Women And the Demons Who Love Them

Danger is My Middle Name-3

Kascade ft. Ilsey- Disarm You (Illenium Remix)

    I was right, he looks amazing in his uniform. Brant was standing on the bleachers surrounded by a group of girls when we arrived but as soon as his eyes landed on me he lost interest in all of them. Jerry and I sat at the top of the bleachers with our snacks and our drinks. We both notice the change in him when we arrived. 

    "If you end up dating that guy, your dad is going to be f*****g pissed at both of us," Jerry whispered. 

    "Like my dad would care enough to know who his kid is f*****g," I scoffed. She laughed.

    "I found this song for you last night," she handed me one of her earbuds. I nodded motioning her to play the song. Halfway through the song, I started moving along to the beat. The two of us danced together. 

    "That was amazing," I laughed when it was over. 

    "I knew you'd like it," she beamed. 

    "What's up, Jerry? Brandy," we both looked up at Paul.

    Paul has had a crush on Jerry since we were kids. Her dad and his are friends. He's not a bad kid and I think that's what the problem is. Jerry likes bad guys. Not guys that would slap their girlfriends around. Guys like her dad. The kind that would kill or nearly kill for their little princess. He used to box but he just doesn't have it.  It takes a certain kind of person to step into a ring and get the living s**t beat out of them and still stand on their own two feet. Besides, ff I want to get anywhere with Brant this dude is not welcomed in our life. 

    "Go away, Paul," I grunted with distaste. 

    "As cute as you are, little monster, you're not who I want to talk to," he shot back. 

    "We're watching the game," Jerry motioned him to move away. He sat down next to her clearly not taking the hint. Below, Brant is looking back up at me. I waved at him and he smiled back. 

    "What are you listening to?" Paul asked Jerry. 

    "TCTS," she answered. 

    "I've never heard of him," 

    "Makes sense. It's house. EDM," he still doesn't know what she's talking about. Jerry sighed annoyed with him already. She doesn't like people that go with the flow. She's not a flow type. She's a mess. Much like me. "Techno?" 

    "You like techno? That's still a thing?" he laughed. If she would glare at me like that I would just walk away. I've done it. She has a shitty f*****g temper. 

    "What do you listen to?" she asked. 

    "Have you ever heard of sixty-nine?" 

    "The s*x position?" Jerry never disappoints. Soda came up my nose burning me. I stood trying to settle my coughing. "B, blow your nose," she laughed handing me a tissue from inside her satchel. "No, is that an actual artist's name?" 

    "Yeah, he's a rapper," he shrugged probably feeling embarrassed.

    "Oh," 

    "Do you like Rap?" 

    "Some, like Tech N9ne and J. Cole," 

    "They're cool," he shrugged. I doubt he knows who Tech is.

    "Remember the dude with the rainbow hair and the tats on his face?" I asked her. She nodded. "That's who he's talking about," 

    She looked over at him tried really hard not to laugh at him but ended up laughing anyway. Paul got up and left us alone. We had spent an entire night making fun of that guy. She called him the worst role model of our generation even before he was arrested. 

    As the game started, she started getting into it. When Brant stepped up to the plate she looked at me and explained why he's the best player on the team. Then she gave me a few baseball tips in case I needed a subject to bring up if he talked to me. They won. We both cheered with everyone else. When we got back to the bottom he stopped me. 

    "I didn't know you liked baseball," he smiled. 

    "Oh, uh-I don't. Jerry does and she asked me to come with her. I'm glad I did. You were amazing. Great form,"

    He looked me over with a massive grin on his face. His cheeks flushed. Jerry chuckled knowing the effect I just had on him. Is this what it feels like to make someone feel good about themselves? I love it.  

    "We're going to Adam's to celebrate. You guys should come," 

    "To a party?" Jerry asked skeptically. 

    "We don't have a ride," I shrugged. 

    "I'll give you guys a ride. If you don't feel comfortable, I'll take you home," I looked back at her. 

    "Okay," she shrugged. "What's the worst that can happen?" 

    "Are you sure?" I asked her. 

    "Yeah, you came out with me. It's only fair," she nodded. 

    "Thanks," I grinned. 

    "I have to change really fast. Give me a second?" he asked. 

    "We'll give you two," Jerry stated with a serious look on her face. He looked at me nervously. 

    "Sarcasm. She's being sarcastic," I laughed. 

    "You got me," he laughed pointing at her. 

    "This is going to be fun," she smirked shaking her head. 

    "Hey, be nice,"

    "I have to tell my mom we might get home late," she held up her new flip phone. 

    "Jerry, is that a f*****g flip phone?" I asked her. 

    "Yeah, my mom made me choose between a laptop and the new iPhone," 

    "You chose the laptop," 

    "I chose the laptop," she confirmed with a smirk. She stepped away to talk to her mom. 

    A couple of guys came over to me and just started talking to one another. When Jerry came back she wordlessly pointed them out. I shrugged. When Brant came out the guys greeted him before the walked away. Did he just have someone watch over us so that we wouldn't get hurt? That's the cutest thing ever.

