Summary: After Job searching and securing your employment at No-Account Video Store, you get an invite to one of Julie’s infamous Friday night parties. And after a week of avoiding the town Goliath you think you’re sure to not bump into him again…right? What could go wrong?
“Ahh geez…” I mutter under my breath as the wind whips right through me again. If it wasn’t for King Kong in there I probably would’ve stayed and enjoyed my coffee in peace. Making my way down the sidewalk until, I find a bench to sit on. Letting out a deep sigh I take a seat and collect my thoughts and maybe go over the options for employment in the area. Setting my cup down I reach back into my bag, whipping out my small notepad. Scanning my finger across each option, going over the list in my mind. Setting the pad on my lap I lean down to pick my cup up off the ground, but before I take a sip I notice the small scribbly handwritten note left on its side. Shifting the cup in my hand I take a closer look trying to decode the chicken scratch.
If you get lonely give me a call.
Underneath the note was a phone number scribbled in the same handwriting. Scoffing I take another sip. Right. Like I’m gonna call you. Yeah when hell freezes over buddy. I look over my list one final time and settle on the movie rental place, No-Account Video Store. I do love movies. And I’ve had experience in the realm of retail. So why not. Beats the other lame-o options available.
Getting up I make my way back down the street to the address I had scribbled down earlier, shoving everything into my bag mindlessly. Walking into the video store a black haired girl sits lazily behind the counter flipping half heartedly through a magazine while something silently plays on a box tv nearby. After I make my way close to the counter the woman finally spares me half a glance.
“Do you…need any help? Or?” She asks in a monotone voice.
“Oh well yes kinda actually. I saw the ‘for hiring’ sign in the window and I wanted to come in and ask to see if the offer still stood?”
It was then that I noticed that she was chewing gum, as she sat there staring at me with a bored look. Chewing once, twice, four times before finally speaking up again.
“Alright, what’s your top three movies?”
“Uhh” I sputter not expecting such a blunt question. “Well I guess probs…the breakfast club gotta love a classic 80s coming of age cheese, and also probs Treasure Planet, I mean aliens and pirates how could you go wrong?” I jut my fingers out as I list, pulling down each digit with my other hand. “Anddddd The Addams Family Values. I mean come on that movies just amazing. You got thrills, chills, and Christopher Loyd. Enough said.” I finish. Squirming a little in anticipation for her next move.
“Treasure Planet huh?” She clicks her tongue. “I guess that’ll do.”
She rises from her seat heading out from behind the counter and motioning me to follow her. She leads me further into the store. Passing isle after isle filled up with VHS tapes of almost any movie you can think of. Suddenly she comes to a screeching halt and turns back towards me.
“First off, the names Holly. And this sunken little soul in the corner is Kim.” Holly juts her thumb towards the direction of the isle to our right. I look over towards the end of the isle and spot a reddish brown haired girl with freckles. She, like her coworker here, seem to share the same enthusiasm for life since she gives me about the same response as Holly did moments prior.
“Oh uh hi.” I nervously sputter out.
Nodding in acknowledgment she turns back to stacking movies back into their designated spots on the shelves. Okay then. What a warm welcome.
“So when can you work?” Holly then turns once again abruptly facing me with a hand rested against her hip.
“Oh uhhh whenever I guess. I mean I can even come in and work tomorrow.” I play with my ring on my pinky as I wait through another pregnant pause, the cool of the metal on my fingertips calms me slightly.
“Yeah that’s fine. Come in at 9:00 am and I’ll show you the ropes.”
“Oh ok umm sounds good.” I chuckle awkwardly as I rock on the balls of my feet. “Well uhh I better get going. Got some other errands to run before it gets dark.” I rub the back of my neck as I make my way towards the exit. “And umm thanks again for the job opportunity slash hiring of well…me.” What am I saying??? God this is awkward. “Ok well byeeee.” Half running half Speed walking out the door and down the street I head towards the local grocery store. Well at least I got one thing crossed off my to do list. I’m employed…whoo hoo…
After finally making it home with a couple plastic grocery bags in tow, I unlock the door shoving my way inside. I drop my keys onto the cabinet by the front door before making my way to the kitchen. Plopping the bags haphazardly onto the counter top I let out a big long sigh. Minutes pass and I get down to the last bag of groceries. Taking the last remaining things out and putting them in there new designated place before turning to grab my tote. As I grab for the bag straps I notice my coffee cup from earlier this morning in the bottom of the bag. Oh yeah that’s right. I couldn’t find a trash can anywhere so I just threw it in one of the bags without thinking. I run my thumb over the writing on the cup. A scoff escapes me as I shake my head, when suddenly the phone starts ringing from the living room a couple feet from me. I gently place the cup back down onto the counter. Making my way to the living room I pick up the phone flopping down rather ungracefully onto the couch.
