by Opal Mellon
“I’m sorry Molly,” he said. He pulled out his phone and dialed 911. “Yes, I’m calling to report a sexual assault. No, not me.”
He gave the address and details and put the phone in his pocket.
“Molly, it’s okay, it’s over now,” he said.
“I can’t believe you did that to him,” she said. “I’m so sorry. You’re going to be in trouble, and it’s my fault.”
Justin raised an eyebrow. “It’s his fault, not yours.” He reached for Molly’s laptop to put it in her case, but she squeaked and he stopped. “And I won’t be in trouble. As long as you back me up that he attacked you.”
She nodded. “Well, you were right.”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m not glad to be.”
“At least now he won’t get any other girls.”
A small smile worked its way up to his eyes. “You know, you’re right.” He helped her over to the door and helped her put her backpack on. “Would you like to wait out in the hall?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ll stay here and keep an eye on him.” he said, looking at the mostly unconscious man. She shook her head.
“What then?”
“Couldn’t you wait outside with me but watch the door so he doesn’t leave?” She said. “I don’t want to be alone.”
“Sure.”
She rubbed her arms but couldn’t seem to warm up.
“Come here.” Justin pulled her in and wrapped his arms around her. “It’s alright, Molly.”
She leaned in, wondering at the warmth of his arms and chest. Maybe having friends wasn’t so bad after all.
Chapter 1
Five Years Later
At lunchtime in Silicon Valley, Molly made her daily exodus in search of nourishment. She walked around the cubicles, endless boxes with people inside doing exactly what she did now: working with computers instead of people. Writing code, running tests, looking over designs.
She passed the last group of cubicles and made it to the break room and her main destination: the free granola bars and cookie packs on the counter. She grabbed a bag of Oreos, a granola bar, and a water out of the fridge and headed back to her desk. Mission accomplished. When she sat down, she looked at the little picture pinned to the felt above her computer. Her graduation. One person had been missing. One blond haired, beautiful person.
It’d been four years since graduation and a lot had changed. She had many pictures pinned to her cubicle, but none of any guy, which made one of the emails sitting in her inbox particularly troubling.
“Greetings Class of 2002! You’re Invited to Our Ten Year reunion!”
Why would anyone go to a high school reunion? Why would anyone go back to high school ever? It could only end badly on all sides. For the popular kids, the one’s who’d reached their peak in high school, it would be an embarrassing set down; for the nerds who showed up, no matter how successful or attractive they’d become, it still looked lame that they had to go back and prove it to others. If you really got over high school, didn’t you just forget about it? She wanted to. She ached to check the little box next to the email and press delete. She would have, too, if not for the writing above the email.
“Don’t make me go alone!”
-Nicole
It wasn’t her fault Nicole wanted to go to the reunion. Nicole was married; of course she’d want to go and show off her dude. Molly on the other hand hadn’t had a date in … ever?
She bit off the top of the granola bar, wishing it was Nicole’s head. If there was one person who could pull any favor out of her, it was Nicole. She didn’t know why Nicole had insisted on talking to her, on being her friend, even when she’d been cold and even mean to her at first. With Nicole around, no one had called her fat, or ugly, or bozo.
She pulled out her phone and dialed Nicole’s number.
“Molly!”
“Don’t make me do it Nicky. I just can’t.”
Silence for a moment. “Why not? It’ll be good for you to go back. It’ll give you perspective.”
Molly shook her head. She liked the perspective here, looking down from her desk on the 10th floor at the people walking below. The green trees and grass, clean sidewalks, fresh air. No one to bother her.
“I don’t have a date. It’ll just be more embarrassment.”
“Can you meet me for lunch? We can at least talk about it. I’m near your work anyway, on my smartphone right now. Just come down and I’ll pull up in front.”
Molly knew when she was beaten. “Fine. Don’t text and drive. I’ll be right down.”
It was a quiet ride to the restaurant, filled with the awkwardness of friends who knew most things about each other, but hadn’t seen each other in long enough that they didn’t know what to ask about specifically.
“How are things going with Sean?” Molly asked as they headed into the restaurant.
“Good,” Nicole said. The hostess led them to sit at a small booth too near the dirty fish tank for Nicole’s liking. Molly seemed happy though so she left it alone.
She looked at Molly. She’d lost weight in the last few years, and maybe now was approaching too far in the thin direction. Her eyes had slight dark circles under them, but other than that, she had to be jealous of Molly. Her features had started out girlish, but time and maturity sharpened them into a delicate, striking kind of beauty. Molly’s big blue eyes were a delicate shade of blue gray, and her light freckles only drew attention to a thin, beautifully upturned nose and high cheekbones. Nicole wished badly that Molly would go to the reunion, if only to see the pretty girls’ shock and the boys’ admiration for how she had changed. Maybe they would regret how they had acted. Maybe they already did.
Molly dressed differently too. Still not sexy, but in clothing that was actually the right size. Nicole hadn’t seen her much during college because she’d gone to a school in Utah, but something happened there because Molly came back a different person. She’d never been able to pull out of Molly what the catalyst was for her change.
“You look good Molly, you really do.”