    "You guys ready?" he asked. 

    "Sure," I nodded. Jerry and I followed him to his giant truck. He opened the door for me and for Jerry. This is cute. When the radio turned on, I looked back at Jerry. 

    "Sorry," he reached to change it. 

    "No," Jerry stopped him. "I love this song. Do you listen to this?" 

    "Hell yeah. Crooked Colors is my s**t. Keeps me calm," 

    "Me too," she smiled looking at me. 

    "Do you have good s**t on your phone?" he asked her handing her the AUX cord. 

    "Yes, how is that even a question?" she plugged her phone in. "This is Brandy's new jam," 

    I laughed as she played the song for him and sat back. He looked at me as he listened and nodded approvingly. The drive to Adam's was too short for us and he looks genuinely disappointed to have to get out of the truck. 

    Adam and his sister are kind of our High School Royalty. Allyson is on the cheer squad. He's a football player and a track star. Their parents are rich and let them throw these massive parties in their back yard. We've known them since we were in second grade and they've always been stuck up. Before I got tall, Allyson used to pick on me. I don't know if Jerry remembers that. 

    I pulled Jerry close to me. She didn't let me take her hand, probably because her hands are sweaty right now. She doesn't do big crowds anymore. She doesn't like parties anymore. She's completely shut the world out since her dad was arrested. 

    "Drinks?" Brant asked. 

    "I'll have a water," she nodded. 

    "I'll have whatever you're having," I smiled at him. He grinned before walking away. 

    The music here isn't bad. ZHU is blaring from a couple of massive speakers. There's a guy between them killing it on the turntables. That's something she's never not going to love. I pulled her away from the others as we started dancing. Brant handed her a water bottle and handed me a White Claw. I've never actually had one of these. 

    "Not a fan?" he asked. 

    "I've never had one," I admitted cracking it open. I took a sip and wanted to spit back out. Jerry laughed at my expression. I swallowed the drink and shrugged. "It's not as bad as I expected but it's kind of bad," 

    "I can get you something else," he grinned. 

    "This is fine," I shrugged. "A drink is a drink," 

    "How long have you two known one another?" he asked. 

    "Birth?" I asked her.

    "Sounds about right," she nodded. "Our mom's have been friends since kindergarten," 

    "Cute. Sisters, I see that," he nodded. "You guys want to meet some of the guys. Their girlfriends are here as well,"

    "If you want," Jerry shrugged leaving it up to me. 

    "You okay with that? I don't want you to push it," 

    "Yeah, I just took my thing and as long as no one touches me we're good," she nodded. Brant looked her over before leading us over to his friends. She stayed behind us looking around. 

    "Is she okay?" he asked. I nodded.

    "She has this thing. PTSD because of some s**t that happened a couple of years ago. She doesn't like to be touched. She panics and might hurt someone. She's taking meds for it. She should be fine," 

    "Let me know if it gets too rough for her. We'll go," 

    "You'll know when it gets too rough for her," I snickered. 

    "Brandy," some of the girls called out as soon as they saw me. I greeted them with a hug. Thankfully no one tried to approach her. But she did greet them. She's even talking to a few of them. 

    "She's doing good," Brant whispered in my ear after a while. 

    "She is," I laughed. It's important to me that he understands our situation. Points are racking up. Lots of them. Jerry means a lot to me.

    "Do you think you can sneak away for a dance?" he asked. I glanced over at her to see Jerry laughing with the other girls. 

    "Yeah," I nodded. 

    I smiled at her when her eyes met mine. She grinned and nodded letting me know it was okay. Brant is a really tall guy and if I were an average-sized girl, he would tower over me by a lot. We began to dance along with everyone. One song turned into four and I love it. He's a crappy dancer but he's trying so hard that it's cute. 

    "B, Allyson is in Jerry's face," Karrie one of the girls that was talking to Jerry shouted at us. 

    I rushed back in the direction where I left Jerry. I can't get to her but from where I'm standing I can see Jerry trying to apologize to her. Allyson did the one thing she never should have. With both her hands she shoved Jerry as hard as she could. The group of guys standing behind her pushed her back towards Allyson. She hit her face against Allyson's shoulder. 

    "Jeremiah, no. Stop," I called trying to get to her but it was too late. 

    Jerry pushed her back. Some of her friends stepped between them and Jerry did what Jerry does best. She defended herself. Allyson shoved Jerry while she was dealing with one of the other girls and then punched her in the face. Jerry turned around and with a perfect form, swung at her with her left arm and laid her on her ass. The crowd is cheering for her. I finally reached her. She has a big cut on her forehead where she had hit her face.

    "Jerry, it's me. Calm down, sweetie. Calm down. You're okay," I put my hands up so she knows I'm not a threat. It's something I've seen her dad do during her matches.

    "That was sick," some of the guys shouted. 

    "Don't touch her," I warned. "Jerry?" 

    "I'm sorry," she whispered looking around. "I'm so sorry," 

    As she started coming back to me, the regret of whats she did set in and she shook her head. She stormed out of here. I took her jacket and her satchel and followed behind her. Brant followed behind us. 

