You Can't Save Me
Tommy and Leah continued their wobbly decent until they finally reached her door. The pair couldn't stop their fit of giggles. Leah leaned her back against the door as her fits subsided. She gave a sigh and smiled at him, mumbling incoherent apologies of his drenched coat as she handed it to him. Tommy shrugged it off and once again reached for her hand. He held it in one and gently stroked it with the other. Leah enjoyed the feeling of his coarse hands messaging her small, pale ones.
He brought her hand to his lips once again. He kissed the top of her hand, and then flipped it around to kiss her wrist, then twice more, going up forearm, stopping right below her elbow. Throughout the whole process, Tommy had slowly pulled her closer to him. Tommy stared into her eyes adoringly, and then moved to close the gap in between them.
Tommy's lips were dry but gentle. Leah accepted them. She could smell and taste hints of alcohol and cigarette, but she didn't care. She wanted to melt into him. And for a time, she did. She pushed herself against him, swinging both arms around his neck. Tommy held onto her, a caring, secure hold, and Leah felt safe.
However, she soon began to realize what was happening, and she knew what she could not do. She reluctantly pulled away from Tommy.
"Tommy…no…we can't." She mumbled breathlessly.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"We…we just can't. I can't. You don't want someone like me."
"How can I not want someone like you? Leah, you are different than any woman I've met. You are so much better than you give yourself credit for."
Leah finally pulled away completely, and openly snapped at him.
"You don't get it, do you? You have an opportunity to start a brand new life. You don't want someone like me around. I'm no good. I'm nothing more than a desolate street rat."
"It's all the more reason to stay with me. Leah, I don't know what it is, but I feel different when I'm around you. Stay with me, I promise nothing will happen to you."
"Tommy…" Leah looked away as a tear rolled down her cheek. Tommy went to wipe it away, but she flinched. "Don't, please don't."
"Leah, I know this probably sounds crazy, but you don't have to be alone in this world. Let me be here for you. Let me help you."
Leah's hand secretly reached for the doorknob.
"You can't save me." Leah whispered as she let herself into her room, closing the door in Tommy's face.
Leah locked the door and collapsed on her bed. She felt lost now, and truly alone. Tommy deserved better than her. He shouldn't have to suffer because of her. He deserved a good life, one she knew she could not give. Leah gripped her pillow and sobbed into it.
She wasn't sure if she was crying for herself, for Tommy, for her parents, or the fact that she had lost any chance that she had to feel love again.
Tears had dried against Leah's face as she awoke the next day. She had no idea what time it was, or how long she had slept, or cried.
There was a sudden banging on her door. Leah was about to ignore it when the banging continued. She literally crawled out of bed and slowly made her way to the door. She threw it opened and was met face to face with Officer Phillips.
"Why hello there street rat." Officer Phillips sneered. He grabbed her by her arm and dragged her down the hallway. Leah tried to struggle, but soon, gave up the fight. She had lost everything, what more could they take from her.
