"Hey, mom? I gotta go now, okay?"
"Did you eat breakfast, sweetie?" she shouted back at me from the garden. My mother is a huge fan of flowers so our house basically looks like a florist's home.
"Nah, I'm good. I'll just eat at school."
"Take care, sweetheart!"
I grabbed my backpack and wore my Penny loafer shoes. I am extra early today. I don't know, I guess I'm just a little excited, knowing my life is in danger.
It's a walking distance to school. I went out of the neighborhood, looking around. Who knows if someone is watching every move of mine? I still don't trust the security in this cul-de-sac.
I need a new camera. The guy who took my wallet also took my camera. They've got my evidences. At least, I'm still alive. But what's the point of it anyway if I'm being threaten? I just have a really bad feeling about it. Maybe we should call the cops. If it's for the better, then I'll convince him. Why don't I know his name? Argh, Claire, you're impossible! And he keeps on calling me Iris. That boy!
When I reached the campus gate, I ran towards the main building. Where can I find him? I don't know anything about him!
"Ohh, watch out!" I almost landed on the ground when I bumped onto someone. I looked up to see the guy who's been helping me to stand up. He's got him one arm wrapped around a skateboard.
"Iris?" I rolled my eyes. He's the only one who calls me on my second name.
"Noah, you know her?" His friend smiled at me, scanning my entire existence from head to toe.
So, Noah? That's his name? It doesn't suit him. Noah's a good boy's name.
"It's her I was talking about." Noah replied to his friend.
"Oh, the trouble maker!" I heard them laughing.
Dude! I am literally standing here in front of them and they were laughing at me!
"Hi, I'm Claire." I smiled with my eyes.
"Hey there, Claire. I'm Hans. You single?"
That was smooth... and unpredictable. I acted like he was just joking. I think he was.
"Stop it, dude! Iris is off limits." Noah pushed his friend and crossed his arms.
"Iris? You have a pet name for her? That's wild," Hans smirked but Noah just shrugged off.
I began to walk away. My tummy is rumbling and I cannot afford to wait a minute longer.
"Where you headed?" Noah called so I motioned my finger to the cafè.
"Wait up!"
The two boys are walking behind me, talking about things I obviously couldn't hear. I swear to God, they're experts in talking in secrets.
"Mind if you guys tell me what's going on? What are you talking about?"
Noah shushed me, "Not for a lady."
When we reached the shop, I stood in line and ordered. Noah followed me around while his friend sat down in front of a circular table with a lacey umbrella for cover. This is a small and cozy stall where they sell baked goods and hot drinks.
"You didn't eat?" he asked me while I was paying.
"Nope, I was in a hurry."
I took my cookies and warm milk and headed on the table. "Aren't you guys gonna eat something?"
"Don't mind us," Noah answered.
"Yeah, big boys don't like a little snack." Hans chuckled.
They are just watching me take a small messy bite from the cookie... which was awkward. Darn. I put down my food and pursed my lips. Noah might have felt my embarrassment so he started talking.
"So, Hans knew someone who could help us." Noah opened the topic.
"Uhm, actually, about that, Noah... I've decided. We should tell the cops. I don't care if that push their limits and do something terrible. Telling the cops is the best thing that I could do."
"Hold on. Do you even hear yourself? They won't believe us! And you'll be in more danger, especially your family!"
"We'll try! At least... I could do something helpful."
"No, that's basically a suicide. Believe me. Cops are not—"
"You weren't the one who got harrased!" My voice wasn't loud but it sounded mad.
"Listen to the girl, Noah. Let her." Hans agreed and smiled.
"Fine! Right after class, we'll go to the station." he finally surrendered.
"You're the boss, Claire."
"Shut up, she's not making sense. Bet the cops won't even buy our story. I mean, look at me, I'm pretty sure they know my bad record." Noah smirked.
"Stop the gambling, will you, Noah?" his friend commented.
"Yeah, make a change." I agreed which made him quiet.
"Oh, I will, Iris. I'll drop the fuck out of this fucking school." he said with an emphasis.
"You really are serious about dropping out, aren't you?"
"You're not gonna make me change my mind, miss."
"And you're not seeing my point here, Noah!"
"Okay, alright. Stop the fight, love birds." Hans interrupted and stood up.
He must have hated the loud voices, wrinkled foreheads, and glaring eyes between me and Noah.
I took my cookies away and headed out. None of them talked back. I ran in my department building. Good thing is we go to the different building. I've always been in Class A. I don't know about them but I think they're in the lowest section. Poor thing.
