The Last Grimm_Red's Hood

by H. L. Wampler

I was being ridiculously immature.

  “God she’s as punctual as Blanche was. Why can’t we have a secretary who’s late once in a while?” I grumbled to Connor.

  “Be nice. She didn’t know.”

  “Whatever,” I mumbled.

  “Good morning,” she said, somewhat cheerfully.

  “Morning,” Connor replied.

  I narrowed my eyes at her but ignored the greeting.

  Feels bad my ass. I thought bitterly.

  She let her gaze linger a bit too long on Connor. I could feel myself turning green. I clenched my teeth, and it took everything in me not to leap over the desk and rip out her hair extensions. Connor must have felt my body stiffen because he held onto me tighter and steered me around the desk. As we parted ways at my door he planted a nice, long kiss on me before we commenced our work for the day. Belinda and I still had a lot of things to do before she went out of town for some meeting, so I knew I’d be spending a majority of the day with her.

  As I sat across from the woman I couldn’t help but wonder if I’d be able to have a glamorous life like her at some point, or was I going to be dead.

  “Abigail?”

  “Yes, Belinda?”

  “Are you alright?” she asked with her same stone faced expression.

  “I’m fine.”

  “You’ve been very distant the past few days.”

  “It’s nothing really. Only a few issues at home,” I lied.

  “Ah, I see. Do you need to take the day off?”

  “No, I’m fine. I’ll pay more attention.”

  She nodded and began rambling on again. I did try to pay closer attention. I focused on every word she said, but my mind began to wander. I was relieved when she stood up and announced that it was lunch time. I breathed an inner sigh of relief as I fled her office. I was shutting the door when I heard the receiver on her phone pick up. I don’t think I ever saw her eat or leave her office.

  Going back to my office, I ran right into Sasha.

  “Abigail!” she said sounding startled.

  I glowered at her, and walked around without saying a word.

  “Abigail?” she called.

  I stopped and turned around, “What?”

  “About yesterday, listen, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you and Connor were…a thing. If I did know, I never would have behaved like that,” she managed a small smile.

  “It’s fine.”

  “No, it was so inappropriate, and I never act like that. I don’t know what came over me,” she blushed.

  I couldn’t help but smile, “Connor has that effect on women.”

  “You’re lucky. He’s a great guy.”

  “Yeah, he is.”

  “Um, if you’re going to lunch, would you want to grab a coffee or sandwich with me?” she asked nervously.

  I was slightly surprised by her invitation, but I definitely didn’t want another Blanche relationship in the office, “You know what, that’d be great. Let me tell Connor.”

  I slipped into his office, and stood there watching him work on his computer. He’d stop every now and then to scribble on a piece of paper, and went right back to what he was doing. His focus and attention to detail was amazing, I was actually jealous.

  “Hey there,” I laughed.

  “How long have you been there?”

  “A few minutes.”

  “What time is it?”

  “One. I’m going to grab coffee with Sasha.”

  He arched an eye brow at me, “Oh really?”

  “She apologized.”

  “Have fun.”

  “I’ll bring you back something,” I waved leaving the office.

  As we stood in the shop chatting and waiting for Peg to make the coffees I glanced out the shop window. In the center of the square I saw a large, silver wolf. He stood there staring at me. I couldn’t tear my eyes away, even when Sasha was handing me my cup.

  “Abigail?”

  “Hmm?” I asked half-heartedly not taking my eyes off the beast.

  “Hey? You alright?”

  “Do you see that?” I asked turning my head for only a split second.

  “See what?”

  I pointed out the window, “Over…there?”

  He was gone.

  “Where?” she went up to the window truly trying to find what I was looking at.

  “It’s gone.”

  “What was it?”

  “It looked like a wolf.”

  “In the middle of downtown Pittsburgh?” she asked skeptically.

