Unraveling (Second Chances) - By Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,5
his first name just as much as I did.
“I’ll be there in a second, Katyrina!” He yelled back.
I slid into the car and tossed my backpack in the back.
Classes were over for the day and I had a mountain of homework to do when I got home.
I started the car and watched another minute tick by.
I honked the horn.
Rollo turned and gave me a death glare.
I rolled the window down and yelled, “I’m leaving without you!”
He threw his hands up and said something to the guy he was talking to, before finally starting towards the car.
“Jesus, Katy, could you not give me one more minute! I really like that guy!” Rollo howled.
“Sorry,” I backed out of the parking space. “I don’t want to be late.”
“Ugh,” he buckled his seatbelt, “at least I got his number.” Triumphantly, he held up a slip of paper.
“You’re such a flirt, Rolland Kenneth York!”
“Can you please stop saying my full name? I swear, it sounds like my parents thought I’d be born wearing a suit and tie or something.”
I laughed. “Rollo sounds like a dog’s name.”
He narrowed his eyes at me.
“But it’s way cooler than Rolland,” I conceded
“And I think Katy is way cooler than Katyrina.” He wrinkled his nose. “Katyrina sounds like an old lady’s name.”
I laughed. “I was named after my grandma. At least I have you to thank for my amazing nickname.”
“Yep, and I have you to thank for my ‘dog’ nickname,” he chuckled.
I shook my head. “Rollo, I seriously don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d be very lonely, cause baby cakes, I brighten up your world.”
“You’re so weird,” I said as I came to a stop at the red light. I stole a glance at the navigation system to see how close I was to my next turn.
“Back at ya, sweets,” Rollo made a kissy face at me. I swear, most days I wasn’t sure he’d ever grow up.
I drove the point four miles indicated by the navigation system and turned left.
I had to drive another five miles or so before it told me I had arrived at our destination.
“Um,” I looked at Rollo, “I don’t see anything.”
“I think it means that building there,” he pointed to a run down, all brick building that looked like it had seen better days.
“No way,” I shook my head.
“There are cars,” he pointed. “I think we’re at the right place.”
“I’m leaving,” I went to put the car back in drive.
“No!” Rollo grabbed my hand. “You have got to stop running all the time. Turn the car off, get out, and go inside. If anyone tries to mess with you, they’ll have to go through me first.”
“I bet they’re already shaking in fear,” I deadpanned.
“I could be menacing… if I tried,” he pretended to growl.
“Even I’m not afraid of you,” I giggled.
He pushed my shoulder. “You’re mean.”
I laughed and unbuckled my seatbelt. “Alright Mr. Menacing, let’s check this place out.”
I locked the car behind us and looked around.
“Uh… where are we supposed to go in?”
Rollo looked around. “There’s a door,” he pointed to a metal door that looked like it was barely hanging on.
“Yippee,” I muttered.
We walked across the parking lot to the lone door.
“This place seems really shady,” I whispered to Rollo.
“Katy, you think everything looks shady.”
He opened the door and motioned for me to go first.
“Nope, you go,” I crossed my arms over my chest.
He rolled his eyes and muttered, “You’re being ridiculous,” under his breath.
Concrete walls and floors surrounded us. I felt like I was in a prison or something.
I followed closely behind Rollo, clenching my fingers so that I wouldn’t grab him and run the other way. A door on our right opened up and I squeaked when a man appeared.
“What the hell are you two doing back here? This is private,” the imposing man said.
“Uh…” Rollo took a step back. “We only saw the one entrance,” he pointed behind us. “We’re here for the self-defense classes.”
The man chuckled. “Follow me. And next time, please use the front door.”
“Stupid, piece of shit, navigation system,” I cursed under my breath.
“What was that?” the man asked.
“Nothing,” I spoke up.
Rollo snickered and I slapped his back. “Ow!” He rubbed the spot.
The man pushed open a door and suddenly we were in a bright, open room. A lady sat at a desk, answering phones, and smiled when we walked in.
The man motioned for us to keep following him. He went down a hallway and opened a door at the end.