by Mia Carson
I tried to lose myself in the movie until I saw the lights of a car pulling into the driveway. I sat up and said, “Be right back,” to Jen before walking downstairs. My dad and Emma were relaxing with wine in the den.
“Did Amy leave?” I asked.
“Yeah, she’s heading to the city,” Emma said.
“Fuck…” I grumbled to myself. She was going to the city by herself? It wasn’t entirely safe if you weren’t street smart, and besides, I wanted to be the first one to show her around. I needed time to think about what I was going to do. I also had to be back early to help Emma with the bed and breakfast. I was so overwhelmed. I had never been this worried about anyone or anything in my entire life.
I stormed back upstairs; Jen was curled up on my bed. “You gotta go. Family emergency.”
“What the fuck? Not fair. I feel like I just got here, and I can’t drive! Seriously, Ash.”
I looked around for money and shoved some twenties in her hands. “I’m sorry. Take a cab. It’s an emergency, really,” I replied.
She narrowed her eyes at me and got up. She put on her coat without looking at me. I could almost feel the anger radiating off of her.
“Fucking asshole,” she said as she left.
I would deal with her later, but for now, what was I going to do about Amy?
Amy
The hustle and bustle of Grand Central station was almost as huge as my excitement from just being there. This was the wonderful Grand Central Station I’d seen in movies and in advertisements. True to tale, it was very busy. Even on a weekend night, there were tons and tons of people. I felt like a fish out of water, looking around and trying to take everything in. A few men leered at me, but I was so used to creepy men by now.
“Gross,” I said, pulling my cardigan closer to myself.
I kept my head up, trying to look like a proud New Yorker. I’d read somewhere that you wouldn’t get harassed as much in the city if you looked like you knew where you were going, so I tried to. It didn’t seem to work. Everywhere I went, eyes followed me greedily. I must have looked like a lost puppy in a big, scary town.
I pulled up a navigational app in my phone, one that Gary had recommended to me for traveling throughout the city. I wanted to go to Times Square, for sure, but I would have to take the shuttle. I looked around for signs and found one that said ‘S, Shuttle to Times Square.’
“Bingo!” I cried excitedly. I took a picture of the sign and posted it to my social media profile, writing, Heading to Times Square for a good time! My first trip ever!
I hurried down the corridor to see a few waiting subways. People sat there, a lot of them dressed for nightlife. Some looked miserable, wearing work clothes. The excitement in the air was evident, and I was so looking forward to the night ahead. I almost forgot about Ash, but thoughts of him kept creeping up in the back of my mind.
The train ride was shorter than I expected. I got out, looking for the exit to Times Square. I followed a bunch of rushed tourists up the steps, trying to keep up with the fast New York City pace.
The lights of Times Square hit me head on. I squealed excitedly, trying to take in everything all at once. It was nearly impossible. There were animated signs flashing in neon lights and tall buildings draped in light and sound. I took a deep breath of the cool night air, feeling comforted by the mixture of heated wind rising from the subway and the cool splash of air in contrast.
Where to go? There were an endless number of places. I looked around, feeling so much like a tourist. I settled on a gift shop with tons of New York trinkets. Guiltily, I looked at Gary’s credit card. He did say he wanted me to be comfortable. I might as well reap some of the benefits of becoming a part of his family if I had to deal with all of the confusion, too.
I looked around the store, busy with tourists. I settled on an ‘I Love NYC’ mug since I drank a lot of coffee. I waited in line—a line that seemed endless—before paying for it and stashing it in my big, pink purse.
Sneaking into a bar here should be easy enough. I mean, I didn’t intend on getting trashed or anything. I didn’t like getting drunk, but I liked a small buzz. I could easily find a guy to get me a drink, and no one would be the wiser.
I settled on a low-key bar that looked not the least bit intimidating. It was out of the way, down one of the side streets. The bar was somewhat packed when I walked in, but it wasn’t a moment before I found a friendly man sitting by himself at one of the side tables near the bar. We made eye contact, and I waved at him. He looked around before waving back, inviting me to sit. This was almost too easy.