  “I know it sounds crazy, but I saw a wolf in the middle of the square. He was really big and silver. I guess I’m just seeing things. I’ve been a little paranoid since that thing with Blanche.”

  “Oh, okay. That is completely understandable.”

  “Yeah, I guess it is. Maybe I should see a therapist or something.”

  “How awful for her,” Sasha tusked while shaking her head.

  “It was pretty gruesome,” Sasha looked at me with her head cocked to the side, “Or so they told us. I wasn’t there, obviously.”

  “I heard that whatever it was…ate her throat,” she whispered the last part.

  “I don’t know all the gory details just that the mauling was really vicious, and that they haven’t found whatever did it yet.”

  “What do you think did it?” she pushed.

  “Um, probably a dog. What else could it have been?” I never looked her in the eyes.

  “I really hope you aren’t mad at me, Abigail,” she turned her big, grey eyes on me.

  “It’s alright, Sasha. Honest mistake, we all make them,” I said.

  “I do hope that we can become friends,” she smiled while squeezing my arm.

  “I don’t see why not.”

  I quickly took a sip of my coffee hoping she wouldn’t ask more questions. Fortunately she didn’t. We walked through the unusually sunny, winter day back to the office. We parted ways at the reception desk; I headed through the second set of doors and made a bee line for Connor’s office.

  “I’m being stalked,” I said breathlessly.

  “What?” he asked taking the sandwich.

  “That silver wolf is stalking me. I feel like prey being stalked for dinner. He’s toying with me.”

  Connor stopped whatever he was working on and arched his eyebrows at me.

  “I’m not losing it, I swear.”

  “Why do you think the wolf is stalking you?”

  “I saw him again. He was in Market Square watching me while I got my coffee.”

  “Did Sasha see him?”

  “No, at least she says she didn’t.”

  He took a bite of his sandwich chewing slowly. I plopped into a chair on the opposite side of his desk.

  “I am going crazy.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “You think so?”

  “You are his only real threat.”

  “What about you?”

  “I meant for sending him back. Without you, he can stay here as long as he wants. If you were out of the picture, he just has to avoid me and the axe.”

  “Can you be any more nonchalant about all of this?” I asked the stress evident in my voice.

  “I’m not being nonchalant,” he said with his mouth full of sandwich.

  I rubbed my forehead, and shook my head.

  “What?” he asked. “I’m hungry.”

  “I’m sorry. This is really starting to stress me out and giving me a migraine.”

  “Don’t. I told you, everything is going to be fine. I’m here with you. Nothing is going to happen to you.”

  “I really hope you’re right,” I got up and went to my office to finish out the day.

  I was glad that I was going to have some alone time before class, and I didn’t have to take notes for Belinda. I took the stack of papers she had given me the day before and started on the pile hoping to make a small dent by four. All I could see in front of me though was those golden eyes.

/>   “Hey, you ready to go?”

  “What time is it?” I asked Connor not looking up from the mounds of papers.

  These papers are mating at night. I swear they are mating and giving birth in the in box. I scowled at the box.

  It didn’t look like I did anything.

  “Uh, it’s six.”

  “What!” I looked up shocked.

  “Six. Why?”

  “Shit. I’m late! My class is starting right now!” I jumped up, grabbed my bag, and grabbed Connor’s hand.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  I ran down the small hallway in the Cathedral of Learning hoping that Professor Copper wouldn’t notice that I was twenty minutes late. I stood outside the door listening for his voice. The deep, melodic voice drifted from under the old, wooden door. As quietly as I possibly could I pulled on the handle, unfortunately the stupid door squeaked, and announced to the entire class that I was in fact there and late. The high heels I wore also didn’t help as the clicking from heel hitting stone echoed off the walls. Those rooms were made for echoing sound and getting late comers in trouble, I swear. The evil jagoff who made them should have been strung up by his toes in Market Square, and beaten like a piñata.

  “Well, if you’re ready to join us and done making all that noise Miss Grimm, do you mind if I continue with my lecture?”

