Sanction

Problematic

The world returned to me the next day and I was in my room. The last thing I recall was being at a bar and talking to some guy, and the rest was fuzzy. However, I clearly recall blacking out. I couldn't have drank THAT much. I peeled the covers off of my body and was dressed in my pajamas. Sharon must have helped me change last night when I was out of it. I sat up and glanced at the alarm clock. 2pm, wow, I don't usually sleep this late. And I feel like crap. I better eat something I guess.

My eyes met with Sharon sitting on the sofa in the living room.

"You're alive!"

I walked over and sat on the other side of the sofa. "I- I don't recall much." I said embarrassed. Then I remembered that she left the bar early, and I was left chatting it up with Eric. The memories came flooding back now. "How did I get home?"

"A man carried you in through the door, and you were passed out cold." I sank in my seat feeling stupid from drinking so much that I blacked out. "It wasn't Eric." What?

"Who was he, what did he look like?"

"Had long, black hair and was fairly tall and thin. He was pretty hot, too." She smirked.

All of the memories came flooding back to me. I ran into some guy late in my evening, and he fits her description perfectly. What was his name again?

"I don't remember running into him while I was there, so he just have gotten there after I left. He said his name was Brian."

"Brian?!" I sat up straight. That was him!

"You know the man?"

"Kind of, we exchanged a few words on my way back from the restroom. And then... I sat back down with Eric."

"Is that all? Brian said he saw the man you sat with put something in your drink while you were gone."

"Oh." I made a confused face. "So I was drugged?" The last word barely slipped through my lips.

"Yes, don't you know not to drink out of your glass after you set it down and walk away?"

I felt so stupid. I'm lucky that I made it home safe. The image of his fist colliding with Eric's face came back into my memory. "Did Brian hit Eric?"

"Brian had a few bruises on his arms and a fresh cut on his face. Looks like they had a small bar fight. It was really kind of him to rescue you from that."

"I wish I knew where to find him, I need to personally thank him. I don't know what could have happened..."

"Damn, I should have gotten his number or address, I wouldn't mind seeing him again." A smile snuck onto her face. "But the thought didn't even cross my mind."

I got up from the sofa and made myself a quick sandwich for my extremely late breakfast and let my mind wander. Wow, Sharon was right about Eric being trouble. I guess when you live in the city and have worked in a club for a while you know what to watch out for. I have to be more careful. Where did Brian come from?

"Hey Alyssa, I'm going to the store, would you like to come?" Sharon asked from the living room.

"No, I think I'll take a walk in a little bit." I looked down and noticed I was still in my pajamas. "Need to put some clothes on first."

"Ok, don't get into too much trouble." She laughed but stopped when I gave her a stare.

When I finished eating my sandwich, I went back to my room to change into some jeans and a plain black shirt. I've found that walking around Hollywood relaxes me. Somewhere downtown I found a record store, might as well pop in and see what's there. I walked down each aisle going through the alphabet. I found all of my favorite artists and bands, this place has everything! When I hit the M's I stopped. Metallica, Megadeath, and... Marilyn Manson? I didn't know they had an album out. Rummaging through my pocket, I pulled out enough cash for it. I paid the cashier and walked out of the store, excited to get home and listen to it.

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. A call from the unknown number again. Well, I'll answer this time and see who it is and tell them to stop bothering me.

"Hello?"

"Who is this?" A voice plainly demanded.

"You're the one calling, I should be asking who YOU are."

"Just tell me." The male voice spat.

"It's Alyssa-"

"I knew I would find you! Why the fuck did you leave me?" It was Jake, and he was screaming so loud through the phone and I almost dropped it out of fear.

"Is it really that hard to figure out a reason? And how the hell did you get my new number?"

"I have my ways, stupid girl. Also, I know you're in LA."

I froze and my eyes got as wide as they could get. "What-"

"I tracked your phones GPS. Should have gotten a new phone, sweetie."

My fingers clenched around my phone and I wanted to scream out and throw it on the ground. But I couldn't make a big scene with all these people around. There was a parking lot across the street of the record store, so I stomped over to it.

"You still didn't answer me. Why did you leave? I need a reason."

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" I yelled, threw it onto the black cement, shattering it to pieces. "Leave me alone!" I whisper-yelled while collapsing against a curb in a sitting position, hugging my knees and began crying.

"Rough day?" A deep voice echoed behind me. Great, now someone else wants to talk, just what I need right now.

"Just go away. Please." I sniffled.

The figure crouched down to my level letting out a sigh. "Would you like to talk about it?"

I peeped one eye from behind my forearm, seeing a familiar man with a concerned disposition. "Brian?"

"It's just me." He brushed my brown hair away from my face, but it kind of stuck to my forehead due to the tears and sweat I worked up. "Was someone bothering you?"

No words could come out my my mouth, nothing but hiccups from crying, and shivers. I buried my head back into my knees. Sounds of faint footsteps began descending away and I felt guilty for not talking to him. "Wait-"

He didn't turn around, but opened a door to what I assumed to be his blue pickup truck. I felt like crying all over again. Why did I care that he was going? However, Brian came right back, and handed me a soft rag to wipe my nose and puffy eyes.

"Thank you." I said in a small, vulnerable voice.

"Not a problem." He half smiled then looked down at my sad, destroyed phone. "What caused this?" He asked in his calming voice.

"It's a long story."

Brian sat down right beside me and rubbed my shoulder assuringly. "I've got all day."