A/N: So I know this is looong overdue! But it's finally here! Eternal thanks to EvelynMM for not only giving the much needed motivation to not drop this story, but helping me develop it even more. Without further ado...
"It'll be fun. Besides everyone's going..."
"Are you trying to invoke the delicate art of peer pressure?" Lux, asked with a raised eyebrow, wondering if Tasha honestly thought Lux could be swayed like that. Tasha had just invited Lux to a frat party she had scored invites for. "Besides why don't you just go with Jones?" Tasha rolled her eyes and then draped her arm around Lux's shoulder.
"He's got family stuff this weekend. C'mon, Lux please," she begged, dragging her words. "Don't you want to go? We'll drink bad beer and watch the sorority sluts get crazy drunk. You used to love that." It was true. They always had a fun time making fun of pathetic sorority girls. It was conflicting. Of course she wanted to spend time with Tasha, but this was the first weekend she and Eric were really going to spend together and have an official type of date. Or at least Lux was hoping for a real date.
"It's not that I don't want to go...because I do. It's just that it's kind of short notice-"
"You already have illegal plans with a certain teacher," Tasha interrupted. Lux looked at Tasha strangely.
"Whoa, hold on. You said you were cool with all of this." Tasha took her arm off of Lux's shoulder. She leaned against the locker and sighed deeply.
"Maybe I lied. Maybe I've had some time to think about how messed up this is."
"Are you kidding me? The only thing even remotely wrong about this is our age and I don't think it's a big deal."
"He's not good for you. I mean for Christ's sake Lux, you met him in a bar..." It took all of Lux's strength not to slap Tasha across the face.
"Don't talk shit about stuff you don't know. About people you don't know. Because you don't know him Tasha."
"Yeah? Well you don't really know him either." Tasha shook her head and walked away from the conversation. Lux turned on her heel and headed in the opposite direction. Both were happy to be released from the conversation. Lux was almost grateful that Tasha stomped off before she said something she really couldn't take back. Ughhh! Lux silently screamed in her head. She was furious with Tasha. Fortunately enough, she had a free period right now and it was study time with Eric.
As she walked into a vacant classroom and saw him sitting at the desk, she wondered if her heart would ever not skip a beat when she saw him. If she would ever be able to resist smiling in return when he grinned at her. Then she wondered how long before he wouldn't be excited when she walked into a room. That thought, she pushed deep down. Far enough away where it wouldn't bother her for a while.
"I'd say good morning, but you looked pissed and I don't want to provoke you," he greeted her, trying to hide his smirk. Lux rolled her eyes and plopped down into one of the desks in the first row. "What happened, Eeyore?" Eric asked softly.
"Minor squabble with Tasha. No biggie." Lux picked at the nail polish on her thumb. Because it was a big deal. Tasha was her best friend. She wanted more than anything for her best friend to at least approve of her boyfriend. "What's that?" Lux nodded towards the papers Eric was holding, trying to change the subject.
"Just a certain test. You may remember it vaguely. English midterm?"
"Shut up," Lux laughed. It was only the biggest exam she had encountered yet. Eric stood from the chair and perched against the front of the desk, in subtle attempt to get closer to Lux.
"You know how proud I am of you, right?"
"Yeah?" Lux asked, looking up at him.
"Oh, yeah," he replied and kicked her foot slightly with his. "I like your shoes." He remarked, looking down at her purple converse sneakers.
"Thanks," she replied, slightly cheered. "Too bad you have wear such professorial kicks." He nodded in agreement. "So you're proud, huh?" Lux asked again. He smiled and nodded his head, yes. "How proud?" she asked.
"Very. Why?" Eric wondered where this was leading.
"Oh nothing, I don't know. Proud enough to take me on a real date?" She asked loftily as if it didn't matter to her either way.
"What did you have in mind?" He asked.
"Oh you know. Skydiving, matching tattoos...you know a normal date."
"I could be down with matching tattoos...probably not skydiving though. There's always that pesky risk of death and all..." Lux was elated. They had a date.
"Alright, Friday night around-"
"I can't do Friday," Eric interjected, moving quickly back to his chair behind the desk.
"That's fine, how about Saturday?" Eric sighed. What was he supposed to say? He could't just give her some lame excuse. It wouldn't be true. With everything going on in his life, it was hard keeping the lies to a minimum. But he didn't want to lie to her. He just couldn't tell her the truth. It wasn't her burden to share by any means. It was better to keep her distant.
