Over my Head [Working Title]

Chapter 1

I was walking down the side of the gravel street. I would have been on a side walk if there had been one, but apparently this neighborhood had none. I saw a boy, no a man as I passed a self serve storage building. In all of its faded peeling orange and gray glory, it was an eyesore. This whole neighborhood was an eyesore. And now I couldn't remember how to get home. Why did Kellan have to leave me, alone at the party that he convinced me to go to in the first place. I picked up the pace, I didn't trust the man locking up his bike to the fence of the storage unit, I felt like he was staring daggers at me.

Okay, honestly I didn't really trust anyone anymore. I felt so confused, I could not stop fidgeting. I definitely looked lost. I felt that groggy feeing of just waking up when sleep pulls you back into the darkness,. When was the last time I looked at the GPS? Ugh I've been walking forever. Fog began to settle in with the darkness, or maybe it was all in my head, maybe the drink I had was too strong.

"Hey," the man yelled, and I picked up the pace. I was anxious, lost, and alone. I wasn't the kind to be able to fight off someone if they attacked me. A lover not a fighter I told myself in my head. Yeah, just love them to death...till they cant stand you and never want to be with you again... Unless I get murdered tonight.

The crunching of the gravel and heavy breathing became closer, "Hey, are you okay? You look lost."

Why was a stranger asking if I was okay? People don't do that this day and age. They just go on with their business, so jaded and withdrawn from the human experience. I needed to find Kellan and get home. It was getting cold and I was starting to shiver.

"I'm...um I'm looking for my ...uhm well friend, the GPS says they're around here." I pulled my phone from my back pocket. The GPS app refreshed and then the blue location light jumped from a few blocks away to miles away.

"What the fuck? Are you kidding me. Urgh!" I stomped my feet and threw my head back in defeat, I was not above throwing a temper tantrum like a child. He put a gentle hand on my shoulder and I froze. I wasn't the touchy feely type and never knew how to react to physical affection. Especially from a stranger, a very, well attractive stranger. I tilted my chin and looked up at the tall man. He had short inky black hair, that blew slightly in the wind creating a perfect messy look. His deep brown eyes looked honest and concerned. The sun had kissed him just enough, and he was young. He looked like he even might be younger than me.

"I can walk you, it's not really safe. Ya' know walking alone, especially a neighborhood like this. And I think a storm is coming." The smile that graced his face held no malevolence, at least none that I could pick up on. Not that I was the best judge of character, I was too trusting, too naive. That's exactly how I ended up lost, trusting people who couldn't care about anyone other than themselves.

My heart was beating faster, "You'll help me?" I asked timidly. What a great way to start off with a stranger. Just let them know you're afraid, let them know how easy it would be to take advantage of you.

"Yeah, of course." He laced his big fingers with mine. The warmth of his forearm on mine was noticeable. I was freezing and the dark hair that spackled his forearm tickled mine sending shivers up my arms, back and ending at the base of my neck. I had to roll my neck from the sensation. He patted my forearm with his right hand. "It's okay," He was reassuring me and it worked. He voice was smooth and confident, I was letting my guard down already. Yep. Within minuets of meeting him he already had the upper hand. "Let's get going, it's getting darker... This way."