"Ehm, I think we should go inside now" Drake pointed out.

We were sitting in the car for a couple of minutes longer, than we should. I stopped him from stepping outside. The one who 'followed' us, actually followed us. I was right from the beginning on. Looking back, I made sure, if someone's about to leave the car. He parked a few meters away from us, still not leaving the car. I was getting more and more uncomfortable with every passing minute. I tried to make out who the one, following us could be, but the car has black windows, not giving me the chance to look inside. At first, I had a feeling, it could've be someone I know. But that thought vanished fast. It couldn't be one of those that I know, No,

It's someone from Drake's side!

"Hey Holly, is everything okay?" Drake asked me, touching me by my shoulder. I nodded and immediately stepped out of the car. Being touched by him makes me feel weird... I want to go back home. I have a bad feeling, a really bad feeling about all of this!

We went inside and a wonderful smell of delicious food met my nose. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath in. The sound of many people talking and the sound of dishes made me feel a bit more at ease. It's the first time, for me being a guest in a restaurant. I mean, I worked as a  employee in a gastronomy, but it definitely feels different to be a guest in a restaurant. I can't explain what exactly it is, but it's like two different worlds in one room!

We went to a table next to a window. Drake behaved like a gentleman and pushed a chair back, giving me the sign to sit there. The table was covered with fancy decorations in white and gold. Even the napkin looked fancy! Looking at Drake, I immediately felt bad. He's a pretty decent guy. Instead of Dwayne, he behaves nice to me and did nothing wrong to me. No, Drake didn't do anything wrong, yet...
I feel uncomfortable next to him.

I was searching for distance, my heart was searching for distance. We've been spending time for about 20 minutes now, but still, It's enough for me to quit this date thing and go back home.

Holly what if  he didn't do anything wrong and you are dramatizing everything?

Dramatizing? Oh good Lord stop thinking bullshit! Well, maybe I'm really dramatizing everything and it's not like what it seems like! But my feelings can't just make these things out. There has to be someone or something...
Suddenly, I remembered what he told me the day I runned away from home:

Throwback:

"Drake why are you a Taxi driver, I thought you were good at School?"

Drake was one of my classmates who wanted to be my partner in every School project we had.I was kinda grateful, that I always didn't had to look for a partner. We never had a real friendship like hanging out or so, not even in the breaks. It was just the School project and our grades which we had to keep up as high as we could, that's it.

"Yeah, after High School I made a lot of dumb things so now, I'm here. What's up with you?"

Throwback ends.

Yes, I was grateful, I didn't had to look for a partner. And I'm still thankful for that till today. I admit,  I wanted to be friends with him. I mean, he was the only one who talked to me (well, only in our school projects) and I felt comfortable next to him back then. But today...
I'm uncomfortable and I don't even want him to bring me back to Dereck's home. And knowing, he did a lot of dumb things makes me feel more uncomfortable than I should be.

A hidden deep voice inside me was asking several questions like, if he's a part of a Mafia. Shaking my head to get that thought off my head, I looked back at Drake. I really should stop watching some crazy movies with Hans and Dereck.

"Holly are you really okay? You're looking uncomfortable." Drake asked. My full attention was back on Drake who was staring at me with confusion, but then smiled in order to not make things more awkward. I wanted to tell him, I was okay, but I don't wanted to. The Holly I know doesn't lies in order to not show how uncomfortable she really was. Everyone has to hear the truth. Even if it's hard to face the reality. I had to face the truth that day, when I helped a woman in order to not get raped. At the end she runned away and leaved me alone in the dark. I don't want to think about what would've happened if the policeman would be a couple of minutes late...
Looking up at him expressionless, I saw him smiling shyly at me. But his smile immediately faded after he saw my expression.

"I-" I was cuttet off by an olderly lady.

"Do you two lovebirds want to order something" a second later, Drake coughed and I still stayed expressionless.

"I'm taking the same thing he takes" I told her and pointed at Drake. Drake told a number from the menu and the waitress went back to the Kitchen.

I should wait for a better moment to tell him-

"You're still the same. Silent, not showing much at all. I was shocked that I saw some emotions yesterday, but today, you're back to the old one..." he trailed off "It reminds me the first day, I decided to be your school project partner"

Throwback:

My classmates's voices resounded through my head. The teacher said it's time to pick up a partner for a school project. I turned around and saw how everyone was pointing at their friends and are laughing because of somewhat reason, I couldn't and don't wanted to understand. I turned around back to my teacher. I'm sitting alone on my table right in front of her. She never made any signs of picking up a partner for me. Does she know?
Maybe not, but it could be possible. I turned back around for the second time and looked at the class. Tables were moved and girls were giving hugs to each other.

