Alexia Eden

by Sophie Summers

  I fall back into their chest. The first thing I smell is stale beer breath and I wanna gag, I turn to see the person that has ahold of my arm and it’s an older guy, he has shaven hair and is probably a couple years older than I. He’s not bad looking but his beer breath is a total turn off. He suddenly puts his other hand lower on my back, I freeze and he pulls me closer to him, I start pulling away from him and move my face as far away from his as possible.

  “Please get your hands off me!” I say through gritted teeth as I look around for someone to help me, the music is loud in the bar and everyone in the crowded hallway is too busy with their own business to notice my struggle.

  “Oh c’mon you sweet lil' thing, let’s go out back and have some fun.” The man says as he winks at me and moves his hand lower; he’s just above my ass at this point. I start to struggle and pull out of his grip but his handle on me is tight giving me no room to kick or thrash about. This man is strong.

  “Greg! Can’t you find anyone your own age you dirty bastard! Leave her alone!” I hear a firm female voice behind me but Mr. Greg here holds me so tight I can’t turn to see who it is.

  “Oh honey I’m not THAT old and hey, don’t be jealous you can join us if you like pumpkin.” I see Greg wink at whoever is behind me.

  Then I’m pulled out of Greg’s arms and I’m looking at the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen, it’s the guy from the corner booth that I was ogling. He looks down at me with one hand on my shoulder and one hand on my cheek as he asks softly, “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

  I'm out of breath not sure if it’s because of what just happened or because this beautiful boy has me lost for words.

  I stutter. “I…I...No…I mean no… he didn’t hurt me.”

  “Good.” He says looking up from me over my shoulder, his jaw tenses and I can see his eyes turn dark, glaring with so much hatred over my shoulder at Greg.

  “Greg what do you think you’re doing? Did you not see that she didn’t want you to touch her?” The hot guy yells out. I flinch at the anger in his voice.

  I don’t hear the rest, it’s too much to deal with at the moment. I run into the bathroom and walk over to the sink and mirror. Holding my weight on my elbows on the counter top, I put my hands over my face just trying to calm my breathing, my heart is beating fast – I can feel my hands shaking. This is too much, especially after not feeling anything for so long. I have only been here for a few days and I can already feel the walls I’ve kept built up these past few years crumbling. What is this place doing to me?

  I keep thinking, why did I freeze? Growing up at the gym, I did kick boxing and a few self-defense classes. I should’ve yelled or something but I just froze, I’m so weak.

  I hear the door open and shut, I hear yelling outside –the arguments obviously still going on, I can’t see who came in because my hands are still over my face as I try to blank out any thought and calm my erratic breathing. I’m still leaning over the counter when I hear footsteps in my direction and then a soft hand starts rubbing my back gently. I recognize the voice as the girl who told Greg to leave me alone.

  “Are you okay? You wanna talk about it? He tried the same thing with a couple other girls, he won’t try with me though because he knows my pops will fuck him up if he tried to…” she trails off. I stand up and see the girl from the table I was looking at across the bar. The one with the piercings and has the whole emo look going on. She sits on the counter by the other sink and I smile at her.

  “Thanks ...you know…for helping out there.” I say pointing back to the door.

  “I should’ve yelled or something, I don't know why I just froze like that… that dude scared me shitless!” I say letting out a breath.

  “No worries, I totally understand, I probably would’ve done the same thing.” she laughs. “I’m Veronica by the way, you’re not from around here are you?" she says, she looks at me, raises her brows as if examining me over and puts her hand out to shake mine. “I'm Lexi, just moved here with my mom from up North.”

  “Oh yes, your mothers best friends with my aunt. You’ve met Amber yet? She’s quite silly isn’t she? She acts like my sister though it’s funny sometimes, other times…not so much.” She says.

  “Don’t get me started on my mother, she drives me crazy! She has to take me to enroll in school on Friday, I'm dreading it – she’s determined to go with me even though I told her it’s not necessary, she wants to check out the talent the high school offers in the boy department.” I say wiggling my eyebrows up and down.

