Chapter 293: Funny
"You guys really called it quits, huh?" a classmate blurted out, all dramatic and stuff, looking super bummed.
I waved it off, "Hold up, we were never a thing. No breakup, no drama. We were just classmates and neighbors, that's it. So, seriously, quit joking about us."
The classmates laughed awkwardly, trying to smooth over the cringe moment.
Hearing my words, Daniel's hand, which was resting on the table, suddenly clenched, and his chill vibe turned icy.
Everyone quickly switched topics, but Daniel's face stayed serious.
After the wedding shindig, the old crew, catching up after ages, weren't ready to call it a night and decided to hit up karaoke.
I wasn't feeling the whole party scene, plus it was pushing 9 PM, kinda late. Brad had already texted, asking when it’d wrap up so he could swing by and pick me up.
I politely said I had other plans and told them to have fun, but they weren't having it and practically dragged me into a cab.
I had no choice but to text Brad, telling him it’d be a bit later and not to worry. He replied with a selfie, looking all sad and stuff.
We wrapped up karaoke around 11 PM. Everyone kept reminding each other to stay in touch before heading out.
I had texted Brad ahead of time. The karaoke spot was kinda far from home, so Brad would take a bit to get there.
I was rocking a short-sleeved long dress, which was comfy during the day but kinda chilly at night, especially with the wind picking up. I rubbed my arms and kept looking out for Brad.
Suddenly, I felt something warm around me. A jacket with a tobacco smell was draped over my shoulders.
I didn't need to look to know who it was.
As the unfamiliar scent hit my nose, every hair on my body stood up, filled with disgust and resistance.
My brain was on high alert as Daniel approached. I instinctively pinched the jacket with two fingers to toss it away, and snapped, "Take it away, I don't need it."
Only after speaking did I realize the impatience and disdain in my voice, and my actions slowed down a bit.
I turned around quickly and saw Daniel's hands, still in mid-air from draping the jacket, frozen.
He caught the jacket I threw back at him and forced a smile. "Jane, I just didn't want you to catch a cold, that's all. Why are you so guarded against me?"
Why was I so guarded against you? Did you really not know?
He messed up, apologized, begged for forgiveness, then hurt me again and again, each time worse than the last.
"I appreciate it, but I don't need it. Nothing would make me happier than you staying away from me."
Daniel took a step forward with a bitter smile, holding the jacket by the shoulders, and tried to drape it over me again. "Okay, if you put it on, I'll step back."
The events of that night when the power went out suddenly surged from the depths of my memory: the endless darkness, the heavy breathing, the cold and sticky kisses. Each one eroded my sanity and spirit like a venomous snake.
Fear hit me like a freight train. My vision went dark, and I started shaking all over, my legs feeling like jelly, ready to give out.
Daniel didn’t catch on to my freak-out and kept staring at the jacket in his hands with this sad, self-deprecating smile. "Don't be scared, it's just cold out. I really don't want you catching a cold. Medicine's expensive, you know?"
Medicine!?
The heavy rain, the car crash, the endless skid marks, Daniel lying on the ground covered in blood, the rain mixing with it, spreading everywhere.
My vision blurred, and my body trembled.
Hadn't it all passed? Wasn't everything supposed to be normal now? Why did he have to bring it up again, why did he always have to torture me, even unintentionally!
I squatted down helplessly, hugging myself. A voice in my head kept saying not to listen, not to think, that it was all over, that it was nothing. But the fear and nausea kept rising, making me dizzy, and the ringing in my ears felt like it was going to burst my eardrums.
"Jane, what's wrong?" Daniel finally noticed something was off, his voice tinged with fear, and he tried to come over and hold me.
I didn't know what I looked like at that moment, but since Daniel was so panicked, I must have been terrifying.
"Daniel!" A sharp female voice cut through the silent night, heavy with sobs.
My mind cleared for a second from the shock of the voice, and I looked up to see Zoe's angry, terrifying face not far ahead.
The mixed scent of oranges and tobacco got closer. Daniel's hand was less than a foot from my shoulder.
"Get away, don't touch me." I hugged my head with my hands and stood up to run.
A single brief, shrill scream was followed by a flurry of footsteps and the dull sound of something hitting each other, occasionally mixed with painful groans.
"Relax, baby, sorry I'm late." Brad's voice was gentle and full of pity in my ear.
Then, I was wrapped in a pair of strong arms, surrounded by the familiar scent of pine.
My whole body instantly calmed down.
Turns out, after everything, Daniel had become a dark shadow in my life.
Even if Daniel really just wanted to help me, I couldn't accept it right now.
The past hurt was too deep.
I hugged Brad back, burying my face in his chest, my tears soaking his shirt.
I was still as useless as ever, only knowing how to cry when things happened.
"Don't be afraid, it's okay now. Can we go? How about I carry you?" Brad asked softly, his strong hand gently caressing my hair, gradually making me feel at ease.
I slowly opened my eyes.
I saw Daniel being held by Zoe, his light-colored suit covered in dark stains. One side of his forehead was bleeding, the thin stream of blood running down his face, making him look like a sinister ghost in the dark.
Carrying me into the car, Brad helped me buckle the seatbelt, then walked around to the other side to get in, and started the car. Zoe's voice sounded from behind, "Jane, I won't let you off."
In the rearview mirror, Daniel was being helped up by Zoe. He kept pushing away her hands trying to wipe his blood, his eyes stubbornly fixed on the direction we were leaving.
Did I see it wrong? His eyes were full of sorrow.
How ridiculous!
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