Chapter 2
I managed to drag myself out of bed around ten and hurried to finish my homework while I started up my brain with coffee. I was dressed and heading to class with just enough time to walk to campus and get to class on time. Thankfully it was an art class I shared with Jacob.
“3…2…1.” Jacob counted down as I planted my but in the seat and the clock hit twelve. I gave him a cocky grin and pulled out my sketch pad. We had started working on perfecting our shading last class, so this class was to complete and turn in our work. Our table was given a vase and flowers as our subject. I started fixing my previous mistakes and adding more to my shading, losing myself in my work.
“So, it’s Friday…” Jacob trailed off with a suggestive eye brow wiggle. I smiled and turned to him.
“Diamonds for karaoke?” I was hoping that was his plan.
“Hell yes!” He whispered dramatically, while we ignored the glares coming from the girl sitting across from us. We looked at each other and rolled our eyes, before returning to our work for a few minutes.
“Sam coming this time?” I whispered. He gave me a sad smile and shook his head no. I frowned at his response.
“Why not, this time?” He hadn’t joined us in weeks. He didn’t do the karaoke but he still had a few drinks with us and laughed along with the other acts.
“I’m not sure, something about a new tech job. I just don’t think he wants to do anything anymore. I get that he prefers the quiet life, but going out like once a month with your boyfriend isn’t too much to ask.” He vented. He gave a defeated sigh as he over shaded his project in his distraction. I put my hand on his arm to stop before he ruined his work. He blinked a few times and started fixing it.
“It’s not. Have you told him you enjoy when he goes?” I asked quietly. I knew the answer though, Jacob wasn’t afraid to say how he felt. He nodded again.
“He doesn’t seem to care. I think I’m losing him, Bells.” His voice sounded so sad that it made my chest ache. I had noticed Sam withdrawing the last few months, but I think that Jacob was overlooking it on purpose. He loved Sam.
“Give it some time and give him some space. Come home with me tonight? Make him realize what he would miss?” I suggested. He gave a noncommittal shrug then shook himself out of his thoughts.
“Whatever, we are going to go get our drink on and belt out our 80’s ballads.” He did a shimmy in his seat which had me holding back the giggles threatening to burst out. We didn’t want to get more angry glares from our classmates.
I had to make it through one more class before heading to work. Both of which flew by. I hurried home to get changed for tonight. I was ready to bring Jacob out of his sad mood and relieve a bit of stress. Stress wasn’t something I usually struggled with, but this project was a big chunk of my grade.
My debate on what to wear was interrupted by a knock on my door, then the door opening. That meant Jacob came over early. He was the only other one with a key. I frowned, hoping this didn’t mean bad news. I threw out a few more options from my closet before lining them up on my bed.
“I choose the purple dress.” Jacob said as he entered my room. I looked over but he was in a pleasant mood. “I guess Sam really does have a big project. He was pouring over numbers when I left.” He announced with a shrug. I guess they were back to ok for now. I just didn’t see it lasting. Opposites may attract, but there had to be some similarities to keep it fun. I think Sam loves Jacob, you can tell with how he walks him to and from work. He just didn’t know how to be social and that hurt them. Balance is a good thing.
“Ok, let me change then I have to finish my makeup.” I threw my jeans and shirt in the hamper, before throwing on the dress Jacob picked out. It was a dark purple strapless that stopped just above my knee. I finished my makeup before throwing on a black shrug and black ankle boots. I took a look in the mirror and appreciated my work. I didn’t use a ton of makeup, but I needed it to move my face past the cute and innocent look I had going. I had wide eyes lined in long dark lashes. I was petite and short, which clearly didn’t help the cute and innocent vibe. My blonde hair was wavy and layered, hitting just below my shoulders, so I added a bit more curl for a night out.
“Perfect. Now move! I want a good table!” He barked out. I laughed and saluted him before we locked up and walked down the street to Diamonds. We flashed our ID’s and Jacob flew through the crowd to secure a table. I went to the bar and grabbed our favorite drink, the diamond special. It was a sweet mix of juices and vodka. I couldn’t tell you what all was in it, but we loved it.
“Alright, sign us up, my friend!” I yelled over the noise as I sat our drinks down. We clinked our cups together and downed half of our drinks.
“Already did, doll.” I glared at his nickname. He always said I resembled one of those antique porcelain dolls, just with a tan. He just laughed at me. Jacob loved to tease people, so I didn’t hold it against him. After another round it was our turn. Jacob pulled me up on stage to pick our song. Our specialty was 80’s music, and a few people in the crowd cheered. This was a weekly event, so they knew what was coming. We picked Total eclipse of the heart and moved in front of the microphone.
We put all we had in that song and belted it out, using the usual dramatic arm movements and flair. We finished the last notes and gave a dramatic bow. It was a bad choice as the world spun for a second when I straightened back up. The crowd cheered and Jacob grabbed my hand to lead me off stage.
“Come on Tipsy, lets go get a water before our next round.” Jacob had a point. He always joked that I was a lightweight. He wasn’t wrong, but for some reason my alcohol metabolized fast and I got drunk fast, but sobered up way faster than he did.
