Shit.
Shit.
Shit.
I quickly pull out my phone from my back pocket and try to decline the call. My stupid, good-for-nothing metal box decides to hang.
It keeps ringing.
I try to press my thumb against the speaker, hoping it will dull down the ringing sound.
Why does this stuff happen to me?
Why couldn't I just wait here without any problems or interruptions and just dump the garbage after they went away?
Better yet, why couldn't I just have been here alone?
Why did that couple have to be here?
Why?
God really hates me.
First I had to deal with that sleazy guy at the chicken shop. Then the girl I was tutoring came 23rd in her class and her mother made me listen to an earful. Then I had to work an extra hour at the Hive for free and now this?
Why me?
Why doesn't anything go smoothly in my life?
By the time I am able to cut the call , my phone turns off all together.
Great.
Just Great.
This is what I needed right now.
At least the ringing stopped. I was afraid that it will be loud enough to gather attention from the couple at the end of the alley.
I sigh and lean against the wall just to get a breather.
I close my eyes for a minute. I don't hear any sound. They must have already left before they heard the sound of my phone or maybe they didn't care.
Either way, I am relieved.
The light in front of me is blocked.
I open my eyes slowly, afraid of who it might be. I have two guesses right now and I don't know who I want it to be.
Do I want to face the bitch girl who probably is an emotional mess right now and extremely volatile?
Or do I want to face the guy who, although extremely handsome gave off a really bad vibe. Plus he was probably a cheat and really cruel to the girl.
I am at loss either way. Might as well just get it over with.
I open my eyes.
I look at the ground in front of me, still crouched, my knees still hurting.
I can't look at their face just yet.
A pair of shining dark combat boots stare back at me. I am sure if there was enough light around here, I would be able to see my reflection on the shoes.
Drip.
A splosh of light pink liquid falls on the shoe and it is enough to break my haze and I scurry away from the figure, falling on my butt in the process.
From where I half-lie, half sit on the dirty ground, supporting myself on my elbows, my eyes meet his.
He would have looked dangerous with his glare and angry expression if half of his face wasn't covered with a strawberry milkshake.
Right now he just looks comical.
The pink of his hair was only slightly darker than the pink of the milkshake. Small pieces of strawberry stuck to his cheek and chin, dripping down in thick splosh.
His shirt and jacket are ruined.
I hope it doesn't leave a stain.
A small chuckle leaves my lips involuntarily.
The guy takes a step forward in my direction and all humour is lost from me and I scramble to get on my feet.
I don't know who this guy is but I know I don't want to be alone with him in the alley.
"Were you listening in on my conversation? Were you recording it?" he snatches away my phone.
I try to grab it back but he is too quick to raise his hand above his head, making it impossible for my short stature to reach it.
"Yah! Give it back. I wasn't recording your conversation. Why would I record it? Do you take me for a creep?" I ask and huff as I try to jump in a vain effort to get my phone from his hand.
He tries to turn it on but fails. I chuckle internally.
He studies my metal block like it is an alien communication device.
I don't blame him.
This is a really old model and chances are he doesn't know to operate it.
I am thankful for that.
I know if I turn on my phone, my mother will call again. I don't want to receive the call around him.
"Well, you are dressed like a homeless person and were on your knees on the dirty ground, spying on other people's conversation. If the shoe fits..." he shrugs and looks at me.
"No, the shoe doesn't fit. I am a worker here at the cafe -" I say pointing at the yellow t-shirt underneath my brown jacket.
He notices it and puts his hand down. I grab the cell phone quickly.
He doesn't fight me.
Thankfully.
"Doesn't it? Are you a stalker?" he injects me and I ball my fists. I am losing my patience with this guy.
Can I at least tell my side?
I take a deep breath.
"I was locking up. I needed to take out the garbage but when I came here you two were already here. I didn't want to interfere but I couldn't just leave the garbage here. I would get in trouble tomorrow with the manager if I did. So I decided to stay put in hopes that your quarrel will end soon. I just wanted to dump the garbage in its designated place" I let out a long after saying it all in one go.
He tilts his head to the side and studies me.
Again, if this was another situation I probably would have felt intimidated but right now it is different.
He still has strawberry milkshake all over him and he smells strongly of strawberries as well.
"And why should I believe you? And is that even a phone or something else?" he asks with an expression that one would make when they eat something extremely sour.
I protectively cover my phone, as if covering its ears, protecting it from the insult.
"Yes, it is a phone. And you don't have to believe me. I know I am telling the truth" I shrug but inside I am freaking out.
Please believe me.
He looks dangerous.
I don't know.
He wears a similar uniform to Royals High but he wasn't wearing a tie and instead of a blazer he is wearing this leather jacket.
Don't all the bad guys in the movies wear leather jackets? I instinctively take a step back from him and his eyes narrow at me.
I really need to stop watching those action movies. They are really messing up my brain.
"If you're thinking of running, now that I have much longer legs than you and will catch you" he warns and his voice holds a threat of a promise.
What did I get myself into?
"I am not running. I am just grabbing the garbage bag. Since you are done, I can go and throw it in" I lie and start walking towards the garbage can, him hot on my heels.
What are the odds that I can throw the garbage here and take off running, without locking up and not get caught by him?
Slim.
But not impossible right?
I do a constant mental debate with myself that I don't ever hear the words he says.
"Hey, stalker? Are you ever listening to me? I asked you to give me your phone" he taps my shoulder and I jump back, startled.
He is just as startled as I am because he too takes a step back.
"Who are you calling a stalker strawberry shortcake?" I say, at my wit's end.