Owen, Ed and Me

5: Buster

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The cinema is positioned optimally for our little group: it's basically at the centre of our neighbourhood, and since we all live at different ends it's the perfect distance from us all. So we say our goodbyes there, Jane making sure to let us know 'just one more time' how much she despises Mary Higgins, and Sophie pointing out to Ana that she might want to check the mirror when she gets home. We all have a pretty great laugh, because Ana is so incredibly innocent she wouldn't even dream of Jamie doing that to her.

I'm still grinning to myself as I turn into Rosy Park, a network of lush green lawns with playgrounds and little creeks all over the place. It's the shortest way back to my building, and I always enjoy the park at night. If you pick the right route, you can get far enough away from all the lights and catch a glimpse of the starry night.

Before I actually think about where I'm going and remember the movie I've just seen, I'm already down precisely that path. And now I'm paranoid; I pull my jacket tighter around my shoulders and try very hard to resist the urge of looking around me. The shadows will just give me a fright. Or potentially save your life. Cheesesticks, Toni, why do you always have to be so naïve?

Almost there, almost there, don't think about owls, don't think about serial killers -

"Boo."

I scream. Like, a gut wrenching, I'm-about-to-get-eaten scream. My attacker steps out of the shadows and I scream again.

"You can stop that now." Owen Knight's eyes are glowing even in the dark as he pins me with his stare. I'm quivering. Why the hell do I never take that pepper spray mom gave me? "No one's around to hear it."

I swallow hard, and then frantically but subtly try to check my body and bag for anything I can use as a weapon. No, not my phone. Too precious – to save your damn life, Toni?! What is wrong with you?

Owen smirks with just the left corner of his mouth and chastises me with a shake of his head. A split second later he has both my hands in a tight grip and I scream again.

"God could you cut it out already?!" He screams back into my face. I'm stunned for a second.

"Let me go, Owen," I whimper. My mind, however, is calculating how many seconds it will take for me to reach my apartment at full speed. It's a five minute walk, so I should make it in less than two minutes. Thank God for that Galileo show in eighth grade that taught me how to calculate speed. You're such a dork, Toni.

Owen laughs. Actually chuckles, like I just made a joke. But he can't hear my thoughts... right? 'Cause that... wow, that would be humiliating. He would know how good I think he looks now! And how cute that dog of his is; when it's not barking. Which is probably never. Focus, Toni.

"And why would I do that?" He shifts my wrists into only one of his hands and then his second hand is on my hip, moving slowly towards the curve of my behind. I flinch and try to wiggle away from his grasp but he just tightens his grip on my arms, cutting off circulation to my fingers. This is so not how imagined a guy copping a feel on me for the first time.

"W-what are you doing?" I stutter as his hand roams over to the other cheek. His mouth tilts up again even though he's no longer looking at me, but over my head.

"Your mom's a cop. I'd have thought you've seen this before."

Oh. "That's not how you check someone for weapons." I point out bluntly, something snapping to life inside of me. Anger? I really hope it's some kick-ass anger.