Chad's P.O.V.
"Everyone drop your pencils and pass your exam forward," the teacher demands.
I'm nervous. This paper has the answer to my entire future. For this entrance exam, it's all or nothing. Please be all...
"Hey, Chad, are you alright?" Sebastian, my best friend asks me.
I snap out my thoughts. "Hmm? Yeah…Yeah, of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Are you nervous for the results?" he chuckles, helping me pack my stuff.
"Who wouldn't be?"
"Are you sure you want to be a doctor? I mean, sure, you studied hard, but it takes a lot more than this to actually become one, you know."
I simply give him a dead look. "Get to your point." He had a worried expression on his face.
"Well, you know… uhm…what I mean is what if-"
"Sort everything in your head before you start talking," I cut him off.
"What if you fail?"
I raise my eyebrows, my head tilting downward and my eyes still looking up. "Excuse me?"
"Come on, Chad. What if-"
I rise to my feet and interrupt him with a blare. "That won't happen, you idiot!" Yes, he's my best friend, but sometimes I seriously want to punch him in the face. Isn't he suppose to encourage me?
"But if something like that was going to happen, would you really throw your whole youth away to sit behind your books all day until you get what you want?"
"What is it that I want, Sebastian? Do you really know?"
He sighs. "I'm not trying to discourage you , I just know that you're a healthy 21-year-old guy that hasn't partied even once. Do you think that's normal?"
"Whatever, 'Bastian. I'm happy the way I am now. You know that I don't like that whole stereotypical youth thing."
His eyes widen and his mouth gapes in false shock. "Are you even human?" He laughs, breaking his forced expression. He was used to Chad saying those things, by now.
"Hey, Sebastian! How long are you gonna make me wait?" his girlfriend whines behind his back, wrapping her arms around him.
"Sorry, babe. Let's go." He gave her a small peck before standing up.
"Chad , you're really missing the greatest things in life," he proclaimed, exiting the classroom with his arm around his girlfriend's waist.
Chad ignores him. He just doesn't understand.
Sonny's P.O.V.
"That would be twelve dollars, please," I inform with a plastic grin plastered on my face. My customer hands me the money. "Thank you, we hope to see you again!"
The minute her back is turned, my smile fades. I organize the money in the cash register and close it with a sigh. I retrieve a new tuxedo cake from the back room to restock those on display. This is how I pay for rent. I was orphaned three years ago, when my parents died in a plane wreck. My grandparents have been taking care of me, but since they can't completely afford me I have to help out here so I can stay with them.
Every day is the same. I wake up at 6 in the morning to cook up all the breads and sweets of my grandparents' bakery, go to school, and return to the bakery to work my shift. It's a schedule that's been embedded in me for a while, so I don't really complain, but it took some getting used to, at first. I don't think I'd be able to make it without my best friend, Sandy's support. Even though she doesn't help out at work, she's encouraging and optimistic about everything. Some say she acts like a child, which I can't argue with, but that doesn't mean she isn't a good friend. Whenever I'm feeling down, she'll always be there with Ben & Jerry's, movie, and blanket in hand for a sleepover.
My grandparents are really strict. They won't let me date or party, and they always make sure I have good grades and bakery sales. It's not much of a deal, since I'm used to it, and I still have Sandy. Who needs those things when you have such a great best friend?
Just as I'm locking up the bakery for the day, I hear some footsteps and a voice. "Hey there, pretty lady." Before I can turn around, I feel a hand on my shoulder, holding my still. A wave of petrifying shock runs through my body. I've heard of things like this... "Let's have some fun," the old, deep voice whispers in my ear. I crack through my surprise with anxious adrenaline, shaking my shoulder and elbowing the man behind me in the crotch, with all my might.
I dash off to hide in the nearest alley behind him. Please say he didn't see me run in here! I hold my body against the wall, hiding behind a dumpster. What should I do!? Who could I call!? He hasn't done anything, so I can't call the cops. If I called my grandparents, the stress could be bad for their health, so that leaves me with one reliable option: Sandy. I quickly dial her number and hold the phone up to my ear.
As it rings, my mind is forced over to the thick muscle layered on the man that grabbed me. Please don't find me... Please don't find me!
My heart stops as I hear the thump of the man's heavy feet echo through the alley way. Come on, Sandy, pick up!
Ring... Ring... "Hello?"
Fuck, how can I talk without giving away my position?
Scowling brown eyes appear from behind the dumpster. I squeak in fear, mentally squealing, Too late!
His voice is a growl. "There you are! You little bitch…"
Fuck, why did I have to choose an alleyway!? Now there's now way out... I feel hot tears pouring out of my eyes and stream down my face. What's he going to do to me?
He grabs the phone from my hands and smashes it into the ground, leaning close to me.
I press my body against the wall, internally begging him to stay put or back away. He only moves closer, blowing the repulsive tobacco odor staining his breath into my face. When I find my voice, I beg, "P-please! I'm sorry for hitting you, I don't want to do anything with you!"
My breath stops in my lungs at the evil smirk before me. "I've been watching you, Sonny." How does he know my name!? "I've been watching you work at the bakery, with your grandparents... I've wanted you." At this point, my entire body is shaking, despite my efforts to keep still. I want to scream, but if I do I know he'll just cover my mouth with his coarse, dirty hands that reek of smoke and alcohol. Please, someone come and help me!
