When I Met You

Chapter 9 - Nick's POV

 We were sitting on the couch inches away from each other and my heart was doing summersaults. I hope she doesn't notice my sudden change in breathing. She smells like my shampoo and she's wearing my t-shirt again. How did we go from strangers to this? It is so unlike me. Last night I acted like a fool, but I just couldn't watch her struggle. I hit my last straw when she was clearly out of it and he was taking advantage of her on the dance floor. I hope he's not always like that. Why would she let him use her like that?

She kept going on and apologizing like this was somehow her fault. Poor girl, what has he done to you? It hurt my soul the way she condescended herself like she had no self-esteem. He ruined a night that was supposed to be about her. Selfish bastard.

"I'm sorry, Nick." The tears swelling in her eyes looked unbearable, but I could tell she was holding back. Oh, Chelsea. It's okay to cry.

That's when my instincts kicked in. I stretched my arms around her tiny body and pulled close as if I never wanted to let go. I didn't want to let her go. "It's okay, Chelsea. You are safe now." I smiled, feeling her warmth so close to my body. Her still wet hair dripped down my arms as she began to release the river of tears she was holding back for so long. I didn't care that she was soaking my t-shirt, but the sobs coming out of her, shattered my heart. She was shaking, heaving and sniffling uncontrollably.

We sat there for a good ten minutes, until she was able to calm down enough to talk. She sighed as she repositioned herself, "I'm ready, now."

I loosened my grip and held her against me like we were a couple casually cuddling on the couch. I took a deep breath and began sharing the night from the moment I walked into the club. Obviously, leaving out some details. I hated going to clubs, but that night my friends forced me to join their company. However, I was extremely grateful that I showed that night. When I saw her that night, I kept trying to muster up the courage to have a simple conversation with her. She looked like she was having a good time, but when I looked away for a second everything went downhill. Seconds before everything happened, I built up enough courage to go talk to her, I just had to let my friends know where I was headed first. Glancing back her way I noticed she wasn't standing where she was moments before. A bad feeling made my stomach churn. I knew I had to look around for her, but when I found her my instincts went into overdrive. "I saw you struggling to get away from a strange man, who I now presume to be your boyfriend. You kept telling him to let go, but he was angry and I knew it was going to end badly. I tried to make my way across the room to you as fast as I could, but things were escalating quickly. He was grinding against you and touching you inappropriately in public while you appeared to be half-asleep. When I finally reached you guys, I politely asked him to let you go, but he said 'the fuck are you to tell me what I can and can't do to my girl.' That's kinda when I lost it. I pulled you out of his arms and you started to gain consciousness enough to realize what was happening. You backed away as I apologized for what I was about to do. I swung my fist as hard as I could to his face. Shaking off the pain in my knuckles, he stumbled backwards. 'I asked you to leave her the fuck alone. No means no, man.' I shouted."

I continued on, "that's when he ditched you. You told me that it was okay, because he does that kind of stuff all the time. I tried to explain that it shouldn't be a normalcy in your life, but you shrugged it off. There was an awkward silence growing between us before you spoke up. Your question caught me off guard, 'Hey, do I know you from somewhere?' I replied in an attempt to refresh your memory. 'Uh-yeah. We met at the library a couple of weeks ago.' However, you still looked confused, so I reintroduced myself. 'Nick.' I'm not sure why you pretended to not know me, but-uh you did. Then, you proceeded to flirt with me and I might have led you on slightly just to make sure you were safe. When I went to drop you off with your friends, they were extremely out of it. I'd feel so guilty if I abandoned you there without a safe ride home. I also didn't want more men taking advantage of the condition you were in, because I knew you'd regret it later."

I explained that when we got back to my place, I tried to put her in bed. "You started taking off your clothes. Once the dress was off, you pretty much just passed out. Then, I pulled the covers over you to keep you warm. And uh-yeah" I scratched the back of my head. "That's kind of it. You know the rest."

She looked up at me, searching for something in my eyes. At least that's what it felt like to me. Her lips pursed together, before she opened her mouth to speak. I think she was at a loss for words, because she did that a few times before finally letting out a lighthearted chuckle. She sat beside me while I still laid slouched into the couch. Putting her hands in her lap, she looked down at them as another giggle slipped between her soft-pink lips. "I think I had my fill of alcohol for a few years." Shaking her head, the tone in her voice became more solemn. "Last night was-uh my 21st birthday."

In an attempt to lighten the mood I replied. "Well, you most certainly went all out for it."

"I suppose I did." She grinned at me, noticing my efforts.

"Chelsea?" I inquired.

"Nick?" She mocked.

"Happy Belated Birthday." The sadness in her eyes returned, nearly breaking me.

"Thank you, truly. You didn't have to do any of this for me."

She's right, but I wanted to. It was the least I could do. "Of course, Chelsea. I would hope any decent human being would do the same."

Letting out a heavy sigh, "Yeah."