Change My Ways

-Two weeks later-

"It's Saturday night, and it's Halloween, we are going out!" Juliet yells, coming through the door, shopping bags in hand.

"Would you like some help?" I ask, seeing her struggle.

"I would love it." She smiles. "So what is your costume going to be for tonight?"

"Maybe I have other plans..."

"Shut up. You owe me, for blowing me off before."

"I didn't blow you off, I just... acquired other plans for that night."

"Suuuure. You never did tell me what you guys ended up doing... Did you have fun?"

"Oh, we most definitely had fun, but that's all I'm willing to say."

"Oh, come on! Give me the gory details!"

"Sorry, my lips are sealed." I pretend to zip my lips, as I smile at her.

"Fine, be like that." She spits her tongue out at me. So what's it going to be?"

"What?"

"Your costume, silly! What are you going to be?"

"I haven't really thought much about it. Where are we going?"

"Out. That's all I'm going to say." She pretends to zip her lips, mocking me.

"You're such a brat."

"Nope. You are, my dear. I'm thinking that I’ll dress as a flapper.” She starts pulling items out of her shopping bags, and setting them on the bed.
“Wow. Love those dresses.”
“My mom used to take me to this vintage shop, and I thought I’d go back just to get some ideas for costumes. I saw this stuff, and couldn’t pass any of it up. Which dress do you think I should go with?”

“Definitely the blue. Blue is a good color for you.”

“Awesome.” She sets all of the accessories aside to go with her outfit. “I got two of each item, because I wanted you to have something, too.” She smiles, and hands me a dress, shoes, and accessories.

“Thanks, Juliet. You really didn’t have to do that.”

“Please don’t mention it. I wanted to get it for you.”

“Aww. Well, thanks.” I smile, and hug her.

“What are we waiting for, we need to get ready for tonight!” She says, as she pulls away from the hug.

“Right. I’ll meet you downstairs in one hour.”

“Sounds like a plan.” She replies, shutting her door behind me, as I walk to my room. I lay the stuff out on my bed, and start getting ready for the amazing night ahead.
--
As Juliet drives us to the club, I debate on calling Zach. I haven’t talked to him yet today, but I’m sure he’s already got plans of his own. Since that night at the club, we’ve went on three dates. Although I’m not exactly for sure where things are going, yet, I love spending time with Zach. He seems to genuinely like to spend time with me, too. However, I used to think Brian genuinely liked to spend time with me too, and I see where that got me.

Upon arrival, I pull myself from my thoughts, and join Juliet, in getting out of the car. We walk into the club, and immediately head to the bar. She orders us each a Jack and Coke. We turn our backs to the bar, and lean against it, watching the crowd on the dance floor.
“Have I told you yet how gorg you look in that outfit?” She asks me, taking a swig of her drink.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you have already been drinking.” I laugh at her.

“I’m being serious! You look fabulous!”

“Well, thanks. You look pretty amazing, yourself.”

“Oh, stop it. I’m blushing.” She says, and we laugh. She scans the crowd, like she’s searching for someone in the crowd. She then looks down at her phone, texting some unknown number.

“Are you meeting someone?”

“You won’t be mad, will you?”

“Why would I? Whatever happened to Kevin, though?”

“Let’s not talk about Kevin. Now, there’s Jordan. And his friend… Jared.”

“Oh. His friend? You’re going to go on a date with two guys at once?”

“No, silly. I’m hanging out with Jordan. He and Jared are just in town for the weekend, from Philly. He didn’t want to just ditch his friend, since they came here together, so I might have told him that you’d keep Jared company.” She gives me puppy dog eyes.

“The things I do for you…” I sigh.

“Aww, thanks! You’re the best!” She hugs me.

“Yeah, yeah. I know.” I smile.

“Juliet?” Two random guys approach us, as if on cue.

“Yes. You must be Jordan, and Jared.”

