Jess pushed her long hair back as she sat on the couch, her legs drawn up close to her body, her eyes were swollen and red from several hours of crying. Tyler handed her another tissue. “I couldn’t believe it Tyler…it wasn’t Nick…it was like he was some stranger…the way he touched me and….” Jess broke down again and Tyler reached over, drawing her close as she leaned against him, her body shaking as she sobbed. “I swear I’ll fucking kill the bastard.” He muttered. Jess sat up and looked at him, “No…no Tyler it wasn’t his fault! He just had too much to drink…and he saw me flirting at the party…and he just…he got mad….it was my fault for dressing like that and acting that way…” Jess’s voice trailed off as she looked at Tyler’s face. She sat back and sighed, “I know, it’s not my fault…but it feels like it is. I’ve just never seen Nick like that. I mean, I’ve known him since I was 7 years old Tyler…he’s NEVER done anything like that!” “Jess…did he…” Tyler watched as a horrified look came over Jess’s face, “NO! NO! Oh god Tyler no…he never would have gone that far…he wouldn’t…” her voice dropped and trembled… “He couldn’t…”
Jess jumped as the door to the room was suddenly opened. Tyler jumped to his feet, his hands resting protectively on Jess’s shoulders as both of them looked at Nick standing in the doorway. Nick took a step towards the couch and Tyler threw himself at him. Their bodies made contact and the two boys began punching. “STOP! NICK! TYLER! STOP PLEASE!” Jess screamed at the boys…jumping up she grabbed Nick’s shirt, pulling on him as he continued swinging at his roommate. He swung around and suddenly Jess was knocked off balance, her body fell backwards and hit the wall. As she cried out both boys stopped, turning towards her and running over to her.
“Jess…” Nick started to reach for her… “Don’t you fucking lay another hand on her!” Tyler yelled, knocking Nick’s hand away as he helped Jess to her feet. He helped her back to the couch and sat her down, standing behind her. Jess looked up and finally her eyes met Nick’s. She was shocked at what she saw. His eyes were bloodshot, swollen to the point of almost being closed…he looked like he’d been crying for days. His hair was a mess and his clothes actually torn in places where Tyler had grabbed him.
Her eyes followed him as he walked to the chair across from her and dropped down, his head falling into his hands as he began to sob. He looked up, his face tear stained and saw the fear and sadness on Jess’s face… “Jess…god I…I…” his voice cracked and he broke down once more. Jess watched her own tears falling down her face as she looked at her best friend…the strongest person she knew…crying like a small child in front of her. She stood quietly and walked over to him…kneeling down in front of him she raised his chin in her hand. Brushing his hair back, she looked into his hurting eyes… “Nick…you…I…” and then her voice cracked and stood quickly. Grabbing her suitcase she almost ran to the door… “JESS!” She turned at the sound of Nick’s voice and looked at him one last time, then ran down the hall to the elevator.
And was gone.
Tyler looked at Nick then turned and walked into his room, slamming the door shut behind him. Nick stood slowly, walking to the door and closing it, then went to his bedroom. He dropped down onto the bed and buried his face in the pillow…the sobs growing louder and stronger as he breathed in the scent of Jess’s peach spray she wore. What had he done? What the hell had possessed him to do what he’d done to her? Questions flew through his mind as he asked himself over and over again why…