LOVE or LUST

Denial

LaDawn does her best to put the days events on the back burner as she arrives at Cookie's house for dinner.

Birthday dinner was always the same.

Although, LaDawn's older sister Lillian had made an appearance this year and that was uncommon.

Lillian was so much like their father, just not as cold and bitter.

The food was tasty, conversation was comically amusing but the drinks were virgin.

Because of that, it wasn't hard for Hazel and Lillian to convince LaDawn to end the night at the bar.

LaDawn was surprisingly having a great time.

She was getting free drinks due to it being her birthday and everything playing on the jukebox was her taste.

Not a thought of Rizzo had crossed her mind.

A man who had bought the last 2 drinks that LaDawn had quickly gulped down to continue dancing approaches LaDawn.

At first he's keeping a respectful distance and is dancing within the small crowd. Quickly LaDawn realizes this man is strategically closing the gap between them.

Before he gets to close for comfort LaDawn decides to take a breather and heads back to her table.

"Where are you going?" LaDawn hears behind her. She quickly turns around. So fast the room spins with her. Maybe she's more intoxicated than she thought.

When she collects herself she is face to face with this man. So close that she can smell the repulsive odor of bourbon and sweat radiating off of him.

"Look man, I appreciate the drinks but you need to learn boundaries" LaDawn chuckles as she assertively stabs a finger into his chest and turns away from him.

"I'm only asking where you're going with this fine piece of ass" he says while stumbling into LaDawn and gripping her cheek

Without a second thought LaDawn throws an elbow right into his windpipe, immediately sending him to his knees. She turns around to assess the situation, realizing what she just did.

The jukebox is in-between songs and everyone is staring at her. Including Rizzo who is standing in the doorway.

Rizzo breaks the silence

"I guess I chose the right bar tonight" he says with a devilish grin.

Everyone in the bar cheers, impressed by LaDawn. The jukebox starts playing again and 2 guys drag the gasping asshole outside.

Rizzo steps towards LaDawn.

"Remind me to never piss you off" he says with a sly smile.

Hazel and Lillian come rushing over

"OMG are you okay? That was so cool! Who knew you were such a bad ass!?" Hazel gushes.

Rizzo sees how flushed LaDawns cheeks are and offers to get her a bite to eat. LaDawn agrees and follows him to the barstools.

"can we get a menu please?" Rizzo asks the bartender.

"anything for you handome" the bartender says with a wink as she hands him one.

"what sounds good?" Rizzo asks LaDawn, completely ignoring the bartenders advance.

taken aback LaDawn shakes her head before responding "anything deep fried"

Hazel and Lillian all but flop into the barstools next to LaDawn.

"Lillian says she has to work on a "big case" tomorrow so she needs to go home" Hazel says while using air quotes and rolling her eyes.

"I'll call you a cab" the bartender volunteers

"Thank you for the night out you guys" LaDawn says with a nod as the two wasted girls stumble out to wait for their cab.

Shorty after, LaDawn's food arrives and she is kind enough to share some with Rizzo.

They talk for hours, somehow without bringing up the weirdness that happened earlier.

"You seem to have sobered up" Rizzo says with a smile.

"yes, thank you for the food, coffee and company" LaDawn replies.

"any time, do you want me to walk you home?" Rizzo asks

"yes please, I was lucky to catch that douche by surprise and I don't know if he's out there somewhere" LaDawn says with concern

The two of them walk back to LaDawn's apartment, laughing and joking all the way. When they come to LaDawn's door they seem to have a hard time ending their conversation and goofy shenanigans.

As LaDawn is saying her final thank yous and goodnights she notices Rizzo staring at her lips.

"You want to kiss me." LaDawn says matter of factly

Rizzo looks at her in shock, as he didn't mean to reveal his dirty thoughts for her. He'd been resisting all night.

"I do" Rizzo gulps.

LaDawn unlocks her door and steps inside. Glancing over her shoulder with a smoldering look while kicking her shoes off and slinking into the darkness of her unlit apartment.