There was deafening silence for the first few seconds which was proceeded by loud chaos and commotion. People were shoving each other to reach the exit; wanting to get the hell out of here before it worsened. Others who were searching for a fight started punching anyone in front of them, just for the hell of it.
Caleb had already prepared me on what to do if a situation like this arose. It most likely happened when someone rich bet a lot of money only to lose it. I was roughly tossed to the side and farther away from the exit. It was useless to try to shove my way out. I searched around for any other exits, but the crowd was getting too rowdy to make anything out.
Caleb's voice echoed in my head, "There's another exit, but it's on the other side of the building where the fighters warm up before their fights. Use that as your last and only option."
I had no other option. I swiftly started running to the other side, trying my hardest to lay low which seemed to work because I was small compared to all these people. I let out a sigh of relief when I almost reached the exit, but I was blocked by a man appearing from the shadows. I was so close yet so far. If that wasn't enough, another one of his friends stood behind me, effectively blocking both my paths.
I was so screwed. Calculating my risks, I knew I couldn't take on both of them together, but I was determined not to go down without a fight.
"Where are you going, little boy? You're missing all the fun." The cruel intentions in his eyes were clear. My lack of response only seemed to anger him. I readied myself for an attack, but I caught onto something in the shadows behind him. I recognized the mask.
Time seemed to move slowly as I saw him drop-kick the vile man in front of me. I was in awe, but I had no time to appreciate it. Not wasting a second, I spun around and punched his friend straight in the face.
Going in for another punch, he seemed to anticipate it and caught my hand. Twisting it, he punched me in my ribs and threw me to the floor. He stood over me with a smug smile on his face, thinking I had given up. I kicked him in the shin as hard as I could and jumped up quickly.
I kicked him again, this time straight in the nuts. It was hard enough for him to not feel it for a few months. That brought him to his knees and he clutched it in pain. He wouldn't be getting up anytime soon.
Spinning around, the masked guy was leaning against the door and watching me. My eyes travelled down his body, it was hard not to. He had a good build and he definitely had muscles under his shirt. The mask still covered his face, but his eyes seemed familiar. Beautiful grey eyes.
I glanced at him before making my way to the door to get out of here. "A thank you would be appreciated." He said as if the whole ordeal was funny to him; it probably was.
"No." A shocked expression adorned his face when he heard my voice.
"What? You're surprised a girl can fight?" I pulled my hood back and chuckled at his reaction. He looked dumbstruck.
"What are you doing here all alone?"
Oh no. I needed to call Caleb and tell him that I'm fine. Searching my pockets, my phone was nowhere to be found. Fucking great. Caleb would come in search for me if I didn't call him up, and I did not want that.
"Do you have a phone on you?" The urgency in my voice quickly sobered him up.
"No, I don't. Why?"
"I need to call my friends and tell them that I'm fine."
"It's in my car. Two minutes from here." We got out of that shit-hole and sprinted to his car. As soon as he gave me his phone, I hastily dialled the number.
"Hello Cal-"
"Oh my fucking God, Liz. Where the hell are you? Are you hurt? Are you okay?" Jacob bombared me with questions, not allowing me to get a word in.
"Jay, I'm fine. I got out with some help." I glanced up at the stranger who was looking at me with an odd expression.
"Is Caleb there with you? Is he fine?" After a minute of shuffling, Caleb answered, "Elizabeth, where the fuck are you?"
"I'm fine. I'm outside right now." I assured him.
"Who's phone are you calling from?"
"I don't know. Wait a minute." Covering the phone's speaker, I asked him, "What's your name?"
"Grey."
I repeated the name into the phone. "Oh shit, I know that asshole. Hand him the phone." I gave him the phone which he took with a puzzled look. A few 'hmms' later, the phone was handed back to me.
"Okay Lizzy, the police have surrounded the area and blocked it off. Jacob and I won't be able to pick you up. I've asked Grey to drop you off, is that okay? Sensing my hesitation, he continued, "He's a cool guy, I know him." I didn't want to risk them getting caught, so I agreed.
"Okay great. I'll drive your car to your apartment tomorrow. Take care." A voice shouted behind him, "Lizzy, I love you. See you tomor-" He was cut off by a thud. I smiled at that.
"I have to deal with him alone. Told you he was useless."
"We'll see about that tomorrow. You owe me a box of pop tarts."
"Uh-huh." He said in a playful tone and cut the call.
Handing the phone to Grey, he looked at me with amusement. "Are those your boyfriends?"
"I don't see how that's any of your business."
Chuckling at my response, he removed his mask and I instantly recognized him from the diner.
That's why his goddamn eyes looked familiar before.
"You're the prick from the diner, aren't you? I said cursing my luck. "Of all the people in the whole world it had to be you."
The smug smirk on his face pissed me off more than it should.
"So are you going to take me home or stare at me like a creep?"
"I like the feistiness, but that's not gonna get you or your demands anywhere. You owe me for saving you."
"I didn't ask for your help and I don't owe you shit." I got into the car, not giving him a chance to retort.
Getting into the car, he said, "Greyson Blaise."
"What?"
"That's my name. What's yours?"
"None of your business."
"Okay, none of your business, the least you can do is tell me your name since I saved you and I'm dropping you home."
I ignored him. I thought I was victorious when he proceeded to start the ignition; only to be surprised when he pulled his keys out and sat there.
"What are you doing?"
"Waiting for your name."
"Are you serious?"
"Deadly. I'm not gonna start the car till I know your name."
Sending him the deadliest glare I could muster, I muttered, "Elizabeth Cooper."
"What?" He was deliberately trying to get under my skin and it was working.
Trying my hardest to refrain from punching him, I said a little more loudly, "Elizabeth Cooper. Are you satisifed now?"
"There, there, how difficult was that?" He said, starting his car.
After five minutes of driving, I broke the silence, "Can we go to Denny's first?"
"It's midnight and you want to eat?" He asked incredulously.
"Last time I checked it wasn't a crime to eat a burger. I'm starving after that shit-show."
"Alright." He sighed.
Arriving at the drive-through, I ordered a double cheeseburger with a side of fries and a coke. Greyson didn't want anything, such a party-pooper. Once we got the food, we were on our way to my apartment. When I was done eating, I resorted to making myself more comfortable and gazed at the stars lighting up the sky.
Whenever I had my panic attacks and felt like utter crap; Grace used to take me outside and bundle me up in a blanket, so I could look up at the stars that surrounded me. It had a calming effect on me and helped stop the panic attacks.
The car came to a slow stop and I broke out of my daze.
"Oh fuck." He exclaimed loudly making me jump. "The fuel tank is empty." He said looking at me sheepishly.
"You've got to be kidding me."