Chapter 2

I blew out my cheeks as I parked my car outside Tifler’s. It’s a local bar that recently opened in Filmore after it got wrecked multiple times in Remorse District. The owner refused to talk about the reason, though.

I turned the engine off then rubbed my cold palms on my cheeks. "Seriously?" I scoffed when rain went heavier. "Look, God I appreciate the sympathy but you don't have to make heaven cry this much. I didn't even bring my umbrella." I shook my head then cursed the only curse I’d learned in middle school. “Damn it!”

I glanced at the blinking signage of Tifler’s. It was Friday. It meant the place was probably loaded with people. Great! More eyes to witness whatever stupid move I was about to do.

“God, this is the part where I question why I’ve never been to Tilly’s house parties.”

Left with no other choice, I took my keys and the money I kept in my car before I jumped out of my red Chevy. I hugged myself like I was six-year old and ran as fast as I could towards the entrance where Big John stopped me. 

“Stop right there, Missy. This isn’t where they’re holding the pajama party,” he said, scanning me from head to toe. His chinky eyes even squinted as if he was purposely trying to scare the shit out of me.

Dear God, I hoped he wouldn't notice that it's working.

I swallowed hard. I put my hands on my back and held firmly on my pinky to keep my calm. “U—Uhm…” I laughed nervously but Big John took a step forward that made me jump.

Damn it! It wasn’t the right time to act like a scaredy cat but I couldn’t help it. It’s Big John I was in front of. The same Big John who broke an opponent’s leg during a football championship. It led to his scholarship's cancellation. Maybe that's why he ended up here, scaring unwelcomed people like me.

I pursed my lips together. I’m no little girl anymore.

“M—My boyfriend’s inside, probably sticking his nose on some hoe’s neck. If you wanna tolerate cheaters then go ahead and send me off.” I gulped. “I forgot to change into a party dress because I ain’t here to party… dude.”

I almost flinched when he took another step foward. His foreheard creased and I swore I felt his gaze like lazer beams. Now I couldn’t help but call all the Saints and angels I could think of, plus my dead relatives and my goldfish named Boola for extra back up. May they not rest in peace even just for tonight. God, please. Even just for tonight...

He shook his head and shooed her like she was some kind of a beggar. "Get outta here, kid."

"I'm not a kid anymore."

"Yes, you are."

She sighed and turned her back on him. For a moment, she thought about just going home. But when she remembered Mara's annoying face, she frowned and looked at Big John again.

“Please, Big John. Just let me in. It’s cold here. I don’t wanna die of hypothermia, and I really need to see my friend,” I begged while doing the puppy eyes thingy. I swore if it wouldn't work, I would poke Maurine and Tilly's eyes.

Big John cocked a brow. “You said your boyfriend?”

My cheeks felt numb. “I… I said that?”

"What are you, a goldfish or something?"

I laughed nervously then scratched my temple. “Uh, well, we’re just friends now since he’s cheating, right? Yes. Uhm, or... or maybe I'll unfriend him, too... on Facebook.” I gulped and lifted my trembling index finger, mimicking Maurine when she's making a point. “I am… I am gonna demote that… that mother… sucker in my life.”

“You mean motherfucker?”

“Exactly.” I smiled, an awkward one. “I’m gonna… uh kick his ass. Not literally, okay? Figuratively since I know violence ain't welcome here and I wasn't raise a violent person--"

I paused when Big John raised both of his brows. Damn it, it wasn't working!

I cleared my throat and put my hand down. "I mean I uhm gonna kick his ass by uh telling him he’s a… he’s a…" My forehead creased. "What’s the word again?"

Big John sighed. “Motherfucker.”

I snapped her fingers and then tip toed to give the big guy a tap on his shoulder. “You… You got it right. He's an absolute mother... uh, whatever you said.” I chuckled, nervous.

He chuckled. "My, my, little girl. You're gonna need some serious life training. This world isn't made for cotton candy and unicorn dress hoarders." He shook his head while still grinning. "Just go home. We don't serve milk in here."

I pursed my lips together. Seriously, after I gave his muscled shoulder a tap, this was how he's going to treat me? Didn't he know how much effort I exerted just to reach his shoulder? 

I stared at him in a narrow way. How dare him insult me that way...

When Big John looked at my furious eyes, he laughed. "What? You want momma to pick you up here?"

I felt a different kind of energy in my system all of a sudden. It was too much that I felt like I was getting pushed back so something else could take control. I remained staring at Big John. I spoke to him inside my head while feeling the overwhelmong energy. 

You better let me in... Let me in... 

I didn't know what the hell just happened but Big John suddenly stopped grinning. His eyes stared at me as if he'd lost control over his own body. When he began murmuring something, My brows furrowed. 

"A--Are you alright?"

Big John didn't answer, but he headed towards the heavy curtain and opened it. "Come in..."

Surprised with the sudden change in the weather, I looked at Big John suspisiously. "A--Are you sure?"

But Big John just nodded, still looking like he was hypnotized or something. I felt something was wrong. I mean, there had to be but she didn't want him to change his decision either. I headed towards the entrance and then looked at Big John again in a confused way. "Uh, thanks. H--Hi five?"

Big John lifted his hand and offered me a hi five. I even tiptoed and was about to slap his hand when I felt someone staring at me. I looked around and there, right next to my car, I found a hooded man standing under the rain.

My eyes widened when I saw his pools were a pair of gold; burning with passion and desire, of cravings and something else. I blinked a couple times. When I looked at the same spot again, the man was already gone.

I shrugged and shook my head. Looked like I was going to need something else but a glass of water tonight.