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Post by bloodtypeespresso on Aug 28, 2008 22:53:31 GMT -5
[Chapter 5]
“Oh, hi! You’re new!” I greeted the barista smiling. The young girl with purple streaked hair smiled self consciously before asking for my order. “A really LARGE café americano with a shot of espresso!” I said excitedly, what can I say I haven’t had coffee in a while, I ran out yesterday morning and didn’t really feel like running to the store after work.
“Ah, so you’re a red-eye girl, nice!” she laughed.
“You know that stuff’ll kill you.” Came a smooth voice behind me. Turning to look at the speaker, there stood, a guy who could have easily jumped out of the pages of G.Q. About six foot four, blond, blue eyes, immaculate suit…yup, oozing snobby trust fund.
I laughed, “Nope, I need coffee, without coffee I stop the walking and the talking and words putting into sentence doing.” That being done, I turned around and gave the barista (Marty according to her name tag) the patented who-the-hell-does-he-think-he-is look.
Biting back a laugh Marty gave me my total, “That’ll be $3.19”
“Here” Mr. G.Q. said brushing past me and holding out his platinum card, oh no he freaking didn’t!
“Um, no thank you.” I stated pushing my way back towards the counter, and handing Marty a ten-dollar bill. “I can buy my own liquid death, thanks.” I said tossing all of the change into the tip jar, as Marty handed me my coffee. “Thank you.” I smiled at her as I hurried to prepare my coffee.
But alas I’m never quite quick enough, although this time it wasn’t my fault there were people in front of me. “That tip was much to hefty you know.” Came a smooth drawl uncomfortably close to my left ear.
“She was good.” I stated simply stepping away from this guy, talk about invading my personal space. Seriously what the heck is up with this place?
“Ah, but one mustn’t flaunt their wealth in such ways, the tip was larger than the overall cost of your coffee.” He smirked.
“Excuse me, but what business is it of yours how much I do or don’t tip?” I demanded getting fired up. “And another thing, ‘flaunting my wealth’? Now that’s rich coming from the guy decked out in a custom tailored Dior suit that isn’t even on the market for another five months. Now if you are done insulting me, I have to get to work.” I stated side stepping him and making my way towards the exit “See you Marty!” I called out with a small wave, always stay on your barista’s good side, ignoring they eyes I felt on my back as I left.
“Now that you’ve proved your point, we can cut the chit-chat, you can give me your number and perhaps, if you’re nice I’ll give you a call.” Came the ever-irritating voice next to me as I walked the two blocks to work. Now this is getting ridiculous! As in I seriously had to suppress the urge to go all middle school on him and ask, ‘Exactly what part of no is it that you don’t understand? The N or the O?’ so I opted for a slightly more mature version.
“Obviously it didn’t hit home if you’re still talking to me, so let me simplify it for you. I’m flattered, but I’m not interested.” With that I walked up the stairs to the Daily Observer building, hearing him yell his oh, so witty comeback to my retreating form.
“You weren’t worth it any way, you frigid BITCH!” Well I’m sure his mother would be proud of his manners…
Once on the eighth floor, I hastily made my way to my cubical practically chugging my coffee as I started logging into my desktop with my right hand before I even sat down. Man I hate when people get to me but already I longed for some wide leg slacks and an oxford, in place of my skirt, blouse and fitted vest. But at least now I have something to write about.
And that’s exactly what I did for the next few hours, I simply wrote. I ended up rewriting today’s coffee shop incident about four times before being even remotely satisfied. I know what you’re thinking, but no I don’t just wait for one big thing to happen then scramble to write about it last minuet. Usually I write a bit every day or take notes then I look over everything the day before deadline and come up with a final piece, the Kevin thing not withstanding as he totally blew the rest of my week out of the water. Just as I finished saving the file an interoffice IM window popped up on my screen.d.Danes: I need to see you in my office.j.Mo: Be right there boss.Closing the window, I slowly made my way to his office, “You needed to see me?” I asked walking in.
“Close the door, and take a seat.” He said seriously, what’s up?
“Um, am I in trouble?” I asked sitting down.
“No, but something is up, and I want to know what it is.” He said sternly, but not unkindly.
“It’s nothing Chief, just had a rough morning.” I said with a weak smile.
“Bull, you were more chipper when that jerk dumped coffee on you head. Today, you walked in here made a beeline for your computer and haven’t come up since. Not even for coffee.” He added, as I was about to argue.