I went to class and spent the day without my mind. I couldn't wait for this subject to end.
Noah said we'll go to the police station after class. I plan on going alone now. When the school bell rang, I stood up and grabbed my bag. I was the first one who got out the door. And to my surprise, Noah was outside our room, standing, just waiting.
I pretended I did not see him and continued walking. "What the hell, you don't know me?" he ran up to me and chuckled, touching my shoulder.
"Nah, you don't want my plan, right?"
"I told you we'll go. Stop sulking."
"But you think it's a bad idea." I faced him, looking angry.
"It is. But what can I do, you're the fucking boss here." I grinned and walked away. He was just following me.
"Where's Hans?"
"He's not around."
"So we're alone? Again?"
"Oh, so you don't want my presence? Why, babygirl?"
Holy shit. I felt my blood rushed up on my gentle cheeks.
"S-shut up, Noah." the only thing I managed to say.
I heard him chuckled. I can hear him winning in his smile. Stupid boy.
---
"So, you're here to report a case?" The police officer put down his cup of coffee and took a sheet of paper.
He's a middle aged man. His nameplate says Chief
I was trying hard not to roll my eyes. God damn, we've been here for over half an hour and we seemed to be invisible.
"Yes, I've told you over and over, officer, I was harassed! I saw them abusing girls— forcing them to do drugs! I took an evidence but the man took my camera. And now he's got his eyes on me."
"Woah, slow down, kiddo. Where exactly this event happened?" The police man doesn't even look intrigued.
"It was around 10 pm, Castle District."
"And you were with this young man?"
"No, no. I was alone. You were not listening to me." I said, frustrated.
"Right. And what exactly are you doing in Castle District? That is a dangerous place, don't you know that, miss?"
"I was in the printing house. But that doesn't matter! All I'm saying is that those men are evil and they are probably still lurking around town, victimizing defenseless people!"
"Are you taking nasty stuff? Are you high? This is a small town. The chances of that scenario you were talking about is less than zero. I've been an officer for almost 15 years and do you know the craziest thing that ever happened here? An accident of a little boy in a carnival. What do you want me to do? Suspect every men in this town to capture the bad men you were talking about? That's impossible!" Chief Argento shook his head. He was getting attention from the other police officers.
"Let it go, Iris. It's no use." Noah whispered and grabbed my hand.
"You, boy, what do you know about those men? And what are doing with this young lady?" He asked Noah, and took a bite from his donut while putting his feet up the desk.
"Hold on, you look familiar. Do you have a record here or something?" The police pointed at him and laughed.
"He looks like every other troublemaker out there." The other officer retorted.
"Let's go. They're nuts." I said and hold his arm. Noah looked so mad and broken.
"What did you say miss? I heard you! You expect me to believe your stupid story with that attitude?"
We stormed out the station with our veins popping out of our heads. That was the most humiliating moment of my life!
"Noah..." I couldn't help but to burst into tears. He rested my head on his chest and caressed my hair.
"You were right. I should have listened to you." I managed to speak, my voice is weak.
"At least you tried. We'll do this together, alright? I'm here."
I sobbed even harder when he comforted me.
"You're a good friend, Noah."
"Now, now. Let's drop you home." He was serious and gentle. Somehow different from the usual Noah.
It's almost dark. We were just quiet while walking under the street lamps. Our paces are synchronized. We're at the arc of the Cherry Lane already. I'm almost home.
"I think they wouldn't be able to find you here. This neighborhood is safe." He looks around the big houses and the green lawns.
"I really hope so.."
"Blue house, big windows, right?" He asked, confirming.
"Well, here we are."
I nodded and stopped walking. "Draw your curtains down. And always lock your windows." he reminded, looking around the neighborhood. He looks a little unsettled.
"I thought you said it's safe?"
"Lean in closer." He instructed. I'm starting to feel nervous. "Are your parents home tonight?"
"Only my mom."
"I'll spend the night here." Noah demanded and looked up my window.
"But why? And how are you gonna get in? My mom will kill you!"
"In your window. I'll climb."
"You're crazy, Noah." I smiled and walked right into the front porch. I tiptoed all the way in the house and made no sound.
When I reached my bedroom, I opened the window and waited for Noah to come up. He climbed a little ways up the tree and landed on the veranda.
"I swear, if my mom—"
"Sshh, close the window. Lock it!" Noah said right after he get in my room.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just wanna spend the night with you."
"Are you kidding me?!"
"Nah, forget it." He showed me his Don't-argue-with-me-look