collide

I knew soon someone would come looking for me but I knew I couldn't go through with the wedding. Deep inside my heart, I knew I was just settling with Richard because my family loved him. He was ambitious and wealthy; everything my father wanted for his only daughter. I was okay with it at first because he was great and adventureous. He took me to many countries and many events, but that is how I knew I was just his trophy. I was making him look good. He had even convinced me to sell my business that I wouldn't need to work. But the truth is I loved my job. I went to school to become a chef and baker because I love it. That is why I kept pushing away and possible buyers of my bistro. But right now, I needed to run like my life depended on it. I didn't even put my heels back on. I carried them as I left the church property and down the road, ignoring the pricks to my feet from pebbles and such. The sidewalk was also scaldding my feet, but I didn't care. I just ran. I crossed an intersection, and in the next, the light was red. To my luck, a motorcycle stopped to wait on the light and without thinking I hopped on. I wrapped my hands around the man who opened his helmet and I could barely hear him say, "what the f**k?" but the honking from the cars behind him made him continue on since the light turned green. I held on as I tried to not drop my heels. I closed my eyes really hanging on. Struggling with the dress as well. It felt like the longest ride of my life but in reality it was like fifteen minutes. I felt the bike stop and the motor is cut off, I finally let go of the man. He helped me off the bike before climbing off himself. "Thank you for letting me hop on your bike..." The tall attractive man with the most beautiful green eyes shrugs as he rearranges his hair into a ponytail, "not much I could do to stop you from getting on. So why were you running especially in that dress?" I bit my lip and didn't exactly know how to explain that I couldn't go through with it; my wedding. I couldn't say I do to the man I apperantly didn't really know or loved. The man in front of me was a stranger after all. "It's complicated," I answer as I see the tear on my Vera Wang wedding dress. "You ruined my dress!" I exclaimed as I wiped the grease stain on it as well. "You owe me a dress!" "The f**k I do! You climbed onto my bike at a red light." He answers in disbelief at my accussation. He was right she knew this but I really did love the dress. "Fine I did climb onto your bike but you didn't have to drive like a maniac!" He shook his head and chuckled, "I drive the way I want to on my bike sweet heart. I like speed," he shrugs before turning to open the garage where they had stopped. "So are you good to find your way to wherever you want to go?" He asked as he pushed his bike into the garage where a Range Rover was parked. It wasn't brand new but it looked kept. "I actually fled the church with just my heels and dress. Could I possibly borrow a phone?" I asked, "I'm sorry for blaming you about my dress." He cleared his throat and had me follow him toward the gate that led to a few town homes. "My phone is dead but you can use my landline." I heard him say as he unlocked his door and let me in. He pointed to the kitchen and there on the wall was a phone. I gave him a smile as he walked further into his home, I couldn't take my eyes off him. Finally I cleared my throat and dialed the only number I knew I could dial based on the circumstances. "This is Johnny, I'm probably out having the time of my life, but leave me a message, and I'll try to get back to you." I sighed and grumbled, "You're my best friend and my backup, so where are you, Johnny? I need you... I'm sure by now you should know since the wedding must be canceled by now." I hung up and sighed, "Fudge!" I was startled by the chuckle, "can't say the word f**k? How old are you? Weren't you about to get married?" he asked before taking a sip of his whiskey. I rolled my eyes, "I can say that word, but I choose not to." I said, taking his glass from his hand and taking a sip, regretting it right away. That was awful, but I wasn't going to admit it. He was staring at me as he smirked, " Are you regretting taking the sip?" he asked, taking his glass back and taking another gulp. "Actually, I liked it, I'm more of a Tequila kind of girl, but alcohol is alcohol." I hope he bought my lie per say, I hadn't had tequila since college. My college years were a bit blurry because of my friendship with tequila. "Tequila, really? I would've guessed you were a strawberry milkshake kind of girl." He said before turning around and plopping onto a sofa. "Strawberry is okay, but I am more simple than that cause vanilla is better." I said, watching him finish his whiskey, "so all you drink involves alcohol then?" "No, I do love the regular H2O. It keeps me hydrated and coffee." He answered before asking me what