the girl on the bench

Chapter 14

TW: Non-graphic sexual assault featured in this chapter.

I'm rostered on for the dinner shift at the bar tonight and I can except my shift to be busy. The only good thing about it is that it keeps my mind off of overthinking things with G. We haven't texted much more than her organising to pick me up when my shift ends. Work definitely doesn't stop me from remembering last night. Her body on top of mine. Her hands moving over my body. Her eyes looking into mine... I bite my lip at the thought. "Service" a bell dings and I'm pulled right back to the present day.

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The dinner shift turns into Saturday night drinks for the customers and I'm back to making non-stop cocktails. I make myself a coffee in my break because I definitely need all the energy and stamina I can get for tonight. G mentioned that she wants to take me somewhere but she hasn't told me where. She assures me it's amazing. I finish a little bit before 10 and take the extra minutes to get changed and fix myself. I packed a spare change of clothes and a less padded bra. If there's any chance that my boobs are going to be touched, there shouldn't be padding in the way. I finish up and head out to the parking area out the back of the bar to wait for her. While I'm waiting I get a text from G saying she'll be a little bit late. I tell her I'm waiting out the back and I'll see her when she pulls in. 

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a car pull up and get excited until I realise it wasn't G's car. A guy gets out and I realise it's Harry the kitchen-hand. "Hey Harry, starting your shift?" I ask him. "Yeah, Saturday nights are fun aren't they?" He says and I shrug. "Where are you off to?" He asks stopping in front of me and looking me up and down. I suddenly feel self-conscious about my outfit choice. I look down at myself subtly and can't see anything wrong with black jeans and a tight black crop top. OK... it might be the crop top. I cross my arms over my chest which only makes his eyes stare directly at my boobs. "I'm going out with a friend" I say casually. He looks around and takes a step towards me. I take a step back and find my back pressing against the building wall. This is not a situation I want to be in. I'm suddenly feeling uncomfortable and start regretting all my choices. Where is she? "You know I've always liked you" he says resting is hand on the wall behind my head. I peer around the side of him and can't see anything. I reach into my pocket and take out my phone. I look up to see a camera pointing at us. Hopefully it's recording the whole thing just in case he tries anything. He leans down towards my face and I turn my head away. "Harry, don't do this" I say through gritted teeth. "Why? I know you want me to" he says and tries to kiss me again. "Harry! No!" I say more firmly. "Come on, Sophie" he says placing his hand around my neck in order to keep my head still. He goes in for a kiss and I lift my leg to kick his junk. He buckles to the ground in front of me and I look up to see G's bonnet come into view. I run for the car and lock my door "Drive!" I yell not keeping my eyes off the dark figure on the ground.

"Sophie, what's going on?" G asks me, her eyes widen at the frantic sight of me. "He came on to me so I kicked him in the balls. Please just drive!" I say to her now looking at her as I try to catch my breath. She backs out of the parking area and drives a bit before pulling over. She puts the car into park and focusses her attention on me. She unbuckles her seat and moves closer to me. She grabs my head in her hands and tucks my hair behind my ear. "Are you OK?" She asks me and I look her in the eyes. "Yeah I'm fine" I say. She bows her head. "Did he touch you?" She says her face slowly turning to anger. "G, really I'm OK. He just grabbed my neck..." she takes her hands from my face and grips the steering wheel. "He grabbed my neck to steady me as he tried to kiss me" I continue. We stay silent for a moment "I think I did more damage to him. At least the whole thing was on camera. I'll deal with it on Monday with the boss" I say trying to calm us both. She runs her hands through her hair and then turns to me. "We should go to the cops". I shake my head. "I don't want to. I just want to forget about it". She takes my hands, "As long as you're OK" she says looking somewhat relieved. I nod. "Fucking jerk" she mutters as she hits the steering wheel with the palm of her hand. She buckles herself back in and turns the car on.