STAY - PAUL GEORGE

7

Julianna Coley

"So where ya seat at?" Paul asked concerned.

"5 rows behind the bench" I said back.

There were 40 minutes until tip off and he had told me where to meet up with him after the game. 

"Alright, be careful." He said seriously.

"Ya, I will" I said back as he pulled me into a hug. "And you better get the win"

He smiled, "Of course we're gonna get this win"

He told me goodbye as he went to the lockerroom. I frowned this time because I hadn't brought Cynthia and other than her I didn't have anyone. Obviously I was close to Paul but he was going to be playing.

I headed to my seat. I decided not to get anything to eat because I was sure Paul and I were going to do something after the game. Win or lose.

The players ran out about 20 minutes before tip off and Paul glanced over at me. I mouthed good luck to him but I didn't think he understood, for the person in front of me had a big head. 

"Yo, you're cute." One of the guys sitting next to me said out of nowhere.

"Ya, well thank you." I said back. I didn't want to continue talking to him, for the game was intense and Paul was having a good game.

"Can I get your name?"

I sighed. "Back off, I'm not interested"

He chuckled. "That's your name?" I was already annoyed by him. For starters he wasn't allowing me to watch the game and second of all he thought I was an easy pick up.

"No. Leave me alone." I said seriously.

"Respect me." He whispered in my ear. "Or I'm going to slap you once we're out of here" the man said.

"Slap me now," I muttered. "I dare you"

I thought he would'nt put his hands on me. But he did. His hand collided with my face, and I quickly pushed him off. "Stop!" Tears were now streaming down my face.

"Bro, why the fuck would you do that?" One of his friends said.

It wasn't long for security to arrive and they had escorted the man out of the premises. Paul was on the bench and he had seen the whole thing. He frowned, a I mouthed to him that I was okay.

The man was escorted out, but his friends stayed. Thankfully they were nothing like him.

Paul George

"Yo, what happened to your girl?" Melo asked sitting down on the bench next to me.

I sighed. "Some asshole slapped her, she says she's okay but I don't believe it" I ran my hands through my hair.

"Damn. Who in the right mind would slap a woman? That ain't right at all." Melo said back.

I nodded my head as I agreed to everything he was saying. That whole sequence got my attention that I was no longer focused on winning this game. The bench had us up 16 though with 5 minutes left to play. I hoped they could come through, because I wasn't focused at all right now.

"She'll be okay. Fucking asshole" Russ muttered.

The game had ended and we won by 18 points. I ran to the locker rooms as I signaled for Julianna to meet up with me there.

I waited for a few moments before I saw her bruised cheek. Man, he hit her hard. "Ya good?" I frowned. I hated to see her like this. She was usually always energetic and happy.

"I could be better, but ya" Her voice cracked.

"It's okay.. I'm here." I assured her pulling her into a hug. She began to cry and I kissed her forehead rubbing circles on her back.

"Paul," She croaked. "Aren't ya gonna shower?" She asked.

I laughed. "Ya always getting me for that. But ya, are you gonna be okay for a little bit?" 

"Yeah." She muttered.

"Alright then, I'll be right back"

I didn't want to leave her but I smelled pretty bad. I sighed as I got my bags from my locker. The rest of the guys seemed to know what was going on, for they didn't joke around with me.

Melo ran up to me. "How is she?"

I frowned. "She's pretty shaken up which is understandable. I hope girls don't grow up preparing for a grown man to slap them. I'm here for her."

"Wow. We gotta make sure that asshole is banned."

I nodded my head in agreement. "Oh, for sure. He can't be doing that."

"Alright bro, I'll see ya." We did our little hand shake as I let him go. He seemed to understand what was going on and I was thankful for that.

I was quick 'cause I didn't want Julie to be out there alone for too long. I knew she was gonna be okay though, she's definietly a fighter.

"Hey," I said to her grabbing her attention away from her phone.

"Hey," she said frowning.

"I'm gonna make sure that man is banned from this arena, the security guards have all his information so you won't have to worry" I reassured her.

"Thank you" She said back but her voice barely audible.

"Ya, so come on I'm taking you out to eat" I interlocked her hand with mine.

"I don't want to eat" She whined back.

"Who doesn't love food?" I chuckled. "I'm buying and I'm not eating alone" I smirked.

"Free food?" She raised an eyebrow.

"You know you'll always get that when you're with me"

"Let me make sure I spend the rest of my days with you then"  She laughed. Seeing her happy was enough for me. I didn't like seeing one event ruin her whole day. She has a short memory and I liked that.