“That’s us. This must be your friend Elody. Nice to meet you.” He holds his hand out to greet me, and I shake it.

“Indeed. You, too.” I smile, trying to be friendly, without seeming too flirty.

“I’m Jared.” The other guy says, shaking my hand, as well.

“Hey.”I say, not knowing what else to say.

“So…” Jordan says, mainly to Juliet. “You want to dance?”

“Do you mind?” Juliet asks me.

“Knock yourself out.” I give her the stink eye, and she just smirks at me, and mouths ‘thank you.’

“So what do you do for a living?” Jared asks, sitting next to me, at the bar.

“Administrative assistant. You?”

“I’m a manager of a construction company.”

“That sounds like a good job.”

For the next, what seems like hours, but is really only like 20 minutes, we make awkward conversation about our lives. I’m debating on ways to sneak out of here, so I don’t have to continue talking to some random guy, that already knows too much about me as it is. I decide to just use the same lame old excuse I usually use when guys try to hit on me at the bar.

“I’ll be right back, I’m going to use the restroom.” I smile, and excuse myself, walking away to the bathroom. I walk in the door, and immediately regret using this excuse, the place looks like a trash receptacle. There’s a dingy counter across from the sink, that seems to catch empty beer bottles from people who are too lazy to throw away their trash, and the sink looks like someone just threw up in it. I look at my reflection in the mirror, and think about how I can’t really just leave Juliet here with two random guys. I decide to stay and tough it out. I’m about to walk out the door, when it opens, revealing Jared. He walks in, and locks the door behind him.

“Umm… what are you doing? This is the woman’s restroom.” I say, trying to get around him.

“Who gives a shit, the door’s locked, now, so no one will come in.” He pushes me up against the counter top, knocking a bunch of empty bottles over, in the process.

“Please stop. I don’t want to do anything with you.”

“You know you want this.” He says, picking me up, and setting me on the counter, knocking a bunch of empty bottles over in the process. I try to push him away, but he just uses one of his hands to pin mine against the wall above my head.

“I really don’t. Please get off.”

“Oh, I will, baby.” He kisses my neck, as his free hand roams up my dress.

“Stop!” I scream, but he kisses my mouth to shut me up. I bite his lip, and he immediately pulls away.

“You’re a feisty little bitch.” He leans into me, and I can feel his nasty breath on my skin.

“You’re a piece of shit.” I say, shoving a knee into his groin, in the process, freeing my hands, since he’s using them both to cover his sack from further harm, as he backs away.

“You fucking slut.” He stands up, and starts to walk towards me. I quickly grab a bottle from behind me, on the counter, and smash him over the head with it. He stumbles backward, starting to fall. His head collides with the counter, rendering him unconscious for the time being, as he hits the ground. I hurriedly unlock the door, and run out. I spot Juliet, and rush over, pulling her away from Jordan.

“We have to go. Right now.” I say, tugging on her arm, as I start to walk toward the door.

“No we don’t. It's only 10 o' clock.”

“Will you please take us home?” I ask.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t want to go home just yet.”

“What’s wrong?” Jordan asks, butting into the conversation.

“Back the fuck off, asshole.”

“Woah. What’s wrong?” Juliet asks.

“His friend tried to rape me in the bathroom!”

“What?” Juliet turns to Jordan, as if he’ll confirm it.

“That doesn’t sound like Jared. Are you sure?”

“How could I not be sure about a man shoving himself on me?!”

“Take my keys, the bartender has them, go home, and rest. I’ll get a ride later.”

“I’m not leaving you here with this fucking creep.”

“I’m not a creep. You need to watch your mo…”

“Stop it.” Juliet butts in. “Just go, Elody. I’ll be home later. I’ll be fine. I go out by myself all of the time.”

“Sure.” I say, ending the conversation, as I turn on my heel.

