As it Was / A Joseph Quinn story.

Prologue

"And if I only could, I'd make a deal with God, and I'd get him to swap our places..."

It was a warm night in London, at the end of september. It was around 11pm and I was coming  back to my apartment after my shift at my so called job at Java Whiskers Cat Cafè.

I was waiting for the tube to get me to Woodside Park station. I was listening to a random 80's music playlist on Spotify. I wasn't really paying attention to the songs, I was just hoping nobody would bother me on my way home.

Once the tube stopped at Woodside Park I got off and walked straight out of the station. My apartment was 20 minutes away and nobody was around. I loved silence, I loved the night. I was definitley a night person: I couldn't wait to crawl into bed with a cup of tea and binge watching The Big Bang Theory on Netflix until my eyes begged me to sleep.

I was right about to get home when I went beyond a pub that was still open. A bunch of people were outside drinking and laughing. I didn't really care and walk among them apologizing, like it was the most natural thing to do. Before I could get out of the small crowd, some guy came right into my way and almost make me stumble and fall on the sidewalk. Fortunately I didn't; I just looked at him with a frown that could tell I was pretty shocked, but I didn't say a word. He approached me blurring something I didn't fully understand: I could tell he was drunk as hell by the smell of his breath.

"Watch your step, missy"

I didn't respond, and just turn around to keep walking home; apparently, the guy didn't like me ignoring him.

"Hey, babe, I'm talking to you! you should apologize to daddy for being so clumsy"

I really tried hard to ignore him again, but I hate that kind of behavior. So I stopped and got back a few steps. I was a few inches apart from him. From his face, I could tell he didn't expect that.

"I'm not your fuckin' babe"

All his friends started to make fun of him; of course he couldn't let go, at this point.

"Don't you dare mess with me, babe" he repeated "babe" on purpose.

"Uuuhhh... how scary" I said, and that was the worst thing I could do. His ego was basically smashed to the ground, and by a woman! In front of his friends!

The tension was over the edge. I was scared because I couldn't predict his next move, but I was trying not to show. Even if drunk, he was fast: he grabbed my right arm and got me closer to him. I tried not to panic, but inside of me, I was terrified. I didn't know what was going to happen next, but one voice cut in between us.

"Hey!" I heard "Hey, let her go!"

The drunk guy immediately let go of me. I was relieved but still scared by the situation.
Another guy came by and pushed him away.

"Dude, this is the last time I warn you"

So, this is frequent.

This last guy looked at me and asked me if I was all right. I nodded but I wasn't that sure.

"Are you ok? Do you want me to call an uber to take you home?"

I shook my head "It's ok. I live across the road"

"Ok. If you need it, I can walk you" I thought he was too nice, and I don't trust nice people.

"It's fine. Thank you for helping me. I owe you one" he smiled

"You could tell me your name, that would be fine"

Well, it's just a name, after all.

"Andy...short for Andrea"

"Oh, ok Andy-short-for-Andrea. I'm Joe, short for Joseph"

I nodded again and faked a smile. I felt uncomfortable for some reason, even if he kind of saved me back then.

"I better go now. Thanks again. Goodnight Joe-short-for-Joseph"

He smiled, again, and waved me goodbye. I start walking again, a little faster, until I finally got home. I opened the door and as soon as I closed it, I fell down crying.