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Post by Alexia DeMarco on May 6, 2007 11:16:18 GMT 7
What a horrible night it had been, one horrible, disgusting evening that she really wanted to forget. Well, she actually had forgotten part of it, and that was worrying her a lot. Lexi had never experienced anything like that, and she never wanted to experience it ever again. How could it have gone so wrong? Probably the insane amount of alcohol that she had consumed last night, before it had all started to go horribly wrong. First, it had been drink after drink at that club she had gone to, by herself. That was her first mistake, going to the club by herself. Dressed in a tank top under a fitted shirt, a denim mini-skirt, and some nice pumps, then dancing with the hot guys, letting them buy her drink after drink, and actually drinking them all. How had she gotten this way? She was turning into something that she didn’t want to be, and she was ashamed of it all.
It had been fuzzy from there, but Lexi thought she had gotten into a fight with another girl. The bad thing was that she didn’t remember with whom, or why she had been fighting in the first place. What was worse was that she had started fighting with the bouncers, as they pulled the two scrapping females apart. That had led to her being escorted out of the club, and finally, pinned to the ground. Her top had been partly torn off in the process, she lost her pumps, and thankfully she had worn a bra that night. Her drunken protests were ignored, and the police had come. Thinking that she was totally out of control, they had arrested her, and charged her with underage drinking, assault, and resisting arrest. Taken to one of the local precincts, she was given a t-shirt to wear over her ruined top, some hospital slippers to wear on her feet, and processed. She was still drunk, and had a huge smirk on her face, when they took her mug shot. And everything was a blur, especially after she was put in the holding cell for the night.
Lexi didn’t remember much after that, she thought there might have been someone else in the cell. She really didn’t know for sure, or suspect anything, until the next morning, when they woke her up to make her one phone call. With her clothing all in disarray, and the way she was laying on the bed, she was almost certain someone had been there with her. And what had happened? She didn’t remember a thing, and it was really upsetting her. But the guards were unsympathetic to her and her situation, not really answering her questions, and telling her to be quiet. She managed to not fall apart, and focus on the next problem, despite her massive hangover. Who was she going to call, to help get her out? Who did she know in the city that could help her? Only one name came immediately to her mind, and she really didn’t want to call him. What would he think of her, once he found out what happened? And would he be willing to pay the bond to get her out? It was a lot of money to pay for someone that he knew, but didn’t really know all that well. But he was the one who she could reach easily, and might actually be able to come.
She maked the call, and gets through to Christian, only explaining what she had to get him to come. Could she tell him everything that she remembered happening to her, and what she suspect happened to her inside of that jail cell? Probably not, she needed time to process everything, and she needed a clear head to do it. She also needed food, water, and a shower very badly, because she looked like she had been through hell. Which she had been, and she wanted to be over with as soon as possible. But, deep down, she knew that it wasn’t going to be over very soon. Taken to be processed out, she gathers her meager belongings, and shuffles outside, the slippers she had on didn’t fit very well. Shivering in the cooler morning air, crossing her arms, she looks around, trying to find the familiar face she hoped was waiting for her.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on May 6, 2007 12:01:06 GMT 7
Christian brought a hand to his forehead and touched the side of his temple as he climbed out of the taxi cab that just delivered him to the closest precint. He wasn't really sure what he was doing here; twenty minutes ago his phone rang and Lexi said something about being in jail and needing help. Although Christian wasn't entirely sure what was going on or why she was even in jail in the first place, he didn't hesitate to come help her out.
Dealing with a bondsman was perhaps the most vicious and frustrating experience the young journalist ever had. After what felt like forever, Christian finished all his paperwork and his friend was released. Bidding the man farewell and stuffing a receipt of sale in his jean pocket, Christian paced toward the exit where he was told Alexia would be waiting for him.
