Joker's Flashback

I was dragged to this club by some college buddies that wanted me to get out of the room. Buddies I mean dorm mates. I don't want to socialize like they want to. Hook up with a girl, leave before the sun comes up is how they work. It's like clockwork for them. For me, I prefer to have some time alone for the time being. I could get any girl I want but right now I just want to be away from it. A big deal is coming my way and I want to be ready for it. A hand shot up plucking my folder and papers out of my hand. I looked up glaring, "Give. It. Back."

Kevin, one of the dorm mates, shook his head, "No way man! Go out there! Take a reliever."

I rolled my eyes mumbling, "Like women are relievers. More like a pain in the ass."

Kevin folded my papers in the folder tucking it underneath his arm. His free hand went outstretched gesturing to the club, "Go get a drink and perhaps a lady friend."

I felt my fist clench unconsciously. I spoke, "This is the deal of the life time, Kev-in."

Kevin rolled his eyes, "You can make the deal just go out there and have fun for once. Ever since you got this deal, you been cooped up in your room and only come out for classes."

He doesn't understand. If I don't make this deal, I wouldn't get the riches that come with the deal. It's better than the life choice my now-durnken old man made. Mobs are vicious. Little ole mother knows of it and now she is 6-feet under. I moved away leaving the old man to his devices. Running away from the life is cowardly but that life isn't for me. I would like to have a somewhat normal life. Wife, kids, 9-5 job that pays well. That sounds nice. I would rather not beat people into submission like good old dad. Kevin grabbed a man's arm who happens to be another guy in our dorm. His name is Garrick and the sleaziest guy around. I am sure the man has the whole rainbow of STDs. Kevin slapped the folder to Garrick's chest, "Make sure Jack doesn't get a hold of this. He needs to leave his work at home."

I watched as Garrick with a smirk on his face walk off with my folder. Kevin's hand grabbed my bicep pulling me out of the booth. I ripped my arm from his grip, "Let go of me."

Kevin's hands went up in defense, "Just trying to help you out, man."

I ignored him by pushing past him. Our shoulders hit on contact throwing the slightly shorter man off. I made my way to the bar grabbing a stool. I waved my two fingers in the air gaining the attention of the bartender. The bartender walked over, "What would ya like?"

I answered, "Scotch on the rocks."

The bartender gave a little nod before leaving to fix my drink. I ran a hand through my brunette hair resting my hand at the back of my neck. I knead my muscles in my neck. I glanced to my right noticing a small brunette with her nose buried in her book. Glasses perched ontop of her head keeping the hair at bay. I snorted to myself. Her friends might of dragged her as well. The bartender tapped the counter gaining my attention. My eyes took their attention away from the brunette to the scotch. I grabbed it holding it up at the bartender. I let the cold contents warm my inside. I glanced back at the woman seeing her highlight a sentence in the book then wrote something down. I looked behind me scanning the crowd to see if she was with anyone. Mixture of women and men dancing on the floor being shitfaced. The amber liquid warmed my body once again. My tongue went over my lips. A horrible habit, I know. I hate it. It started to keep my lips from drying out then it became a habit. My eyes flickered to the woman when I noticed her move. Her hand disappeared in a paper lunch bag. I raised my eyebrow wondering what she could possibly going in there for. She pulled her hand out revealing mixed candy as she popped them in her mouth. As soon as it went in, they went to her cheek. Sweet cheeks. I smirked taking another sip of my scotch. That would be a nickname for her till I can get her name. I looked straight ahead at the bottles of hard liquor on display. I glanced behind me seeing Kevin dancing with a woman. My eyes searched the crowd for Garrick. He is the keeper of my deal. My eyes narrowed finding him lounging in a booth. His feet ontop of the table and what is underneath it is my folder. I gripped tightly at my glass. My knuckles turning white. His arms are wrapped around two women who are oogling at him. That bastard. A voice brought me back to the bar, "Would you like another?"

I turned around on my stool nodding, "Make it strong."

The bartender nodded once more before whipping up a strong drink. I ran my hand through my hair messing up my bangs. This is not how I thought this night would be. I was going to stay in my room and of course when I get inside Kevin and Garrick decided to handcuff me to one of them and drag me here. I did not appreciate it. Not. One. Bit. A glass tapped beside my half glass. I tipped the scotch back now nursing my new scotch. It might have some other liquor with it. I don't care at the moment. My eyes trailed up to the brunette once again. I pursed my lips. She's not that bad looking either. I hopped off the stool heading towards her. I leaned against the bar facing to the bar, "What are you doing here with your nose in a book?"

I heard her shift and a page turn. Her voice caught me by surprise. It was like honey, makes the name even more fitting. She answered, "I have finals soon and I like to be prepared."

I raised an eyebrow. It's already finals? I was so caught up in the deal that I didn't even think about finals. I sighed involuntary. Her voice caught my attention once more, "Sounds like you forgot about finals."

I couldn't help but smirk, "You wouldn't miss the mark, Sweet cheeks."

My eyes glanced at her out of the corner of my eye. I noticed she stopped writing. Her pen is gripped tightly in her hand. She spoke with her voice penetrating, "Don't. Call. Me. That."

My face became amused. I sipped my drink before speaking, "I'll call you that since I don't know your name."

She looked up from her book finally. Her green eyes pierced into my browns. She replied, "You could of asked. Not like I would tell you."

