The car was silent for the first few second of the ride, but I can't bear it so I asked a lot of question.
"What's you name?"
"How old are you?"
"Are you married? "
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Are you not a single? "
"If you have a girlfriend, what's her name?"
"Can we be friends?"
"Would she like to be my friend?"
"Would you like to be my friend?"
"Do you like Disney songs?"
"Do you like Disney characters?"
"If so, who is your favorite Disney character?"
"Do you daydream of saving them?"
"Because I daydream that my prince charming is saving me from the witch – minus the kissing scene."
"Do you have a pet?"
"Do you love pet?"
"I love pets specially cats!"
"They are super duper cute!"
"Do you love them too?"
"Oh, you should! You should – I mean you must! You. Must."
"Do you prefer you cat to have lice or not?"
"Do you know lice are disgusting?"
"I hate them!"
"I have a lot of lice when I was a kid."
"But it's gone now don't worry!"
I think I saw him squinting his eyes. Huh, he don't believe me!
"If you don't believe me, you can go and check it yourself."
"I swear, my hair is clean, Sir."
"Wait, do you have lice?"
"Ew – I-I mean c-cool? I guess?"
"Why do you have lice?"
"Did you not get it when your bored?"
"Cause I used to do that when I'm bored. So you see right now, I don't have lice anymore."
"How amazing right?!"
"Would you like me pick your lice for you?"
"I would love that! I'm good at picking lice-"
"Am I in a fucking interview?" he asked softly, rather harshly.
And he interupted me again! He should really work with his interrupting! I'm not loving it.
"Huh? Where are you applying?" I asked, confuse.
His brows furrowed and frustration is visible to his face.
Oh... He look so handsome in sideview. His jaw is more defined and his nose look so pointed. And I just knew that his nose his slightly crooked. It look so amazing! I wish my nose is like that. Sad to say, my nose is button.
I unconsciously tap my nose three times. And at the same time, he turn to me. Amazement is visible to his eyes.
"Put your address to the GPS," he ordered.
I put my address to the GPS. He glanced at it, and for the first time in forever, I didn't receive a judgemental look from him. I blew a sigh of relief. It feels nice that he did not judge me.
When we enter our neighborhood, our drive is slow. Bumps after bumps met his car. This is the reason why cars don't go here. The road is undeveloped.
Worried that his car might get damage if he continues to sent me to our doorstep, I unbuckle my seatbelt and get myself ready to tell him that I'm fine here. But, of course, he spoke first.
"What are you doing?" He took a quick glance at me and back to the road again.
"You can drop me here. I can walk."
His jaw tick and his eyes darken.
"I can drive too."
I pout by his sarcasm.
"I know. But your car might have damage if you continue to drive here. You know, it's bumpy," I explain. His expression did not change.
"You expect to just drop you off here?" Instead he question. I nod.
"Yeah, cause it's fine. It's just 10 minutes more walk. I do this everyday."
The car came to halt after I said that. I thought he already agreed that he can drop me off here. So I open the door but it didn't open.
"It's lock." I turn to him and saw that his is darker than it is earlier. And his much closer to me too. His leaning towards me, his one hand on the back of my seat and the other on the dashboard. I can smell his cologne. He smells like fresh pepperment, musk and cigarettes?
I scrunch my nose. I dislike the smell of cigarettes.
He seem to notice my dislike of his smell because he lean backward a bit. But his face never lighten.
Is he angry?
"You walk here, alone, every night?" he ask slowly, as if he doesn't believe that too.
Huh? What so unbelievable about it?
"Yeah. Why? Is it not normal? I think it's normal?" I asked a bit confuse. He shook his head and completely lean back. He face the road and held the stiring wheel tightly. How did I know that? Oh, cause his knuckles are white.
"Buckle your seatbelt. I'll drop you home," he ordered darkly.
I open my mouth to protest but he look at me with a stern eyes. I shrink back to my seat and buckle my seatbelt again.
That look is scary.
He continue to drive me home, and now the drive is silent. When we stop at my apartment building, he look around and it seems like his mood became more bad.
I unbuckle my seatbelt for the last time and went out of the car. I went into his side and knock his window. He rolled it down but he didn't face me. I smiled at him anyway.
"Thank you for giving me a lift. Good night uh..."
"Clarion," he muttered lowly that I almost did not hear it. But nothing can go unnoticed by your WWA fighter.
I smiled more. "Good night, Clarion. By the way, my name is Ellen. You can call me Elle."
He turn towards me and hold my eyes for 5 seconds – yes, I counted it– with an unknown emotion. Ah... worry?
I shake my thought. I'm probably hallucinating. I already forgot what worry looks like, it's been long since I received that.
"Good night, Ellen."
I thought his gonna go so I wave at him but his car didn't move. I tilted my head.
"Go inside first."
Oh, I nod a jog towards the rusty gate of the apartment. That's when his car go. I sigh and went to the stairs. I hope mom is asleep right now. But I'm afraid not.
I slowly open the door, making sure to not make any noises. In this house, the more quiet you are, the more safe you will be.
I was met by a view of my mom, laying in the middle of the living room, with glass of liquor everywhere. Some are broken and some are not. I slowly made my way to the stairs, praying that my mom won't see notice me.
But my prayers is futile. I saw my mom tried her best to set up, her bloodshot eyes directed towards me. Shiver ran to my spine.