“Hey it’s Julie from the coffee shop from this morning. You may or may not remember me.” Her voice rings out through the phone speaker. I recognize her voice as the girl with the glasses from earlier this morning. If I remember correctly she vocally applauded my words regarding her coworker.
“Oh how could I forget the peanut gallery from this mornings show in the shop.” I respond playfully. A grin on my face.
“Ha well it’s hard not to listen in and enjoy when I see someone handing it to Lucas. Especially when he’s being…well…him. But that’s not the reason I called.” Oh? I sit up more in my seat.
“Oh really what’s up?” I question.
“I’m throwing a party at my place on Friday and wanted to know if you’d be interested in coming? I usually invite anyone who’s new in town to these things in hopes that they’ll make some connections with people in the area. Y’know all that good stuff.”
“Oh how charitable of you.” A short quick laugh can be heard through the other end of the receiver.
“Your coworker seems to think so.” I wince. “Mm actually scratch that I think I just gave myself the heebie jeebies.” Another short laugh and then a small silent pause. Hmm a party? I mean it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go out and meet some people. Possible new friends. Ehh what the heck. Why not.
“Sure Julie I’ll go. Just lemme know the address and what time I should be there.”
Once the phone call ended I throw my head back against the cushions and close my eyes sighing. Well I guess I’ll have work this week and a party on Friday night. I’m doing pretty good if I do say so myself. Hopefully my first week at work tomorrow will be relatively easy and hopefully uneventful. Right?
My alarm clocks rings off right next to my face, scaring the actual shit out of me. I jerk backwards but wince as my neck is sore. Prying my eyes fully open I realize I was halfway to being asleep fully on the ground. God I can’t wait for my new bed frame to come in.
Getting ready I speed through the kitchen and grab a banana, then to the front, grabbing my keys and locking up. Hastily making my way to the video store to start my first day. The days employee training goes smoothly and mostly uneventful. Other than some locals and return customers stopping by, to either chat or plead there case as to why they should be aloud to rent another movie even though they still haven’t returned the last three, the store was a mostly peaceful and empty environment.
And so goes the rest of the week in a flash of restocking movies and putting on my best customer service smile. Until I find myself finishing up my shift that very Friday.
As in party at Julie’s house tonight, Friday. As in what the hell am I gonna wear, and, oh god what if I make a bad first impression. And is it appropriate to bring a gift to her house, Friday.
Digging through cardboard boxes I had remembered to actually label as clothes, I put together a cute but with just enough sex appeal, outfit. And dang. I forgot how hot I can look sometimes. Shoving down all those jittery feelings I lock up for the second time today and make my way down to the bus station. After facing the trials of public transit I arrive at Julie’s place. And man is it bumping. There’s people everywhere. All boozing and laughing and conversing about god knows what.
I push my way inside scanning the room till I spot Julie on the staircase giving an earful to some average Joe type of guy. I think I catch the name Scott. She goes to storm off but is caught off guard once she basically comes face to face with me.
“Hey Julie.” I half awkwardly laugh.
“Oh! Y/N! Good you’re here! I was just starting to wonder if you’d show. Have you grabbed a drink yet?” She almost yells. Half because of the general noise in the house, the other half…well I think that’s just her standard setting. Anddd maybe she’s already partaken in some of tonight’s festivities. Who knows, it could just be the small indicator of alcohol on her breath.
“No I basically beelined straight in here to you.” I cringe at my own slightly embarrassing confession. Julie doesn’t seem to mind though or even truly register what I’ve said.
“Ha! Ok no problem then! Let’s go get you some refreshments!” She then grabs a hold of my hand and drags me through the sea of people littering her house. We resurface in the kitchen and pores me up one of my all time favorites. Right before we throw back a shot or three of course. A rush of warmth emanates in the stomach and throat and steadily rises through my entire body. That and a sudden new found courage to talk to literally anyone about anything. Although I can usually do that sober, but the alcohols not, not helping.
