If I'm Going To Have A Past... I Prefer It To Be Multiple Choice.

3

The following week I had taken my classes as usual and had just left my last class of the week. Walking to the parking lot, I passed the same bench with that familiar cloud of smoke coming from it.

"Hey girlie" Patrick greeted "I gotta learn your name so I can stop calling you that."

"Rozalin." I said as I continued walking.

"Okay Rozz, so what are your plans for today?" He asked, now walking along side me.

"Going home, that's about it." I told him as I unlocked the driver's side door to my car.

"Do you wanna hang out today?"

"No, thanks." I declined as I got in my car and closed the door. I put the key in to start the engine when I noticed, that wasn't happening.

"No, no, no. Come on!" I said, slamming my hand on the steering wheel as I kept turning the key. "are you fucking kidding me?" I sighed in frustration.

I stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut.

"I noticed your car isn't starting." Patrick stated.

"Really? I couldn't tell." I said with sarcasm.

"If you want, I can give you a lift. Plus, we live in the same neighborhood don't we?" He grinned.

"Yeah."

~~

The ride home started off awkward, with Patrick trying to make conversation but then it drifted into comfortable silence. When we arrived at my apartment building I stepped out of his car and noticed he did the same.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"What do you mean? I live here too."

"Oh"

It turned out, Patrick lived on the floor above mine. We just never happened to had crossed paths before.

Before we parted ways I thanked him for the ride in which he gave me a wink in return.

~~

Later that evening, I decided I'd go out for a walk. Walks helped ease my stress and took my mind off of things.

I walked out of my apartment building and onto the sidewalk. I lit up a cigarette then placed it between my lips. I took a drag and then calmly exhaled.

A few blocks down and I see a familiar face, unfortunately for me it was a face I wish I could forget.

Once they noticed me they began to make their way toward me. I immediately turned around and began to speed walk.

"Rozalin!" I heard them call from behind me. At this point I began to panic and just ran. I ran as far as I could, not looking where I was going and I ultimately bumped into someone and fell back onto the sidewalk.

"Oh geez, are you okay girlie?" He helped me stand up.

"Oh Patrick, am I glad to see you and I never thought I'd say that." I exclaimed while catching my breath.

"Yeah, me neither but uh, who's that?"
He pointed behind me.

"Rozalin!" I heard again.

"Patrick, please tell me your car is somewhere near here."

"Yeah, it's right in front of your face."
He pointed over to it, his tone accompanied by confusion.

"Get in hurry! And start it as fast as you can please!"

"Well okay but with the way you're bossing me around, I'm gonna need an explanation." He said as he ran over to the driver's side of his car.

We both got in and immediately took off down the street.

"Okay spill it." He instructed.

"That guy that was following me, he's just some dude."

"Is that right?" His tone of voice said he wasn't buying it.

"Yeah, I appreciate this though don't get me wrong."

"It's alright you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But I actually have somewhere to be right now so, you coming with?"