My tongue went over my lips. I tilted my head side to side, "If I asked, you probably wouldn't give it to me like you just said."

Her attention moved back to her book. I peeked over at her book, "The treatments of this particular mental disorder can vary... Psychiatric major?"

She stopped her writing once more before dropping her pen on the book, "Yes now go away. I'm trying to study."

I looked around noticing Kevin moved to another woman. I answered, "You pick a nice place to study."

She huffed, "My friends dragged me here. I don't care for this scene. I just want to pass and move. Move as far from here."

You and me both. I took another sip of my drink before asking, "If I tell you my name, would you tell me yours, Sweet cheeks?"

She slammed her book close giving a light groan. She moved her brunette hair to one side. She shoved her book and notebook in her messenger bag. Grabbing the bag of candy, she hopped off the stool. My eyes followed her head to a woman who happen to be near Garrick. Her hips swayed moving the ends of tea length pleated skirt. Black flats for comfort, I noticed as every woman just about have stilettos or pumps on. Her blouse is tucked into her skirt giving her a vintage professional look. I smirked, "I think we might see each other again one day, sweet cheeks."

My eyes caught Garrick trying to get a hold of sweet cheeks. What surprised me is that she stomped on his foot. It must be hard enough that he is holding his foot in pain. The other woman tried to call out to sweet cheeks but she was not having it. Her skirt swaying as she was heading to the club's entrance.

I grabbed a pudding bowl placing it on my tray. The guys finally left me alone and I was able to make the deal. It gave me a good amount of money but not enough. I paid for my food and decided to look for a seat in the cafe the college runs. As I was looking for a seat, someone bumped into me hard making my tray flip. The burger was heavier so it landed flat on the ground but the pudding however... it flew into the air landing ontop of my head. I could feel the chocolate sugar contents slide down my face. My anger is wanting to burst at the seams. I clenched and unclenched my fists. The area I was at quieted down as they stared. My tray did make a loud clatter when it hit the ground. A honeyed voice entered my thoughts, "I think your name should be pudding face."

I turned around seeing the familiar brunette from the club. Her brows raised, "I didn't expect you to be a chocolate kind of guy."

I grabbed the plastic bowl off my head then grabbed the tray and fallen burger. I huffed heading to the trashcan throwing everything away. I heard her call out, "Now you know what it is like, pudding face."

I clenched my fists having my knuckles turn white. I hate that name. I disappeared from the cafe to go shower in my dorm.

I tapped my pen against my book reading the questions. My professor decided to be a jack ass and assign this assignment right before his final. Jackass. I heard shuffling across the way in the library. My eyes shot upward looking forward. Sweet cheeks. I smirked but my memory removed my smirk. She called me that retched name. I will make her pay for that. I grabbed my book and notepad heading to her spot. I pulled a seat across from her, "Whatcha reading now sweet cheeks?"

Her eyes didn't move away from her notes, "None of your concern, pudding face."

My eye couldn't help but twitch. I really hate that name. I spoke lowly, "Name's Jack. Okay? Jack. Not that horrid nickname."

Her lips went into a smirk. I couldn't help but lick my lips. I didn't notice she looked up from her notes till her voice brought my attention, "Your attention seems to be else where, Jackie."

I stretched my legs out from underneath me. My foot hit her chair as I saw her move slightly. I hooked my foot underneath the chair. I could feel her skirt fabric touch my jeaned legs. I moved my foot upward seeing her chair move up. She was startled not thinking I would do that. She grabbed onto the table, "Stop that."

I leaned forward resting my elbows on the table. I raised an eyebrow speaking innocently, "What? This?"

My foot moved up ward again having her chair tip more back. Her hands scrambled for the edge of the table where he was. He smirked, "How about stop with the nicknames?"

Her green eyes shot up looking into my smirking ones. Her leg shot up hitting me in the leg. I winced lightly. I bounced my foot lightly seeing her chair go up and down. She let out a little quiet yelp as her chair went too far. She answered quietly harshly, "Fine my name is Madeline. Now let me down, Jack."

I released her down gently seeing her release her grip on the table. She sighed in relief. I smirked. Madeline, such a pretty name. I asked, "Is that a french name?"

She glared at me before tending to her notes again, "It's English. Now leave me be."

I took this time to write down my cell phone number then ripped the piece of paper off. She rolled her eyes, "Do you really have to make that noise?"

I felt my smirk get wider, "Of course, Ma-de-lyn. I see you around."

She mumbled, "In your dreams."

She didn't notice me leaving the folded paper by her book till I left. She glanced up seeing me leaving the library. Her eyes darted between the man and the piece of paper. Her pen found its home between the pages as she grabbed the paper. Madeline slowly unfolded the paper revealing :

Jack 555-3423 Call me sweet cheeks.

She groaned. Unfortunately it was loud enough that the librarian had to come to her and give her a warning. She hates that blasted name.

I hope you guys enjoy :) I started this chapter a few days back and decided oh I have 6 hours before my next class to write. This is all in Joker's or Past Jack's point of view. It is Joker's flash back. I hope I brought my own twist on this story. Let me know what you think of it! I love feedback and really the reviews are what keeping me at it. Writing makes me relax unless a writer block like to barge in. I hope you guys have a wonderful day and try to stay warm if you're in a cold area! I know I am and I don't even have snow. Sad, I know. But anywho enjoy :D