The night progresses, I end up on and off flirting with a couple guys and girls here and there but nothing serious. All this socializing does take a toll so I find myself needing a breather. So here I am out on the front porch. Bent over the porch railing. Breathing in the nippy nighttime air, and letting out a big heaving sigh. God when was the last time I went to a party like this? Or laughed this much? Or talked to guys without feeling a giant imminent fight coming on before I got home? Another sigh escapes my lips, then from the shadows a voice emerges.
“Penny for your thoughts?” A pink haired girl comes to lean against the porch rail beside me. She has a pink button up shirt and a pair of dark skinny flare jeans on. The perfect pick me stereotype Hollywood would concoct.
“Well can I at least know the name of whoever I’m sharing my lovely secrets with first?” I smirk. Glancing at her from the corner of my eyes. She smirks right back.
“Ramona. Ramona Flowers. And you? You’re new in town right?”
“Not exactly. More like Julie can’t keep anything to herself for too long and I happened to have been the new girl not too long ago. So trust me I get it and I can sniff it out.”
“Ahhh I see. Well yes that’s me. I’m y/n. Nice to officially meet you, Miss Flowers.” She scoffs a laugh at my sudden formality and I chuckle alongside her. There’s a beat or two before she asks again.
“So what’s turned you into the ‘Stay Puff Marshmallow Man’” Another chuckle escapes me. I pause for a moment though. Unsure of what to say, other than the truth. And in spite of myself I tell this almost complete stranger just that.
“Man…it’s just…so crazy. How much you can lose yourself in someone else. There’s another beat where neither of us speak. Ramona seems taken slightly aback by my honesty, but there’s no judgment in her eyes.
“And then once’s it’s over you’re left with the pieces of who you were. Trying to stitch them back together again. To remember who you were and still are. How to live without them. How to breathe in air that doesn’t belong to anyone else. And tonight…tonight’s the first time in a while where I’ve felt closer to finding her again. To just breathing, Ya know?” I turn my head and see her gazing at me as if I was her own reflection. Now it’s my turn to be taken aback by the sheer honesty in her face.
“Yeah. Yeah I totally get whatcha mean.“ We sit there in a comfortable silence and right as she’s about to speak again Julie comes bursting through the front door.
“Y/n!! There you are! You’ve gotta come back in and down another line of shots with me! Gideon said he’ll make us some Baby Guinness’s!! Oh hey Ramona! Wanna join ussss~!” She slightly slurs in a sing-song voice.
“Ha no I’m good Jules, but thanks. You two go have fun.” She gives me a look that says I’ll catch ya later and I give her one right back before trying to squeeze my way back in after Julie.
“Haha Julie wait up girl I can barely keep-!” All of a sudden I run abruptly into a large muscular chest. Quickly removing both my palms from said chest I immediately go to apologize. That is until I realize that the big muscular pecs I had just face planted into belonged to none other than, ‘Mr. Movie Star’ himself. I recoil instinctively. Trying to gain as much distance as humanly possible with what little room I have. I’m getting a mad sense of deja vu as he gawks back down at me unsure of what to do or say. I on the other hand don’t seem to have that problem.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I cross my arms and glare up at him.
“I happened to be invited actually.” He huffs defensively. Crossing his arms.
“Oh really?? I hardly believe anyone here, let alone Julie, would want you in her place of all…well places!”
“Well for your information I’m actually best friends with her boyfriend Gideon! Who lives here?” I now seem to have traded places with him and find myself at an utter loss for words. Whether it be the alcohol or the somber conversation I just came from I seem to find myself to be embarrassed. Angrily embarrassed, but embarrassed nonetheless. My cheeks start to flush and grow warm.
Lucas seems to take pride in finally being able to best me. Let alone get this kind of reaction out of me. I don’t fail to notice the small tint of pink in his cheeks and on his ears. He must’ve been enjoying some drinks himself. We seem to find ourselves in a heated stare off, though it feels like there’s something more in this small fiery moment. Lucas starts to move in closer. Towering over me. Yet neither of us breaks eye contact. Almost like daring the other to admit defeat. There’s only a couple inches of distance between us now. Still neither one of us breaks eye contact. I swear I catch his eyes flicker downwards to my lips, but it must’ve been my imagination. Just as I’m about to pipe up again I’m cut off by an even louder voice than the one screaming in my head. What it’s screaming in this exact moment I’d rather not disclose.
