♕Harley Anderson♕

"How the hell are they supposed to get back?" I ask Cameron as he strolls out of the house, his hands casually placed in his pockets. "Cameron!" I groan, feeling the need to smack him upside the head. It was times like these that Cameron made his presence extremely annoying and frustrating. "Cameron." I snap.

He turns around abruptly, making me bump into him and I scowl as I rub my forehead. He looks down at me with a blank look and I glare at him for having a rock hard back.

"Caleb isn't drunk. He can drive them back." He deadpans before turning around and walking further down the driveway and into the road where all the cars are parked.

"And what if he ends up drinking? Then neither of them are going to be able to get home." I counter back and Cameron shakes his head to himself, fishing his car keys out of his pockets.

"I trust Caleb will act responsible and stay away from the liquor." He says and I roll my eyes.

"You have so much hope in such party animals." I mutter to myself.

"They're both old enough to make the right decisions."

I sigh, kissing my teeth. "How am I supposed to get home? They were my ride."

Cameron shrugs one of his shoulders, making me frown in annoyance. At this point, we're both walking down the street while I trail after Cameron like a lost puppy.

"So? Catch a cab?"

I groan out loud. "I didn't bring my wallet!"

He turns around and I almost bump into him again but I stop myself before I can. I glare at the man in front of me.

"Why wouldn't you bring your wallet with you?" He asks incredulously and I roll my eyes when he stops walking and faces me.

"I thought I wouldn't need it."

"That was a dumb idea."

"No shit Sherlock."

He narrows his eyes at me and I cross my arms over my chest while I glare at him in frustration. The street light flickers on and off and I feel my nerves slowly start to increase as my heart picks up speed when I suddenly notice how dark it is. I swallow thickly and tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear in an attempt to occupy my trembling hands.

"Get in the car." He suddenly says and I look at him in confusion.

"What?"

"I'm taking you home." He clarifies, pressing a button on his car keys which makes a nearby Audi R8 unlock. I stare at the car in awe, my mouth falling agape slightly. The silver paint reflects the light of the stars and the sleek car makes my face break into an excited smile despite my previous annoyance at Cameron.

He walks around to the driver's side and opens the door before raising an eyebrow at me. "Are you okay? Or were you also smoking something?"

I close me gaping mouth and roll my eyes before walking to the passenger's side of the car. "Sweet ride." I comment before opening the door.

"Thanks." He mutters before sliding into his seat. I follow after him and once I'm seated in the leather interior, I lean my head back and breath in deeply. I wasn't expecting him to offer me a ride, because he never has, but now I'm curious as to how he even has a car like this. He steps on the gas and pulls off of the curb which makes the engine purr beneath my feet.

"That engine V10 is so amazing." I comment and Cameron glances at me briefly, his eyebrows drawn together in confusion.

"You know about engines?" He asks, almost incredulously, and I raise an eyebrow at him while I sink further into the seats of his car.

"Yeah. Why?"

He shakes his head to himself. "Just a little surprised is all."

I ignore his comment and glance outside of the window where the night sky engulfs Oregon and makes it seem like we're traveling into a vast black hole. That sets me on edge and I sit tensely on the corner of the seat.

"Can you turn the radio up, please?" I ask, wanting something to distract me from my thoughts. He does as I ask and turns the volume knob so that music plays from the speakers. However, the music that plays makes me glance at him with even more curiousity.

"You listen to Latin music?" I ask in surprise and he looks at me before turning back to the road.

"Yeah."

I lean further into the seat with raised eyebrows as the soft yet beautiful music plays from the speakers. I subtly look at Cameron and think about how he doesn't actually look American. If anything, he looks somewhat continental with his tan skin and if I'm correct in saying that it would be no shock that he listens to this kind of music.

"Are you from America?" I suddenly blurt and he purses his lips before swiping his tongue along them.

"No. I was born in Colombia." He murmurs and my eyes widen.

"Why'd you come to America?" I ask curiously and he glances at me.

"What makes you think I'm going to start telling you my life story?" He snaps coldly and I kiss my teeth in response.

"I was just asking." I mumble but he ignores my comment. He continues to sing along to the music softly and I watch as he says the words effortlessly, obviously gaining that ability from growing up in Colombia. However, since he hasn't answered my question, I'm genuinely curious as to why he left his home country to come here. While I watch him sing along, I also take note of his confidence in driving. He is casually seated in his seat with one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the gear stick and his movements are impeccably smooth. It's strange to see someone drive so effortlessly without a hint of unease.

I'm not able to pond over it much longer when Cameron pulls up outside of my apartment building. I reach for my bag and give him a small smile before opening the door. "Thanks for the ride."

He nods his head in acknowledgment and I climb out into the chilly air before walking into the building and taking the elevator up to my apartment. When I'm back inside the comfort of my four walls, I pull my pajamas on before settling into bed.

