Julian watched Simon wander off to the kitchen. He looked around the room and saw some people staring back at him. It was 6 months ago, but still whenever he was in a group he would see them looking and whispering to each other. It would make him mad and sad at the same time. He generally felt better than he had in a long time, but unless people spoke to him, theyâd only see the convict.
He was starting to feel the heat inside and went out to get some fresh air. As soon as he opened the balcony door he felt the fresh air on his face. Damn, thatâs better.
Some peace and quiet to gather your thoughts was never a bad thing.
He walked to two people talking and smoking. âHey both, can I sneak a cig of you?â After being offered a menthol (you take what you can get), he walked a few metres away from them and lit it up.
As he blows out the smoke, he feels himself relax a little, the tightness in his chest receding.
Lauren was taking a brief reprieve from causing havoc. It wasnât a deliberate break, but she was enjoying seeing all the dirty looks that people were sending her way, a sign that they were all just too afraid to actually do anything. It was more that she was searching for her next target. She took a sip from her drink, before spotting Julian making his way towards the balcony. Perfect.
She sauntered over towards him, not saying anything until she was standing beside him, too close for him to attempt to escape and claim he hadnât seen her. âHello, Julian, sweetheart,â she said. âSo wonderful to see you.â
She had definitely startled him and he hoped he didnât jump too high in the air upon hearing her voice. He turned to face her. Her dress; perfect, her make up; well done, her smile; unnerving, and her tone; venomous. Yes, there was no mistake this was Lauren.
He hated keeping up pretences, even more so since Lauren would strike regardless of what he said.
âIf it isnât the wicked witch of the Upper West Side. I would say it was nice to see you too, but who would believe that?â He looked back in front of him, at the street below and took another puff from his cigarette. Although when releasing it this time he noticed he did not find the same relief as before.
She laughed at his comment. âOriginal, Julian, really,â she retorted, her tone dry. âSo, you finally got out of prison, then. Is it true that youâre now working for Erin of all people?â She asked, knowing that the disdain that coloured her voice would help to rile him up even more.
âI got out of prison almost 6 months ago now. And yes, I am working for Erin.â He rolled his eyes at her fake interest. âYou see, that is something actual friends would do, help out when a friend is in need.â He looked her dead in the eyes. âYou can maybe take some lessons from that.â
The next puff of his cigarette is coming quicker and quicker. This always happened when he was nervous. He knows he should be walking away, nothing good can come from entertaining Lauren.
Lauren raised an eyebrow, her smile widening at how easily heâd walked into her trap. âItâs interesting that you mention âgood friendsâ, you know, Julian,â she said. âBecause I heard something really interesting about you the other day,â she said, as if she was just talking about some casual gossip and not his time in prison.
âI heard that you made some really interesting friends,â she said, her eyes alight. âGod, what were their names?â She asked, pretending to think for a few moments, but mostly waiting to see his reaction.
What the hell is she getting at? It actually felt like she was digging in his brain. It felt so real he felt the need to scratch his head, in the same way you start to itch when someone keeps mentioning how itchy they are.
âYou meet a lot of interesting people in prison, a real colorful cast of characters. Who knows, maybe you get to find out one day. Although, orange is really not a color for you, is it?â
Run, jump, close your ears and shout LALALA. He knew he had to avoid what came next. He knew it was Lauren about to strike, venom ready at the go. And there was nothing he would be able to do to stop it.
Lauren chuckled to herself and shook her head a little as Julian seemed to imply that she would somehow end up in prison. âWhat exactly are you implying, Julian? Iâd never be so foolish as to get caught,â she said with a laugh, even if it was true. She wouldnât get caught, and besides, if she did, sheâd never actually end up in prison. Sheâd made sure of that.
âAnd besides, these people were particularly interesting. Does the name âLuke Hoffmanâ mean anything to you?â She asked, smirking.
Julian felt like all the air was punched out of him, his cigarette fell from his hand over the balcony railing. He turned around to face Lauren. He was not extremely tall, but his presence still towered over her. Facing her, he grabbed her right wrist with his right hand and pulled her close to him, their faces just inches away from each other.
