Episode 6

EPISODE SIX

My fever finally disappeared yesterday, so I manage to attend class today

“Here” Jamie said handing me papers “I photocopied my notes for you”

“Thanks Jamie” I said accepting the papers

“No sweat and you missed 3 quizzes by the way”

“Great” I sighed annoyingly

After classes, I looked for the professors involved with the missed quizzes and asked if I could take them today or tomorrow but they were like “no you can’t take them today Nicky, maybe next week or at the end of year”

And I was like, “yeah you’re a great help on my future, I hope you get fired!”

Okay it exactly didn’t happen like that, I was kinda pissed so you get the idea and the quizzes are scheduled next week, maybe I should have just skipped the whole week, I only have to go to school for 2 days then its weekends again but then again, I would have missed more, so I guess this is fine

After a few days of “studying”, the day of my make-up quiz finally came, thank goodness!

I stayed after class and took all 3 quizzes, I think I manage to pass them, I mean I hope I pass them anyway I finished at around 7:45 pm, I think, so my brain was like really tired from all the thinking  I did. I lazily rode my bicycle and left the school.

I just passed the bookstore when I heard someone scream, I hurriedly went to the source. There I saw a man trying to grope a young woman but she was refusing and was trying to get away but he was gripping her wrists, it was a bit dim so I didn’t quite make out their faces

I quickly rode my bicycle towards them and purposely crash my bicycle onto him, causing him to let go of her and stumble on the ground, I turned to the woman and finally saw her face

“Arden?!?!” I reacted

Arden just stared at me, teary-eyed and with a terrified expression, the man started getting up so I quickly grabbed Arden’s hand and started running, the man managed to get up and he started chasing us. Along the way we bumped into Chris, Arden quickly told him about the guy and asked for helped

“Call the police” He said to me then looked around

Chris saw the man but when the man saw him, he started running the other way, Chris chased him and managed to catch up, he punched the man, grabbed his arms and put it on his back so the man couldn’t get away, a few minutes later, The police arrived and arrested the man

They then asked the three of us if we knew who the man was, ‘coz he seems to be anticipating Arden

That’s when Arden told the police that the man once tried to harass her at the bookstore but Chris protected her

The police finished their reports and assured us that they will kept a close eye on the streets, we thanked them and they left

Chris then asked Arden if she was alright, she nodded and said she was fine. We thanked him and then I accompanied Arden to her house

When we entered her house, I immediately asked Arden “why didn’t you tell me that you were almost harassed?!”

“Because I thought it wasn’t a big deal, I never thought he’d actually anticipate me!”

“Well he did, didn’t he?” I reacted, getting a bit irritated “why were you wandering alone outside in this hour anyway!? I bet you just left that bookstore!”

As if sensing my awful mood, Arden raised her brow, “For your information, I did not went there, I finished library work late and I was on my way home!” she answered with a raised voice “why are you acting like a sarcastic bitch?!”

I looked at her and shouted “I’m acting like this because I was fucking worried!!”

She became silent

“My heart sank when I realize that you were the one that man was trying to harass” I confessed “and when he was chasing us, that was one of the most frightening thing I’ve ever experienced because I know I can’t protect the two of us” and most of all, I blame myself for not being there to protect you in the first place

Arden stared at me with teary eyes, she didn’t say anything instead she walked closer and hugged me tightly.

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After that incident, the police did nightly rounds around our streets and more light posts were being built. As for Arden and I, we decided to always go home together, regardless of time and I also told her that if she wants to go to the bookstore, she should call me first so I can accompany her and possibly get my feelings hurt in the process but hey, I don’t care as long as she’s safe

While waiting for the professor, my classmates started chatting, I’m not in a talkative mood so I was silent then my mind started to wander off. Arden was just a seat away so I ended up staring at her while she talking with Cindy, Megan and Joan, our mutual friends

“Hey Nicky” Megan said “Are you staring at Arden?”

“Yeah…” I lazily answered

“Why?”

“Because she’s so cute” what?! Did I just say that?!

The four of them became silent and stared at me

“I-I mean her cheeks are pink and her lips look really soft… um” shit! This is not helping, stop talking Nicky!

“I know what you mean!” Cindy exclaimed “Her lips do look soft!”

“I know right?” Joan interjected “what kind of Chap Stick do you use Arden?”

And they continued chatting. I let out a huge sigh of relief then took out my handkerchief and wiped the cold sweat off of my forehead

I glanced at Arden but she caught me and gave me a wink

I blushed and quickly turned away, please let the floor open up so it can swallow me whole!

After class, Arden and I decided to walk home because my bicycle is still at the repair shop. I let Arden walk ahead of me because of what happened earlier, I seriously can’t look at Arden without turning completely red so I been completely quiet and deep in thought then Arden stopped, looked back and asked “you think I’m cute?”

I stopped dead in my tracks and blurted out the first thing that entered my head which was “yeah, totally”

It took me a second to process what I just said and when I did, I couldn’t say a single word so I just bowed to hide my freakishly red face and started walking pass her. A few moments later I heard her footsteps and she caught up with me

Arden then turned to me and said “Thank you” showing me one of her charming smile, I looked at her and smiled shyly

I think she could sense that I was really embarrassed about that “cute” thing, so she decided to change the topic

“So I was thinking of asking Chris to dinner tomorrow, where do you think we should go?” I just wished that she picked a different topic

I was hesitant to ask this but I just have to know so… “Is this a dinner date?” I asked, please say NO!

She didn’t say anything instead she just gave me a smile and that’s when I knew that the one thing I don’t want to happen, just happened. She’s fallen in love…with him

“Um...t-there’s a restaurant called “Aristocrat” it’s on West Street” my voice cracking a bit

“Thanks, I’ll check it out before I ask him” she said excitedly

I wanted to cry just for a while but I don’t want her to see but even if she did, will it make a difference?