Don't Turn Around

The band continued to play music for another hour or so, and in the meantime Leah and I decided to grab our third drink of the night. I told her that I would buy it for us and she went over to chat with some of the other guys that had showed up to meet her.

I leaned against the bar waiting for the bartender to serve me when I heard a cough come from behind me. I turned my head over my shoulder to see Ian standing there with a smirk on his face.

“Your ass looks good in that dress” he said in his raspy voice.

“Get lost” I said back, my heart freezing in my chest. My head began to spin, what was my ex boyfriend doing here of all places? This was bad, very bad.

His green eyes stared into mine and I swallowed hard, fighting back tears. Before I knew what I was doing, I was pushing through crowds of people to try and find the bathroom, tears threatening to spill from my eyes.

Where was the bathroom in this place, like really?! I found a back hallway thinking it might be there but no luck. I spun around, trying to figure out where I had ended up. The alcohol made my vision fuzzy and before I knew it I had tripped on my own foot. Preparing to hit the floor I surprised when I felt someone’s arms around me. Standing me up straight I recognized that it was the cute guitar player I’d locked eyes with earlier in the evening.

“Lost?” he asked, holding my arm to steady me.

All I could do was nod, “ I was trying to find the bathroom actually” I said wiping a tear from my cheek.

“How about I buy you a drink to make you forget whatever it is that’s making you cry?” he asked with a goofy smile, forcing me to giggle. I nodded my head in agreement and let him guide me back into the bar.

The sound of voices filled the air and once again we are surrounded by people. We walked in the direction of the bar trying to move past all of the people. Getting in line, the brown-eyed boy leaned closer to me so I could hear him over all of the noise.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“Sutton” I said smiling up at him, “How about you?”

“Nice to meet you Sutton, I’m Jack” he said excitedly, “Its so nice playing a show at a 21+ bar.”

“Why is that?” I ask curiously.

“Well usually we play for a bit of a younger crowd, we love them but it’s nice to get a break from the screaming girls and actually be able to hang out at the venue for a bit with people our own age.”

“ I have to admit, I remember you guys from a few years back, I didn’t know you were still around” I respond, enjoying how the conversation flowed easily between us.

“We’ll be around forever!” he cheered, and I laughed.

We continued on making small talk for a bit before Ian shoved his way through the crowd with an angry look on his face.

“Come on Sutton we’re leaving” he growled grabbing my arm. I tried to shake him free,

“Get off I’m not going anywhere with you!”

“Hey man lay off” Jack said, stepping between Ian and I.

“Who do you think you are?” Ian said, trying to intimidate him but he wasn’t as tall as Jack was.

“Get out of here Ian. You’re lucky I haven’t called the police. This violates your restraining order” I said angrily.

Ian couldn’t do anything but huff and storm off, disappearing into the crowd.

“Who was that?” Jack asked, turning around to face me.

I could feel the panic rising in my chest, and it must have been all over my face too.

“Whoah whoah its okay!” Jack soothed me, “You’re safe now.”

I took a deep breath and nodded, “I’m so sorry, that was my ex-boyfriend.”

“An ex-boyfriend with a restraining order eh? How much more trouble do you come with” Jack asked jokingly, shooting me a wink.

I couldn’t help my face falling a bit.

“I’m joking I swear” he said with another goofy smile, “Leave it to me to make you more upset than you were before.”

“No, no its me!” I said, nervous that he would take off.

Something about him was comforting and even if I didn’t know him I didn’t really want to be around anyone else.

“How about that drink then?” he said smiling. I nodded my head and gave him my sweetest smile.

My stomach filled with butterflies when he grabbed me by the hand and guided me closer to the bar. He bought us both a beer and we walked to a less crowded area with a tall table we could stand at.

“So where are you from?” he asked.

“Well my foster parents live in Connecticut, but I live in Baltimore now for school” I replied, taking a sip of my beer.

“I live here too” he smiled, “What are you going to school for?”

“Behavioural Neuroscience” I said sighing.

