Why Not Me?

| 7 | CLEO |

| CLEO |

Why is love so difficult?

I try my best at it all the time. I'm a good girl. I don't smoke. I don't drink, occasionally. I keep my body in shape. I don't have body armor tattoos or thousands if piercings. I have a decent job and amazing friends. I contact my family when I'm not annoyed and I pay all my bills, whether they be a month or two late. I don't steal, or lie...intentionally. I don't cheat and I don't gossip. I don't understand why I can't find a decent guy who can meet my standards and it's not like my standards are high either. I just want someone who will care for me, like my friends and not put me last on their list. Of course, he can't be some cereal killer and or a drug dealer, gang-related fella either but you know what I mean.

Is that too much to ask?

Sometimes I get agitated at Jen and Steph secretly because although they don't mean to when they get all lovey-dovey with Noah and Drew I get... Jealous.

So imagine my reaction when Stephanie called me last night and tells me Jennifer broke up with Drew. Broke up? Like not together anymore? I highly doubt it. Those two are crazy for each other. Maybe something happened and Jen said it because she was in the heat of the moment you know those type of arguments.

Today I was working on a project with a temporary partner. She's an acquaintance of mine from work who soon became a friend that works in my department. Having someone you can talk to and share things with at work is refreshing and helpful. Since neither Steph or Jen work with me and our work don't really clash persay we can't really work or help each other out. She knows all about my boy drama and supports me, in her own special way. Last we during lunch she starts babbling on about setting me up on a date and i kindly denied. Here we are now, talking when she suddenly decided to play matchmaker and set me up for a lunch date with her cousin.

I was not really in the mood for a date. I've been feeling uneasy lately and with the Jennifer still missing situation I didn't want to start and end an unnecessary encounter with a guy who doesn't care about anyone but himself, his mom, his car, his money or his looks. Not to be mean or anything I know I probably sound like a stuck up wench but I'm going through some mood swings, sue me.

Anyway, the bottom line is I was literally threatened and so I agreed only so I wouldn't have to die. As I make my round and try to finish up some business before heading to lunch I get purposely trampled over by Jason, one of Logan's best friends, in the lobby. After scolding him and him laughing at me I decided to show him up to Logan's office only for Logan to find us himself. At just the sight of him my heart speeds up, my body temperature grows hot, and the smile that just won't leave my face tries to make an appearance but I control myself.

"Jason?" We both Jason turned to see Logan. "Ah, there he is!" Jason smiled shoving me with his elbow as I rolled my eyes at him.

"What are you two doing together?" He asked and that's the kind of thing I like about Logan. No matter who I was with he always has that protective hint in him that he would always want to know who I'm with and why. It can be annoying at times but I find it sweet.

"I was in my way to lunch when Jason bumped into me, literally. He asked where you were so I decided to bring him up to you." I explained sending him a nice smile which he rewarded back with one of his own. "Jason, why are you here?" He asked causing Jason to pout.

"I wanted to see my best buddy." He said back. Logan groaned at Jason's childish behavior which caused me to chuckle slightly. "Na, but for real I came to hang. You have lunch now right? Let's go."

I looked at them. I didn't want to, but I had things to do so I guess it was time for me to go. "Okay, well I'll leave you two to it," I said turning away to walk when I heard Jason stops me. "Wait, you can come to have lunch with us." I glanced at Logan who was slightly glaring at Jason. I don't know if I can. From the looks of it something's going on between those two and I don't want to get involved. So I waved him off politely. "I'd love to but I can't. I have something to take care of and I'm meeting up with someone for a lunch date. Sorry." I said.

I made sure to say enough of me going to meet up with someone to see if the wheels in his head would turn. I waited for a couple of seconds looking at Logan for a reaction or anything but nothing. I get nothing.

That's another thing I don't get from Logan. He acts one-way showing interest, being protective, flirting even and then another. I wanted to see if he would stop me or persuade me into joining them and not meet up with some guy, you know to at least keep me single but no. He does nothing.

I let out a disappointed sigh. "Alright, well bye then," and without another word, I turn around and walk away.

*******

"Sooo," I said awkwardly as I sat on the stool.

Samantha, my forceful project partner, came in about five minutes ago and literally dragged in a male body with her, a male body who I suppose was to be her cousin, and sat him down next to me. She explained some rules, from which I don't know what, and walked out with a wide cheesy grin on her face.

We've been sitting here ever since. "Soo," he copies me.