    "Jerry, that wasn't your fault," I called after her.

    "Whether it was or not, I hurt her," she spun around catching my off guard. I had to brake really fast so I wouldn't smack into her.

    "Them," I corrected. The sadness in her eyes doubled. 

    "I'm sorry. I tried really hard," she started to cry. 

    "I know," I nodded going over to her. She flinched putting her hands up keeping me away from her. "Jer, this wasn't your fault. They tried to hurt you. You just defended yourself. There's nothing wrong with that," 

    "I'm going to go home," she proclaimed taking her bag from me. 

    "Jer, we have to take you to the hospital. You're bleeding," 

    "My mom is home. She'll take care of it," 

    "We can drive you home," Brant suggested. She looked between us and then nodded knowing I'm not going to let her walk away like this.

    She didn't say a word when she got out of the car. She went into her place. Her mom is upset. I can hear her yelling at Jerry inside and I can hear Jerry's sobbing. After a while, her mom came out and looked me over probably thinking she had hurt me. Maybe Jerry thinks she did.

    "Are you okay?" she asked. I nodded. 

    "I'm sorry, Minnie. I didn't- It wasn't her fault. She tried to walk away but those other girls wouldn't let her. I didn't get to her in time," 

    "That's probably for the best," she smiled coming over to me. "It would have been worse if she would have hurt you. I stopped the bleeding with a couple of stitches. She's fine. You guys should get home. I gave her something and she's going to be out all night. Let me know if they want to press charges," 

    "They won't," Brant reassured her with confidence. 

    "Thank you for bringing her home," she nodded kissing the to of my head before she went back inside.

    "Are you okay?" he asked. 

    "Yeah, I just-" I laughed looking over at him. "She laid four cheerleaders tonight," 

    "That was pretty sick," he smirked. "I like her. Do you want me to take you home?" 

    "If I say no?" I asked. 

    "Then I won't," he smiled. 

    "Then don't," 

We ended up at the beach. 

    "You know, you should probably stay away from me," I warned him when he put me into the bed of his truck. 

    "Because your dad is a cop?" he asked sitting down next to me. He pulled me close to him.

    "Yeah," I nodded trying to make myself comfortable. "I'd hate for you or anyone you care about to get hurt because of me,"

    "We can take care of ourselves," he shrugged. "And don't tell your dad," 

    "I rarely talk to him," I admitted. "The only person who gives a s**t about me is Jerry," 

    "You don't have a mom?" 

    "I do, but she lives in a very unrealistic world," 

    "My mom too," he scoffed. "Both of my parents. They kind of do their own thing. They think that because there's food in the fridge and because they gift me a bunch of expensive s**t that I have it good. They tell me to be grateful. But they're not the ones out here getting harassed by the people who want them behind bars. They're not trying to step out of the s**t they created. You're lucky to have Jerry," 

    "You have Rocket," I reminded him. "I mean yeah, he's a d**k but he cares about you," 

    "Rocket has his own s**t to dig himself out of. But yeah, he's cool. Not as cool as Jerry," 

    "No one is as cool as Jerry," I laughed. 

    "You have a really contagious laugh," 

    "Thank you. You have a really scary voice," 

    "Thank you. I think," he chuckled. 

    "It's a compliment. Scary but in a good way. Like I know that roller coaster is gonna scare the s**t out of me but I'm getting on it anyway kind of way," 

He laughed. Talking about contagious laughs. 

    "You're cute," he smiled. "I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time," 

    "How long?" I laughed. 

    "Since sophomore year started," 

    "That was last year," I laughed. "What took you so long?" 

    "You are kind of scary too and I'm the kind of person that has to hype myself up to get on a roller coaster," 

    "That is the cutest thing anyone has ever told me. I used to be like that too," 

    "What happened?" 

    "Nothing happened to me. Jerry used to be this f*****g rockstar. Everyone wanted to be her friend then something broke inside of her and I think for the first time in my life, I wanted to be the reason why some woke up every morning. If something like that can happen to someone as fearless as her, then how can someone like me hope to survive. I wanted her to have what I did. Someone who would reach down and pick me back up the way she used to," 

    "That's a lot of weight to carry around for someone else," 

    "My parents forget I'm there sometimes. My mom is a writer and she goes off on these month-long trips and my dad is always working. Jerry would come over with food and we would binge-watch these superhero cartoons. On my birthdays, her mom would bake me a cake and she would make a big fuss about it and Jerry would go out of her way to invite my parents weeks in advance so that they would show up. It was the same for graduations, award ceremonies. Before I f****d up my knee I went state twice for gymnastics. Jerry was at every event with her dad and sometimes her mom. Her mom works a lot. 

    "She doesn't think I know about all the stuff she had to put up with because my parents suck. She hides it well and I probably wouldn't have noticed it if I didn't overhear her dad arguing with mine. She didn't have to do all of that for me. So when she started to change, I wanted to show her that I paid as much attention as she does. I think if we didn't, we would have fallen apart completely," 

    "I like her even more now," he smiled pulling me closer.