âIf you know whatâs good for you, you will forget that name.â He spoke it soft, just clear enough for her to hear it. He had the feeling he was foaming at the mouth and he had half a mind to push her straight off the balcony.
Sheâd never seen Julian quite that bad, and for a moment, Lauren was genuinely afraid of Julian, his hand gripping hers so tight that she could feel the bruises already beginning to form. Her back was against the balcony, in a position that was far more vulnerable than she would have liked. But she didnât dare show that fear. She kept his gaze, holding it steady, even as he threatened her, looking like a madman. She spotted her escape when she spotted others staring at them.
âYou ought to be careful, Julian,â she said. âPeople are staring, and this wonât look quite so good for you.â She didnât move, careful to make sure that she would still look like the victim of this scenario.
If his mind hadnât been working overtime and he hadnât been seeing red at the moment he might have noticed the small flinch in her eyes. She mentioned other people, but at the moment he just knew of her and him.
His voice, still intense and audible only to her. âForget. That. Name. Lauren.â
He released her hand by pushing it away, hard enough to push her back into the railing, but not to make her fly over it.
He turned on his heels and walked to the balcony door to go back inside, not giving her another look. The sounds of the party were still going on, but he didnât want to hear it. The beat of the song that was playing seemed to give him an instant migraine, even though he knew that was Laurenâs doing.
In the shortest time possible he made his way to the other side of the room, got out of the apartment and took a big breath. He tried to concentrate on his breathing in order to calm down, and slowly he started to see more clearly again. He couldnât believe what he just heard. It made him stress out and a cigarette was not going to cut it this time.
Julian exited the apartment and took a left. He just needed to be alone for a bit. A few blocks over he felt like he was going to hyperventilate. He took his phone out of his pocket. The person he was looking for was number 3 on the speed dial and he paced back and forth as the phone rang.
âJulian, are you all right?â
The voice sounded concerned, but had a quick calming effect on him.
âI justâŠ, I donât know man, Iâm at this party and I am just stressed out. I donât know what to do.â
âIâll be right over, just drop me your location. It will be fine Julian, remember the breathing exercises.â
Julian sent his location over and hung up the phone. He waited for a few minutes, but he found it hard to keep his legs still. He couldnât just stand here, he had to go. He looked around one more time, but didnât see anyone coming, so he took a right and just kept walking.
He was starting to feel the heat inside and went out to get some fresh air. As soon as he opened the balcony door he felt the fresh air on his face. Damn, thatâs better.
Some peace and quiet to gather your thoughts was never a bad thing.
He walked to two people talking and smoking. âHey both, can I sneak a cig of you?â After being offered a menthol (you take what you can get), he walked a few metres away from them and lit it up.
As he blows out the smoke, he feels himself relax a little, the tightness in his chest receding.
Lauren was taking a brief reprieve from causing havoc. It wasnât a deliberate break, but she was enjoying seeing all the dirty looks that people were sending her way, a sign that they were all just too afraid to actually do anything. It was more that she was searching for her next target. She took a sip from her drink, before spotting Julian making his way towards the balcony. Perfect.
She sauntered over towards him, not saying anything until she was standing beside him, too close for him to attempt to escape and claim he hadnât seen her. âHello, Julian, sweetheart,â she said. âSo wonderful to see you.â
She had definitely startled him and he hoped he didnât jump too high in the air upon hearing her voice. He turned to face her. Her dress; perfect, her make up; well done, her smile; unnerving, and her tone; venomous. Yes, there was no mistake this was Lauren.
He hated keeping up pretences, even more so since Lauren would strike regardless of what he said.
âIf it isnât the wicked witch of the Upper West Side. I would say it was nice to see you too, but who would believe that?â He looked back in front of him, at the street below and took another puff from his cigarette. Although when releasing it this time he noticed he did not find the same relief as before.
She laughed at his comment. âOriginal, Julian, really,â she retorted, her tone dry. âSo, you finally got out of prison, then. Is it true that youâre now working for Erin of all people?â She asked, knowing that the disdain that coloured her voice would help to rile him up even more.
âI got out of prison almost 6 months ago now. And yes, I am working for Erin.â He rolled his eyes at her fake interest. âYou see, that is something actual friends would do, help out when a friend is in need.â He looked her dead in the eyes. âYou can maybe take some lessons from that.â
The next puff of his cigarette is coming quicker and quicker. This always happened when he was nervous. He knows he should be walking away, nothing good can come from entertaining Lauren.