Molly shrugged. “I can’t remember which shrimp dish comes with the nasty eyes and legs still on. Bleh.”
“Molly, I’m sure there are a lot of men who’d love to take you out.”
Molly intertwined her fingers and rested her chin on them. Nicole felt unnerved by her steady, intense gaze. Nicole was never sure what exactly went on back there. Molly was her opposite. While people could often guess exactly what was on her mind, she didn’t think anyone could guess what was on Molly’s.
“Is he treating you well?” Molly asked quietly.
Nicole blinked. Then smiled. “Of course. It’s not that marriage doesn’t have ups and downs. But being with your best friend all the time really makes you work at it. I’ve known him all my life, so I basically knew what I was getting into.”
Molly smiled. Not so much a full smile as a little quirk at the very corners of her mouth and a little wrinkling around the eyes. “I’m glad. You deserve it.”
“Thank you,” Nicole said, feeling a little warm at the praise. “Listen Molly, I have an idea for a date for you. If you can be open minded.”
The waitress came at that moment, so they ordered and handed back the menus.
“There’s a club I’m a member of.” Nicole swallowed, her mouth dry. “It’s actually how I met up with Sean again.”
Molly’s eyebrows lowered a fraction.
“This is going to sound terrible.” Nicole took a drink from her water then set it down on the table with a little too much force, causing it to slosh a bit of water on the table. She picked up her napkin to wipe it off.
“Sorry,” she said. “I don’t know any other way to say this, but you can, uh, hire a date there.” She trailed off quieter at the end as Molly’s eyes widened.
“Hire a date?” Molly said, seeming to chew it over in her mind as she said it. “You mean like pay one?”
“Sort of,” Nicole
said, smoothing her napkin over her lap just so that she had somewhere else to look other than Molly’s face. “Actually, you would know more what it is from your comics. The owner got her idea from a business partner in Japan. It’s basically a host club, I think. Is that what they are called?”
Molly’s eyes widened and she sat up and dropped her hands flat on the table. “Seriously? Then is there a ton of alcohol there?”
“No,” Nicole said. “Why, is that how it is in Japan?”
Molly nodded, her bun bobbing behind her. “That’s basically the whole point. To sell the alcohol. Lots of the hosts have health problems because of it.”
“Yeah, okay a little different. The men are there for conversation, and just to be gorgeous. But also so that you can get to know them so that if you want to hire a date you know who you fit with.”
“That’s different too.”
“I don’t know much about the Japanese clubs. The owner just said that was the closest comparison.”
“Hmm,” Molly said. She looked out the window. “It’s tempting. It’s a little wistful, you know? Because it would solve the reunion problem and let me live out one of my fantasies. One of the good ones, anyway.”
Nicole wondered what that meant.
“So you want me to go there, pick one and take him to the reunion?” Molly asked, her face still neutral.
“Uh,” Nicole said. “It was just a thought. I just would really love if you went with me. So I can show off my man.”
“Of course,” Molly said, with a little sigh. “I’ll do it,” she said. “Let’s go Tuesday.”
“Wow,” Nicole said, as much to the creepy shrimp dish being delivered to Molly as to the announcement that she would go along with her plan. “That’s soon. Great. I’ll tell Sean.”
“You’d bring Sean?”
“Well,” Nicole said, poking her cashew chicken, “he sort of knows the people there.”
“How?” Molly said, trying to pull the legs off one of the shrimp, cursing.
“He, uh, worked there.”
Molly’s shrimp slipped out of her hands and flew in the air to land on a nearby table, startling the diners. Oh dear. Nicole tried to sink lower in her seat.
But Molly had other plans. “I’m so sorry,” she said, walking over to pick it up. “I’ll take care of your check. Again I’m so sorry to disturb your meal.”
The couple looked up at her with shocked faces as she picked it up and walked away again.
“Sorry about that,” Molly said. “You shocked me. And these shrimp are so stupid. I couldn’t remember which one had eyeballs and legs. This time I’m going to memorize the name.” She stared at the menu. “Oh yeah, you said he worked there?” She raised an eyebrow and tilted her head to the side.
Nicole felt heat warming her cheeks. “Yeah,” she said.
“Interesting.” Molly said. “I’d prefer we went just us though.”
“Okay,” Nicole said. “I’m sure Sean would like time at the dojo anyway.” She waved at the waiter for the check. “So Tuesday at seven?”
“Sure,” Molly said. “Email me the address, and we’ll meet there.”
Nicole followed her out, wondering if this had really been such a great idea. She’d need to go to the club early to let them know about Molly. Maybe Justin could help.
Chapter 2
Justin grinned up from where he sat squished between four women on a couch. Nicole had poked her head around the door, smiled at him, and wiggled a finger to pull him over to the door. He worked himself out of the sea of arms and legs and apologized to the girls, telling them that he’d be right back. He pulled Nicole through the door and into a big hug, knowing he’d probably now be subjected to several unwanted hugs or risk being called unfair. But it was worth it. Nicole was one of those rare people completely unaffected by him. She treated him like a person, like anyone else. No, even better. Like a person she liked.
“So good to see you!” He pulled back to look her over. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the wedding.”