"Actually I can't do this weekend. I'm sorry I didn't realize you were talking about this weekend." He seemed to be repeating himself. "But next week absolut-"
"Fine. Whatever." Lux said, cutting him off. She was upset, but she didn't want to let on just how miserable this made her. It took all of her willpower not to outright ask him what he was so busy with that he couldn't go out on a date with her. Unless he was embarrassed of her. Or too scared to be in public with her. But they could go somewhere else. It was extremely aggravating not to know. It's never easy. It's never going to be easy.
"Hey, It's not fine," Eric came back around and sat in the desk next to Lux. He took her hand gently. "Why don't we have coffee after school at the place we were supposed to meet that time? We can plan what we want to do on our date next week."
"You won't bail on coffee?" She asked, only slightly appeased. Eric shook his head. "Will you tell me what you're doing this weekend?" But she knew by his face that he would not tell her. She changed the topic back to coffee. He promised to meet her there after school. As Lux walked out of the classroom, she wasn't sure what to think. She was happy for coffee, but couldn't shake the feeling that he was trying to make her forget about this weekend. She was hurt that he won't tell her what's going on. He knows so much about me. About my past. Did he think she couldn't be trusted? Or did he really have something to hide?
Later that day Lux watched a couple sitting at the table across the room in the small coffee shop. She noticed the way the girl smiled at the right times. The way he took her hand. A slight pang of jealously went through her. It must be nice, Lux thought. But it took her totally off guard. Because she was happy. Happy with Eric. What did she have to be jealous of? As Lux flipped through her notebook, she couldn't resist sneaking another peek at the adoring couple. The two were deep in conversation. The girl reached over and wiped something off the man's lip and then started laughing.
"Sugar?"
It was obvious that the couple were in love. Was that why she was jealous? It couldn't be the love issue.
"Do you want sugar?"
She knew both her and Eric were well on their way to falling hard for each other. So why? Lux frowned not knowing the origins of such jealous frustration. She didn't know where to put these feelings.
"Lux," Eric said, snapping his fingers lightly in her face. "Do. You. Want. Sugar?" Lux's eyes fluttered, looking up at the man holding her coffee.
"Sorry," she replied, trying to shake her thoughts away. "No. No sugar. Just milk." She took the coffee and Eric sat down.
"Where were you just then?" He asked, taking a sip of his coffee. Lux was still gazing over at the couple across the room. Their foreheads were touching. No one would bother them. They had created some sort of invisible fortress that no one would be able to penetrate. The fact was, that Lux could only bear to look at them for so long. Slowly Eric's question registered with her. She broke her line of sight and smiled at him.
"Nowhere. I'm right here." She wondered how convincing that sounded. They were finally having coffee at the place Lux had suggested a week ago. But it was funny. When Lux was with Bug, they had every single opportunity to have coffee and just be with each other, yet they never did. Lux quickly glanced back at the couple. They were kissing intimately. She felt the jealous pangs again. "God, I'm sorry," she apologized, "I'm kind of in my head, I guess."
"Are you alright?"
"I'll be better if you don't ask me that question," she smiled sheepishly. He took a sip of his coffee.
"I'm sorry, I bet you've been hearing that a lot lately. What if I ask you another question? Something not so inquisitive to to your emotional wellbeing?"
"Like what?" She asked hesitantly.
"Like what where we should go next week?" Lux leaned back in her chair and looked at him. She gazed deeply into his eyes. Having such intense emotions for each other seemed irrational when they hadn't even been on a proper date. She had to imagine what he would do if they could be public about their relationship. She felt magnetically attracted to the couple across the room. This time she noticed the man stroking her cheek and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Lux couldn't stand it. Maybe because it felt like it had been years since she had kissed Eric. Maybe because she didn't know when they would kiss again. Maybe because they couldn't just be together. In the same room the way that couple could. This was a load of crap.
"Where do you want to go?" She asked in a different tone than before.
"I don't know, do you want to do traditional or-"
"Because it'll be a school night and I have curfew. That's kind of why this weekend was better for me. But I mean I understand that it's not good for you," she said in a slightly sarcastic voice. Eric just looked at her. "And if you think about it, we have to go somewhere where we won't be noticed. So geographically speaking, we'd need more time to get to a location that's further away. And what with both of us having to be at school early in the morning...I just don't really see how it'll work. So we should probably just put this all on hold for the moment." Lux pushed her coffee away. How dare he think coffee would appease me?
"Lux," Eric didn't know what else to say. She wasn't in the place to hear what he had to say. He knew this was his fault in some sense, but there was something else going on as well. Something happened. He looked around the room, trying to figure out what was bothering her. He almost didn't notice Lux putting on her jacket. "Where are you going?"
"I forgot, I have plans with Tasha." And it wasn't a lie because Lux was heading straight to Tasha's apartment after this. Suddenly the party sounded like a fabulous idea. Because she was pissed. Slightly with Eric. Mostly with their situation.
