Once we had crossed the threshold of the hall, Ara eagerly approached me. A storm of questions brewed in her curious eyes, but I didn't dive into conversation just yet. Instead, I took her by the arm and swiftly steered her away from the building. Her features twisted with intrigue, but before she could unleash her barrage of inquiries, I pulled her along, ensuring we were hidden from prying eyes.
Ara followed my lead, attuned to the silent signals we had developed to navigate situations like this – escaping attention, slipping through a labyrinth of watchful gazes like dancers avoiding the spotlight on stage.
In the university's parking area, we found refuge behind a sizable vehicle. Ara's confusion quickly found its voice, and true to form, she probed for details like a treasure hunter uncovering gems in a field of gold. As anticipated, she inquired about my audition with fervor, "He didn't like your piece? That's it? He disliked the song you practiced for a whole month, and that's why we're darting around like fugitives? Seriously, sis?"
"He... he," my words faltered as the realization hit that Phelan Vargas, the insufferable man himself, was stalking the opposite end of the parking area.
"He what?" Ara's curiosity persisted.
Panic clenched my chest as I observed Phelan, his focus unmistakably fixed on us. It felt as if he was tailing me specifically, a hawk narrowing in on its prey. Acting on instinct, I seized Ara's arm and hissed in a hushed panic, "He's right there! He's getting closer, so let's get out of here! Run!"
"What the-" Ara barely had time to react before I yanked her away from the parking area. Her jingling accessories were like wind chimes amidst a storm as we rushed toward Gate 1, fleeing the campus.
Had I truly bruised his ego? Why had I answered Phelan in such a manner, especially knowing his sensitivity is more delicate than an onion's skin?
What on earth have you gotten yourself into, Kiera? I berated myself as we sprinted down the corridor toward the gate, feeling like I was caught in a whirlwind of my own making.
I had to steer clear of this mess I'd inadvertently stirred, lest I add another offense to the list, alongside those with Friedan – the fifth pillar, or as she's also known, Astrid. She's my self-imposed guardian, the meticulous recorder of my missteps.
The moment she discovers my involvement in this mess, she'd brandish her empty pocket journal, the one where she meticulously noted all my mishaps since her gracious father took me in. We'd be under the same roof for another week, each blunder extending her stay as my watchful guardian, akin to sentences in an endless detention.
There are myriad reasons I wanted to break free from Friedan's grasp. Heavier reasons that demanded my attention before my chest burst. Though parting from her would be painful, letting go of ingrained habits hurt even more. It's agonizing to continuously wish for something I know will never occur, like chasing shadows in the dark. I yearned for a time when I could start anew, just as myself, with a slate as clean as the morning sun.
Just me. Just me for now!
"Run! Let's go to the other lane!" I panted, urgently directing Ara. "Hurry!"
We dashed across the road to the opposite lane. Our bodies hopped onto any passing jeep or taxi, heading anywhere far from the campus.
"Kiera, stop the taxi!" Ara yelled, struggling to keep pace. She shook my arm as Phelan Vargas approached.
"Crap Ara, don't dislocate my arm!" His grip was fierce.
"H-h-he's right there!" Ara stammered, her face drained of color.
I glanced at the man and his entourage as they neared the gate. Damn it!
Turning back to the taxi, I was jolted by a silver Audi A6 overtaking the cab I'd hailed. I recognized the car immediately. "F-Friedan!"
Frozenness gave way to action as I heard his command. I wasn't wrong; it was Friedan Roberts who'd suddenly materialized, extending an offer of a ride. Holy shit! This was rotten luck! As Ara got in, I followed suit, clutching my bag tightly. Friedan barely closed the back door before he accelerated, causing me to scramble for the seatbelt.
Struggling to fasten the seatbelt, I felt Ara's touch on my cold side. The car's interior was quiet, filled only with the rush of movement and Friedan's deep breaths. I looked at Ara, avoiding eye contact with the undoubtedly enraged man. When our eyes met, I saw his tense stare at the front passenger seat.
Ara and I exchanged a glance, becoming spectators to a scene out of a movie, a couple arguing in a car. My focus shifted from them to the road and back again, silently calculating the distances between the taxi and Friedan's car. Clutching my palms together, I offered a secret prayer as I gauged their speeds. The taxi would be three seconds ahead.