"Uhm, how about we go sit at a booth instead? That way it would be more private." He said and I glanced up at him and sent him a polite smile. "Yea, sure." We got off our stools and he gestured for me to walk first and we took a seat in one of the booths by the plants.

Sitting in silence for a while I got to get a good look at him. He was really handsome. He has dirty blond hair combed back and dark blue eyes. He had strong facial features and you can tell he works out, he had a strong lean body.

I caught him checking me out and when he noticed I spotted him he blushed. Cute.

"So, Mr. Cousin," I teased as he cracked a smile, "what's your name?"

"Ashten, my names Ashten David."

I smiled. "Well Ashten David, my names Cleo Grace. It's nice to meet you." And that's how it all started. It may not have been love at first sight, but it was an attraction. A writer known as Richards-Smith once said, "Finding another person’s mannerisms attractive is a tell-tale sign of falling in love," now I don't know about love at first sight and or falling in love, but the way Ashten walks, talks, and smiles can be incredibly appealing. I'd have to say Ashten is the first guy I have been with that wasn't a total failure, no offense. He was smart, he had his head on his shoulders, he worked for the fire department and he's super funny and adorable.

He may not be Logan... but he was the next best thing.

"I had a wonderful time Cleo and I'm truly sad we have to part ways now," he said as he paid for the meal. I was happy he paid. You have no idea how many guys have made me pay for the dates they ask me on.

"It was a pleasure to me you too. You're pretty cool." I tease and he winked causing me to giggle nervously. He grabbed my hand and I looked up at him. "Okay, I have two favors," he asks and I nod telling him to go on.

"One, can we exchange numbers?" He grinned which caused me to laugh and I nodded giving him my phone number. He's pretty cool and I really liked him and his company. Plus I don't think he would go all crazy stalker psycho killer on me. We exchanged number and then he grabbed my hands again. "Two," he said looking me in the eyes, "Would you go in a date with me tonight?" he asked me.

I was taken aback by his boldness. He was so confident in his asking and you can see it in his posture he knew what he was talking about and he was serious.

I thought about it for a while.

I don't think I can put up with any more guys that treat me like a child or act like one themselves. I don't want to be that one girl that all the guys know. I still like Logan, you have no idea how much, but if he won't show interest whether I believe there to be or not then what's the point of me waiting? What's the point of trying to get him jealous, or to notice me, or trying to get him to notice me while going out with other guys?

Maybe I should just... give up? No, I can't give up. I've had a crush on Logan since we first meet, but maybe I should start moving on.

I looked up at Ashten's pleading blue eyes. He looked like a little puppy. I smiled up at him and nodded. "Okay."

*******

"Really!" Ashten laughed as we ran out of the movie theater.

"Shut up and run. It was your idea." I laughed as he held my hand. Oh my goodness. That was the most fun I've had in like forever, with a guy that is.

After our lunch date, both Ashten and I had to go back to work, but that didn't stop him from sending me texts and flirty cute messages. I sent him my address and he told me to dress casually. He came by my place around five and from there it was all craziness, in a good way. He had dragged me to an amusement park in Long Island and then out to an Italian restaurant one of his friends owns. He bought me flowers and then I like devoured all the chocolates and candy he gave me.

To tell you the truth I didn't feel, embarrassed. I felt comfortable and free around Ashten and he didn't comment back or judge. He then dragged me around the Hudson River and we took the fair to Staten Island about five times before the security guard caught us. Soon after all the running around and the having fun we decided to settle down and so he took me to the movies. We both bought two large popcorns and he bought only one soda saying he didn't have enough money to buy another one yet when he thought I wasn't looking he bought two hot dogs, a tray of nachos and sour candies. I laughed and he just looked at me strangely.

We originally bought tickets to see, 'The Legend of Hercules', which Jen has been killing to watch with me, but instead after the movie finished, we snuck into, 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier', and, 'The Lego Movie' which was all Ashten's idea and all the movies were amazing. But of course, all fun had to end just like all that's been done in the dark must come out to the light. One of the security guards found us. Ashten and I having a popcorn fight caught the guards attention which is when he recognized us from the other two movies. We tried hiding but they found us and started chasing us around, which is why we are currently across the street from the theater.

"Soo, you know you just got us banned from this theater for like a month?" I said to him c*****g an eyebrow.