He was cute. Kinda older. Maybe late twenties? He smiled at me, revealing shining white teeth. He wore a dark blue suit… or was it black? I couldn’t really tell in the dim light in the bar. I could tell he had light blue eyes and dark hair. I didn’t normally go for older guys, but he was pretty dreamy. He’d be a fun guy to flirt with for the night, and perhaps he would buy me a drink.
I felt so grown up and important. Take that, Ash, I thought. I ignored the part of my brain that told me I had people his age as professors and that he might not be safe. The wild side of me always won over, and my resolve was dissolving because of my hurt.
I sat down and posted a status on my social media page, checking in to this exact location. I wanted everyone to know I was at a cool, trendy NYC bar. I made sure my mom and Gary couldn’t see the post. Only my other friends could. Even Ash could. I grinned mischievously to myself, imagining how jealous he would get.
I looked back at the bartenders, who were so busy getting people drinks that they didn’t notice me. There were no bouncers, which shocked me. Didn’t all NYC bars have bouncers? All the clichés about the city were being proven and disproven all at once.
I looked at the man who had smiled at me. “Hello,” he said, extending his hand. “I’m Robert.”
I smiled back at him and shook his hand. “Amy,” I said. “This is my first time here.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’m from San Fran.”
“Nice. Off from school, I’m presuming?” Robert asked with a wink.
I giggled. “Yeah. Luckily. The semester was dragging, and I’m excited to be here.”
He took a sip of his beer and paused before saying, “You should be. Greatest city in the world. I mean, it loses some of the charm when you’re working here, but it’s still great.”
I gasped. “You work here? That’s so cool!”
“Would you like a drink?”
I blushed, looking down and smiling. “Well, yeah. As long as you don’t mind that I’m only twenty. Soon to be twenty-one,” I informed him proudly.
“How scandalous. Hold on, there’s a way around this,” he said with a smile.
He got up and strutted over to the bar. My phone began ringing. My heart thudded in my chest as I saw the name: Ashton. I sent the call to voicemail, trying not to get too emotional again. The last thing I wanted to do was lose my composure in front of my new—and very cool—older friend.
He returned with a pink drink. The ice cubes bounced up and down, already melting a bit from the heat of the bar.
“What is that?” I asked.
“It’s a Malibu bay breeze. Good beginner drink. They’re too busy to notice it isn’t for me,” he said with a wink.
“Thanks, Robert.” I took the glass. It felt nice and cool beneath my fingertips. This was so exciting. I was having my first real drink at a bar, and I wasn’t even twenty-one yet. Ash was definitely rubbing off on me. I took a sip of the fruity drink, but I could definitely taste the alcohol. I coughed, not really used to it. He smiled at me, placing his hand under his chin.
“You really are new to things. What else are you new to?” he asked.
“Not as much as you think,” I said proudly.
“How many times have you done it?”
I laughed, totally embarrassed. I wasn’t sure if the drink was already hitting me or if the city was making me feel daring. “O
nce. Just this past weekend.”
“Oh. Bad girl. Did it feel good?”
Something inside me told me it was weird that he asked me that question so quickly. He seemed kind of frantic to get answers. I continued sipping on my drink, not answering his question.
“May I go to the bathroom?” I asked.
“This isn’t high school or college. You don’t have to ask,” he said, leering.
I smiled timidly at him and picked up my purse, making my way through the sea of people to find the bathroom. Maybe this was a bad idea. I finally found it. A couple of girls stood outside. One was crying, and the other was comforting her. Inside, the bathroom was a bit crowded. New York City was crowded everywhere, it seemed.
I entered one of the stalls and closed the door behind me, feeling safe now that I had some kind of barricade between myself and the outside world. I pulled out my phone and texted Sarah, feeling nervous and intimidated all at once.
Amy: New York is weird.
Sarah: How so?
