Page 7 of Worth the Risk

“Shhh, it’s okay, sit on the window seat. I won’t let him hurt you. I’ll get rid of him okay?”

“Be careful.” She lowers herself and curls her knees up to her chest. I nod, then I tear open the door, anger coursing through me.

“Can I help you?” I ask the man I vaguely recognized as John. He’s on the football team, barely, he’s a benchwarmer.

“Oh, uh sorry man just waiting for my girl.”

“I think you should leave.”

“Yeah, once she comes out of this damn bathroom we will be.”

“No. I think you should leave now.”

“Oh, you have that slut in there?” That’s when I punch him square in the nose. I don’t know who this man is to Emilia, an ex, someone she’s dated, a stranger, but it doesn’t matter. You don’t get to disrespect a woman like that.

“What the fuck dude?” I punch him again, at the same time Ryan is coming up the stairs.

“Woah, what the hell is going on?”

“This fucker thinks it’s okay to take advantage of women that’s what.” I tell Ryan without taking my eyes off John.

“Oh hell no, you’ve got to go man.

“I’m not leaving without her.” John has the audacity to try and claim Emilia.

“Like hell you aren’t.”

“What is up with all this screaming?” Garrett is standing at the bottom of the stairs, I’m ready to punch John again but Ryan beats me to it. “Fuck.” Garrett mutters and bounds up the stairs two at a time. “It’s time to go.” Garrett grabs John by the back of the shirt guiding him down the stairs, Ryan goes with them opening the door while they practically throw him down the front steps. Ryan cuts the music that’s been playing over the speakers and yells over the crowd telling everyone to get out. People groan but then everyone starts to gather their things and leave.

Heading back into my room, Emilia’s still curled up in a ball on the window seat. I sit next to her, assessing the girl in front of me.

“He’s gone. Ryan asked everyone to leave.” She finally peels her gaze off the spot on her shoes she’s been looking at and looks at me. Those beautiful blue eyes now red, mascara smudged underneath. She still looks breath-taking.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to barge in here and ruin your night. I - I just didn’t know what to do and I had to get away from him.”

“Hey, hey it’s okay. I’m glad you’re safe.” I hold onto her elbows unsure if she wants to be touched but needing to comfort her and myself.

“I totally ruined your party. You don’t have to make everyone leave. I just need to find Rosie and I can go.” Her voice is still weak. She looks back down, that’s when she must notice my hand bruising and cracked knuckles. “Oh my gosh your hand! Are you okay, what happened?”

“I may have punched him. Twice.” I shrug, her mouth falls open and she quickly snaps it shut.

“You shouldn’t have done that.”

“He had it coming. He was trying to take advantage of you. Do you know him?”

“No, never seen him before. He just kinda came up and started dancing with me. Then it all escalated as I tried to get away.”

“I’m sorry.” It doesn’t feel like the right thing to say but what is in this instance? It makes me sick that this happened in our house.

“It’s not your fault. We should get you some ice.”

“Only if I can get some for your wrist.” Emilia winces as she looks at her own wrist, which has even more blue and purple forming around it now.

“Yeah, probably a good idea.”

I stand up and offer her a hand, she takes it getting up and pulling at her clothes. Her black denim shorts and tight blue top probably aren’t the most comfortable thing to be wearing right now, even if she looks amazing.

“Here, let me get you something comfy to wear.”

---