She was not difficult to spot. The poor girl looked absolutely shattered, to say the least. With a mild frown of concern and uncertainty, Christian walked up to her. Before asking anything about the night she had, though, he simply said, "Let's take a cab back to my house and get you cleaned up." It wasn't really a question; it was more a friendly, though firm, order than anything. Christian wanted to know what Lexi had done but he didn't think it was worth talking about until they were in private.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on May 6, 2007 12:31:09 GMT 7
Hearing the door open behind her, Lexi turns, and sees Christian walking up to her. Still shivering, she finds it hard to look at his eyes, or to even look at him. She was grateful for him helping her, but she was also embarrassed, and she just wanted to go crawl into bed. But instead of confronting her right there, he suggested they go back to his place, and let her shower there. Finally looking at his eyes, she doesn't say anything for a long time, then she simply nods. She knew he had a lot of questions, but she appreciated that he wasn't going to ask her right away.
Starting to walk toward the curb, Lexi maintains her distance from Christian. She couldn't bring herself to get closer to him, they didn't have that kind of relationship, or so she thought. But she was thankful for him being there, and she stops suddenly, turning to face him. "Christian... thank you so much, you don't know how much I appreciate what you've done for me. And I'll pay you back, I swear I will." She didn't care that it might upset him, from their past experiences. She just wanted him to know how she felt, and she hoped that he understood.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on May 6, 2007 23:10:52 GMT 7
Christian lifted a hand to flag down a taxi cab when the young brunette stopped in front of him and turned around. He raised an eyebrow, wondering what she was willing to say with so many people around tossing them curious looks. Christian would have waited to speak until he was in a cab, away from lingering eyes and inquiring ears. But, when she spoke, it wasn't about her excuse or what happened to get her tossed into the jail cell for the night. It was an appreciation.
Clearing his throat and nodding slowly, Christian said, "You're welcome." He didn't say anything about being paid back; it wasn't necessary and they would be able to discuss that when they got back to his apartment. The bond hadn't been excessive, but it was nice enough to make Christian nibble his lip when he was writing a check. He wasn't hesitant to sign his name, though. Christian had a frightening loyalty to people he befriended and kept close. There was nothing he wouldn't do for someone he treasured and cared about. Bailing them out of jail was no different.
Although he might have been giving the impression he didn't want to talk, Christian was in fact thinking quite the opposite during the cab ride to his apartment. He was pondering how to ask her what happened without offending her or breaking down her confidence.
By the time they arrived back at his apartment complex and made their way to the elevator, down the hall, and to the door of his apartment, Christian finally spoke again. "You can borrow some of my clothes," he said while he fiddled with the key, unlocking the door and letting them both in. "They'll be big on you, but it will do until you can get back home." Closing the door and locking it back, Christian looked around his apartment with a solid, anxious eye. He hadn't even considered making sure the place was clean after he rushed out to take care of Alexia. Thankfully, there were only a few dishes in the sink and a pair of shoes by the couch.
"Come here," he said, nodding towards Lexi and turning down the hall towards his bedroom. There was a separate bathroom for visitors, but it didn't include a full bath with a shower and tub. Only his master bedroom was accomodated with the shower. Walking through the bedroom and into the bathroom, Christian pulled a blue towel off the hook behind the door and offered it to Lexi. "You can shower here and I'll put some clothes out on the bed for you." His tone wasn't harsh or even; rather, it was relatively warm and concerned. He even managed to flicker a small, caring smile in her direction before he walked out of the bathroom and into the bedroom to pull out some clothes and set them on the bed. OOC: I don't even know if they write bond checks, lmao, but for the sake of our post, they do.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on May 7, 2007 3:17:19 GMT 7
Christian's slow, measured response, with it's carefully chosen words, was exactly what Lexi needed to hear. With a slow, soft sigh, and a downturn of her brown eyes, she appears to be relieved. Still keeping her distance, eyes darting to look at anything else, she climbs into the back of the cab, giving Christian plenty of room. For most of the ride, her attention is focused out of the window of the cab, with a few quick glances in Christian's direction. Some tears manage to escape, running down her pale looking cheeks, and she wipes them away. She didn't want to break down in the cab, she was stronger than that, and she wasn't going to allow it to happen.