"I thought you were fighting with her. Isn't that what you said this morning?" Eric asked.
"Like I said before, it wasn't really anything. We just have plans, so I should go."
"What kind of plans?" Eric asked innocently before realizing how stupid that was. Lux was pulling her hat out of her purse and stopped abruptly.
"Plans that don't involve you. Kind of like your plans for the weekend." Eric bit his tongue. He noted the tone in her voice. It was razor sharp and he was treading on some very thin ice. But at the same time, just because she was in the dark, doesn't mean he was doing something wrong.
"Just so you know, my plans aren't like that. They're not fun and I'd rather be with you," he replied in a slightly annoyed tone.
"And just so you know, I'd be more likely to believe you if you would just tell me what they are. Because you know how I feel about secrets."
"Lux I'm sorry that you don't like secrets, and I understand why. Really I do, but there are some things that are going to take time for me to share with you."
"You don't get it. I'm left to feel like I've done something wrong and even if you say that it's not true, I've got nothing else to prove it."
"But I've already told you that you haven't done anything wrong."
"It doesn't matter, I still feel like..."
"Like what?"
"Just forget it, I've got to go." Eric grabbed her arm.
"Don't just walk away. When it gets rough, show me that you'll stay."
"Give me a reason to stay, and I might surprise you." Lux put on her hat and walked out of the coffee shop. She left with a bitter taste in her mouth and it wasn't the coffee. Lux stopped home before going to Tasha's just to check in with Cate.
"Is it cool if I go out with Tasha tonight and stay over at her place?" Lux asked Cate, grabbing an apple from the fridge.
"Isn't it just typical?"
"Is what typical?" Lux had no clue what Cate was referring too.
"Guys. Guys are just typical. And they're just so-"
"Secretive? Stupid?" Lux interjected, having something to say on this topic.
"Yes!" Cate said loudly, raising her arms in the air in mild desperation. "Lux, you get it. Why can't he?" The he to who she was referring to must be Ryan, Lux thought.
"What did he do?"
"He's ignoring me possibly. Or just keeping more secrets. That's the thing Lux. No relationship can last if it's built on a foundation of lies." Lux winced. Did she and Eric have a foundation like that? Sure he had some secrets but then again, so did she. Although he was the one currently and deliberately keeping them hidden.
"But Cate, you and Ryan-your foundation isn't entirely formed on lies...right?"
"I don't know," Cate shrugged and looked at her phone again. "Maybe not, but all it takes is one secret." Lux didn't really want to keep talking about this. She was starting to hyperventilate a bit. Now she regretted leaving in such a huff. She should have made it more clear that she could handle whatever it was he had to tell.
"So it's cool if I go to Tasha's? I mean if you need me..."
"No it's fine. Have a good time and just keep your cell on, okay?" Lux nodded and gave Cate a hug.
"You and Ryan," she whispered into her ear, "you're going to be more than fine in the end."
"Thank you, Lux." Cate smoothed back a piece of Lux's hair and smiled. "Go have fun." Lux headed over to Tasha's on foot and decided to clear the air with Eric over the phone. She dialed Minnesota and waited for someone to pick up. She really didn't expect a female voice to answer though.
"Hello?" A delicate voice answered. Lux was totally taken off guard.
"Umm hi?" Lux had no idea what to say. "Is Eric there?"
"Oh, no, not at the moment. Can I take a message or something?" Lux was seeing little red dots in front of her eyes as she walked down the street. These are his plans? Being with a girl?
"Who is this?" Lux asked with some not so subtle hostility.
"Sarah, why? Who is this? Oh you know what? I think he's coming back if you want to-" But Lux had hung up the phone.
"Hey, what are you doing with my cell?" Eric asked, sitting down at the table.
"Who's Eeyore?" The girl asked.
"She called?" A faint gleam of hope rose in his chest. Maybe he hadn't screwed everything up after all. "Give me my phone," he demanded as she held it out of reach. He needed to call Lux back.
"She sure sounds awful young. Freshman in college?" Eric's heart dropped.
"You answered?" This was officially the end. "Seriously, Sarah. You're always getting into my business. This," he said snatching his phone back, "is not your phone. Do not answer it." He started dialing Lux, but Sarah stopped him.
"It can wait until after. We've got to get through this first." A tall lawyer sat down across from them. He handed them each a packet of papers.
"These are the documents that were discussed over the phone. Please take your time and thoroughly familiarize yourself with them." Sarah hastily flipped to the last page and signed her name at the bottom and dated it with a time stamp. She passed them back to the lawyer and looked at Eric, telling him to hurry up.
