After Feodorvna

Chapter Two

The statue of Aphrodite was still there, and the sun will still shining. But Billie's warning of danger darkened my view. Even the flowers seemed like a red flag. I tried to tell myself that what just happened was all in my head, but no amount of reassurance could help my nerves. Even though it seemed legitimate, it could've been a mistake. My heart hammered in my chest so I took to a tree for support against my weakened legs. I didn't know what I was going to do. Then I had an idea.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone in all its overrated glory. I found the slip of paper from earlier as soon as it sliced my finger open. I winced - it wasn't the pain that bothered me. It was the blood. Cutting myself made me feel lightheaded for some reason. I sucked on the cut and stared down at the paper. It wasn't like I knew him very well, so calling him probably wasn't the best idea. Then again, I couldn't go back to Amberly. So I called him. It took three rings to get an answer.

"Third time's a charm, isn't it darling?"

"I suppose so."

His voice suddenly sounded anxious. "Is something wrong? I didn't expect you to call so early." He genuinely seemed concerned. "Not like you wouldn't want to call me. I've been told that I'm charming."

I laughed a little, uneasily, to tell you the truth. "Well, I don't know about that yet."

"Hmm. But are you okay?"

I took a deep breath, my voice trembling. "Not really. I got a reading not too long ago and I was told my future is in danger. I'm scared, Holden."

There was barely any silence before he replied.

"Darling, it's probably a lie or a joke." he paused. "Do you want me to come and stay with you for awhile?"

That was all I needed to hear. It was proof that he cared. Something as little as that was so hard to come by. He cared. He cared.

"Sure."

"Where are you?" he asks.

I moved away from the tree, taking in my surroundings. It turns out I had carried myself to Magnolia Park without realizing. The park was about five blocks away from A Thousand Wishes. The goddesses only know how I managed to get all the way there subconsciously. I must have been pretty sidetracked with the aftermath of the reading.

"I'm at Magnolia Park." I admitted.

"I'll be right there. I'm a few blocks away at Gilligan's." Holden laughs. "You'll never believe the prices of their LPs. Holy."

"What album are you looking for?"

"Not really any, to be honest. I like browsing around here when I'm not working...or skateboarding."

An "oh" was all I could muster.

"I'm leaving the store right now. So, have you ever been to Penni's"

"Ooh. Yeah. They have great candy."

Penni's did have a huge selection. They had practically every kind of candy you could think of. Cherry cola lollipops, grass-flavored jelly beans, butterscotch chocolate. You get the gist. The floor was sparkly like a fancy jewelry store's, too. It was enough to make a five year old think they found heaven.

"Yeah. I love their candy. What's your favorite kind? Could it be the gingerbread-flavored saltwater taffy, or maybe the carbonated rosewater?" he asked.

"Oh my goddess. That's a hard one. I really like the Drain-O for Kids stuff, actually." I giggled. "I love how it tastes like cream soda."

Holden chuckles.