A week had passed. We found a new school for Nour. Nour was happier than I've ever seen her, she liked the new school and didn't have any trouble fitting in. As for me, the week passed in a blur, I pulled all sorts of odd jobs. I haven't found an actual job, but we were scraping by, I had enough saved up for a couple more months.
Sitting down on the bed, I open my drawer, inspecting my paint tubes. I've run out of almost every color. Looking out of the window, I realize it's barley noon. Taking advantage of Nour's absence, I decide to visit the crafts shop at the end of the street. After pulling on some clothes, I walk down the street, swiftly reaching the store. Walking inside, I hear the ringing of the bell above my head. The man behind the counter notices me and waves me over.
"Back so soon?" He asks.
"Yeah, I ran out of paint." I answer. Noah was the owner, an old man that had nothing left but his shop.
"Sure thing, Sam." Turning back to whatever he was doing before I entered, he says, "If you need anything, just holler."
I walk around the shop for a while, searching for the paint I wanted. I settle on a few bottles before going back to the counter. Putting the paint on the counter, I watch as Noah's shaking hands bag the paint.
"How much do I owe you?"
He looks at me for a moment before saying, "This one is on me."
"But-"
"It's fine. Really. Think of it as a thank you." He smiles kindly.
"For what?"
"For coming to my shop."
I look at him confused, before taking the bag from his outstretched hands. Thanking him, I turn to leave.
"Come back soon, Sam."
"I will. Thanks again."
Walking out of the shop, I cross the road to make my way to the apartment. Back at the apartment, I place the paint neatly on my bedroom drawer, before pulling out my brushes and painting pallet. I settle on a high stool, my pallet and brush in hand, before starting on a blank part of the walls. My hand flows over the wall, and before long, I had drawn the first part of a flower. As I set to color it, smudges of paint cover my arms and clothes. After a few hours, as I put on the last details, I stand off the chair, inspecting my work. Going over to my paint, I quickly arrange the bottles in the drawer. My hands brush past the paper Brain had given me, looking at it for a moment, I place it back under the paint. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't throw it away. Closing the drawer, I go to freshen up in the bathroom, not forgetting to take off the blue lens, and put on green ones instead.
Locking the apartment's door behind me, I leave for Nour's school. The school was a bit further than the one she attended earlier, so it took more time to reach. About twenty minutes later, I hop off of my motorcycle. I had painted it a dark red, a color massively different from the sleek black it originally was. I realize that I've come a bit later than usual, most of the kids were already with their parents. Looking around, I don't spot Nour anywhere. Waiting a few more minutes, I still don't see her. This wasn't normal, Nour was usually out by now. Going into the school, I walk to Nour's class, seeing a teacher inside the class.
"Umm…excuse me."
She looks up startled, she hadn't noticed me entering, "Yes?"
"Do you know where Nour is?" I ask, keeping my panic from showing.
"Oh, she left."
"Left?"
"Yes. She said she was walking home." I don't remember her saying that to me, and if she had, I would've refused. It wasn't safe for her.
"You just let her go?" I ask, anger seeping through my words.
"Well, yes." The teacher is obviously nervous at this point, realizing her mistake. She tries to come up with an excuse. "She-"
Not wasting any time, I run through the corridors, before reaching my motorcycle. Turning on the engine, I speed down the streets, people on either side of the road stare at the cause of noise. She shouldn't have gotten too far. It wasn't like I was that late. Keeping my panic at bay, I search the streets for any sign of her, only to find nothing. Going even faster, I stop the motorcycle beside the building before racing up the stairs, hoping she's going to be at the apartment's door. She isn't.
My hands tremble as I try to push open the door, she shouldn't be gone. They weren't supposed to find us. They were supposed to leave us alone. I had failed her, just like I had failed mom. Pulling a gun I had taped to the underside of the couch, I keep it aimed in front of me. Looking through the rooms for any sign of an intruder, I find nothing. Nothing at all. Holding back a scream, I slam the door behind me, going down the stairs, thinking of a place Nour would go to, I couldn't think of anything. Unless…unless she was where I thought she was.
Climbing up the stairs again, I rummage through the drawer for the little piece of paper I hid. I curse as I realize I have no phone on me, running down to the nearest phone booth, I enter the number scribbled on the paper, barely able to wait the few seconds it takes to ring. I wait a few moments, only to hear the recorded message.
"The person you are trying to reach is not available, please try again later."
Cursing, I enter the number again, only to get the same answer. Shoving the phone back into its place, I exit the phone booth, knowing there was only one solution. I had to go there myself.
Driving my motorcycle there, I was cautious. Passing through the same area they once chased after me was not a good idea, but it was the only one. Pushing myself to get there even faster, I try to keep the doubts away from my thoughts, but I can't. What if she isn't there? What if they took her? What would I do?
God, if I find her, I'm going to kill her.
Reaching the house, I jump off the motorcycle, and run up to the door, knocking forcefully. A few seconds later, I rap harder. It isn't too long after that the door opens, a dazed-looking Brian standing behind the door. His eyes open wide he sees me.
"Is she here?" I blurt out, not giving him time to ask anything.
"What are you doing here?" He doesn't answer my question.
"I can't find Nour. I thought she might be here." I hurriedly answer. If she wasn't here, then I had to go look for her elsewhere. There was no time to waste
"She's lost?"
"She isn't here, is she?" My panic was giving way to hopelessness. I couldn't bear to lose her. I would never forgive myself if I did.
"No, she isn't." His voice is tinged with worry. "Give me a second to get dressed.
