Declassified

Declassified 86 Alpha and Beta

      Thalia jolted into Dan's arm as she felt a sharp jab from behind. "Sorry!"

      "You're literally standing still, Thal." Dan said, clearly amused. "How do you managed to trip when you're standing still?"

      "She's been drinking." Alex squeezed her hand.

      "She's been snacking."

      "I'm not even—" Thalia felt a sharp pain wrack her back as the person behind her bumped her again, harder this time, right where her shoulder still ached the worst. Alex grabbed her arms to stop her from falling, but Dan bumped into her as he scowled at the men behind them.

      "Hey, watch it." Dan said roughly.

      "Watch what?"

      Thalia braced one hand against the table as she turned toward Dan, already feeling the tension rising.

      "Watch yourself." Dan shoved the dark haired man away, brow knit in anger. "You bumped my friend."

      "It's fine, Dan." Thalia insisted. "I'm fine."

      "Yeah, Dan." The dark haired man shoved Dan back harder. "You heard your skank. She's fine."

      "What the fuck did you just call her?" Thalia was grateful when Alex grabbed his most reactionary brother, ready to hold him back if need be.

      "I called her a skank." The dark haired leered at Thalia while his friends laughed. "Dressed like that, what do you expect?"

      Thalia instinctively grabbed Alex's wrists, frowning as his expression changed. "Please, Alex." She begged. "It's Christmas. Let's just have fun."

      She felt his muscles relax as she looked down at the fairly modest neckline of her dress. "Forget it, Dan." Alex insisted. "He's not worth it."

       Thalia looked up at Dan pleadingly. Please don't fight. Her eyes said. Please don't ruin our Christmas. She sighed in relief as Dan scowled, turning back to their group. "Definitely not worth it."

      Thalia turned back to Alex, opening her mouth to thank him, but her elation was short lived as she felt hot breath on the back of her neck.

      "If you want a real man, let me know."

      A hand suddenly shot between her slim thighs, the soft fabric of her skirt stretching as she felt the dark haired man grab her ass, palm up, his fingers curving viciously against her.

      Thalia swung around instinctively, her hand flying out and striking the man across the face hard enough to send him reeling, but then he recovered, grabbing her arm and shoving her away from him. "Fucking cunt!"

      "Oh!" Thalia gasped as she fell against the table, Alex catching her before she fell with it.

      "Thalia!" Lily reached out to pull her closer, but Thalia grabbed Alex's arm.

      "Alex, stop! Let's just go!"

      The bar tender who had served their drinks earlier grabbed the dark haired man. "There's no fighting in here."

      "Let's take this outside then."

      "That's a good idea."

      "Dan, no—I shouldn't have hit him." Thalia tried to grab him but Dan yanked his arm away, glaring at her.

      "I saw what he did, Thal. He can't fucking do that." He snapped.

      "I'm fine." Thalia felt tears prick her eyes as her cozy Christmas feelings evaporated. "Let's just go."