Laconic » a.i

1.1

//jeremy//

I walked down the unfamiliar streets, hoping to find some sort of amusement. What was I supposed to do until morning? I didn't want to sit in the tree house and just watch Bridgette and Calum sleep -- that would be creepy anyway -- but walking around aimlessly wasn't doing it for me either.

I found myself at this plaza with a cinema, an ASDA, an old bookstore, and a few other random shops. There was a girl walking out of one of the restaurants there, her bag over her shoulder and her phone in her hand. She slid her glasses up her nose as her light brown ponytail bounced behind her as she walked. I continued walking down the sidewalk as she stepped off of it and into the parking lot. There were still a few cars parked in the lot since ASDA stayed open incredibly late.

I'd decided to turn around and start making my trek back. I'd already been gone a couple hours. Maybe I could go find a beach or something. But then I heard screaming and yelling, so I turned back around. I could see shadows from the parking lot that looked like they were struggling against each other. I ran over and saw the girl trying to break free from the grasp of a dark, hooded figure.

I bolted for them, ready to throw myself against the asshole that was trying to hurt her. But once I saw the hood drop and saw familiar curls and green eyes, I stopped the few inches away from her and just stared, "Ashton?"

He looked up, his green eyes clouded by actual glasses instead of sunglasses; he seemed to look passed me a little. "...Jeremy?"

"What are you-"

His expression turned hard and he glared in my direction, which still wasn't spot on.

"Fuck you." he spat before throwing the girl into me and vanishing.

I caught her by the shoulders and steadied her. Her face was red and her brown eyes were wide with fear. I could practically feel her heartbeat when she was pressed against me.

"Thanks." she breathed.

"No problem," I told her, looking behind her for any sign of Ashton. At least I knew he was around here. "Um, are you alright?"

"I'm still a little freaked, but I'm alright, I guess," she told me, turning to see if her attacker was still there as well. "Did you know him?"

I nodded slowly, "Sort of. He lived on my street back in Sydney."

She nodded too, her brown hair bouncing from where it was tied on her head, "Oh. Um, since you're here and that whole thing just happened, would you mind walking me to my car? Just in case he comes back or something."

I doubted Ashton would come back since I was 99.9% sure he was in the middle of an episode when that happened, but I agreed without telling her that. My eyes scanned the lot that was only lit by streetlights and whatever lights from ASDA reached out here. She dug her keys out and played with them in her hand as she held her phone tightly in the other.

"Um, I'm Sarah, by the way." she told me, breaking the awkward silence.

"Jeremy." I nodded, still looking around the lot.

Sarah let out a tiny laugh, "You're acting like you're protecting the Queen or something."

I shrugged, "If I'm going to protect you, I'm going to do it right."

She laughed again, tilting her face toward the ground, "Better than half-assing it, I guess."

"Mind if I ask what that place was open so late for?"

"Big soccer game was on."

We walked in silence after that, me still scanning for Ashton.

"Can I ask a question?" I asked abruptly.