Catch Me

Chapter Twelve: Party Goers and Dislocated Shoulders

Chapter Twelve: Party Goers and Dislocated Shoulders

The party raged on down stairs and Haleigh waited a few minutes before she worked up the courage to make her way back into the chaos of the Kappa Sigma party. From the entry way of the living room Haleigh could see Sam dancing to The Wailing Donkeyz's music in the middle of a crowd of people. She pushed her way through the crowd.

"Awe! My roomie!" Sam slurred as she moved her hips from side to side. Haleigh could tell Sam had been drinking, but she wasn't nearly as drunk as Toby had been earlier. "Dance with me roomie!" Sam giggled as she grabbed her friend's hand and the two started to sway to the music together.

Haleigh caught herself glancing up at Zander,  who was jamming out on his bass. He too glanced in Haleigh's direction watching her as she danced. She smiled at him, a foreign kind of confidence swept over her as she danced alongside Sam.

Before she knew what was happening Haleigh felt someone come up behind her, grabbing her hips firmly. The strange figure moved his body along with the motion of Haleigh's. He was trying to dance with her.

"Hmm, you're a great dancer baby girl." The creep whispered into Haleigh's ear. Haleigh pulled away from the guy, desperate to free herself from his grasp. She turned and pushed as hard as she could against the guys chest.

"Get away from me, you creep." Haleigh was appalled by this random guy's actions. What gave him the right to cling all over her?

 "Awe come on, don't be like that, you little tease." The guy grabbed ahold of Haleigh's wrist, clamping tightly, causing Haleigh to flinch.

"Justin, come on, leave her alone." Sam protested attempting to help her friend. However, it was useless, the guy continued to pull harshly at Haleigh's wrists as he groped her hips, and slung his arm around her mid section, still attempting to dance with her. She squirmed in his grasp.

Haleigh hadn't noticed the music had stopped until Zander stood in front of the two. Haleigh had never seen someone with as much rage in their eyes as she was witnessing in Zander's. Haleigh again attempted to push the guy off of her.

"Let go of me!" She squeaked as she slammed the guy in the chest with her clenched fist. Haleigh's confidence that had taken all night to build was quickly fading away. It was at this moment that Zander stepped in.

"I believe she asked you to let her go." Zander's voice was harsh. His fists were clenched at his sides, and his face was starting to turn a deep scarlet color.

"What's it to you buddy?" Justin growled, still clinging tightly to Haleigh's wrist. She could feel the skin beneath his hand starting to bruise. Soon Haleigh could see a crowd start to form behind Zander. Jackson stood behind him, as if he was backing Zander up in case a brawl broke out. Next Charles emerged from the shadows, sticking his chest out, ready to take a swing a fist if he needed to."What're all gonna do?" Haleigh could hear the smirk in Justin's voice. She pulled one last time, but instantly regretted it as she heard a pop, and felt a shooting pain pulsate through her shoulder. She cried out in pain, and before she knew it Zander had thrown himself at Justin. His fist collided with Justin's nose, and Haleigh fell to the floor, grasping her shoulder for support. Zander was hit once in the eye, but for the most part he was kicking some ass. Charles and Jackson stepped in and a cheer echoed throughout the house as Justin was thrown out of the party. 

Sam knelt down next to Haleigh on the floor, the crowd of people had formed a circle around the two as they waited to see if Haleigh was alright.

"I think it's dislocated." Haleigh winced. She had dislocated her shoulder once before during a softball tournament back in high school. She was the starting pitcher and had thrown her shoulder out mid pitch. She had still managed to strike the batter out though. She had been in excruciating pain that day until she was able to pop it back into place.

Sam rubbed Haleigh's back trying to sooth her friend. She stepped back as soon as Zander came into view. He looked concerned as he knelt down beside Haleigh. Someone had switched on the lights, and Haleigh tried to hide the already forming bruise on her wrist. Somehow she knew it would only make Zander more mad to see.

"I think it's dislocated." Haleigh repeated herself. She knew it wasn't going to be a fun task, but it had to be popped back into place in order for the pain to stop.

"Okay, take a deep breath." Zander instructed. "And close your eyes." The whole party seemed to be holding their breath as they looked on in silence. Despite the pain she was feeling, Haleigh could also feel the embarrassment of the situation. She wanted to be back in her dorm, hiding under her blankets right now. She couldn't stand being the center of attention."Just focus on my voice, don't worry about anyone else okay?" Haleigh nodded her head slowly, allowing a stray tear to fall from her eye. She wasn't a cryer, she never had been, but man this fucking hurt! She felt what she assumed to be Zander's thumb whip away that stray tear, and she forced herself to focus on his voice. "Okay now slowly reach your hand above your head." She did as she was instructed. "Now slowly reach for your other shoulder." She obliged, then winced and screamed for just a second as there was a loud snap, which indicated that her shoulder had been popped back into place. As soon as that pop echoed throughout the room the whole party seemed to cringe, and gasp. But it was over and the pain was gone. Zander helped Haleigh to her feet. The crowd cheered, happy that Haleigh was okay.

"Alright folks, show's over." Zander announced and he ushered the crowd away from Haleigh. "Charles, lets play some stuff on the stereo for a little bit huh?" He suggested and Charles agreed. He hit a button on his phone and music started to play from the speakers, the party goers began to go about their business once again.

"Thanks." Haleigh's voice was quiet, as Zander lead her into the other room. "I kinda want to go back to my dorm though." Zander agreed to walk her and the two immediately headed toward the door.

The adrenaline was still racing through Haleigh's veins as the two walked side by side back toward Haleigh and Sam's dorm building. The moon shone brightly down on the couple as they walked in silence. It wasn't until about five minutes of walking that Haleigh felt the chill start to touch her skin. She had forgotten her jacket in Toby's room. Haleigh would have to text him in the morning to ask him to bring it to geometry class on Monday. She wrapped her arms around her bare stomach, trying to fight off the cold.

"Here." Zander stopped walking and slipped out of his leather jacket. He walked behind Haleigh and placed the jacket over her freezing shoulders. She blushed slightly as she wrapped herself up in Zander's jacket. She inhaled sharply, taking in Zander's scent; a masculine, musky smell that also smelt like laundry detergent. 

"Why are you so sweet?" Haleigh smiled up at Zander. She could feel some of her protective walls start to crumble, he had been her guardian angel tonight. If Zander hadn't been at this party Haleigh wasn't sure what would have happened to her. He didn't say anything and she was caught off guard when he cupped her cheek in the palm of his hand, and leaned down, placing a soft, gentle kiss on her lips. Haleigh's heart raced in her chest, as she prayed for the time to stop.