he really wanted to know, "so when will whoever you called come get you?" I grimaced and sighed, "he didn't answer me... but he will call me back. I know this because he is my brother from another mother. He is my ride or die," he'll call me back, and he will pick me up. "So is this bloke the reason you didn't say I do to whoever you left at the alter?" he asked me as he dug a cigarrette pack from his leather jacket, I watched memorized as he lit one up and inhaled, making cigarrette smoking look sexy instead of what it really was. Cancer sticks. Finally realizing I was staring, I chuckled, "No... I'm not Johnny's type. He likes the tall, dark, and dangerous type. You are right up his alley, actually." He chuckled and shook his head, "Too bad my type needs to have a v****a and t**s. Plus, I'm not dangerous, per say, I just like tattoos and well motorcycles." He exhaled smoke, "I'm hungry, and I don't feel like cooking. I'm ordering pizza. Would you like some?" "Please? I will pay you back, I promise." I gave him a genuine smile. "By the way, smoking kills you." He smiled as he put his cigarrette out and pulled out a laptop from under the center table and turned it on, "I'm working on it. Quitting. This is my first cigarrette in like two weeks, I think, that's progress. Is pepperoni okay?" He asked me. I nodded, "could you add some jalapeños too?" You could never take away my Latino roots, hence my need for spice. "I like a little kick sometimes." "Okay." He rolled his eyes as he concentrated on the screen, "would you like something more comfortable to wear?" I smiled, happy to hear that, "Could I borrow something to wear? I'd love to get out of this dress. It's ruined anyway." I felt a pang in my heart realizing that my dream dress was ruined, and I was still single while you're at it. I will get over it. I am more sad about the dress than my single status. He looked up from the screen and nodded, "Pizza is ordered; give me a second. I might have something for you to wear." I watched him disappear up the stairs as I walked toward the living room area. I looked around, looking at a picture of him in the middle of an older woman and a younger one on the other side of him. "Here, I think it will fit you." He said, eyeing me from head to toes, "maybe a bit snug, but it will have to do." I took the leggings and a black band t-shirt. I recognized the Rolling Stones logo and had to smile. I did love the Rollingstones, "Please tell me this is clean? I'm not going to get into a fight for wearing this?" He shook his head, "My sister is not in this country at the moment, so she won't find out about you borrowing her clothes. Yes, they are clean," he said as he served himself another glass of whiskey, "would you like a glass?" I shook my head, "I'm good. Could I borrow your restroom, please?" He pointed up the stairs and told me which door to go into. I listened and began walking up but stopped, "I'm going to need help with the buttons on my dress... could you help me please?" He didn't say anything and just walked toward me and began to unbutton my dress. I could feel his breath on my neck and I couldn't help the butterflies in my stomach and the goosebumps forming on my skin, I held on to the front of my dress as it began to slide down. "Thank you," I managed to say before walking up the stairs, trying not to stop, turn around, and kiss him. Because God did, I want to. Maybe I was ovulating, but he was just so hot, and I was not one to think the way I was thinking at the moment. Maybe Johnny had finally rubbed off on me... which was not a good thing. He was crazy and he was s*x crazed. But I love him. I did struggle to put the leggings up my bum, but fortunately, I was able to do it. The shirt was a bit snug as well, but hopefully, Johnny would soon come to my rescue. I tried to fold the dress the best I could before undoing my hair, letting down. My makeup was still nice, so I left it on. After I relieved myself and washed my hands, I made it down to find him with napkins and two bottles of water on the table with a piping hot pizza. "I'm Jade, by the way. Thank you for everything, really you saved me..." I tell him as I drop the wedding dress on a stool and walk toward the other couch. