Chapter Eleven - Close

December has started and with it comes harsh obstacles. I flick through my planner on a cold Monday evening, my blanket and clothes doing nothing to warm me. I've just been on my laptop to see what work I need to get done before the Christmas holidays and it's a lot. As I write due dates down and the times I need to meet with my supervisor I come to the startling realization that I must reduce my work hours.

Obviously my degree is more important and I can't pretend that I can keep up with the workload with two jobs. But that means I won't have enough for rent and groceries. Stress and anxiety instantly plague me as I worry about how I'm going to survive with less pay until the holidays.

I bite my lip hard as the back of my eyes sting. Glancing around the room helplessly my eyes wander to a cardboard box sitting in a pile of other things I had brought from home when I was kicked out four years ago. Getting off the bed I make my way over to it and sit cross legged on the floor. I drag the box towards me and open it up to find years and years of memories from my childhood. Before things went downhill.

I sift through the pictures of me with my family, on holidays or just out for the day. A sad smile graces my lips as I recall the good times we had and I wish we hadn't ended up separated just because I chose a different career path. It takes me a while to realize that I'm crying when a teardrop lands on a picture I hold up. Chuckling humorlessly, I wipe it away before looking through some school stuff. I come across a card I made when I was perhaps five years old and in it I had drawn a picture of my family while writing that I love them very much on the other page.

It all becomes too much and I hastily close the box before pulling my knees to my chest. I rest my head on them as sobs escape me. I don't know why I'm crying when it's been four years and they don't care about me anymore. Why does it still hurt so much? I wonder to myself as pain blooms across my chest. We're family, blood related. Why don't they care? Why do they act like I don't mean anything to them anymore? Why couldn't they be happy for me and support me?

I let myself have a good cry before collecting myself and getting my shit together. With a heavy yet troubled sigh I walk back over to my bed and pick up my phone to text AJ and my boss at the café, Mindy. I tell them both that I need to take less shifts because of college work piling up. Mindy texts back that she understands while working with me to figure out my next shifts but AJ calls me right away.

"Listen, I'm going to pay you while –"

"No, AJ. No, I'm okay." I bite my lip hard as tears brim my eyes, waiting to fall once more.

"Zoe, this is not a time to let your pride do the talking. You didn't trust me with your personal situation for nothing. Let me help you." He insists and I hastily wipe the traitorous tear that escapes.

"I can't accept that, it's not fair." I reply hoarsely. His thoughtfulness warms my heart yet makes me cry at the same time. "I can manage, I promise."

"Kid, I'm not going to be losing money. If it bothers you then you can take extra shifts next semester to make up for it okay? Think of it as a small, temporary loan." He explains and I sigh in defeat when I realize he's not going to let this go.

"Alright, fine. Thank you AJ, you don't know how much this means to me." I sniffle as the tears continue to stream down my cheeks endlessly.

"I struggled too when I was younger, I know what you're going through Zoe. It's going to be fine, just remember that I've always got you." He replies softly and I smile.

We talk a little bit more about my assignments and how many shifts I can work. By the end of the call we end up working things out before bidding goodbye. AJ's always been there for me but I've never had to discuss my financial problems with him. I always act like I'm doing fine and have everything under control when really, I don't. This is the first time I've had to cut down on so many shifts but it's understandable since this is my final year. He's just always been able to look right through me.

My phone buzzes and snaps me out of my thoughts. I unlock it to see that AJ's already transferred me money and the amount makes my eyes widen. I know if I argue with him he's not going to listen so I accept it with the reassurance that I'll be paying him back next semester.

Then I see a text from Hunter. Hey, I swung by the cafe and didn't see you. Your boss told me you took a few days off, everything okay?

Yeah, I just need to submit a lot of work in this month before the holidays start so I can't work as much. I glance at the clock and realize he's probably finished work.

Oh, okay. Want me to come over later? We can order pizza?

I need to tell him. Don't be fucking stupid, Zoe. You're almost twenty-two, be mature about this! I take a deep breath before typing back. Can we meet tomorrow instead please? I need to get ahead on college work. I have something to tell you too.

Don't tell me you're breaking up with me, Red. I can't be that bad! He replies with a laughing emoji.

No. It's nothing like that don't worry. I type back with a smile. I just need to talk to you face to face.