Amy: Met this guy at the bar. He keeps asking me weird questions. I mean, he seems legit. He’s even wearing a suit!
Sarah: Ew. What a weirdo. Ditch him?
Amy: I’ll give him a chance, I guess. Maybe I can get another drink out of it. If nothing else, it’s way better than having to hear Ash making out.
Sarah: You HEARD them?
Amy: Yeah! He did it right next door in his room!
Sarah: What a scuzzbag. Seriously, thank God you can never be with him. He’s obviously a jerk anyway.
I read her words, and it hurt to see them. I knew she was right. He was a jerk. I locked my phone and sat on the toilet, listening to women going in and out, talking and cursing. I suddenly felt so young and cold, and a part of me wanted to go back to New Rochelle. The drink was starting to go to my head, and I felt a bit more brazen. I left the bathroom, but not before I applied some pink lip gloss.
I walked back to our table and tapped Robert on the shoulder. “Wanna dance?” I asked.
“Sure,” he said in a husky voice.
I polished off my drink. He didn’t try to stop me or protest. The lights of the bar were hot, and he guided me with his big, masculine body. I leaned into him as he began to dance with me gently, pulling my body close to his. He was very handsy!
I couldn’t believe it. I had only been in the city for an hour and had already met someone new, got a free drink, and I was dancing the night away. Maybe this night wouldn’t turn out so crappy after all. He pulled me closer as I continued to dance with him. I tried to pull away for some breathing room, but his mouth was suddenly all over my neck.
“Hey... gimme some room,” I said, still trying to sound as friendly as possible. He wouldn’t relent. He tried forcing his mouth on me. I pulled my head away.
He looked aggravated. I wanted to scream for help, but there were so many people around us. So many drunk, hazy people. The smoke of the bar and the bass nearly drowned me as he pulled me forcefully towards him. I started to cry, and I tried fighting him. Robert twisted my wrist a bit and forced me forward. He was dragging me out of the bar. Panic stricken, I tried even harder to get away from him. Before I knew it, he had me out the door. I couldn’t believe how quickly he had changed. His face now looked wild, almost evil.
“You’re not going anywhere, you slut,” he growled.
“Think again,” I heard a familiar voice call out.
The guy let go of my wrist and turned around. Ash promptly punched him in the face. The guy yelled out in pain. His mouth was bleeding.
“Hey, fuck you, man,” I heard Robert yell.
“Yeah, no thanks, asshole,” Ash yelled back.
“Ash!” I gasped. “Ash…How did you find me?”
He took me by the shoulders and led me to his car, which was parked right near the bar. “I saw your profile post. I got here as soon as soon as I could. What the hell were you thinking? The city is no place to go alone—the first time, anyway.” His face looked serious and urgent.
I got in his car, so grateful for its protection, and started crying hysterically. Everything that could have happened washed over me, and I knew I was lucky. He fastened my seat belt and pulled away at a high speed. I leaned back in my seat, still not used to his crazy city driving.
“You’re high. Why are you driving?” I asked indignantly.
“I’m not driving high,” he said. “I only had a puff before you walked in. By now, that shit has passed through me. You should know I wouldn’t put you at risk. I wish I could say the same for you,” he scolded.
“Why are you here anyway, huh? Aren’t you with that girl?”
He shook his head. “No, we are not together. And we only kissed, okay? Besides, you wanted this, not me.”
I laughed and almost sputtered in indignation. “I wanted this? I didn’t want this, but we don’t have much choice now, do we? Our parents are officially married. It’s final,” I said, tears streaming down my face.
Ash looked at me. “Ah, fuck, I always had a weak spot when girls cried. Here, I know what to do.”
We got on the closest highway and drove. It wasn’t long before he pulled off at an exit in front of a gas station. “Your mom told me you were comforted by coffee…So let’s get some,” he said with a warm smile.
I smiled a small, watery smile. “Okay.”
