Saving Athena ✓

5) Cherry

A t h e n a

I scowl at Vinnie, shoving past him, an armful of decorations and all as I hear him sigh from behind me. He follows me to the front and I keep my distance as I bend down and open the box, I take out the Halloween decorations and lay them out on the ground.

"You plan on staying quiet this whole time?" Vinnie pipes up, coming to sit beside me, too close. I move away and take out the rest of the decorations. I grab the string of lights and some tape as I go and grab a chair, I stand on it and tape the lights up, Vinnie looks throughout the box and pulls out some tapestries as he comes and taps my waist. "Can I have the tape?"

I throw it at him, it hits his face and he winces. I mumble a 'sorry' I'm sure he didn't even hear as he narrows his eyes. I ignore him as I step down from the chair and attempt to drag it to the other wall but he holds it down, firmly. I look up at him.

"Remember when you first got the job?" He asks, taking a small step forward.

"How could I forget?" I scoff, I walk away from him only for him to follow me to the other wall.

"I wanted to be the one to help you around," he states and I draw my brows together at the wall. "But Milo jumped up and took that opportunity."

"Good for you," I take the crate and walk back to the table. Only to feel him press behind me as his arms cage around me, he places his arms onto the table so I can't escape his grip. "Why do you keep doing this?" I turn and face him as he lowers his face to mine. "Get off of me- Vinnie."

"Do you like Milo?" He questions, licking his lips. I furrow my brows and grip the table behind me. My knuckles turning white from how tight my grip is.

"Why do you care so much?" I exclaim. "Vinnie please just stop- whatever it is you're doing-"

"I really like you," he confesses. My breath catches in my throat as I lower my shoulders. I don't believe him, so I ignore him and pretend like I didn't hear him. "I thought I made it clear but obviously I didn't because you're with Milo."

"I-" I scoff and shake my head. I go to move but his hands drop to my lower waist as he holds me firmly. I tense and look down at his hands. "Let me go," my voice comes out thin, a mere whisper.

"No." He shakes his head and steps closer. "What do I have to do to get you to like me?"

"Please, let go of me," my hands find his as I push him off of me. He grits his teeth and steps closer until there's no space between us and his mouth hovers above mine before I shake my head quickly. I go to push him off but he shoves my hands away and pins them down on the table behind me.

He leans in to try to kiss me.

I shove him with everything I have, gasping as I move from the table, shaky legs and all as I wipe profusely at my lips.

"Don't you dare," he points a finger at my face. "Tell anyone about this."

I give a weak nod as he storms away, making sure to slam the box down, all the decorations falling out to join me in my self-pity.

✧

I see the violin man on the way home, no crowds surrounding him this time. He softly tugs at the strings of the violin, the gentle melodious music swirls with the stars and rains down on us.

I toss five more dollars in his case, he smiles again.

✧

I tilt my head back, allowing the water to stream along my body as I wipe again at my lips I wash off the feeling of Vinnie's hands on me, along with his lips on mine.