Chapter 1

You ever wanted someone to hurt? Bend them until they break? Push them to their absolute limits? Not to rape them, but make them feel what you feel? Same. It started by accident. She had the fire, I had the gasoline. We were everything destructive for the other person. While it was short lived, it left a lasting divide between us. We’re no longer friends, just two strangers that have an invisible wall between them, each afraid of what the other might say or do if either of us brings up the past.

To start, it all begun as any other day at work. My friend David or as everyone called him D, was talking to me about my plans for lunch. D was a lady killer in every aspect. Tall, Hispanic with insanely curly hair and light brown eyes, built like a football player, a real jack of all trades, the whole 9 yards. I, on the other hand wasn’t really anything special. I was mixed, black, Asian and the tiniest of Hispanic, I also had Dark brown eyes, clean cut and just a little bit of a natural build. “Hey dude, what’s the plan for lunch?” D said across the cubicle.

“I don’t know, probably gonna go for a cruise. You wanna go?” I replied, kinda spacing out since time felt like it was creeping by.

“Heck yeah.” D said. “Is it cool if I invite one of my friends with us? She’s been having a bit of a rough time and I know she’ll enjoy our company.”

“Uh, sure why not?” I said. “Just meet me by my car when you’re all good and ready.”

“Sounds like a plan.” D said and got up and walked away. I merely zoned back out, waiting for the day to be finished.

“Alright guys, good job knocking all the inquiries we’ve had out. Take an hour and a half lunch” our supervisor said. “Thank god” I thought. Gonna head out to my car, play some soothing music and take a nice long snooze. Yeah, that sounds great...

I walked out to my car, getting ready to put my drivers seat all the way back and take a nap when I heard D call my name from across the parking lot.

“Jesse!” D shouted out.

“What?” I irradiatedly shouted back. I’m trying to catch some Z’s dammit. “Bro, you said to meet you at your car remember? We were gonna go for a cruise.” D stated matter-of-factly. “Oh yeah...” I trailed off. Dammit. There goes my plans. “Wait a minute D, where’s that girl you were talking about bringing with us?”

“Oh Nikki, she’s coming right out the door now.” D stated, looking back at the door to the building.

As soon as he finished his sentence she came out the door, seemingly looking around for D and saw us standing by my car and started walking towards us. As she came closer into view I got a real good look at her. She was pale, about 4’10”. Shoulder length dirty blonde hair. She had big glasses that seemed to make her blue eyes pop, framed with a cute small nose and small lips. She was wearing a tight plain white shirt and blue jeans with some Vans to match her shirt.

“Hey D, didn’t work feel like it was just dragging on?” Nikki jokingly asked.

“You’re telling me, Nikki. I couldn’t wait for lunch to come any sooner. Oh, and Nikki, this is Jesse, Jesse this is Nikki.”

“Hello. I’ve seen you around the site every now and again, nice to meet you.” I simply stated.

“It’s so nice to meet you too, D has told me so much about you.” Nikki said.

“Oh god...” I said, knowing D he could have told this girl anything...

“Oh no, he hasn’t told me anything bad about you. I’ve known D for a long time and I believe him when he said you’re a really good person.” She said sincerely, looking me directly in the eye. For a split second, she smiled and her face completely lit up, giving her this almost angelic look. “See dude, I told you she could use our company. Now, are we ready to head out?” D chimed in.

“Let’s do it!” Nikki said, still flashing that same angelic smile.

“Alright, let’s head out!” I said as we packed into my car and got ready to leave.

We drove around the city, talked about all kinds of various subjects. D talked about school, work and everything going on in his life, I even pulled Nikki into the conversation and got to learn a lot about her. D wasn’t lying when he said that she’s going through a tough time. Her ex boyfriend had cheated on her with some other girl and was struggling to get custody of their child. From the back seat, she talked with nothing but sadness in her voice, struggling not to tear up but told us everything.

As soon as she had finished telling her story a thick air or awkwardness lingered throughout the car. D said nothing as he looked at me, and I glanced back at D. He gave me a quizzical look suggesting that I say something.

“Well Nikki, I’m sorry that you’re going through all that.” I said, seeing her in the rear view mirror.

