My Lucky Boyfriend

resort. I couldn't find any

hadn't kept evidence of Erik's ab

d up afterward and never leaving marks – so much

workplace, hoping other victims might come forward. But I lacke

stice the "right" way, I

Walt had to su

asn't easy – it took a

ity, I, with no degree, had to pay my own w

utside his school gates, but Walt was a mystery. He neve

d by other students; people were fascinated by this for

ked about him pa

and indifferent – exac

th one of his roommates, Matthew Todd. After slipping Matthew a few coupon

ke to see that aerospace exhibit outside

e's volunteering there – I c

er at that exhibit. I had zero interest in r

took. Walt was sitting a few rows ahead of us, his face buried in a thick book. I trie

. He looked surprised and immediately seemed irritated. Before

ance, he turned to s

lies, he suddenly claimed to be car sick, asked the driver to stop, and got

muttered as I watched him go.

t...odd." Matthew replied, glari

ll girls?" I asked, pre

. You're just

what is h

is books once – a girl with long black h

No wonder he couldn't stand me. I was all wrong for him:

n't be difficult. Before Erik had ruined

distance, allowing myself time t

no intention of hurting s

tea shop for a more profitable position as a beverage s

e in the bar's chaotic world while keeping my boundarie

care of me outside of work too. He was patient a

t man I'd ever met, and I k

e more afraid I became. I dreaded him confess

sed, clearly hesitant to leave. As I turned to esc

rson I trusted – an uncontrollable panic took ove

years ago all came crashing down, d

ccept love, nor could I give it. My sca

all becau

reconnected with him and offered to organize a birthday party for him

tures had become more defined. He walked with a slight hunch, his thin

looked even more

my tipsiness, I sat next to Walt. He glance

is taste, I had grown my hair long, wore a simple dress, app

s ago," I said softly, leaning my head s

runk," he

use I didn't go to colle

ings to do at sch

ing to esc

t him get awa

utely

me of the year, and to catch Walt's attention, I had worn only a thin

Combined with the alcohol and the cold, a sharp pain twi

me he had resigned and was returning home to ma

ed street corner in the deep winter night, endurin

for help, someone would come to my aid. But suddenly, I

my life, it c

d never to find happines

a familiar face hovered abo

are yo

scent of jasmine, the nightmares that haunted

alt's collar and pulled him close, wra

't leave m

nally taken

er, he became

of his family and a gifted prodigy,

't great at conversation. I was the one who always initiated

le, he never held my hand, l

me – simply talking to him, looking at his face, took