over to my car, motioning for her to hand over my keys. 

"I can't get them," she admitted, still holding the bowl. 

"Then allow me to." 

"I'm not sure if that's such a good idea." Embarrassment was evident in her voice, although I could not figure out why.

"Where are they?" 

A faint pink arose on her cheeks, "My back pocket." 

I cleared my throat, "Oh." 

"Yeah, um, hold this." She handed the bowl to me and pulled the keys out of her pocket. "I can drive." I did not respond and opened the car door with one hand before slipping into the seat as she did.

As she drove, rain lightly dotted the car windows; I knew a storm would be approaching. 

"I like the summer rain," she remarked. 

"It is springtime though." 

"I know. Just making conversation here." 

"Rain is rain to me," I responded as my eyes flickered past the blurry figures while the car drove by.

"Wow, that was deep," she stated sarcastically, and I could almost hear the smile she wore.

"Do you think it'll be a bad storm?" 

I shook my head, "I don't believe so." 

She nodded to me as she pulled into a parking spot and stopped the car. The two of us sat in silence for a few short moments. 

"I really am thankful for you letting me stay at your place. My flight is in the early afternoon so I'll just get my car fixed tomorrow morning," she expressed her gratitude. 

"You can sleep-in if you like. I could bring it to a repair shop." 

She gaped at me in disbelief. "Really?" 

"Sure," I shrugged casually. 

"I would like that. Thank you." 

"Don't mention it," I sighed, meaning my words.

I got out of the car and she followed my lead. I opened the door to my flat and permitted her to enter first.

"Do you think we could be friends someday?" She inquired hopefully.

"Probably not." 

Adelaide sighed, abruptly crestfallen and I thought for a second. 

"You would not want to befriend me. I assure you." 

"Why not?" 

And I did not hesitate with the truth.

"Because you would die."