Chapter 31: Unexpected Encounter

"Sapphy!" Austin exclaimed, now fully convinced that it really was me in front of him. "It's been a while. How are you? How have you been?"

I didn't say anything. I couldn't say anything. I was so startled to find him here and I didn't realize until now how mentally prepared I needed to be to see him. I felt a stinging pain in my chest and I just wanted to get out of here. No, I wanted him to disappear. I hadn't seen him since Mr Donovan beat him up that night. I wondered what he was doing at such a fancy place? The Austin I knew was so frugal that he would never dream of buying anything designer. He lived and breathed used goods. He had even influenced me.

Austin took three steps closer to where I stood and subconsciously, I moved back a little. He grimaced, hurt flashing in his bright blue eyes. And then he cooed, "What's wrong, Sapphy? I don't bite, you know."

And all of a sudden, my voice came back. "Oh no, you don't. You stab people in the back," I huffed, clenching my fist aroun