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(Her POV)

I sat in my car, tears pouring down my face, my lungs on the verge of collapsing.

I pounded my hands onto the steering wheel before resting my forehead on the horn, letting it sound.

I put on my windshield wipers, the rain intense.

I sat back, wanting to rip off all my female body parts.

My cheek stung, the man hit me hard.

30 mins ago-

I got a refill of Blue Moon for three guys, walking back to the table and setting it down.

I turned after some ‘thank you’s’ were spilt. I felt a hand on my left ass cheek and I spun around.

« Sir you can’t touch staff. That’s extremely disrespectful. » I glared.

I would loose my job defending myself. Unfortunately.

« Excuse me ? I can do whatever I damn near please ! » He shouted, his finger in my face.

I moved to slap him my blood boiling.

« Fuck you. » He back handed me and I landed on the floor, tears falling from my eyes.

-10 mins after-

« I’m sorry Dahlia. We have to go over all footage. As a manager I don’t own this place. I have to follow rules and regulations and you hit a customer. » Jamie sat there and I cried.

« He touched my ass. I kept my cool until he disrespected me. But you know what whatever. I’ll put ice on it. If you fire me just text or some shit. I need the rest of the day off. » I took off my apron and put it onto the table.

« I’m sorry Lia. I am. » She frowned.

« It’s whatever Jamie. I’ll be just fine, just nervous I’ll be out of work. » I shrugged and left.

-Now-

I drove to my apartment. Parking and pulling down my sun cover so I could peer at myself in the mirror.

I grabbed my phone, wiping my eyes.

I dialed Carly- a girl I used to work with and we became friends- and she answered.

« Hey babe. » She told me.

« Hi would you mind coming to Jasper’s with me ? I want to party and just dance. » I explained.

« Pick you up at 8 ? Tell me what happened ? » She asked.

« Sure, yea. » I nodded and went into my apartment.

-

I looked for a dress to wear. It was raining but I checked outside again, waking from my nap and it was pretty nice, the wind being the cause of cold.

I put on black, 2 inch heels and a nice black jacket.

I put my brown hair up in a ponytail and wiped the smudges from under my eyes.

The touching and backhanding was too much like my father. It aches my brain. The thoughts.

I shook my head and grabbed my eye drops, putting them in so my eyes didn’t feel so dry.

I sighed and went to her car after locking my apartment, honking as I came out.

She drove to her place, « I forgot my cash. »

She ran inside and came back, driving to the club.

« You look pretty. » I told her.

« You’re hot. Plain hot. » She made me laugh.

« What happened ? » She asked.

« I could get fired. » I told her.

« Why ? Oh my god what happened ? » She gasped.

« A man grabbed my ass. I hit him, he backhanded me. I could get fired for hitting a customer. » I sighed.

« Oh sweet girl I’m so sorry. If you lose work come work with me. » She smiled, focusing between the road and I.

« I couldn’t be a stripper. I’m not confident enough for that. » I laughed.

« No no. Be a bartender. A bartender at this place doesn’t serve they purely stay behind the counter. » She explained.

I smiled.

« I’ll legit think about it. » I laughed.

« Do you have a bruise ? » She asked.

« Makeup is a powerful thing Carly. » I winked and she smiled.

« You should get laid. » She told me.

« No. » I spoke.

« Oh babe it’s been three years since-« 

« Ah ah ah ah ah ah. None of that shit. » I shook my head profusely.

« One night stand. Come on Lia. » She pushed.

« No. Let’s go. » I motioned to the door and we walked up after she locked her car.

We showed ID’s and got in.

I got a peach margarita and she got a sex on the beach.

« So good. » I said. It was light on the alcohol.

She tried it.

« That is really good. » She smiled.

« Wanna dance ? » I asked and she grabbed my hand.

« Our drinks ? » I frowned.

« I trust the bartender Sammy with my life. I gave him my signal and pointed to our drinks. » She grabbed my hands and moved with me.

Her arms moved around my neck and mine held her hips as we danced with each other.

I love Carly. I don’t consider her a best friend, I don’t do those, I consider her my closest friend.

