Chapter IV

BRINGGG BRINGGG

The alarm on my phone snapped me out of my daze.

I looked at the screen lighting up, signalling to me that it was time for me to get ready for my part time job.

I sighed.

I hated working at fast food joints. The loud chatter of the customers, mostly teenagers, gave me a headache; the smell of fried food, way too greasy, made my stomach turn.

I got up from the desk, bending over to put my journal back in its hidden drawer.

Away from prying eyes.

It must stay safe. It has all of my memories in it.

All the ones that I myself can't remember.

All my memories of him that I'm too afraid to look at.

I grabbed my coat off of the hook by the door and headed out to sling some burgers.

---<<---<<--->>--->>---

My phone vibrated as a text lit up the screen, illuminating my ceiling, bringing out all of its cracks and stains.

I groaned and rolled onto my side, taking my phone off of the desk.

The time was almost half twelve at night, what on earth could Rory want?

I swiped on the notification to open it and groaned. Just great.

Rory Michaels- heyyy bro. There's this party in the forest tonight, I've already said you'd be there. Outside with Nina, don't keep us waiting!

Why.

Why me?

I stood up from my bed, yawning as I did so, and left my room.

I had only spent half an hour back at home since I finished my shift and now I have to go out again?

I hadn't even had the time or energy to take my shoes off.

As I passed through the hallway, I saw my flatmate in the living room playing some video game or other.

It looked like a multilayer first person shooter game.

How vile.

He had tried to get me to play once, but after seeing how i couldn't even figure out the controls and my lack of interest, he had given up trying to teach me.

"I'm heading out." I tell him. For what reason, I don't know.

"K," he says without looking up, "Text me before you come home."

...

He only ever said that when he invited people over to bang.

"Are you serious? Can't you just go to their place?"

I wait for him to reply, but he doesn't.

After a minute of waiting I sigh and head to the front door, grabbing my coat and walking outside.

I walk down the concrete stairs to the outside of the apartment complex and see Rory and Nina standing there.

Rory is dressed in his regular clothes while Nina is wearing a tight red dress with a faux fur jacket.

As soon as she sees me, she skips over and flings herself into my arms, grinning up at me.

I put my arm around her and look at Rory.

"You should have come upstairs. This isn't a good place to be alone at night."

I eye Nina's outfit again, noticing how much it stands out.

Everything in the area was monotone and the red was very striking.

It sticked out like a sore thumb.

Glancing around, I see a few people lurking in the shadows of a nearby alley, their bad intentions clear. I stare at them for a bit until they walked away.

Or at least, they pretended to walk away.

"Let's go." I tell Rory.

He nods and starts walking away, me and Nina following right behind him.