– Could we reschedule for Monday? – I suddenly blurted out. I desperately didn't want to face him tomorrow. I wasn't ready to confront him. – Don't think I'm getting cold feet again. I had some problems with my flat," I lied to make myself look convincing.
– Of course," Cedric said calmly.
I was relieved.
– It was great that we'd met so unexpectedly. I wouldn't have had a chance to warn you, and you'd have been sitting in the library for nothing. Perhaps it would have been a good idea to exchange phone numbers! – I said cheerfully.
Cedric didn't answer, and I thought I had offended him, but when I saw the good-natured expression on his face, I knew I was wrong. I wanted to leave; there was an awkward tension between us, and silence made it worse.
– Well… I'll be going," I said, tucking my hands into my pockets. – Good night.
– Good night," Cedric said indifferently.
I forced a smile out of myself and hurried away.
"Thank God he didn't ask to see me off!" – I thought with relief, imagining what would have been going through my mind if Cedric Morgan had been walking beside me. Even silently.
With a firm and fairly quick step I headed home, overjoyed at my unexpected reprieve. Now I had five days to think and try to understand Cedric. Though I don't think I could ever understand him.
I reached the edge of the bridge, but I heard footsteps behind me. A chill ran down my spine. The footsteps were getting closer, and as they got closer, my brain filled with stories of maniacs. Horrific gory scenes. After all, it couldn't be Cedric: he'd stayed standing on the bridge and couldn't have caught up with me so quickly.
Footsteps sounded just behind me. I took my hands out of my pockets, clenched my fists, and turned around.
– Shit! You scared me! – I exclaimed: it was Cedric.
I couldn't stop shaking with excitement and fear.
– I'm sorry, but I can't let you go alone," Cedric said with a slight smile. – By the way, you're holding your fist wrong: your thumb should always be up. – He grabbed my left hand, and I flinched a little; his palm was ice cold. – Relax your palm. That's it. Now make a fist properly. That's it. I'll walk you out.
I could tell by his tone that it wasn't a question or a suggestion. And I was getting cold feet. I hastily released my palm from Cedric's hand and tucked it into my pocket.