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn't want to look at him in fear he'd see me blush. "Harry," he answered between taking a bite of his pizza slice. "Eat up before it gets cold." He mumbled as he took another bite. I grabbed a slice and nodded, "Do you have mustard?" I know I was being a snob, but I always ate my pizza with a side of regular mustard. I watched as he disappeared into his kitchen and came back with the yellow bottle. I smiled, taking it, "Is Harry short for Harold?" He shook his head, "No, my name is just Harry. My mum had no imagination, I mean, my sister's name is Emma." "Simplicity is good sometimes." I said, chuckling, "My name is crazy and a mouth full... Jade Renata de la Rosa Wilson. My mom stayed true to her roots, I'm surprised my dad allowed it. All he asked was that my first name be something that could be said in Spanish and English." I finally took a bite of my pizza slice and realized just how hungry I really was. I don't know why the pizza tasted this good, but it did. Normally, I made better pizza than this, but I had nothing to complain about at the moment. We ate in silence, and I was in trance as I saw him eat. He was just really good-looking. "I ran because I didn't love him. I realized I was doing it to please my parents and their expectations." I finally said before chugging the remainder of my water. He shrugged, "Why do you have to marry to prove you love someone?" he asked as he wiped his hands. "Love is proven other ways." "So you don't believe in marriage then?" I asked as I helped clean up the mess we made. "Let me guess you're not the type to be with one girl only?" "I haven't had a girlfriend in a while, but when I did, I was the faithful one. Now I just have friends." He stated as he threw away the pizza box. I knew what that meant, but I decided not to comment it wasn't my business, I was just going to change the subject when the ring of his phone distracted me. He answered, and then he looked at me, "I think this is for you." I stood up and took the phone, "Johnny! I need you to come get me please. I will tell you everything once you've picked me up. The address is..." I remembered I didn't know it, but Harry was already handing me a notepad with the address on it, which I gave to Johnny. Who repeated back to me to make sure he had gotten it correctly. I hung up and sighed in relief. "He will be here in a bit." I said, leaning on the sink in the kitchen. "Good, and promise me you will not just jump on someone's bike like that again, yeah? Some people are dangerous," he said, staring at her. "What? Are you saying you're nice?" she asked with sarcasm but then smiled. He had been nice to her. "I like to live my life dangerously, but my mom raised a gentleman. I only bite if asked to do so. Permission is key." He winked at her, "but you are not that type of girl, are you? Giving anyone permission to take a bite," he shakes his head, "a shame." He mumbled at the end. She chose to ignore the last part. "I'd like to send you something for allowing me to stay here a bit. pay you back for the pizza, and give you back your sisters clothes." He shook his head, "It's okay. Really, twenty bucks won't break my account and keep the clothes my sister rarely visits now. She probably doesn't remember she left that here. She is enjoying her life back home." "Back home? As in England?" I asked even though I knew this because of his accent. "Yes. She is living in London with her fiance," he says. I nodded and sighed, "it was nice meeting you, Harry, even in the circumstances we met in." I felt like he wanted to say something else but didn't get a chance because there was a knock on his door. Had we really been standing in his kitchen long? He turned to leave and answered the door. I took that as my cue to get my dress. I did hope it was Johnny. I heard giggling, and Harry was trying to control a blonde that was insistant in kissing him. She wore a mini dress that did not leave anything to the imagination. Her black nails and her black heels complemented her dress. Her short bob also made her face look nice. Harry was struggling to get her off him. "Are you ready to go?" she asked him as she clung to him. She looked like she could break in two at any second. Made me feel conscious about my figure. I wasn't fat, but I had curves... I guess I could work out more? Then I remembered what my mother told me, "we Latinas, especially in my family, can't be thin. We have curves! So don't ever feel less about it. You are beautiful." Little did she know how it really went for me in high school when I didn't look like a normal teen. But that's over with, and now I'm okay, I think? "Lee, calm down, will you? I'm not ready yet. How about I meet you at the place?" Harry struggled to say as he tried to pry her off him again. Finally, her blue eyes landed on me, and her face changed... I didn't like the look. "Who the f**k is she? I thought you made plans with me!" She pushed off him and came toward me with purpose. Wrong move really I took self defense classes so I knew how to fight if need be. I cracked my my knuckles preparing myself for was this twig had to offer. I mean I felt bad and I believe in peace but I wasn't going to let her touch me. "I am not interested, trust me!" I said to avoid a fight and because it was half true. I wanted to ingrane in my head that I didn't find this stranger attractive even if I did. "She's my sister's friend Lee! f**k sakes!" Harry said stepping between us, "don't go all crazy on me Lee. Don't hit her..." "Oh, please let her try," I said, laughing. "I