Finding Love

Chapter 2

I woke up with his arms around me, everything was almost perfect. “Why didn’t you tell me about Natalie?” “Ah, Dylan told you, my secret. I do not like talking about it, that was a long time ago. You have nothing to fear, my angel.” “I still wish you would have told me, I missed you so much. Any news on Jim?” “No trace yet, would you like to come with me tomorrow?” “I would love too, but…” “But what if we found Jim?” “I no longer have feelings for him, but what would I say to him? Hey, sorry I love Erick now. He would have wanted me to leave him where he is now.” “I understand that, still come with me.” “Okay, fine” “Tonight we are celebrating though.” “What are we celebrating?” “Us.” “Um okay, bring the wine.” “Classy, I like it. Wear something cute, Nat’s closet is filled with dresses, we are going to a party so you can meet my friends.” I walk to the room that has her name engraved into the door. I see her closet as if nothing has changed. I found a dress that Erick would love. It was red with a diamond set in the middle. The skirt was filled with sparkles, and it was short. I changed into the dress and fixed my hair, after that I had done my makeup. I never looked so good before, Erick was special, he was different.

            I followed the music to the doors that filled with people. The girls in dresses and the guys wore tuxedos. It was like the prom I have never received. I see Erick by the bar, talking to Dylan. Erick was getting a drink, Dylan dropped his jaw, staring at me. “Dude, what is the matter with you?” Erick turned around and saw me standing behind him. “I hope this is okay.” “WOW! You look, um, stunning.” “Thank you, I was hoping for a good reaction, but that was priceless.” “Hey Marcus, let us get a round? Tequila please?” “I thought I said wine?” “You did, but we will get there later.” After ten shots, I realized I was obliviated. I could not see straight. I was worried, now that I was not sober, what would I do?

            “Erick, can we go? I want to lie down.” “Of course, my queen, we can do whatever you please.” We stumbled to the room, when Erick opened the door, I saw candles and rose petals. It was like a dream. “Erick what is all of this?” “Hush my love, come.” I followed him to the bed. There was a bottle of red wine sitting in a bucket of ice, and the bed was filled with rose petals. He popped the wine and poured us each a glass. “I haven’t known you long, but I have to tell you this one thing.” “Okay, what is it baby?” “Alex, I love you.” I stood there, grasping what was just said, he loves me. “I love you too, Erick, I will always love you.” “I was so scared to tell you those words, every time I say that to someone, they leave me.” He had tears running down his face. Dylan comes in. “Sir, the chief needs you.” Erick leaves us, Dylan seemed off, something was wrong with him. “Are you okay, Dylan?” He locked the door and walks towards me; I can feel his breath. He was just as drunk as I. “Dylan, stop. What are you doing?” He pushed me on the bed and would not let me go. “Do not scream, do not try to get away. I want to feel what Erick feels, I deserve it as much as him.” Dylan puts his hands on my mouth and lifts my dress up. I already knew what he was doing, I was crying. I heard Erick at the door, so I screamed as loud as I could, knowing my scream was muffled. “Alex? Are you okay? Unlock this door at once.” Now Dylan was inside of me, he knew Erick was my first, I was still tight. Erick broke the door off his hinges, he must have heard what was happening. He looked horrified, I managed to kick Dylan away from me. “Dylan, how could you. This is my girlfriend, of all people. There were many whores who would have offered up to you. Why Alex?” “Oh, shut it. You get every girl who walks in here, never even thinking of me. Am I not your best friend?” “Dylan, stop and go to bed. Just please leave us, I will give you any other girl, just not her.” “Wow, man, you used to share Natalie with me, not Alex. What is so damn special about her? Is she so fragile that you can’t even offer her?” My mind was racing, I wanted Jim back, he never would have let any of this happen. Erick punched Dylan hard, enough to make him black out.

            “What the f**k Erick? I want to find Jim tomorrow and I am going home; we are done. I will never be the same ever because of you.” The tears were racing, I could not breathe. Erick held me, even though I was mad, I was still drunk. When he held me, I felt so safe, I was disgusted with myself. How could I let this happen? I wanted to die. “Alex, please, I love you, I love you more than I loved Natalie. I have no clue what is so different about you, please stay with me.” He was crying too; we held each other and fell asleep in the bed. As I woke up, I remembered the night before. I was r***d. I ran to the bathroom and threw up the remaining alcohol in my stomach. I failed to realize both guys had left already. When I went to the bed, I saw a note, written by Erick. The note read:

                                    Babe, I had to leave in a hurry. I am terribly sorry about last night, give me the chance to explain? Dylan is sitting behind bars for what he did to you. He had no right to lie to me, and no right to tell my story. I want you to know the real me. I hope to see you tonight, I love you now and forever, Erick.

            I had no clue what was going on, I wanted to leave so bad. My heart told me to stay put. I walked to the jail where Dylan now was. Maybe if I got closure, I would be okay. “State your business lady.” I want to speak with Dylan, I was the one he r***d last night.” “Okay third cell on the right.” I walked to the end of the jail; he was finally sober. “Hello, Dylan.” “I am so sorry Alex; I was not in control last night” “That’s all I wanted to hear.” “Why did you come?” “I wanted to see if that was really you last night. On my walk here, I realized you have been trying to make a move on me since I have arrived here. Why?” “Why? Look at you, you are a model.” “Oh, I get it, you are just a dog?” “No, I am not, every single time he gets the hot girl. I wanted one for once. Is that too much to ask?” “Well, when you r**e someone, kind of.” “Okay, I should have asked first.” We both shared a laugh. It was nice, I needed a friend right in this moment. “I need to get back to Erick, he will be wondering where I am.” “I understand.” I walk home with a pit in my stomach, something was up. “Alex, we have been looking for you all day, Erick is hurt bad. He has been asking for you.” I ran up to the room, I grabbed his hand. “Erick? I am here, what happened to you?” “There was a guy out there, rescued to soon by the aliens, he shot me.” My beloved Jim was shot. I must go out there. “Where was this? Tell me now, I demand you to tell me.” “No, he will shoot you too. Please stay by my side.” I grew angry and snatched to papers from his bag. I knew the location, and I never even hesitated. I ran to Jim as fast as I could. I saw him, it was not far from base, but he was there. “Jim, it is me, Alex. Come to me.” “Alex? No, go away. I will hurt you; I have no control over this body anymore.” “Jim, you are my lifelong friend, I will save you. Please come, come home.” “Alex, I know you love Erick, just be with him, be happy.” “How do you know that?” “I know him, I worked with him after college. I also know when he finds something or someone who makes him happy, you do. He loves you. Alex please, we never had that. Go to him before it is too late.” I cry again, my body is numb, what do I do? “Alex, I never loved you.” That was it, the icing on the cake, I fell to my knees. Let him kill me now, he already has. I start to see images, memories, Erick. “What are you doing to me?” “I am showing you the truth, Alex.” I finally had the strength to get up, I was so mad. The rage consumed me; my darkest desires laid there. I shot Jim.