Through the Dark *ON HOLD*

Part 2 Scared

Hello everyone! San Diego is in an earthquake warning its been hard to write. I've been getting ready along with my roomates for the worst. So sorry but I will keep it short. Thanks for everyone reading!

NOT EDITED 

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"Bell! Isabell!" I finally blink and look away from his eyes reluctantly to find the familiar voice calling my name. It was Claire she was across the street from the office at a bar. She was sitting on the patio facing the office, she must have been waiting for me to come out. I frown glancing both ways before running across the street. I get in no problem and find my way out to the patio where she has moved seats so we now have a table.

"Hey! I thought you went home hours ago?" I say to her as I take a seat.

"You said you wanted to take the edge off so here we are!" she says handing me a drink. The waiter B-lines to me to check my ID before I take my first sip. I show them my ID both glad to look young enough to need carding but also annoyed at it. I wish I was skilled enough to dress myself and do my makeup and look like a grownup not some awkward teen.

I sigh in content after the first sip of my cocktail. A fruity taste fills my mouth and for a second I feel as if everything was going to be ok. This is what I loved about food and drinks it had this power to erase my worries. I take another sip before opening my eyes and addressing my friend whose eyeing me knowingly. She is also a foodie.

"Thank you, I needed this" I say honestly. I couldn't imagine my life without Claire as cheesy as that sounded we just meet on so many different levels it was amazing. I loved having someone I could share secrets with and someone who had my back always.

"I know its been a rough year for you but I know things will start getting better! They just have to" she says taking another sip of her drink.

"I miss him. Jack... he was like a father I never had" I say to her with a frown. I didn't want to be a downer but I just couldn't help my thoughts. They kept going back to the fact that he wasn't here and if he were things would be different. Better, she was sure of it.

"He was a great boss..." she says smiling softly. Claire didn't work on our floor but interacted with Jack a few times. He was always so upbeat, professional and charismatic it was no wonder his business had bloomed.

"Lets toast to that" I say wanting to steer us back in to a good mood. I raise my glass and silently thank Jack for everything he had done.

We downed the drink and then order a few more. It was delicious and numbing. It was nice to relax and for ones not worry about work.  We made idle talk about tv shows and office romances. I always enjoyed how easy it was to talk to Claire. She was easy to get along with.

She was the reason we became fast  friends. We just clicked. Claire loved to talk and I loved listening. She was the type of girl who took life by the horns. I was very hesitant. I didn't know how to be out going and spontaneous. I was trying. It was hard to let my self relax. I was the type of girl who just worried about everything. 

I knew Claire well enough to know she was on super woman but she was someone I still looked up to. She was just so confident in her self. I just couldn't open up like her. That's why she had no trouble making friends, I on the other hand had a rough time making new friends.

Whenever someone new talked to me I couldn't keep the conversation flowing. The only time I felt confident was with Claire and when the conversation revolved around work. I always knew what to say and how to say it. It was the one thing I knew I could thrive in.

Perhaps that's why I was so hurt that I didn't get the promotion. This was the one thing I was good at and I hated that it had such a hard pull on me. I didn't want to feel as depressed as I did. I wanted to try to find the right place for me, where I could shine.

"Thanks for this" I say to Claire as I hug her tightly. I felt a light buzz that made me appreciate her even more. I was glad that the alcohol had worked its magic on my aching feet. When are comfortable sexy shoes going to be invented? I hated heels but I liked the confident they brought me.

"I had fun! I will see you on Monday have a good night and don't you dare get down on your self" she says smiling and waving. Her Uber was here. I was thankful we had kept the night short.

I breathed in the crisp night air and look up at the stars. One thing I didn't like about the city was the light pollution. I wished I could see the milky way but I guess that would have to be another time.  I quickly cross the street to begin my journey home. I was only 7 blocks away from home so I didn't need to get Uber.

I had only made it one block from work before I felt someone grab my arm. I cried out startled as I tried to pull my arm away. It took a few tries before I got it freed. I looked up to find two men swaying on their feet, they were drunk. Instantly I felt scared, we were in a deserted part of town and I regretted not going with Claire.

"Hey what are you doing?" I ask annoyance thick in my voice. I didn't want them to see the effect they had on me but I was worried.

"We were just trying to get your attention" one of them says casually. He was slim and tall he had a boyish round face. His other friend was a complete opposite short and chubby both had short blond hair and both were light skinned.

"Why don't we keep the party going?" the tall one asks. I almost gagged and I wasn't sure if it was from his gross breath or if it was from the invite. Either way it didn't matter, I am not interested.

"Why don't you guys go ahead? I'm calling it a night" I try to sound my words out slowly so they can follow that I am not going home with them while also letting them down easy.

"What? Why not!" they both say in unionson. They must have been close or maybe on the same dumb wave. They take a step closer and I step away from them.

"Just leave me alone!" I cry out turning away from them and running as fast as I could. I heard footsteps following and my heart rate increased. I was scared. Why couldn't men understand no meant NO.

I wasn't a fast running so it shouldn't have been a surprise when one reached me. I felt his strong grip on my upper arm as he pulled me backwards to him. I was terrified and I let out a scream. I was just trying to make it to my apartment I was only two more blocks away.