“It’s not a big deal, just some loser at the coffee shop got to me is all. I’ll be fine.” I smiled, once again thinking about how everything in my life seems to involve coffee.
“Another one? What’d this dumb ass do?” he asked resting his arms on the desk in front of him.
“Uh, it’s a long story. First he insulted my coffee choice, THEN he just bypassed me, as in literally walked around and stood in front of me, then held out his platinum card trying to pay for me, acting like he was God’s gift or something.”
Here he interrupted me with a soft “Oh boy…”
“Exactly! Now, you know that didn’t go over well, so I pulled out a ten handed it to the new barista, and tossed the change into the tip jar, not thinking too much of it. She was cool; she gave me a red-eye, no big deal. THEN as I’m trying to get near the coffee station, he comes up and whispers in my ear, TOTALLY invading my personal space, about how I tip too much and it’s not proper to flaunt my wealth. The guy was in a custom made Dior suit! So I gave him a piece of my mind, walked out. Stupid me, I thought that was done with, but no… because I have a neon sign screaming “easy” on my back, he follows me over here and asks for my number, saying that if I’m good, he might give me a call.” I stopped for about a second to take a breath before continuing, “because I obviously want him, psh! Then he called me a fringed bitch before he left, but that part was kind of funny, obviously him trying to cling on to some semblance of dignity.” I almost laughed at the last part, apparently I wasn’t the only one feeling immature this morning.
“Man, kid what are you a creep magnet?” He asked.
“You have no idea...” I rolled my eyes.
“Okay, so this guy was a jerk, but why’s it got you so bent out of shape, he didn’t try anything did he?” he asked me, with a penetrating stare.
“No, not at all. He just creeped me out is all, well first he annoyed me, but I guess it was the whole following me thing, It’s really got nothing to do with him…but I’ll be fine Chief.” It’s not like it hasn’t happened before, I’m just in a funk, it’ll be gone by tomorrow.
“What’d he do?”
“I already told you everything, it was noth…”
“Not him.” He cut me off, “the other guy, he must have really worked a number on you.” Darn perceptive old reporters! I sighed before continuing knowing I had no choice.
“He just wasn’t a good guy, he was my first real boyfriend, I was stupid…but I got out of it before things got too bad.” I said looking just beyond his left ear determined not to look down, yet unable to make eye contact.
“He hit you?” it wasn’t a statement, just a blunt question.
“I wouldn’t say that, but he was aggressive.” I said just loud enough to be heard, as he let out an audible sigh.
“Oh, Kid…I’m sorry,” he said standing up and making his way around his desk, “you’re a good kid, you deserve better.” He added placing a hand on my shoulder. “Remember that.”
“I will, thanks Chief, sorry about laying all this on you.” I said with a weak smile, feeling like a little kid.
“Forget about it, now how’s your work coming along?” He asked with a grin I easily matched, grateful for a subject change.
“I submitted the comic yesterday, and I’ve got some stuff finished for next week’s issues, but I’m not sure what I’ll submit just yet. It all depends on whether or not anything interesting happens between now and deadline.”
“Now that’s what I like to hear. Say, it’s Friday, you have nothing to do here why don’t you head home, do one of those crazy movie nights your always talking about, relax.” He said giving me a fatherly look.
“Chief, I’m fine…” Why am I arguing a day off?
“Perhaps, but it would make me feel better.”
“If you insist…” Going back to sleep!
“I do, now go,” he said shoving me out gently “I need you infuriatingly chipper on Monday.” He called out as I laughed gathering my stuff.
Not even an hour later I was home in my pjs and completely bored out of my mind, though I did finally make it out to the store for coffee. So submitting to the powers of my laptop calling me to mindlessly surf the Internet, I picked up my Tough Book and curled up on my bed., pleasantly surprised to find an email from none other than my coffee buddy.To: Ibleed.Coffee@gmail.comFrom: K2@gmail.comSubject: Bored
J. Mo,
You know I had to; come on it was too easy! Sorry I haven’t been in touch more in the last few days, but with touring and Brittany flying out for our Vegas show on Tuesday, it’s been crazy! But maybe we can talk tonight or this weekend (we don’t have a show until Monday), we need to catch up!
Any way we’re setting up for a show tonight, but I’ve been rendered useless. So instead of sulking in the corner because nobody trusts my choice in footwear, I decided I’d email you! Don’t you feel lucky? I knew you would. 