He grinned. "There plenty more theater's out there." He said as we laughed and looked at each other. Our laughing died down and everything around us slowed down. I felt him get closer to me as I felt our breaths mix. He looked me in the eyes and then I saw his eyes glance down at my lips and I couldn't help but feel a blush creep onto my face.

I was about to say something when I felt his hand cup my cheek. I placed my hand on his as he leaned in and kissed me.

His lips stayed on top of mine for a couple of seconds as if getting used to the idea and the feel. Then they moved against mine and I couldn't help but kiss him back. I felt his arms wrap around my waist as I slide my hand up his chest and around his neck. I was enjoying the kiss. I was enjoying the date. I was enjoying his company period. This was one of the best dates ever.

We were so into the kiss that I didn't even mind we were kissing the middle of the sidewalk or the people had to walk around us.

I was brought out of my thought when I felt my phone vibrate in my purse.

I pulled away, both Ashten and I panting as I couldn't help the smile that slides its way onto my face. I saw him grin as he pressed a chaste kiss on my lips once more before he leaned his forehead against mine. "This was the best date ever." He said. "I agree." I giggled.

We were quiet for a while just relishing in the feel of each other when I felt my phone vibrate. I sighed.

"Sorry. I should check to see who's calling." I said to him, he just nodded. "No, it's alright, the ladies known." I rolled my eyes and smiled and I took out my phone. I opened it and gasped.

I had two miss calls from Noah, five from Stephanie and three from... Logan? I checked the time. It was 11, the calls weren't even half an hour ago. I was about to call back when an incoming call came from Stephanie. I answered on the first ring.

"Hello? Stephanie?"

"Cleo! Oh my goodness I'm going to murder you!" She screamed through the phone. I had to pull it away from my ear. Ashten gave me a confused look.

"I'm sorry? What did I do? What happened?" I asked.

"What happened was you didn't pick up your phone. Did you not hear us calling? Noah tried, Logan was the first to call but he couldn't get you so he had to call me." She said in a hurry.

"Where are you? Why didn't you pick up?" She asked.

"Sorry okay. I'm on a date and I put my phone on vibrate it was at the bottom of my bag. So what's the problem why are you calling me?"

"Logan found Jen. He said when he was coming back home he found her sitting on the ground in front of yours and his door." She said. "He says she doesn't look good. I'm already on my way there. Hurry up and get your skinny ass over here." She says sternly before hanging up.

"Is everything okay?" Ashten asks.

"I Uhm, yeah, but, one of my best friends has been missing for a few days and they just found her," I said putting my phone back in my purse. Slight panic starting to settle in me.

"I had a really really great time today," I said holding his hand, "but I have to go. She like my sister and I have to make sure she's alright. I'm sorry." I said sadly.

"Hey, it's okay. I understand. How about I come with you." I looked at him. "Really? You don't have too." I said.

"It's alright, I have nothing else to do today and there no way I'm letting you go home alone at this time. Plus this way I can get closer and learn more about the important people of my hopes to be, truly, wish for, soon to be, maybe, future girlfriend." He says and I blush. A small smile spread on my face as I stare at him. I fix my coat and grab his hand, "Okay."

********

Speed walking down my hallway, Ashten trailing behind me. We stopped in front of Logan's door. Knocking rapidly I wait for someone to open.

"Don't you live here?" Ashten asks. "Yea but my neighbor was the one who found her and there in his house." He nods as the door opens and behold, my sour candy. Logan opened the door. I saw him look at me and then Ashten who stood behind me. Things were quiet for a few seconds but my nerves were eating at me and I couldn't do this right now with him so I decided to speak.

"Uhm, Logan I'm so sorry I didn't answer. I had my phone on vibrate and it was at the bottom of my bag and when I checked Steph called me." But he was still looking at Ashten. "Oh, Logan this is Ashten, Ashten this is Logan, now where's my best friend?"

I couldn't quite read what his expression was saying but without saying a word he points into his apartment and I rushed in leaving Ashten and Logan to get to know each other. Walking into his living room I spot Jen on the couch wrapped in a blanket and Steph kneeling down in front of her.

"Oh my goodness Jennifer! What happened to you?" I said as I kneeled down I front of her. Stephanie moved over and took off the blanket from around Jen. By this point, Ashten and Logan were already in the room.

Jen held on to her arms as tears started to fall down her face. I looked at her then growled. "Who did this to you? Who did this to your face?!" I said angrily.

"Cleo...Steph... I'm so sorry." She cried and my heart broke.