Following Christian down the hall, and into his apartment, Lexi still has her arms crossed over her chest. It was warmer inside, she wasn't shivering as much, but she still felt cold deep inside. His words were kind, soft, with just the right amount of detail for her to know what was going to happen next. With quick glances around the apartment, it looked very well lived in, and comfortable. She followed him into the bedroom, and toward the large bathroom behind it. Nodding slightly, her only response to his instructions, she takes the towel from him, and smiles back at him, with a small, sad curl of her lips. Closing the door when he walked out, she stares at the back of the door for a moment, before looking quickly around.
Walking toward a wall, Lexi looks at the ceiling, fighting back tears. She leans against the wall for support, trying to hold back the river of emotion that was threatening to explode from her. How could she have been so stupid? Why did she deserve to have friends like Christian, who were willing to go out of their way to help her? Turning her back to the wall, she slowly slides down it to the floor. Lowering her chin to her chest, her dark eyes closed tightly, the tears would not stop flowing. A couple of soft sobs could be hear, and she fought that too, she wasn't going to let herself get like this. But the harder she fought it, the more it seemed to happen. The sobs were louder, some sounded almost like hiccups, the other were more breath taking. Glancing at the door, she wished that Christian didn't hear her, and that he wouldn't walk in. She didn't want him to see her like this.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on May 7, 2007 4:08:03 GMT 7
Strong fingers brushed across metal hangers, thumbing through dress shirts and jackets before reaching further back to casual t-shirts. Christian was concentrating more on his attempt to evaluate the reason the college student could have gotten herself thrown in jail. She was always so upbeat and loving; she might not be a bookworm but she was hardworking and dependable. Mixing Lexi with jail was a process he could not wrap his mind around as he pulled a shirt off the hanger and laid it over his arm. Christian wasn't going to force her to talk about it if she didn't desire it, though he desperately wanted to know what had happened. Maybe it had been a misunderstanding.
Over time, Christian had found himself more and more drawn to the spunky brunette. Her personality and laughter were addictive, drawing him out of his shell and into the open whenever they spent time together. She was turning out to be a good friend and an almost weekly companion at the Wreck Room on Tuesday evenings. He wasn't sure how he felt about her entirely, but he definitely preferred her company over some of his other female companions.
Pulling out a pair of black lounge pants, Christian suddenly realized he didn't hear the water running. With a frown, he laid the clothes on the bed and walked closer to the door. He had just lifted a fist to knock when he heard what sounded to be sobbing. Lowering his hand and pressing his lips together, Christian looked at the ground.
With a small sigh, not really audible, Christian rubbed the back of his neck before knocking softly and pushing open the door. He didn't say anything when he walked in. Leaving the door slightly ajar, he crossed the floor and sat down beside Lexi. Without speaking, he put his hand behind her back and pressed just enough to lift her off the wall and pull her close to his chest. "Sshh," he comforted quietly, holding her in a soft hug. Christian didn't say anything else; he didn't want to somehow upset her more than necessary. For the time, he only held her close and hoped her tears would eventually dry up enough to let her relax.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on May 7, 2007 5:24:20 GMT 7
Lexi heard nothing over her own sobs, before the soft knock, and the door opening. Looking up at Christian, her tear streaked face now a little puffy, she watches him cross the short distance between them, and sit down next to her. With his hand on her back, she felt him gently pulling her closer to him. Wrapping her arms around his middle, and burying her face into his chest, she holds onto him like he was a life raft in a churning sea. She can feel his comforting arms around her, and her sobs are muffled by the layers of clothing he is wearing.
