Chapter 5 Photoshop guy

DONNA'S POV:

This house is trash. I like to keep my room clean but I got this apartment room at a cheap price. That's why the wall paints are faded and there are cracks found everywhere. I will do anything to get out of here soon. I don't want to leave Jackson, but it's good for both of us.

"What job should I search for? Which job? Nothing would be better than a library job. Shit. Shit. Shit." I murmured, banging my head against the wall lightly. Suddenly, I spotted someone down on the road looking up at my house. There are three blocks here. Who would particularly watch me?

I approached the window, trying to see the face. A man wearing a hoodie and a mask looking up at me. Shit, he's waving at me.

"Donna Kirby?" He called, removing the mask and the hoodie.

"The Photoshop guy?" I asked. How did he know my name?

"I do have a name. By the way, you left this in my shop." He laughed and showed me some cards from there. I have no idea what it is. I better get down now. People on the roads are seeing us.

"Hey," I silently spoke, walking towards the front door.

"Who locked the main door when it's not even midnight?" He asked as I used the key to open the lock.

"I could have jumped over the door, but it would make me look like a thief."

"No doubt about it. Someone must have wrongly locked it."

"What card did you show me? I couldn't see it." I added. The Photoshop guy showed me my library card.

"You left it in my shop. I'm sorry I had to see your information. Donna Kirby's your name, right?" he asked, handing it to me.

"Ye... yes. This card really means a lot to me. Thank you. But the card has no work anymore. I'm leaving my job as an assistant librarian. But I still want to keep it with me." I said, looking down at the card.

"Why do you have to leave your job? I bet it's an interesting job." He asked me. I can't say the truth. I just met this guy an hour ago.

"Wait? How did you find my address? It's not even here on the card." I questioned lately like a dumb person.

"I visited the library to get your address. I don't know if I should leave it there with some random workers."

"Did you get the address from Jackson? He's the owner." The question came out of me in a flash. Why can't stop thinking about Jackson?

"Nope. I have never seen the owner. Some cleaning lady opened a book full of workers' addresses. I told her you are my friend. I hope you don't mind it." He told, wearing his hoodie again.

"No. That's alright."

There was an unspoken moment for a minute until I felt drops of water on my hands. Heavy rain started pouring in just a minute.

"You have to get it. I will walk up to my home." The guy said and turned to leave.

"No. Wait. You can wait inside my house until the rain stops." I stopped him by holding his hand. That sudden reflex is bad, I guess.

He asked me if I'm sure about it. I nodded and, in a few minutes, the guy settled in my bed and I poured water in a glass for him.

"What's your name? I know I shouldn't have asked you this earlier."

"That's okay. I'm Austin Ryan."

"No wonder you named your shop Austin," I said, walking towards the window, watching the rain. I thought Austin would take a look at a trashy room. But his eyes are only settled on me most of the time.

"You haven't answered me. Why did you decide to quit your job?" He asked me again. Usually, I come up with an excuse for everyone. I don't feel the same right now.

"I kicked myself out of my friend's account. His girlfriend doesn't like me. The library owner's my best friend. Was would be right." I replied, letting my one hand out to feel the raindrops.

"I have been seeing problems like this before. So, he isn't your friend anymore?"

"He's still my friend. But I'm trying to end it soon. Quitting seems like a better idea."

"I think it's not. You are the only one suffering here and he's quite happy. Stay in the library and avoid him completely. Live proudly in front of him. I know you didn't ask me any advice, but I wanted to suggest." He replied, keeping the glass down on the table.

I was hurt, but I don't want to hurt Jackson. I always wanted to change myself from being like this. Could I do that?

"Do you like to get wet in rain?" Austin asked out of nowhere.

"Um.. what?"

"You have been keeping your hands out since I got here. Let's get up to the terrace. It would be awesome." Austin asked with enthusiasm. I can't resist.

"I haven't done it before. I will try it." I guided him to the apartment terrace. I looked up to view the dark sky and feel the rain on my face and literally all over my body. All the stress I had today is fading away.

"Why haven't I thought of this before?" I faced Austin, smiling.

"This is not even the best part." He said, getting next to the ladder which takes up where the tank was built.

"I'm not getting up there," I told him before he could speak.

"Are you afraid of heights? It's not even that high, Donna. Come on." He motioned to me and started climbing the ladder.

"The ladder is wet and there's a high chance for me to slip. You don't want to be my cause of death, do you, Austin?" I asked, laughing.

"I don't. I will be the cause of your wonderful life." He murmured. I wonder why did he say that.

"Don't look down while climbing. I will give you my hand when you reach the top. It will be worth it." Austin spoke from the top, looking up at the view of our town. It will be worth it. Here goes nothing.

I did what he has told me. At the end of the ladder, I grabbed Austin's hand. It made me less afraid. Now, I get to see my Illerora's town's amazing view.

"I never considered my town to be this beautiful," I told him, enjoying the rain and the view. All the lights are turning off in a second.

"The current is off. Thunder would come at any second. I'm just guessing." Austin spoke next to my ear.

"Then, we should get inside," I told taking a step without looking down.

"Watch it," Austin pulled me back, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"Shit. I would have fallen down. I told you it's not safe." I yelled with my heartbeat rising.

"Calm down, Donna. You are completely safe. It's my idea to get up here. I won't let you fall." Austin comforted me, speaking close to my ears. His hands didn't leave my waist. His wet body pressed against mine. I feel warm with him even in this cold weather.

Lightning flashed over for a second and was thunderstruck a little further before my eyes.

"Let's go back to your room, Donna. Can we?"