Morning arrives and I haven't slept well. I remember crying and next thing I know I woke up due to the pain in my hand. I'm able to move it but it's painful and I try not to put any pressure on it as I get out of bed. A text flashes on my phone and it's from Kathy.
Come find me when you wake up. We need 2 talk!
Did she find out about what happened? I sigh and unlock my door. I'm still in my clothes from last night and my hair is messy from sleeping. Kathy is sitting in a booth eating breakfast. I sit down across from her and she looks at me worriedly.
She grabs my arm and I cringe as she examines the giant bruise. "Who did this to you? Was it Gill?"
I look away, unable to face her. I can't make my mouth move. I nod my head instead. "It was an accident," I say quietly.
"Don't lie to me! I know it wasn't an accident!" Kathy stands up angrily. "Akari, I told you to be careful around him! How could you be so stupid!"
I raise my voice in defense. "I wasn't trying to be around him. He was behind the bar. I asked him to leave me alone and he didn't!" I feel the tears starting to fill my eyes and I feel weak. "I was so scared," I say quietly. The tears start to fall.
"Akari," Kathy sits down next to me and rubs my shoulders gently. "He can't get away with this."
"I don't want to cause any drama. I've been here a month and I just want to live my life. I don't need all this. Just leave it alone."
"You're going to let him walk free after what he did to you?" Kathy's voice is serious. I've never seen her like this before.
"He apologized for it. I don't think he'll do it again and I'll make sure I'm never around him." I say with confidence and the tears stop. I wipe my face and smile at Kathy to let her know I'm okay.
"It's your choice, even if I think it's stupid. If he ever, ever touches you again I won't hesitate to hurt him myself!" Kathy stands and leaves the room. I'm left alone at the booth. A loud knock at the front door startles me and I start to go towards it but Kathy appears out of nowhere and opens it for me.
Owen and a tired Luke stand in the doorway. Kathy lets them in and they both take a seat at a nearby table. Luke looks at me but I don't give him the cold shoulder today. I'm too exhausted to put up a front.
"You look awful," he says quietly. I know he's talking about my swollen face. I sit down, not saying a word. Kathy speaks for me. "She doesn't want to do anything about it. She wants it left alone."
"What? He hurt you Akari!" Luke slams his fist against the table but I tell him to shut up. "I know what he did was wrong. I just don't want any drama. He apologized and that's it. I'm not going near that guy ever." My head starts to throb and I excuse myself and try to go to sleep.
I wake up hours later. It's still light outside and my headache seems to be gone. My arm doesn't hurt as much and I have no trouble getting off my bed. I take a quick shower and change into some clean clothes. I walk into the kitchen to greet Chase hard at work. The bar is about to open and make myself something to eat. I scarf it down quickly and Kathy walks in.
"Akari, I think you should take it easy tonight. I can cover your shift."
"But I feel fine," I argue. "I don't see why I can't work tonight."
"Well your face is swollen still and bruised. I don't want anyone asking you what happened."
I place my hand on my face to feel my cheek. It's tender and I wince slightly as my fingers press into the bruise. "I'll just lie and say I ran into something," I joke. Kathy rolls her eyes but doesn't disagree.
Chase doesn't seem to have found my joke funny either. He gives me a sympathetic look but continues cooking without saying anything. I get slapped by a guy and everyone treats me like I'm broken glass. My shift starts and thankfully we're not too busy.
The door opens and I turn to greet the newcomer when I feel my heart start to beat rapidly. Gill walks in like nothing happened. He notices me and takes a few long strides until he's right in front of me. "Akari, may I speak with you?" His blue eyes have no emotion to them.
"I'm in the middle of work. I can't right now." It is a valid excuse.
I hear two chairs screech across the tile and Luke and Owen stand next to me. "What are you doing here," Luke demands. I place a hand on his shoulder. "Luke, stop," I say but I know he doesn't hear me.
"I just want to talk to her. Is there a problem?" Gill stares at Luke with a smug look on his face.
"Yeah there is. You!" Luke takes a step closer to Gill and I look at Owen to help me. I stand between the two of them and Gill smiles. Owen presses a firm arm to Luke's chest and Luke lets out a sound almost like a growl. "Luke, chill out," I say through my teeth. I look around to see curious eyes watching us.
"You need to leave, Gill." I stand next to the front door and open it. Gill looks at Luke one more time before heading to the door. "Better keep this buffoon you call a friend under control. You must not have much class if you keep an animal like him around," Gill says loudly as he leaves the bar. I sigh in relief that he's gone and Luke looks at me angrily. "Are you really going to let him get away with everything?"
"I don't think it's any of your business!" I say, forgetting we're being watched. "Why do you care anyways? I thought I made it clear I want nothing to do with you." I place my hands on my hips, showing I'm serious.
"I can't just not care about you! Don't you get it, stupid."
I feel myself loosening up and my hands rest at my sides now. "What are you talking about?"
Luke looks away from me and his face his tense. "I like you, Akari," he says. I stare at him open mouthed but he doesn't give me time to respond. He walks past me and leaves the bar. I stare at the door, unsure of how I'm supposed to feel.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and I see Owen wearing an apologetic smile. "Don't worry about him. He'll be okay."
I look around and everyone's gone back to their drinks and chattering about the event that just took place. Feeling embarrassed I run to my room and lock the door. My heart is still racing. Kathy knocks on the door but I don't feel like talking right now.