Nineteen

Chapter Twenty-Seven

I grin as I walk away from Ryan and his friend. The sun is blazing today, making it hard to even be outside. I would bet it's at least 90 out today.

I walk down the sidewalk until I'm at the library.

Inside I'm glancing over the choices on the shelf when my eyes catch a worn novel. Pride and Prejudice.

I remember the book left in my room, and I text Jade.

"Did someone leave a book at the dorm for you?" I place the phone face down on a table waiting for a reply. I pull the book from the shelf.

As my fingers graze the pages, Jade replies with "No, I don't read LOL."

I groan and put the book back in its place.

At this point I realize I'm just bored. I leave the library and stroll across the grass. Then I have an idea.

I should run. I see many people running to stay in shape, and I have nothing else to do. I used to run in high school and it was always so refreshing.. to a point.

I walk up to my dorm room and dig out a pair of yoga pants to slip on. I find a cut off t-shirt and a pair of tennis shoes.

I find a pair of headphones to slip in my ear and I head out the door.

Before I know it, I have ran three miles, I've walked four after that, and I feel horrible.

I have no idea where I am, it's way too hot to be running, and my phone is about to die.

It's 6 o'clock at this point and I'm too tired to care.

But I'm also lost, so I try to call Clark. No answer.

I try to call Bailey. No answer.

I try to call Link. No answer.

I even try to call Jade, and surprise, she doesn't answer.

I sit against a wall of a building and wait. I'm driven to my last resort.

"Help. I went running and I'm lost. Nobody will answer their phone, it's getting late, and my phone is dying."

I send the text to Collin.

My phone flashes with the low battery warning.

I stand up and walk to a nearby store to get out of the heat. The items are all "Miami Hurricane Approved."

Within a few minutes, I get a reply.

"Where are you?"

"I don't know. About 7 miles from campus."

I slide my phone into the side pocket of my yoga pants and walk back outside.

The streets are getting crowded as the day winds down. 

I've been here for about an hour and the sun is starting to show that it's late.

More people are crowding around me and I've given up on waiting for someone. Collin hasn't replied to my last text over an hour ago and none of my friends will return my call.

I start to walk down the street when I check my phone.

Dead. Great.

I'm walking past a large group on boys when one of them reach out for me. "Hey, where are you going?"

I have no idea who this is. "Home?" 

I continue to walk when he grabs me again. "Do you need a ride?"

"No, thank you," I try to walk again, but he has a better grip this time. 

I'm almost positive my face is showing my fear at this point, and I start to panic.

"Let me go," I say.

"I'll give you a ride, just tell me where you're going."

He pushes me as we begin to walk, his arm still gripping me.

He never takes his eyes off of me as we walk past a building and turn a corner.

"My boyfriend will be here any minute," I lie.

"I guess he'll be looking for a while," He smiles.

I panic and begin to scream for someone before he covers my mouth.