Afraid

I limped over to my apartment door and I got my keys out as quickly as I could. My eyelids were getting heavy and I knew there wasn't much time before I would pass out.

Emma ran to me as soon as she saw my ripped clothes revealing bruises and scars.

Emma gasped, "What happened?"

I whimpered, "Help," and at that moment everything faded into darkness.

Two months earlier

Emma, my best friend, and I just moved from New York to a flat in London. Our flight landed yesterday and we spent all day cleaning and rearranging furniture.

At the moment, we were lying on the couch. Her feet was dangling off the couch while my upper body was an inch away from falling.

Emma and I are similar but we are different. I like vans, she likes converse. I like winter, she likes summer. I'm pale with black hair, she's brunette with a slight tan. But we're like sisters because we are both lazy.

Emma said, "I'll give you ten bucks if you get up and buy us coffee."

"I'll give you twenty. Please, I'm exhausted."

"Madison, I came all the way to England for you. Just get it."

I sighed, got up and stretched while walking over to Emma's wallet, "Fine, but you're paying. And you just came here to hook up with a British guy."

I left our flat while ignoring her protests. There was a small coffee shop two blocks away so thankfully it wasn't that much of a walk. It was 6 pm but not that dark outside.

As I walked in, I noticed that the shop was filled with an old couple and a small family on one side. Towards the back I saw a guy sitting alone, but I didn't put much thought or attention into it.

There was a girl at the counter, her name tag said Amy, who didn't look much older than me. Her long blonde hair and flawless skin made me feel insecure. Especially since my hair is in a messy ponytail while I'm wearing a Mayday Parade T-shirt and basketball shorts. I don't try that hard to look good.

She asked what I wanted and I ordered a medium regular coffee and an iced coffee. I drink iced coffee because I get too tired with hot coffee.

I waited for my order and as soon as it came, I told Amy to keep the change and said thank you.

As soon as I turned around, I bumped into someone and both coffees fell on me. I have no idea which is more uncomfortable. All of the ice or the scalding hot coffee.

I was still looking down and trying to get the coffee off of me, "Haven't you ever heard of personal space?"

I heard a deep chuckle and the guy responded, "Yes, but I couldn't help myself. I just saw the most beautiful girl in the world."

I looked up to see that it was the guy that was sitting alone. His curly hair was tucked underneath his beanie and his pale skin pointed out the green of his eyes.

He was not too shabby, but I was furious, "Are you fucking serious? The appropriate thing to do is to offer me a napkin, not to try to hit on me."

"Who said I was hitting on you? I came to ask the lovely Amy out on a date," he said with a smirk on his face.

Now I have to admit, that is slightly embarrassing. It's also not as shocking because Amy looks amazing, but I wasn't in the mood.

"Wonderful, now get out of my way."

Before I left, Amy told me to wait while she prepares the coffees for me again.

"You're feisty, I like it. What's your name sweetheart?"

I looked at him with no emotions and replied, "I have no intention of seeing you again, so you don't need to know."

I quickly grabbed the coffees and left the coffee shop which I was sure I would never come to again.

***

I got back to our flat where Emma questioned me on why I took so long. I told her about the stupid prick and she asked if he was cute. I ignored her and went straight to my room.

My room is a perfect representation of me. The walls are a mix between blue and purple. But most of the space is covered with some of my drawings and paintings. At one corner I have a television and a desk where I can draw and maybe do some work. My bed is covered in a blue bed sheet with black flowers. I have a closet which is huge so I only use half of it. But my favorite part is the balcony. I have a wonderful view of the city and it's breath taking. I have been here for a night and it's messy but not too messy.

I went into the bathroom that Emma and I share and took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. I got out and fell on top of my bed, not caring about my hair. This day was long, tiring, and frustrating.

I heard a knock on my door; it was Emma. I stayed quiet, hoping she would assume I'm sleeping.

"Madison it's only 8 pm. I heard you get out of the shower. Just give me two minutes, I need to tell you something."

I groaned and walked to the door. I opened it and went to lie back down on my bed.

"Do you have plans tomorrow?"

"I want to find an art studio."

I doubted that Emma heard me because she replied with, "Good. Since you're not busy, remember how I told you my cousin lives here? Well-"

"You never told me about your cousin Emma."

"Oh. Then, I must have thought about it."

There was a silence in the room and after a minute I got tired of it.

"What's your point?"

"Oh yeah, my point. So my cousin, umm I want you to come with me to meet him. I haven't seen him in years and I don't know, I just want you to come."

I thought it over, well maybe he will know someone with an art studio.

"Fine, but you owe me."