sympathy ~ e.d.

XIV

Ethan and I have barely texted each other since he left for New Jersey. He had texted me he would probably be away for two weeks and he had kept his promise of texting me when he had landed in the new state, but that was about it. I only heard from him when he replied to something I had asked him, if he even did.

I understand, I mean, I had encouraged him to go in the first place to support his family. He was doing that now, I shouldn't be worrying whether he was ignoring me or not. I'm thinking so selfishly. He probably just doesn't have the time to contact me since he's spending time with his family.

I bury my head in my hands. I feel so lonely since he's been gone. I know he's not gone forever, but it feels like he is. What if he is? What if he decides not to come back? I realize I'm in so deep. I'll be hurting both of us when I am so attached. 

My mom actually was home for a few days. The only time I saw her, though, was when she was running out the door with a freshly packed suitcase in her hand. She explained there was some emergency at the main office in New York and she was probably getting the promotion she had been waiting for all these years quite soon. I had smiled, pretended to be happy for her while she planted a kiss on my cheek and rushed away again. Leaving me alone again.

Somehow, school had been somewhat bearable. Less fun now that Ethan wasn't here, but bearable.

I look around the room, looking for something to distract me from my own thoughts. I put on my running shoes and decide I should take a long run. I plug in my earphones and play some upbeat music to start running.

After running for about half an hour, my music suddenly stops. It's quite dark outside, did my phone's battery die on me? I take a look at it and see someone's calling me. Ethan, to be more exact.

I pick up, still with my earphones in and jogging. 'Hi Zee, how are you?' his voice rings through my ears. I should be mad at him for barely contacting me but now that I hear his voice, frustration slips away. 'Yeah I'm okay, you?' I'm probably panting from running. 'I'm doing a bit better. Hey, why aren't you home?'

I feel a smile coming up. Is he back? 'I'm running, smartass. Can't you hear I'm completely out of breath?' 'I can hear you breathing slightly heavier than normal. But, will you be home soon?'

'Yes, I-' I stop myself. There is a creepy guy staring at me. It's dark and I'm the park right now, I don't feel safe. 'What's wrong, Zee?' I can hear his voice ask.

'There's this guy watching me. I'm going to run slightly faster', I whisper into the microphone. I can picture Ethan furrowing his brows right now. 'Where are you?' he asks me.

'The park right around the corner, I believe.' I try not to move my mouth too much while speaking so I don't seem suspicious to the weird man in the park. I also don't make eye contact with him, even though I can feel his eyes staring at me.

I walk past the guy and I can hear his footsteps jogging behind me, slowly increasing. 'Ethan, he's following me', I hiss into my microphone. I'm quite scared right now. Why is this guy following me?

'Send me your location, Zee. I'm coming your way.' I can hear him getting in his car quite frantically. 'The 24h supermarket. In ten mins', I whisper and I can hear Ethan starting the car. 'Take a weird route, I'll be there in fifteen-' he gets cut off by my phone's battery. My battery decided to die on me now. Great.

I know if I run straight to the supermarket, I'll be there in five minutes. I need to get this man off my back, I'm feeling really unsafe right now. I don't dare look around at the guy, I can hear his breathing and footsteps rather close behind me. The guy did seem like he was pretty in shape so he'll most likely keep up with me. I'm already tired from running a bit, so I hope I can run for another fifteen minutes.

I pretend to be somewhat calm so the guy who's following me won't know how tense I am. After a few minutes of running with him on a safe distance, I can hear his footsteps getting closer and I see him now running beside me in the corner of my eye.

'Baby, you can't outrun me. I've won marathons before. Your ass looks really good in those leggings though. You are pretty hot, want to head over to my place? My Lambo is right around the corner.' I can see he's chewing gum and sending a wink my way.

I ignore him, even though my heart is beating faster and faster in my chest. I pretend to be listening to music and I take a sharp right turn. The guy was on my left and is taken a bit by surprise, but still runs beside me.

'Oh, you're a feisty one. I like it. Baby, how feisty are you in bed?' I clench my jaw at his comment. I want to punch this guy so bad. Why isn't there anyone on the street right now? I could use some help. I'd rather not get kidnapped today. I kick up my speed a bit and take a left turn. I still know how to get to the supermarket from here, I think.

I know I haven't been running for fifteen minutes and Ethan probably isn't in the supermarket yet, but I really want to head there now. It's lit and there is a larger chance there is a person in there who could help me than if I stayed running on the streets.

I take another left turn and run to the store as fast as I can. 'No, no, no. You're coming with me tonight, baby. I don't want to see you leave me', the guy says quite aggressively. He grabs my arm and tries to pull me back, making me abruptly stop.

'Let me go', I hiss at him. 'You're hot when you are so feisty, baby.' I pull my arm back from his grip and start running to the store again. He catches up with me easily and grabs my arm again, forcing me to stop once more. I'm in trouble.