"Here they come!" Ara whispered repeatedly, her voice like a prayer.
I refocused on the group of men exiting the gate. Damn it! Damn it all!
Just as I looked back at the taxi approaching, I was jolted again as a silver Audi A6 swiftly passed us. I recognized the car immediately. "F-Friedan!"
It was Friedan's voice that snapped me out of my stupor. There was no mistaking it; Friedan Roberts was here, offering us a ride. Holy shit! What rotten luck! Ara climbed in, and I followed, gripping my bag tightly. Friedan barely closed the back door before he hit the gas pedal, sending me scrabbling for the seatbelt.
Struggling to buckle the seatbelt, I felt Ara's touch on my cold side. The interior of the car was filled with nothing but the sound of speed and Friedan's deep breaths. I glanced at Ara, avoiding eye contact with the undoubtedly furious man. When our eyes met, I noticed his tense gaze on the front passenger seat.
Ara and I exchanged a glance, both of us suddenly spectators in a scene out of a movie – a couple arguing in a car. My focus shifted between them and the road, silently calculating the distance between the taxi and Friedan's car. Clenching my palms together, I sent a silent prayer as I gauged their speeds. The taxi would be ahead by about three seconds.
"Here they come!" Ara kept whispering, the words like a mantra.
Turning my attention to the group of men exiting the gate, I cursed inwardly. Damn it! Damn it all!
But then, just as I looked back at the taxi, I was taken aback as a silver Audi A6 suddenly overtook the cab I had hailed. I recognized the car instantly. "F-Friedan!"
I snapped out of my frozen state as his command echoed in my ears. I wasn't wrong; it was Friedan Roberts who had appeared out of nowhere, offering us a ride. Holy shit! This was terrible luck! Ara climbed in, and I followed suit, gripping my bag tightly. Friedan barely closed the back door before he pressed on the gas pedal, sending me fumbling for the seatbelt.
Struggling to fasten the seatbelt, I felt Ara's touch on my cold side. The car's interior was a hush, filled only with the sound of speed and Friedan's deep exhales. I glanced at Ara, avoiding eye contact with the undoubtedly infuriated man. When our gazes met, I noticed his tense stare at the front passenger seat.
Ara and I exchanged a look, becoming unwilling observers to a scene that could have been straight out of a movie – a couple quarreling in a car. My attention flicked back and forth between them and the road, calculating the distance between the taxi and Friedan's car. Clutching my palms together, I offered up a silent prayer as I measured their speeds. The taxi would gain a lead of roughly three seconds.
"Here they come!" Ara kept whispering, the words like a chant.
Turning my attention to the group of men emerging from the gate, I cursed under my breath. Damn it! Damn it all!
But then, just as I turned my gaze back to the taxi, I was startled by the sudden overtaking of a silver Audi A6 from behind. I recognized the car immediately. "F-Friedan!"
My frozen state was shattered by Friedan's voice. I wasn't mistaken; it was Friedan Roberts who had abruptly appeared, offering us a ride. Holy shit! What terrible luck! Ara got in, and I followed suit, clutching my bag tightly. Friedan had barely shut the back door before he slammed on the gas pedal, causing me to scramble for the seatbelt.
Struggling to click the seatbelt into place, I felt Ara's touch on my cold side. The interior of the car was hushed, filled only with the sound of rapid movement and Friedan's deep exhales. I glanced at Ara, avoiding eye contact with the undoubtedly enraged man. When our eyes met, I registered his tense gaze fixed on the front passenger seat.
Ara and I exchanged a look, suddenly becoming spectators in a scene that could be ripped from a movie – a couple arguing in a car. My attention bounced between them and the road, quietly measuring the distance between the taxi and Friedan's car. Clasping my palms together, I whispered a secret plea as I calculated their speeds. The taxi would be a few seconds ahead.
"Here they come!" Ara repeated, her voice a mantra.
Turning my attention to the group of men exiting the gate, I swore silently. Damn it! Damn it all!
But then, as I returned my gaze to the approaching taxi, I was jolted by the swift overtaking of a silver Audi A6 from behind. I recognized the car immediately. "F-Friedan!"
