Her Scent

Chapter 13

I went to Arial's house early. I had to teach her the entire dance today. I knocked on the door.

After a minute or two, she opened the door. She was wearing an oversized hoodie with shorts I guess. The hoodie reached till her mid-thighs. Her hair was messy and she was looking down.

"Hey," I said.

She nodded her head and walked in. She was acting differently. Usually she greeted me with a smile.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I removed my coat.

Again a nod. I went towards her yet she didn't look up. I was deciding whether to lift her chin up but it was not an option you see.

"What's wrong Arial?"

"Granddad's sick," she said in a low voice.

"What happened? Are you fine?"

"Lets just drop it and practice."

"We don't have to do it Arial. You need to be with John right now."

"No. He thinks otherwise. He wants me to compete and become the queen. He had never asked me for anything in his entire life. I want to fulfil this only thing he asked for." There was determination and love in her eyes when she spoke.

"Okay."

We practiced for about three hours. Arial was picking up the steps easily.

"Can I visit him?" I asked.

"He won't see anyone till I become the queen."

I felt bad for her. She couldn't see her own grandad for about four more days.

"We will win this Arial. We will," I said trying to make her believe me.

She didn't reply. Did she not think we could win? I caught her by her shoulders. She was startled. She looked up and met my eyes. She was sad. Extremely sad. I wanted to take that away. She looked good with a smile on and not a frown.

"We. Will. Win. This. I promise." I laid stress on each word I spoke. I wanted her to believe me. To trust me.

She suddenly hugged me and started crying.

"Thanks Nicholas. So much. You have no idea how much this means to me." She cried for some while. I let her cry as it was good to let it out than to store it in.

"He is serious. He can...ca.can...die." This was unexpected and bad. I wrapped my arms around her. I felt bad for her. She loved her granddad. I had never seen her parents. I didn't even know if she had friends, other than Sally.

She let go after a while.

"I'm sorry," she said.

"Its okay," I said. We sat in the living room. I saw that there was only one sofa now. I remember seeing two of them. We sat side by side. Where was the sofa? Maybe I should ask her.

"Umm...where's the other one?" She understood what I was talking about. She looked down and replied.

"I sold it."

"Sold?"

"I needed money for granddad's treatment."

"Arial...you should have asked me. You didn't have to do it." I didn't realise when I went close to her and placed my hand over her shoulder.

"How could I? We aren't even close friends or anything." She was right. Why would she ask me? We hardly knew each other? I was just another guy belonging to the same town as her.

"Why didn't you ask your other friends then?"

"Sally is my only friend. I can't ask her for money. She ain't that rich."

"Let me help then?" I asked.

"No Nicholas."

"You could pay back later?"

"Thanks. But no. I'll handle it."

I stared at her and she stared back. She was a stubborn girl.

I left her place after one more practice. I wanted to help her. I had enough money. I wouldn't be using all of it any way.

I went to the hospital. There was only one so it was easier.

"How may I help you sir?" the receptionist asked me in a flirtatious tone.

"I'm here to pay the bill of John." The girl seemed to recognise the name. I didn't even know his surname so good she knew it.

She told me the amount and it was a big sum I must say. Several bills were old. Some were new. I didn't want to pry into their business and see what had happened to him. I hate it when people don't mind their own business.

I paid the entire bill. At least I could save him in return of the ones I had killed.