"C'mon, just sign them Eric. It's not life or death." Eric's head shot up. He couldn't believe she just said that.
"Actually, it is. What's your problem these days?" She shook her head and leaned back into the chair.
"My problem is the same as yours, we're just handling it differently."
"Well you're acting like a heartless bitch, you know that right?"
"Ooh them's fightin' words, brother. I forgot you're such a-"
"Just shut the hell up, okay?" Eric interrupted, while signing the papers. He looked at the lawyer. "Will you tell him to please call? Or to at least answer?" The lawyer nodded.
"I'll pass it along, but you know-"
"Yeah, I know. It won't matter. Just do it anyway." He looked at Sarah and rolled his eyes, seeing what she had become lately. "We function oh so very well," he said sarcastically before walking out of the lawyer's office. Sarah ran along behind him.
"So what are we doing tonight?"
"Nothing. Look you need a place to crash for the night, that's fine. But just leave me alone." He dialed Lux's number and wasn't surprised when she didn't answer. Hey you've reached Lux, leave something witty after the beep. "Hey it's me. If you get this, call me back okay? Anytime I don't care." He flipped his phone closed and sighed. It was official. Life sucked. Hard.
~.*...*.~
Lux and Tasha were just arriving to the party when her cell phone rang.
"You gonna answer that?" Tasha asked Lux. Lux shook her head.
"Nope. It's you and me tonight." Lux handed Tasha her cell phone and asked her to hold onto it. She didn't want to make the mistake of actually answering the phone if he tried to call again. She was just about to walk in, when Tasha stopped her.
"Thanks...for you know...changing your mind. I'm sorry about earlier." Lux shook her head.
"It's cool. I'm sorry if you feel like I haven't been making time for your lately." She gave Tasha a quick hug. "But at some point you're going to have to make nice with Eric." Even if he is cheating on me. Lux couldn't dwell on it. There was probably an explanation. Please God, let there be an explanation. The two walked into the party and immediately smiled.
"Sorority slut, 3 o'clock," Tasha whispered into Lux's ear pointing towards a girl who had just taken of her panties. Lux started laughing and covered her eyes in mock disgust.
"You ladies look like you could use a drink," A tall muscled man said from behind. The two turned around.
"No thanks, we're fine." Tasha answered for the both of them, pulling on Lux's arm. They weaved their way through the drunks and headed towards the back hallway of the dorm.
"What do you want to do?" Lux asked. Tasha shrugged.
"Well I've gotta pee, so I'll find you after, okay?" Lux nodded. Tasha walked in the opposite direction towards the long line of people waiting for one of the few bathrooms. Lux wandered down the hall, following the sound of The Cure coming from one of the dorm rooms. She paused at the entrance and just listened for a moment.
Lux thought back to just a few months ago. Back when she was still with Bug. Before she met Eric. Things were good. Things were fine. She was more or less happy with him. Except she wasn't. What she felt for Eric was so different. It was stronger. Even now, just thinking of him, even with the possibility that he's currently with another woman, her heart still raced for him. She raised a hand to her heart and pressed it into the skin to better feel it's erratic beating. This heart is going to be my downfall. It seemed to be her one enormous weakness. To love with all of her heart. No matter how many times she was shot down, no matter how many times she was beaten down by the man- she managed picked herself up and try again. Maybe it's not a weakness...
"You just gonna stand there all night?" Lux's train of thought was broken by a quiet voice coming from the music-filled room.
"Sorry," Lux muttered, turning to walk away.
"Not many girls your age listen to this kind of music," The man got off his bed and walked towards the door.
"My age?"
"Oh c'mon, you've got freshman written all over your face. You're probably in a sorority." Lux gasped, pretending to be offended.
"Not highly likely," Lux stated as she started walking away. The man grabbed her shoulder lightly. "Come in. I've got London Calling on Vinyl..." Lux's ears perked up.
"Really? That's pretty sweet. All right, I'm in." She stepped into the small room and the man closed the door behind her.
"Yeah, it's pretty awesome. I've got a pretty nice collection-although..."
"What?" Lux asked, thumbing through his collection.
"No one seems to care about my music." The man sounded defeated. Lux couldn't help but feel sorry for him.
"I don't know about other people, but I love this. You've got everything." Lux grabbed London Calling and passed it to him to put on.
"You know, I'm named after him," he said pointing to the lead singer of the Clash."
"Really? You don't look like a John." He was actually kind of awkward looking, but in an adorable sort of way. He wasn't very tall. Shorter than Eric. The man shook his head.
"After his stage name." Lux wrinkled her forehead.
"You definitely don't look like a Joe either." He shook his head again.
