Beside You

Chapter 6

A scream escapes my lips as his large hands tightly hold my arms, forcing me against the wall.

"You're mine tonight." He growls. I feel his hand smack my left cheek, forcing my head sideways. I crumple to the ground, and he grabs my shoulders, yanking me back into a standing position.

"You little bitch, you'll never be anything in life. You're such a joke." He punches me in the stomach and I let out a pained groan, clenching my sides.

"Please, stop!" I beg, more tears streaming down my face.

He laughs a dirty, evil laugh. "No one can hear you." He whispers into my ear. I flinch away, but he only drags me closer, laughing the whole time.

"You pathetic bastard, I own you." He kicks me onto my hands and knees, and I can already tell they're going to be bruised. I try to get away, but he reaches out and takes my legs, picking me completely off the ground and slamming me into the wall.

My eyes open and I jolt up in bed, taking in my surroundings. Oh, it was just another dream. I feel my forehead; it's sweatier than usual. I take a few deep breaths and I'm no longer shaking. I check the time; it's eight-thirty AM. I realize I never heard Jess come home last night. I silently walk over to her room and crack open the door. Sure enough, she's asleep with the guy she was dancing with at the club. I quietly close the door and walk to the kitchen, and open my laptop. I need to finish my other job applications, especially after feeling so anxious the day before.

By eleven-thirty, Jess still isn't awake. She must've taken the day off of work. I jump when my phone rings from across the room. It's a number I don't recognize, so I set it back on the counter-it's probably a solicitor. I listen to two more rings, and something in me tells me to answer.

"Hello?" I cautiously ask.

"Hello, Ms. Thomas, this is Jeanette from Modest Management. How are you?" I feel weak in my knees. Why would they be getting back to me so soon about the interview? Doubts flood my mind as I muster up the strength to answer.

"I am well, thank you."

"I am calling on behalf of Harry Magee. After discussion with Richard Griffith, we have decided to offer you an assistant job."

I am in shock and can barely speak. This seems too good to be true. "I, I um..."

"Your pay will be fifteen dollars an hour, and you will be working no more than forty-hour weeks. We are not open to negotiations."

"That's fine!" I almost scream. "I'll take the job."

"Great. Come by on Monday at eight o'clock AM for your first day. Please bring your ID so we can fill out some paperwork. We will see you then." She hangs up. I feel my mouth come open. I am dumbfounded. I never expected to get a job this quickly in the city. Granted, the pay isn't great, and it may be an assistant level position, but I couldn't ask for anything more. Throughout middle and high school, and into college, I dreamed of working in the entertainment industry. Now, it's finally happening.

I excitedly reach for my phone and call Kris, eager to tell her the good news. She answers after four rings.

"Hey, Paisley, I'm at work. Is this important?" I tell her exactly what happened, almost word for word.

"Wow, kiddo, I am so stinkin' proud of you!" I laugh at her rural slang. "My baby sister is making big steps in the world! I wish I was there to celebrate." I feel a pinch of sadness, missing my sister.

"We'll see each other in just a few months for Thanksgiving, though!" I remind her. We chat a bit more before ending the call.

Monday, I start my new life.