SURPRISINGLY YOURS

Voids

Julia

"Are you hurt?!"

He looked a little out of it—continuing to look beyond me and I thought he might be just analyzing what Zoey was doing, but then it hit me that those shadows were there.

"It's me..look at me, Jagger," I begged until he turned to face me, "Are you hurt?"

He shook his head, placing a warm hand on my cheek and smiling.

"Julia.."

"Let's get you inside.."

"No cops," he mumbled as we made our way into the shop and Zoey flipped the open sign to closed, "No cops."

"Jagger,-"

"No.." he shook his head, settling himself back onto the couch and pulling me down with him, "Please?"

Zoey shrugged as she headed back out to talk to the police who'd pulled in.

"Are you,-"

"I'm fine. Don't fight my battles for me!"

"It's too late for that now, Jagger!"

Jagger

"I think we're done here," I said, "What do I owe you?"

Zoey shook her head and handed me a box, "It's on the house."

"I am not a charity case," I scowled.

"Think of it as a starter kit," she looked at Julia, "For both of you."

"Thanks.." Julia said, hugging her friend, "We should get coffee."

"I wasn't much help today, but I thank you for talking to the cops, Jagger," Zoey said, "Eric will get his karma—the little bitch boy that he is."

Julia took my hand and led me to the car.

"I'm sorry," I said when we were rode back to the campus, "For,-"

"Protecting me?"

"Not being what you need."

"I got your jacket dirty and I'm sorry.." she said, "What do you mean? Being what I need?"

"A better man than me."

"Where is this coming from? You didn't like me a week ago."

"Maybe I've always liked you, Julia."

I knew I was confusing her because I was so confused myself.

"OK," I sighed, desperate to change the subject, "Tonight's,-"

"Another party," she nodded, "You up for that?"

"You can't get out of this," I growled, "I almost died for you."

"Shut the fuck up, Jagger," her feisty little tone made me grin, but I didn't let her see it.

I didn't want her to hate me, but I didn't need her love, either.

Julia

We readied for the party and I decided I would wear a nice dress.

"That's pretty," he said, eyeing me up and down, "Other men will be looking."

"Other women, too," I winked as he opened the box Zoey gave us, "Are there candies in there?"

"Why? Do you need one?"

The concern in his tone made me hot—hot in more ways than one.

I didn't know whether or not to be turned on, delighted, happy or all of the above.

"Do you need a pill?"

The fact that we could both still laugh at each other's demise made us oddly content.

"What did Eric mean when he said you were crazy, too?"

I sat down on the bed as we emptied the contents of the box, mesmerized by the candles, gemstones, tarot cards, oils, candies, sage...it went on and on.

"I like this," Jagger said as he pulled out a bag of tea, "She gave us a variety."

"She has plenty," I said, "Eric...well, I do get a little odd when I go into my attacks. You've seen them and I have...I have.."

Jagger turned to me, "What?"

"I have depression and I have tried to kill myself."

Jagger looked more than concerned about me after I confessed.

"Well, looks like I'm not letting you go anytime soon."

"Jagger, I am not suicidal now."

"And?"

"And..."

"And if you become suicidal and I am not here then I wouldn't forgive,-"

"Me?"

"Myself," Jagger said, "You're not dying on my watch."

Jagger

"He didn't want me anymore," she said, "Eric hit me a few times, but he was just angry that I can't have kids—well, I can, I just...it'll be hard."

"Julia.."

"It's fine.." she said, turning away from me, "I can adopt...maybe..."

"Is it the diabetes?"

"Yeah, just call me Shelby."

"Steel Magnolias?"

"Aha! Your mom must like that movie," she smiled, "I love it. I was told not to do so much and even though we're so advanced, I didn't get any medication or help in the homes. They just wanted the checks."

"I am sorry," I said, "I can't say it enough, but I hope Eric rots in hell."

"He said I had a dusty uterus."

"And now I am going to kill him."

"I believe it," she smiled, "Are you wanting to eat first?"

"Well, I'd like to have you as an appetizer."

"First test, Jag.."

"Ew, that's like a week away.."

I knew I'd have her before then, but I was still planning on acing that damn test.

"It's orientation week and I have a lot of meetings, plus I am sure you have practice."

"Come to practice," I said, "I'd love to have you there."

God, not now...

She kept talking and then it stood in the fucking corner like a stalker.

"What about homecoming? Are you going?"

"Huh?"

She turned to the corner and frowned.

Before I knew what she was doing, Julia rushed over to the corner and hit the air with her fist.

"Leave him alone!"

I couldn't help but laugh—however, the void vanished and I watched as she looked around and back at me.

"Is it gone? Did I get it?"

"Fighting for me now, sugar?"

"Spice, even if you told me not to, I would."