"Strummer. The rents gave me his last name." Lux nodded. He definitely looked like a Strummer. He put on the album and headed over to his bed. "You know I hate parties like these. Everyone just acts so stupid. He motioned for her to sit down. "I didn't even offer you a drink," he hopped up and grabbed a couple of cups. Granted I don't have the best hooch, but it's better than what's out there, that's for sure."
"Oh don't worry about it, I'm fine," Lux said.
"It's no problem just give me a sec to find the bottle," he smiled at her. He disappeared for quick second and returned with the glasses filled. "Sorry I only have the typical red plastic cups."
"It's more than fine," Lux smiled. They faux clinked their plastic cups and Lux took a small sip. She coughed slightly.
"Smooth," she lied with a laugh. Strummer smiled deeply. Lux looked around his room. It seemed surprisingly clean for being a college boy's living space. A picture of Strummer standing next to what Lux deemed to be a girlfriend lay on the bedside table. Lux picked it up, taking another small sip of the flammable liquid. "Girlfriend?" Strummer snatched the picture harshly out of her friend.
"Ex," he said taking a big gulp of his whiskey. Lux frowned.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know...I shouldn't..."
"It's fine. Don't worry about it." He raised his cup. "Big gulp if you have an ex," he cheered. Lux didn't really want to take another drink-the whiskey was God awful, but she felt bad for the man so she smiled and took a big swig. To Bug, she thought to herself. The alcohol started taking effect and she swooned as the soft buzz took over her. Strummed looked at her strangely. Like he was analyzing her.
"What? Why aryou staring?" Her words started to slur.
"No reason," he smirked, inching towards her on the bed. Lux raised a hand in feeble protest.
"Sorry, I've boyfriend..." Lux's head lolled from side to side. Everything was spinning. She couldn't figure out why. Strummer hovered over her and pushed her into the mattress. "No," Lux whispered, trying to say something louder. "Whatdid you do? Help," Lux tried to move away from Strummer, but her limbs were useless.
Strummer reached under her shirt and snaked his hand across her stomach. He muttered something, but she couldn't understand what he said. Her eyes grew heavy and as his face came to hers, she drifted into unconsciousness.
*.~~.*
Tasha waited in line for what seemed like hours just to use the bathroom. After washing her hands, she quested for Lux. Not finding her, she randomly asked a couple of people if they had seen her. Unfortunately for her, everyone was too shit faced to know anything. Tasha was starting to worry as she wandered around the building searching for Lux.
"Lux," she called out, not really expecting an answer. She passed a couple of people leaning against the wall. "Hey have you seen my friend? She's about this tall," Tasha motioned Lux's height with her hand. "Blonde hair, wearing a knitted hat and leather jacket?" The boy just laughed. Tasha noticed the blood shot eyes. She turned to the girl standing next to him. "Have you seen her?"
"She's probably with Strummer," she replied faking a guitar riff with her hands.
"Who's Strummer?" Tasha was growing frantic. She had been searching for Lux for almost half an hour. Who knows what could have happened.
"He's the hookup baby," The girl smiled and started kissing the boy next to her. "He's the man." Tasha shook her head and walked away. She didn't even know what the hell a Strummer was. Presumably a person, but Tasha had no way of knowing. Suddenly Tasha's phone vibrated in her pocket.
"Thank God," she breathed a sigh of relief, expecting it to be Lux. She quickly answered the phone without checking the caller ID. "Lux? Thank God. I was so worried."
"Tasha? No it's Eric. Why do you have Lux's cell?" Tasha's heart plummeted into her stomach. It wasn't Lux. Tasha didn't know what to do.
"Lux gave it to me when we got here." Tasha didn't know how much he knew. She didn't know how much information to give away.
"Got where? What the hell is going on? Is Lux okay?" Eric's voice sounded slightly stressed. He was genuinely concerned. Tasha didn't trust Eric, but he was all she had. There was no way she could tell Cate and Baze what was going on without getting Lux in trouble. Tasha headed down the small hallway and stopped at the door.
"We're at this party at Portland State. Lux and I..."
"Tasha, please, what happened?" Eric asked, putting on his jacket and reaching for his keys, not knowing where he was headed.
"We got separated and now I can't find her," Tasha crouched down into the corner and put her head in her lap. "I think she's with this Strummer person, but I don't know what that means and the person was stoned so I don't even know if they knew what they were talking about. I just don't know what to do." Tasha was breathing fast.
"Hey, it's going to be alright. Tasha, take a deep breathe okay?" Tasha nodded and inhaled. "Listen, I'm on my way, where are you exactly?" She told him where she was and that she'd meet him out front. "Just keep looking for her and then come meet me, okay? I should be there in like 15 minutes."
