I'll Take You Away From Him

Chapter 3

In the morning, I walk as my mom says, when I am all caught up in my thoughts — enchanted. The day hasn’t started yet, but I’m already dreaming about how the classes will end sooner.

I dream of meeting a man, just the thought of who makes butterflies flutter in my stomach. Maybe I’m fooling myself and the infatuation will pass; it would be worth getting to know him a bit better.

But I doubt… I have never felt anything like this before. And I have never been this anxious.

I prepare meticulously, choosing an outfit to look good, but not too good, because my friends will definitely suspect something and bombard me with questions. Besides, riding a bike in a skirt or dress is not the best idea. So, it's definitely pants, paired with a blouse that accentuates my small breasts. And makeup.

I always apply light makeup, but today I pay special attention to my eyes. They are expressive with long but light eyelashes, and I know that if I highlight them well, it will be impossible to look away from my eyes.

I want to impress Will, to appeal to him so that he would want to meet me again.

The classes stretch on endlessly. I keep glancing at my phone, waiting for something unknown. He’s probably busy, and I’m bored. After all, he wrote he would come, what else?

What if he changes his mind?..

That thought saddens me, but I try to push it away. What’s the point of writing and asking for an address if he doesn’t intend to come? Besides, it seems to me he’s not the type of man who throws around promises.

But the key thing is — a man, not a boy who has his head in the clouds and gets excited about something new every day. However, this could also mean something entirely different.

He’s experienced, smart, and could easily manipulate someone as naive as I am. It seems to me that I’m so clever, but he has more life experience, so it’s much easier for him to deceive me.

“Why are you so dreamy today?” my best friend Yasmin asked during the break while we stepped out to have some tea and a pastry. She squints, examining me closely as if trying to peer into my thoughts.

And she adds, as we walk away from the cafe with our orders:

“Has your mom really given up on her crazy idea of marrying you off by force?”

I glance around to see if anyone is overhearing us. But we’ve moved far enough away from the crowd of students, so we can talk freely. I put my cup on the railing of the flowerbed because my fingers are beginning to burn.

Yasmin follows my lead. I don’t risk putting down the pastry; it might fall. I just salivate, wanting to wait until the tea cools down to savor the éclair to my heart's content.

“No,” I grimace and sigh heavily, “she’s unyielding.”

“What about that guy? Has he not reached out at all?”

“No,” I reply, realizing she’s talking about Christopher. “Why would he? He probably thinks it’s all over; I’m not going anywhere.”

“But you don’t think so, do you?”

“Of course not! I don’t want to. And I won’t,” I smile in anticipation, preparing to share the most interesting part with my friend.

I look around once more to see if there’s still a sufficient distance from the flow of students who have also stepped out for a snack or a smoke. I love the attentive gaze on me — and I can’t help but grimace.

Maiky, who doesn’t stop trying to get under my skin, is watching me closely, cigarette clenched between his teeth, and he doesn’t even try to hide his interest.

“That jerk again,” Yasmin mutters, having followed my gaze. “He just can’t seem to take a hint ever since you turned him down.”

“Three times,” I add and giggle. “He’s cute, but so dumb!” I exclaimed in a half-whispered outrage. “What did he even expect when he suggested we ‘hang out together’?” I quote his proposal, shaking my head.

“He was counting on you to perk up and agree. Most do,” Yasmin shrugs. “All that matters is that he’s a handsome guy with money.”

“I had money too when he was hitting on me.”

I did. And now who knows what the future holds. However, it seems better to be broke and free than well-off but with someone you don’t know and feel nothing for. I don’t even find Christopher attractive! I can’t imagine how I’d…

“Well, rumors spread fast. Maybe Maiky thinks he might get something from you now, since it didn’t work out then.”

“Idiot,” I mumble, “he has no chance.”

“Still, he doesn’t agree with that. Just don’t look back, he’s coming our way.”

“Damn!” I hissed with a resigned sigh. “Why is he so clingy?”

The question is, of course, rhetorical, and Yasmin understands that, so she doesn’t answer. I just watch the expressive emotions on her face to know what to expect. In a few moments, he’s already close, I can feel it on my skin because I immediately want to shrug my shoulders.

“Hi. Aurelia, can I talk to you for a minute?” he asks, but I don’t even glance at him.

“No,” I cut him off dryly.

He stays silent for a few seconds; Yasmin hides a smug smile, grabbing her glass and starting to eat her pastry. It’s obvious someone is taken aback by my firm refusal.

“It’s a pity. This is in your best interest,” he continues to press.

“What exactly is in my best interest?” I snap back, shooting him an angry glare. “Are you threatening to spread gossip about me again? Or ambush me in some dark alley? Or slash my bike tire? What are you going to come up with this time?”