wouldn't though," I said looking at the infuriated girl. "Go! I'll see you at the party Lee. Leave now or you won't see me again." Harry said pushing her back toward the door. "She is leaving and I'll go to the party and we can hang yeah?" The Lee girl nodded and walked out as I heard her heels clicking on the pavement. "Let me guess your friend?" I asked sarcastically holding my wedding dress with extra aggression. "Lee is a nice girl once you get to know her." He said shutting his front door. He shrugs, and you can tell he really he is not that into her. But again, he isn't into anyone he only has "friends" with benefits. He had already told me that, and I was not into that, not today anyway. What was taking Johnny so long? I was about to ask to use his phone to call Johnny again, but there was another knock, and Harry sighed before opening the door. I smiled, recognizing Johnny, but he was eyeing the specimen in front of him. I knew exactly what he was thinking since I thought it, too. I finally decide to say something, "Johnny, thank you for coming for me." He smiled, looking at me, "Jade!" "This is Harry he helped me run today from church..." I said and smiled when Johnny extended his hand to Harry. "Johnny, Jades, very single best friend." he said. "I am Harry Jade's ride to escape her nuptials today. I'm also very straight." Harry said with a smile, trying not to insult my friend. Johnny shrugged, "This always happens..." He says, pouting and with a dramatic stance. "If you ever want to expirament, I'm available." I give my friend a maddening look he had never been this up front like this.... wait, no, he has. What am I going on about? I clear my throat and face him, "Thank you again." I held onto Johnny's hand as we both exited Harry's condo. "Enjoy your party." I tell him smiling as I waved to him. "What a day!" Johnny said as he hugged me as we walked to his car. "But this isn't about me. Tell me why you fled and without telling me!!!" I laughed at his antics as we climbed into his car... I had so much to say about the situation... including staying at Johnny's for the night. I still didn't want to face the family. "I don't love him... I realized I wouldn't be happy with him. I needed to go and I just climbed the bathroom window and ran. I didn't get a chance for anything else. I just needed to get out before Mother forced me to go through with it." I say in one go as he drives, "I just ran till I saw Harry on his motorcycle at a red light, I climbed on and fortunately he allowed me to and well brought me to his house." I finish. "Well while you ran your mother kept running to the bathroom to get you but of course you had locked it. She finally asked me to help her and I knocked like an i***t and then called your mobile which I could hear through the door. Finally your brother broke in and that is when we all found you were missing." He says turning the A/C on, "at first your mother thought you had gotten kidnapped but then we saw the chair and the window opened. Your mother screamed and then Richard came and all hell broke loose." I sigh knowing what I was in for when I finally had the courage to face him and my ex future mother in law, "Betty kept telling Richard that she had been right you were not worth his time. That lady seems so sweet like a good old southern mom but when she is mad let me tell you I have a nickname for her now Ursula!" He laughs slapping his leg. I laugh along believing him, "don't do Ursula like that! She is my favorite villain from Disney!" "I do have to say Richard did seem a bit sad. Well unless he played his part well, but genuinely I think it did break him to know you had left him at the alter." Johnny says stopping at a red light. I didn't know what to say about that, I did like him but I did not love him. I felt like we had just gotten comfortable with each other and maybe I should've said no when he proposed but I kept telling myself that I did love him. "I care for him in a friendly way... but he and I didn't agree on many things including that I wanted to continue to work at my restaurant. I am a feminist and that just irked me that he wanted me to a stay at home wife and have kids. Things you know I definitely don't want... yet." "Thank you for being you and caring for me . I knew I could count on you ." I tell him as we wait at another light. "I need to do things on my own, especially when it comes to my romance department. I'm done listening to mom or dad about that. As much as I love romance novels and such, I can't really think that does exist in real life. I don't think there is a real: Mr. Darcy out there," I sigh as I pick at my manicured nail. Johnny is nodding, "So this means I can set you up on blind dates? Are you okay with all types of men or not?" He asks eagerly. "I don't think I am trusting you with my love life either." I exclaim as he finally parks at his apartment complex.