"Okay," Tasha answered and then closed the phone. She picked herself off the floor and continued to look for Lux. She was headed back towards the main party when she saw a girl who didn't look completely drunk. Tasha stopped and asked her who Strummer was.
"The guy who almost got kicked out?" Tasha shook her head, not knowing what she was talking about.
"For what?" The girl shrugged.
"My roommate told me he beat up his girlfriend and she had to be admitted over at St. Mary's. But my boyfriend said he was just sent to detox. So I don't know really. Sorry." Tasha prayed that Lux was not with this guy. Tasha rushed towards the front door as she saw Eric entering.
"Hey you find out anything?" Tasha shook her head.
"Just that he's possibly some guy who almost got kicked out. No one knows anything. They're all too drunk or too stoned." Tasha caught some guys arm and asked him the same question about Strummer. The guy drunkenly told her to get laid and started to walk away. Tasha groaned. Then, out of nowhere the guy was pushed against the wall.
"She asked you a question you piece of shit. Now who is Strummer and what room is he in?" Eric's grip on the man's shirt was firm. He wasn't letting go. The guy's eyes went wide. He'd obviously never been threatened in this manner before.
"Down the hall, 4th on the right I think." Eric released his grip on the man and took Tasha's hand. The two weaved through the crowd and made their way down the hall.
"It's gotta be this one," Tasha pointed out, counting the number of doors. There was no sign to indicate who the room belonged too, so they both started pounding on the door. After a minute, someone opened it slightly.
"What the fuck? Leave me alone, man," Strummer said quietly. Tasha dropped to her knees and looked through the narrow opening. She saw what she thought was Lux's jacket on the floor.
"It's her. That's her jacket!" Tasha tried to push the door open, but the man wouldn't budge.
"Hey, back off. It's just me and my girlfriend. Get the hell outta here." Eric pushed against the door with his shoulder. He put all of his weight into the thrust and forced it open. They both saw Lux lying on the bed wearing only a bra and her pants. Tasha quickly went over to her best friend and grabbed the tank top cast aside. She pulled it over Lux's head and back onto her body.
Eric took one look at Lux and then slammed Strummer into the door of his closet.
"What did you give her?" He yelled, enraged. Strummer nonchalantly shrugged.
"Just something to make her more...agreeable." Eric's fist crashed into Strummer's face. Tasha briefly looked up after hearing the sound of Strummer's jawbone crunching. Strummer fell to the floor wincing in pain. Eric heaved him back up and hit him again. Eric couldn't speak. He hit Strummer again, and dropped him on the floor. Satisfied that he had dealt some serious damage, Eric checked to see how Lux was.
"She's still unconscious," Tasha said gravely, picking up on Eric's thought. Scrubbing a hand through his hair, Eric rummaged through Stummer's things until he found an almost empty bottle of Rohypnol. Eric knew it was the sedative that Strummer most likely used to drug Lux.
"We should take her to a hospital just to be safe," Eric commented, placing the bottle on top of the man's dresser.
"We can't!" Tasha cried, clutching Lux's sedated body. "She'll be in so much trouble."
"But if this," Eric picked up the bottle for emphasis, "isn't Rohypnol, Lux could be in serious danger." Strummer stirred on the floor. Tasha went over to him and shook him, trying to get him back to his senses.
"What did you give her?" The man grunted. "What did you give her!" She yelled loudly.
"Jus' Rohypnol," The guy slurred slouching against the wall of his room. Eric went over to Lux, and picked up her limp body. He turned to Tasha.
"You...you found her with her pants...on or off?" The words came out like vomit. He felt sick to his stomach having to ask if his girlfriend was raped.
"On. Definitely on." Tasha rushed over to Lux. "They were on," she assured Eric. Eric turned to Strummer. Lucky for you. Eric put Lux back on the bed and went out into the hallway. He returned a minute later with the number for campus security. Strummer feebly protested at Eric made the phone call to alert them of a date rapist on campus in possession of alcohol and Rohypnol.
"We'll take her back to your place, that way when she wakes up, she'll be more comfortable. We'll have to monitor her all night. If anything, and Tasha I do mean anything-seems out of the ordinary, we take her straight to the hospital. Okay?" Tasha bobbed her head in agreement. Eric effortlessly picked up Lux and carried her out to his truck. They ignored the looks as they carried Lux through the parking lot. He placed her in his truck and planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. Tasha climbed in and sat next to Lux. It was a quiet drive back to Tasha's.
After getting Lux settled into Tasha's bed, Eric went into the living room and sat down. He was exhausted. He leaned back into the couch and closed his eyes, trying to erase the images of Lux collapsed on that creep's bed. Tasha brought him a cup of tea, hoping it would help him. She sat down on the coffee table across from the couch and put her hands in her lap.
