I check my phone, it's almost 10:00 P.M already, what was Mona doing outside this late anyway? I locked my bike before checking out the place to find her. I see her on the side of the restaurant sitting with her blue cap on looking down. I can tell it's her because of her hair, or I don't know why but I just know.
I walk towards her and sit in front of her. She looks up at me, she looks scared, her eyes are full of fear I don't know what to say to make her feel better. She's wearing an old baggy gray shirt and a black jogging pants. She holds her blue cap and removes it putting it down in between us on the table. She combs her hair with her fingers, and stares at me
"I saw Victoria, they got her." She says tearing up.
Victoria's one of our schoolmates, we're on the same year, but she's from section B, Mona and I are from section A.
"She was struggling so bad; I couldn't help her because there were three men. I was too scared to move." She holds her face on her palm and starts sobbing. I don't know what to say, but all I know is we have to report it to the police.
"Let's go to the police station Mona, I'll be with you." I told her as I ready myself standing up in front of her.
"I'm so scared Jake."
I hold out my hand to support her standing up. She grabs my hand and stands up; she lets go of my hand and we walk out of the restaurant. The police station is only a block away, so I didn't bother getting my bike. I think walking would be fine, maybe Mona could calm down a bit walking before talking to the police. We start walking and no one speaks, not me, not her. Then a few minutes later she looks up at me.
"I haven't eaten dinner yet," she says. I didn't even think of that. I just assumed she ate already since it's late.
"There's McDonald's on the way before we reach the station, let's get you something to eat," she just nodded. I kind of feel bad for not remembering to ask her if she ate dinner, I mean we were never that close right? I look at her while we walk, I never realize how good it feels to have her company.
"Maybe I should start walking you home every after class, you know? Just to be safe," I mutter, and she looks up at me and down again.
"I don't need your pity"
"No, I mean I- I don't. It's- just," I sigh. I don't know how to actually make conversation. I usually just answer everyone's question in one word or one phrase. I think this is the most words I have told someone other than my mom today.
We stopped at McDonald's, I ask Mona what she wants to eat, and she said she wants nuggets and cheeseburger. I walk towards the counter and order 2 cheeseburgers with drinks, and six pieces of nuggets for take-out. I remember hating the idea of ordering, while the other person waits for me to say my order out loud, while having people behind me in line, it's like a different kind of frustration.
They hand me my order, and I can see Mona sitting quietly on the chair near the door. She was never quiet like this. I give her the foods, and we walk out from the McDonald's while getting our own burgers out of the paper bag. We start eating while walking to the police station. I watch her eat; she can't see me watching her since I'm a foot taller than her. I can see how she enjoys cheeseburger, it's like the same way I look when I enjoy pasta. I don't know why I like the idea that I know her favorite food now. Or at least one of her favorite foods.
"Thanks for this," Mona says holding up the rest of the burger she's eating.
"No worries," I smile.
We stop as we see the police station and enter the door. One of the cops approaches us asking what we're here for. I just realized it's my first time to see the inside of a police station, it's intimidating. I suddenly feel weird thinking some of the criminals were once brought here. There are four rows of tables and seats with their computers and stocks of files. Some were handcuffed being interviewed, while a man beside us has a bruise on one of his eyes. I sit beside Mona while she tells the police what happened.
"Where was this?" The police asked.
"Behind the Church," says Mona.
"What were you doing behind the Church at 9:00 in the evening?"
Mona looks at me, and to the police, "I was following Victoria." Mona looks down to her hands playing each finger with each other's. She looks so anxious, and I just realized her answer, why was she following Victoria? The moment I thought that, the same moment the police asked the same question. Mona still looking down.