Shots and a Hard Place

The Pub

Sometimes the bustling music at the pub couldn't drown out the thoughts replaying through his mind like a broken record stuck in slow motion, each word echoing louder and louder until everything blurred around him - he wasn't sure what was going to happen once he began to drink his sorrows away; he never thought he'd catch sight of her, sitting across the room with her head ducked down reading one of her books. He couldn't stop himself from gazing in her direction ever so often. One shot after the other, he distracted himself from depression and replaced it with alcohol and aspiration. He wanted her to catch him desperately; for her to put down the book and read him instead.

Unfortunately, another guy walked over to her side of the booth and she glanced up, her eyes meeting his as they made eye contact. She stood up quickly and smiled politely at him - a small, polite smile. He felt his stomach drop and a surge of jealousy wash over him, as if she had somehow found happiness just by existing next to this person - this man. Is she that way with every guy? He should've walked up to her, asked for her name and asked her out right then. Instead of just standing there, staring. She doesn't notice him watching as she lets the guy slip his hands around her waist. He looks to be the type to play her, as if he wants to make his way with her tonight then leave like nothing happened.

A lump caught in his throat, knowing how this may play out if he doesn't do anything. He knows he isn't fit to be some type of hero, but he knows he'll regret everything later on if he let the guy leave with her. He could feel tears start welling up inside him; he hated feeling weak, yet here he is. His eyes begin to water and he forces himself to take a sip of his beer, to get rid of the bitter taste in his mouth. He feels his heart breaking, yet he can't bring himself to look away. If he can prevent something from happening between them, then it's worth it to him. He has to step in.

He stands up abruptly, knocking his chair backwards, and walks up towards them. The other guy looks up at him briefly before his attention falls back on her, pulling her close and resting his hand possessively on her hip. The girl looks at him, slight fear in her eyes but also determination; like she knew what she was getting herself into and she wanted nothing more than to go through with it. A tear slips down her cheek; she quickly brushes it off and smiles at the man in front of her.

He stares at her, looking completely uninterested in him, "What's your name?" he asks in an almost demanding voice. The girl laughs quietly, her cheeks flushed and her lips redder from the drink, "Sasha - Sara," she says, her voice trembling slightly. She gives a worried look to the guy from the bar, then looked back at the guy in front of her. "Excuse me, ma'am. Is he bothering you?" He finally spoke up, and the woman teared up in fear.

"I'd like to ask you to step back, man. I'm not looking to cause any trouble, but if the lady doesn't want to be touched, I'd leave her alone." The guy snickers, "What makes you think you could do anything about it? You can barely stand how drunk you are, let alone fight someone with enough energy to throw a punch." He sneered. He was right, he couldn't even stand upright on his own without falling flat on his face. His head was spinning as his feet were still planted firmly on the floor. He knew he didn't have much strength left - not mentally anyways. All he managed was to walk up to them. He didn't think he could win if he tried.

"Well? You've been quite a talker since you walked over here, yet you can't say anything since I've began speaking to you. What did you believe would happen when you walked over here? I think that's hilarious. You think you could walk up here, speak with this beautiful lady and steal her from me, eh? I guess you're delusional. I doubt she'd want to be taken anywhere by a pathetic drunkard like you. Let me tell you something, kid. She deserves a real man, one who'd make her feel good. She doesn't deserve someone like you. You're probably the biggest loser I've ever met. It's sad, really, for you to think you could take me on in a state like this. How stupid are you?" The guy was clearly intoxicated, yet he seemed to know exactly what to say. It was unnerving.

She takes the opportunity to grab hold of his arm. "Leave him alone, please..." She pleaded quietly, trying to hide the worry in her tone from the drunken stranger. "I don't want anyone to fight. I'm not looking for anything, really, so please... just leave." She looks over to the drunken stranger, "Thank you for finding it in your heart to help me... I'm sorry you had to go through this. I'm sure you just came here to drink... relax and party. Not to fight with some random guy who just wants to bang every girl he sees..."

"No need to apologize, ma'am. I should've came over here sooner. You see, I've had my eyes on you since I saw you in that corner there, peacefully reading alone. I promised myself to not let anyone disturb or hurt you, that's why I came over here." He reaches out to touch her shoulder tenderly and she flinches slightly. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you. Are you okay?" She nodded shyly before glancing back at the man who stared down at her menacingly before walking away from them. "My name's Axton. Sara, was it? Nice to meet you." "Yes," she stutters, "Nice to meet you too, Axton."