  We both burst out laughing, I sit on the other counter and we share stories about my mother and her aunt. Our eyes are watering we’re laughing so hard, it feels so good, because I haven't laughed like that in a real long time.

  “Oh shit.” I say glancing at my phone. “We’ve been in here a while, I got to get my mom home before the table dancing and undressing starts.” Jumping off the counter onto my feet I say,

  “…and believe me, it’s not a pretty sight.” I laugh and she joins in. “It was nice meeting you Veronica, I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

  She laughs, “Everyone calls me Ronny, we should hang out sometime and you can meet all my friends, they’ll love you. Let’s go before people start taking their clothes off.”

  I laugh as she opens the door and I walk into a hard chest. “Oh shit … I’m sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was…” I look up to see those beautiful green eyes staring down at me again.

  He lets out a deep chuckle and I feel his chest vibrate against mine. “No worries babe, are you okay?”

  “Yeah I’m better now.” I say looking at Ronny on my side and moving away from his warm body. “Thank you for helping me out with that guy.”

  “It’s all good, I'm Jax by the way and you’ve obviously met Ronny here.” Jax says.

  “I’m Lexi.” I say smiling at him. I hear whistling coming from the main bar area, I look at Ronny and our eyes widen with realization of what was most likely happening in the bar.

  “Oh shit.” I mutter and make a run for the bar with Ronny at my side.

  I know my mother all too well, she’s on top of the bar, doing her slutty dance routine. Amber has her head resting on her arms on the bar counter.

  “Is she sleeping?” I ask Ronny pointing to Amber and we start chuckling. I climb on the bar trying to convince my mother to get off without making a scene. The catcalls and whistling gets louder and I blush, I’m probably beet red now- thank fuck its dark enough up here with the dim lights so no one can see exactly how red my face is.

  “Georgina! What are you doing?” I whisper in her ear.

  “Oh come on Lexi baby, come dance with your mama!” she shouts out loud shaking her hips.

  “Fuck it.” I mutter as I grab her hand and pull her off to the side of the bar a little roughly causing her to stumble. I jump off the bar and start pulling her but she’s too heavy.

  “Here, let me help you.” Jax says as he effortlessly carries my mom over his shoulder with her ass in the air squealing.

  “Thanks.” I mumble.

  Mom giggles to herself all the way to the car. Once we have both drunkards in the back seat, I say my thanks to Jax. Ronny is staying over at Amber's place to watch over her so she gets a lift with us. I drop Amber at her place and watch as Ronnie helps her inside.

  After struggling with my mom to get her dressed in her pj’s, I finally get her in her bed. As I’m in my room getting dressed, I hear her in the bathroom coughing and throwing up. Sighing I get a cloth, wet it and head to the bathroom.

  I’ve done this plenty of times, I know I should play the tough love act and let her deal with it herself and maybe she will learn, but I just can’t …even though she doesn’t act like the mother I once had, I can’t leave her like this – its breaking what little heart I have left.

  Walking into the bathroom I see her head resting on the side of the toilet with tears flowing down her face, I bend over pulling her between my legs a
nd rest her head on my chest as I clean her face with the cloth – she looks terrible all her make-up running down her face from the tears.

  My heart aches for her, I’ve been trying to hide all my emotions for so long now and since moving here all those emotions and feelings that I thought I had lost seem to be slowly creeping up on me. I need to get ahold of myself.

  “I miss him so damn much Alexia.” mom whispers softly as if she’s afraid of me hearing her admission.

  I kiss her forehead, “Yeah mom I know. I miss him so…. so much too.” My voice trembles as I try to stop myself from crying.

  She stops sobbing as I help her up off the floor and we head to her room. I tuck her in bed and kiss her forehead.

  “Goodnight Lexi, I love you.” She says.

  “Love you to mom, sleep tight.” I close the door and head down to my room.