"You were...really awesome tonight. Thank you." Eric's eyes peeked open. A compliment? From Tasha? His eyebrow arched.
"Really?" Tasha rolled her eyes, but managed to smile slightly.
"Yeah. I mean...I didn't know what to do and you were calm and collected." Tasha took a sip of her own tea. "Lux is really lucky to have you. I misjudged you before. And I'm sorry for that." Eric shook his head, and drank from his cup gratefully.
"No apology necessary. We're not exactly the most conventional couple, and I can understand why you'd be concerned for her." They both sat in silence for a while before Eric spoke again. "Just so you know. I'm the lucky one." Tasha smiled. "I never thought I'd fall so hard for her. She just she...has this way of making every bad thing seem...I don't know-"
"Not so bad?" Tasha interjected. Eric nodded, agreeing with her. "Yeah, I know what you mean. We've been best friends for years so I know exactly what you mean." Eric smiled and set his mug down. He yawned and stretched his arms about his head. He went to go check on Lux who seemed to be sleeping peacefully.
"It's getting late...or early. I should probably head home. On the chance that when she wakes up she doesn't really want to see me." He had almost forgot that they weren't quite speaking. Or Lux wasn't speaking to him. It seemed so long ago. "Tasha, she's probably not going to remember what happened last night..."
"Don't worry about it. Just get home safely okay? I tell Lux to call you later." Eric nodded and reached for his jacket. Tasha walked him to the door and they said their goodbyes. Just as he was leaving, she stopped him.
"Do you love her?"
What a question to ask. It was the only thing he had been thinking about lately, actually. More for the reason that he couldn't believe how deeply he was falling for this girl. Her smile, her frown. It all drew him deeper. It was a simple answer really. It didn't take much thinking about.
"Yes. I do," he answered in a voice not louder than a whisper. He rubbed a hand over his face. "I really do."
"Have you told her yet?" Eric shook his head. The timing was completely wrong. They hadn't even been on an official date. You can't fall in love with someone before you start to even date them. It made no sense. It made no sense at all. But at the same time, nothing was clearer to him that how he felt about Lux.
"It's not the right time. We haven't even..."
"Good. You're right to wait. Just promise me something." Eric lifted his head. "You'll tell her first. She deserves to be told first. Okay?" It was obvious that Tasha held Lux's wellbeing very close to her heart. Eric nodded. It would be a while before he felt comfortable expressing this to Lux anyhow. He wasn't about to rush anything and ruin everything by scaring her away.
~.**.~
Lux's eyes opened slowly and then closed again. Her eyelids were heavy. There was a warm cloud of haze surrounding her. It was as if something weighted rested on her head. Slowly she arose into a state of consciousness. When she felt slightly less groggy she opened her eyes. From the surroundings she assumed that it was Tasha's apartment.
"Tash?" Lux whispered, coughing slightly. In an instant, Tasha was at Lux's side.
"Hey, oh...hey," Tasha embraced her best friend and sent a silent prayer of thanks to the universe. Lux rubbed her head.
"What happened?" Tasha sat back down.
"Do you remember anything?"
"No, just going to that party. I don't even really remember that." As soon as the word party left her lips, her stomach turned over. Lux didn't remember what had happened the night before, but she could assume.
Tasha filled in all of the missing details. Lux was ashamed. Just of the whole situation...combined with the fact that she didn't remember anything...she felt sick to her stomach.
"But you're okay. That's the most important thing. And if it makes you feel any better, I love Mr. Daniels...Eric. He's totally amazing." Lux smiled. Although it wasn't the way she wanted a friendship to form between the two, she would take what she could get.
Tasha and Lux had breakfast and watched some TV before Lux felt well enough to head home.
"Do you want me to call Baze to come get you?" Lux shook her head.
"I need the fresh air, you know? Clear my head and such. It's all still a little foggy." Lux put on her jacket and gave Tasha a big hug. "Thank you. Beyond thanks...I...I can't imagine what I'd do without you." Tasha smiled into Lux's embrace.
Lux headed up the street in the opposite direction of Baze's. She hooked a left and walked up the hill. When she reached his building, she climbed the set of stairs and made her way to his door. Prepare yourself. Lux realized that despite the events of yesterday night, she still might knock on the door and have it opened by another woman. Lux took a deep breath. If that was the case, she would just thank him for what he did last night. Thank him for...saving her and walk away from it all. You can just walk away. No need to be angry. Her stomach sank at the thought of him with another woman. She wouldn't be angry. She refused to be bitter. Sadness was the only emotion penetrating her barriers. Two deep breathes later she knocked softly on the door. It was still early and she wasn't sure he was even out of bed. It was only 6 in the morning. He could be in bed...with her...Lux couldn't handle this. She took a step back to leave, when the door opened.