The ice around my heart shattered as Friedan's voice rang in my ears. I hadn't been mistaken; it was Friedan Roberts who had suddenly materialized, offering us a ride. Holy shit! What rotten luck! Ara climbed in, and I followed, clutching my bag tightly. Friedan had barely closed the back door before he floored the gas pedal, leaving me scrambling for the seatbelt.
Struggling to fasten the seatbelt, I felt Ara's touch on my cold side. The car's interior was silent, the only sounds the rush of speed and Friedan's deep breaths. I looked at Ara, avoiding the piercing gaze of the undoubtedly furious man. When our eyes met, I caught his tense stare at the front passenger seat.
Ara and I exchanged a look, now unwilling witnesses to a scene straight out of a movie – a couple having an argument in a car. My attention flitted between them and the road, silently calculating the distance between the taxi and Friedan's car. I clenched my palms together in a silent prayer, gauging their speeds. The taxi would be ahead by about three seconds.
"Here they come!" Ara whispered over and over, her voice a calming chant.
Shifting my focus to the group of men exiting the gate, I cursed under my breath. Damn it! Damn it all!
But then, just as I shifted my gaze back to the taxi, my heart raced as a silver Audi A6 swiftly overtook the cab I had hailed. I recognized the car immediately. "F-Friedan!"
My body snapped out of its frozen state as Friedan's voice cut through my thoughts. I hadn't been mistaken; it was Friedan Roberts who had suddenly appeared, offering us a ride. Holy shit! What awful luck! Ara climbed into the car, and I followed suit, clutching my bag tightly. Friedan had barely shut the back door before he slammed his foot on the gas pedal, sending me scrambling for the seatbelt.
Struggling to secure the seatbelt, I felt Ara's touch on my cold side. The car's interior was hushed, the only sounds the rush of motion and Friedan's deep breaths. I glanced at Ara, avoiding eye contact with the undoubtedly infuriated man. When our eyes met, I saw his tense gaze fixed on the front passenger seat.
Ara and I exchanged a look, suddenly thrust into the role of spectators in a scene straight out of a movie – a couple arguing in a car. My focus oscillated between them and the road, mentally calculating the distance between the taxi and Friedan's car. Clasping my hands together, I sent up a silent plea as I calculated their speeds. The taxi would gain a lead of about three seconds.
"Here they come!" Ara's voice repeated like a mantra.
Shifting my focus to the group of men exiting the gate, I cursed under my breath. Damn it! Damn it all!
But then, just as I shifted my gaze back to the taxi, I was jolted by the sudden overtaking of a silver Audi A6 from behind. I recognized the car immediately. "F-Friedan!"
***
I entered the gates of Diamond Hills University feeling like a fugitive on the run, pursued by relentless law enforcement. Once again, I was reliant on public transportation to get to school since Friedan, my perpetually grumpy acquaintance, wouldn't deign to offer me a ride. To shield myself, I strategically positioned a folder containing my written work and two books over the lower half of my face – a makeshift disguise. My fervent hope was that Phelan Vargas, the tyrant of our campus, had conveniently erased the memory of our mortifying encounter from the day before.
My heart danced a jittery rhythm, nearly causing me to tremble, as my phone erupted in an unexpected ring. The volume I'd set for the ringtone seemed like a poor choice in that moment. I hastily retrieved my battered Android phone from my bag. The caller was Ara, whose calm voice conveyed that she'd smoothly navigated the campus entrance and was already seated in the classroom. Lucky her!
"He's not around, sis! I did a bit of reconnaissance among Phelan's ardent admirers, and he's nowhere to be found. You know how they are, right? They've got their eyes sharper than CCTV cameras."
"Alright, Ara. I'm en route. Thanks!" Gratitude colored my words as I responded to my friend. A wave of relief washed over me, momentarily drowning out the nerves that had plagued me.
Freedom! Yes! Peace, freedom, and happiness! My inner voice cheered as I briskly advanced along the shaded pathway leading to our college building. I even breezed past the College of Engineering, reveling in this newfound sense of liberation. "Yes!"
"Yes, what?"
Abruptly, my progress came to a halt. I collided with a solid, warm presence – the same entity that had just inquired, 'yes, what?'. My world seemed to pause, and my heartbeat quickened to a frenzied tempo. Slowly, my gaze lifted to the figure standing before me. A striking man with distinct horns adorned his head. My lips trembled, but I mustered the courage to speak his name, "P-PHELAN!?"