The Taste of Chaos

4

“Woah, what?” He exclaims. “Did that woman not learn the first time?” Richies agitation is clear, and I think maybe I do win him back.

“I figured since you were in the same position once, you’d help me out?” I ask, voice soft.

“Jessica. . .” Richie looks sad. I cling to the hope with everything I have.

“Please,” I beg. “I like the idea of Jake proposing, but I don’t want to be engaged if it’s forced by our parents.”

“I can’t help you, with that, Jess. Only you can take care of it. I fought my battles, I can’t fight yours too.” He says with a frown. “You know I can’t go back there.”

And the hope I feel is gone, replaced with a heaviness I never felt before.

“Not even for me?” I ask.

“Not even for you, baby girl.” He answers, placing his hand over mine. “You don’t see them the way I see them. My eyes have opened up since I’ve been here. They’re fake, they don’t care about me and you, just themselves.”

“And what about here” I’m suddenly annoyed by the way he speaks, I’m hurt. I gesture to the new world around me, where tattoos and a bad attitude is the norm. “Are these people not fake?”

Do or do they not go around starting problems just for the fun of it, as Will did with Jake and I. I take in the drunkards and women with no class. “You like it here? Where the people poke fun at people like us. At people like me?”

“The treatment goes both ways,”

I don’t expect his harshness. The hiss in his words are sour.

“Open your eyes, Jess.” He says in a softer tone.

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to upset you,” I’m just upset, myself.

“It’s okay. I’m sorry too. I know you don’t mean it.” He puts his hand on his chest. Silence falls between us, and as I think of another way to bring him back with me, I stare at his table of friends.

These are his new friends. How did he meet them? Jake sits uncomfortably in Richies chair. Luc and Castien converse among themselves, completely ignoring him. And I watch as Will and Nikki play hockey with their tonsils.

“Stay away from them.” Richie says. i turn my eyes to him, I know he can see my curiosity as to why, out of all things that is what he says, but deep down I do know.

Chaos isn't a good group to be around. They're toxic men, dangerous to the core.

“I think they’re going to eat Jake alive.” I giggle, hope he doesn't notice how fake it is. The tension between us eases, but it’s short-lived when loud voices erupt from the table.

“The f**k are you looking at, pretty boy?” Will no longer has his tongue down Nikki’s throat. His glare is directed at my boyfriend.

“How about you mind your own business?” Jake replies back.

“Swallow your words, Nikki is not your business, so stop staring,” Will growls out at him. I shiver, ignoring the goosebumps on my arms.

“What?”I mutter to myself. What was Jake staring at? My eyes go wide when I realize the taunting is turning into a brawl.

Will stands, too abrupt that his chair falls back and slams against the floor. Everyone in the bar is staring at us.

“Now we get back,” Richie says as he makes his way over. I jump up from my seat and quickly follow. Will is in Jake’s face when we reach them, fists curling at his side. Nikki still sits with a satisfying smirk on her face while Luc and Castien stand nearby. Will’s muscles flex, and I can’t help but notice how much bigger they are than Jakes.

“What happened?” Richie asksLauc. He puts his arm over his shoulder before shrugging, the grin on his face doesn't drop.

“f**k if I know.” He answers with a shrug. “One moment everything was fine, next thing Will blows a fuse.”

“You’re creepy boyfriend kept staring at us when we were making out.” Nikki, but I like bubblegum b***h better, not that I’ll ever say it to her face, says.

“Excuse me?” I glare at her from where I stand next to Richie. It's a pathetic attempt.

“You heard me, prude. Your boyfriend is a pervert.” Nikki hisses at me.

“If you won’t shut your mouth, I will shut it for you.” Richie steps in.

“He’s just defending me.” Nikki glares at him, “I get ogled at by a pervert and yet I’m the one getting bitched at? The man w***e deserves a beating.”

“Shut up, Nikki. Everyone knows you love putting on a show.” Castien rolls his eyes at her.

“You all better stop talking to me like I’m a common whore." She hisses. "Will and I are together, whether you like it or not.” She snaps, her pale face is red, and I giggle at how much it blends with her pink hair.

I pull Lucs arm, hoping someone can see reason.

“Won’t you stop him?” I ask him, watching as Jake shoves Will back. Was he really going to fight him??

“Why the f**k would I want to do that, huh?” He chuckles, “Cas, look. Think Will is finally gonna beat his ass.”

"About damn time."

I stand helpless and confused, how is everything escalating so quickly?

Will throws the first punch. The sickening crack of his knuckles meeting Jake's nose sets everything into slow motion. Blood spurts from his nose, and he groans before I see the rage in his green eyes. He lurches for Will, tackling him into the table that breaks under their weight. Wood splinters everywhere, and I scramble back to get out of the way.

Castien and Luc do the same, but they're attention remains on the fight. Will straddles him on the ground as he punches. A part of me, the part that can’t stand seeing someone abused wants me to look away, but I can’t. My head is stuck, my eyes won’t close. The sight of seeing the violent showdown should make me afraid, and I tell myself that i am.