Oh man, Joe’s griping about me not helping, even though he’s the one that exiled me! So I have to go, but write back okay? Let me know when you want to talk, I don’t want to call you if you’re busy or asleep, and I’d have you call me but I don’t know at exactly what time the meet and greet is over. =(
Ahh! Joe’s com…
HI COFFEE GURL!!!
And that was Joe.
TTYL,
K2
To: K2@gmail.comFrom: Ibleed.Coffee@gmail.comSubject: Re: Bored
Hey Kev (and Joe),
Ha ha, because I’ve never heard that one before [insert eye roll]. Any way, it’s cool I know you’re busy, and I’m glad you got to see Brittany. I’m currently at home, Chief wants me to rest; that and I make everyone look bad with my awesome efficiency!
LOL, okay so I had a lousy morning dealing with some punk at the coffee shop, nope not the same one, totally new punk! But I was done with all my work so I had nothing to do but twirl in my desk chair and after having fallen enough times in the past Chief is weary of letting me have too much down time.
So now that I’m home I might take a nap, but call me tonight (if you have time, or aren’t too tired), don’t worry about the time I’ll probably be awake, and it’s not like I have to get up early tomorrow. But if not, then call whenever you have time. I have nothing planned all weekend.
Take care (you too Joe),
Jenny
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Post by bloodtypeespresso on Aug 29, 2008 1:59:40 GMT -5
[Chapter 6]
After a restless and fitful nap, I woke up and started doing some much-needed housework. Okay so I washed the two dishes in the sink, and put my dirty clothes in the hamper but I felt extremely accomplished afterward. The rest of my day was filled with much of the same, at some point I did get a text from Kevin though, telling me he was going to copy my nap idea before his show.
At some point I’m assuming I fell asleep again since my phone blaring “accidentally in love” startled me awake and I almost fell off the couch. Yeah I’m really that graceful.
“Mmh, Hello?” I asked still a little groggy, but trying, miserably to cover it up.
“Oh, hey sorry I woke you up, I’ll…”
“No, don’t hang up, I just dozed off watching a movie, I’m glad you called.” I reassured a frantic Kevin.
“You sure?” he asked, still not fully convinced.
“Yeah, but if you really have to g…”
“I wouldn’t have called you if I did.” He laughed.
“Oh, cool, in that case how was your concert?” I asked getting comfortable again.
“It was excellent, Joe only fell once, and I totally rocked! As always! We were Burning Up the stage.” He chuckled at his lame pun.
“Hehe, that’s good to hear. Is Joe okay?” I asked still giggling.
“Oh yeah, he’s pretty sturdy, But don’t think you can avoid the subject all night, I will not be sidetracked that easily.” He stated with conviction causing me to stifle a laugh.
“And what subject is that Mr. Jonas?”
“Mm-hm, act like you don’t know. I heard that you had a situation at Starbucks…again? I leave you for a few days and already you get into trouble? Come on tell Kevin what happened.” He finished in a ridiculous soothing tone.
“It was no big deal, just some guy wouldn’t leave me alone. Thought he was God’s gift to women or something, then after I thought I made it clear I wasn’t interested, he followed me to work to ask for my number, where I proceeded to turn him down and walk away as he called me and I quote a ‘frigid bitch’.” I finished, trying not to get too caught up in the story. Sure Kevin’s easy to talk to, but we usually talk light and fluffy.
“Oh wow, that sucks. Are you okay? Did he try anything? Was security involved?” he fired off sounding genuinely concerned, causing me to smile despite myself, sensing his older brother mode kicking in.
“Oh, I’m fine, he didn’t try anything so there was no major scene, he just rattled me a little bit. It’s okay I’m used to loser guys.” I reassured him trying to laugh it off, as he let out a relieved sigh.
“Good, but ouch ‘loser guys’ seems like a story there.” It was a statement. Not really a question, yet I felt compelled to answer, sensing his curiosity.
“Perhaps, mainly one guy… but you don’t really want to hear it. It’s not exactly light dinner conversation.” I’m giving you an out Kev, take it, this story sucks and makes me look like a moron! I silently begged.
“”Well, lucky for you I’ve already had dinner, I’m very comfortable, and I have nothing to do for the next few days, so you can take your time.” He said reassuringly, his voice calming yet light with what I can only assume are years of experience being the oldest of four. “I even promise to share some of my sob stories.” He bargained.