We got out, and he wrapped his coat around me. I felt so safe. The gas station was still busy at this time of night. The city was crazy. Everyone was always awake. I got my coffee and put some cream in it. Ash got himself some coffee, too. We sat in his car for a bit, sipping our drinks in the quiet.
“I’m sorry for everything that’s happened between us, but I am really so glad you’re okay,” he said, his voice low and concerned.
I looked at him shyly. “I’m sorry, too. I was trying to make you jealous, I guess,” I admitted.
“I was trying to forget about you, you know.”
“Really?” My heart soared with hope.
“Really. Now, let’s get home. It’s late, and I have to be at your mom’s bed and breakfast early tomorrow to fix something for the wedding ceremony,” he said.
The lights of the city faded as we rode home in his red Honda Civic. I felt so safe. I was so grateful he had found me before something terrible happened. I nodded in and out of sleep a few times. By the time we got back home, my buzz was gone. He looked awake and alert, too.
We got out of the car. The kitchen lights in the house were on, but the lights in our parents’ room were off, which probably meant they were asleep. He fumbled with the lock to the house, and I followed him in. We tried not to make any noise as we walked upstairs to his room. I followed him in, and he closed the door. I took a deep breath and moved to sit on his bed.
“Thank God tonight is over,” I said.
“Seriously. I’m glad you’re okay,” he said gently.
His body next to mine felt so right. My inhibitions relaxed, and I gently reached for his crotch, smashing my mouth into his. He stiffened, pulled back, and gently took my hands in his.
“You’re still a bit tipsy, I’d say. And you’re feeling vulnerable. We can’t do anything tonight.”
I wanted to cry in frustration because I wanted him so badly.
“I’ll tell you what, though,” he said. He scooped me up in his arms, and I let out a slight gasp of surprise. “I’m going to put you to bed.”
After gently removing my clothes, he placed me in the tub and ran the water in the bath. It poured out in gushes, filling the room with steam. He took my wash cloth and washed me gently with lavender soap. I closed my eyes, relishing in the safe, warm feeling, never wanting this moment to end. He wrapped a towel around me and helped me out of the tub. I felt so warm in his embrace. He dried me off, fumbled around in my drawer, and pulled out one of my t-shirts.
“Put this on,” he said.
I nodded and did as I was told. He left the room for a moment and came back
from the bathroom with a cup of water.
“Drink this. Not sure how much you drank, but I imagine even one drink could get you drunk.”
“You guessed right,” I joked. I took a sip of the water. I felt better almost instantly.
He pulled back my covers, and I crawled under them. “Goodnight,” he said, smoothing my hair.
Before he could leave, I pulled on his arm. “Stay,” I said.
He climbed slowly into bed beside me, and I fell asleep in his arms. All was right with the world, if only for tonight.
Ashton
My phone alarm went off. I groaned, fumbling to find it. I turned off the alarm and squinted in the morning light. I placed one of Amy’s pillows over my face to shield my eyes from the morning. Then it hit me: I was using one of Amy’s pillows. I was in bed with Amy, and I wasn’t even sure if her door was locked.
“Fuck,” I muttered.
Amy was snuggled peacefully against me. She looked so beautiful. I wished I could cuddle with her longer, but I had to get up to help her mom with the bed and breakfast.
I got slowly out of bed so as not to wake her. I looked at my phone and saw that I had several texts from Jen, who was still mad about last night. She really liked me, and I felt slightly bad that I had led her on. I looked back at Amy, who looked so safe and sound and perfect. I was so glad I got to her last night before anything bad happened. Jen would have to understand.
Family first, I thought to myself with a grim smile.
I walked through the door to our bathroom, closing her door behind me to afford her some privacy. I jumped in the shower and scrubbed some of the grime from last night off of me. I always felt so unclean next to Amy, who screamed purity and innocence. It was probably a good thing I could never be with her, for her sake, at least.
I threw on some beat-up jeans and one of my old work t-shirts and bounded down the stairs. Amy’s mother was waiting for me. For a moment, she looked a lot like Amy.
“You ready to get some work done today?” she asked.
