Catch Me

Chapter Five: Apologies

Chapter Five: Apologies

Haleigh didn't have a clue what to do or say next. She was stumped, and couldn't take her eyes off of Zander's golden brown, beautiful, mesmerizing eyes. She was completely and utterly speechless. She was relived when Zander broke the silence.

"I'm Zander, by the way." He extended his hand toward Haleigh and she took it, shaking it slightly for just a moment.

"Haleigh." She managed to muster.

"Well Haleigh, its none of my business, but I think you're trying to make up excuses to leave before our set is over with." His voice had an arrogance to it that made Haleigh nervous.

"I-it w-wasn't that." She stuttered, immediately losing any self esteem she might have had. Zander was very intimidating to Haleigh, and she wasn't sure if it was because of the rumors Toby had told her earlier, or because he was gorgeous. Either way she just wasn't sure how to talk to someone like Zander.

"Well why don't you come back inside, sweetheart." He reached out and took Haleigh's arm trying to guide her back inside the house. Zander's condescending nature was starting to make Haleigh feel highly uncomfortable. What if the rumors that Toby was talking about earlier were true? What if he really had been in jail? What if he was in jail for assault, and she was his next victim?

"I really should be leaving." She yanked her arm out of Zander's grip and made a dash for it.

"Haleigh, wait!" She could hear Toby's voice (who must have come back looking for her), from behind her, but she didn't stop. Haleigh kept running as fast as she could into the darkness of the night. Her heart was pounding and her breath was hitching in her chest. She cursed herself for not bringing her inhaler along with her. She hadn't needed it in months, and the one time she left it behind she needed it. That was just her luck.

Haleigh hadn't noticed the tears that had started to form in the corner of her eyes until one slid down her cheek. Fortunately she had made it back to her building by this time, she was thankful no one would see her like this. Haleigh raced up the stairs to her dorm.

Once safely inside she rummaged through her night stand and pulled out her inhaler, breathing in the steroids that were necessary for her to breath. Her cell phone which sat on top of her night stand buzzed once, then twice, and then a third time before she picked it up. She had ten missed texts from Shane, three from Toby, and one from Sam. Once she had calmed herself down she opened her phone to read the missed texts.

Shane: Don't lie 2 me!

Shane: IK U don't have classes after noon on fridays!

Shane: ANSWER ME!

Shane: I hate you

Shane: We are no longer best friends

Shane: U R such a dick

Shane: IM SORRY OKAY?

Shane: URGH U SUCK!

Shane: HELLOOOOOOOO get back here and love me!

Shane: You're such a hooker!

Toby: Hey! Where did you go?

Toby: Hope you're okay!

Toby: Z told me what happened, I don't think he meant to be rude.

Sam: U OK?

Haleigh sighed before replying to Shane.

Haleigh: Sorry, bad night. Text u 2morrow

She then replied to Toby.

Haleigh: I'm back at the dorms. I'm fine.

And finally Sam.

Haleigh: I'm OK

Haleigh set her phone back down on her nightstand and quickly changed into pajamas, placing the dress Sam had leant her in her hamper so that she could wash it before she returned it. She then turned off all the lights and climbed into her bed, pulling the covers over her head and hugging her pillow.

She sat alone in the dark for a long time, thinking over the events of that evening. She wished Shane had been there so that he could reassure her she did the right thing by running away. She hadn't felt safe, and although now she felt foolish for running away, she knew she did the right thing. But then why was she feeling like such an idiot? She felt like there were a ton of bricks on her chest. Her phone buzzed beside her. She picked it up and saw an unknown number staring back at her.

She opened the text message.

Unknown: Hey... sorry if I came off too strong tonight.

Unknown: I just thought you were really cute.

Unknown: and I apparently don't know how to flirt.

Unknown: Oh... this is Zander BTW....

Zander: I'm sorry...

Hey guys just a quick little update for you. I know its short, but I wanted to get one more chapter out tonight. Hope you all enjoy. Don't forget to vote, and leave me a comment! I love to hear from my readers. Thanks for those who are reading this. It really means a lot to me, I hope you're enjoying it so far! Again, leave me a comment and let me know what you think!