Unreachable (on hold)

Chapter 6

My mother was too busy with her work to care about my activities. And she thought I was “mature” enough since I was 16, so I didn't bother telling her about my play date with Em.

I got dressed in a tunic along with jeans; what I consider comfortable.

Emily's Volkswagen Golf was parked in my driveway as I stepped out of the house.

When I opened the passenger’s door, I found Emily in a bright pink strapless tank top with a mini skirt applying dark red lipstick to her lips.

“Geez, you didn't have to dress up for me!” I laughed. “Now you're making me feel plain.”

“Well I dress to impress,” she replied before smacking her lips together.

After a while, we arrived at Gina's Pastries, we sat at a table a ordered a few treats.

“So, how do you think about the new guy James?” She leaned in and whispered.

I scoffed. “After finally agreeing to come here with you, this is what you want to talk about?”

“Sorry,” she threw her hands up. “Sue me for being curious about one of the hottest guys in school.”

“He is not!” I exclaimed. I immediately took it back when I found everyone looking at me.

“Looks like someone has a crush.” Emily singsonged. I rolled my eyes. “Hey come on. It's a big deal. My homework crazed, best friend is in love. I don't get to see that enough.”

“That's because my boy crazed best friend is too stuck up in all her relationships to notice.” I teased. Em did have one too many past relationships, and almost far too many of them ended up in petty and bad breakups.

“Hey, don't look now, but I think someone's checking you out,” I whispered. A guy with who looked about a year older than us, with short blond hair, walked towards our table.

“Hi, I'm Alex,” he said while giving Emily a twice-over and staring at her for maybe a few seconds too long. “I've been watching you for a while.”

He gave a flash of his pearly whites. I gave Em an I-you-so look.

“Emily,” she purred.

“Mind if I sit with you?” he asked before pulling out a seat for himself.

I was disgusted, not because he didn't notice me and was way to forward, but because I didn't want Emily to go through another heartbreaking breakup.

After ten minutes of conversation, it turned out that Alex happened to be a senior at our school. Alex had a hand around Emily's waist and a huge grin on his face.

He whispered something to Emily, and she slapped his arm playfully. I was sick of the sight, but since Emily was happy, I might as well let her.

“Em, I think I need to go.” I told her.

“Um do you need me to drive you?” she asked, but I knew she didn't want to.

“It's ok, I could walk.”

I was a bit disappointed that our meeting wasn't how we planned, but there was nothing I could do about it.

After a few minutes of walking, it began to rain. I began to curse under my breath wishing that I had accepted Em's request of driving me home. My shirt was beginning to get soaked and my hair was experiencing the worst of it.

I ended up walking down an alley way to shelter from the rain. It was dark and the drips of the rain falling down made it seem lonely. Suddenly, a calloused hand grabbed me from behind and I caught a whiff of alcohol.

I found myself facing Chase, who had recently broke up with Emily. He looked pretty beat and was angry from the bad breakup, and believe me, it was one of the worst breakups I've seen.

“What would such a pretty girl be doing alone here?” He said.

“Let me go.” I snarled.

He smiled. “Wait, aren't you Emily's best friend? Even better.” I began to panic about all the bad things he would do to me.

I tried to escape him but it only made his grip tighter. He pulled me closer to him.

“It's not safe here. How about I take you somewhere else, after all a girl shouldn't be let on the street alone.” he snarled.

I struggled with him before he pinned me to the wall. I closed my eyes trying to relax myself. I knew a blow would come at me in

Three.....

Two....

“Let her go.” I turned around to see no other than himself; James.

“Or else what?” Chase growled. James took a few steps forward until he was in front of Chase.

“You wouldn't like to know.” He whispered.

I stared at Chase's reaction, expecting a punch like usual. But this time I saw something different; fear. As if something he saw disturbed him and scared him off. His grip loosened and he began to back away.

Then he went back to his normal self.

“You win this time.” After he faced me and snarled, “We'll finish this later.”

As he walked away, my legs gave up on me and I collapsed.  James caught me just before I hit the ground.