"And I had to finish it too."
Cleo came through the front door and they were just glaring at each other. "Is everything alright, kid?" she asked observing both their expressions from the other side of the window where he stood.
"I'm fine. Some people just don't understand what any means."
"Sir, if you're giving her trouble, then you can take your stuff and leave."
He didn't even look at Cleo, but turned away and went to the dryer. Nicole hurriedly let Cleo in.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing." She packed her books and notes up in her backpack. "I'm going home now. I'm really tired."
Cleo said worriedly. "Maybe you should wait until he leaves."
"He's a bunch of hot air Cleo. I'm really tired and Nanna has visitors tomorrow. I need to get some sleep, but I have so much to do at home."
"You want to take my car and just pick me up in the morning?"
Nicole tiredly shook her head. "I'll be okay."
"I'll give you money for a cab ride."
"Please Cleo, stop it. I'll be fine." She put on her coat and hat, and then walked out the Laundromat in a hurry not giving the stranger one more look, but she could feel those cold gray eyes on her piercing into her back as if he wanted to cut off her air supply with just a look.
Once out in the midnight early December air of Detroit, she started home not caring about anything except walking fast and being safe. She pushed thoughts of the stranger out her mind. Maybe he was just new to the neighborhood.