Lauren raised an eyebrow, her smile widening at how easily heâd walked into her trap. âItâs interesting that you mention âgood friendsâ, you know, Julian,â she said. âBecause I heard something really interesting about you the other day,â she said, as if she was just talking about some casual gossip and not his time in prison.
âI heard that you made some really interesting friends,â she said, her eyes alight. âGod, what were their names?â She asked, pretending to think for a few moments, but mostly waiting to see his reaction.
What the hell is she getting at? It actually felt like she was digging in his brain. It felt so real he felt the need to scratch his head, in the same way you start to itch when someone keeps mentioning how itchy they are.
âYou meet a lot of interesting people in prison, a real colorful cast of characters. Who knows, maybe you get to find out one day. Although, orange is really not a color for you, is it?â
Run, jump, close your ears and shout LALALA. He knew he had to avoid what came next. He knew it was Lauren about to strike, venom ready at the go. And there was nothing he would be able to do to stop it.
Lauren chuckled to herself and shook her head a little as Julian seemed to imply that she would somehow end up in prison. âWhat exactly are you implying, Julian? Iâd never be so foolish as to get caught,â she said with a laugh, even if it was true. She wouldnât get caught, and besides, if she did, sheâd never actually end up in prison. Sheâd made sure of that.
âAnd besides, these people were particularly interesting. Does the name âLuke Hoffmanâ mean anything to you?â She asked, smirking.
Julian felt like all the air was punched out of him, his cigarette fell from his hand over the balcony railing. He turned around to face Lauren. He was not extremely tall, but his presence still towered over her. Facing her, he grabbed her right wrist with his right hand and pulled her close to him, their faces just inches away from each other.
âIf you know whatâs good for you, you will forget that name.â He spoke it soft, just clear enough for her to hear it. He had the feeling he was foaming at the mouth and he had half a mind to push her straight off the balcony.
Sheâd never seen Julian quite that bad, and for a moment, Lauren was genuinely afraid of Julian, his hand gripping hers so tight that she could feel the bruises already beginning to form. Her back was against the balcony, in a position that was far more vulnerable than she would have liked. But she didnât dare show that fear. She kept his gaze, holding it steady, even as he threatened her, looking like a madman. She spotted her escape when she spotted others staring at them.
âYou ought to be careful, Julian,â she said. âPeople are staring, and this wonât look quite so good for you.â She didnât move, careful to make sure that she would still look like the victim of this scenario.
If his mind hadnât been working overtime and he hadnât been seeing red at the moment he might have noticed the small flinch in her eyes. She mentioned other people, but at the moment he just knew of her and him.
His voice, still intense and audible only to her. âForget. That. Name. Lauren.â
He released her hand by pushing it away, hard enough to push her back into the railing, but not to make her fly over it.
He turned on his heels and walked to the balcony door to go back inside, not giving her another look. The sounds of the party were still going on, but he didnât want to hear it. The beat of the song that was playing seemed to give him an instant migraine, even though he knew that was Laurenâs doing.
In the shortest time possible he made his way to the other side of the room, got out of the apartment and took a big breath. He tried to concentrate on his breathing in order to calm down, and slowly he started to see more clearly again. He couldnât believe what he just heard. It made him stress out and a cigarette was not going to cut it this time.
Julian exited the apartment and took a left. He just needed to be alone for a bit. A few blocks over he felt like he was going to hyperventilate. He took his phone out of his pocket. The person he was looking for was number 3 on the speed dial and he paced back and forth as the phone rang.
âJulian, are you all right?â
The voice sounded concerned, but had a quick calming effect on him.
âI justâŠ, I donât know man, Iâm at this party and I am just stressed out. I donât know what to do.â
âIâll be right over, just drop me your location. It will be fine Julian, remember the breathing exercises.â
Julian sent his location over and hung up the phone. He waited for a few minutes, but he found it hard to keep his legs still. He couldnât just stand here, he had to go. He looked around one more time, but didnât see anyone coming, so he took a right and just kept walking.