"Sorry for what honey? You didn't do anything." Stephanie said softly as she pulled Jennifer's hair loss from her messy ponytail.

"Jen I need you to talk to me okay. We can only help if you talk to us. What happened? Where did you disappear too? Why did you break up with Drew?" We asked her.

"She broke up with Drew?" Logan asked shocked. At that, she started crying and sobbing. She started hyperventilating but we managed to calm her down but she would start crying again. At one point she just blurted out what no one expected.

"I was raped." She stated while throwing herself into mine and Stephanie's arms.

We all froze. I even saw Logan and Ashton freeze. There was a sudden eerie quietness that filled the room. The lack of response from everyone was imminent. The silence was suffocating, the thought was heartbreaking, and the reality was soul crushing.

Raped... r***d.

Why does that word not sound right to me? That word that breaks people and physically hurts them. That forced, foul word.

I looked at Stephanie in shock and her looks reflected mine. "W-what?" By the time we snapped out of our momentary recognition of the situation, we were in Jen had fainted onto the couch. "Jenn? Jenn!" I said shaking her but she didn't wake up. I felt her pant and Steph checked her forehead.

"She's really hot." She said worriedly.

I got up and covered my mouth as I walked away from her. The urge to throw up was strong. r***d? My best friend was r***d?! Tears started welling up in my eyes as I looked at her. She was a mess. Out of the three of us, Jen was always the rock, the prepared one, the one who was there to help us when we had problems to take care of us and now look at her. A sob escaped me. I then felt arms go around my waist pulling me into a strong hug whispering soft words to me. I nuzzled into the broad chest.

"Ash..." I whispered and he just tightens his hold. "It's going to be okay."

"Logan right? Can you grab your keys? We have to take her to the hospital." Ash said, being the first to take action. I suppose since he doesn't have any connection to anyone here yet he wasn't as paralyzed as the rest of us, but at this moment I thank him for taking the lead. Logan nods and goes to his room.

"Yea, we found her." I hear Stephanie sniffles. I look at her and see her on the phone. Must be talking to Noah.

"No nothing. She's not okay. Were taking her to the hospital."

"No no, she's not physically hurt... Much. Yea she had a couple of bruises, a big one on her cheek." She sniffles running her hand through her hair.

"Yea, no we don't know. She fainted a couple of minutes ago. We don't know where she was."

"Noah... No -I" she was cut off. I guess he was upset as well.

"But-- she's my best friend okay, I know but-- yes. Baby I know... Noah... She was raped." She said quietly.

Logan came back out with jeans on and carefully carried Jen without waking her. We all exited his apartment and made it down to the elevator.

Steph then pulled the phone away from her ear as we heard someone screaming. "No we don't--wait is that--- we taking her to the hospital--she doesn't-- Noah? Hello?" She said then closed her phone.

She looked at me. "I tried to explain to Noah what happened but he knew I was hiding something so I ended up telling him... Drew heard Cleo... Apparently, he showed up after I left to come here and he heard me tell Noah Jen was..." She trailed off rubbing her temple.

"He's on his way."

********

"So how is she Doc?" I asked the doctor as he walked out if her room.

"She had high blood pressure from the trauma and that along with the temperature of her body made this fever break out. She had a couple of bruises around her arms and the one on her face she indeed, sadly, she was taken advantage of." He said sadly. "DNA evidence from a crime like s****l assault can be collected from the crime scene, but it can also be collected from one's body, clothes, and other personal belongings." The doctor says.

"Okay, great, so do that, how do you do that?" I state. "You may choose to have a s****l assault forensic exam, sometimes known as a “r**e kit,” to preserve possible DNA evidence and receive important medical care. You don’t have to report the crime to have an exam, but the process gives you the chance to safely store evidence should you decide to report at a later time."

"Report? I want that son of a b***h who did this to her dead." I mumble to myself. "r**e Kit? Okay, I've heard of that before but generally. I've never had to look into it. What is it exactly?"

"A r**e Kit refers to a s****l assault forensic exam. The term r**e kit actually refers to the kit itself, a container that includes a checklist, materials, and instructions, along with envelopes and containers to package any specimens collected during the exam."

"Okay, uhm how long does this exam usually take? Will, it hurt her? What do we need to do exactly in order for her to take this test?" I ask the doctor.

