Chapter 7: CHAPTER SIX

R I O N A

The day passed by with me thinking about how tonight would go. My focus was definitely not on geography, which was my final class of the day.

The bell rang and the teacher left, leaving the students to pack our stuff and leave school.

I arranged my books and took out my phone to text Cassidy that she could take a taxi home since I had an errand to run.

I knew how Talia would get if she knew I was going to take care of a person tonight. I took my bag and went straight to my locker, but I found Talia waiting there.

"Cassidy texted about an errand you have to run?" She shoved her phone in my face to show me the text.

"Yes,” I simply muttered as I opened my locker to put in more books in my backpack.

"Do you have another job?" she questioned with a mix of anger and sadness in her voice.

I nodded.

"Don't you keep quiet! You always have something to say huh? Talk." She lowered her voice.

I slammed my locker shut and turned to face her.

"I've got work. Or would you prefer if I take you guys along for the pre-event?" I retorted in a slightly annoyed voice.

"Riona we—"

"Can we have this conversation at home?" I looked around and as if on cue, Talia's phone rang. The caller ID was Cass with a heart.

"I'm on my way. Both of you calm down," she said before disconnecting.

"Cassidy and Iris are waiting for you. Go home," I urged but she only pouted.

This was making me late and I could not afford to make any mistakes with this plan.

"I have to leave. I'm in a hurry. Do you need money?" I asked and dipped my hand into my pocket.

"I don't!" She instantly held my hand to stop me from looking for money.

"I'm leaving," she whispered and engulfed me in a hug before leaving.

Now that I was alone with my thoughts, I could decide what to do first. I should visit the beauty salon first to get a wig, then the pharmacy to pick up sleeping pills.

"Hey!" someone said from behind me, causing me to jump.

"The hell? What gives you the right to come up from behind me like that?!" I scowled after realizing it was the same annoying guy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He gave me an apologetic look.

"Whatever. Why are you talking to me? I'm in a hurry." I composed myself and started to walk away.

"Hold on," he called out to me while running towards me. "I want to ask you something!" He yelled after catching up to me.

I stopped and turned to face him. "Be fast about it," I firmly told him.

"What is your tutoring schedule?" He inquired and my face was straight until my brain processed what he was saying.

"You?" I eyed him and he nodded.

"That's just my luck huh?" I shook my head with regret.

"So when works for you? We can go to the coffee shop downtown to talk about it, what do you say?" He winked while showing off his nice dentition.

"No. I'm busy, goodbye." I turned to leave and started walking to my car, but I heard footsteps from behind.

How do I get rid of him?

"I understand that you're busy so why not just give me your phone number so we can talk about it when you're not busy?" He said from behind while some students suddenly watch the drama going on here.

Attention is the last thing I need right now.

"Will getting my number make you leave me alone?" I rudely spat, gradually becoming irritated with his presence.

"Yes?"

"Hand me your phone."

He put his hand inside his pocket, brought out an iPhone and handed it over to me so I could save the number.

"Tutor girl?" He looked at me with a smile on his lips.

Ew.

I turned to leave again for the hundredth time, but he held my arm which I instantly shook off.

"You said you'd leave me the fuck alone after getting my phone number, so why exactly are you not I don't know, leaving me the fuck alone?!" I furiously asked.

"I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." He answered with a low voice.

"I didn't throw it at you though, so just leave me alone, I have things to take care of," I replied and left him standing there while the others started leaving too.

"Stupid boy! First Talia and then this guy, is that a sign that today's mission will flop? No I can't think that. It's going to work,” I said to myself while driving to the drug store and salon.

I visited the drug store then bought an expensive blonde wig from a salon afterwards I passed my time in a local diner so I could eat in peace, but it seems fate had other plans.

"I didn't order this,” I swiftly complained when a tray of different junk food was placed on my table.

"This is on the house." The waiter politely answered.

"But why's it on the house? It's my first time coming here,” I complained further, pushing the tray away from me.

"It's from me." A deeper voice came from behind.

I turned to see but he walked in front of me. A guy in a checkered shirt with brown hair suddenly appeared before me.

He looked oddly familiar.

"Hey! Remember me? From school?" He asked slowly like he was talking to a preschooler.

Those eyes.

"You're the guy who bumped into me, and that's friends with that other guy!" I concluded and pointed at him.

"Bingo!" He let out a little laugh.

"Is this food meant to be like a bribe for walking into me?" I questioned after glancing at the food which sat in front of me.

Why are you keeping this conversation going? Shouldn't we be leaving?

I glanced at my watch which sat on my wrist after the mental reminder I was given and let out a sigh.

"Something like that. Are you in a hurry?" He politely asked and I nodded.

"I am," I answered.

"Bummer."

"I'll accept this bribe another day though."

"I'm always here after school."

"I'm Riona. You? What's your name?"

"Leo. My name's Leo."

"I'm running late but see you around Leo," I said before leaving the diner.