“Y/n what’s taking you so long Gideons got the shots all lined up and I-!” Even in a crowded house party it suddenly felt like it was just us three alone in this hallway.
“Lucas.” She deadpans a suspicious angry look his way.
“Julie.” He sends a look of slight disdain not quite unlike Julie, back her way.
“I take it Gideon invited you?” She questions.
“Yep G-Man shot me a text earlier this evening. Told me I should bring some booze with me while I’m at it. So you’re welcome.” He then sarcastically waves around two bottles of vodka in both hands. Julie swiftly snatches the bottles and turns to me. Signaling for me to follow after her. I take no time in doing just that. But my eyes can’t seem to help but flicker back towards him as I pass by.
“Lucas.” Julie spits out.
“Julie.” He retorts. Though when he says her name his eyes don’t move from my own. With a look I can’t quite discern. Julie then grabs my wrist and yanks me into the kitchen now out of his sight and hopefully out of my mind.
“What the hell was that? Did he say anything too stupid? Please god say yes so I have an excuse to beat his ass!” Her fingers dig into my shoulders as she slightly shakes me to annunciate her questions.
“I’m all good, he surprisingly had a bit more composure this evening. Either that or he forgot how to speak completely. Wouldn’t put it past him.” She sighs but can’t help but crack a smile.
“Forget him anyways, let’s do some shots!!” Woooo!” We down at least 4-5 Baby Guinness shots. Gideon makes me another drink and suddenly everything’s really funny and the wall has now become my best friend. The warmth from earlier has now become a raging internal inferno. Specifically in the facial region. My eyelids have gotten really heavy and I crave a seat.
Everything’s become a blur and somehow I find myself in a small dark corner of some hallway with some guy leaning over me. I think he might’ve been one of the guys I was half heartedly flirting with a couple hours prior to this lovely exchange. His breath reeks of booz and sour cream and onion chips. Ew. Now I’m racked with slight nausea. He won’t let up. Pushing his way into my bubble, he tries to kiss me. I try to push away from his advances but he won’t take no for an answer. The room starts to spin and my heart feels like it’s gonna beat out of my chest. Panic courses through my veins as the reality of my situation sets in. God only knows where Julie is, I don’t really have any other name to call out to for help. Shit this is bad. The Nausea only worsens. Then a big meaty hand clamps down onto this assholes shoulder, yanking him off of me and sending him back into the other direction. Crashing into the wall with a thud.
“Get lost ya creep!” The voice belonging to the hand booms in my ears. Though it’s familiar. The asshole scrambles, running off to whatever dark hell hole he crawled out of. “And learn how to take no as an answer fucker!” The voice growls. Then turns to me fully. “You alright?”
I drag my eyes up which takes more effort than it usually should, to then realize it’s ’Mr Movie Star’. God why him?
“I didn’t need your helppp.” I slur as I weakly poke a wobbly finger into his chest.
“Righttt and I’m the goddamn tooth fairy.”
I can’t help but laugh at the image of him in a tiny leotard and sparkly fairy wings. Lucas chuckles and shakes his head.
“I-I..” I go to take a step forward, but lose my balance falling straight into his arms. God this is embarrassing. But damn is he well built. I hate how much I like the feel of his bicep under my palm.
“Shit how much have you had to drink? Doesn’t matter you’ve definitely had enough.”
“Haha I’ve had just the right amount! And what gave you that impression? I’m as sober as a judge right now, Mr. Hollywood.” I quipped sarcastically. Goofily and sadly very drunkenly smiling up at him.
“Shit. Yep. You’re definitely wasted.” At this point Lucas’s basically holding the majority of my weight as I lazily cling to him.
“Did you come here with someone? Or do you have a car so I can drive you home?”
“Ha no. Walked. Then bused. Then walked again.” I giggle, leaning my head down into his chest. “I’m so tiredddd. Can we go home nowww?”
“Yeah yeah lemme just…fuckkk why’d you have to be this wasted. Ok ok I’m gonna call us a taxi and take you home alright? Just tell me your address.”
I lift my head up to then rest my chin on his chest. Looking up at him with hooded eyes.
“How can I know I can trust you? I can’t just go around giving my address to random guys.”
“I’m not a total stranger, and besides I’ve already seen where you live.”
“Eeewww what? Have you been stalking me??” A disgust look scrunches on my face.
