Only A Matter Time

Chapter 7

Catcall

Trigger Warning: sexual harassment

John's POV

"I really appreciate you guys offering to help, but I really wouldn't want you to have to go out of your way to help us. I mean Lafayette and Hercules have already dedicated so much of their time to the wedding and then both of you are still in school-"

Peggy shushes Alexander's rambling. "You miss understood us", she says. "When we came over here and told you that we wanted to help out with the wedding, that wasn't an offer. You guys need the help, and Maria and I are more than willing to do everything we can. And let's face it you guys aren't gonna hire a wedding planner....."

That was true. Alexander and I were saving up as much money as we could, and a wedding planner wasn't really in our budget. Alex is working as a paid intern at a law firm, and I'm working at a craft shop until the school year starts and I can begin my teaching job. Even with both our jobs and the bank account my dad had saved up for me, we still had to be careful with our spending. 

Alex knows this. "Fine", he gives in reluctantly. 

"Great, when can we start?", says Maria. 

"Herc and Laf are coming over next week on Wednesday and Thursday", I pipe in. "Can you stop by then, around five?"

"Perfect. See you then, thanks for breakfast", says Peggy, standing up and stealing a piece of bacon off of Alexander's plate.

"Hey-"

"By guys, love you!", she calls as she leaves out the door. Maria says goodbye and follows behind her.

***

Peggy's POV

I pull my yellow Bug into the parking lot of a Walgreens. Maria takes off her seat belt to get out the car.

"You need me come in with you?", I ask. She rolls her eyes.

"Dude chill I just need to get some tampons. I'll be out in five minutes." 

"Ok, ok."

She gets outs and blows me a kiss before closing the door and walking up to the store.

Maria's POV

I know I said I was just going to get some tampons, but then I saw the ice cream was on sale for buy one get one for a dollar, so obviously I had to take advantage of such a good deal. And then I passed the chip aisle, and you know how that goes. Long story short, it took longer than expected to get out the store.

When I finally left the store, there were some guys standing outside the door. When I pass them they start to wolf whistle and catcall. I keep walking with my head down. 

"Hey girl, you lookin' nice in those jeans", one of them calls out to me. "Come back here, lemme talk to you." I walk faster.

For a few seconds, they stopped shouting and I think I'm safe. Then suddenly I'm being jerked around by my arm. My shopping bag drops to the ground. 

I'm face to face with one of the dudes from the front of the store. "I'm talking to you!"

"Get off of me, ass hole!", I say struggling against his grip, which only makes him grip me tighter. He uses his other arm to grab my hair.

"A pretty girl like you really should learn to take a compliment." He leans his lips close to mine as I struggle to pull away.

I feel someone run up beside me. Then the guy collapses on the ground, holding his nose. When he pulls his hand away I can see the blood. I look to my side and Peggy is standing beside me with her fist clenched. She gets the bag off the ground. Grabbing my hand, she pulls me back to the car. She opens up the door for me and I get in. She gets in too.

We sit in silence for a few seconds. I catch my breath. Peggy speaks up.

"Are you ok", she says. Oh God, I can hear the hurt in her voice. 

"Yeah" I croak out.

"I should have gone with you. I stayed in the car, I should have been with you. I could have protected you."

"Pegs listen to me", I say. I grab her hand. "That was not your fault." 

"Yes it I was, I should have been there-"

"Margarita Schuyler. Stop. It's gonna be ok. I'm gonna be ok. Let's just head back to campus before this ice cream melts."

She sighs. I kiss her cheek. She starts the car and pulls off from the parking lot. 

///

Hey Y'all. Real quick, I just want to address something. Catcalling is a form of harassment and is not ok in any way, fashion, or form. No matter what your gender is, if you are being harassed you have the right to speak up for yourself. And if you are harassing someone, stop. You are making someone's life a living hell. If you are a witness to harassment, whether it be sexual, physical, or verbal, and you don't speak up, you're just as bad. That is all. Have a great day.