Chapter two

My mouth gaped open as I stood there like a fool.

I was just too stunned to speak.

“A-are y-you talking t-to me?” I said quietly, my voice shaky.

He chuckled, his perfectly arranged white teeth partly displayed as he smiled, “There’s no one else here, is there?”

My heart did a triple backflip as he spoke. It still felt so unreal that he was even looking at me, not to talk of calling me beautiful??!

“So, Laura,” my cheeks reddened as he said my name.

Oh my god, he knows my name!!! He knows my name!!!

“I want you to go on a date with me, tonight.”  As the words left his lips, I thought I was going to die right there and then.

But that would be too soon. My time of death would come soon enough.

“W-what?” I was struggling to comprehend the fact that THE Cody Simmons was asking me out.

Was this some kind of joke?

Then he walked towards me, closing the gap between us and my breath hitched.

Ive only been this close to him in my dreams!! Oh lord… I was this close to fainting.

“I’ve liked you for a while Laura, ever since you came to this school… I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

“B-but what a-about Audrey?” I asked quietly, fidgeting with my sweaty fingers.

It was no news that he was dating Audrey, they were the IT couple of Hamilton high. There were even whispers in the halls that they would get married someday.

So why would he say this to me when he was with her?

As if he heard my thoughts, he grabbed my sweaty hands in his and gave it a light squeeze.

“My parents are forcing me to stay with her, I don’t even love her… it’s all just for appearances.” He said, his eyes filled with warmth as he gazed into mine.

“It would fill me with so much regret if we graduated and I never got the chance to say this.” As he spoke, his eyes carried an emotion I never thought I’d ever see from anyone… not to talk of him.

The joy in my heart knew no bounds, and so did the fear.

“Uhm… I-I can’t.” I said quietly, averting my gaze.

“You don’t want to go on a date with me?” He asked, a hint of surprise in his tone.

My eyes widened, “No, no, no, that’s not it.” I said, waving my sweaty hands frantically.

“It’s just that… my mum, she needs me t-to take care of her.”  There was a subtle ache tugging at my heart as I spoke.

My mum had been sick for some time now, but lately, her heart condition had gotten worse. She was fired from her previous job because she fainted twice on the job.

They deemed her an ‘occupational’ hazard.

So for the past two years, we lived off foodstamps and the minimum wage from my part-time job at Dani’s Diner.

And as much as I had dreamt of this moment for years, to be asked out by Cody Simmons, I could not leave my mother unattended to.

“We’re just going to watch a movie, after that I’ll drop you straight home.” He said reassuringly, his voice stirring up something inside of me.

I bit my bottom lip as I considered it.

It was just one movie.

Two hours thirty minutes tops.

Maybe they’d spend another thirty minutes at a diner.

So basically, Three hours.

“Alright.” I finally respond with a nervous smile forming on my lips.

I’d check in on her every hour. It’d be like I was never gone.

The smile he gave me in return was a true heartstopper. “I’ll meet you at Kilan Theatre. 8pm,” then he leaned in, my cheeks immediately heating up.

“Don’t be late.” He whispered in my ear, and I swore that I felt a vibration down my spine.

He pulled back, with that signature sexy smirk on his face and left the classroom.

I still stood there, rooted to the tiled floor, still in shock.

I still couldn’t believe it. It was actually happening.

My hand flew to my mouth to stop the scream about to erupt.

Oh my god.

Oh my god.

Oh my god.

What on earth would I wear??

I had never been the type to put in a lot of effort in my dressing– not like I had a lot to begin with.

Audrey and Ashley always taunted me for repeating certain pieces of clothing.

And in Hamilton high, when the two queens was against you, everyone was against you.

I shoved the thought to the back of my mind as I rushed out of the classroom, my feet quickening with every step.

I needed to get there early, I needed to make a good first– no, second impression.

Thankfully, once I got to the bus stop, a bus just pulled up.

Once I got in, it took about an hour to leave the high rise buildings, manicured gardens and the atmosphere of riches… of privilege. of comfort.

There was a certain gloom that overshadowed my neighborhood that you’d never notice until you stepped out of it.

I ran speedily from the bus stop to the apartment building.

It was hardly holding up as it was– broken windows, bent and rusting railings, busted lighting, cracked walls accentuated with spirogyra.

But this was my home. It was better than living on the streets.

Once I got to my apartment on the third floor, I used the spare key to unlock the door.

“Mum, I’m home!” I announced as I walked in, going straight to her room.

“My princess, you’re back early.” She strained as she tried to sit up on the bed.

I rushed to her side, laying her back down gently, “You don’t have to get up, I’m leaving soon anyways, my shift is starting soon.”

“I made some apple pie, you should have some before you leave.” She said, her infectious smile causing the corner of her eyes to crinkle.

I chuckled, taking a seat at the edge of the bed. “As tempting as that offer is, I’ll eat when I come back.”

“And also… I’ll be working overtime tonight,” I lied, with a small smile on my lips.

If I told her I was going on a date with a guy, she might worry, and I don’t want to do anything to worsen her health.

She raised her hand slowly to my cheek, “Look at you, all grown up.”

Her cold hand stroked my cheek lightly and her eyes began to water, “I wish I could provide more for you, give you a better life that you deserve-“

“Mum, you’ve done more than I could ever ask for.” I cut her off, holding her frail hands softly in mine.

“And now that I’ve gotten a scholarship to Harvard, I’ll work hard to graduate as the valedictorian and become rich!” I said, causing her to giggle.

“Look out world, My princess is about to be a millionaire!”  The way her face lit up as she laughed will forever be etched in my memory.

I laughed, glancing at the clock. It was already 4:30pm.

30 minutes before my shift starts.

“Well, this future millionaire has to get going before she gets fired.” I said, then I gave her a peck on her forehead before I stood up.

“I’ll check in every hour, so don’t worry about me, alright?” I reassured her.

She nodded softly, “Be safe, okay?”

I remember the concern in her voice. In her eyes.

I remember scrambling for the perfect outfit– a black oversized Star Wars tee and the only pair of jeans I owned that wasn’t faded.

I remember telling my mother I loved her.

I remember glancing at the clock every five minutes while I took orders at the diner, hoping that time would go by faster.

I remember running to the theatre in fear I’d be late.

I remember my heart fluttering in my chest when he walked up to me and held my hand, his signature smirk on his lips.

But what I don’t remember, is how I ended up here.

Alone. Surrounded by this darkness.