I leave my bedside lamp on before turning onto my side and wondering what my life would be like if it hadn't have worked out this way. If they hadn't left me.

But I don't allow myself to wonder too much because I'm accepted into the darkness in no time.

****

I bid my goodbyes to a few of my fellow classmates before I amble out of my lecture room and to the parking lot. When I step foot into the brightly lit parking lot, I squint from coming out of the dark lecture hall. The lush vegetation that grows along the paved pathways which lead to the heart of the college makes me think that I made a good decision coming to the College of Oregon. Not only that but the well-maintained buildings that stand tall make me feel like this is so much bigger than high school; no petty high school drama or mean girls who prance around. However, as much as I enjoy spending time here with studying literature I am also extremely relieved that it's finally spring break. With that thought in mind, I climb into my car and pull out of the parking lot before hitting the road to get to work.

After I push the doors open to the room that smells like coffee beans and the bell rings above my head, my work colleague- Allison- looks up from behind the counter top with a smile. As soon as I started college, I got a job here at Joe's Coffee Shop because I needed the money. Joe is fair to me and never puts me under pressure with work when I need to complete an assignment or go to class. However, I enjoy spending time here; it is a good distraction so work didn't bother me. Not only that but the light and airy vibe to the room along with the brown furniture and checkered details make it a good place to relax if I need to. I often came and have coffee here when I don't have a shift.

"Hey," I greet Allison as I make my way behind the counter.

"Hey Harley. How ya' doing babe?" She asks, her Southern accent tinging her words.

"No complaints and you?" I ask and she laughs, patting her stomach.

"Having a little human growing in ya' tummy sure is a'lotta work."

I snort out a laugh. "No kidding."

I pull my apron off of the rack and slip it on before pulling my hair into a ponytail while greeting a few other of my work colleagues that make an appearance. I pick up a small notepad and pad my way to the first customers to take their orders. I write it down before I hand it to Allison who orders the chef in the kitchen to make two bowls of potato soup.

I'm already taking my fourth order when I hear a loud and joyful voice coming from the kitchen and when I return to place the order to Allison, Joe steps into my view. His blue eyes light up when he sees me.

"Harley! How are you?"

I laugh at my boss's rowdy behavior, used to it by now. "I'm good and you Joe?"

He waves a hand dismissively. "Do I ever complain?"

Allison and I laugh. "E'rybody gotta complain sometimes."

"Not me!" Joe winks and I laugh. Joe is probably the nicest boss I could've gotten a job with. He's almost like the father I never had. With pepper hair, blue eyes and laughing wrinkles, he has such an easy going air around him that attracts people. It's one of the many reasons why he runs one of the most successful coffee shops in the area; people love to be in his presence.

The door rings overhead again and when a family take their seats, I attend to them as I am hired to do. I flash the couple and their son a polite smile however, none of them return the gesture and I internally sigh.

Rude customers were the only horrible thing about this job.

"What can I get you all today?" I ask politely.

"I'll have a tomato and cheese grilled sand-" The man begins, only to be cut off by the sound of glass smashing. He abruptly snaps his head to his young son who is eyeing the broken salt bottle on the floor in fear. My lips twitch to break into a smile at the boy's cuteness. He only looks about four years old and his mushroom cut hair makes him even cuter.

"Don't worry ab-" I start to reassure the family but am rudely cut off from the man.

"Jonathan!" The father roars so loud that all the customers look in our direction. I flinch at his loud voice, my smile dropping, and the young boy cowers into his seat.

"When are you going to learn to stop being so fucking clumsy? Damn you and your lanky limbs!" The man shouts, his face red with rage while his wife sits quietly and tense opposite him.

"I'm sorry dwad-"

"No! Sorry isn't good enough!"

I open my mouth to intervene when a slap resonates around the room. I don't register what happens at first but when I see the red mark on the boy's cheek and his glossy eyes, I freeze in my spot and feel my breathing quicken while my throat closes up. When Joe appears by my side to let the man know that they're disrupting his customers, I slip away and walk hastily to the bathroom and lock myself in a cubicle. I lean my back against it and try to steady my breathing while my heart beats erratically and the hair on the nape of my neck stands up in fear. When I open my eyes, it's unfocused and I close them again, ignoring my stomach that is swirling uncomfortably.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

I sit down on the toilet seat and put my head between my knees while I try and push horrible memories away. I can't afford to have a full on anxiety attack at work. I remind myself that whoever I'm scared of is not here and won't be returning anytime soon. I remind myself that I'm thinking irrationally and that I'm not in danger.

I keep repeating the same things in my head, over and over, in an attempt to calm down which seems to take forever.

After I manage to steady my breathing, I sit up with a sigh and bring a trembling hand to hold my head as I lean into my hands.

How can a human be so cruel to hurt a child like that? No child deserves to be treated that way; to be belittled, tormented and hurt. Parents are supposed to show love and adoration. Not hatred and animosity.

No child deserves that.

Not a single one on this planet.

•••

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