  I look out my window and see the beautiful star filled night sky and I can’t help myself as I put on a pair of boots and slide my window open. I quietly make my way out the window and head toward the waterfall in the woods where I can fully enjoy the rest of the beautiful evening. Entering the clearing where the waterfall is nestled, I’m immediately sad when I don’t spot the brown wolf; I know it’s late so maybe I already missed him.

  I climb onto the rock and rest my head on my arms as I lie on my back facing the sky. I lay there for a few minutes enjoying the peacefulness but I sit up immediately when I hear branches moving and a buzzing sound then I hear heavy footsteps and out of the bushes appear a tall figure in a hoodie, gym shorts and running shoes. I try to get off the rock quickly and get away but the figure holds his hands up in front of him showing he comes in peace. He pulls the hood from his head back and I instantly recognize him from the bar, he then pulls out his earphones and I can still hear the buzzing from the blaring rock music he’s playing through his IPod before he switches it off. I immediately relax realizing it’s just him.

  “What are you doing out here alone?” Jax asks as he comes closer to where I’m now lying back on back on the rock in my previous position.

  “I just needed fresh air, you?” I say as I look up at the sky and watch him from the corner of my eye as he effortlessly jumps onto the rock beside me.

  “Same.” He says simply as he lies down on my other mimicking the way my body lies on the rock. I can feel his eyes on me and the silence is becoming awkward.

  “Do you run often?” I ask turning my head to the side so my eyes meet his.

  “Yeah, you shouldn’t come in the woods at this time of night. Does your mother know you’re out here?” He asks as he changes the subject.

  “No…she’s asleep.” I say looking away from his beautiful face.

  “Does she do that often?” he asks in a softer tone.

  “What? Sleep?” I ask smiling at him, I know where he is going with this and I know people were bound to notice sooner or later, I just wished it was the latter.

  “You know what I mean, does she drink like that…often?” He asks boldly not caring that it’s a sensitive subject.

  “Are you this blunt with everyone? No! She doesn’t do that often.” I say getting irritated by his impudence with my situation.

  “I didn’t mean to impose, I know it’s none of my business-” He says tying to lighten the conversation but I interrupt.

  “You’re right.” I say flatly.

  “I’m right?” he asks confused.

  “It is none of your business.” I say bitterly as I sit up and attempt to move away from him.

  “No wait! Please don’t go! I’m sorry.” I stop moving as I feel his hand grab my hand softly and look at him when I hear his panicking voice. His soft touch on my hand and the way his eyes look at me makes me feel drawn to him. I shake the thought away and turn my head defiantly.

  “I’m sorry Lexi, I didn’t mean to be rude I just want to get to know you and make sure you’re alright.” He says scooting closer to me, his broad shoulders and large form still tower over me as we sit side by side.

  “I’m alright…thanks Jax. I’m…a… sorry I lost my cool, I’m just not used to people being so open and honest about…things.” I look up into his glistening eyes and his shoulders relax as he realizes I’m staying.

  “I saw what happened at the bar tonight Lexi, I watched you look over her like a hawk, as if you were expecting what she did to happen. Were you…expecting that to happen?” he asks cautiously. I don’t think I could lie to him while I look into those striking emerald eyes so I turn my head as I answer.

  “Yes…no…I don’t know, I just…she just gets wild when she’s with Amber that’s all. She’s not an alcoholic.” I say. No she’s a drug addict…even better.

  “Okay Lexi, I know you’re new here and you probably haven’t made friends yet so if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.” he says softly and it stuns me. No one’s ever cared enough to give a shit about what’s going in my life and this boy I met just hours before is already weaving his way into my head and making me think and feel things I don’t want too.

  I must have looked shocked by his admission because he continues, “Are you okay? You’re kind of pale.” I shake my head trying to clear all thoughts and look back at him only to find a grin on his face.

  “I’m fine thanks Jax…that was…uh sweet.” I say praying my blushing face can’t be seen in the dark.

