The events of the night before played like a broken record in my mind as I leaned up against the take out counter, drumming my fingers unconsciously as I waited for the food. Those were Ace's friends for sure. What did they want from that poor guy?
Morty hit the little bell next to the grill, jogging me out of my thoughts to grab the to-go ready meals. I skated over to a parked punch buggy and handed off the food. The driver quickly paid me then was off; I expected another car to take the buggy's place but instead, another human was standing there. A blue-haired human.
I nearly tipped over on my skates when I saw 2D standing there. He smiled nonchalantly and rolled right up to me.
"So this is where you work, huh?"
My mouth was still on the ground. It took me a minute to reply; "Uh, yeah— yup. It's quite…." I looked around at my surroundings. "..the shithole."
My cheeks lit up in hot blush. I couldn't believe he was here! Suddenly however, I remembered last night and a saddened frown grew on my face. "About last night, I'm really sorry I didn't make it in time. I was looking forward to seeing you— you guys, again."
2D nodded and placed his hands in his back pockets. "It's fine. Ace told me." Right then he lifted up his leg to show me his skate. "Can I skate around with you again? I know this is your work but I wouldn't be—"
"Yes." The reply tumbled out. I didn't care if I got in trouble. Finally, I'd be having some actual fun at work and a friend to keep me company. "Obviously I still have to deliver meals but you can just follow me around. Mr. Soretto barely leaves his office so I think we'll be fine anyway." I grinned.
2D grinned back and rolled a circle around me before stopping by my side, holding an arm out for me to link with. We skated to and fro from the pickup box to the awaiting cars for what seemed like hours, sometimes doing little circles and twists in between. I had no idea why he would ever want to do this with me. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed his company. Those white eyes were filled with so much happiness it radiated right into my aura.
"Hey 2D, can I ask you a question?" I asked, finally able to muster up some words after a long while of silence.
"Lemme check—" he paused as if double checking with himself then said, "Yeah you can ask me a question."
I blushed slightly. "Why are you here? Like… with me? Doing this?" The question was weird but I was curious. I mean, given who he was, I was just some random average girl. And he had a super awesome band. Wouldn't he have millions of friends and fans already?
2D paused momentarily, as we were currently skating figure 8's together, in order to really think about the question. Then he replied, "Well, we're always busy, ya know? On the road with tours and the like. But this summer we're staying in Los Angeles. So, I was thinkin' to me-self, why don't I try to make friends for once? I'm gonna be here for a while, might as well." He gave a small shrug before his eyes wandered to mine. I could see him blushing softly as well. "You seemed cool. At the party." 2D trailed off after that, and I could tell he was suddenly having trouble trying to find the right words to explain further, but I understood. I understood how it felt to not have a lot of friends, but I was fortunate to have Melanie.
I rolled closer to the blue haired singer, instantly noting that he smelled delightfully of peppermint, and held out my hand. He was hesitant but placed his on top of mine. We interlocked fingers and I pulled him to roll around with me in a bigger figure 8.
"You're cool too, 2D." I replied in a soft voice.
He glanced at me with those apprehensive yet delighted eyes and grew a small sweet smile. We were able to roll around a bit longer until we were interrupted with a blaring car horn. I glanced behind my shoulder to see an unattended, impatient Corvette Stingray waiting to get waited on. Usually there was another waitress on duty to be in charge of cars parked on the left side of the lot, but no one was there. She must have stepped out for a moment.
"I gotta take this." I told 2D before quickly skating over to the car. However, the closer I got, dread overcame me. It was that annoying flirt with the flaming hair from last week.
He was such a creep! Oh god, please don't be creepy again, please don't be cree—
"Hi! I'm sorry about the wait, can I take your order?" I asked with a fake grin and cheery voice.
The guy leaned closer into his open window and a sly grin slid onto his face. "Well hello again, baby. I wouldn't have honked so rudely if I knew you were coming."
I simply gave him a silent smile. I held my pen and pad out higher in front of me so that maybe he'd get the hint to just order.
"You're like the best waitress here." He went on, half hanging out of his car now. He was practically drooling. "And the most beautiful. You're the only reason I come back to this joint, you know."
"Oh, you're so kind," I replied through closed teeth. "Is there anything you'd like to order today?"
