Stain [H.S] - Major Editing

Chapter Twelve

“Oh, hey, Harry.” I said, biting the corner of my mouth.

He cocked his head to one side, eyes filled with concern. “Off so soon?”

“Did you happen to see Fry on your way up?” I asked. “He left the party and I don’t know where he is.”

“No, sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I said, greatly disappointed. Where the hell is that guy? “Uh, I have to go find him now. You…you have fun at the party. Good night.” Really, Alice?

I pressed the elevator button, and anxiously waited for it to move up to my floor. As I was standing there, awkwardly shifting my weight from one side to the other, I notice Harry hadn’t left yet. I slowly turn to face him.

“Um…”

“Alice, I…” He rubbed his nape. “I have a car.”

What?

“I am well aware of that.”

He breathed out a nervous chuckle. “I can help you find Fry. Riding a car is faster—”

DING! The elevator door opened.

“—is faster than travelling on foot.”

By Newton’s Law of Motion, travelling by a four-wheeled vehicle is faster than travelling on foot, Harry. We have one, acceleration and two, force, wherein net force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration. Naturally, an everyday car weighing two thousand kilograms can run up to sixty miles per hour, faster than the average speed of a walking human—which is only two point eight miles per hour.

Wait. I despise Physics.  

“Alice?”

“Hm?”

“You zoned out.”

I look at him, and shake my head. “No…uh…I’ll be fine, Harry. The party’s banging.” Banging? “I don’t want you to miss it. Thank you anyway.”

“Alice,” he huffed, and I assume he was displeased. “I wasn’t planning on joining the party.”

The elevator door closed and I groaned inwardly.

“Then, what are you doing here?” I said, picking the side of my thumb in impatience.

“I live here.”

“You live here?”

“Not here outside the elevator, silly.” He said, smirking. “I just moved in unit twenty three last week when I got the job. It's a really nice place.”

“Cool.”

“So, my offer still stands.”

“Why do you want to help me?”

He shrugged. “You’re clearly in dire need of help. Is there something wrong in offering a helping hand?”

“No,” I sighed. “I guess not.”

“There is no wrong indeed.” He said with a triumphant grin. He pressed the elevator button and stood beside me, keeping his distance.

“You’re weird.” I muttered to myself.

“Why do you think so?” He said, and I flinch. 

DING!

We stepped inside and I position myself at the very back of the tiny elevator. He had noticed my silly act of diffidence and chuckled.