Now, I don’t know if it was the genuine concern lased with curiosity in his voice, the pressure of a trying day, or perhaps that strange sense of security one gets when talking to a stranger. No pressure, no predisposed image, added to slight anonymity of a phone. The bazaar comfort of knowing that if things don’t go well, the conversation will simply end, contact will slowly be lost, and any judgment will leave along with it. In the end I guess it was a combination of all those things heightened by the late hour and the stillness of my living room, that finally caused me to take that deep breathe and slowly plunge into a story I haven’t truly talked about in at least a year.
“Are you sure you’re comfortable?” I asked signaling I was ready to talk, but giving him one last opportunity to back out.
“Yep, I’m curled up with my coffee and everything.” He stated light heartedly, not quite masking the seriousness behind it.
“Okay, well I guess it started bout two years ago, a little longer than that…I had just turned eighteen, when I met him. He worked with my older sister, and was about eight years older than me. At first he seemed nice enough. He didn’t treat me like a little kid, yet he seemed to protect me.” Here I let out a bitter laugh realizing that it wasn’t protection but control.
“Well, any way, growing up I was always kind of awkward, I guess I’d say. Never popular, kind of smart, but not smart enough…does that make sense?” I asked mostly to myself, but he answered non-the less.
“Yeah.” He said quietly.
“Okay, well any way I’ve always been a loud dresser, but at the time I was still a little insecure, not really having come into my own yet. I was never popular with guys and to be honest I was a bit on the chubby side, and at my height…yeah. Well any way, he noticed me. A few months after we met we started dating. I lost a lot of the weight, mostly through exercise, and what not, yet he seemed to push me to lose more. I didn’t really notice anything until later, but it started small. His suggesting I cut a certain thing out of my diet. Or ordering for me, which never went well…but I’ll get into that later. Slowly I started changing the way I dressed, what I ate…well the dress was never really him, seeing as I tend to change my look a lot, but he definitely tried.
“I guess looking back I can only blame it on my naivety, I though he loved me, and in a way I thought I deserved the way he treated me.” I said quietly. It still humiliates me to say that, especially since I fancy myself Supergirl, but what can you do.
“Oh, Jen…” he started.
“No, I’m not done” I cut him off, knowing I’d break down if he continued, “that is, unless you want me to be.”
“No, don’t stop.”
“Well, needless to say I was never really what he wanted, but what hurt the most is that at the time I felt like I had no one to turn to. My mom was always working, and stressed out so I never saw her. My sister had just moved out, and my best friend…well I guess I never really wanted her to meet this guy. That should have tipped me off.
“Well, after my sister moved, her boss offered me her old job, it was nothing glamorous, but it allowed me to do my school work, and it was on campus, I think that was the one bright spot in that semester. But despite all this, I’m still me, no matter how emotionally bruised or stifled I may get, I hate being told what do. I don’t mind taking direction, but I don’t answer well to being controlled, so with the little leeway I had, I’d always manage to piss him off; Little things, like ordering and paying for my own food, after he ordered something he knew I didn’t like for me. He told me to grow my hair out so I opted for a short pixie cut a few days later. I knew I was being a pain which is perhaps why to some extent at least I felt I deserved what I had coming to me.” I heard his sharp intake of breath, and I could picture him flinching at the words as I did.
“Do you want me to stop?” I asked knowing he didn’t like listening to it.
“No… keep going, please.”
“Okay. Well I’m not going to say he hit me, because really, he never did. But he was physically aggressive. It started out simple enough, he grabbed my arm once, and I freaked out telling him not to do it again. And for a while he didn’t that was the first mark he left on me; it should have been the last. But I stayed, because I believed him, because I provoked him, because I didn’t see any easy way out. Soon enough, the better I started to look, losing weight and what not, the more I started to find myself, the more he started to physically show his dominance.
“Sometimes, he’d smash me against a wall and kiss me if he felt I doubted his possession of me, those probably hurt the most since, it bruised my back as well as my arms and it was hard to hide. The most drastic of the physical abuse though involved him picking me up and throwing me against to a wooden fence. That one really hurt I’ll admit, and though he made a lame excuse about trying to show me self-defense…or playing…I don’t remember what he said. I do remember the bruising, I remember thinking I couldn’t let him know how much it hurt, I remember the small chip in my shin where I still have a slight bump… but most of all I remember realizing that this was getting out of hand.
