The One That Got Away

Hope was quickly walking down the old sidewalk with a cold breeze slowly breathing against her face. The 22 year old sighed creating a puff of fog to escape her lips. It felt like needles were pricking her skin from how cold the wind was. She covered herself with her grey winter jacket in order to protect her face from the winter breeze.

Her long brown hair flowed in the gust. She looked around to see happy couples smiling and holding hands since tomorrow is Valentine's day. She hated today more than any day of the year. She walked up to her favorite cafe which is where she also worked and entered the glass door with a little chime to it. “Good morning Hope.” The sweetest voice came from Hope’s best friend Tara.

“Hey Tara baby.” The two hugged then the brown haired girl took off her jacket. Her blonde friend said “Sadly, Katie is out today so do you mind working the register?” She smiled. As Hope wrapped her apron around her waist, she declared “I would love to work at the register but you and Alex have to waiter for me.”

Tara did a salute as Hope tied her long hair behind in a high ponytail. Hours went by and the clock has officially struck six. Hope had a depressed look on her face when Tara snuck up on her. Sasha gasped standing back a little from the sudden scare. “Look, I know you hate February 13 because of Tim but just think, you're one broken heart away from your dream guy.”

Hope just rolled her blue eyes saying “That is stuff out of a fairy tale.” Tara giggled at Hope’s response and the chime of the door opened. The two girls looked over and what Hope saw made her almost collapse to the ground and her heart ache.

Tara gripped her hands into fist as the last person the brown haired girl wanted to see in the world. The man with golden brown hair came into the cafe with a neutral look on his face. Tara was about to run up and push him out of the building but Hope held her back motioning her to go to the back room. Tara growled and went to the back room.

Tim came up to the brown haired girl and said “Hi.” Hope nodded and said “Good evening sir. Welcome to Cafe Cliché.” He sighed at her casual tone knowing she is still mad at him. “Can we have a quick talk?” She hesitated his request then asked “Why should I?” He sighed saying “I just want to talk as friends.”

Her stomach churned but then agreed making a latte and a cappuccino along with grabbing a few macaroons. Carrying them on a tray, Hope and Tim sat at the table near the window; allowing them to see the other building alone with happy couples walking by.. He smiled and laughed “I can’t believe you remembered this table and my order.” She nodded. “We were dating for about four years. I can’t forget it.” He nodded.

Hope sighed and sipped her warm drink that heated up her body. They had a caring conversation that lasted till nine. She sighed looking at the clock saying “Time to close up now.” He looked at her then sighed. “How about later, we go out. Tomorrow at noon, we both hang out as friends and do things couples do.” Hope rolled her eyes but didn’t want to spend another year alone. “You're paying. Meet here tomorrow, I have to close up.”

She stood up finishing the last cookie and started to walk to the counter. “See you at noon!” Tim said leaving the cafe. Throwing away the cups, Tara came out with a surprised face. “You agreed to go out with him?” Hope sighed; ignoring her friend and continued to close up the shop. She took off her work uniform, letting her hair fall to her elbows. “Goodnight girls.” Hope waved goodbye to her friends and left the store.

As she walked through the dark night with nothing but the street lights illuminating the sidewalk. The freezing wind made her face feel as cold as ice. She continued to walk until she felt a hand wrap tightly around her mouth and the other one around her waist. She screamed as she was being pulled into an ally way. She was thrusted into a brick wall then felt something cold but sharp against the skin of her throat. “Give me your purse!” The stranger said in a dark voice that sent shivers up her spine.

She cringed feeling her fear built up but she had to stay strong. “No!” She said defiantly, trying to push him off with all her strength. But despite her best efforts, the masked man had her pinned against the wall by her wrist with no sign of letting up. “If you won’t give me your purse, then there is something else you can give me,” He ran his free hand down the curves of her body making her cringe again.

The thick scent of alcohol lingered off his breath as he leaned in close. She felt disgusted at the way he touched her body. She couldn’t scream in fear of her throat being cut open. He leaned in closer and started to kiss her forehead moving downward. He started to slip the shoulder of her jacket and shirt down, exposing her pale flesh.

He started to dig his nails into her tender skin while using his large body to pin her to the wall and she thought to herself ‘It's over; I give in’ before closing her eyes and expecting pain. He smiled at her condolence and started to drag his nails up her thigh. Before anything else could happen, someone pushed Hopes attacker to the ground with a loud thud.

She gasped when her savior turned around to reveal himself to be Tim. “Are you ok?” She blushed and nodded as she slid down to the ground; trying to regain her composure. “Let's go before-” He was interrupted by the cloaked man hitting him into the wall. Hope screamed then felt paralyzed as the attacker gave the brown-haired girl a death glare. He started taking long strides towards her.

She wanted to run but she couldn’t abandon Tim after he just saved her. She closed her eyes in fear when the girl heard a loud punch from in front of her. Opening her eyes, Hope saw Tim and the criminal fighting with punches along with kicks being thrown left and right. The attacker took the knife, threatening to hurt Tim.

With a roundhouse kick, the blade fell to the ground and the attacker got kicked in the face. Tim through the final punch, sending her attacker to the ground. Tim had blood spots on his face only to wipe it off. Her savior looked down to see Hope on the ground, ran to her side, picking her up bridal style and they ran out of the alleyway; down the sidewalk in order to get away from the criminal.

She knew that she was too heavy for him but despite that and the fact that he just got out of a life-threatening battle, he carried her diligently until they were outside of her apartment. “Are you ok?” Hope nodded as Tim put her down. “Thank you. You saved me.” He hugged her tightly as if she was a precious gem. “I thought I was going to lose you.” She blushed and slowly wrapped her arms around his back. “You saved me. Thank you.”

A single warm tear fell down her cheek and her heart was beating so fast. “But you’re an idiot! You could have died. He could have killed you! Why would you-” Tim pulled back and stared into her eyes causing her mouth to be silenced.. Gently taking his large hand, he started gently caress her cheek until his fingers reached under her ear and gently started to touch her hair.

She felt frozen as he gazed into her blue eyes. “You truly are the one that got away.” She blushed as he leaned forward; drawing closer to her lips. He pulled back for a moment slightly hesitating but then molded his warm lips against her soft ones. Frozen for a moment, she closed her eyes and melted into the kiss, feeling her inhibitions lower. He pulled back for a breath of air and said “I won’t ever lose you again. I love you.”

She smiled and replied with tears in her eyes, “I love you too.” They shared one more kiss in the moonlight, sealing that they will be together again. They pulled apart and she giggled, smiling at her savior and her hero, feeling her heart flutter again for the first time, in two years. She walked up to the door but not before looking back to see Tim still looking at her. She smiled and closed her door as her way of saying goodnight.