“I appreciate it but that’s all everyone says. You don’t get it. It doesn’t seem like you actually see what’s going on. My jackass ex-boyfriend fucked some bitch and is trying to take my kid from me and all everyone knows how to say is, ‘sorry that sucks?!” She practically spat out. She began crying tears of frustration and sadness.

“Why? Why me? What did I do to deserve this?” She continued through tears.

D said nothing as he turned to the back seat and tried to pat Nikki on the leg.

“Don’t fucking touch me! I don’t want your fucking pity sympathy!” Nikki screamed at D.

D quickly turned back around. We said nothing as silence and Nikki’s sobs consumed the rest of the drive back to work.

To say the rest of the day went uneventful would be a lie. The atmosphere had completely changed. As soon as we pull back into the parking lot Nikki opened the door and ran back towards the entrence of the building.

“Well ... that was shit.” D finally said.

“Yeah man, you’re telling me. Didn’t know she’d pop off like that.” I exhaustedly said, still staring dead ahead at the building.

“Honestly, don’t even worry about her. I know she’s been dealing with that for a long time. She’ll calm down, hopefully.” D said as he unbuckled his seat belt. “I’m gonna head in and see if I can try to calm her down before lunch is over. Catch you back inside in 10 man.”

“Okay, see you inside.” I dismissively said.

While I was sitting at my desk, everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. Coworkers walking by, having indistinct conversations and making plans for going out after work. Admittedly I did find myself distracted, still trying to wrap my mind around what Nikki was having to deal with. I can understand why she didn’t care for people sympathy.

I was completely lost in my thoughts until the instant messenger our company used went off and shook me back to reality.

“Hey.” Is all the message said. It seems like Nikki sent it.

“Hello, I’m sorry about everything you’re going through.” I typed out and sent it.

“It’s alright, I’ll get through it. I also wanted to say that I’m really sorry about lunch. I didn’t mean to snap at you or David. I’ve just been so stressed out and I feel like I’m going to break.”

“Well if you need a friend, here’s my phone number. Send me a text if you need anything.” I sent back.

“Thank you Jesse.” She sent back.

Well, looks like even though lunch was a bust, Nikki knows she’s not alone going through it. I decided with that, I’ve done my one good deed for the day. I should treat myself to nice drink when work lets out.

“Man, you’re right. You’re terrible at video games. This isn’t even a challenge!” D said, smiling with a smug grin on his face.

“That’s because we’re playing games I’m not good at. Quite frankly I’d much rather be working on a car. Doing something productive. Not playing this stupid Call of Duty game.” I replied. Man, if there’s anything that just annoys me it’s the fact that D is good at just about everything. No matter what we play, D always seems to be naturally gifted. He’s not oblivious to his ‘gift’ either.

“It’s because you’re in the prescence of a god, peasant!” D said, rolling back with laughter.

“Ugh, sometimes I just wanna knock you the f-” I replied, being interrupted by my phone buzzing on the table.

“Looks like someones popular, who is it?” D asked, putting the controller down.

“hey, is this Jesse?” is all the text said.

“Hmm, to be honest I’m not actually sure. You recognize this number?” I replied as I handed the phone to D.

“Oh, looks like it’s Nikki. You give her your phone number?” D said as his quizzical look turned into a snide smile.

“Well, yeah actually I did. And before you get any stupid ideas I had only given her my phone number in case she needed anything. Like if she was having an emergency or something.”

“Damn Jesse, you got a thing for damaged girls. Watch out ladies, this guy is coming after you!” D shouted as he erputed with laughter.

God, don’t get me wrong D is my best friend on the planet but sometimes I just want to throw a large, heavy object at him.

Ding! My phone buzzed again.

“Okay, I’m done being literally the best at any poor game you decide to pick up. I’m gonna head out, gotta meet up with some of my other friends at the bar downtown. You want in?” D asked, grabbing his keys.

“No, I’ve gotta head to my parents house later.” I lied. I don’t mind hanging out with people but bars and clubs just aren’t my scene.

“Alright brotha, I’ll catch you later. D said, walking out and closing the door behind him.