"I can't." I can hear my own despair in my voice. "She might not have another second."
I turn around, already running to my motorcycle. If she wasn't here then where was she. Thinking about that, angered me further, if he lay one finger on her, he's dead. As I sit on the motorcycle, Brian calls my name in the distance.
"Wait. Wait!"
"What?" I turn on the engine, ready to drive away.
"She's with Dom. They're at the shop."
I'm filled with relief, soon followed by anger. She knew we had to stay cautious, and yet she went to the shop as if nothing mattered.
"She is so dead."
"I figured. Want me to drive you there?"
I look at Brian, before nodding at my motorcycle.
"I can't just leave my motorcycle here."
"We can keep it in the garage." He stops for a moment. "Can I have a look at it later?"
I hesitate, but then remember Nour. "Later. Let's go."
After keeping the motorcycle in the garage, I follow Brian to his car. It was a Supra, painted orange. He sped out of the garage, driving to the shop.
"Did Dom tell Nour he's calling you?"
"No." He gazes out of the window, before turning to face me. "What are you gonna do with her?"
"She is so grounded. For life."
"She the only one you got left?" He asks after a minute of silence.
I'm surprised by the question, but I'm even more surprised when I answer with a whisper. "Yeah. I can't lose her."
He looks at me for a moment, before looking ahead of him.
"That's the motorcycle you said was yours?"
"Yeah."
"Nice paint job. The engine as good?"
"Of course. I modified it, got the rpm real high."
He smiles a bit before asking, "Found a new job?"
I shake my head. I haven't found any openings.
"Great."
"Great?" I repeat. I was not expecting a 'great'.
"Just let me talk to Dom, then I'll tell you what I mean."
I don't get the chance to answer. We had already arrived. Opening the door, I get out of the car. Brian does the same, while looking amused.
"What're your smirking at?"
Shaking his head, he gestures towards the door. I look at Nour taking animatedly with Mia, who's standing behind the counter. My heart is filled with relief when I see her, but the relief is accompanied with anger. Pushing open the door, I step inside the cafe. Nour is still absorbed in her conversation; not even turning at the sound of the door closing. Dom looks from his spot in the tiny office, eyebrows raised at my stance.
"Oh, I didn't know I had to pick you up from here." At the sound of my voice, Nour turns around so fast, it's a wonder she didn't send her head flying. She looked like a deer caught in headlights. Her eyes widen, as she stutters out an excuse.
"Tessa-I-you-" She looks around hoping for some help. Mia just avoids her gaze, while Brian leaves for Dom. Dom stays in his chair, watching the scene unfold behind the glass.
"Enough." My voice is calm, but Nour knows better. "You're grounded."
"But-"
"No buts, Nour. What don't you understand? Do you want to end up dead like m-her?" I choke on the last word. I haven't said it in too long.
"I just-"
"Don't. I'm done talking. We're going." I don't give her a chance to say a thing. I was too mad to listen.
She looks at me pleadingly before sighing, "Fine, can I at least go talk to Brian?"
For a second, I think of refusing, but then give her a stiff nod. Running, she disappears into Dom's office. Mia soon comes to stand beside me, "Can't you guys come over sometimes?"
"I don't think so." Coming here would be like putting them in danger. I wasn't about to do that to another person.
"She really didn't mean to. She thought you wouldn't let her come." She explains.
She opens her mouth to speak again, but Brian is gesturing excitedly at me, beckoning me to him. Nour leaves the office, exchanging a secret smile with Mia. Giving Nour a warning glance, I go into the office.
"What is it?" I ask.
"Dom, would you like to do the honors?"
Directing my gaze at Dom, I wait as he answers.
"I'm offering you a job." Well, I wasn't expecting that. At all.
"Here?"
"'Course not. He's offering you a job at the garage." Brain cuts in.
"Really?" I keep the excitement out of my voice. Not only can I have a job, but I might work on cars.
"Yes. I have to see your work first." Dom answers.
"Her motorcycle is back at the house. You can take a look at it. Right, Tessa?"
"Sure. Why not?"
Don nods, "I'll take a look at it now. We're closing up anyways."
"Okay." Brian says. "You and Nour can ride with me." He leaves, closing the door behind him.
I turn to meet Dom's gaze, "Thanks."
"Don't thank me before you get the job." Dom was not easy. I would've been okay with a simple answer.
"I'll meet you back at the house." I walk away, Nour and Brian are already in the car. I call out a bye to Mia before getting in.
"Tessa-"
"I don't want to hear it." I honestly wasn't ready to talk to her.
She shrinks back in her seat, and keeps quiet for the rest of the ride.
"What did Dom say?" Brian asks, trying to ease the tension.
"He said I shouldn't thank him before getting the job."
Brain snorts, "Of course he did."
"You got a nice ride. Why orange though?"
He looks offended, "Are you calling my car ugly?"
"No, I just don't like orange. The paint job is pretty good."
"Jesse did it."
Stopping the car, we all get out, Jesse is pacing the porch. Nour is already halfway to him, when he realizes it's her. He doesn't have time to brace himself for the impact. Grunting, he hugs her back, seeming a bit surprised. He waves at me, and I wave back. Walking over, he speaks, "Wasn't expecting to see you again"
I chuckle humorlessly, "Me neither."
"What-"
A car stops, Dom and Mia step out. Mia goes into the house to join the other, while Jesse stays beside me.
"Let's see it."
"See what?" Jesse asks.
"See if she gets the job." Dom answers.
I'd like to thank Lloryn for reviewing. I hope you like this chapter. And, I'd love to know what you guys think.
