The Party Girl // Zane Hijazi

Chapter 17: The Beginning

"Can I meet you somewhere?" I asked, holding the wine bottle with white knuckles.

There was a pause.

"I don't think Zane-"

"He isn't my boyfriend," I said, with a shaky voice.

"I can meet you at your apartment, I'm right over there," Toddy said. "No," I panicked, "I'll meet you down the street. Theres a side street. You can't miss it," I said. "See you then," He said, hanging up the phone. I grabbed a pack of cigarettes laying on the wall of the balcony, and took the bottle of wine inside. I slid in quietly, and unnoticed. Zane's snored echoed through the bedroom. I slipped on a pair of dirty sweatpants that laid on my floor, and some flip flops. I opened my door slowly, hearing Zane rustle behind me. I paused, and he settled again into a sound sleep. I quickly slipped through the door and into the living room. I closed it softly.

I walked toward the front door, I grabbed the knob and started to turn it. "Where you going?" Heath asked, softly from the couch. My hand held onto the knob.

"I- I need some air," I said, glancing over my shoulder. "With a bottle of wine?" He asked, slipping on a pair of glasses.

I heard him get up from the couch. My hand dropped to the side. Heath's arms weaved around, and grabbed the bottle. I turned around, and he took a swig of the wine, and grabbed the pack of cigarettes. "Let's get some air," he said, flipping the top open and grabbing a cigarette. I felt my cheeks glaze over. I followed Heath outside, and we sat on the steps in the dark. I lit his cigarette, then got one out and put it between my lips.

I lit it a took a huge inhale of the dangerous nicotine. Heath was quiet.

"So-" he started. I looked at him. "What did Todd do? You never really explained it at the party,"

I took a deep breath. "Um-"

"You don't have to if you don't want to,"

"No it's fine," I said, taking a swig of the wine.

"So basically, I was in this relationship," I said, aligning my spine with the side of the wall. "And he uh, hurt me and did a lot of bad things to me," I said, hugging my knees. I looked at Heath's hands. They were balled into fists from the cold fall air stinging his skin. I looked at his face at his kind eyes, and the way he took a swig from his cigarette.

"And Toddy just tried to go too far, and I have like-" I started getting choked up.

Heath scooted closer and laid his palm on my knee. I stared at his fingers, seemingly clutching on for dear life. I furrowed my eyebrows, feeling my throat go dry. 

"I have to go for a walk," I said, getting up quickly, leaving the wine bottle and Heath 

"I can go with you, it's dark I don't-" 

"No," I said, walking down the stairs. "I-I have to be alone," I said, stuttering, and basically stumbling down the stairs. "Bryn!" Heath yelled when I vanished around the corner

I walked through the full parking lot with angry tears streaming down my cheeks. Why didn't Zane want to call me his girlfriend? Why do I have such SHITTY luck with everyone I meet? Why am I so disposable. 

I saw Toddy's truck turn into the side street, then disappear behind the buildings. I walked faster when I saw it. 

I don't know why. 

I don't know why I gave Toddy any of my fucking pitty. 

I turned the corner and saw his truck. I stood, in the middle of the street staring at the back of Todd's car. A tear fell down my cheek, smudging the worn, and tired makeup that soaked into my pores.