Castbrook

I was bored. My friends had dragged me out to a party despite me saying I didn't want to go. But my friend Mary had insisted. Now I was stuck in this overly loud place surrounded by boring loud obnoxious people. It's my parents' fault for moving into this backwater town out of our cozy city life back in New York. Stacy came up to me and tapped my shoulder "Bell you alright?" the blond had asked. 

"I'm fine" I groaned as I began to get up from my seat. "Just going to get some fresh air." 

In reality, my plan was to leave entirely. As I exited the place, I turned my phone back to see a dozen or so missed calls and messages from my mom. I rolled my eyes as I put my phone back into my pocket. I began to walk home. As I walked, I felt as though there was something watching me. I turned, but there was nothing. I shook it off and kept walking, but that didn't ease my nerves. I began to walk faster but the feeling just grew in intensity. I finally ducked into an alleyway off the main road. I could hear soft, almost silent footsteps. I waited until they were right before I jumped out and fling my purse at nothing. I stood there in disbelief for a bit before turning to make my way home. But before I could even fully turn around, I was slammed into the wall beside me. Then I felt a sharp burning sensation on my neck. My vision dimmed as I grew weaker and weaker as I slipped into unconsciousness. 

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Dammit, I'm late,' I thought to myself. I was the one who set up this outing, picked a nice place and everything and I was late. I hurried my way down a busy sidewalk to the cafe where my friends and my recent girlfriend were waiting. In hindsight I probably should have expected this from myself as I made my way down to the cafe in sight. As I approached two figures came into view, a lanky pale ginger with messy hair and an ear piercing and a petite black woman whose eyes were already glaring at me as I approached. 

"Sorry, sorry." I began to apologize.

 "Well look who finally showed up." the ginger - Fred spoke first "and here I thought me and Betty would be drinking alone" 

I straightened up. "Guys look I'm really sorry for almost missing I just-" I began but Betty cut me off. 

"Now James when you said you wanted to introduce us to your girlfriend that doesn't mean you two can be late." Betty explained as if that wasn't obvious. 

I let out a sigh. Of course, Betty would say that she's been like that ever since we met back in high school and college sure hasn't changed that. 

"So where is this lovely new girlfriend I presume?" Fred said cooly "I would like to get to y'know actually know her before she runs off into the sun set." 

I groaned "we just got together; we are not breaking up anytime soon." Fred put his hands up 

"I'm just saying a lot can happen in three months and with your track record of keeping girlfriends-" Fred spoke. 

"It's different." I said firmly as I looked Fred in the eye. 

"Anyway!" Betty started "Let's just get our seats before they get taken up." As we began to enter the cafe I got a text from Sylvia.

>Sorry I'm late I'll be there in half an hour

I texted her back right as I sat down in our seats. About thirty minute or so later a young woman with gray hair finally came rushing into the cafe.

" Look who decided to show up!" Fred said enthusiastically. 

"And here I thought you didn't really exist. Or decided to cut your losses" Betty said with a smirk. I for one was just happy my girlfriend was here. My sweet and beautiful Sylvia sat down in a rush looking very apologetic. 

"I'm so sorry my roommate needed help with something, and I ended up losing track of time and-"

Betty rushed to cut Sylvia off before she ratted on forever. It's okay you were just later than you originally planned." Betty said, being much nicer to Sylvia being late than me.

"Yeah, It's okay babe." I said comfortably. "I was late too." I hope I reassured her well. I'm not good at these types of things. 

Sylvia nodded before mumbling out another "Sorry". 

Betty suddenly perked up. "Oh, I just remembered I brought you guys something." Betty started to rumble through her bag as I and Sylvia looked in confusion at her. Before long Betty had pulled out two small jewelry boxes out of her bag." I got these for you guys on sale" Betty said proud of herself.

 As me and Sylvia opened the boxes out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Sylvia go pale. Inside the boxes were silver rings that were practically identical in looks but mine was obviously bigger. 

"Wow, these looked great!" I said, examining mine. It looked well-made and was smooth to touch. "Right Sylvia." I Looked over to her to find she hadn't even touched her ring at all. "Sylvia, what's wrong?" I asked. 

Sylvia suddenly looked up at us. "Is this Sliver?" She asks in a quiet tone. Betty and I Looked at each other. 

"I don't know, maybe," Betty said with a shrug.

 Fred looked curious. "What, you don't wear silver?" he said. 

Sylvia nodded "It was a nice gift anyway" she said pushing the box farther from her. After that we continued our meeting chatting about the mundane and ordinary until it was time to go. I kissed my girlfriend goodbye and then we went our separate ways. 

"Well, she's nice." Fred said as we were walking.

 "But she is too good for you." Betty said with her eyes closed. I just rolled my eyes and continued our walk home.