triggers - assault italic are flashbacks/memories, YK,
Anthony practically begged Y/N to come with him to a party. Y/N was hesitant especially because her past harasser was going to be there. Anthony knows this. But his excuse is always "But he's my friend. I promise he's a changed man."
Y/N wore something simple. Black tight sweater and baggy jeans with a silver necklace and rings to match it. She wasn't feeling it. Especially since she was forced to come with Anthony knowing him, he'll probably drag her if his begging wasn't enough to annoy her into saying a yes.
they were welcomed by loud music, girls and guys getting wasted by the couch, couples making out and some even had no shame and started to pound each other on top of the kitchen table to their left. More kids downing vodka and tequila. Lights flashed to every color and Y/N was sooner separated from Anthony who, you guessed, was pulled back by drunk, wasted girls and he with no ease let them drag him into the crowd.
Y/N hugged herself as she stood in the crowd of fucked up kids dancing and getting done for as she looked around for Anthony. Her eyes instead of making contact with the person she dreaded to come across.
She uncomfortably looked away, shifting from her position as she tried to walk away but the crowd only seemed to get tighter, practically getting squished between a half-naked blondie and a high brunette in green.
She tried to squish herself out but she only got pushed back. If she tripped, they probably wouldn't even notice and would trample her.
Her heart pace quickened as she glance back to see him in her direction. Her breath hitched as her knees buckled in fear. She tried being aggressive, shoving people in front of her to get out but they only seemed to get stronger as they pushed her back.
She starts to yell, "EXCUSE ME!" but nobody listened. Her heart was practically gonna explode. Sweat beads slide down her cheeks as her eyes teared, scared, d and oddly felt claustrophobic. She gulped back a sob as she tried to shove her way out once again, adrenaline filling her veins. But he was fast, he made his way to her and grabbed her arm rather harshly, and pulled her back to him.
Y/N gasped and she let out a cry. His grip only tightened as he pulled her to his chest and hushed her, his breath tickling her neck. She cried out, "LET GO OFF ME." she couldn't hold in the sob she's been trying to deny.
He didn't listen as he began to kiss her temple.
She tried to claw his hands that gripped her biceps, definitely gonna leave a mark on her soft skin.
He dug his nails into it making her gasp. "LET GO OF HER!"
The man had stumbled away from Y/N, letting go of her as he lost balance. Y/N, panicked, turned around to face her knight in shining armor.
Carl Gallagher. He looked at her concerned. "You okay? Did he hurt you?-"
he was cut off with a punch to his jaw.
"CARL!"
Cherry Balm
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"𝗢𝗵, 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹." Y/N gasped, as she held an ice pack to his cheek. He sat on top of the counter, wincing at the pain. Anthony was still nowhere to be found and the party had returned to its natural state, noisy and wild.
Y/N looked at Carl with a concerned look, "Are you out of your mind?" She gaped. Carl rolls his eyes, "He was touching you." He frowned. Y/N couldn't say anything, he wasn't wrong. She was thankful though. That he stood up for her. Something her friend couldn't even do. Something she wished her boyfriend could do, I mean what did she expect, haven't even 20 seconds, and her boyfriend ditched her to get drunk.
"Thank you." She whispered enough for Carl to listen. He gave an awkward smile. "You don't need to thank someone for being a decent person." He said. Y/N shakes her head, "It's rare to find them anyways, nowadays."
Carl stared down at Y/N, his eyes are so focused on her beauty. It's just like in the movies, everything around them was a big blur. Except for her, she was outstanding, she was glowing. It's sad to see her stuck with a guy like Anthony.
Y/N felt bad for herself. Because her boyfriend's friend cared for her enough to get himself punched in the face to make sure she's safe. Anthony only protected her when it benefited him and that was never. She regrets even forcing herself to stay with him. But every time she looked at Anthony, it was just so hard to say even a thing to him about how angry she is that his friend treats her much better.
And Carl notices this. The way she frowned as she stared ahead, so deep in her thoughts, he notices how much she hates Anthony but she just couldn't say anything because she's, scared?
It's not love though.
Because Y/N knows that love was the way she looks at Carl and vise versa. She just didn't wanna admit it. Because Anthony is still in the picture. And Carl probably doesn't like her like that. Oh if only she stops pretending and acting that Anthony is a good boyfriend, a good person even.