"The less you struggle, the less it'll hurt"
Chad's P.O.V.
Scooting my chair under my desk, I make my way to exit the building. Exams are over, thank goodness. I never liked studying, but exams? They're the worst of the worst.
Just as my mind wanders to what I'm going to shop for for dinner, my leg trills. I pull my phone out of my pocket to answer.
"Hello?"
"Hi. Is this mister Cooper?" a not so familiar voice asked. It was the voice of a young man.
"Yeah, who is this?"
"We have news about your sister."
I switched my phone to the other side of my ear to pull out a cigarette. I didn't respond.
"Hello?"
"Yeah, I'm still here."
"She's awake from her coma."
My eyes widen and I take a drag of my cigarette. "She's awake?" I repeated in question form, astounded.
"Yes sir."
"I'm on my way."
Just as I take off running towards the hospital, the man replies, "I'm sorry, but no visitors are allowed right now. She needs all the rest she can get."
"She's been sleeping for over 6 years! I think she's rested enough, don't you?"
"Sir, I can't let you -"
"I'M COMING! END OF DISCUSSION, DAMMIT!" To hell with the guy.
I dash down the dark streets, using my phone to light my way.
About to turn to the next street, I spot something unpleasant in an alleyway. I shine my phone on the figures to make sure.
Before me, a tall, older guy presses himself against a teenage girl. It definitely doesn't look like she's willing.
Sonny's P.O.V.
"Help..." I called out hopelessly. It didn't sound like my voice.
I feel something hit against my face. Did he just slap me? Tears pour down my face.
"Help! Someone, please!"
His fist is slammed into my stomach and I grab the metal duct beside me to get a hold of myself. It hurts, it fucking hurts. Squeezing my eyes shut, I fall to the ground. Another man's voice vaguely reaches my ears.
I'm tired.
I squeeze my eyes shut, mentally pleading for what I know is going to happen not to occur. I never would have imagined that this would actually happen to me.
He shoves his knee painfully between my thighs. It hurts…
His hands move quickly across my body, feeling parts of me I never wanted a stranger to touch. I feel sick, violated, and scared. What's worst, I think I've stopped resisting. Have I really given up? Is this really going to happen? Fucking move, Sonny! If you keep resisting, maybe he'll stop!
"Yo!" I hear a new voice call out. It belongs to a guy.
The hands stop moving and I open my eyes a little. A hope sparks within me. Is this guy going to help me?
"Get lost!" the one holding onto me barks. He pulls out a knife.
I look over to the newcomer. He has blond hair and a look on his face that tells me he's thinking. I beg to him with my eyes. "Help me!" they scream. He gives me a small smile in response, telling me he'll take care of it.
"Let me join," the mysterious man suggests. Wait, what?
My attacker shrugs and closes his pocket knife, slipping it back into his pocket. "Sure. The more the merrier, right?" NO!
The blond walks over to us, and I feel like I'm going to die. But then, so quickly my eyes can barely follow, he punches the guy right in the stomach, sending him stumbling backward onto the ground. He punches him in the face again and again and again.
After that, everything goes black.
Chad's P.O.V.
I inhale the smoke of my cigarette and blow it out through my nose. After I put it out in an ash tray, I examine the girl I saved, who rests in my bed. She looks like an angel, with lips the color of rose petals and small delicate hands curled against her chest. She turns onto her side in her sleep, and some of her long, silky, brunette hair falls into her face. Her eyelids open to reveal sleepy brown orbs. She rubs them.
"Good morning," I greeted.
"Good morning," she yawned.
I waited, amused, for the reaction I knew was going to come.
Suddenly, her eyes dilate. "Where the fuck am I?" Even saying foul words, her voice sounds just as angelic as she looks.
"Remember yesterday?" I stand up from my chair and walk over to her.
"Don't get near me!" she shouts. I stand still.
"Look," I sigh. "I saved you. I had and have no intent of giving you any harm."
She thinks for a second. "Ah, I remember." Her cheeks tint red. "I'm sorry..."
"Nah, don't apologize." I rest my hand in the corner of my neck.
Sonny's P.O.V.
I sit up, tucking my hair behind my ear. "So, what was yesterday? I thought you were going to, you know, and then suddenly you did that."
Pain flashes in his eyes, and I immediately regret my words.
"It's called tactic," he then answers, acting unaffected by my words.
I furrow my brows, puzzled by his words.
"He had a knife, so I couldn't fight him. But his stupidity helped enormously in me taking him down."
So he was trying to find a way to rescue me, the whole time. I look down, ashamed of ever doubting him.
He lifts my chin up with his finger. Our eyes lock and my emotions pile up inside of me. Within me is still such shame, and yet such relief.
"It's okay," he shushes me. "Everything's fine." The sight of his ocean blue eyes and his perfect chin fades when the water in my eyes gathers.
Suddenly, all of my emotions pour out of me in the form of tears. I throw myself into his arms and weep into his chest until his t-shirt absorbs all the moisture from my eyes. I feel so safe in his arms, even though I barely know anything about him.
After what feels like an hour, we part.
"You really have to get home. Your parents should be worried by now."
"I have no parents."
He gives me a look of sympathy. "I'm sorry..."
I nodded, getting out of the bed. "Thanks for everything."
"No problem," he puts his hands in his pockets.
As I put on my boats and brown coat, I look at him one more time, hoping to sometime see him again.