Chapter 5

I stared at the ceiling, my breathing unstable, as the voice inside my head repeated until I can no longer remember how it sounded like. I massaged my temples and let my fingers run through my hair.

Weird.

I changed into a cropped hoodie and jogging pants and rubber shoes. I decided to go for a jog, trying my best to brush off that weird dream.

A woman that is about my age entered the elevator. Her little hums made me glance a little. She flashed me a smile that looks like we were long-time friends.

“You’ll jog too?” Her voice was a bit a pitch or two higher than mine.

I only nodded in response, since I can’t really match the energy she’s giving off and my mood isn't really that great because of that dream. 

Her smile turned wider when I nodded. I just looked straight ahead because looking at her might make her think that I’m still up for a conversation when it’s completely opposite of what I’m truly feeling.

“Then, let’s go together. You’re new, right? I only saw you today.”

I tried my best not to look at her but I was so sure that she’s talking to me and not responding would just make it more awkward.

While looking straightly at the elevator door, I nodded, eager to dismiss the conversation she’s trying to make but with her little giggle, I knew this lady’s energy will exhaust me more.

“Oh really? I’m from the 19th floor. You can come by if you want someone to talk to or if you have any questions.” I nodded again, this time more lazily.

Her high-pitched voice and her high energy drained my already drained body. Everything about her is high, I think even her is high too.

“How about you?”

It took me great effort not to roll my eyes at her but I still answered her question anyways.

“20, why?” I said as I turned to her, not even sure if I looked annoyed or not. She’s so talkative. Not everyone wants to be friends.

Seeing a girl on the same age doesn’t equal to being friends. And hasn’t she gotten the cue to shut up?

My brows furrowed more as she looked at me with parted lips. Her eyes blinked for a few times before she closed her mouth. Now, her reactions are starting to piss me off. Just, what the hell? 

I averted my gaze before I could roll my eyes in front of a stranger.

"Ahh– Uhh” Her small stutters are even starting to irritate me more. She still got something to say?

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

With furrowed brows, my head snapped towards her. She’s biting her lip as she looked at me with a glint of hope but embarrassment was more prominent. What the hell is she saying sorry for?

I squinted my eyes making her avert her gaze as I heard her mumble another ‘Sorry’, a bit softer, almost like an inaudible whisper.

I wanted to say it’s fine but I don’t even know what she’s apologizing for. I don’t want to ask too because she might think I’m rubbing it in her face.

She just suddenly changed in a snap. Does she have another personality?

And it freaked me out even more when she went back to her normal self the moment we started jogging – talkative, hyper and almost always giggling. Is this a red flag?

She talked about her jogging route and even the burger stand in a route she’s passing by. She also recommended a gym that’s just near the condo although there is a gym inside the condo so I don’t know why she’s recommending another one. Most of all, I don’t know why I’m listening to her.

She even checked out a guy we passed by near a coffee shop, she was even very obvious! She even invited me to come with her to boy hunt sometimes.

She’s a freak. Why the hell would I hunt boys when there is a long line of men waiting for me to notice them?

She was so talkative that I can’t even remember the most parts especially because she inserts her malicious and sexual comments every time we pass by a guy.

“There is a restaurant that I frequently go to because of their salad, it’s just around he—Oh! Nice biceps. Look at that guy wearing a tank top. Yummy!”

The horror! And she’s not even hiding the fact that she’s checking them out, or even the other girls who are around the area.

The dark blue sky slowly turned lighter as we keep nearing the condo, a sign that we are almost done for the jog. But instead of going inside the condo, I went inside the convenience store that’s just right down, beside the lobby. 

I can’t even remember why I’m here. All I remember was this noisy girl asking me if I’ll buy water too in which I said ‘no’ but… here I am.

She looked at me curiously as I stood in the middle of the large racks, completely lost and confused. It was becoming too awkward so I decided to face the rack full of noodle cups, acting as if I’m choosing for different flavors.

It was when I was 'acting' to choose a flavor when I realized that I could just buy for my necessities. I wasn’t able to check if there is a stock of food or toiletries so I just bought whatever I saw.

Funny thing is she returned to being a quiet girl the moment the elevators closed. I even catch her stolen gazes and whenever I’ll return it, she’ll immediately avert her eyes and focus on looking at the elevator.

The fifth time she looked at very cautiously, as if I’ll hurt her any moment, I groaned and snapped my head towards her helplessly. Just what is wrong with her?

“What?”

“Ah – uhhh.. Ahm.. I’m.. sorry?”

Here we go again with the sorry. The sorry I don’t even know what for. I rolled my eyes before clearing throat. I shifted my body towards her as I eyed her from head-to-toe. I really didn’t get a good look at her earlier.

The soft features of her face and her friendly façade contradicts her foxy eyes that are very ready to attack me in any second. I may be annoyed with her but she has the comforting vibe, or is it just me because I think her smile is welcoming?

“What’s your name, by the way?” I ask, not sure if she already introduced herself earlier or not but I still asked because I have nothing to say and I don’t know why she’s sorry.

I usually don’t interact with strangers but she’s too persistent, also, I forgot to say but she paid for my groceries because I wasn't able to use the credit card I keep inside my phone case that also serves as a wallet. They only accept in cash.

“Candy. Candy Ritzel.” She chuckled as she held out her hand which was a bit unstable.

“Oh sorry”, she said as she covered her mouth to stop herself from chuckling. “It’s just that I already introduced myself earlier.”

Oh? So I sounded stupid? I brushed off the petty thought and rather, held out my hand to receive hers.

I don’t really give attention to the skin color of people but the moment our hands touched, I noticed how her skin is as fair as mine. My skin is really fair, almost paper white and whenever I encounter people who are also fair-skinned, only a few are as fair as I do.

“Elijiah.” Bach.

But I don’t think she has to know…for now.