Thankfully he agrees to meet for lunch tomorrow. We talk a little more and I ask him how his day went today. While he tells me about how he's landed new clients and how Cory is considering an offer from the same law firm Hunter works at, I start on one of my assignments.

But around halfway through I hear some shouting from outside. Brawls regularly happen where I live so I shrug it off and continue typing. However, it seems to get louder and like it's coming towards my direction. The shouting stops for a minute and I get off my bed before walking into the open space that is my sitting room and kitchen. But before I can peek through the window like I usually do I hear a bloodcurdling scream before hearing pounding footsteps run into my backyard. My limbs lock and I freeze in place as I hear someone follow before hearing them struggling.

As they threaten to kill each other, which I know will probably happen if nobody stops them soon, I type in the group chat me, AJ, Lia and Blade share with shaking fingers. AJ and Blade respond within seconds and tell me they're own the way. They've dealt with this many times before as they too live in the rougher parts of the city near me. The more rational idea would be to call the police but the last time I had done that I was almost killed and had to move. So, when I started renting in this neighborhood I never dared to get the cops involved whenever people would break out into fights.

They get here within minutes and I hear the tires of AJ's car screech as he parks outside. I stand on the cold wooden floor as I wait. I hear AJ and Blade yell at them before they break out into a scuffle. My body can't stop trembling even though this isn't the first time this has happened. I wait and listen for a while until I finally hear Blade and AJ drag them away from my garden.

After ten more minutes I rush to the door when I hear three knocks on my door. I open it cautiously before smiling gratefully at Blade and AJ as they make their way inside. AJ immediately starts looking for food since he's always hungry and frowns when there's barely anything.

"I'm going to do a grocery shop tomorrow." I smile sheepishly while mouthing thank you to him for earlier.

He chuckles and nods while Blade still rambles on about how stupid the two guys were. I listen to yet another story of some man owing the other a lot of cash that he spent on drugs instead. Apparently he had been evading him for weeks and the lender was furious when he caught sight of him sneaking back into the neighborhood tonight.

"Pizza, anyone?" AJ asks as he looks through the takeaway brochures on my counter.

"Sure!" Blade grins as he takes his shoes off and throws himself on the couch beside me. "Don't feel like going home and having a nice cooked meal?"

"Sarah or Susie...or whatever the hell her name was has become very clingy so the more I'm out of the house the less she'll see me." He mutters and I shake my head with a frown. "Don't be like that, Zoe. Not everyone's in a relationship like you."

I chuckle at his teasing tone as I take a seat beside Blade. "We're just seeing each other, that's all."

"He's not asked you to be his girlfriend yet? Wow, he's slow." Blade snickers and I roll my eyes when AJ joins in.

"Have you told him..." AJ trails off as he gestures to my place.

"No –"

"Zoe!" They both exclaim disapprovingly while I hold my hands up in a surrendering motion.

"I'm going to tomorrow!" I hurriedly explain which calms them down instantly as they nod in satisfaction.

"Tell me more about him." AJ demands right after he's placed an order for food.

"Ugh, no!" I groan as I cover my face with both hands.

"Yes! We hardly know anything about the guy!" Blade backs AJ with a cheeky grin.

I sigh in defeat before agreeing. They smirk at each other proudly which makes me huff. So, I proceed to tell them about me and Hunter with the occasional comment from them that either makes me laugh or glare disapprovingly.

They end up dozing off on the couches after food like usual and I drape a blanket over them with a smile. Making sure that the door is locked before turning off the lights I walk back into my room and close the door. I feel much safer knowing that AJ and Blade are right outside, especially after tonight's incident. Getting into bed after showering and changing into pajamas I look at my phone again to see a goodnight text from Hunter.

Nervousness and dread pools in the pit of my stomach as I think about telling him tomorrow. I'm sure it'll be fine, I reassure myself before wishing him goodnight. Closing my eyes I drift off into a restless sleep as I dream about everything going wrong tomorrow and losing the man that I'm slowly falling for.

Vote if you are enjoying this story!

Chapter 12 is already up on Inkitt! Click the link in my bio or announcement post to read my book faster!

1. Download the app

2. Follow my profile

3. Put my book in your reading list!

- R.W. ♡