Chapter 2|The Bar

"Why the hell did he even do that to me?!"

"Sweetie, he is not worth it. You deserve so much better."

"But Lyn!"

"Aw sweetie, I'm here for you, okay?"

"Bartender! More shots!" Anais called out as her friend, Evelyn, does her best to comfort her.

"Honey, you really shouldn't be drinking this much." Evelyn said but her friend was too intoxicated to listen or understand.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"I should get back at him. Yeah. I should really sleep with someone! That'll show him!" She said a little too loud.

"Keep it down." Evelyn whispered and tried to shush her friend. She finished the last sip of her iced tea. "I'm going to the bathroom so stay here okay." Evelyn said gesturing to the bartender to keep an eye on her.

"Mhmm..." Anais mumbled as she rested her head on the counter, her friend sighed. Poor girl, Evelyn thought.

"Anais?" A voice called.

She could barely hear the sound but she still did.

"Who are you?"

"Jesse, remember?"

"Oooohhh, musical hottie!"

"Yeah." He chuckled. "Are you alright? Why are you out alone?"

"I'll tell you why! That no good piece of shit exists!"

"Who?"

"That son of a bi--" She stopped and held her mouth. Her stomach turned and she started feeling dizzy then fell off her seat. Luckily, Jesse caught her in time.

"I'll take you home, come on." He walked her to his car and slowly placed her down on the passenger seat. "Where do you live?" He asked, but it was no use. She had already fallen asleep, so he had no choice but to take her to his apartment. When they arrived, he carried her in cautiously without waking her. Placed her stuff on the dining table then her phone started vibrating.

"An! Where the hell are you! I told you to stay put!"

"Hi, this is--"

"You son of a bitch! Whoever you are, let her go!"

"I'm Jesse Cochran." He identified himself.

"Oh...Jesse!" She chuckled awkwardly.

"I brought her to my apartment, you can come by to pick her up. I'll text you the address."

"Alright, thanks!"

***

"She's in the room sleeping."

"Oh that's alright, she's had a long day let her sleep. If I may ask, how do you know her?"

"We met once around the campus. She was running late for her class and bumped into me."

"Oh."

"My turn. What happened?"

"I'm surprised she didn't tell you yet."

"Why would she?"

"Well, she tends to say a lot of stuff when she's drunk."

"She did say some 'son of a bitch'. Who is this 'son of a bitch'?"

"Brent Anson."

"Never heard of him."

"Really?"

"Nope...doesn't ring any bells."

"Well, I suppose you won't know but he's a very well-known player, in her building, at least."

"I warned her, but it was too late, she had already fallen for his stupid charms. They dated for three weeks and he jumped to another girl. He must have got tired of waiting."

"Waiting?"

"You of all people know what that means."

"What does that mean?"

"Well, you're good looking, athletic, great voice. I could go on all night but you know what I mean. You must have dated women too."

"Actually, I haven't dated anyone since I came here."

"WHAT!" Evelyn exclaimed and she was shushed by Jesse hoping that didn't wake Anais. "I mean, what?!" She said whispering loudly.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"No reason. I don't want that stuff yet. Besides, I've already got my eyes on someone." Jesse said stealing a glance at Anais.

"But you just said you don't want that stuff." He only smiled to her in response. "Anyway, I should get going."

"Oh you're welcome to spend the night if you'd like." He offered.

"Oh no, I think we've already bothered you too much." Evelyn responded squealing a little

"You sure?"

"Yep."

"Alright. Goodnight Evelyn."

"Goodnight."

***

Anais woke up the next day still feeling a little dizzy from the events of the last night.

"You're up!" She tried to get out of bed but almost fell. "Hey, careful. You had a lot to drink last night."

"Why are you--you're in my dorm?" She said sleepily with her eyes half opened.

"Actually....you're in my apartment..." Jesse said and An looked around as his words slowly synced into her head

"WHAT?! Did I--d-did we--?"

"No no, nothing like that."

"I'm so sorry! Oh my God! I feel so embarrassed!" She said burying her face into her palms.

"Don't be." He said and gave her a warm smile. "Here. Hangover cure."

"Thanks."

»»————-　★　————-««

"I was happy that I got to you first before any men could. You're safety was all I cared for." He smiled as he remembers that day.