Caught in the Moonlight

Chapter Five

   College-Boy immediately jumped up, dashing for the sliding door, but Josh was faster. I quickly began putting my clothes back on, starting with my pants and then my tank top, while Josh and College-Boy wrestled. Once I was fully dressed again I raced over- College-Boy had Josh in a headlock and they were both facing the opposite direction. I came in from the side, landing a heavy blow to College-Boy's temple. His head jerked to the side, his neck almost breaking before he fell over. Unconscious, College-Boy toppled to the ground. I kicked his ribs to make sure he was out cold, and, sure enough, he was done for now. "Call the cops," I said, handing Josh my cell-phone. I decided to ignore the fact of what was going on, and how the person I was the most mad other than College-Boy had just saved my life. Prince Charming scam, huh? I see how it is, I thought as I plopped down at the end of my bed. 

   "Uh, yes, this Joshua Thompson, calling from Comfort Inn & Suites, my friend Ronnie-Ann Peterson was almost raped just now. We managed to fight off the rapist and he is... Erm... Unconscious, as of right now," Josh spoke into the phone as I zipped up the jacket. Burying my hands in the pockets as Josh described College-Boy and hung up, I felt something- a small piece of folded paper. I pulled it out, unfolding it, and saw a poem scribbled on it. I cocked my head to the side, squinting to read the tiny, cursive script. The poem itself was heartbreaking and sad- it spoke of lovesickness and lonely nights and a tough break up. I smiled sadly and folded it back, slipping it into the pocket and taking back the phone Josh was handing me. "The cops will be here in about five minutes. In the mean time, can we talk?" Josh asked, kneeling in front of me. "What is there left to talk about, Josh?" I asked in return, my heart shattering all over again upon speaking his name. "Ronnie-Doll, don't do this to me," Josh said, using my childhood nick-name. "Don't call me that," I replied through gritted teeth, my voice deep and menacing. 

  "Ronnie. Listen to me. We can work this out!" Josh was almost shouting now, but the whole time all I could think was how sweet Alex had been and how he wouldn't get this angry with me. "Josh, you're too late. I've already found someone else, and he's willing to wait and pick up the pieces from where you left my heart shattered and bleeding all over the place." The words did what they needed to- Josh was shocked, numb. "You... You replaced me? Already?" He stammered, his voice cracking. I nodded, a sickly sweet smile on my face. It was cruel, but he deserved it- if he can make out with Beth, I can find someone new. Just I opened my mouth to say something,  the door opened and a couple of officers walked in. "So, you're the victim, eh?" The taller one of the two asked. I shrugged, not wanting to be thought of that way. "It seems the guy we have here, who is highly intoxicated with a fractured neck from the looks of it, is Hunter Coop, a student at the community college. Now tell me, Miss Peterson, what exactly happened?" The cop turned to me.

  "I got in a fight with Joshua and drove up to the Starbucks around the corner a few hours ago. When I got in the cafe, Hunter started flirting with me, attempted to stick his tongue in my mouth, and then another guy broke in and got him away. Just now I heard someone knock on the door so I opened it and he shoved me back, slammed the door, and pinned me down. While I was pinned down I did struggle but he was too strong and began unclothing me. I tried to fight him off but I couldn't, and then Josh came. Josh had him in a headlock by the time I was dressed again and I... Er... Punched Hunter in the temple. I didn't do it hard enough to break his neck but it was definitely good enough to knock him out for a little while," I explained. The officer nodded- he'd been taking notes the whole time I was talking. "Alright. We'll take him down to the station... And maybe the hospital. In the mean time, you might want to find out how to get over your issues with each other. Pretty  girl like her might be uh, 'threatened', again out on her own." Josh and I nodded and the officers left, carrying Hunter over the shorter one's shoulder. 

   "Well, bye," Josh said, leaving. "Thank you," I called after him. All I got as a response was a slamming door. I sighed, pulling out my cell-phone and the piece of paper with Alex's number. "Ronnie! Hey, do you need something?" His voice picked up, sounding cheerful. "Hey, Alex. I need to talk to you about something," I wondered how to begin- he'd be pissed. "Alright, shoot," Alex replied from the other end. I heard Escape the Fate being paused and then began. I told him the same thing as I told the officer. "What!? That's it! I'm coming there and I'm spending the night. I'll be there in ten minutes," Alex exclaimed once I was done before I heard an ending click. I went into the bathroom and cleaned up, brushing out my hair and adding some foundation to bring down the redness in my face. A moment after I finished in the bathroom and turned on the TV I heard a knock on the door. I walked over and opened it, immediately embraced by Alex. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and he wrapped his around my ribs, raising one hand to tussle my hair.  I buried my face in his chest for a few seconds before looking up at him. "You okay?" Alex asked, his blue eyes round and sincere. "Yeah, I'm fine," I replied.