Catch Me

Chapter Thirty-Four: Fist Fights and Bloody Noses

Chapter Thirty-Four: Fist Fights and Bloody Noses

 Haleigh let out a sob as she let the door to the dorm building swing closed. She raced up the stair toward her room, leaving Zander by himself in the cold, dark November evening. Exhaustion swept over Haleigh as she threw herself down on her unmade bed.

The room was dark, and the street lamp outside was the only source of light as it shown through the window of the room. Haleigh's phone vibrated on her bedside table, but she ignored it as she stared blankly at the ceiling above her bed. Visions of Zander filled her mind as she lay there. Haleigh recalled the first time she had seen Zander. He played his bass in the living room of the Kappa Sigma house. There was something about that boy that intrigued her. She recalled the moment she had saw him when she had grabbed breakfast with Sam for the first time. The way he looked in his Burlington Bagel Factory uniform had made her heart race. She remembered blushing when he had texted her that day and told her she had looked beautiful. Haleigh recalled their first kiss, the way his lips felt on hers as music played in the background. Her heart ached as the memory of him rescuing her after the big fight she had had with her father. The way his arms wrapped around her in a protective way made her feel the safest she ever had. She remembered the way her damp skin felt against his as they made love for the first time in his bed. The way his hands were firm, yet gentle as they explored her body. She remembered the way her heart leapt when he had told her he loved her just a few minutes before. She had desperately wanted to throw herself into his arms, and kiss those beautiful lips of his, but he had done something unforgivable. It was over, and that broke Haleigh's heart. Finally she remembered the nauseous sensation she had felt as she watched him kiss Alyssa in front of her.

Haleigh wiped away a stray tear that slid down her cheek. She wasn't sure how, but Zander had become such a huge part of her life in such a short amount of time. She couldn't understand how he could just kiss someone else out of spite. She would have never even thought of doing that to him if she had been the one who was mad.

Haleigh's phone continued to vibrate. Caving, she reached for her phone. She had ten missed calls from Sam, and a few from Toby. Zander hadn't attempted to call or text since Haleigh had walked away when Zander had told her he loved her. There was a part of Haleigh that was relieved by this. She really didn't want to deal with him right now. She wanted to push the memory of Zander out of her mind. She wanted nothing more than to go back in time and not go to that first party. Then none of this would have ever happened.

Haleigh rolled over and faced the wall as she heard a key turn in the dorm room door. Sam entered the room silently, which was unusual for Sam. She was a loud person who most of the time would return to their dorm after a party with her boy friend glued to her face.

"Haleigh?" Sam's sweet voice broke the silence in the air. Haleigh remained silent as she stared at the bare, concrete wall. She felt the side of her bed move as Sam sat down on the edge of it. "Are you okay?" She rubbed Haleigh's back comfortingly.

"I'm fine." Haleigh managed to choke out in between tears. She shrugged Sam's hand off her back. She just wanted to be alone.

"I'm here if you need anything." Sam said, she didn't take offense to Haleigh shrugging her off. She was just worried about her friend. Sam stood from her roommate's bed, then climbed into her own, still fully dressed from the party.

Sam was snoring slighting in only a matter of minutes. The night seemed to pass slowly and Haleigh wished for the sleep to take over. She wanted to be transported to a different dimension. She wanted to forget about Zander, and she definitely wanted the memory of Zander's lips on Alyssa's to disappear.

Haleigh stood from her bed, slipped on a hoodie, and walked out of her dorm room. She half expected Zander to still be sitting on the steps of the dorm building, and was slightly disappointed when she found the steps to be empty.

Haleigh pulled the hood of her sweatshirt over her head and began to walk through campus in the dark cool night. She walked with little knowledge of where she was going. She could feel the numbness that was starting to take over her emotions. Music from the Kappa Sigma party still echoed throughout the campus, and Haleigh wondered what time it was. She listened to the gravel crunch beneath the soles of her shoes as she walked.

Soon Haleigh found herself in front of the Burlington Bagel Factory. She had no memory of walking here and her heart skipped a beat when she realized where she was. She looked up at the second story window that she knew belonged to Zander. Light shown through the curtains. Haleigh eyed the outdoor stairs that led up to the second story apartment. She contemplated going to knock on the apartment's door, but quickly pushed this thought from her mind.

"A little late to be out, don't ya think?" A familiar voice that made Haleigh's skin crawl said from behind her. She turned. Justin, the guy that had dislocated her shoulder at the second Kappa Sigma party stood before her. He had a slight grin on his face. He looked as if he was an animal who had just stumbled upon their next meal. Fear washed over Haleigh as she realized she wasn't safe. She turned, about to make a run for it when Justin caught her by the wrist. The same wrist he had bruised not too long ago.

"Don't touch me." Haleigh growled as she yanked her wrist out of his grasp. Setting herself free she began to turn again, but this time he grabbed her around the waist.

"Come on baby, let me show you what a real man can do." His hot breath touched the back of Haleigh's neck as she tried to break free. Justin grabbed Haleigh's hips and pulled her even closer to him, as he attempted to place kisses on her neck.

"Get away from me!" She screeched, as she thrashed in his grasp. It was no use, this guy weighed about two hundred and sixty pounds and was at the school on a football scholarship, he was way too strong. She had no choice. "Zander!" She yelled, thankful that she was right under his window. She prayed that he would hear her. "Zan-" She was cut off as Justin clapped his hand over Haleigh's mouth.

****

Zander lay silently on his bed as he contemplated ways to make it up to Haleigh. He wanted to go back to this morning. He wanted the feeling he had when she had first pulled into the student parking lot after her Thanksgiving break back. He had been so excited to see her.

Zander lay perfectly still as he heard a commotion outside, probably a couple fighting about taxes or something. He listened carefully as he thought about Haleigh.

"Zander!" Haleigh's voice echoed in through his bedroom window. His heart started to beat in his chest. He shot out of bed, slipped his shoes on and ran out the door of his apartment. He could see a broad figure in the darkness of the night. The figure seemed to be struggling with something. Zander raced down the stairs of his apartment building toward the commotion. Where was Haleigh? Was she okay?

Zander finally realized what was happening as he made it to the last step. Justin had Haleigh around the waist. Haleigh was trying desperately to break free. Her eyes were laced with fear.

"Let her go!" Zander demanded as he came face to face with Justin. Justin smirked at Zander, letting his grip loosen around Haleigh's waist, but still not letting her go.

"We're just dancin'." Justin smirked as he rocked back and forth on his heels. He had one arm wrapped around Haleigh's waist, the other around her chest, Haleigh faced outward, and Zander hated seeing the look of fear in her eyes. He wanted desperately to have her safely in his arms.

Before Zander had a chance to make his next move, Haleigh had bitten down hard on Justin's wrist. Justin screamed in pain as he shoved Haleigh hard to the ground.

"Piece of shit." Zander muttered as he threw himself at Justin. His fist collided hard with Justin's left cheek, and he stumbled backwards, almost falling over himself. Zander threw another punch, but this was blocked. Justin was the next one to throw a punch, his fist smashed forcefully into Zander's nose, instantly causing blood to gush from his nostrils. Haleigh screamed from where she lay helplessly on the ground. She wanted to help Zander, she just wasn't sure what to do.