“Yeah, yeah. Bring on the water.” I sat at our table and waited while he went back to the bar. I laughed along with the crowd as the next guy took the stage. He was trying his best, but his voice kept cracking as he tried to reach the high notes of his rock song.
“Nice singing up there, gorgeous.” A preppy guy leaned his arm on the table, blocking my view of the stage. I held back an eye roll and gave him a small smile.
“Thanks.” Maybe keeping my responses short would end this quickly.
“Can I get you a drink?” He asked with a wink. I cringed a little. Winking was not my favorite pick up move. It just made me think he was creepy.
“Nope, my drink is already on it’s way.” I replied and turned around to see Jacob marching my way. “There he is now.” I announced as Jacob joined us. The guy gave Jacob an appraising look, then apparently decided he wasn’t a threat.
“Well maybe the next round? Or you can join me for some pool?” He offered, never losing his smile. I heard Jacob chuckle quietly.
“Nope, I’ve got a date right here. But thank you.” I said with a smile. Turning to Jacob to dismiss the guy. I didn’t feel like flirting tonight and he was definitely not my type. The guy lost his smile and walked away muttering about stuck up girls. Jacob broke out into full on laughter at that.
“You are the heartbreaker. Dress up to tempt these poor fools, just to turn them all down.” He said through his laughing. I gave him a playful shove.
“I dress up for me, jerk. Plus, they just aren’t my type.” I finished with a pout. He shoved my water in front of me and I took a long drink. I finished it quickly and grabbed my mixed drink from in front of him.
“This seat taken?” I heard coming from Jacob’s other side and looked up at Sam in surprise. I guess he did feel bad about ditching us again. He gave me a polite smile and kissed Jacob on the head. I gave a jealous sigh. Sam did the little romantic things that would make any girl a bit jealous.
“You came!” He squealed at Sam and pulled out the chair. He shot me a happy smile.
“You missed the first song already, we have one more slot coming up though, lucky you.” I joked.
“Right on time then, I was hoping I didn’t miss it.” He chuckled. He knew our crazy dances well.
They were distracted with a conversation and I quickly felt like the third wheel. I loved that Sam came, but now I felt a bit awkward. Our song came up quickly though and we picked Never gonna give you up, you couldn’t go wrong with that kind of classic. We dedicated it to Sam and serenaded him, which had him laughing in his seat. We finished and rejoined the table.
“I’m out, you guys.” I said as I gathered up my purse.
“What? This early?” Jacob asked, shocked. I wasn’t usually the first one out, but they needed some alone time. I gave him a pointed look at Sam and wiggled my eyebrows. He blushed and nodded. “Thanks, doll.” He said in my ear as he hugged me goodbye. Sam waved and I made my way through the crowd.
My apartment was only a few blocks away, which was why I wore boots instead of heels. I wanted to look cute, but I wasn’t crazy. I started walking, enjoying the quiet and I felt my tipsy feeling fading with each step. I was about to round the corner when I heard a crash coming from the back door of Diamonds. I peeked around the building and saw the preppy guy from earlier hovering over a girl. I guess he found a more agreeable girl. I rolled my eyes at the thought. I was a few steps away when I heard a muffled scream. I whipped my head back around and saw her starting to struggle.
I took off at a run and grabbed my pepper spray out, turning off the safety lock. I yanked her away and sprayed him. He yelled and cursed, stumbling around. I was surprised he didn’t notice me running up. I pulled the girl away and we went back to the front of diamonds.
“Are you okay?” I asked as I finally looked at her. She was shaking and had tears running down her face. She was also clearly Fae. She shook her head and mumbled a thanks. She tried to turn away and I stopped her. “Can I at least walk you home?”
“Sure.” She agreed. I kept my pepper spray out and she started walking. When we passed the alley, I couldn’t see him anymore. Her shoulders visibly relaxed.
“Were you at Diamonds, tonight?” I asked, trying to start a polite conversation and calm her down.
“No, I was walking home from a friend’s house. He just stepped out and started saying some awful slurs before trying to attack me. I am glad you came when you did. Thanks. Most people wouldn’t have.” She explained quietly. I felt my rage bubbling up.
“Well I’m not most people, and that’s fucked up. We need to get you one of these bad boys.” I said as I held up my pepper spray. “I’m Arabella, but call me Bella.”
“I’m River.” She replied. We walked another two blocks before she gestured to a small house in front of us. It was a bit run down, but the yard was beautiful. You could tell she put work into it.
“I love the flowers.” I complimented and she finally gave me a genuine smile.
“Landscaping is my specialty, now.” She said proudly. “Thanks for walking me home and saving me.” She gave me a quick hug, as she pulled away a worried look crossed her face. I just smiled to show it was okay. My rage bubbled up again. The fact she was afraid to even hug me made me so mad. This stupid town and always treating the Fae like scum.
“You have a phone?” I asked and she nodded with a confused look. “Let me see?” I asked and held out my hand. She handed it over and I added my number and shot myself a quick text. “Alright, there is my number. I live a few blocks over, so if you ever find yourself alone, you call me. I’ll come walk with you. Or if you just need a friend.” I added. I sucked at the whole making friends thing, but she seemed really nice.
“Really?” She was clearly shocked. She blinked a few times and looked genuinely happy. I nodded and gave a smile back before I walked home.