  “I’m really sorry, Professor. I got caught at Miss Hexe’s office later than I was supposed to.”

  “The problem with freshman interning is that sometimes your schooling begins to suffer,” he glared at me from over the top of his glasses, “I assume you did the work assigned for this week?”

  “Of course. It’s right here,” I reached into my bag and pulled out a small folder.

  I handed him the papers and quickly took my seat, my cheeks still burning.

  “Way to be on time,” Anna whispered.

  “I know.”

  “What kept you?”

  I gave her a look and bit my lip.

  “Ah, getting a little nooky at the office are we?”

  “No, of course not!”

  “Sure, sure. Like you were really working,” she giggled.

  “I was working. Now will you be quiet?”

  “What’s gotten your granny panties in a bunch today?” she asked.

  “Nothing. It was just a really stressful day at the office, and I didn’t finish everything I needed to. I have a feeling I’m going to be working all weekend.”

  “I thought we were going to do something?” she pouted.

  “If I have to work, I have to work. I can’t just not do the work.”

  “Fine,” she tapped her pencil furiously against her notebook, “Will you see Connor?”

  “Yes. He does work with me.”

  “How long have you been with him?” she asked.

  “I don’t know a week or two.”

  “Rushing it aren’t you?”

  I just gave her the look. She had a lot of nerve accusing me of rushing anything. She was the one-night-stand queen after all.

  “I don’t think he’s good for you.”

  “He’s perfect,” I said.

  “Don’t hold such high standards,” she pushed.

  “Anna, you don’t understand. He really is perfect. No other guy will ever know nearly as much about me as he does.”

  “You poured out your life story already?” she gasped.

  “No, well, not really. Just drop it. Things are fine with him.”

  “I really don’t think it’s going to work out for the two of you,” she said thumbing through the text book that rested on the old wooden desk in front of her.

  I looked at her in shock. She was being more critical and bitchy than usual. A small fire lit in my belly. Something I’d never felt toward my friend before. I think it was a bit of hatred and disgust. She had no business telling me how to deal with my relationship, or what to do. She did not even know the half of it.

  “I’m moving in with him,” I blurted out.

  “You’re what!” Anna said a bit too loudly.

  “Ladies! Please! Some of the people in this room are actually here to learn,” Professor Copper said sternly.

  “Sorry, Professor,” we both muttered.

  “When did you decide this?”

  “He asked me last night.”

  “And you just said yes?” she hissed.

  “Yes,” I replied.

  “Abby, you barely even know him! You admitted yourself you’ve only been with him for a week.”

  “For once trust me, Anna. I know what I’m doing.”

  “Don’t use him as a substitute daddy,” she whispered. “You are really rushing things.”

  “I am not using him as a substitute dad. I think I might actually love him. You know, green doesn’t suit you,” I snapped.

  She laughed. She actually sat there and laughed at me. Professor Copper turned and glared at us, that made her shut up.

  “You don’t know what love is, Abby. He’s your first boyfriend!”

  “Does that really matter? And look who’s talking. I mean at least I’m sticking with one guy and not hopping from one bed to the next to the next!”

  “I do not do that!”

  “You do. So what if Connor isn’t the twentieth man I’ve been with or the fiftieth. I don’t want to go around having sex with every person I meet because I haven’t been around enough for you.”

  “You shouldn’t even be with him,” she hissed.

  “What?”

  “He’s too good looking for you.”

  “Oh, so he should be with someone like whom? You?”

  She looked at me smugly then smiled, “Yes, actually. I’m more on his level than you will ever be.”

  “Your true colors are showing, Anna. You know you have a lot of nerve. Who the hell do you think you are? Big deal, every other guy you’ve met has thrown himself at your feet. Guess what, Connor doesn’t want you. He can’t stand you. And you know what, neither do I. I don’t need poison like you in my life. I should have listened to everyone back in high school. You’re nothing but a two-faced bitch. I’m moving in with Connor so you can seethe in that, and keep hopping from bed to bed!” I slammed my book shut, got up, and left.