“You don’t sound too happy about it” he chuckled.

“Its just—“ I started but was cut off when the lead singer of the band appeared, definitely drunk and jumping on Jack.

“Whose this hottie?!” he slurred, grinning widely at me. I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m Sutton” I said, holding my hand out for a shake.

“Alex” he said grabbing my and kissing the top, “ did you enjoy the show?”

“You guys were great” I responded looking at Jack and smiling.

“SUTTON!” Leah squealed when she noticed who I was standing with. She ran up, her cheeks flushed from the alcohol. She wobbled a little bit and Alex steadied her.

“Hi I’m Leah” she said, smiling and sweeping the blonde hair out of her face. She looked gorgeous if I was being honest, and who could resist the hot blonde. My self esteem took a bit of a hit as it always did when Leah entered a group of boys.

“Jack!” Jack said, grinning.

“I’m Alex, and you’re beautiful” Alex said, shaking her hand.

I laughed, and turned to see that Jack was laughing too.

“I see you’ve met my best friend Sutton” Leah exclaimed, “I finally convinced her to have fun with me tonight” she said, giggling and twirling a piece of my long hair in her fingers.

“Well I think we could use some more fun” Alex said, waving a waiter over and ordering 2 rounds of Jagger bombs.

Two Jagger bombs, and another beer later and I was hammered. The room was spinning but I was having so much fun. Leah left early when she started to feel sick, but Alex Jack and I stayed out late and wound up at Jacks house playing video games somehow.

After schooling both of them in a round of Super Smash Brothers I flopped down onto Jack’s fluffy couch. I could feel my eyelids getting heavy.

***

When I opened my eyes I was immediately startled, not recognizing my surroundings. I was lying in a huge bed that was so gushy I was sunken right in, I felt like a baby in a King sized bed. It smelled distinctly of boy, but the sheets were so soft I didn't want to move. I sat up, I was still in my dress from last night and I could tell my hair was a tangled mess. Immediately I felt the ache building up in my head and I groaned. Just then Jack poked is head in the door, smiling,

"How you feeling?" he asked, walking in and plopping down on the bed beside me.

"Confused! You should have made me go home last night, I didn't mean to crash!" I laughed.

"Don't worry about it, you looked like a sleeping baby and I didn't want to wake you." he responded, smiling.

"How did you get me up here anyway? And is this your bed? I feel so bad!"

"You don't weigh very much" he laughed, "and yeah but its fine, I'm used to sleeping on a tour bus so the couch was heaven for me. Do you want some food or anything?"

"Actually I would love some advil if you have it" I said, rubbing my temples.

"Come on then" he said, getting up from the bed and throwing me one of his hoodies and a crooked smile.

"You're a lifesaver" I said pulling the sweater on and following him out of the room down the stairs.

Passing the living room I noticed that Alex was passed out on one of the couches, looks like he didn't get far either. Jack handed me two advil and poured us both a tall glass of water. Leaning up against the counter, I looked around,

"You have a nice place" I said.

"Thanks! You're welcome to hang out for a bit and watch a movie if you want, I've got nothing going on today" he said smiling.

"I would but I have to work this afternoon" I said frowning.

"Where do you work?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"Just Starbucks" I said, laughing.

"Give me your phone" he said, a smile playing at his lips.

I handed it over and he started going though my contacts. I figured he was just putting his number in it so I could meet up with him another time, but I was suprised when he lifted it to his ear waiting for someone to answer.

"Yes hello this is Sutton's father calling on behalf of her, I'm sorry to have to make this call but Sutton won't be able to come into work today, she's very ill and I'm worried about her." he said, lowering his voice totally pulling off the dad tone.

"Thanks so much....I'll tell her that... bye now" he finished before hanging up.

My mouth hung open wide but I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"What was that?" I asked in amazement.

"They said they hope you're feeling better soon" he replied with the silliest grin.

"Jack!"

"So what will it be pretty lady? Jurassic Park or Home Alone?"