Chapter 2

My heartbeat accelerated, pounding hard against my chest. My pace turned into a run; just a short distance and I'd be out of this dark neighborhood, and the danger would be gone. I had to hurry and get out of here, but would I make it?

Indeed, a few more steps and I was out of it, but I kept running until I reached my front door.

I knocked on it hard, hoping my father would open it as soon as possible.

And that's what happened. My father opened the door with a look of sheer terror on his face.

He looked me up and down: "What's up? Are you okay?"

I realized how terrified I was when I couldn't answer a word, simply hugging him silently while trying to catch my breath.

He closed the door and rubbed my head: "What happened?"

I shook my head: "Nothing, I just felt like a stray cat was running after me."

He laughed softly: "Have you still not lost your fear of them?"

I smiled: "Not yet."

After a few moments, I pulled away, feeling calmer. My father told me dinner was ready.

"I'm going to wash my hands then, I'm very hungry," I said, placing my hand on my stomach.

I looked at my face in the mirror above the sink. The feeling of reassurance is truly irreplaceable; no matter how much importance we give to love, romance, and fun, there is no feeling greater than safety. I realized this just a while ago when my mind conjured up terrifying scenarios of a murderer or a kidnapper asking for ransom. On the other hand, I was deeply thankful to have survived. I don't know what would have happened to me. Although I don't usually scare easily, this time it was real, and I was sure of what I saw.

My father's voice interrupted my thoughts, calling me down, and I hurried downstairs...

I collapsed under the covers, thinking about many things, trying to banish the fear every time I remembered that situation. Then my mind drifted to something that had slipped away for quite some time, brought back by Kylie's question today. It was the only thing I hadn't told Karen about because I didn't know what to say. If I told her, she would have said it was love or love at first sight—things I don't believe in. It was just a random encounter on the street with one of the dozens of strangers we see every day. But meeting him wasn't normal, at least for me. I felt something strange, as if something stuck in my heart and pierced it, a feeling that preoccupied me for several days. Even now, I still feel that shiver when I remember it. I couldn't explain it nor know its cause, so I kept it to myself. A year has passed, but I still remember his features well; I think if I ran into him ten years from now, I'd still recognize him.

At the time, I was very curious to know who he was, but now it doesn't bother me anymore. I have more important things to worry about than a chance encounter on the street...

I was waiting for Melina in front of her house to walk to school together when a person in a black coat passed by me. It brought back memories of yesterday's incident, and I wondered if I had exaggerated my fear. But if it were just an ordinary person taking the same path, they wouldn't have hidden the moment I turned around.

I jumped in fright as a hand covered my eyes. Reacting instantly, I grabbed it, twisted the person's arm, and spun them around to immobilize them, only to let go immediately upon seeing it was just Karen playing a prank on me.

Oh my God, how did I not think of this while waiting for her?

She cried out in pain: "What's wrong with you? You hurt me!"

I stepped back: "It's not my fault you scared me."

She blocked my way: "Something happened, didn't it? You didn't just freak out, you tried to take me down. Why are you unusually jumpy?"

I raised my hand in surrender: "I was going to tell you anyway, but let's talk on the way so we aren't late for school."

She hugged me, on the verge of tears: "Oh my God, I could have lost you yesterday."

I shrugged: "Stop exaggerating, and don't make me regret telling you."

After that, she kept firing questions, making me repeat the story about three times, and each time I relived the worry and panic all over again.

I finally managed to convince her family's driver to drop us off and pick us up from school, and needless to say, my attempts to persuade her otherwise were completely unsuccessful.

Karen rested her head on the table facing me, groaning, "I'm bored."

I mimed crying: "Me too. Where is Alex? If he were here, we'd be playing something and having fun."

She said, as if remembering something: "You're right, he hasn't come yet. Is it possible he transferred to another school?"

I raised my head thoughtfully: "I don't think so, who transfers schools in their senior year?"

I looked away, feeling a twinge of sadness at the thought that Alex might have actually moved. He was one of my best friends in class—even though he was mysterious, nobody even had his phone number, and we knew nothing about his personal life. Yet, at the same time, he was the funniest person in our class and the kind of dependable friend who would come to mind immediately if you needed help, never letting you down.

I suppose he knew that peace of mind comes from keeping clear boundaries, even with friends...

I quickly lifted my head when the principal called me: "Pladrina, I want to talk to you."

Then he turned to the teacher: "Can she come with me for a moment?"

The teacher nodded, and I walked outside in bewilderment.

We arrived at his office, and I stepped inside behind him to find an attractive woman in her early thirties, elegantly dressed with short blonde hair and sharp eyes.

Looking at her, I felt a strange sense of familiarity, though I didn't recall ever seeing her before.

She stood up, extended her hand, and smiled: "Hello, Rina."

I shook her hand, confused. Does she know me?

She continued: "I'm Clark, Melina's mother. I don't need to tell you how much she talks about you."

I smiled politely. Ah, that's why she looked so familiar; the resemblance between them was striking.

"I'm going to get straight to the point. Actually, I'd like to offer you the position of my daughter's tutor. I've heard that you've been tutoring a couple of students for the past two years," she said, looking at me intently.

I hid my tension: "That's right, I used to tutor two students, but this year, because it's my last, I decided to take a break from tutoring."

"I will pay you whatever amount you want," she offered, sounding like an auctioneer.

I quickly declined: "No, it's not about the money. I just want to focus on my studies because my grades this year will determine my university choices."

She lowered her gaze and sighed: "Honestly, ever since her father and I separated, Melina has been going through a lot of emotional turmoil. She even passed last year with difficulty. She can no longer find inspiration to study; her father was the one who always encouraged her. I noticed her talking about you a lot, and she specifically asked for you to be her tutor. Frankly, I want you to look after her well-being more than just teaching her, and help restore her passion for studying. Just tutor her for a month or two, no more—I don't want her to lose her future."

My lips curved in a mix of sadness and confusion. Melina had told me she lost her passion for life after her parents separated, and I had always noticed from our conversations how deeply attached she was to her father.

Well, this was difficult. I didn't want her to lose her future, but I had mine to think about too...

My thoughts were interrupted as she asked, "So, what is your answer?"

I smiled sweetly: "I'll talk to Melina myself, and we'll decide together."

I could tell she didn't quite like my answer, but she merely nodded and said goodbye to the principal.

The principal looked at me as she left: "It's a good opportunity, don't miss it. Dealing with such an influential family will guarantee you some great opportunities in the future, especially if you make sure to build a good relationship with them."

I smiled solemnly at him, inwardly imagining kicking him in the head for that thought.

That evening, I spent a solid half-hour persuading my father to let me take the job. Thanks to my exceptional powers of persuasion—and my father's kind heart, which softened after hearing Melina's story—he finally agreed.

I broke the happy news to Melina, whom I had spoken with earlier, and she realized she genuinely needed help. We agreed to meet tomorrow right after school, so I could go home with her and begin our tutoring sessions...