“We’re sorry we eloped on short notice,” she said, blushing.
“Well I doubt Sean is. Still it’s good to see you.” He put an arm through hers and started to lead her to the bar, but she stopped him. “What’s up?”
“I need a favor,” she said, looking towards the door she’d just come through.
“Anything.”
“I’ve brought a friend,” she said.
Justin cocked his head at her, half smiled, and headed for the door. “Where is she? You’ve never left one outside before.”
“That’s just it.” Nicole folded her arms and looked down for a moment. “She’s not a normal friend,” she said. “She’s a really special girl, but, well …”
“But what?” he said, more and more curious about the creature on the other side of the door.
“She’s shy,” she said. Then put a finger to her chin. “No, that doesn’t really describe it.” She pursed her lips for a moment and rested her chin on her hand. Then she snapped her head back up, eyes lit.
“That’s it.” She snapped her fingers. “She’s introverted.”
“How so?”
“She just doesn’t go out a lot.”
“Ah,” he said. “Why, she a hunchback or something?”
“Oh no,” Nicole said. “She’s gorgeous. At least I think she is, but I’m sort of influenced a lot by how much I care for someone, so maybe I’m biased. No, she’s just never really been around guys much. Very much a homebody.”
“Okay,” Justin said. “And the favor you want from me is what?”
“Just be nice to her.”
“I’m nice to all the girls here. Bring her on in.”
“No, I mean, extra nice. I want you to be her escort.”
“The club’s pretty full Nick. Any of the other guys would do great—”
“I want you,” she said, poking him in the chest. “Please Justin? She’s loaded, too. I’ll make sure Hope knows you brought in a brand new customer with a big fat wallet.”
He groaned. That would win Hope over. Fine. Wallflowers were sort of his specialty anyway.
“I’ll do what I can,” he said. When she scrunched up her mouth on one side, he wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Of course, you know that what I can do is pretty awesome.”
She grinned. “Oh I’m so glad Justin. Thank you so much. I knew you would be the one to make Molly comfortable.” She walked back to the door.
“Molly?” Justin muttered, feeling like he’d just agreed to walk a few feet, and now was being told that it was a few feet across a frozen lake, and in high heels. No, what were the chances that it could be the same Molly? None right? He breathed out until there was nothing in his chest, then drew in a breath again. He went to the bar to get drinks for Nicole and her friend. Knowing it couldn’t be his Molly. Praying it wouldn’t be that Molly.
Nicole came back in and pulled a woman out from behind her into the club. Justin didn’t think this was one of those times he’d be grateful his prayers weren’t answered.
“Hello Molly.” Justin wished he had a secret lever to open a James Bond style trap door that he could disappear into.
Nicole had already started introductions, not noticing that Molly had stopped a few feet back, watching him with her head cocked, her arms limp at her sides.
It barely looked like her, but he knew without a doubt it was. It was in that unreadable face, the big blue eyes that took everything in and reacted internally in ways that no one could read. It was her hair, which was straight and shiny and hung to her shoulders but was still the same color, and he suspected, underneath whatever magic Nicole had worked on it, just as unruly.
Her body though, was tiny. He didn’t know if she had lost weight or just looked it because she was dressed in flattering clothing. A pretty blue dress with a little belt that nipped in at the waist, her boobs (his first time really seeing them) were smallish in general but looked good on her short frame. She had
the same freckles, the same nose. But her face was more striking, more delicate. His Molly had become beautiful. And she was staring at him as if she was just watching wildlife in a field.
He wished he could count on her to be a normal chick. To run over and grab a vase or a lamp or something and slam it over his head and call him a cad. He deserved it. He’d hurt her, not that he’d meant to. And he’d abandoned her, though maybe that had been a relief for her after she figured out what a loser he was. What a loser she thought he was, anyway.
Nicole finally looked over her shoulder, and then walked back, looped an arm through Molly’s and pulled her forward. Molly kept the same, only slightly hesitant and inquisitive face on as she was pulled to meet him.
“He doesn’t bite, Molly,” Nicole was saying. “He’s just a guy. Just a person, like you or me.”
“I’m not stupid,” she snapped, pulling her arm away and startling Nicole. “I know he’s a person.”
Justin looked at Nicole’s shocked face and smothered a laugh behind a hand.
“What’s your name?” she asked. “I was distracted by the beautiful decor and didn’t hear Nicole introduce you.” She looked up at him innocently.
“Justin.” He kept his mouth from falling open only with the greatest effort. So she wanted to play that game? Fine.
“Nice to meet you Justin,” she said, extending her small hand.
He shook it briefly, using the moment to focus in on her face to try to detect any recognition there.
“So this is Club Blue?” She walked away from the bar and raised her arms to turn around and survey the room. “You didn’t tell me it was so beautiful.”
“You should see the view,” he said, coming up behind her. Did she really not remember him? At all?
“Nicole, will you show me?” she asked, walking past him. “Why didn’t you tell me it was so beautiful? I can imagine that this is just what it’s like looking down on Tokyo.”
Justin frowned as they left him behind. Shy? Yeah, sure. He was going to make sure and call Nicole out for that one later.