After only a few minutes, which almost seem like hours, Lexi turns her head slightly, feeling the coolness of his soaked shirt against her cheek. Sniffling loudly, she looks up at Christian's face, seeing the strong line of his jaw just above her reddened eyes. Taking some deep breaths to help calm herself down, her mind races a little, trying to think of what she could say to him, and what she could never say. How much did she trust him? They had been seeing each other once or twice a week, and she had always looked forward to each meeting. And she had been disappointed each time they had to part company. But, what really did they have, beyond just a normal friendship? Maybe they didn't have anything, and nothing was going to change.
She watched him for a little while, she was calming down, and she was able to start collecting her thoughts. Still looking up at his face, she finally feels brave enough to say something to him. "Hey... thanks." Her voice was small and soft, not like the usually spunky girl that she could be. Biting her lip, still not sure what she should say to him about the previous night, she sighs. He was going to ask eventually, and she needed to be ready to respond. That could be telling him everything, or just telling him enough to be able to get a shower, and to head back to her dorm room.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on May 7, 2007 5:50:33 GMT 7
Christian rubbed his hand up and down her back while her face was buried in his chest. Her voice was maimed by the fabric of his shirt, but his heart tugged each time he heard her smothered sobs. Growing up with two sisters, Christian had grown used to comforting those in a time of need, whether it be a break-up, bruised knee, or emotional break down. Since moving to New York, however, Christian was deprived of that necessity. Instinct managed to kick in when Lexi wrapped her arms around his middle and just let her tears flow, though. His hand instantly began rubbing her back and he did everything he could to keep her relaxed and comfortable until her tears finally stopped flowing.
The sound of her voice so soft and small was such a contrast from her naturally spunky persona. It was a side of Lexi that Christian had not encountered in the past few months. She looked so helpless, biting her lip and looking up at him as though he was going to scold her like a puppy. Yes, he wanted to know what happened and brotherly instinct would possibly push him to comment, but he wasn't going to be angry at her. It wasn't his place.
Christian lowered his chin enough to watch the young woman looking up at him when she spoke and seemed so hesitant. With a small, supportive smile, he touched a hand to her cheek and shook his head. "No need to thank me." Letting his hand drop down, Christian said, "I won't ask if you don't want to share." His dark eyes were solemn but his emotional support still shined clearly through. Curiousity could be silenced, even if it was over time rather than from discovering an answer.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on May 7, 2007 6:27:36 GMT 7
He was so gentile with her, he must have done this before. And Christian wasn't demanding anything out of her. Lexi blinked as she felt his hand on her cheek, his cool skin felt good on the burning warmth of her own. Taking a deep breath, and sighing, she needed to say something to him, because she felt like she owed it to him. And she knew she owed a lot to him already. With a hesitant look from her dark eyes, she looks away, her cheek still against his chest. Watching a random spot on the wall, she begins to speak, as she still decides how much to say to him.
Her voice still soft, but loud enough to be heard over any background noise, Lexi starts to talk in slow, even tones. "I don't remember a whole lot, I was so drunk at the club. I should never have gone there by myself. And when it all started, it was like in a dream, it didn't feel real. I got into a fight, I remember that much. And I was fighting with the bouncers, I don't know what got into me. Then I was outside, they had me pinned on the sidewalk. Next thing I remember is being in the back of the police car, then having my picture taken. I don't know what happened to my shoes, or my shirt, they gave me this t-shirt to wear. Then they put me in the cell." She pauses, trying to remember what happened after that. And thinking about what she suspected happened to her.