“Jared! Over here!” I hear Jordan yell, as I walk away. I look over the crowd to see Jared walking toward me. I panic, and walk as quickly as I can to the door. Without looking back, or bothering to ask the bartender for Juliet’s keys, I reach the door, and run out. I run several blocks, before I decide to stop, and look back. No one is following me, but it’s dark, and creepy out, and I’m not going back into that bar. I pull my phone out of my bra, and dial Zach’s number. He answers on the third ring.

“Hey, Elody. Happy Halloween! I was wondering if I’d hear from you today.” I can tell he’s smiling, from the sound of his voice. It sounds like he's at a party. Suddenly my emotions get the best of me, and I start to tear up, thinking of what almost happened back at the bar.

“Zach, can you please come get me?” I try not to cry, as I speak.

“Are you okay? Where are you? Are you hurt? What’s wrong?” He starts questioning me. Between sobs, I tell him where I am. “I’m on my way, stay put.” He hangs up. Within ten minutes, that familiar car pulls up in front of me. Before I even have time to take a step, he’s out of the car, and running over to me. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” He wipes the tears from my eyes, as he asks his questions.

“I’m fine, now.” I say, able to stop crying, for the time being.

“What happened? Why have you been crying?”

“Juliet and I were hanging out at that bar.” I say, pointing to the neon sign down the street. “She met two guys, and one of them tried to rape me in the bathroom.”

“Is he still there?”

“As far as I know, yes, but…”

“Get in the car, I’ll be right back.” He hands me the keys, and starts running toward the bar.

“Zach, please, let’s just go!” I say, chasing after him, as quickly as my heels will allow me. We get to the bar, and go inside.
“Do you see him?”

“He’s over there dancing with his friend, and Juliet.” I say pointing to him. Zach walks through the crowd, and I follow behind him.

“Are you the fool who tried to rape my girlfriend?” He asks Jared, as we approach them.

“Excuse me?” Jared replies.

“I didn’t fucking stutter.”

“Oh. You mean that tease standing behind you? She didn’t mention a boyfriend when we talked. The way she was flirting with me, you’d think she was asking for it, too.” Jared smirks at me. Zach doesn’t waste any time knocking him to the ground, with one swift punch to the face.

“Whoa, whoa.” Jordan steps in front of Jared, before Zach can do anymore damage. I grab Zach’s shoulders, trying to keep him from hitting Jordan, too.

“Excuse me, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave, sir.” A security guard appears in front of Zach.

“Don’t worry. I’m done here.” Zach says. He looks back at Jared. “Fuck with her again, and there won’t be any saving you.” He says, before we walk out of the bar. As we walk back to his car, I decide to be the first one to break the silence.

“You didn’t have to do that.” I say to him.

“I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, and get away with it, Elody.” We get to his car, and he opens the door for me, making sure I’m in the car safely, before shutting the door behind me. He walks around to his side, and gets in, starting the car. As we pull away, I decide to speak up again.

“You called me your girlfriend.”

“What?”

“You called me your girlfriend.”

“Oh, yeah. Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I thought it was cute.” I smile at him.

“I think you’re cute.” He smiles, and I can’t help but giggle.

“You’re cute, too, Zachary.”

“You called me by my full name.” He says, suddenly serious, mocking me.

“You’re such a brat.” I say, playfully hitting him on the shoulder. “Thanks for defending me.”

“Not a problem. I care about you, Elody. I don’t like seeing you in pain.”

"I'm sorry I interrupted your party."

"Please don't worry about that, you're more important than any party." He pulls up at my apartment, and cuts the engine. He turns to me, and leans across the seat, placing his lips on mine. He pulls away, after a few seconds, and leans back in his seat.

“Would you hate me, if I told you I didn’t want to go home? The night is still young, we could go back to your party..." Zach looks at me questioningly, as if to see if I'm sure, and I nod in return. He smiles, as he restarts the engine.

"I could never hate you, Elody." He reaches over, and grabs my hand, holding it in his, as we drive away.

Notes