“Soon after that we broke up, for good that is. I probably should have mentioned that I did try and break up with him, but seeing as we were working together everyone, it seemed, kept pushing us back into a relationship. Some how I always got sucked in, I was just never strong enough to get out on my own.” I choked out despite my best effort before taking a shaky breath to steady my voice and continuing before he interrupted.
“You know, it still amuses me how it ended. We were having dinner at a restaurant, and I was talking about Mudvayne. A friend from class had turned me on to them, and there was one song in particular that I liked. Well this sent him off, he went on about how I never listened to rock, and I had apparently even told him that it sucked…what I really said was that the band he was listening to sucked. I’ve always liked rock, along with almost every musical genre imaginable, but any way. Finally after some arguing he accidentally handed me a ‘get out of jail free’ card.
“ ‘Eventually you’re going to have to chose between this person you are becoming and us.’ That’s what he told me, and that’s all I needed. Without any hesitation I said ‘me.’ Plain and simple, I told him he was right and there was no point in us wasting our time. Well I guess he was a bit shocked because he simply drove me home, but when I refused to kiss him goodnight I knew he realized I was serious.”
“So he just let you go?” he asked in disbelief.
I knew he was smart. With a bitter humorless laugh I continued. “Not even close. That was right before my nineteenth birthday. We didn’t get back together, but he kept acting like we were, he would call repeatedly, if I didn’t answer he’d leave a message and call again over and over again, all day, or night whatever, getting more frantic and panicked threatening to come over and check on me. He started showing up to the office when he wasn’t working just to make sure I was there, claiming he was just being a friend. The real problem here was that though I didn’t want to be involved with him, I had to obtain a professional relationship. He was my coworker, and as such I didn’t want to make things bad. Plus I was just happy not to be with him, I didn’t really wish him any harm despite the abuse. Sure he wanted to get back together, and even went so far as to make up some poorly thought out story about a suicide attempt. Claiming the knife didn’t cut, so he knew he had to stay alive to be with me.” Here I heard Kevin’s bitter scoff, echoing my initial reaction.
“Exactly. One night though, he called, and I finally caved and answered knowing it wouldn’t end until I did. I needed to get some rest, I had a full day of classes and work the next day, meaning I’d be up by six and I wouldn’t get home until maybe eight pm, when my last class let out and my mom could pick me up seeing as I didn’t have a car.
“He was hysterical, claiming he had cancer and was going to die. And now I know this is a serious issue, and so is suicide, but I just couldn’t believe him. Even if I did, I was determined not to get sucked in, so I told him sincerely, that I’d pray for him, but I had to go as it was pretty late. Well he went off on me, calling me all sorts of things, amongst them cruel, he kept firing accusations at me and finally I hung up. I was hurt, I was scared, but most of all I was mad, you don’t joke about death; not like that.
“But he kept calling and calling, so I checked my voice mail and it said he was on his way to my house. I immediately called him back, telling him that if he showed up I’d call the cops. For the first time I was truly terrified of this guy. Sure I was scared before, but nothing like this, he sounded off. So he complied, but demanded my mom’s number. Like I was going to give that to him. Sure she works in the psychiatric ward of a hospital, but there was no way I was getting even more people involved.
“My mom did hear part of the conversation though, took my phone and turned it off. At this point I’m sure she knew some of what was going on, and when I told her the phone situation she called some friends at the police department and asked if they could have someone just drive by our house every so often for the night. I didn’t sleep though,” I said trying not to choke up again.
“I was still on edge, I did pray for him as I promised I would. I prayed a lot that night actually, I thanked God I was out of that relationship, and I thanked him for the family I was given. I know it may sound off, but I even thanked him for every single bruise I got from that guy; knowing that every thing I went though would eventually mold me into a better, stronger person…at least I prayed it would.
“But I am me, and as we both know, I am nothing if not a magnet for disaster. The next day I got ready as usual, applied a little more makeup to hide the bags under my eyes, and made sure to wear long sleeves and dark stalking with my short skirt. I wanted to look nice; I wanted to feel pretty even if I was hiding the still fading bruises. I figured if I looked good, maybe I’d feel a little bit better, maybe I could prove not only to him, but also to myself that I was okay.
