AJ caught Laura before she went to change and asked, “Hey, you need a ride home?”
“Yeah, John was supposed to pick me up, but he’ll forget. Sure. Thanks.” Laura said and went to change in the dressing room.
She came back out wearing jeans and a tank top that said “Rock Star” on it. She followed AJ out to his car and climbed in the passenger’s seat.
They got on the highway towards Laura’s house. AJ reached over and hit the radio button, causing the local radio station to come blaring out of the stereos. Laura was so deafened that she didn’t even hear the song, Creed’s “With Arms Wide Open.” She turned the volume down and started singing along. AJ looked over at her.
“What are you doing?” AJ asked with a weird look on his face.
“I’m singing! ‘With arms wide open…’ ” Laura said.
AJ just laughed.
“What are you laughing at?” Laura asked, acting like she was offended.
“You,” AJ said simply.
They got off the highway at the exit to Laura’s street and AJ followed her directions after that. They pulled up in front of her house.
“Thanks.” Laura said.
“You’re welcome” AJ said as Laura got out of the car.
“Hey, gimme a call if you need a ride tomorrow, k?” AJ said as he wrote his cell # down on a McDonald’s napkin and handed it to Laura.
“Alrighty,” Laura said. “See ya tomorrow,” she called as she crossed the front yard and opened the front door.
“I’m looking forward to it…” AJ said under his breath. He just smiled at Laura as she closed the door. ‘What am I doing?!’ he asked himself.
~*In Laura’s House*~
“Who are you gonna see tomorrow?” Laura's boyfriend John asked from behind her. He looked a little mad. His usually green eyes were droopy and bloodhsot. And his breath smelled like alcohol.
“A friend. I have rehearsal tomorrow.” Laura said and walked in front of him to the kitchen to get a soda.
“Well, you can’t go.” John said. He looked dead serious.
“What? John, I’m 21 years old, I don’t need your permission.” Laura said. She was handling this situation pretty well, she thought. She had dealt with John like this before, stubborn and drunk. She could handle this.
“Well, I’m your boyfriend and I say you’re not going. I want to spend the day with you.” John said, lying through his teeth.
“I have to go! This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me! If I don’t go, I could lose this job!” Laura said, almost yelling.
“Don’t raise your voice to me!” John yelled and grabbed Laura’s arm forcefully.
He shoved her into the wall and she fell to the ground.
