Title: Cuts Like A Knife
Author: Stress
First written: May 12, 2002
Edited and replaced: January 21, 2005
Summary: Part I of the Soul Mates Series; She thought that life couldn't get any better. She had friends and a family that loved her – she was taken care of and had no complaints. But that was before he came into her life. And, no matter how hard she tries to escape his grasp, he'll never let her go.
Later that Day
Jess was getting nervous. She had long since sold all of her papers, yet Spindle still insisted that she stayed with her until she left to see Rip that night. Yet, except for telling her that they should stay together, Spindle hadn't said anything to her at all. Jess decided to break the silence. "So, Spindle, how long have you known Rip?"
Spindle looked over at her, and, for the first time since Jess had known Spindle, smiled. "I've known Rip for two years now. I used to visit him in Harlem all the time and I'm so happy that he's going to be living here in Queens now," she said dreamily. The dreamy gaze lasted only seconds when Spindle grew rigid and stopped in her tracks. "Now, Jess, I'm glad that you're going to be part of our newsie gang but I got to tell you the number one now that you're a member. Another gal's man is off limits, especially the leader's guy. Ya understand me? Otherwise I'm going to have to kill ya, " she said, her emerald eyes boring a hole through Jess's green and gold ones, indicating that she was not joking.
"Sure, Spindle. That's no problem for me. I don't want none of your guys, 'specially Rip. I know that he's off limits." Jess said, confused at the look Spindle was giving her. Even though she had noticed the way Rip was acting around her that morning, Jess didn't think Spindle had anything to worry about.
Spindle, on the other hand, thought she did and was relieved when Jess answered her. "OK, well I got to go meet Rip down at the boy's lodging house about now, so I'll see ya early at the center tomorrow morning to carry the banner."
"Right, to carry the banner!" Jess replied, glad to be able to go back to the O'Connor's. She was genuinely puzzled about the day's events. As she made a left to get to the O'Connor's faster, she lost sight of Spindle as she sped off into the other direction, heading to the location of the boys' lodging house to see her guy. Continuing down the street, by herself, Jess started to think out loud about what Spindle might have been worried about. "Obviously she thinks that dear might be something between me and Rip, but I don't see how that could be. I mean, I just met the guy today. That ain't hardly enough time for Spindle to get jealous over."
"What, you don't believe in love at first sight, Miss Jess?" a vaguely familiar voice called out from directly behind Jess.
Jess stopped dead in her tracks and spun around. Like she thought, there was Rip, leaning against a brick wall, smoking a cigarette. "What are ya doing here? Spindle just left to meet you down at the boys' lodging house."
Taking one last drag of his cigarette, Rip tossed it on the ground and blew the smoke directly in Jess's face. "I know, but I rather talk to you right now, Miss Jess." He looked her up and down, taking in her blouse and skirt, and smiling appreciatively. "So what is a classy dame like you doing hanging around a bunch of street rats like us?" he asked walking up so that he was standing right next to her.
Jess, taken aback by his closeness, started to back away. As she shook her head in defiance, she answered his question. " I ain't no classy dame. I just got two guardians who work their bums off so that I got nice clothes to wear. They think that the suckers would rather buy papes from a nicely dressed girl instead of a dirty one."
Rip laughed huskily as he pressed closer to her. "Well, I happen to think you're a lot classier than some girls. And a lot prettier than some others," he whispered directly to her.
Jess was getting quite uncomfortable. "This is the leader's guy right here. Unless you want to die, get outta this situation, now!" she told herself as she fought down the urge to panic.
Rip, seeing her go tense, lifted his hand and stroked her cheek. "What do you say we go somewhere where we can get to know each other a little better, eh, Miss Jess?" he asked as he backed her into a wall with an arm on each side of her, staring straight into her eyes, awaiting her answer.
Jess definitely knew that something was wrong. "But, Rip, what about Spindle?" she asked shyly, trying to get out from under his arms without him realizing that was what she was doing.
Rip shook his head as he chuckled, but kept her pinned against the wall. "Sure, she was fun for awhile, but I'm out looking for someone new. That's why I came here to Queens. And, lucky me, I already found me new girl on me first day in the city. Can ya believe that?"
Jess, praying that he didn't mean her, asked, "Oh, really, do I know her?"
Rip leaned forward and kissed her gently square on the lips. "Does that answer your question? What do you say, Miss Jess? Will ya be me new girl?"
Jess paled. As Rip stood in front of her, pressing himself against her body, she thought about how to get out of the situation. It looked hopeless. All she wanted was to get home and forget about Rip and Spindle.
When Jess didn't answer him right away, Rip grew angry. "Jess, that really wasn't a yes or no question. Maybe you need a little something extra to make up your mind," he said, quite loudly, as he grabbed her forcefully and kissed her. It wasn't a gentle kiss but a rough one that told Jess she was in trouble no matter what. Either Spindle would hurt her for kissing her boyfriend or Rip would hurt her for not consenting to be his new girlfriend.
When Rip finally broke this kiss, he glared straight at Jess, daring her to refuse him. Fortunately for Jess, he had stopped pinning her against the wall. Before he could do anything, Jess swerved around him and took off running for the O'Connor's apartment.
Rip laughed hollowly as he watched his prospective new girlfriend run, her lovely locks floating behind her as she sped away from him. She would learn soon enough that she wouldn't be able to run from him. She would know that Rip always got what he wanted and right now he wanted Jess. "Mark my words, Miss Jess, you will be mine. Whether you are willing to be or not!"