“Well, my morning was uneventful, I had work then class, and after that I had a two hour break. So not wanting to be stuck on campus, I decided to leave my books behind my desk at the office, and walk the half a block off campus to a small strip mall, figuring I’d buy a comic book, and grab a bite to eat. Well even the best laid plans… as I was walking out the building, he called out to me. I ignored him, still irritated from the night before. I knew if I talked to him so soon after everything I’d blow up and make things worse, I just didn’t want to be mean to him, I wanted to get on with my life. But he followed me out the door. And stuck his hand in my face, wanting me to shake it. Okay so I may have over reacted, but looked at him, said, “Not now.” And walked around him putting on my ipod.
“I knew it was rude, but I could have been worse. Either way I made a stupid mistake, I treated him like a normal person, and not the crazy that he turned out to be. You see I assumed since he was working, and in his uniform, he wouldn’t leave the building… I was wrong. But I kept walking even though he was gaining on me, holding on to the logic that once I crossed the street off campus he’d go back to work.” I closed my eyes remembering how I felt that day.
“I can still feel my heart racing, his presence right behind me. I can hear the blood swooshing in my brain drowning out the loud Dean Martin track. I saw the walk signal light up, and I waked as fast as I could in my high-heeled boots, realizing I couldn’t out run him even if I tried. About a second after I made it to the curb so did he. Still ignoring him, I turned to look at the now heavy traffic; I was stuck. So I turned back in my initial direction and walked quickly noting he was less than a foot behind me I could practically feel his breath on my neck. I was panicked I’ll admit, and it took everything I had not to give into the terrified sobs. After quickly assessing the situation I knew that I couldn’t out run him, even if I had been wearing running shoes, my cell phone was currently in the bottom of my purse and would take too long to find…there was a short cut to the strip mall I usually took because there wasn’t much traffic on that route, but not knowing what he was capable of... No, knowing what he was capable of, just not knowing what he’d try I figured the more people around the better, even if it took a little bit longer.
“Once we got there he finally lost his temper and grabbed my arm and started yelling at me. But I wasn’t dating him any more, and I was already expecting the worst so I didn’t think twice about shoving him off, and yelling at him never to touch me again. I only got about a foot before he grabbed me and shoved me against a stone pillar; adrenaline kicking in I pushed him off and sprinted into the first open establishment, which happened to be a beauty parlor. I sat in the waiting area with my headphones on shaking trying not to cry, suddenly feeling very exposed even though I was fully covered. It only took about three minuets for a cop to show up and ask to see me outside. I knew what it was about but I hadn’t called him. Apparently someone saw us and called the cops, I gave my statement, but at the end of it all I couldn’t even get a restraining order as I had no proof that the bruising was caused by him.”
“WHAT!!!” Kevin growled into the phone.
“Yeah, so I called my mom to pick me up, and spent the rest of the day crying.” I continued shakily, “The real problem I guess, is the nightmares that started, I was always on edge. My mom went to talk to my boss, told her the situation and asked that she keep an eye on me. Normally I’d protest, but I didn’t even care, in fact I was a little relieved. I continued going to work as usual, and I only interacted with him when absolutely necessary. It wasn’t pleasant, but work is work, and I wasn’t bout to bring my personal life into it. Sure my mom told my boss what was going on, but she never mentioned it to me, and we had a silent agreement, as long as things ran smoothly we were fine. But slowly I noticed some people at work avoid me, or ask why I insisted on being so cold hearted. He started acting weird, singling me out…so I made a point never to be alone. Luckily there were still a few co-workers that didn’t shun me, and as luck would have it, it was all the guys. I guess it’s some kind of guy code, whatever the case they seemed to sense something was a miss and never let me be alone for too long though they never mentioned anything.
“Then it got a little worse…”
“WORSE!?!” I was cut off indignantly.
“Just a little, it seems that he was indeed being slanderous, and made the mistake of making a mock death threat to one of the supervisors for hanging out with me. Needless to say that didn’t go over well, especially considering the supervisor Mel, is my sister’s best guy friend. So Mel made a formal complaint, but he mentioned some stuff he heard this guy say about me too. He told me he tried to keep me out of it, but it was getting out of hand and he was worried.” It still chokes me up thinking about him looking after me, he was always my sister’s friend not mine.
“Good.” That I’ll admit made me smile.
