Love Doesn't Really Exist... Right?

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Jade's P.O.V.

Tristan helped me to put my clothes back on because I was so sore from where the guy had been grabbing me. I was freezing in my black high waist shorts and red tank top. I was also shaking because, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop replaying what he had done in my head.

Tristan looked over at me with a look of concern. He slowly lifted his arm up, as if I were a bird and would fly away if he moved any faster. After realizing I wouldn't object, he put his arm around my shoulders and I leaned into him.

I started to cry again as he lifted his other arm and hugged me. I felt safe for a moment, then I heard the employee.

"You slutty bitch! You were teasing me, parading around wearing almost nothing! The looks you were giving me! And now you'll probably try to seduce that little prick too!"

The employee kept screaming at me. I cried harder. Suddenly, I felt Tristan let go of me. I looked up thinking I'd done something wrong. I was way off. He walked over to the employee who was being held back by the guy who had called the police. Tristan grabbed the guy's collar and slammed him against the wall.

"TAKE IT BACK!" he screamed. The employee stayed silent. "I SAID TAKE IT BACK!" Tristan said again as he slammed the guy against the wall.

When the guy didn't answer this time, Tristan let go and pulled his arm back. Suddenly, with all the strength he had, Tristan punched the employee, knocking him out. His body slid down the wall until he was in a heap on the ground.

Tristan turned around and approached me. He put one of his hand on my shoulder and put the other under my chin. He tilted my face upwards so I was looking into his eyes.

"I'll make sure no one hurts you again" he said to me. "I promise."

I didn't know what to do. I continued to look into his eyes.

"How old are you?" he suddenly asked.

"14" was my simple reply.

"What grade are you in?"

"8th."

"What school?"

"LMS."

"Good."

I was so confused. He was probably older than me and was glad that he wouldn't have to see me at school. Then he surprised me.

"Now I can protect you at school too. Do you know what team you're on?"

"Uhhh, yeah. I'm a heat wave."

"Good, I am too. I guess-"

The police suddenly appeared. Tristan leaned down and hugged me one last time, as if saying it would be ok. Then he went over to the police. I saw him motion for me to come over.

"Miss, I understand that you were almost raped by an employee while in a fitting room. Is that correct?"

"Yes" I replied.

"Could you please come with us for a few minutes Miss?"

I nodded and they began to walk away. I took a deep breath and turned around to see Tristan. He came closer and hugged me, whispering in my ear. He said everything would be ok. He pulled back slightly and looked at me, as if he was making a decision. He then leaned down and kissed my cheek. I blushed and turned around. I walked towards the police and they asked for the story. I answered them and they asked to see the employee, who had recently gained consciousness.

I walked over to Tristan. He tried to apologize for kissing my cheek, but I ignored it and hugged him. After I pulled back, I sat on the floor and started humming.

Tristan asked what song it was and I told him it was Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day. He didn't know the song so I started singing it.

"I walk a lonely road, the only one that I have ever known. Don't know where it goes, but it's home to me and I walk alone. I walk this empty street, on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Where the city sleeps, and I'm the only one and I walk alone. I walk alone, I walk alone, I walk alone, I walk a-. My shadow's the only one that walks beside me, my shallow heart's the only thing that's beating. Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me, till then I walk alone. Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ahhh-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah ah-ah. I'm walking down the line, that divides me somewhere in my mind. On the border line of the edge, and where I walk alone. Read between the lines, what's fucked up and everything's alright. Check my vital signs to know I'm still alive, and I walk alone. I walk alone, I walk alone, I walk alone, I walk a-. My shadow's the only thing that walks beside me, my shallow heart's the only thing that's beating. Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me, till then I walk alone. Ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ahhh-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah, ah-ah. I walk alone, I walk a-. I walk this empty street, on the Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Where the city sleeps, and I'm the only one and I walk a-. My shadow's the only one that walks beside me, my shallow heart's the only thing that's beating. Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me, till then I walk alone."

I finished singing, then looked up and saw Tristan looking at me in awe. I looked around and saw that the other two boys and the girl were looking at me the same way.

"Wow, you have an amazing voice!" Tristan said. Everyone else nodded in agreement. I looked down, embarrassed.

Tristan pulled me over so I was sitting on his lap and he wrapped his arms around me. He was blocking me from the staring people. He started to whisper in my ear.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. You are really good though." I shivered as I felt his breath on my neck.

"Thanks" I said, just as the police approached us.