Stolen (Joe Sugg AU)

Chapter Four: Rain

                I’ve avoided going to the café for two days now. I didn’t want to run into Joe and have him apologize for something he shouldn’t. I know I was right to tell him to get some rest, but he should also listen to Alfie and look for Zoe.

                Dexter made me coffee every morning, and I was okay with that. He made it really well actually, but café shops just give me a sense of relaxation and preparedness before I start my day. For the past two days he always looked liked he wanted to ask me why I wasn’t going to the café anymore, but he knew that if I wanted to talk about it, I would say something.

                I didn’t.

                I finished my coffee in the van just as I was about to get out. It was Friday, so I didn’t actually have work, but decided to get myself familiar with the campus.

                It was large and castle like. I wish that I could have gone to a college like this, studying normally instead of online and behind my dad’s back.

                People were walking around, and some were sitting down along stairways. The campus itself was beautiful, but to be large and peaceful at the same time never coincided with me.

                I put my jacket on the grass and sat down on it, away from other people so I can think to myself. The past few days of work have been great. Things at home are normal, quiet, as always. But overall, I still felt bothered. Things were nagging at me constantly, and I couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was.

                I watched the clouds overhead drift around, and it looked like the weather was about to get gloomy in the next few days, but at least then, staying in bed would be enjoyable.

                Someone sat down next to me, and I jumped. I looked to my right and saw Joe.

                “What are you doing here?” I asked him.

                He looked at me. “I met with a police officer here to talk about the case. He said to meet him here because he had to do something on campus right after we talked. What are you doing here?”

                “I work here. Well, not today, but I work here.”

                He looked at me weirdly. “As what? You seem a bit young to be teaching here.”

                “I’m a teacher’s aide,” I responded, biting my lip.

                “Can I ask you a question?” Joe asked.

                “I guess so.”

                “Are you avoiding me?”

                I was shocked from the sudden question, especially since we’ve known each other for only about four days, and only had a decent conversation once.

                “Is there a reason for me too?”

                “Well, just after what happened you haven’t returned to the café shop. I guess I just got used to you bugging me while I was there,” he chuckled.

                I laughed. “No, I’m not avoiding you. Or I was, kind of. I didn’t want you to apologize for what happened, because there was nothing wrong with it. But you should listen to him and focus on finding your sister.”

                “But you were also right. I needed rest to thinking properly. I feel like I’ve been making more progress.”

                “That’s great then. I’m glad to have helped in some sort of way.”