Wish I wasn't so shy

Jules

I didn't really know what was going on. It happend so fast. Only certain things stuck in my mind. I was at a bar. I saw my ex from five years ago. He was slurring his apologies. "I'm sorry baby I know it was a long time ago but I really love you." You know, that bullshit. Then a fight. My ex and this guy.

A vague image of him popped in my head but I couldn't quite make out how he looked. Tall, shaggy hair, between a raspy and velvety voice. I think he might have been sitting next to me at the bar?

I heard someone call my name, but it was muffled. The sound became more clear and I was back in the bar. More so my brain was. "Huh...", I asked. My eyes grew wide at the image infront of me. Jack, my ex, on the floor, throwing a punch or two at the silhouette of the shaggy haired man. "Crap!" I said. I didn't know what else to say. Stop standing there, do something!

Now that I was completely back to Earth, I ran up to the rumble and pulled them apart. Finally I saw the man's face and memories started flicking in my mind.

Jack hitting on me and trying to put himself all over me. Me pushing him away. Him not stopping. The man telling him to leave me alone.

"Who do you think you are, this is my woman!" Jack said, holding me in a tight grip. The man told him to back off again, this time more stern. Jack tried not to show it but he was terrified. Next thing I knew, punches were being throw and glass was hitting the floor. That was right about the time I blacked out.

The two boys stood up, huffing and buffing from rolling around on the floor. Jack no longer had his tough guy face on, but the tall man did. He was about ready to throw another punch at Jack.

"What the hell Jack! What the FUCK Jack." I was the one now with all the attention on me. He looked at me and shrugged. I sighed deeply. He was a shit boyfriend and I didn't want to ever see him again. Especially at this time.

Without even thinking, I punched him square in the face. My eyes went big with surprise and I turned around to get my things and leave this fricking bar. Before I did I pulled the stranger who saved my ass back there with me. I rushed him out the door of the bar. The bartender came running out, tell us how we were no longer allowed back there. Bummer, I like that bar.

"Hi. What happend just now", I asked the stranger, pacing back and forth. "I guess your ex was there and he was hitting on you. He was all over you. And you didn't look so pleased, it made me sick. I just wanted to put a stop to it", he said calmly.

I leaned against the vandalised bar wall and sighed, reaching into my purse to find my pack of cigarettes. I searched for my lighter but had no luck. "Err here let me get that", the man said. He took out a lighter and a cig for himself, lighting them both. "Thanks." I whispered back, inhaling the smoke. "Actually thanks for saving me back there too. I didn't catch your name by the way", I asked.

"Julian. And you?" He averted his gaze from the cars in the distance to me.

"Maya", I reply. I quickly finish up my cig and flicked it on the floor, stepping on it. I picked it up and disposed it in a trash can. Julian gave me a questioning look. "Littering's not cool, okay man?" I could see the cold air coming out of his nose as he laughs. "Okay man", he replied, mocking my use of 'man.'

"Hey you're kinda bleeding. Maybe we should get you cleaned up. I'll drive if you want", I offer. "I don't know. I don't want to be any trouble", he said throwing his cig butt on the floor, not bothering to pick it up. I picked it up though and threw it away, yet again he lets out a little laugh. I smiled back and shoved his shoulder.

"Come on, it's the least I can do. It's my fault you got these cuts and bruises." He hesitates but nods his head in agreement anyway. "I actually remembered I walked here too", he says as we arrive to my car. "Well you're in luck bud", I say.