[Alira]
Every one of us has a nightmare we wish we could forget, a moment we wish had never happened, something we desperately want to run away from. And I'm not talking about the kind of nightmare you see when you're asleep.
I'm talking about the kind that happens in real life.
I have one too. That's why I'm here now, clutching my suitcase, heading to my aunt's place in the city.
Running away from it.
I'm sitting at the bus stop, waiting for it to arrive. I wish someone were here with me, saying goodbye one last time. But if someone did, I might feel that pain again in my chest.
That unbearable pain.
Suddenly, I remember those judgmental eyes staring at me in school. The hurtful words they threw like daggers.
"What have you done?!"
"How could she?"
"Must be insecurities."
"Is that her?"
"She looks ugly, that's why."
"We thought she was your best friend?"
"We'll see your mother in court."
"I didn't know you were that kind of person!"
I shake my head quickly. "Alira! Forget it! Erase, erase, erase! This is a new start."
I saw the bus slowly approaching, so I stood up immediately. There were a few other people waiting as well. I walked in with them and took a seat by the window. I only had my suitcase with me, it wasn't very large, so I placed it beside me.
I needed to take the bus and then transfer to the train station. This wasn't my first time going to my aunt's house, so I knew exactly what to do.
I'm 17 years old. I have a normal figure, not particularly attractive, just average. I'm a regular student, 5'3" tall, with slightly long hair and an average weight. I finished Sophomore before deciding to continue my senior high school in the city.
I adjusted my seat. I'm finally leaving this place. These past few months have been suffocating. I felt like I was slowly dying.
Thank goodness, Mom is okay with my decision. But my little sister is mad at me.
Understandable. She loves me too much.
Mom couldn't say goodbye because our small restaurant needed her, and my sister was too upset to come.
I sighed.
I already missed her. She's six years old, chubby and adorable.
I know she'll understand someday.
The bus started to move, and I looked out the window. That's when I saw her.
My breath stopped, and the suffocating feeling returned the moment I caught a glimpse of her figure.
She was running hysterically, passing by the bus I was in. Behind her were Riley and Maggie, running too.
They were my childhood best friends, the ones who turned my life into a living hell over a single misunderstanding.
I looked down, and tears began to fall.
Why did they even come here? I just wanted to leave peacefully. Even now, they won't let me go without pain.
I've tried to control my emotions. I won't let them get the best of me. I saw so many people, families, couples, friends, coworkers, everywhere.
When I got on the train, everyone was minding their own business. The atmosphere was peaceful. It felt like a place where no one knew me.
After the train ride, I suddenly felt hungry. I decided to eat at a fast food place!
I wanted to experience it here. Not that I haven't eaten in this city before when I was little, but things feel different now. I'm 17 years old.
Everything feels new to me.
I spotted a small fast food restaurant and walked in with my suitcase. I placed my order, and when I got my food, I sat down and started eating. I'm having a burger.
"Woah…" I said, amused. "This is delicious!" I giggled. I was enjoying the food so much, I didn't notice someone had sat at the table next to mine.
Normally, I don't care about others when I'm eating, but this guy was moving around a lot, and it made me curious.
I looked at him, mouth open mid-bite.
He was a tall man wearing a mask. He was spraying alcohol on his seat, then wiping it with tissue. He placed all his food neatly on a tray and set it aside. He cleaned the table so thoroughly it actually shined. And he wasn't done, he wiped the wall behind his seat and even the floor.
He had a belt bag, which is where he got the alcohol and tissues. There was also a small trash bag inside it, which explained the one on the floor where he placed all the used tissues.
When he finished, he threw the trash bag into the bin. Then he used hand sanitizer, arranged his food perfectly on the table, and finally sat down comfortably. He removed his mask and sniffed the air.
Oh. He's handsome. Like, really handsome. I gulped for some reason. I've seen a lot of good-looking guys at school, but this one looked like he was sent from heaven.
Then he suddenly coughed.
"Shit, this air smells like Satan's fart," he muttered.
I quickly closed my mouth and stopped myself from laughing. Scratch what I said, he definitely didn't come from heaven.
I continued eating, trying my best not to notice him. But goodness, he was hard to ignore. He was eating like he was in a seven-star restaurant. He even had a tissue tucked into his shirt.
Suddenly, someone approached him. The man was in a suit and looked huge, like a bodyguard.
He handed him a phone. "Your grandfather is calling. He's asking why you're not coming. They're at Aristo Restaurant right now, waiting for you," the bodyguard said.
"Tell them I'm supporting small fast food," the handsome guy replied.
"Understood." The bodyguard left with the phone, no questions asked.
Why am I being so nosy? I should go. After eating, I stood up while holding my drink but luck was not on my side.
As always.
I lost my balance because of my iron deficiency. "Ack!" My drink flew into the air. Everything suddenly moved in slow motion as I watched it fall.
I covered my mouth as the drink splashed all over the face of the man sitting next to my table.
He closed his eyes as it happened.
What have I done?!