Impractical Jokers, Practically

Chapter Seventeen

It doesn't hurt as much as I thought it would.

Well, it probably does hurt a lot, I just don't notice. I block it out, I'm too numb. I know my head snapped back when Sal's fist came in contact with my face and I do feel a tiny amount of pain, but I'm not really paying attention if I have any injuries. All I could focus on is Sal. I'm too busy staring at Sal to even notice if I'm bleeding or if anything is broken. 

How do I feel right now? He didn't do it on purpose, I know that. That punch was meant for the tattooed dude that's standing to my right. The dude who has his mouth opening, trying to process what just happened moments ago. But why did Sal even have to throw a punch in the first place? It was so uncalled for. But, I know that Sal didn't mean to physically hurt me and I know that he's probably beating himself up inside. 

The tattooed stranger shuffles his feet and stares at Sal in astonishment. Q, Murr, and Joe are rushing over to us in a hurry. Joe and Murr are telling the camera crew to stop recording and I feel a small amount of gratitude. 

Even though the others are gathered around us, my eyes keep fixated on Sal. He looks so disheveled, so traumatized, I don't think he even knows what to do. It's like he's stuck in a trance. A little bit of blood comes running down my nose and that's when he's snaps out of it. 

"Alexa, oh my--I'm so sorry. I didn't--I wanted to--I didn't mean to hit you. I was aiming for him." Sal jabs his thumb in the park guy's direction, earning himself a glare. When I don't say anything for a moment, Sal rushes up to me, grabbing my hands with his. "Please, Alexa, please, don't be mad at me. I don't know what I would do if--I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He hangs his head in shame, taking a step back from me, letting go. 

"Why would she forgive you? Why should she? She was only talking to me when you suddenly stepped in a rage. What the fuck, dude? You have some anger management problems." It's the guy, obviously pissed at Sal. I wish I knew his name, it'd be easier. For now on, I'm going to call him Tattoo. Tattoo looks at the others and continues, "And who are these guys? What's going on?" 

Q says matter-of-factly, "We're on a show. All five of us are part of it. Alexa couldn't see out of those sunglasses. That's why she ran into you." He waves his hand dismissively, like he had little patience for Tattoo. "Alexa, you okay? You're bleeding." 

I manage to stumble out a small laugh, a giggle. "Yeah, I noticed." 

I regretted it a second later, Sal looks even more upset. 

Tattoo speaks up, "Sooo, does anyone wanna tell me why he knocked us over, then tried to punch me for helping her up?" 

"Mind your own business." Murr says to him. "What are you even still doing here?" I'm amazed at how even though Sal did a careless thing, the guys love him enough that they will still back him up. 

"Um, last time I checked, I was yelled at for being near this girl and almost punched in the face for it. I would like to know what's going on." No one answers him, I roll my eyes. Tattoo looks at me and it dawns on him, "Oh wait, like, is this your boyfriend? He got jealous? Oh, sweetie, you could do so much better. I mean, he fucking punched you. What, did he give you those marks too?" He points to my neck, the strangled bruises, and I lost it. 

"Can you shut up? Just shut the fuck up! You don't know anything about us, about him, and you certainly don't know anything about me. That wasn't Sal's fault okay, so stop blaming him." I'm breathing heavily. 

Something comes over me and I want to cry. Lay in a ball and just...cry. I'm so tired. I'm over all this drama and I'm tired of fighting. These last few days...it was like one thing after another. I want everything to go back to the way it was before. Before all this mess. And I know how to do it.