Page 49 of Heal Me

Shit. Is he following me?

Is he planting a tracker on me?

"I have the same question for you," I say, even though my tongue is tied.

"Having fun." He says.

It's hard not to notice his black T-shirt, which has almost merged with his body, and his black jeans with slightly frayed pockets.

"Or stalking me."

"Yes, Amelia, it's a Saturday night and this is the only place I get together with my friends, I must be stalking you," he smiles. "Coke, please," Danylo turns to the bartender.

I can't help but notice the disappointment on the guy's face. We've only been talking for a few minutes, and I didn't even have time to ask him his name. And here Danylo comes and ruins my life as usual.

"Still not drinking?" I ask.

"I wasn't even planning to."

"Why did you refuse to work with me?" I blurt out.

We haven't seen each other in over a week, so I haven't had a chance to ask.

"I didn't refuse, I just think it's better if we don't work together," he turns away from the bar and doesn't look at me anymore.

"Why?" I insist.

"What's wrong, Amelia?"

He keeps asking the same question, and he seems to be getting annoyed. I know when his mood takes a turn for the worse, he calls me by my name.

"If I didn't do my job well or something, then just say, I know I'm not the best person at times, but I enjoyed working with you."

And it's true. He was the only one who made it easy for me to work with, he didn't force me to talk like others do when they see I don't want to. His presence didn't annoy me, he didn't try to appear better than me, even though he obviously was, he just taught me and supported me. Without words, in complete silence, his look expressed more support than hundreds of people's words in all the years of my life.

"The reason is not you."

"It's you, right?" I interrupt him and laugh. "I'm not asking you why you broke up with me, I'm asking you why you don't want to work with me."

"Because I don't want to. That's it. Is this answer satisfactory?"

There seemed to be nothing in his hands, but I clearly felt someone stabbing me in the chest.

I got up from the chair, but immediately sat down again. My head was spinning, I felt terribly sick.

"Are you okay?" he touches my face. "You're all pale."

I am unable to answer. My eyes close and my body becomes heavier.

Someone picks me up, and only after a few minutes I hear all the loud music and the unpleasant smell disappear. Instead, I am enveloped by a cold autumn wind and someone's pleasant scent.

Although I clearly realise whose it is.

"I'm going to take you to the dormitory now."

I hold on with the last of my strength, but I am unable to open my eyes. Everything around me is going dark. I am falling into the abyss. Although I haven't emerged from it in years.

I don't remember how I ended up in my room. I don't remember how I got here. I don't remember anything. It's as if everything turned off at one point and only now it's back on.

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