With unsteady fingers, I retrieve a ten from my purse and tell him to keep the change.
I’ve captured the attention of Smokes.I can feel his vile eyes rake over me.I wonder if I look familiar.Not that he ever saw me.The pillowcase rammed over my head ensured that.
My fingers wrap around the tall glass, and I squeeze it tightly, wishing it was Smokes’s neck.
Suddenly, everything Jupiter taught me becomes obsolete because I would happily do time if it meant I could end this asshole’s life.
I turn to meet his abhorrent stare.
Funny, now that my monster has a face, it feels as if I’m the one now in control.
He doesn’t hide his appraisal of me, lingering on my breasts.
“White sangria?”he asks, gesturing with his chin to my drink.
I timidly sweep a loose strand of hair behind my ear.“Virgin.”
He draws his bottom lip between his teeth.“Just how I like it.”
I don’t even care anymore.I raise the glass, about to smash it over his head, but am stopped when the face of an angel appears between me and Smokes.
She presses her lips to mine and kisses me softly.
Instantly, the rage simmers.I taste her strawberry lip balm.
Jupiter gently pulls away and cups my face in her palms.She doesn’t need to say a word.
Nodding, I measure my breaths and remember everything we’ve learned.
We get caught, who’s going to kill the bad guys?They’ll walk around and pollute the world, while the innocent suffer.This is how I rationalize what we do.
Deep down, I know it’s wrong.But what did being nice ever get anyone?
“Damn, baby.”
“Get lost,” Jupiter says to Smokes, her eyes still locked on mine.She doesn’t give him the time of day.
He eventually gets the hint and leaves.
“Okay?”she asks with care.
I nod.
She takes my hand and leads me through the throngs of people enjoying the music and being with peers.Must be nice to be able to switch off this way.
Jupiter slides into a booth.I sit beside her.We both focus on Smokes and the group he’s with.
I wonder if they know he’s a rapist asshole.
“Hallie—” She’s the only person who knows my real name.She’s the only person who knows the real me.“I found him.”
“Found who?”I ask, feeling like I’m underwater.
When there is silence, I turn to look at her and realize she’s focused on Smokes.
“Smokes is the guy?”I ask, unable to mask my surprise.
She nods.