But I’m counting the seconds till she leaves me to go eat pussy.

« Find any hot girls yet ? » I asked her.

« Nope. » She smiled and tore me from the crowed.

« I’ve got cotton mouth. » She shook her head and I drank my drink.

« No one came by them. » Sammy I assume said and walked away.

I drank mine.

« Found her. Rainbow bracelet. I gotta shoot my shot. Sammy boy ! One shot ! » She tapped the counter and he gave her one.

She downed it and kissed my hair.

« Liquid courage and $500 dollars for you. You’re a walking goddess letting me go like this. » She smiled and left.

I laughed and shook my head.

« She’s a wild card Hm ? » Sammy smiled.

« She really is. 30 minutes in and she’s gone. Magic. » I sipped my slushed beverage.

« You gonna get home alright ? » He asked.

« I will yea. » I nodded.

I figured I’d walk home. Rain is soothing and it’s a quick maybe 20 minute walk.

I looked at the cash.

« How much do I owe you ? » I asked.

« It’s on the house. Truly. » He nodded.

« Tip then. » I smiled tossing down two of the hundreds and leaving.

I looked at my phone, 8 :45. This was supposed to be for me.

I hate partying I don’t know why the hell I thought about this.

And her knowing she’d leave me.

I got a call.

« I’m getting laid bitch ! » She slurred.

« Get laid then babe. Don’t drive home. » I told her.

« I won’t. » She giggled and hung up.

I rolled my eyes and ran into a body that passed me as I turned and spotted a grunting sound.

I peered my head through the alley and saw a man being plowed by a heavy hitting fist. Blood splattered everywhere.

I couldn’t see the man clearly.

« Boss. » I heard and I gasped, turning around, walking really quickly away.

I can’t have myself in this shit. Kill the guy, I hope he says something so dumb nothing happens to me.

I braced myself feeling the hood of my coat being yanked.

My back was pushed against the buildings brick wall.

« Ooh she’s a pretty one ! » The guys breath smelt like tuna.

I closed my eyes.

« Get the hell out of her face move. » I heard a low voice grumble. It sounded gruff, as if it had been over used.

« Did she see ? Did you see ? » He asked me, not standing as close as the tuna guy.

« I won’t s-say anything sir. I just wanna go home. » I whispered.

« I don’t know about that. » He stepped closer, gripping my chin and he blew on my face causing my loose hairs to move and my eyes open.

I flinched, scared of any movement that was to come.

« Calm down. What’s your full name ? » He asked me.

« If I tell you can I go ? » I asked.

« Sure thing doll. What’s your full name ? » He asked me.

« D-Dahlia Rae Pickett. » I whispered.

« Ahh. Dahlia. Alright then let’s make a deal. You’re a young, pretty girl I’ll let you go but I’ll be your personal watcher. The second I hear anything about your little mouth tattle tailing we will have issues do you understand gorgeous ? » He asked me.

I nodded.

« Words. » He spat, his breath smelt nothing of tuna, purely the mint gum he had.

« I understand. I won’t say anything I promise. » I told him and he didn’t even smile.

Expressionless.

He was gorgeous from what I could see. Black hair, black eyes, defining features.

« Staring isn’t nice. » I whispered, feeling awkward.

« I’m savoring your face little love. It’s a good sight. » He told me, my mouth gaping open.

He pulled the gum from his mouth and put it in my open one and I immediately shut it but it was too late.

« Maybe it’ll be a bug next time. Night Dahlia Rae Pickett. I don’t let people off often. Don’t be greedy with your privileges. » He walked away and I blinked.

I looked back in the alleyway as it was empty. No man, no blood. Nothing.

I remembered the gum in my mouth and pulled it out.

I got a call and I sighed, my never ending night.

« Jamie ? » I asked.

« I’m sorry Lia. I have to let you go immediately. Kennith’s order. » She spoke the owners name and I wished I had the strength to do to his head what that man did to the guy in the alley.

« It’s fine. Have a good night. » I hung up and I put my face to the sky, tears falling from my eyes.

« I fucking hate today. »