SURPRISINGLY YOURS

Together

Jagger

I frowned.

What was this chick talking about?

"You're out of your mind," I said, not trying to be mean.

Julia sighed, looking in my direction as if I'd hurt her own feelings.

"I'm sorry..I just don't see it."

"Why not?" Zoey asked, "You two have hit it off, yes?"

"Well, I,-"

"I wouldn't say hit it off.." Julia said, her leg bouncing as she spoke, "Maybe I should leave the two of you,-"

"No..." I said, "Don't.."

"Jagger, this is your session."

I couldn't do it—not without her.

"Please stay?"

Julia

I smiled and looked back at Zoey who was wearing her casual grin.

I couldn't read her at all.

She wasn't a psychic or empath or whatever words she used to confuse me so I hadn't the slightest clue what was happening.

"Of course I will," I said, "Just don't get shy around me, alright?"

Jagger smiled, "You've seen me nude."

Zoey laughed and snapped her fingers, "Alright well..let me ask you some questions, Jagger. What brings you in?"

"She did."

I rolled my eyes, "Tell her what's happening."

Jagger sighed, "I see things. I see black things, shadows. I hear things...I have blurred vision and yes, I don't know,-"

"Jagger! You need to go get an MRI or something!"

"I've had one," he said, "I don't..I don't have anything technically wrong with my mind."

Zoey nodded, "Are these voids hurting you, Jagger?"

"They hurt people I love."

Jagger

I hated this, but she was with me so I felt OK about it.

I knew Julia wasn't going to judge me—and I liked Zoey who was eccentric, but sincere.

"A concussion when you were little?"

"Yes, everything happened after that. I was—I am supposed to be on lithium,-"

"Wow," Zoey interrupted, "That's a heavy drug."

"I know..it makes me a zombie and withdrawn, but I.."

I held Julia's hand in my lap now, not even noticing that.

"Where does Julia fit in all of this?"

"I don't know. We just...clicked."

"But you've known Julia for two years?"

"I didn't like her two years ago," I admitted, "I mean, I didn't know her all too well then."

"Why,-"

"The fucking voids!" I lashed out, "If I don't save her, no one will."

Julia

"Why? What do you mean?"

I was so confused, but I wanted to help him. I knew this was beyond Zoey's scope, but I had to try.

"Do they hurt you?"

"They've always hurt me or the people I care about."

"And if Julia left you?"

"I'm not,-" I tried to say we weren't together, but Zoey shook her head.

"I wouldn't blame her," Jagger said, "I don't even know why this is happening—why she has seen this side of me."

"What do you mean? What about your other girlfriends?"

"They didn't know," he admitted, "I...either took the lithium or drank away my problems."

"Until now?"

"Why me?"

Jagger turned to face me and I knew in an instant he had no idea why either.

Jagger

"Can I get some air?"

"Sure," Zoey said, "Take your tea."

I wanted Julia to come with me, but it was stifling in Zoey's little shop.

Stepping out into the cool air, I was just about to call Moose when the douche bag rolled in.

"Eric.."

He stepped out of the delivery van with a package and stopped abruptly when he saw me.

"Jagger..."

"Asshole."

"What are you doing here?"

"Came here with Julia to see Zoey. What are you doing here?"

"I deliver for my dad's warehouse on the weekends," he looked me up and down, "You and Julia.."

"Yeah, we're together," I said, without thinking, "So, you can just drop off the package and get the fuck out of here."

"Or what?"

"Or I do more damage to you now than I did at the library."

"All for her?"

"What do you mean?"

"She's a lunatic—like you," he said, "Girl's got problems and,-"

Before I knew it, my tea was tossed and I was pummeling him.

The package discarded, I pounded into his face as we tussled on the ground.

He got a few good licks in as the shadows surrounded us, prodding me on to do my worst.

"Don't you ever fucking talk about her like that!I will obliterate you."

I didn't feel myself being lifted off of him, but it wasn't until I was getting my own face bashed in that I realized I was outnumbered.

"Fuck you, Jagger.."

I heard Eric mumble as two other men grabbed me by my arms and dragged me away from Zoey's shop.

"What the fuck?!"

"I might not be as strong as you, but this is my side of town, rich boy, and I always have backup."

"Did you tell them you hurt her or are they into that with their own women?"

Eric didn't answer—he simply watched me get the shit beat out of me until I heard her voice.

"Jagger! Oh my God!!!"

Without hesitation, Julia threw the package at Eric's head, striking him stupid as he fell to the ground.

She rushed to my side, jumping on the first man in front of her and practically riding him like a bull until he threw her off and ran in the opposite direction.

Zoey was yelling something, but I saw her on the phone and I assumed she was calling the police.

The voids stood behind Julia as she took in the situation and the other attacker fled.

They didn't touch her—they didn't hurt her.

I didn't hurt her.

She rushed to my side and held me close as the sirens drowned out my thoughts.