The guy glanced towards the menu plastered on the column adjacent to the car before looking back towards me— or rather, my boobs. "I'll have the vanilla milkshake."
Kill me now, kill me now! Oh god, I wanted to hurl. This guy was such a scumbag! After making note of the order, I quickly skated away, casually covering my butt with the notepad so he wouldn't be able to relish my behind view. I gave the order to Morty then reunited with 2D again.
"What's a matter?" He asked, noting my distressed expression. His thick eyebrows knitted together in concern.
"That guy I just waited on is the definition of sexual harassment." I muttered, gesturing in the direction of the Corvette with my head.
He casually glanced over to see with narrowed eyes and frowned. "Looks like a no-gooder."
I slowly hid behind 2D's frame when I noticed that the guy was looking towards my direction now. He was talking on the phone with a smile on his face. I couldn't help but perceive that he was talking about me.
"Can't you get someone else to wait on 'em?" 2D asked.
"I would but she's not here right now." I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest.
Suddenly, Morty rung his bell and served up the vanilla milkshake. I inwardly groaned, leaving 2D's side to retrieve it. However, when I turned around to bring it to the guy, he had managed to speedily creep up towards the pickup building.
He placed the car in park and hung out of the window again, this time way closer to me than I wanted. I was so shocked that he had moved his car I almost dropped the shake all over my feet.
"You didn't need to drive up to the pickup window." I said, handing him the milkshake in exchange for money.
"I thought I'd be generous and save you the trip." He replied, licking his lips as he ogled at me. "And besides, I wanted to ask you a personal question…" As he spoke he reached out and ran a finger down the side of my arm. I nearly died at his touch, instantly trying to jump back but he managed to grab my wrist.
2D was watching the whole thing on the side, but when the guy grabbed me, he shot forward and stood in front of me. "'Ey sod off!"
I kept my eyes trained on the assailant, but I couldn't help but to catch a glimpse at 2D's angered expression— and his black eyes. The creep let go of his grip on me which was a relief but then something worse happened. He got out of his car.
"I don't know what 'sod' means but I'm guessing it's not something I'd like." He replied in a deadly tone.
"Just leave her alone." The blue-haired singer took another protective step in front of me.
The creep just chuckled. "Listen I'm not gonna let some sissy Brit prevent me from getting what I want. Now move your ass."
When 2D stood his ground, the Asian guy grew impatient with a growl, lunging forward in order to try to grab me again. However, without thinking of the consequences, I flung the entirety of the milkshake at him; the sweet dairy drink drenched his clothes and clung to his shocked face allowing a quick 2D to advance, swinging a speedy fist right to his jaw. The guy stumbled backward in pain, but then took a blind lurch forward to attack 2D. The singer was able to duck away from an oncoming punch, but he was unfortunate the second time around and a fist landed straight into his gut. I screamed, watching my friend crumble onto the pavement.
The creep finally wiped his face of the milky drink and proceeded to target 2D, decking him right in the face for good measure. I couldn't take this anymore. I couldn't let my friend get pummeled, and I sure as hell wasn't going to run away like a coward. So I did what my gut told me to do— I kicked him in the balls.
"You got any manners?" The creep growled at me, instantly setting his vicious eyes towards me. Unfortunately, my moment wasn't as heroic as I thought because I kicked at an angle (he was hunched over 2D's limp body) and missed the bullseye. The creep suddenly yanked my skirt and caught me in his arms. But before I had time to react, we were both startled by the close and extremely loud rev of a car engine. We both looked over to see a black Challenger creep up extremely close before parking. The tinted window rolled down.
"Hey, fucko!" A New York accent arose, "What do you think you're doin'?"
The creep winced but limped over to the open window dragging me along. "Who the fuck are you callin' fucko?"
Ace sat there in the car with his sunglasses on like always. I didn't know if I felt frightened or relieved to see him.
"Is that any way to treat a lady?" He asked in an innocent voice, raising an eyebrow.
"Look here bud—" the creep began, placing his hand on the car in the spot where the window would be.
"No touchy." Ace suddenly interrupted voice like poison. Ace slipped off his glasses, revealing an infuriated glare. But the creep guy ignored him, continuing on.
"—I don't care who you think you are, but this is my girlfriend. And that guy over there was trying to harass her—"
Um, excuse me?!