“What?! No! Remember when we first met out by your moving-! You know what this is unless you’re took drunk to reason with right now. Just give me your address please!” He blurts out exasperated.
“Dang ok ok fineeee. Damn you’re needy.” A long drunken ten minutes of trying to coerce me into truly giving him my address and not some made up one, or some drunken nonsense. He writes down the address and calls a cab. We both hop in the back seat as we make our way to my place. I glance at the clock up by the car radio. It reads 2:10. Shittt it’s late. I kinda feel bad that he’s doing all this so late. I then turn to look up at him. Lucas seems to be lost in thought as he watches the world pass by outside the window. Damn. I hate to say it, but man is he handsome. Especially in the glow of the streetlights. I lay my head down against his shoulder. Sighing as I close my eyes from the drowsiness and to help stop the dizziness. He stiffens at this but doesn’t dare to move till we arrive outside my place.
I’m basically half asleep as he helps to carry me out of the cab, up the front porch and into the entry way of my home. Lucas softly asks me where my room is. I tiredly point to the stairs. He lifts an arm under my knees and carries me bridal style to my bedroom. Awkwardly maneuvering my limp body through the small spaces. Small in comparison to his freakishly large body anyway. He gently places me down in my bed. Then starts searching for something before finding a bottle of Advil and placing it down next to the edge of mattress on the floor.
Lucas finally pipes up. “Why the hell is your bed on the ground? Forgot to pack a frame?” Sarcastic as always.
I croak out a throaty answer. “No…Ex boyf…asshole wouldn’t let me keep the *hic* frame. Or the mattress. Asshole…” I can hear him let out a breathy laugh as he helps take my shoes off.
“Yeah..?” He quirks a brow.
“You’re actually not that bad…well kinda..I guess. Too handsome for your own good…but not that bad *hic*…”
Lucas stares at me with a surprised amusement on his face.
“Actually scratch that…can’t let something like that go to your head…lord knows you don’t need any help inflating your head. Well maybe you do…it could’ve been awhile right? Since someone did.”
Lucas’s head whips up to gawk at me, now only in surprise.
“Been out of the game awhile right…? Might need some help….”
Any bit of amusement left in him goes away and is now replaced with straight shock and embarrassment at my slight innuendo.
“Ya know from movie biz or whatever…haven’t been in any films in awhile…” Finishing my statement I flop my arm over my eyes.
A big sigh escapes him as he runs his palm over his face.
“Well as fun as this has been I should go. You might be civil now but I’m scared to see what happens when you sober up and really remember who I am.”
As he turns to go I can’t help but feel the sinking sensation of loneliness and dread hit me. So I cling onto the sleeve of his shirt.
“I-I…y/n…you- your’e drunk you-, I’m just gonna-“
“I don’t wanna be alone again..” my eyes start to tear up. “Please don’t leave…”
A panicked look appears on his handsome face.
“Alright alright, I won’t leave…but I’m not sleeping in there with you.” He points at my bed. “How about I go sleep on the couch downstairs and then I’ll go once it’s morning?”
“Don’t you wanna sleep in here with me? Do you think I’m too gross to sleep next to??” I blubber. His panicked look only worsens.
“N-no that’s not-! I just-! Fine! Fine I’ll grab a blanket or something and sleep up here with you, alright? Happy?” He asks exasperated.
“Yeahhh that’s alright I guess. There’s a sleeping bag in one of those boxes over theereee.”
Lucas searches for a bit. He then finds said sleeping bag. Deadpanning he unrolls it infront of him and turns back to me. Though unexpectedly to him it’s a Disney princess pink sleeping bag that’s two sizes too small for him.
“What?” I giggle. “Not a Beauty and The Beast fan?”
Lucas contemplates just denying your request and sleeping down on the couch like he originally planned but knows if he tries to it’ll most likely just end up making things worse and you might start actually crying. Lucas runs downstairs to grab a couple couch cushions to make a makeshift bed next to your own. Squeezing into his tiny princess sleeping bag he realizes that’s you’ve been lazily watching him do all this with an adoring look on your face. He quickly turns to be on his side, his back facing you now. His ears now a light pink.
Lucas…you just called him by his first name…blushing profusely, his whole body erupts into a searing red color.
“G-goodnight…y/n.” And off to dream world the both of you go. Hopefully, he thinks, the next morning goes smoothly. And you won’t kill him. Right…?