'It's just a school project guys, it's not the end of the world.'

"Every group of two has to pick up a country which is listed on the blackboard. You have two minutes of time to discuss, which one you want" Mrs. Anderson said.

In this school, none of the teachers I was with, talked to me. But they talked to the other students. She was giving me proven signs that she knows everything.... she knows. What a wonderful world I live in. Even adults can't be good adults. This is nothing I should ever be thinking about, but I am. Thanks to my wonderful parents! Adults have to pick the right side, not the one everyone picks! Yet all of them decides to not have anything to do with me. I looked to the Blackboard.

'Germany sounds interesting or maybe the Phillipines?' I thought to myself.

I looked back to Mrs. Anderson. I've heard that Mrs. Primrose is one of the nicest teachers in this school. Will I ever be able to be in one of her lessons? I wonder what subjects she's teaching in... Math? PE?

"Okay the time is up. Let's begin with you James" Mrs. Anderson said smiling. James plays around with a lot of girls. I've heard some gossips in the girl's restroom. So far I know, he's one of those 'cool' boys out here. And I don't see any reason to be attracted by that fake smile of him! The selections about each countries were getting smaller on the blackboard. Nobody was choosing Germany and the Phillipines.

Seems like I am able to choose the one I want this time-

"Phillipines. We want the Phillipines" Alexis said laughing together with her partner.

Then, only Germany is left. This is my chance.
Looking to my left I saw Drake being the next one to choose. Surprisingly he looked to me and then back to the teacher. He repeated that for 2-3 times and then spoke up.

"Germany-" he trailed off. Wow, lucky me. Now I'm left with Scotland! I don't have anything against Scotland, but I really hoped to do something new. Sorry Scotland, but I had you as a topic last week in our English lesson.

"And my partner for that will be Holly" Drake said, earning my full attention.

Me? Me as his partner?!I pinched myself in order to be sure for not having a dream.

"That would be nice. Holly, go sit next to him" Mrs. Anderson said. I don't know what came upon me right now, but I didn't sounded like myself at all.
"He can come and sit next to me. He's the one who wants something from me, not me" I said in a monotone. 'Gosh, I should've be more careful with what I said' I thought and facepalmed myself.

Completely Silence. Everyone's attention is at me. I turned back to Drake's side who smiled widely at me. 'Is he completely dumb?!' I've just said something really dramatically dumb without wanting it and he is smiling widely...
Smiling..., he was smiling and I was giving him a small smile too, without knowing it.
I didn't even knew, I had muscles for smiling!
He packed his things and moved his table next to mine. He was still smiling and my smile was turning into a more awkward one.

"All of you have one week to finish your project. Next week, all of you have to present your work in front of the class. Are there some questions about that?"

"Noo" the whole class said.

"Good. You can start now"

Throwback ends.

"I'm sorry for saying something coldly after you decided to be my partner"

"What? Nonono, I loved that reaction! Actually I expected you to say something like that" Drake laughed shyly.

..........

Two hours have passed by and we already ate our food. Drake ordered a pizza menu with salat and a ice cream dessert. The time passed by really fast and I pushed the thought of telling him about my uncomfortableness away. We talked about our school days and how our jobs were like. Later on, Drake paid for the food and we leaved the restaurant.

Outside, cold breeze met my bare skin, which was not covered in my oversized T-shirt.

"You stayed loyal to your style" Drake said pointing at my oversized T-shirt and jeans.

"I feel more comfortable in them" We were now a few steps away from Drakes car. Every step reminded me of something. Something I forgot, but shouldn't. The moment Drake opened the cardoor for me, my gaze went to the spot where the car with the black windows were. And it was still standing at the same spot... This shouldn't bother me at all.
'Everything is okay and Drake is a nice guy, that's it' I told myself.

"Holly Beckett? I-Is that you?" A male voice asked behind me.

____________________________

Hey Lovelies,

this week has been an up and down for me! I hope your week was better than mine! After all, I really hope you liked this chapter and enjoyed the time reading it!

Have a lovely day

Hati.