Everything Hurts

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER THREE
Alicia
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.
~John Lennon

           

My cheek's swelling had gone down exceedingly so as the night came. Jason's company party would start in less than an hour. The makeup I used covered up any sign of it having even existed.

As I grabbed a pair of diamond studs for my ears, "You almost done?" I jumped at the sound of Jason's voice. I quickly turned to acknowledge his presence, resisting the urge to massage my temples at the head rush I got from the small movement. I gave a nod as reply. He smiled and came over, kissing my jaw and mumbling, "Is this what you're wearing," whilst looking over the outfit I had chosen. "I think you should be a little more dressed up. If you don't look good, I don't look good." He looked in the mirror, staring into my eyes through the reflection. "Wear the white dress I got you — and your hoop earrings." He finished before standing tall again.

           "Okay," I said without hesitation. After he left, I felt my eyes burning. Don't you dare cry. I grabbed my white dress that hung in the closet. I then grabbed my hoop earrings. I am happy.

           Jason grimaced in irritation as he walked downstairs and saw me awaiting his presence, heels in hand, so my feet wouldn't throb before needing to. "You don't have your fucking shoes on yet?" I quickly slid them on at that. "We're running so fucking late because of you. God, think, Alicia." I looked down in spite of myself.

            As we walked to the car, he muttered angrily under his breath. Once inside, he began to go off about all of my failures. I absently stared forward, his words sounding muffled and distant as I blocked them out. I didn't feel like arguing with him.

           As we arrived, Jason finally stopped rambling. He shook his head before letting himself out of the car and slamming the door. After following suit, he came around and had his arms surrounding me on either side. I swallowed as I forced my breathing to go slow. He grabbed my jaw, "What; now I can't even be a gentleman and open my girlfriend's door for her?" My body trembled at the sound of his voice. He let go of my jaw, letting the same hand fall into my hand instead. "Come on."

            The sound of music filled my ears as we walked up to the entrance. I swallowed at Jason's grip around my hand. "Fuck up and see what happens," he mumbled into my hair. I nodded once in understanding. He then opened the door.

           "Jason!!!" A man immediately called as we stepped inside.

           Jason's face turned into a broad smile as the man, who I assumed said his name, stood in front of us with a bottle of beer in hand.

           The man had red, fiery hair and freckles littering his face. I couldn't help smiling; he seemed like the sun himself. Happy and bright. He smiled, rounded blue eyes lighting up as he went on, "So good to see ya', mate." He clasped a hand against Jason's back. I suddenly noticed the slight lilt in his tone, portraying an English accent I hadn't expected to hear. Jason let my hand go, slipping his arm behind the small of my back.

           "It's good to see you too, Joshua. How have you been," he asked.

           Joshua nodded with a smile, "Well, next week I'll be going to Tahoe for a show. I love it there. I'd move there if it weren't so damn far from me family."

           "You're too much of a softie," he chuckled. Joshua smiled and shook his head. I swallowed at the sound. "How is Neisse?"

           A slight grimace covered the ginger man's face as he replied with, "We recently broke it off. We just couldn't spend enough time together with our schedules becoming so hectic."