Last Stop

Chapter eight

As soon as we reach the fire I am introduced to many people, mostly girls who all smile coyly at me and touch my arms unnecessarily. I am not interested but when Anna leaves me to my own devices I end up talking to them. Trying to be polite since all of them are really nice. I do not know how long I socialize for or how any cups are shoved into my hands, that I do not drink because I know what is in there. Music begins to play and I guess the drinks have taken effect because people begin making a makeshift dance floor and laughing as they spin each other around.

"Feel like a spin?" The girl I am talking to, Audrey, asks me nodding towards the dance floor. I shrug, why not. So I take her hand and lead her onto the floor. I took dance classes every week for eight years of my life. I only stopped in eleventh grade when my mother really could not be left alone. So I know my way around the dance floor and soon my feet hurt because I am requested to dance with way more girls than I know.

I spot Anna grinning proudly from her position in Henry's arms and I inwardly roll my eyes. If only she knew. Declan spins another girl around next to us and winks and me. I cant help smile back. Admittedly this is fun and carefree and not something I am used too.

There is a pause in the music and we all take a second to recover before preparing to start over. However, before we can do anything everyone's attention is drawn to a loud commotion that is happening over by the picnic tables. Most of the adults have gone home and the few that remain are to far away to realise anything is going on. I spot Audrey caught up in the middle of what seems like a fight with an angry guy. Without even thinking I make my way closer.

"No, Mike, please." She is saying as he grips her arms his knuckles turning white with the force and she flinches trying to free her arm.

"Don't be a bitch. Bee." He grits out yanking her closer towards him "You are ungrateful and stupid if you think you can leave me."

"Mike.' Her voice is pleading as tears rush down her face and finally I am close enough to intervene. Fully aware that many people have followed me.

"Hey man, let go of her." I say firmly, used to these jerks, the city is fill of them. Mike turns his face towards mine and he growls. His eyes are mean and deadly. If this was my first time experiencing dead eyes I would have backed away and let a bigger man deal with this but it isn't. I know these type of people. Often my mother would bring home guys like this and I would chase them away before they could inflict any serious damage.

"Fuck off." Is his reply focusing back at Audrey who is halfway to a panic attack. "This who you left me for, the city twat?" she shakily cry's as he jerks her again "Answer."

"I said let go." I say making my way over and forcibly removing his grip. It isn't that hard, I can smell the alcohol on him but I still have no doubt he will have left a bruise on Audrey's arm.

"Who the fuck do you think you are?" He asks angry before lunging at me. I manage to dodge his drunken swings before landing one straight on his jaw and causing him to fly towards the ground.

"I suggest you leave before the police are called, and do not bother coming back." He leaves, not quietly he leaves with explicit threats but I am jut happy he is gone. I head over to Audrey who is crying in a panic attack. The confident and funny girl I danced with earlier gone. Replaced by a shell of someone who thinks that she is everything that man said she was. She isn't.

"Auds," I speak softly bending down to meet her on the ground "I am so sorry." I say knowing that she thinks that she deserves this. I don't say anything as I let her fall into my arms in sobs and I hold her, trying to express in a hug all the worth I see in her and all the worth she is. The crowd disperses but Anna comes up with water for her and pats her back before leaving as well with a small sad smile. Everywhere I go I find hurt people and I wish I didn't.

I spend the rest of the evening trying to convince her she is worth more than anything, ending up driving her home and walking the rest of the way home in deep contemplation. Everyone is asleep and I collapse into bed, too tired for a shower as my brain brings me back to a memory I didn't think much of at the time.

Spencer standing to the side as I held Audrey, eyes sad and shoulders slumped. He looked miserable as he tried to blend in with the crowd. Watching the scene with a sadness I have never seen on his face. Then he turns and leaves. I never saw him again that evening and I hope he got back safe. Despite his dislike for me something about him makes me want to know more.