Alone Awaken

Chapter 4: Remi

The door opens and I'm confused to see the same blonde that called me a bitch earlier.

"You?" I say in such a confused manner.
"You!" The blondes response was more appalling than I expected. I literally did nothing to her but stand in her way, unknowingly. Then just served her the same shit she dished at me. Ok maybe I did something.

"Remi?" I hear from behind the blonde. Colton was sitting slightly turned in front of the piano. He seems confident in how he presents himself in this ever-so-claustrophobic room.

"Yeah, uhm did you find a flash drive in here after I left?" I quickly ask trying to make this awkward encounter end as swiftly as it occurred.

I can feel blondies brows push to her hairline in shock of my conversation with Colton.

"Colt, you know this chick?!" She asks in disgust.

"Uh, no." I say bluntly. "I used this room before him. I forgot my flash drive and wanted to know if he found it." Why am I explaining myself to this chick? I don't know, or care to know, her. I just don't want people associating me with him. Associating with anyone honestly. "Well?" I turn to Colton pleading with my eyes to answer yes or no.

He swivels on his chair and turns behind him looking for a second and pausing. Scratching the back of his head in what seems like he's contemplating something.

"Nah, I don't see anything here." He says while shrugging.

My eyes narrow into slits trying to gauge this guy who I just met. Is he lying to me? I want to yell so badly, I want to slap him into giving me my music back. But what if he is telling me the truth? I honestly only started backtracking to this room where I last saw it. I could have grabbed it on my way out not knowing and dropped it. I inhale slowly and exhale through my nose.

"Ok, well thanks anyways." I turn in mid sentence to take my leave when I feel a soft touch on my shoulder. I turn my head up towards him and stare into his hazel eyes that move slightly back and forth into mine. I don't know when he got up from sitting, but he's much taller than I remember in our brief encounter earlier. I wait what feels like an eternity to hear what he has to say. Why am I waiting?

"I can help you look for it. I know there's a lost and found at the main office. I can show you?" Colton looks hopeful at me.

"No, I can find it myself." I turn to leave.
"Wait-wait, what if I find it? How will I reach you?" He asks in what seems like desperation.

I'm not sure how to respond to this. Part of me is like ok, here's my number, but the other part says get lost. I feel as though there's something more to this Colton guy. He seems genuine but at the same time up to something. It's a feeling I can't shake. A pit in my stomach that tells me to run.

"I'll be here next Friday. If you find it, you can find me then." I leave with one last glance at blondie. I forgot she was even there. Her face is scrunched like she has a bad taste in her mouth.

I continue towards the main office on the first floor. This place is a ghost town right now. Why would Colton be here this late on a Friday? Shouldn't he be keg racing or beer ponging his way into the weekend?

I look down at my boots as I keep walking. The clank of my keys echo in the hall. I pull a piece of straggle hair off my hoodie and wonder what to do now. I usually reflect on my music after I play. I'm ahead of the syllabus for my classes and my assignments are complete. I guess I could go for a walk, it would be a shame to waste such a beautiful day even though I don't deserve it. Before I know it, the office appears in front of me. I put my hand on the metal doorknob, locked. Really? Come on! I kick the door in frustration and back away in two steps. I turn with my head hung in defeat. "This is going to be a long weekend." I say to myself under my breath.