“So, began a long and messy process, you see even though I could now easily avoid him at work, and took to hanging out in more populated areas, he know my schedule. A fact he took full advantage of. All of a sudden he was every where, making a point of talking to people I was talking to, but never addressing me, he showed up and stood behind me in line to get coffee even though he hated the stuff. Luckily, I worked with a very good bunch of guys and Mel insisted on having one of them walk me everywhere, but even then. The nightmares got worse, and showing up to my late classes was almost impossible, the campus was practically deserted at that time, and just knowing that…I was scared and there was nothing I could do about it. The school claimed it wasn’t their issue, the cops said I had no case, so I cried myself to sleep every night, only to wake up in a cold sweat an hour later. This went on for a few months without much change, and then Virginia Tech happened. The severity of the issue made the school reconsider their position. There was nothing they could do about he and I, but they decided that his death threat, joke or not shouldn’t be under estimated. He was fired and banned from campus, and until the end of the semester at least security was heightened, at least a little bit.
“I spent a lot if time trying to heal, trying to suppress the nightmares, and the chills I would get when I thought someone was watching me. I guess the thing is, it never really goes away. It gets better, but I spent months not being able to be touched, flinching when even my mother would hug me. Then just as I thought I was fine, I would spot him somewhere, and whether he saw me or not I’d break into a cold sweat, start shaking…I felt like I couldn’t breath. ” I closed my eye letting the silent tears come. “I’m sorry Kev. I shouldn’t …”
“Don’t. Don’t you dare apologize Jenny. This, what happened to you, it wasn’t your fault.” somehow that was all it took, I started sobbing, as embarrassing as it could have been it didn’t matter. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re okay now, I’m here, and he’s not going to hurt you.” For some reason, his reassurance just broke me down entirely. There I was sitting on my couch alone in the dark sobbing uncontrollably into my cell phone, while a guy I hardly know told me everything was going to be okay. Even now, I want nothing more than to believe him. “Jenny…” I tried to stifle my sobs a bit. “Are you listening?”
“M…mm-hmm” It sounded more like a hiccup but he continued anyway.
“It’s not your fault, you deserve better than that.” He said sternly.
“But, it…why…I still stayed. I should have known better.” I argued suppressing my sobs enough to talk, shaky as it may be.
“No, he should have know better, you shouldn’t have had to try and get out of it to begin with.” He argued adamantly. It’s the same argument I tell myself, but days like today, it’s still a little hard to grasp. There was silence for a second before I finally spoke.
“Kevin…” it was hardly a whisper, but he heard me.
“’Yeah?”
“Thank you.” I said just as quietly.
“I’ll always be here, remember that. Okay?” he asked seriously.
“Okay… but it works both ways.” I said still sniffling.
“I’ll take you up on that. Now put your phone on speaker and get to bed.” He said with a hint of amusement.
“What?”
“You shouldn’t be alone tonight.” He said seriously, “Now go and you better not snore!” he added making me laugh.
“Night Kev.”
“Night Jenny.”
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Post by bloodtypeespresso on Aug 29, 2008 17:04:27 GMT -5
[ Okay so this first part isn’t integral to the story, but once I wrote it I just couldn’t bring myself to scrap it.]
[Chapter 7]
Kevin’s POV
The next morning I woke up early. I checked my phone half expecting to hear Jenny awake again, but all I heard was her even breathing. It was a rough night, but she slept through most of it all right. Ending the call, I sent her a quick text to call me when she woke up then headed downstairs where I heard my mom already up.
I wasn’t planning on it, but the moment I saw her, I went up to her and hugged her burying my face in her neck. “I love you Mommy.” I said quietly my voice threatening to crack. I still can’t wrap my head around how any man could hurt a girl, especially one he claimed to love.
“Hey I love you too baby, what’s wrong?” she asked concerned, but I just shook my head not wanting to let go for a second.
Jenny POV
After that night things between Kevin and I obviously changed, I expected some sort of awkwardness, either from him or me, but it never came. Instead we just talked, about everything, about nothing. It’s only been a little over a week since then, and yet he’s one of the few people I feel comfortable with, though I guess that’s easy to do when he’s on tour and I’m here in New York; but that’s an argument Kevin refuses to let me win.To: Ibleed.Coffee@gmail.comFrom: K2@gmail.comSubject: Getting Old(er)
Jennnay!
What can I say it was Forest Gump night, blame Tom Hanks.
So the big two one is approaching, my little girl is all grown up * tear *! So, this birthday Sunday, have any plans yet?
Write back then GET BACK TO WORK YOUNG LADY!
Your favorite Jonas,
KevinTo: K2@gmail.comFrom: Ibleed.Coffee@gmail.comSubject: Just joining your club!
