My eyes were swollen from my lack of sleep, and my skin was pasty with fear. I couldn’t escape it, I couldn’t change anything. The nightmares would continue right along with reality.

I stared at myself for a long time in the mirror. Surely, that was just a nightmare, right? He really couldn’t be back, right? I tried and tried to convince my tired and lifeless face that it was, in fact, a nightmare, but what kind of precedent has he set that let me know this wasn’t possible? Because he sure as hell hasn’t proved otherwise.

Like a zombie, I put on sweatpants and my work t-shirt, throwing my hair in a bun and deciding not to mess with my smeared makeup. I’d probably get shit about my appearance from my preppy-bitch of a boss, but I also probably would give her attitude back.

Maybe if I were nice to her, oh, yes… maybe if I became friends with her, he would get rid of her… I splashed water on my face, appalled at myself for my thoughts. Nobody deserved his wrath, hell, not even my boss. I couldn’t believe I let such a thought creep into my mind.

I really hoped Jaime and his friends didn’t come back today. I really hoped that they never came back. I couldn’t believe that I even considered the possibility of friendship with them; it was so selfish of me, considering the implications of my past.


I dragged myself into the record shop, reciprocating the glare I received from my boss.

“I am five seconds away from firing you,” she threatened.

“What's stopping you?” I smirked. “Go ahead, fire me,” I bit my lip, slightly enjoying the way the word “fire” danced on my tongue.

She just rolled her eyes and carried on “managing” the store, or whatever the hell she did. “I know right, I’m just too good at stacking CD’s!” I called after her. She replied with a “huff,” and I snickered to myself.

“Someone’s a charmer,” a voice said behind me. I nearly jumped out of my own skin.

“Jesus fucking Christ, you need to stop doing that,” I sighed; it was only Jaime. I thought it was somebody else…

“No offense, but can I revoke my statement from yesterday? You kind of are a bitch,” he said with mock-seriousness in his voice. I rolled my eyes, not particularly phased by his words, whether he was joking or not.

“I’m kidding,” he added, I guess just in case I thought otherwise.

“I’m only a bitch to that woman,” I muttered under my breath.

Jaime stared at me for a little while. “You look like shit,” he said truthfully.

“Gee, thanks!” I said in a fake, peppy voice. “As if I didn’t already know that,” I tilted my head.

"In a cute way," he flashed a crooked smile at me, and I couldn't stop my insides from churning. I looked like shit, it was true, but he thought I looked like shit in a cute way. I guess that was a compliment, and I didn't receive those often.

He shrugged his shoulders. “I couldn’t figure anything else out about you, by the way,” he said.

“Then why are you here?” I asked, probably a little sharper than I intended.

“Well, I wanted to invite you to lunch. I need more time with you if you want me to actually learn something,” he said.

“What if I don’t want you to learn anything about me?” I challenged.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Well, I’d like to take you out anyway,” he replied. Jaime had a certain twinkle in his eyes, and I couldn’t help but feel a little happier with his presence. I felt the corners of my mouth twitch up into a smile. I wanted very much to accept his request…

“That’s probably not a good idea,” I said lowly. I needed to listen to my brain, not my heart, if I even had one.

“Aw, come on,” he rolled back and forth on his heels in anticipation, smiling broadly. It was like he knew his smile was irresistible.

But, somehow, I was able to resist. “No, I can’t, I’m sorry,” I said. This wasn’t about me and my happiness, anymore. For some reason, I liked Jaime, and I didn’t want to see him hurt.

Or worse, dead.

Notes

A rather short chapter, but I felt like it fit for the effect of the mystery.
This is going to be a shorter story across the board, anyway. (Shorter than my other story "The Curse" if you're interested hehe) ;)

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