(for @heroestold, i hope this is ok!)
Michelleâs frustrated, but she doesnât know how to tell Peter that. Sheâs in her second year of university and it feels as though she barely sees Peter. One moment heâs talking with her and the next heâs making some second hand excuse that he needs to leave and in the blink of an eye, heâs gone. Between classes and her part time job as a tutor she doesnât have much free time anyway, but that isnât an excuse she wants to give Peter. She has a feeling why he isnât around so much, but she hasnât confirmed it yet from him.
Sheâs halfway done a paper due next week, her eyes tired and heavy as she closes her laptop slowly, deciding to call it a night. On her way out she takes the three empty to go coffee cups, putting them into the trash bin. Itâs a little before midnight, her apartment with her roommate about a ten minute walk from campus. Michelle steps outside, pulling her jacket closer to her body as she makes her way down the steps. Thereâs two men at the end of the street, talking with one another as Michelle gives them a quick glance before she continues the other direction, ignoring the way her heart starts beating faster in her chest.
She pulls out her phone, no message from Peter about if theyâre hanging out to finish the season of The Office theyâre watching together, but she didnât expect a reply from him. Thereâs one from Ned, a picture of a meme going around - Michelle smiling before reading over another from text her roommate that sheâs staying over at her boyfriendâs house tonight; nothing out of the ordinary.
Behind her, Michelle can hear voices. She takes a moment to glance over her shoulder, seeing the two men from down the street now a few feet behind her. She takes in a sharp breath, still ignoring the pounding in her chest. âHey, pretty girl! We just want to talk,â one of them calls out, but Michelle just pulls her jacket closer to her body. Deciding to add to the string of unanswered text she sends one to Peter: are you around campus right now???? as she silently hopes he looks at his phone, just this once.
âWhat, are you ignoring us?â the other one asks, Michelleâs head pounding with each quick heartbeat against her ribs. She can hear their footsteps getting closer and closer until eventually, one of them reaches out for her arm, turning her around to face them. âGo away,â Michelle snaps, âleave me alone!â but they just laugh, smirking over at her.Â
