36 Days

Chapter 4

TARA POV

My heart was still racing as I ran to Lindsey's dorm. I pounded on the door, and Lindsey quickly opened the door. "Hey, what's wrong?" She asked, concerning lacing her face. She put an arm around my shoulder and led me to sit down on her bed. 

Lindsey handed me a tissue to wipe my eyes, which I just realized had tears in them. "Tell me what's wrong." She gently demanded. "We-well when Joe wanted to talk with me al-lone, it-it  wasn't about getting that second in charge edittorr po-position." I stuttered, my voice weak and small. Her eyes shifted to disbelief, "Oh my god. What did that asshole do to you?" She asked angrily. 

"He-he said that since Dave was le-leaveing now was the chance for us to be together. Then when I told him we were staying together, he said he didn't care and that Dave won't be around to stop him from making me fulfill his needs. Then he squeezed my thigh and rubbed my back." I said, my mind reliving the horror that I faced mere minutes ago. Lindsey pulled me in tightly to hug me, "Oh my god, I can't believe it. I'm so sorry T, are you okay?" She asked me worriedly. My tears came back and I shook my head into her shoulder, "No," I sobbed, "What am I going to do? I loved working for the newspaper but I'm scared. I've never felt that powerless, and I'm afraid he's gonna do something else." I said. 

I wiped my eyes with a tissue, "You're right, I can't let him win. He can't harass me then chase me away from what I love doing." I said. She nodded, "I'm gonna make sure you're not alone with him." She said. 

"What about Dave?" I asked, "I mean should I tell him? I know I should, but he's gonna be so mad, I have no clue what he'll do. He could get hurt, maybe I should deal with this myself." I said. Lindsey shook her head, "You need to tell Dave. Maybe he can help, and you know you're gonna regret not telling him." She said. I sighed and ran my hands through my hair. "You're right, I should probably go face it." I said. 

Lindsey hugged me, "Okay, I'm here for you babe, call me later T." She asked. "Okay, I'll see you later then." I said, slowly walking out and to my car, not sure of what was to come.

---BREAK---

I arrived at the apartment about ten minutes later, I wiped my eyes but they were still a little red and puffy. I walked in the apartment slowly, wear Dave was sitting on the couch watching television, "Hey hon-Tara what's wrong?" He immediately asked after seeing my exhausted face.

Dave knew me too well, and it was something that I loved.

He stood up and headed straight to me, cupping my face. "Tara, what's wrong?" He asked again, softer this time. "Uh,' I started, "Tell me," He demanded. First Dave led me over to the couch to sit. "We-well after our newspaper meeting Joe said he wanted to meet with me after and I thought maybe he would offer me that second editor spot. Well that what he wanted." I said. Dave's face darkened, "What did he do exactly?" He asked angrily. "Dave," I protested, I didn't want him to blow up. "Tara! Tell me what that dick did!" He demanded, angrier than I've ever seen him. "He told me that when you left he could finally get me to fulfill his needs and then he rubbed my back and squeezed my thigh." I said quietly. His hands were balled into fists, so tight you could see them turn white. His jaw muscles bulged with anger, his brown eyes an almost black color. 

"I'm going to fucking kill that guy!" Dave yelled angrily, standing up and throwing on his shoes. "Dave don't, please. I don't want you to get in trouble or to get hurt." I begged him. "I love you Tara and this is why I'm gonna kick that guy's ass." He said, his face dark, fists shaking with rage. 

Dave opens the door and started to head out, but I quickly grabbed his arm. "Dave no, please." I begged him. His face softened a bit at my pleading look. "Tara, you're my girlfriend and no one, especially not that dick Joe, is going to get away with harassing you." He said, quickly kissing me on the forehead before storming out. 

I ran my hands through my hair, this could only go bad. I quickly called Lindsey, "Hey Linds, I told Dave, he's furious. I'm heading back over to campus, this is not gonna be good." I said, sliding back into my car. 

"How mad is he?" She asked.

 "Dave wants to basically kill him."     

"Oh shit, Joe is at the library and that's probably where Dave will confront him." 

"Okay, I'll meet you there, I should be pulling into the lot soon." I replied, hanging up. 

I quickly parked my car and ran to the library, hoping to stop whatever was happening or was about to happen.