"Are you deaf?" Ace raised his voice, "Don't touch my fuckin' car!"
The creep paused in his liefest and rolled his eyes with a chuckle. "Dude, it's just a—"
But that was it. Out of nowhere, Ace flipped up a pocket knife and stabbed it through the guy's hand, impaling it like butter. The creep let out a painful screech, letting go of me in the process.
Ace quickly turned to me, voice commanding. "Get in the car."
I didn't question him; I flung open the back door and threw myself in. I watched in utter shock as Ace yanked out the knife, allowing the guy to stumble towards the ground away from the car. Then he got out, towering over the guy.
"Don't ever touch her again. Don't ever talk to her again. If I see you anywhere near her I will kill you. Understand meathead?"
When the creep didn't reply, Ace leaned down and punched him right in the face. "Understand?!" He repeated louder.
The guy nodded and began to crawl towards his own car. Ace let him go and went over to pick up 2D who was still laying on the floor. He dragged him all the way to the car, lifting him into the backseat beside me, then got into the car himself.
Everyone was quiet as we drove away.
I had no idea where Ace was taking us but I didn't want to speak up and ask. I was still in shock over the whole situation. I thought 2D was unconscious, but when I glanced over at him, he huddled up into a ball and leaned his head on the window. His black eyes stayed glued to the floor. His bloody nose continued to trickle out but he didn't seem to care. Feeling a pang of guilt, I reached over and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. I was the reason this all happened. 2D didn't deserve to get beat up, he was just trying to have a nice day making friends.
He twitched slightly upon my touch, but when he glimpsed over he forced a small smile. "I'll be okay."
Ace's perturbed eyes graced the rear view mirror. "Are ya sure about that 'D?" His voice was laced with subtle concern, but I could tell he was trying not to show it. "Damn asshole," he continued in a burst of anger, "I hope his wound gets infected."
"Don't say that." 2D muttered, reaching up to grip the bridge of his throbbing nose.
"Um, where are you taking us?" I finally spoke up, leaning closer to the driver's seat in front of me.
"The studio." Ace replied pointedly like it was the obvious answer.
Oh okay.
"Shouldn't we go to the police?" I replied in the same tone. I wanted to file a report against that man. Like hell I was going to let that happen again.
"The police?" Ace snorted and was about to say something preferably snarky, but then paused for a moment. "Alright."
He didn't seem too happy about it, but it was the right thing to do.
I kept a watchful and concerned eye on 2D until we arrived at the police department.
"Go in, love. Dont'cha worry 'bout me." 2D muttered with a lazy wave of his hand.
I frowned at that but gave a curt nod. "I'll try to make it quick." I patted his hand then exited the Challenger. It was then when Ace killed the engine and got out as well.
"Fuck, I don't mesh well with the Fuzz, but someone's gotta back yous up."
Wow, jerkface Ace was really stepping up to the plate how sweet. I wonder how long that will last.
The whole ordeal with the police went quite well actually. They ended up calling my boss and pretty much whooped his ass for not noticing the incident. Then told him to implement better security standards for the drive in. Maybe my shitty job won't be as shitty anymore.
Unfortunately, we were there for about an hour and a half (which I was told wasn't bad at all considering), So Ace had to make frequent checks to 2D in the parking lot.
But inside, sitting in a bright orange scratchy chair, Ace held the most unsettling resting bitch face I had ever seen, and his glossy eyes jittered all around. His long nails clicked on the counter in an irritable fashion as well. When the cop began questioning him for me, the bassist replied in short, curt answers— and the nail tapping grew worse. He omitted the entire part about stabbing the creep with his switchblade. Good thing I hadn't mentioned that part already.
When it was time to go, Ace surprised me when he crept up to the front desk on our way out to ask a question. I couldn't hear him too well, as he was hunched over the entire counter, but I did make out the name "Murdoc Niccals". The name seemed vaguely familiar but I couldn't place it at the moment. My mind was too preoccupied with the thoughts of getting back to 2D.
"Okay now we go home." Ace announced happily once we pilled back into the car. But before zooming away, with a grin that split his face from ear to ear, he held up something quite random— a pink frosted doughnut. "I stole the secretary bitch's doughnut. And a twenty dollar bill."