Short Stories

Stay With Me

The same routine came around once again. Waking up, going to school, run to work, and finally goes home. A dark empty house welcomes me every time.

I still haven't heard from him yet. Days turned into weeks and soon it's about to be a month. I wonder if he even cares anymore. It doesn't seem like he does.

My work shift was ending as I cleaned up the cafe and turned the 'Open' to 'Close'. I changed out of my uniform and into my regular clothes, ready to go straight home. I picked up my phone and checked to see if there's anything interesting.

I pressed on my messages and saw no notifications. Disappointed, I turned off my phone once again and bid my farewell with the manager.

On the way home I stopped by the alleyway where two cats strayed. One was black as the moonless night while the other one had orange stripes across its back and tail. I crouched down next to them and spoke soft words. Their soft fur was brushing passed my hands as I told them about my day. I pulled a carton of milk out of my bag and grabbed the bowl I left last night behind the big empty box. As I poured the milk the cats purred in delight and began drinking. I smiled and walked home, leaving them to finish their meal.

I took the keys out of my bag and unlocked the door. As I expected, the house is dark and empty. With an exception of a few furniture like the bed, nightstand, sofa, TV and dining table, the house was pretty much empty. I figured I didn't need most of the stuff so I donated it to other people who wanted or need it.

My daily routine at home started again. Taking a shower, heating up last night's leftover and then going to sleep after catching up on school work. I checked my phone once more to see if anyone texted or call but there was no one.

I went over today's lesson in the darkness of my room and soon my eyes started to droop. I check the clock on the night stand. It was only 9:48. I made a decision to close my eyes and rest for 10 minutes then would study again.

*Beep Beep* *Beep Beep* *Beep Beep*

The clock's alarm that I set for 11 went off. Shoot, I thought. I looked at my notebook and then at my phone. It was lit. My phone had a dim light with the name Jordan sprawled across the screen. I stared at the phone for a few more second before deciding to turn off the phone.

I went back to studying when I realized my brain was too lazy to soak anything in at this point. I went to my closet and pulled out my jacket. I carried an extra small blanket with me and headed for the door.

Slipping on my converse then locking the door, I started my midnight walk. But first I had to drop something off, the blanket. I returned to the same alleyway I visited this evening and saw the two cold cats cuddling next to each other.

I picked them pick and wrapped the blank around them and covered their heads with the corners of the blanket for warmth. I whispered a soft good night and continued my walk.

I found myself walking straight into the park where I used to hang out at. Everything was familiar. The swings were still rusting slowly and the slides were as bumpy as always. Not many people were out as the time. Maybe a few "rebelling" teenagers here and there, a dog cuddling its warm blanket underneath the slide. I decided to visit the "old place" as what my friends and I called it now. I expected it to be empty and be overran by bugs and mosses but it wasn't. I mean sure, there were bugs and mosses but it was any a little. Instead, it was like how we left it. The three-legged table still leaning against the wall. The pretty wall tiles that we "borrowed" from my mom's bathroom was still stuck on the wall making it look pretty as possible while the bugs crawled across it.

I smiled and walked back to the park. On the way back, I bumped... Well more like he's 3 feet in front of me... Anyways the person heading for the "old place". Of course only my friends would know. So who was he to know this place?

"Tiffany..." He whispered.

My eyes soon filled with fear... He wasn't supposed to be here. He's not supposed to know that I'm hurting. I avoided speaking, lowered my head and walked past him. "Tiffany..." He repeated.

Stop. I can't take it anymore. Stop calling me. I sped up my pace and starting running. I didn't want to go home since he knew where I lived, so I went back to the alleyway.

The cats are awake by now and stirred in confusion. "Shhh..." I whispered to them. They purred and walked out of the alley. I sighed. At least he won't find me here.

"Hey..." A dark shadow picked up one of the cats and asked a question, "Have you seen my girlfriend?" He asked. Girlfriend? GIRLFRIEND?! He dares call me a girlfriend after leaving alone with no one for almost a months?! That piece of--

"Hey" He said. I looked up to a face of regret and the eyes of sadness. I'm sure he could see the rage in my eyes when I stood up.

"Tiffany, I'm so--"

"Don't. Just. Go." I said through my gritted teeth.

"Babe, let m--"

"STOP! JUST STOP! I don't want to hear anything from you!" I said while pushing past him. I ran. But this time, I ran to my house. I opened the door as quick as I can and closed it before he got here.

One... Two... Three... Four... I counted and got to nine before the banging started. And the shouting too. I covered my ears pleading him to shut up. I was scared the neighbors might get back so I finally gave up and let him in. "Five minutes." I said firmly.

He gasped for air, holding one finger asking for a second before explaining. "I'm sorry... Tiffany. I didn't know it would be like this. The trip was an urgent call and I left before I could say anything. I wanted to call. I swear I did but I had no cell phone reception. I'm so sorry I kept you waiting. You know I would never hurt you on purpose. I love you too much to do that."

My tears were starting to build up. I can't show him that. I walked past him to my room. "I really am sorry.... Hey, come back.... Don't leave yet." He said grasping my wrist. "I'm sorry for leaving you hanging so long and possibly making you cry a thousand tears at night. I've just been packed all afternoon and evening for the past weeks but... but that's no excuse, I just wanted to tell you that I was always thinking about you. Please.... Talk to me..."

By the time his finished, I had tears running down my face like a waterfall. I kept quiet hoping he would take the hint and go but he wouldn't. He stayed there holding my wrist like it was the last thing he could do. I felt his hand slowly released my arms. I sighed thinking he's already given up and left but... I felt arm wrap around me. I missed this. "I missed you." I said quietly. I felt him sigh in relief and smiled. He drags me to my bedroom and tucked me into bed like fathers do... What am I? A kid?

He leaned over and kisses my lips before moving towards the door. "Stay..." I said. He was shocked, I'm sure of it. He climbed into the bed and hugged me from behind once again.

"I missed you... So much" he said before kissing me again. I did too.

I feel asleep in his arms and thought, this is what I wanted. Stay with me, don't leave me again. Please...