Austin’s POV-
The both of us finished our dinner in a short amount of time, and Pandora seemed to enjoy it. I smiled at her from across the table and watched as she took in her surroundings. She really was beautiful. I loved brunettes, and was mostly a boob guy. Pandora didn’t have a big chest, but I was fine with it because she looked perfect. I know she didn’t like the dress she had on, but I felt like it fit her body nicely. She looked so innocent; mostly because she was. I knew she was younger than me, but I really wanted to take her out again and get to know more about her. I had a feeling there was a lot she wasn’t telling me. Which was completely fine, because she probably didn’t trust me fully yet. She seemed like more of a private person. She nervously bit at her lip, looking at all the faces around us. She looked back to me and gave a shy smile.
“Thanks again for dinner.” I nodded.
“Of course, I’m glad you enjoyed it.” The hostess came back over and set the bill down in front of me.
“Have a nice night.” It kind of irritated me that she ignored Pandora the whole night, but I pushed aside her flirtatious behavior to show Pandora that I wasn’t like every other guy she’s met. I handed over my credit card and within five minutes we were back in my car. Pandora kept quiet and looked out the window while I drove down the highway.
“So am I taking you back to your place?”
“No, you can drop me off at Hannah’s.”
“Are you staying with them for a while?”
“Eh…” she was hesitant. “No.”
“Oh… is your stuff over there?” she had her purse and everything.
“Well… I’d just rather have you drop me off over there because my apartment is… a little dirty.” I chuckled.
“I don’t have to come in...” She bit down on her lip and looked back out the window.
“Alright,” she agreed softly. At dinner she seemed to open up a bit and let herself laugh but now she was acting the same way she did on the way there. Something was going on in her head.
“Are you okay?” I asked, glancing over at her. She managed a small smile.
“Of course.”
“Something is off…” I muttered, wondering if I had pushed the house question too far.
“Just full.” She thought she was tricking me, but I could see right through her.
“Fair enough.” If I was the cause of her mood, I didn’t want to make it worse. I followed her directions and parked outside on the road in front of her house. I shut off my car as she unbuckled her seatbelt.
“So… when can I pick you up again, maybe for a sushi date? Or we could-”
“No,” she shook her head with big eyes. “I told you that this was only dinner. I don’t want to hang out again.” The smile dropped from my face.
“But… why? I thought you had a good night.” I was really confused. She looked down.
“I didn’t,” she said flatly, not looking at me.
“You’re lying. Look at me and say that.” She ignored me and kept her head down. “Look at me and tell me that, Pandora,” I said a little louder. Finally, she looked up; right into my eyes.
“I didn’t have a good time tonight. I don’t want to see you again Austin.” I had to admit, hearing her say that hurt. I thought I’d gotten her to trust me a little bit tonight, at least enough to let me take her out again.
“What did I do?” she kept a straight face but seemed like she wanted to cry. I didn’t think she was the kind of girl to cry in front of people. Knowing how stubborn she was, she’d probably hold it back.
“You proved to me that you’re like every other guy I know. You’re a Rockstar who uses girls. You only want one thing from me, and I don’t trust you at all. You’re a pig and I don’t want to see you again, Austin!” With that she turned around and got out of my car. What just happened? On cue, as if written in a sappy romance movie, rain started to fall as she walked down the sidewalk. I thought I dropped her off in front of her house. Why would she lie to me about where she was living?

---

Pandora’s POV-
I walked down the sidewalk after leaving Austin’s car. My heart beat out of my chest as I rushed to my house. What the hell Pandora? Tears spilled out of my eyes and ran down my cheeks, joining the rain that fell onto my skin. He probably thinks you’re a psycho. Why did you do that? He seems to like you! I screamed at myself from the inside as the voices in my head got louder. “Shut up, you stupid bitch. He doesn’t want you. No one ever will. You’re only good to him for sex! Tonight meant nothing! He’s a liar, don’t trust him.” I ran up to my front door and opened it only to slam it shut and bang my fists against the cold wood. “Shut up!” I screamed, pulling tightly at my hair to make all the commotion stop. I felt hands roaming all over my body as their arms tightened around me; making it hard to breathe. “Why did you do that Pandora? You know he’s not like all the other guys! He proved it to you!” I told myself in a desperate attempt to cancel out all the whispers in my ears. “Yes he is! He’s a liar and a cheater!” I screeched. “You stay away from him, Pandora! You’re not good for him! As soon as they find you, you’re going to have to move again. You can’t have some guy attached to you. He’ll follow you and then he’ll suffer the consequences just as your mother and sister did! Do you understand me!” I felt as if my vocal chords were going to explode. “Yes, just go away!” I was fighting with the voices in my head. I was fighting with myself; the two people inside of me that wanted out at the same time. The air escaped from my lungs. My legs fell out from beneath me. Austin’s soggy jacket slid from my shoulders. Everything went black as my body collided with the floor.

Notes