Nameless

Chapter Eight-Close Call.

A few weeks passed. Merlyn slowly got to know me again, but I could tell she didn’t trust me. It hurts, but she’s being gracious enough to let me live with her. Jason and I grew closer, but he didn’t seem to have more than ‘friendly’ feelings for me.

I understand. I’m pretty effed up.

                He’s walking me home from work- I had finally decided to quit freeloading off of Merlyn- which is this cutesy cake shop. I like it there, but honestly, there is too much pink.

It’s perfect outside; the autumn sunset cast a gorgeous glow over the few trees and it nearly takes my breath away. But what totally removes me of breath is the beautiful boy walking beside me. He seems to grow more and more handsome as the days go by.

                He walks me up to the door. He seems distracted.”Arin—“he cuts himself off. “Yes?” I ask him. He doesn’t respond. “Um…Bye. Stay safe.” He says, before disappearing off into the quickly approaching night.

Slightly confused, I unlock the door and walk into the house. It’s so warm in here; I automatically remove my coat and shoes. I walk to the kitchen, where Dru and Merlyn’s laughter float out. As soon as I push the swinging door open, Merlyn cuts off.

                I awkwardly grab a Coke out of the fridge and start moving out. “Arinda, wait.” Merl says. “A friend of mine is coming to live with us for a while. His name is Martin Greeves.” She hands me her phone with a picture of a cute, nerdy boy on the screen. He wore a black Naruto shirt and jeans. He had a manga in one hand and with the other was attempting to cover his face with the other. I grinned. “Okay, fine with me.” I took off upstairs. I showered and put on a giant t-shirt and shorts. Grabbing my laptop, I plopped down on my bed.

                Later, I woke up to a loud, vibrating noise. I groaned as my phone buzzed again, telling me Jason was calling.

“Um...Hallo?” I said.

“Come out back,” He said, and then hung up.

I pulled on my sweatshirt and slip-on shoes. I glanced at my clock, which read 2 am. That boy better have brownies and hot tea for waking me up this early.

I crept down the stairs, skipping the last creaking stair. I slid the back door open, and slipped into the cold night. Jason sat on the wooden bench. He rose as I shut the door. I ran over and gave him a hug, which has been my usual greeting lately. He remained stiff through the hug, not embracing me with his strong, warm arms that radiated heat. Confused, I took a step back. “Are you okay?” I asked, slightly hurt. He gave a sharp nod. His glowing features had taken a cold appearance, giving him the look of a unforgiving god.

“Arinda…I’m leaving.” He said. I felt something shatter inside me. “W-what? No, no, no, you can’t leave me! I need you!” I exclaimed, taking a step forward. He held up his hand to stop me. “I got a girl pregnant about a month before you got here, and so I’m going to Tennessee with her to help prepare for and raise the kid. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can talk to you anymore. Goodbye, Arin.” He turned to leave.

“No!” I cried. I wrapped my arms around his middle. “You can’t leave me! Not again, please don’t!”

He calmly unwrapped my arms from him, then kissed my forehead. “Goodbye. I’ll tell Merlyn so you don’t have to.”

And he was gone. Numbly, I made my way inside, locking the door. I went into the kitchen and dropped into the barstool.

“JJ, can’t you stay? You can live with me, please don’t go!” Eleven year old me stood in the yard joining our houses. I sobbed and clutched my best friend. He held me in return as my shoulders shook. “Arin, I really don’t want to go, I promise! And I already asked if I could live with my aunt here, and Momma said no.” I cried even harder. Jason’s dad honked the car horn. “Wait!” Jason yelled. “Don’t go! I need you! Please, Jason, stay!”

Mom come outside and slams the door with a bang as Mr. Weller got out of the car. I grabbed Jason’s hand and held it with all my might as they tried to separate us. “Jason! Don’t leave me!”

The parents yanked us apart. “Arinda! I love you! I’ll find you again, I swear!” He screamed to me as he fought his muscle-ly father. ”I love you too!” I sobbed, and then Jason was gone.

I woke from my memory. Sunlight was streaming through the curtainless windows.

  After that episode in the front yard, Mommy Dearest beat me for the first time for disobeying. I remember sitting on my cold bathroom floor, nursing my swollen bruises and broken heart, with Jace wiping my tears away. I shuddered at the dream. I can’t believe he left me again…

                I looked at the digital clock. Nine-thirty…Its Tuesday, so Merlyn doesn’t have classes, which is why she hasn’t come in here yet. And I don’t have to work yet; the shop doesn’t open till eleven.

I slowly got dressed. I basically killed time until I had to go to work, then walked to the cake shop. The trip was so lonely and quiet without Jason to keep me company. I took a shortcut through a neighborhood Jason warned me to stay away from. Who cares, anyway? The only person who still loved me just left with his pregnant girlfriend from Tennessee.

                Beer bottles lined the sidewalk, and poorly taken care of houses stood in dirty rows. Bullet shells littered one of the lawns, and I could hear a woman screaming at her children down the block. I could get mugged, I thought. I instantly got nervous. I was nearing the end to the neighborhood when I heard footsteps behind me. I gave a nonchalant glance and saw a strongly built man covered in tattoos. But that’s not what scared me. What scared me was the coil of rope in his hands, and the fact that he was following me.

                I walked a bit faster, and then broke into a run as I heard his footsteps pick up. My feet flew out from under me as the heavy man tackled me. I screamed loudly before he jammed his fist into my mouth, which tasted like cigarettes and grease. I bit down. He grunted, and attempted to gag me. The moment his hand was gone, I screamed again, just to have a dirty rag shoved in my mouth.

Where the hell are all the people I heard a minute ago?!

                He hoisted me over his shoulder, and I did my best to kick his nards. I glanced up and saw a boy about my age running at full tilt, but he was as silent as a cat. He held a finger up to his lips as he near and motioned for me to keep struggling. I beat and kicked and managed to spit the rag out. I twisted around until he dropped me, and then the boy acted.  He jumped on the bastard’s back and with one, swift, easy move, he looped his arm around his neck and proceeded to choke him out. The man fell after a moment. The kid jumped off his back and landed on his feet.

                I still sat where I was dropped a minute before. “Come on,” the boy said. “He’ll wake up in a moment.” He offered me his hand. I hesitated. Whatever, this kid just saved my life, and what’s left of my sanity. I took it. He pulled me up and we ran out of the neighborhood.

                Once we stopped, I took a good look at him. His hair was dyed dark red, with black dipped tips. His blue eyes were framed by dark lashes. He was about four inches taller than me, and was extremely slender. He wore a baggy Green Day shirt, with black skinny jeans. Needless to say, I thought he was attractive.

                He held out his hand and said,” Hey, my name is Christopher. What’s yours?”

“Arinda, but you can call me Arin.” I said. He grinned. “Nice to meet you, Arinda. So, what were you doing in my neighborhood? I know you don’t live there, I would’ve remembered you.”

                “Err…Yeah. I was taking a shortcut. I work at the cake shop about a block away. Thank you, by the way. You pretty much just saved my life.” I said.

“Well, it’s not every day I get to save a damsel in distress.” He grinned again. Man, that kid has one infectious smile. I felt my face muscles turn up on their own accord. I probably look like some demented person who has never smiled before. Gaaah.

“So, what time do you need to be at work?”Christopher inquired. I glanced at my watch. “Oh, hell!” I exclaimed. “Erm. About five minutes ago, actually. I’m so sorry, I’ve got to go! I’ll catch you later!” I called as I ran off.