  I was absolutely furious. She stared at me slack jawed and hurt. The rest of the class had grown quiet, and even Professor Copper didn’t say anything. The girl had a lot of balls. Seriously, who the hell did she think she was? She had absolutely no business telling me what I could and could not do. Or if I loved someone. Shit, all she did was sleep around with anyone who was willing to drop their pants! She was jealous.

  I fumed as I slammed open the front doors of the Cathedral and descended the stairs. I pulled out my phone and called Connor.

  “Pick me up in front of the Cathedral.”

  “I thought you had class till nine?”

  “Fuck class. Pick me up!”

  “Are you alright?” he asked.

  “I’m not talking about it on the phone. Just get here.”

  I stood near the road just watching for him. I wanted to get away from Anna, the campus, and get home.

  “Abigail!” Anna shouted from behind me.

  “I have nothing else to say to you,” I replied.

  “Well I have some things to say to you!” she screamed at me.

  “I don’t care what you have to say. You can consider this friendship over. I’m sick of being stuck on the back burner because of your ego. I’m not a fucking back burner friend.”

  “You sound childish!”

  “And you sound like a snobby, back-stabbing bitch. Who wants someone like that as a friend? I’ve put up with your shit for way too long.”

  “I’m not a bitch,” she pouted.

  “You are, and you’re a horrible friend. Is it really that hard for you to just be happy for me? To support me, even if it would be the biggest mistake of my life?”

  She stood there staring and biting her lip. I shook my head and cli
mbed into Connor’s car when he pulled up. I sat in the passenger seat stewing. Connor sat beside me not saying anything. I could see him clenching and unclenching his hands on the steering wheel. There was so much tension in that little car that you could cut it with a knife.

  “Are you going to tell me what happened, and why you left class?”

  “Anna.”

  “Okay?”

  “She questioned me about you and my judgment on deciding to move in with you! Then she said that you were out of my league and should be with her! The nerve!”

  “You are moving in with me?” he asked.

  “I didn’t tell you? Yeah, I decided that once this is all over, I’m moving in with you. I’m not keeping my life on hold anymore.”

  He reached over and held my hand, “Don’t worry about what she says. I have absolutely zero interest in her. She really isn’t my type.”

  “It doesn’t make sense though! She sleeps around, whines about shit, and does nothing to fix the problem. When I do, she tells me I don’t know what I’m doing, and then says that my happiness shouldn’t be mine!” I sat there staring out the window; the anger was swarming through my body like an angry hive of wasps.

  Not bees, wasps. But, something happened. Slowly the anger was replaced. A sudden wave of sadness gripped me. The tears welled and flowed over quickly. I had no warning. I just began to sob. I couldn’t stop them; they racked my body and caused disgusting snot bubbles. I popped open Connor’s glove box in search of some sort of paper product to wipe my nose. I found a tiny pack of tissues at the bottom and ripped them open. It was finally dawning on me that I’d just lost my best friend in the entire world.

  “She’s jealous. You’re taking things into your own hands and doing what you want. You have the courage she wishes she had.”

  “Courage, or because I have you. I think it’s more you,” I bawled.

  “Me?” he asked.

  “Yes, you are the most amazingly gorgeous man. You’re sweet, charming, and everything that any woman would die to have. She wants you, but I have you. It’s driving her crazy. She’s used to having all the guys fawn over her. She doesn’t like sharing attention, and when such a gorgeous guy doesn’t give her the time of day, apparently she turns into this horrendous bitch.”

  The girl was supposed to be my best friend. There was so much I was going through, and the one thing I could tell her she didn’t support. She let her jealousy get in the way and was being nothing but a bitch. I should have known I couldn’t count on her. She was nothing but a jealous and immature asshole.