Falling to Flying

Chapter Eight- Terrifying Experiences and Protective Hugs

WARNING***

THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS VIOLENCE THAT MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME READERS, PLEASE CONTINUE WITH CAUTION AND READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END.

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"I think you know what I want."

His words hung in the air the way a pin dropping on glass would sound. Everything became eerily still as I shuffled away from his grip.

"Uhm, how about a coffee?" I tried to ignore what he said even though it was undeniably echoing in my ears. He chuckled and slightly shook his head back and forth, as if he could see right through my pathetic act.

I was terrified. The knot in stomach continued churning, and my fingers kept trembling no matter how many times I clenched my fists.

"Sure thing, gorgeous," he murmured while locking his blue eyes onto me. "A coffee sounds nice."

I nodded before ringing up his order and forced myself to act cool. This is nothing to be so worried about, he just wants a coffee...

At 8:36 p.m.

With no one around.

Well, except for me.

Of course.

"That comes up to be $3.46," I cleared my throat. He handed me the change with a sly smirk on his face that instantly had the knots in my stomach tighten even more. Breathe, I reminded myself.

I turned around to begin preparing his coffee, and in the midst of pouring the hot liquid in the cardboard to-go cup I saw my phone lighting up in my jacket pocket.

Mel.

I almost cried in relief. How dumb am I? I'll just txt Mel and have her come to the shop and wait for me while I close...and for this guy to leave. With a new strength filling my cowardly veins, I turned around with my shoulders set straight and set the cup on the counter.

Who does this guy think he is? Coming in here and trying to scare me, ha, I don't think so.

"Here," I said bluntly before turning my back and sneakily grabbing my phone as I began wiping the counters down. "If you don't mind, I'm about to close in a few," I declared with a strong voice and without turning around I went to the back where we kept out stock and called Mel.

"Hello?"

"Mel," I sighed in relief. "Do you think you could come to the shop and wait for me to close up?" I asked with my voice hopeful.

"Oh shoot, I'm sorry dude. Luca and I are already on the road to head to up North for the wedding."

Oh shit, I forgot about his sister's wedding. I sighed again before closing my eyes in defeat.

"I thought you guys weren't leaving until tomorrow morning?" I questioned.

"Well that was the plan, but you know how Luca's mom is," I could practically hear her rolling her eyes before a muffled hey! that came from Luca.

"Oh, that's okay," I choked out.

"Why? What's wrong?" I heard the suspicion in her voice.

"Nothing," I answered a bit too quickly.

"Ana? What's going on?" worry had laced through her voice.

"Nothing, nothing's wrong. I got to go and finish closing up," I said with my most convincing voice.