Heavy Heart

Chapter 3

Sarah had invited a couple other girls we knew from high school; Lisa and Hannah. They were both two years younger than us, but it was a small town, we all knew each other. When I arrived the place was already full of people socializing and having a good time. I looked through the crowds for Sarah, finally finding her and the others at a corner table.

"There's my girl, Layla! We got shots coming." she announced as I sat down. Hannah and Lisa both laughed loudly.

I smiled and nodded, "Sounds good. I am going to the bar to get a beer." I left my clutch on the table and slipped my cash in my back pocket. Slowly I made my way to the bar and ordered a bottle of beer. As I waited I didn't notice someone had come up next to me and brushed their shoulder against mine. The sudden contact caused me to shift my eyes quickly to my left. Zack stood uncomfortably close to me, our shoulders touching, he was smiling down at me.

"Can I help you?" I asked dryly. He didn't seem phased by my tone, instead he smiled widely at me, "What are you drinking, Layla? Let me get you something." I shook my head and handed the bartender my cash, "No, I can buy my own drinks."

I walked away, leaving Zack standing there with his mouth open. I'd seen way too much of him that day. It was odd he continued to try and engage me in conversation. I had no idea what his motive was. As I rejoined my party, the shots had arrived. Each of us downed ours quickly before ordering another round.

Sarah took a long sip of her vodka and cranberry juice, she muttered, "I need to get laid. Are there any good looking guys here tonight?" Hannah laughed at her, "Sarah, you just broke up with Jack. Why don't you give it a bit of time before you get into something else."

"Who says I want to get into anything else serious? I just want to have some fun." Sarah whined. Lisa rolled her eyes and I laughed. Hannah sighed, "Actually, I could use something fun too. Maybe we should make a lap around the bar, see if there are any prospects?" Sarah nodded and took Hannah's hand, the two of them left Lisa and I behind.

"So, how are you?" Lisa asked me. I smiled, "I'm good. And you?" She shrugged. We didn't know each other particularly well, we only spent time together when our mutual friends got together. Lisa was watching something behind me. I turned around to see Zack looking in our direction. When he saw me look at him he turned away quickly.

Lisa smirked, "I think Zack Trulley is checking you out." I shook my head, "No he's not. Zack used to tease me about being fat in school all the time. He's not interested in me." She shook her head and leaned forward to whisper, "Things change. Maybe he's into you now." I frowned at her and hissed, "Well I'm not into bullies so he can stay the hell away from me." Lisa sat back in her chair and chuckled, "You need to let the high school shit go, Layla. People can change."

I didn't respond to her, but I glanced over my shoulder at Zack. I caught him looking at me again, this time he didn't look away. Instead he smiled at me. I didn't respond, instead I turned back to my table and chugged down the remainder of my beer. Lisa let out a cackle and shook her head at me. The waiter brought us another pair of shots, which we took down quickly.

Sarah and Hannah found their way back to us twenty minutes later. Sarah told us, "I ran into Brock and he wants us to join his friends at their table." I furrowed my brow and shook my head, "No way, I don't want to sit with those assholes."

Hannah let out a whine, "Come on, Layla, it will be fun. They aren't that bad." I glared at her, "Brock called me a walrus just three days ago as I was leaving work. He's an asshole." Lisa smiled and nodded, "I'll stay here with Layla. You two go and try to get picked up. I came here to hang out with the girls anyway. Layla and I can have a good time just the two of us." I smiled at her and nodded.

Sarah and Hannah linked arms and went over to the table where Brock and Zack sat with a bunch of other guys. I didn't watch them go, instead I just chuckled to myself.

"What's so funny?" Lisa asked. I sighed, "Girls will always ditch each other for guys. It's so pathetic. I should have known Sarah would blow me off once a man came along."

Lisa nodded slowly, "Yeah I hear you. Listen, head's up, Zack is coming over here right now." My entire body tensed up. I held on to my beer bottle as tight as I could. I felt a breeze of movement pass by me as he stepped up next to me. I didn't make eye contact yet again, I just waited for him to speak.

Zack placed a beer bottle in front of me on the table, "Here, I bought you a drink. Will you consider coming and joining our table?" I shook my head. Lisa snickered at him. I glared at her but it didn't seem to phase her. Zack let out a sigh, "Layla, come and hang out with us. It will be fun."

I'd had enough of his weird behavior. Zack had been paying entirely too much attention to me and I'd had enough of it. I stood up and met his gaze. Zack looked into my face and smiled, I sucked in a deep breath before I spoke, "Listen, I don't know what you are playing at but I'm not interested. I'm not an easy lay, so stop trying. I don't need nor do I want your attention, Zack. So take your drink and shove it up your ass. Three days ago you and your buddy were making fun of me at work so don't think that just because you showed me a little attention all is forgiven."

He stared back at me, his eyes wide and his mouth open. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for him to respond. After a moment Zack swallowed hard, "I'm sorry, Layla. I should have said something when Brock made fun of you. You know it's all in good fun, he doesn't mean it."

I glared at him, "Really? Making fun of my body is fun for you? Is insulting me a joke? Tell me how that is supposed to make me feel good about hanging out with you, Zack?" He tried and failed to form words, instead he stood there with his mouth open and stared at me.

"You can go now. Take your beer with you." I hissed. Zack took the bottle from the table and retreated back to his friends. Lisa let out a hard laugh as I sat back down in my chair. I was proud of myself for standing my ground and coming to my own defence. I wasn't going to let some annoying man lure me into his bed. I wasn't interested in a one night stand or being used by Zack Trulley. He could stay far away from me.

Lisa and I spent the rest of the night together drinking beer and exchanging stories. Hannah came back to our table a few hours later. Sarah ended up going home with some random guy none of us really knew but she insisted she was fine. Hannah's sister came to pick us up from the bar at closing time. Before we left Zack tried to talk to me again but I closed the door in his face before he could say anything. I couldn't figure out why he kept trying to talk to me when I had made it clear I wasn't going to let him take me home. I'd already made my feelings about him known, yet Zack kept trying to come over to me. I had no idea what he was playing at, but I didn't want to bother spending a bunch of time on him. Once a bully, always a bully right?