  “Sweet? Shit…I better up my game…can’t have you thinking this badass is…sweet.” He chuckles and I watch as he swipes his hair away from his face.

  “Oh whatever dude.” I playfully push him and laugh.

  He laughs again, “So you’re a senior too?”

  “Yeah, sucks coming when the school year has already started. I’m dreading my first day.” I say with disdain.

  “Don’t stress about it babe, you will be fine and besides we’ll all be there with you.” He says casually with such smoothness that it’s magnetic and calming.

  “Thanks, you stay nearby?” I say looking back from where he came out the trees.

  “Yeah, just up the hill.” He says pointing in the direction of the big houses that Amber told me to stay away from.

  “We should hang out tomorrow.” It’s not a question.

  I nod my head and look up at the moon and stars, I can always find peace looking at this beautiful scene above me, how God could create such beauty is beyond me.

  He allows me to sit quietly enjoying the comfort of the silence surrounding us and I appreciate him for that.

  “My father and I used to go star gazing.” I say smiling to him then look back at the sky. I don’t know why I tell him that but my thought just slipped out my mouth. I notice he’s been watching me the entire time with a slight smile on his face.

  “Tell me more…” he says scooting closer until our sides touch.

  Apart from the brown wolf, I’ve never opened up or told anyone these things about my father but it feels good reminiscing about the good times we shared.

  “He worked at a gym in town where we used to live and often when the stars were out clear he would take me up to the roof and we’d sit there enjoying the view, it was so peaceful. I didn’t have a care in the world and the only thing that mattered to me at that moment was…that moment.” I look at him and see that he’s observing me closely with a frown on his face. I look down at my hands trying to swallow down the tears before they form, talking about my dad out loud is harder than I thought.

  “You miss him.” he states as he continues to look at me, he knows my father is dead, not just from the way I spoke about him but obviously word has gotten around town and I’m thankful that he doesn’t ask the what, when and how’s like people usually do.

  “Yeah…I miss him.” I say looking at the fountain trying to avoid his stare.

  “I’m sorry Lexi.” He says softly.

  “Me too.” I sigh. “I know it’s been over two years but I still have moments where I just want him back. I just… don’t want to ever forget him.” I
mutter.

  “You may forget the small things Lexi, you’re only human but you will never forget him and who he was.” He says in a serious tone, I smile and look at my hands avoiding his eyes once again until he speaks up.

  “You’re quite the brave little thing aren’t you?” he says and chuckles to himself shaking his head.

  “Why you say that?” I ask.

  “You’re sitting out here at night, all alone. It’s really not safe for a small girl like you.” Jax says.

  “Small girl like me?” I say raising my eyebrows, he may be good-looking but he is way too cocky.

  “Yes, you are basically half my size. You’re tiny.” he says dramatically.

  “Jax! I am not that small, besides…I haven’t come across anything remotely dangerous out here yet so chill.” I say looking back at the waterfall. I don’t need anyone to tell me what to do.

  “I’m just saying be careful, you never know what’s lurking in these woods at night.” He says a little more seriously.

  “What? Scared the big bad wolf is going to take me?” I tease. He seems surprised by my humor and murmurs something to the sound of that’s what I’m afraid of but I’m not too sure because he covers it with a nervous laugh.

  “Let me walk you back to your place and don’t bother arguing with me Lexi.” He says in a stricter tone as I was about to interrupt him.

  He helps me off the large rock and walks with me back to my house. We get to my open window and he helps me up, as I’m slipping my shoes off I hear him climbing inside behind me and I whip around.

  “Jax! W…what are you doing? Get out!” I yell at him in my whisper voice not wanting mom to hear me.

  “Chill…I’m just making sure you got in safe.” He whispers back.

  “You could see perfectly through the window, there was no need for you to come in, I appreciate you walking me here and everything but you need to leave. Now!” I whisper nervously. He may seem like a great guy but I don’t really know him and I don’t want him in my room.