Eric stood in front of her wearing nothing but a pair of sweat pants. Lux took a step closer to the door and studied him intently. There were dark bags under his eyes. It was obvious that he hadn't slept. She inched closer and ran a finger over the dark circles. Without words, Eric clasped her hand to his face with his. He pulled her into the small living room and closed the door behind them. He removed her hand and kissed it gently. He noticed Lux's eyes glistening with tears and wiped them away with his thumb. She looked around the room. Searching really...and Eric knew that she was looking for the woman that answered the phone. Lux's eyes settled on the closed door of his bedroom. Still holding her, he felt all of her muscles tense. Wanting to rid her of any idea that there was another woman, he kissed her deeply and picked her up. She wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled into his neck. He carried her into his bedroom and set her on his bed.
"Sister," was the one word response he gave Lux. That was the woman who had answered the phone. "Sister," he repeated assuringly. The twisted sheets and cast off comforter told Lux that Eric had not gotten a moment of rest. She smiled slightly knowing that here was no woman hidden in the room. She trusted his answer. She wanted to tell him that she was sorry but right now was not a time for words. It was time for silent healing. For making up and letting him know how grateful she was for having him. Climbing into his lap, she grabbed his hand and brought it to her heart.
Eric took his free hand and cradled Lux's head. Lux nodded that it was okay. That she was okay. That nothing had changed. Besides the fact that now, she was head over heels for him. He kissed her again, savoring the sweet taste of her lips. As her hands rested on his hips, his kisses intensified and his hands roamed across her body. She opened her mouth as his tongue glided in. Relaxing into his touch and his caresses, she thumbed soft circles on his hips.
No words. Not needed. Just the sound of them. This was something Lux could get used too. No restraints. No boundaries created by the classroom. Just the two of them. She pushed him against the headboard and ground her hips into his lap. His head fell back against the wall and he looked towards the ceiling while Lux gyrated against him, causing him to lose all thought. He forced his head forward and licked along her chest. She reached to take off her tank, but he stopped her. He ran his hands under the thin shirt and across her lower back. She pushed into his hands, encouraging him to lift the shirt off. He grinned, knowing he was driving her to the brink. He leaned in and planted soft kisses along her chest. He felt her heart beat wantonly under the shirt. Without hesitating, he peeled the shirt off. Giving her a look of pure wanting, he reached up and caressed her breasts. Lux brought her hand up to his chest. She savored his touch and clawed gently against his skin.
That was when she noticed. At that moment. Dark purple marks around her wrists. As if someone had pinned her down...Lux jumped back and brought both wrists together. Both had dark bruises that looked like hands squeezing too tightly. She gasped at the realization that this guy had physically attacked her. Tasha's explanation had been so gentle. She should have known that there was more. The tears poured forth. She reached for her shirt and pulled it back on. She couldn't even look at Eric. She was so ashamed. She couldn't remember. She tried, but the harder she focused, the faster it all slipped away. She stood from the bed and wiped her eyes clear of any remaining tears.
"I've, uh gotta go," Lux said in a hoarse whisper. She searched for her jacket. When she found it she grabbed it and walked out of the bedroom. Eric jumped up and ran after her. He stopped her at the door.
"No." Lux refused to look at him.
"Eric, get out of my way." Lux said angrily, trying to push past him. But Eric braced the door closed.
"I am not letting you leave. Lux you always leave. Stay here and deal with what happened."
"Let me leave," she seethed through her teeth. She pushed against him, but he stopped her and shook his head.
"I'm not going to let you leave every time you get upset." Eric lifted her chin. "How will I be able to hold onto you?" Lux closed her eyes, not wanting to look at him. Not wanting him to see her like this.
"I...You can't see me like this." Lux turned away from him, wishing he'd just let her go. Eric saw her shoulders shake.
"Hey," Eric whispered softly, pulling her down into his lap on the floor in front of the door. Lux shook her head and struggled against him. Eric embraced her and ran small circles against her back. "You're okay," he breathed against her ear. She let out a strangled sob and he felt her chest heave against his. "Baby...baby, you're okay. Nothing else matters." He kissed the top of her head and held her closer. "Nothing else matters." Lux curled into him and wept.
"I...I don't remember," she cried, trying to hide her face from him. Eric's heart broke. He drew her into his chest, letting her know that he would be her solid ground.
"I'm here. Baby, I'm right here." He drew her in as close as she would let him and whispered to her. "I'm not going anywhere."