"If you are able to, try to avoid activities that could potentially damage evidence like bathing, showering, using the restroom, changing clothes, combing hair, and In most cases, DNA evidence needs to be collected within 72 hours in order to be analyzed by a crime lab, but a s****l assault forensic exam can reveal other forms of evidence beyond this time frame that can be useful if you decide to report." My mind starts to go crazy with different scenarios that might have happened to her, I couldn't help but clear my throat and try to hold back the tears that wanted to escape again. "The length of the exam may take a few hours, but the actual time will vary based on several different factors. It may be helpful to have someone to support you during this time."

"I-well I don't know if she's done any of that. She'd been missing for a couple of days." I say angrily. I take a deep breath. "Of course we are here to support her though." I wipe my eyes and I look up at the Docter. "Please, go ahead and do the kit. Stephanie and I are here if you need us for support. I'll also contact her family." The doctor nods and leaves and I decide to take a walk.

After about thirty minutes later I was in the waiting area with Steph, Logan, and Ashten when I see the doctor step out of the room. I quickly get up and go to him Stephanie and everyone else follows.

I closed my eyes tightly. "Is she okay?"

"Yes, she was awake when we went to start the exam and gave us her consent which allowed the process to go quicker than I expected. From what we could collect although their bruises were of force there was no internal damage. After a couple of days, the bruises should fade. She's now sleeping, you can go in whenever you like." He says while he checks his papers then walks away. I hug Stephanie while Logan and Ashton stand to the side.

"Can you please tell me Jennifer Delgado's room is, please." I hear someone say then I see Noah turn the corner walking towards us with a very unhappy Drew following behind him. Stephanie runs up to Noah and hugged him. "Where is she? Is she okay?" He asked.

"Yea the doctor said she's sleeping," Steph answered.

"What the hell is going on?! Where is she?" Drew asked coming up to us. I glared at him and walked up to him.

"Keep your voice down where in the hospital," I told him, "and how about you tell me what the hell happened? She was supposed to be with you then suddenly she breaks up with you and goes missing and now this? No one's going into that room until you tell me what happened." I said upset.

Drew looked at me with pain and guilt in his eyes. We all walked over to the little waiting area by Jen's room. "Well start talking," I said standing in front of everyone, my hands on my hips.

"After Jen and I left your place that day we went to my place. We did our usual played around ate and stuff," he said looking down, "we were laying down when she told me she loved me." He said looking up at me.

I gasped. For Jen to say she loves you means she really means it, she doesn't take it lightly. Wait but then why would she break up with him?

"Well, what happened after that?" Steph pushed holding into Noah's hand.

"I--Uhm I was shocked obviously, for Jen to say something like that, it's serious, so well I hesitated and I guess she took that as a wrong sign because she suddenly turned around and went to sleep in my spare room and locked the door. I tried bringing her back to the room, tried talking to her, tried explaining but she wouldn't open so I went to sleep. When I woke up the next morning she was gone. I tried calling her but she wouldn't pick up and that's the last time I saw her." He sighs harshly passing his hand through his hair.

"You hesitated when she told you she loves you. Do you love her?" Ashten spoke up suddenly. "Of course I do I was just taken by surprise. I was going to say it back but she closed her self off and then left. Then she called me the next day and broke up with me." He said.

"Tough," Ashten said shaking his head. Drew looked up at him and so did Noah.

"Wait, who are you and why are here?" Drew asked.

"I'm Ashten. What's up?" He said and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him as a smirk came to my face. Drew and Noah looked at him.

"Okay, so what about after that?" I asked. "I heard her come in that night late but she went to sleep and I didn't see her in the morning," Steph said." She must have waited for you to fall asleep and left right away because it was really late when she came home. I was working on some papers."

"Yea, I went to Stephanie's and bumped I to Jen in the hall. She said she had to give in some papers she forgot to give in then left." Noah added.

"Right, she had to give some papers to Derek," Drew said.

"I saw Steph's at Derek's," Logan chimed in and we all turned to her. She just shrugged. "It was the last place we knew she went so I went to check."

"And knocked him out if you know what I mean." Logan chuckled and Steph grinned. I raised a brow. "I hit him in his jewels." I laughed.

"Why?" Ashten asked. She shrugged. "I don't like him. Never did never will and I knew he was involved. I talked to the secretaries and they said Jen went in to talk to him and stayed a while. When she left she was all quiet and I don't know they just said she looked out of it."

We all stayed quiet sitting around.

"So what do we do know?"

"I guess we have to wait for Jen to wake up to know the truth," I said as I sat next to Ashten my head leaning on his shoulder.