Circles - Post Malone

Thirty five

Dahlia looks up from the swarms of photography books Nessy had brought her and sees Gina walking into Sweet and Sour with Josh. Josh looks annoyed and says something to Gina that makes her bow her head a little. Dahlia does not like that. Josh goes to sit down at one of the tables by the window while Gina walks slowly to the bar. Dahlia can see her eyes are watery before she even gets to the bar.

By the time she gets to the bar and stands next to the twins, Dahlia can see a red mark on her cheek. "What happened to your face?" Dahlia asks her. The twins both turn to look at Gina too. "Josh slapped me. I tried to walk away from him but he would not let me so I convinced him to come for a drink here. I need – " she stops talking as Dahlia walks out from behind the bar and inspects Gina's cheek. It won't leave a bruise but honestly, that is beside the point. "You going to break it off with him?" Dahlia asks. Gina nods nervously. "I want to. But he scares me a little," Gina says looking over at where Josh is sitting. Dahlia looks over too and sees he is sitting with his back to them while he looks out the window. "How about I talk to him?" Dahlia suggests. Gina nods and looks immediately relieved. "Thank you, Dahlia. I appreciate that," Gina says.

Dahlia shrugs and smiles. "No big deal," she says and walks off toward where Josh is sitting. Just before she gets to his table she stops Harry who is acting as one of the servers as he is walking past her with an empty metal tray. "Hey, Harry, mind if I borrow your tray for a second please?" she says. Harry nods and hands her his tray. She walks up behind Josh and then raises the tray high above her head like a bat. "Hey, asshole," she says. As Josh turns around at the same time Dahlia swings the tray as hard as she can. The metal tray connects with Josh's face and she can hear the distinctive sounds of bones crushing. Josh flies off the chair and lands on his back on the floor.

There is a bunch of blood and groaning from Josh as his hands cover his broken nose. "If I ever see you again I will break more than your nose," Dahlia says leaning over him. He is a coward so Dahlia is not surprised when he just nods, scrambles to his feet then runs out of the bar - bumping into Austin as he comes in the doorway. Austin frowns when he sees Josh's bloody face, but Josh is gone by the time Austin can say anything to him.

“Thanks, Harry,” Dahlia says handing back the tray to him. Harry accepts the tray with his eyes stretched big and round in shock. “Hey, you are single right?” Dahlia asks. Harry stares at Dahlia, frozen. “You are also a nice guy...no weird shit?” Dahlia asks. Harry fishmouths for a few seconds. "Can you talk?" she asks. Harry manages to nod. "Great. See my friend over there?" Dahlia asks and Hary turns to look at Gina. Gina smiles at him and waves. Harry waves back and then turns to face Dahlia again. "You interested?" Dahlia asks. Harry squeeks then clears his throat. “I would but, I can’t. Two reasons. First, I have a girlfriend and I am a faithful guy. Secondly, you scare the living shit out of me, Dahlia,” he says.

“I can respect that. If anything changes let me know...better clean that tray – health and safety regulations.”

Harry flips the tray over and crunches his face in disgust as he sees a bit of blood. He nods and then disappears into the kitchen. Dahlia looks around and is relieved to see that it's still early enough to have only the regulars in the pub so no one will complain to the owner.  She walks back over to the bar and sits down in her chair between Nessy and Austin. “Having fun?” he asks with a smirk. “Maybe,” Dahlia shoots back.  

“Remind me not to get your bad side,” Nessy says packing up her books slowly.  Gina flops down on the chair on the other side of Austin and rests her head on her folded arms. “I am going to be single for the rest of my life. A spinster,” she mumbles into her arms. “That’s not true, Gina,” Austin says rubbing her back. “Relationships are over-rated, Gina. Love is just a fantasy,” Dahlia says. Austin drops his hand from Gina's back abruptly and glares at Dahlia. He is mad-mad.

“You are full of shit, Dahlia,” he punches his words out. His outburst gains the attention of the twins, Nessy and Gina. "Calm down, Austin," Dahlia bites back at him. Who the fuck is he to bite her shit about what she believes? He should be just as bitter as she is quite frankly. Being in love with someone who does not love you back fucking sucks. "Don't fucking tell me to calm down!" he shouts at her and stands up. Is he trying to intimidate her? Fuck that. Dahlia stands up too and then squares up to him. It does not matter that she is only at eye level with his chest. She is not intimidated. "Well don't tell me I am full of shit!" she shouts back at him. Austin gives her a dirty look, pushes his chair over, and then stamps out of Sweet and Sour. Dahlia watches him go and then turns back to the bar.

Everyone is looking at Dahlia with annoyed looks. Like she is the bad guy. "What?" she asks. "Go after him and apologize," Orlando says. Dahlia rolls her eyes at him. "No. I have nothing to apologize for," Dahlia tries to defend herself but no one seems to agree with her as they are all shaking their heads at her. "Dahlia! Go apologize right now!" Gina says sternly. "I will go find him but I am not apologizing," she says turning on her heel and stalking out to look for that silly fool. She does not have to go far, she finds him in an open lot sitting on a pile of rubble having a cigarette.

"Austin-"

"Fuck off, Dahlia."

"What the fuck has gotten into you?"

"You are such a fucking liar!"

"Oh, that's rich coming from you!"

"Fuck you!"

"Oh, fuck me? No, sir! Fuck you!"

Austin stands and stamps out his cigarette then walks up to Dahlia, looking her up and down, "You are fucking hung up on some pathetic asshole for years and yet you tell Gina that love is just a fantasy...you are a fucking liar," he says then pushes past her. "Love is a fantasy, Austin!" she shouts at his back, "I have been in love with him for years, but he loves someone else! If love is not a fantasy then it's just fucked up!" she shouts. Austin stops and spins around. "Stop being a fucking coward and tell him," he challenges her through clenched teeth. Maybe she should just tell him. Rip the band-aid off and just tell him. She will lose him though. It will be a high price to pay.

"Ok, I will," Dahlia says but then is surprised when she sees fear flash in Austin's eyes. Of course he is a little fearful. He will lose his toy and have to find someone else to tend to his needs till Gina wakes the fuck up. Unless... "I will tell him if you tell her," Dahlia tries to make a deal with him. Austin bites his bottom lip and then looks down. He suddenly looks so small - like a little lost boy. "I can't do that," he says in a soft voice.

"Why? Why can't you just fucking tell her?"

"I will lose her, Dahlia."

"I doubt that."

"I am not prepared to risk it. She is not ready to hear how I feel about her. She will run if I tell her now. I will wait forever if I have to."

His words are like ice. Dahlia has to swallow hard to get the thick lump that is stuck in her throat. "So what do we do now?" she whispers. Austin grabs her wrist, "come here," he says and pulls her into his chest. "We just take comfort in each other, baby," he says kissing the top of her head. "Ok," she says and buries her face in his chest as he wraps his arms around her.