Love Me Anyways

Chapter Two

I am on my way to the civic center, there's a running track in the basement of it. I dodge people on the street, my heavy bag is on my back. I wonder if I'll get home today or not.

I enter the civic center, the first person to catch my eye is Raya. She sees me also, Raya waves me over. She's working here, I think she greets people or answers questions.

I make my way over to the front desk. Raya smiles at me. "What are you doing?" I stare at her taking her in. "I'm going to run on the track," I respond. I can't take my eyes off Raya, she looks stunning with her blonde hair down.

Raya pulls her hair back into a ponytail. "I might have to let you through the gate, it's still locked," Raya responds. I nod my head, not taking my eyes off Raya for even a moment.

There's something about Raya that intrigues me. She's stunningly beautiful, her light green eyes are perfectly shaped.

Raya walks out from behind her desk, and she leads me to the track. "Why are you running? you're a forward," She asks. I can't tell if she's actually curious or if she's just being polite.

"It helps me think," I respond. Raya laughs a little, "It's probably the reason you're like ninety pounds." I can't help but slightly smirk at her comment.

Raya unlocks the running track. "I guess I should leave you to it then," Raya states. I nod in response, I give her a small smile. "See ya later Jayla."

"See you later Raya."

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I've finished running, I had a lot to think about. I still haven't figured out how I'm getting home, or if I even want to go home. I walk out to the lobby of the civic center, Raya is still here but a tall boy has showed up too. He's wearing the same uniform as Raya, he must work here.

The boy has short red hair, he has tons of freckles surrounding his stormy, ocean blue, eyes. He is also grinning, it's making me uneasy.

I walk up to the front desk, I'm not sure why though. "Jayla this is Wyatt, and Wyatt this is Jayla," Raya introduces us. "Hi," I smile. Wyatt reaches his hand out for me to shake, I wearily take his hand.

I am back in Alberta, I'm being touched by my brother Gorden. I can feel it all again, the pain and the fear.

I'm terrified to be touched, because of my past. For some reason when I play rugby, all my fear disappears into the void, and I get pulled out of the void.

Wyatt and I shake hands, the ten seconds of hand shaking, feels like hours of darkness. "Are you okay?" Raya breaks my trance.

I realize that my arm is shaking from being touched, that's how nervous I get. "Uh yeah, I'm fine," I touch my arm, I force myself to calm down.

I grab my phone and send a text to Taytum. "Can you come pick me up at the Civic Center?" Taytum responds quickly. "Sorry my parents have the car."

"Shit," I mutter under my breath. Wyatt walks back behind the counter, Raya comes over to me. "Do you need a ride or something?" Raya questions.

Jeez, this girl is full of surprises. "Yeah sure," I reply. I'm starting to get nervous, I don't want to go home. Raya looks at me, "I get off in twenty, I'll take you where you want to go."

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After waiting a while in the lobby of the Civic Center, Raya finally finished her shift. She walks over to me, "I hope you brought a helmet." I give her a confused look, why do I need a helmet?