CHAPTER 1- AVA
There were worse things than being stranded in the middle of nowhere during a rainstorm .
For example, I could be running from a rabid bear intent on mauling me into the next century. or i could be tried to a chair in a dark basement and forced to listen to Aqua's " Barbie Girl" on repeat until I'd rather gnaw off my arm than hear the song's eponymous phrase again
But just because things could be worse didn't mean they didn't suck .
AVA CHEN
*Stop. Think positive thoughts *
AVA CHEN
A car will show up now
I stared at my phone, biting back my frustration when the app reassured me it was
the way it had been for the past half hour.
Normally, I'd be less stressed about the situation because hey , at least I had a working phone and a bus shelter to keep me mostly dry from the pounding rain. But Josh's farewell party was staring in an hour, I had yet to pick up his surprise cake from the backery, and it would be dark soon. I may be a glass half full kinda gal, but I wasn't an angle idiot. No one -- especially not a college girl with zero fighting skills to speak of-- wants to find herself alone in the middle of nowhere after dark
I should've taken those self-defense classes with Jules like she wanted
I mentally scrolled through my limited options. The bus that stopped at this location didn't run on the weekends, and most of my friends didn't own a car. Bridget had car service, but she was at an embassy event until seven. My rideshare app wasn't working and I hadn't seen a single car pass by since the rain started. Not that I would hitchhike, anyway -- I've watched horror movies, thankyou very much
I only had one option left --one I really didn't want to take but beggars couldn't be choosers
I pulled up the contact in my phone, said a silent prayer, and pressed the call button.
one ring. two rings. three.
come on, pick up. Or not. I wasn't sure which would be worse --getting murdered or dealing with my brother. Of course, there was always the chance said brother would murder me himself for putting myself in such a situation, but I'd deal with that later.
I scrunched my nose at his greeting.
AVA CHEN
hello to you too, brother dearest. what makes you think something is wrong?
JOSH CHEN
Uh, you called me. you never call unless you're in trouble
true, We preferred texting, and we lived next door to each other -- not my idea, by the way -- so we rarely had to message at all
AVA CHEN
I wouldn't say I'm in trouble
AVA CHEN
more like... stranded. I'm not near public transport, and I can't find a rideshare
JOSH CHEN
Christ, Ava. Where are you?
JOSH CHEN
what the hell are you doing there? that's an hour from campus!
AVA CHEN
don't be dramatic. I had an engagement shoot, and it's a thirty-minute drive. forty-five if there's traffic
Thunder boomed, shaking the branches of nearby trees. I winced and shrank farther back into the shelter, not that it did me much good. The rain slanted sideways, splattering me with water droplets so heavy and hard they stung when they hit my skin. A rustling noise came from Josh's end, followed by a soft moan.
I paused, sure I'd heard wrong, but nope, there it was again. Another moan.
My eyes widened in horror
AVA CHEN
are you having sex right now?
I whisper-shouted, even though no one else was around. The sandwich I'd scarfed down before I left for my shoot threatened to make a reappearance. there was nothing I repeat nothing grosser than listening to a relative while they're mid-coitus. just the thought made me gag
Josh sounded unrepentent. the word "technically" did a lot of heavy lifting there.
it didn't take take a genius to decipher Josh's vague reply. he may not be having intercourse but something was going on and I had zero desire to find out what that "something" was.
JOSH CHEN
hey, you're the one who called me
he must have covered his phone with his hand because his next word come through muffled I heard a soft feminine laugh followed by a squeal and I wanted to bleach my ears, my eyes, my mind
JOSH CHEN
one of the guys took my car to buy more ice.
Josh said his voice clear again
JOSH CHEN
but don't worry, I got you
JOSH CHEN
drop up in on your exact location and keep your phone close. do you still have the paper spray brought for your birthday last year?
AVA CHEN
yes. thanks for that, may the way.
I do wanted a new camera bag buy Josh had brought me and eight pack of paper spray instead I do never used any of it which meant all eight borders minus the one tucked in my purse --were sitting snug in the back of my closet
my sarcasm went over my brother's had for a straight- A pre-med student, he could be quite decent
JOSH CHEN
you are welcome stay put and he will be there soon we will talk about your complete lack of self - preservation later
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