Soft Spot

F O U R

I looked around the kitchen desperately, hoping to find the salt. How could I forget the salt, out of all the things I needed? I groaned loudly, throwing my head back in frustration.  My father was going to be here early in the morning, and I wanted to cook him breakfast so I went out and got all the things I needed for his favorite meal, but of course I would forget something. The salt is one of the most important parts of the meal. I looked at the clock above the kitchen sink that read 2:45am I bit my lip and decided to just go out and get the salt so I didn't have to do it in the morning. I grabbed my phone and wallet, before making my way down to the lobby. There was a store just around the block, so I decided to just walk. I didn't want to have to get more gas before going to pick my father up from the airport. I turned down the alley, trying to take a short cut instead of going all the way around. I could hear footsteps behind me, but when I turned around there was nobody there. I frowned and kept walking, thinking I was just being paranoid. Who else would be crazy enough to be out this late?

The footsteps started to get louder, and closer. I stopped walking and turned around quickly, just in time to see a shadow standing only a few feet from behind me. My eyes widened and I turned back around, taking off in a sprint. I could hear loud footsteps behind me as I ran down the alley. I turned my head to see if the person was catching up, but to my surprise there was nobody there. I turned back around, only to crash into something and stumble back, catching my balance before I fell. I frowned and looked up at the person I bumped into. I narrowed my eyes once I realized who it was. Gosh, he just seemed to be everywhere.

"Are you following me?" I crossed my arms and stepped away from him. He rolled his eyes and took his hood off, crossing his arms as well.

"You bumped into me, remember? Why were you running anyway? Isn't it a little late for a jog?" He raised his eyebrow, looking at me like I was some crazy person.

"I thought there was someone chasing me." I frowned, and turned back around to see the alley completely empty.

"Why would someone be chasing you, and what are you even doing out this late at night alone?" Jason asked, looking around the dark alley. I snorted, he's one to talk.

"I could ask you the same thing." I smirked, tilting my head to the side. "Especially sense you're the one that looks like you just robbed a bank." I looked at his all black outfit, and black gloves.

"I did, so shh don't tell." He joked, chuckling lightly. I rolled my eyes and smiled, turning around to walk back home. "Wait, I'll walk with you. You know, so no other ghosts try to chase you." He joked, walking along side of me.

"Hey, it wasn't a ghost, okay? Someone was really there, I saw the shadow." He rolled his eyes and laughed, not believing me. The rest of the way back to my loft we made light conversation about ourselves. Jason was actually pretty chill, unlike his rude friends. I seriously don't know why he associates with them. Once we got to my door, I turned around to thank him for walking back with me. I was secretly happy that he did because I was way to scared to walk alone. I would have ended up calling a taxi to take me just a few feet.

"Well, thank you for walking me, although it really wasn't necessary." I lied. He smiled and rolled his eyes, leaning against my door frame.

"Anytime, I wouldn't want any ghost getting you." He joked, and I scoffed loudly, smacking his arm.

"It wasn't a ghost you goof! It was a human being, one trying to get me." He was about to say something when the door across the hall burst open, and Nathan walked out. He had no shirt on, and his sweats hung low on his waist. You could tell he had just woken up, and yet he still looked like some kind of God.

"Would you shut the fuck up- Jason?" He frowned as he realized it was Jason standing outside of my door with me, making all the noise. "What the hell are you doing here, with her?" The word her came out like poison on his tongue.

"I was just walking her home. What about you, I thought you had to be "out of town"." He crossed his arms and glared at Nathan accusingly.

"I was, and I just got back. Now I'm trying to sleep, so if you two love birds could quiet the fuck down that'd be helpful." He snapped, glaring back at Jason. Jason started to talk in another language, Spanish I think. I frowned as I looked at him confused. I didn't even know they knew Spanish, now I wish I would have took Spanish instead of Russian 9th and 10th grade. Nathan said something to Jason, which seemed to make him freeze in his spot. Nathan took one last glance at me before storming back into his apartment and slamming the door shut. I frowned and looked back at Jason, who looked like he just saw the ghost he kept making jokes about.

"Well I should go, goodnight." He didn't even look at me before turning around and walking away without another word. I stared at his retreating form, confused at what just happened.

"Boys." I mumbled shaking my head before walking into my loft. I tossed my keys on the coffee table and laid on the couch, falling fast asleep. The last thing I remembered was that I didn't even get salt.

"Katherine, Katherine." I could feel my body shaking, and hear my name being called but I didn't want to open my eyes. "Kat." Upon hearing the voice, all my sleepiness went away and I jolted up.

"Daddy!" I squealed, jumping into his arms. He laughed and hugged me back tightly. "I missed you so much, oh my god I can't believe you're actually here!" I pulled away, looking at him from head to toe.

"te uiti la tine, arăți atât de crescut" He stood back, looking at me in awe. I laughed and rolled my eyes, walking towards the kitchen to get a banana. He watched my every move, looking to see if I was going to react to eating.

"Of course I've grown dad, it's been years since you've visited." I said softly, looking down at my feet. "How long are you back for?"

"Only for the day." He whispered, smiling at me sadly. "They want me on a plane by midnight." He sighed, walking over just as tears began to form in my eyes.

"But you just got here." I cried, hugging him tightly.

"Știu că scumpo, știu" He sighed, hugging me back. I didn't want him to leave when he just got here. Why did he even come back if he was just going to leave the same day he came? Seeing my father leave was so hard, especially when I never knew if I would see him again, or not. Sometimes I wish he had a normal job, like a teacher or a bus driver even. Then at least I'd see him everyday, and wouldn't be scared to death that he wouldn't come back once he stepped out the door. 

Note:

"te uiti la tine, arăți atât de crescut" - "look at you, you look so grown"

"Știu că scumpo, știu" - "I know sweetie, I know."