The Universe In Your Eyes

1

"Stop! Xander, get off. This isn't funny anymore."
"It's fine Baby, don't you worry."
"Xander, I'm serious, you're hurting me. Stop."
His hands pulling at my hair. He was on top of me, and apparently didn't know his own strength, or just didn't care. His lips were desperate on my skin.
    Finally, after time passed, he got up, redressed, and left, without a word.
I got up, slowly, painfully, and walked to the mirror that hung on the far wall. I didn't recognize the girl that stared back at me. There were bruises all over my body, everywhere his lips had gone, and everywhere he had touched me. There were tears staining my cheeks, and my hair was a mess. My heart was pounding, hands sweating, and I was shaking violently.
    I walked into the bathroom and took a long, hot shower, trying to erase any trace of him lingering on me. Then, I covered up any visible mark that the clothes did not protect from the wandering eyes of others. I left my hair down, and walked out the door.

    That was six months ago. I dumped him after another abusive outing and never saw him again. I now walk down the streets of Chicago, head held high. I stop into a Starbucks, which are not hard to find around here. There's one on almost every block. I order my usual, a slice of raspberry swirl pound cake and a grande caramel iced coffee with cream. I take my usual spot in the back of the crowded shop, and sit, staring out the window and get lost in daydreams.
A loud screeching noise yanks me out of my thoughts. I look up, and see a tall boy, about my age with piercing blue eyes, pulling out the chair across from me, to sit down.
    "Can I help you?" I ask, slightly annoyed. Who does this guy think he is?
The corner of his lip pulls up into a half smile.
"As a matter of fact," He starts, with a slow, and sticky sweet drawl, "you can."
"Who do think you are?" I try to keep my cool, since we're in a public place and I don't want to draw too much attention to myself, but I can't help the spark of anger that fizzes up and out faster than a dollar store sparkler.
The boy laughs. "Don't you go gettin' your britches in a bunch, and fly off the handle. You don't even know what I'm here for, Darlin'." 
I focus on my breathing for a moment, before replying.
"You've got five minutes of my time. Don't waste it." I pull out my phone and push start on the timer.
He lets out a low chuckle.
"I need you to murder someone." A blunt statement. Simple, but shocking.
I blink slowly, as a laugh builds in my throat, and I set it free, like a cage full of wedding doves.
He rolls his eyes. "I'm serious now, Darlin'. I need you to help me murder a woman."
"Who the hell do you think you are. And why do you think you can just make outrageous demands?"
"I can't tell you any of that just yet. I need you to agree to the task first." He stares at me, his face either serious, as he claims, or in a perfect poker face. He has to be messing with me.
    Almost as an afterthought he adds, "If the creek don't rise you'll be rewarded handsomely. Not a bribe, per say, but more of a perk."
This is just like a scene from the movies, I think to myself. Am I seriously considering this? I'm an idiot. But I need money, and if money is the 'handsome reward' this mystery man is talking about then I'm all in.
"Is the reward cash?" I ask, still unsure of how I'll be able to murder someone.
His laugh is starting to annoy me, but he is really hot. His hair is hidden by a large cowboy hat, if that's what they're even called, and his arms look as if they've been kissed by the sun.
"Does this mean you're in?" I hate it when people answer a question with another question.
"Yes," I say as I release a breath that I hadn't realized I'd been holding. What have I gotten myself into?
He must notice my worry, and hesitation, because he cuts into my thoughts.
"I know you're runnin' with the big dogs here, Darlin', but I sure do appreciate your help."
I rolled my eyes, but dropped the attitude as I followed him out the door.