She suddenly scream and throw the bottle towards my direction. I duck to avoid the bottle. That cause the bottle to hit the wall and shatter into pieces. Pointed glasses hit my back, sting erupted on my body.
I hurriedly ran to my room, not wanting to hear what she was about to said, but of course, I can ran without tripping. I tripped with my feet that cause me to fall and again with my hands supporting me. Blood drips on my hand but I did not dwell at it. I continued to ran.
I open my room's door but not before I heard my mother's shout.
"It's all your fault."
Hot salty liquid ran down to my cheeks, but I wipe it off. I cannot dwell in her words, it would only break me. I can't be broken. Two broken people can't be together, it will cause destruction. Mom can't be strong for us, so I'm the one who should be strong.
I clean my wounds and then throw a random oversized shirt and went to bed, but of course, sobbing.
I woke up like nothing happen. It's Saturday and the house is silent. I sigh. Mom is gone again to go to her 'friends'. I don't know where it is, and I did not to know it. It will make her mad.
I clean the house while doing a mini concert, singing Disney songs and twirling around the house. After that, I took a shower and throw another white oversized hoodie that I got from a thrift store. It's a couple hoodie of Mickey and Minnie. I wore Mickey yesterday so I'm gonna wear Minnie today.
I'm my own couple.
I was planning to buy some ice cream today because I saw some dollars on our coffee table. I'm sure it's mom's. I wonder where she got her money. I shrugged it off.
I walk my way to the city. That's a 1 hour and 30 minutes walk by the way. I was already thirsty, so ice cream is perfect.
I went to the ice cream shop. I ordered a cookies n cream ice cream. When it's time to pay, I pat my pocket and realized that I don't have money!
I gave it to the old and frail woman on the street earlier. And I can't give the ice cream back, I already lick it.
I look at the fuming woman in the counter. How am I gonna pay it?
I was about to apologize when someone's hand put a bill on the counter. And it was followed by a baritone and low voice.
"It that all?"
I shot my head to the owner. I saw Clarion standing tall at my back. My gape at him. His wearing a black v t-shirt, a black denim jacket and black cargo pants pair with black boots.
He look so handsome! His even wearing a brow earing.
"You are so pretty," I suddenly blurt out. He turned – no, it's more like a look down. He looked down at me and slightly smirk. I giggled.
"N-No sir, that's all. T-Thank you."
I turned my head to the woman in the counter and saw that she's not fuming anymore. Instead she looks like a scared cat.
I wonder why.
I felt a hand clutched my arms and slightly tug it.
"Let's go."
I turned to Clarion again and smile while repeatedly nod.
He pull me outside the shop. I hug him immediately. He froze from it.
"Thank you very much, Clarion. I was about to have a heart attack! Thank God you're there."
I look up to him and saw that his looking at me with a foreign expression.
I untangled myself to him when I realized that I hugged him. My cheeks burn in embarrassment. I didn't mean to.
I look down, ashame. I heard him clear his throat before saying a small "You're welcome."
I look up again and smile. His really nice.
"I'm gonna pay you don't worr–"
"Don't bother."
I pout when he cut me off. He doesn't have manners. What a monkey.
" Okay," I just said.
I look at my watch and realize that my work is starting now.
"I have to go. Thank you again."
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"To work."
He look at the direction where towards the coffee shop and back to me.
"I'll give you a lift," he stated with finality.
Not wanting to bother him I shook my head. His brows furrowed.
That's seems to be his favorite expression.
"No, thanks. I'm fine, I can walk-"
"I can drive."
"No. I don't want to bother you-"
" You don't. I'm on my way there."
" I still don't want to-"
" I didn't asked you if you want a lift or not. Now come on."
I pout when he said that. His so stubborn. He won't listen to me. I half-heartedly grab his hand and started to walk. But I spring back to him when he didn't move from his place. I turned to him in confusion.
I saw him starring at out joined hands. I looked at it too and realize I unconsciously grab it. My cheeks burn in embarrassment. I was about to take my hands when he tightened the hold. I look at him, shock.
He didn't met my eyes and started to walk while grabbing me.
I feel giddy inside. The tingly feeling made my insides twist and heart skip. I want to jump up and down but I'm too embarrassed to do that. It's enough embarrassment for today.
He eventually let got of my hands. And I felt disappointed. I hope I can hold it more.
When he said that he way on his way to the coffee shop, I know that he meant it. Because when I hop off, he hop off to. He even open the coffee shop's door for me. I timidly said thank you to him.
I change to my uniform and went to the counter. He ordered the same and I was happy. He only stayed for 10 minutes and went home. I gawk at him while he walks toward the door. Actually, it's more like I gawk to his gluteus maximus. He have them round. I wish my gluteus maximus is like that.
I unconsciously tap my butt. I'll make sure to slap his bohookie if he allows me.
My shift ended fast. Granny Channy and I close the shop. And went to separate ways. I was skipping to may way while singing a Moana song.
"What can I say except you're welcome..."
I was just cut off when someone honk at me. I jump out of shock. I turn my head to glare at the monkey who decided to honk at me. I'm literally at the sidewalk.
But my glare turned into smile when I saw a familiar slick black car. I wave when it came in front of me. The windows rolled down and revealed a breathtaking visual of Clarion.
"Get in," he ordered and I happily followed.
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