The bleak breeze would draw a violin bow across the branches of a tree outside the window and I would hear a faint lullaby. The lovely lullaby however, was accompanied by the constant chatter emitting from Blake's mouth. Minutes before, I was stood along the road by the bus stop with my hands shivering and my legs shaking. Snow fell before my eyes and I blinked hard as one took a break on my lashes. My bare and unsteady hand reached for my eye and rubbed hard. The sudden cold touch burned my eyelids and my head tilted back, retreating in fear of the cold. As my hand lowered, I caught a glimpse of my watch face. Four dull black digits stole my attention for a brief moment as panic rose in my mind like boiling black coffee threatening to overflow the edge of a mug. I dug a hole through my warm pockets and laced my fingers around my phone. After a few punches of letters and numbers, a car arrived in front of me and I stepped in, embracing the warm air radiating from the small heater. " Why are buildings called buildings when they are already built?" Blake announced. My gaze was fixed on the speeding scenery that flew past the car and I pursed my lips, hoping something rude would not escape my mouth. " I don't know Blake, I really shouldn't have called you to come pick me up. Just throw me out of this car already!" Those were the words I wish I could express out loud. " I don't know." I muttered.
As soon as we reached the venue for the competition I was attending, my fingers shot towards the handle of the door and I fell towards the floor. My elbow flung backwards, closing the door behind me. I closed my eyes and drank in the brief moment of silence. " You are early! Registration is this way!" screamed the man dressed in black. The silence was broken once again. My eyes twirled as if they were performing a Pirouette. I proceeded to lug on my backpack and stumbled my way to the counter. After registering I inched closer to the wall, the towering wooden walls before me flung open. A sea of aromas drowned out my annoyance. The smell of freshly baked pastries and the sight of a chocolate fondue fountain made my saliva pool. Without a second thought, crumbs started to fall and chocolate leaked from the corners of my mouth. The crispy yet soft pastry melted on my tongue and the sweetness of the chocolate made my jaw ache. I never thought that free food could ever taste so good. As I murdered the food in cold blood, Blake was seated at the table with phone in hand instead of food.
More contestants entered the room and the fountain of fondue faded into a pale white statue while the pile of pastries were shrunk to the size where they were perfect for ants. As the competition started, faint groans could be heard throughout the room. People were grabbing their stomachs and tacking each other for the door to the toilet. I chuckled at the obnoxious scene. That chuckle was the repository of regret. My stomach bit at my flesh and twisted into knots. I blanketed my eyes with the palm of my hands and waited, hoping that the pain would subside. It never did. The aching in my body brought me to the edge, the brink which it skated on for eternity." When your existence is hell, death must be heaven." remarked Blake. My head swiveled towards his smug face. My eyes shot daggers at his twisted smile and my jaw tightened.
I tumbled out of my chair, out of the door, with my hands pressed up against my mouth. I thought if I did not hold them there, I would start to scream. I went to the closest unoccupied bathroom and set up camp.
It is said that you are safer with the devil you know than the devil you do not. The free ride to the competition seemed convenient while the free meal seemed enticing , but each of them brought their own downsides and their own price that I had to pay. Never again would I ever accept a seemingly free meal without thinking twice.
