Angel

Part Two

*WARNING: HOMOPHOBIC LANGUAGE *

I was tired and my feet and lower back were throbbing. I probably needed a better pair of sneakers or maybe I could ask Mr. Ronaldo to get one of those squishy, memory foam mats to put behind the counter. Well, tonight had just been more work thanks to Mr. Wannabe Thug Man.

I was walking home, enjoying the cool night air and the deserted sidewalks. Most people didn't like being out alone at night in this part of town, but I didn't mind. My apartment was only a few blocks away. It wasn't the best, but it was mine and fortunately rodent and insect free. I was so lost in my thoughts, thinking about what I should make for dinner when I got in that I didn't notice the footsteps quickly coming up behind me. It wasn't until they grabbed the back of my shirt and slammed me into the building behind me that I realized I was being followed.

All the air was knocked out of my lungs and I bowed at the waist, resting my hands on my knees while I tried catching my breath. A hand gripped the front of my shirt and yanked me upright before pinning me against the wall. I looked up and saw it was Julian standing before me, breathing hard, rage burning in his eyes. Geez, he waited all night for me to get off work to confront me! Talk about holding a grudge.

"You think you're so smart, huh, pretty boy," he hissed, shaking me roughly, "well there ain't no cop to rescue you now?!" My eyes followed his other hand as it settled on the button of his jeans. A very unsettling feeling washed over me and a shiver of repulsion raked up my spine.

"Let's see how good you suck cock, fag." He hissed his grip tightening on my shirt.

While he was busy fumbling to unbutton his jeans, I took notice that he was favoring his right leg. He most likely had a weak knee. People don't take their joint health seriously enough. You aren't doing yourself any favors if you don't take a daily supplement. It never hurts.

My right foot kicked out lightening fast and his leg immediately crumpled. He barely let out a surprised yelp before he was starting to collapse to the ground, his hand releasing his hold on me. I grabbed his head between my hands as he was falling and jerked it down right as my knee went up, slamming into his face. I felt his nose break and blood squirted out everywhere. I quickly released him and he fell flat on his ass to the ground, dazed, blinking, and bleeding. I crouched down in front of him, pulling the butterfly knife I kept hidden in my pocket, and pressed the sharp blade against his throat. It wasn't a big knife, but it's not the size that counts...it's how you use it. His eyes widened impossibly large as he felt the blade.

"Look, Julian, I'm sure you didn't have the best upbringing," I murmured, "but that's no excuse for bad manners." His chest was heaving as I stared into his eyes.

"I'm willing to let this all go," I said softly, "as long as I don't see you again," I pressed the tip of my knife harder against his neck and a trickle of blood rolled down, making him hiss in pain, "I like you, Julian, and I think you just need a chance to get your act together." His nod was barely perceptible.

"Y-yeah s-s-sure." He choked out. I smiled at him and sheathed my knife before reaching into my other pocket. He flinched when I brought my hand towards him. His eyes flicked down to the palm of my hand and he took the bandaid I offered him with shaky fingers. It was much too small for his broken nose, but it's the thought that counts.

I climbed to my feet and started back to my apartment. Ramen sounded good right now, but did I have any eggs? I left Julian there, still in a daze on the ground. He wasn't a threat to me anymore...it was the person in the sleek, black luxury car parked nearby that I really needed to worry about.

I liked my classes. It was kind of weird being a freshman in college at twenty-one, but it was a small community college, so there were people of all ages.