Joe!!! Oops, I mean Kevin!
LOL, you set yourself up for that one old boy. So, first off it’s Thursday, so you know that every thing is pretty much done at this point. I just have to clean up the final version of the comic strip and turn it in before I leave tomorrow. Which by the way is Friday the thirteenth! I’m not superstitious, but now that people are starting to recognize me they might start getting funny ideas!
As for my impending birthday, you know… the day in which I join you in the old fogy club , nope nothing really planned. My family is all scattered, and they all work Monday, plus the distance is a pain. So I’m starting on Friday, and having a “Birthday Weekend”! Okay so I’m not too sure what I’ll do but my guess is bug you on the phone if you’re free, drink coffee, eat junk, and watch old movies? Not really a big deal, I get older every year!
Now go be productive and learn a new freaky-flip-thing! AND DON’T SCUFF THE SHOES!!!
Merry Un-Birthday,
Jenny
P.S: O.O I just realized I’m going to have to skip Starbucks and go right to work in the morning, without you to bail me out!“I’m smellin’ coffee!” I sang under my breath as I made my way to my cubical the next morning, so I could drop off my
bag. I’d skipped going to Starbucks and just made my way straight to work, not wanting to chance anything, because lets face it if ever the crazies are out today’s the day! Although that also means I have to go brew some fresh cof… “Someone’s in my cubical.... Someone’s in my cubical wearing my hat…” I stated to myself ready to tell the cubical-invading-hat-stealing stranger off.
Well it was a good plan until he turned around holding two cups of Starbucks coffee, and wearing a smirk. “Marry Un-Birthday.” He said putting the cups down and opening his arms for a hug.
“Kevin!” I laughed hugging him. Okay was he always this tall, because I don’t remember that, but then again I was swimming in coffee. “What are you doing here? I mean, great to see you?” I asked once he relinquished my chair, although he just stole the one from the empty desk across from mine.
“Nice to see you too.” He chuckled. “Actually, we flew in late last night for an appearance this afternoon, then we have tomorrow off, and then we have a concert on Sunday.”
“Talk about a full schedule. And here I thought you came because of me…” I said trying to look dejected.
“To New York, nope sorry, completely work related. Though to this particular building…that’s totally your doing!” nice save.
“So now what exactly are you doing in my office building, aside from delivering coffee that is?” I smirked, a little surprised a how natural all of this was even in person.
“Well, I heard you had a birthday weekend planned, something involving coffee, eating massive amounts of junk food, watching old movies…and what was that last thing? Oh yeah! ME!” He laughed.
“Mm-hmm, I think…I might, remember something to that extent.” I stated pretending to mull it over.
“We, I figured I’d stop by now, so that you know you could get your coffee. Then ask if you wanted to maybe do lunch later with the guys, and maybe a family dinner after work, when we’re done for the day?” he asked twirling in his chair.
What? “Lunch sounds great, but I really couldn’t intrude on you guys for dinner.” I don’t want to be all awkward with his family.
“Intrude?” He laughed, “Are you kidding? We’re the ones trying to horn in you your birthday! So come on, let us take you out!” he asked.
“I vote you go Kid.” I heard Chief seconds before saw him appear behind Kevin. “David Danes.” He said holding his hand out to Kevin.
“Kevin Jonas, Sir. Pleasure to meet you.” Dude! From dork, to public persona in 3.5 seconds!
“You too young man,” Chief cracked a smile, before tuning back to me and saying, “I knew you were contagious.” Eyeballing my hat still on Kevin’s head then the coffee cup in his hand. Causing both Kevin and I to laugh.
“Okay fine, since y’all are double teaming me.” I agreed faking a pout.
“Good, my work here is done.” Chief said walking away, but not before I caught him winking over Kevin’s shoulder.
“I like him.” Kevin stated fixing my hat on his head.
“I’ll let him know, though I thought you were seeing someone.” I smirked; he gave me a confused look as he took a sip of his coffee. “Wouldn’t want to get his hopes up.” I immediately cracked up, as he struggled to keep from spewing out the coffee, causing him to cough a bit.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll let you get started here, and we’ll pick you up at say…noon-ish?” he asked finally calming down.
“Yeah, that works, but only if I get my hat back.” He laughed.
“Sure thing Smitty,” he said tossing it to me as he walked out.
okay so this was more transitional, but the next chapter is coming soon. |
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