Stranger

ch28

Today is the day.

After postponing it for so long, I finally decide to make the move and call Nora after almost a week of our encounter. It's been far to long and my interest was reaching new limits now, so I needed to know what she had to say.

Besides, the calming part about this all was that Devon would be right there with me. I maybe didn't say it, but his support meant a lot.

I hadn't said a lot of things these past few days, still trying to keep my distance as I figure out how to act normal around him. 

Never did I expect to have trouble being myself with someone, but now I was being faced full on with that. Having my stupid conscience throwing inappropriate images and thoughts in my head was definitely something that gave me more than a hard time, but I needed to power through it. 

Devon and me were friends and that's what we'll always be. He was here because of personal reasons and he needed a friend, nothing more. Since I had promised to take on that role, I was going to damn keep it as best as I can. But now it was getting harder, even thought I was sure it was just a crush.

I had to deal with many things all of the sudden and I couldn't cope with them all at once. So, I took up the first and foremost important one right now, the Roger problem. My feelings and emotions had to be put aside for the time being. 

Calling Nora turned out to be harder than expected. I am staring at my phone for the past hour and I still can't bring myself to push the dial button, her name brightly on my screen, waiting for me to make the move. 

It wasn't that I didn't want to, but something was holding me back. I don't know how to explain it, but I feel as if every time I move my finger over the button, a string deep inside pulls it back. I guess my mind wasn't full agreeing with me on this right now. 

With a deep breath, I decide upon a text. It is the safest type of communication at this point. I didn't have to hear her and she wouldn't hear me either. 

Racking my brain, I type away the first things that pop in my head.

-When and were can we meet? I am coming with company.

I re-read it once, twice, thrice. There's no point in being friendly and greet her since we're far from it, so short and to the point is the best way. I hit send. Now, I have to wait. 

I haven't spoken to Devon about this, at all. Debating whether to call him and tell him now or leave it for tomorrow, I decide on the later. And besides, this was my choice to make.

Standing from the bed, I go to prepare my backpack for tomorrow. I need to keep busy right now so I don't check my phone for every 10 seconds. I know, it was paranoia, but I am who I am and I can't change that. 

A ping sound stops me mid move, right before I place my notebooks in the bag. With a swallow, I decide to finish my task right now. Giving myself a few more minutes sounds like a good idea.

Minutes are really seconds since I hastily put everything I need for tomorrow before dashing to grab the phone. Taking a deep breath, I unlock the device.

-How about tomorrow? After school maybe? At our old spot. And I don't mind if you bring whoever you want. I just want to help.

Okay, the sooner the better it is, I agree with this, but I didn't expect this soon. And by old spot she must be referring to the library stairs. That's where we met for the week she pretended to be someone else. 

-Tomorrow it is.

Sending the text, I re-read hers once again. 

She is smart about this. First she chose a daytime period and then a public space, which means she is thinking of her safety as well. Roger never came to my high school, so for him to know where it is it's only through Nora. But if she was honest, he had no way of knowing about this meeting.