We avoided lunch. Dustin made a call and left one message asking her to call him back. Too much of the effort he put, you know.

Abby was seeing things in the clearing. She was still skeptical about him but realized how he responded when she actually walked away.

The second date was after two days - same place, same time. It was unsettling not telling your friends about the walk of doom in my life.

For the past two days, only three calls and two messages were from Dustin. In a way, he was helping me with my plan. Abby was done with him. She was worth more than that.

The 40 minutes long drive made my back sore. The neon light illuminating the name board, I spotted Ryder's car. One might assume he was early this time but nope. I made sure to be atleast half an hour late.

I pushed the glass door and spotted the familiar head in the seat we previously sat.

I plopped in the seat and asked for the waitress, ordering the tacos. The itchy voice came with my order. 

"Do you want any other item?", she asked without looking at me or Ryder. Was she afraid to flirt with him infront of me? I was going to tell her to entertain me by flirting with him but he wasn't my friend.

Luke was on my dial when I noticed Ryder gather his things for the so-called bathroom session. But this time I figured it out. I've been waiting for this damn bill for half an hour and the fake blonde was attending every table but mine.

Unlike Saturday night, Friday night brought more people when time passed. Like one time a group a ten people smelling like oil entered the shop and when few of them whistled and brushed past me, my whole body shuddered in disgust. 

I was able to book an Uber. I almost threw a fist in the air in excitement. The driver said he would here in fifteen minutes and I had been waiting for the bill. 

Finally, fake blonde came to my table with the bill. I snatched the bill from her and paid it with the already prepared amount. I wished for the guy behind my table, who had been playing with my hair, to slip in the toilet and break his hand, while other hand stuck in the toilet hole.

I opted for the better option, to wait outside for the cab. 

"Hermosa", a rough voice whispered in my ear. I jumped, turned around to see a guy triple my size and yellow teeth. I clutched my bag tightly. His eyes were scanning my body, where a bit a skin wasn't visible.

Before I could take a step back, he grabbed my hand. I swatted his hands from mine and gave a tight slap. The adrenaline was pumping through. I bent to grab my bag, while my phone dinged again in rush.

Uber was coming in 10 seconds. I started running to the front of the parking lot. Not even two step a hand grabbed my mouth and pulled me back. My eyes were welled in fear as I thrashed him to release me. My heart was racing and my stomach was gutted.

The tension was too much and I threw up in his hands before he pushed me to the cold marble floor.

The stench was strong and I threw up again in the toilet floor. My mind was little clear and I could hear him curse as he washed his hands fervently. He was among the mechanic guys and might be age of my father and a total monster. 

Taking  that as an opportunity I tried my way out when he was washing hands but he was quick enough. He pulled me back and pushed me against one of the stalls. His hands on my neck was tightening and he was licking his lower lips with those animalistic look. I knew what he was imagining. I could see my doom in his eyes. 

My eyes started watering and I retorted  to my best when he cupped one of breasts. It was physically paining and any movement I made he was scratching me with his ring. He was inching closer every minute.

When his eyes left my face to my breasts, I took the chance. Taking a deep breathe and kicked him in the groin as hard as I could. He recoiled in pain, saying colorful words as I scrambled my way out. 

I could see the fake blonde running towards through my teary eyes. I fell on my knees in the middle of the lot while she embraced me into a hug. She wiped the tears and tied my hair. I was barely breathing not realizing the nightmare I actually experienced.

"You are alright, honey. I am with you", she said and  I burst out for the second time. She sat with me until the red and blue light flashed in the car park. 

The cops made me into the Familiar's and never once blonde leave my hand. I answered their every question and my neck was enough for the arrest. 

I coiled back when a man's hand touched me. I met with those familiar green eyes. He was shocked and his expression morphed into a fury  as his eyes traced my neck and my shoulder. He walked out of the restaurant. He pulled the man from the police car and thrashed his face twice until blood boozed from his face. 

Police men pulled him away. He shrugged everyone out of the reach and took fast steps towards Familiar- towards me.  I didn't know how he came but I was happy he came. He was the only familiar in Familiar.

He sat infront of me, his hands on my lap and looked into my eyes. His eyes were protective like Matt whenever I told him about my worries. 

All my worries brushed past when he pulled me into a hug. Nothing about the hug felt wrong and I was scared of it. He was comforting and I was afraid of the unknown territory.

He let go of me and held my shoulders, helping me to stand. 

"Emily", he muttered.

"Ryder", I whispered back.