Lexi though she had cried most of it out of her, but getting to this part started her crying again. "Christian... oh god, I don't know, I can't remember! But I think something happened to me, in the cell. Oh god, why did I have to be so stupid!" The tears were falling down her cheeks, and she was sobbing silently, all over again. She hadn't meant to say as much as she did, but it had just come out, and she couldn't stop it. Now he was going to ask more questions, and she still wasn't sure what happened. And she didn't know if she could tell him everything that she knew. How she knew that something had happened. And who had been there with her in the cell. Her body shaking slightly from the sobs, she holds onto Christian, and she wipes at her eyes, hating everything about her weakness, and having shared it with him.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on May 7, 2007 7:31:07 GMT 7
Christian watched Alexia while she told her story, though her eyes were on the wall rather than focusing on him. He could tell she was embarrassed and he didn't want to push the subject any further than she desired. Sharing more than necessary would only upset the young woman and Christian respected her enough to leave well enough alone. His brows creased progressively as her story continued; the image of her being pinned on the sidewalk was not a pleasant one. When she finished sharing, Christian ran his tongue across the back of his teeth and didn't say anything. His assumption was she was taken in due to underage drinking and getting into a fight at the club. He wasn't going to ask; not yet, anyway. Her emotions were still reeling and touching a hot iron was only asking for trouble.
His brows lifted in surprise when she burst into tears again and brought up being in the cell. "Something?" he repeated before he even knew he was saying anything. Pressing his lips back together, he holds her once more and strokes her hair. Her tears had dampened his shirt significantly, but his mind was a whole different track now. If something had happened to her... something being what he assumed to be sexual, Christian had reason to worry about her.
Lips tight and eyes on the shower faucet only feet away from where they sat, Christian lets his hand hover over her back. After a moment, he lifts her up enough to look her straight in the eye. A mix of sympathy and concern are painted in his dark eyes, flickering back and forth as he examines her teary face. "I want you to tell me what you think happened, if you can manage it. You can get your shower first, if you want, but if something happened..." Christian let his words trail off, not wanting to think about a possible consequence. The thought alone made him want to shift around uncomfortably, but he sat quite still, just watching her with one hand on her back and the other resting on his leg.
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Post by Alexia DeMarco on May 7, 2007 10:49:15 GMT 7
Holding onto Christian tightly, Lexi didn't want to let go, or even to move for that matter. And she can feel him holding onto her, stroking her hair, it was all the little things that she needed very badly right now. Taking some deep breaths, and sniffling, she starts to calm down a little. But his single word made her cringe slightly, he was affected by what she had said. In a way, she was grateful for his concern. In another way, she was mortified that she had shared so much of herself with him already.
Lexi felt Christian lifting her, and she looks up into his eyes, slight panic showing in hers. He was going to say something very serious to her, and she was just going to dissolve into the abyss of emotions she was feeling right then. But she sees the concern there, and that almost causes her to recoil, she didn't want to do this to him. But it was too late, and she needed to get through it, to get her story out. Closing her eyes, and sighing heavily, she shakes her head slowly, wiping away more tears. Opening her eyes again, the fear and panic obvious there, she looks into his brown eyes, wanting to be able to tell him what happened.
"I don't know, I fell asleep, I think. It was a single bed, and when I woke up... I was against the wall, there was plenty of room for someone else to be there with me. My shirt was pushed up, my bra was loose in the back..." Lexi could feel her cheeks starting to burn, she was not comfortable talking about this at all with Christian. Maybe because she wanted to have something more with him, but she was frightened of losing him, making him afraid of being with her. Knowing that she wanted to get the rest of this out, she takes a deep, shuddering breath, and lets it out slowly. "My underwear wasn't on right, and the bed felt warm, like someone else had been in it. I just don't know, Christian, I can't remember any of it!" The panic was back, what had been done to her? Would she ever know? And could she be close to Christian ever again? Those were the questions she desperately needed answers to, and no answers seemed to exist.
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Post by Christian Patrick Elliot on May 7, 2007 23:35:32 GMT 7
After noticing the panic in her eyes, Christian started to wish he hadn't even asked. If it was going to mortify her, it was probably better if he had kept his mouth shut. But it was too late for that now; the question was out. All he could do was listen and attempt to make it not too horrifying for her.
Giving her an encouraging squeeze on the shoulder, Christian lowered his chin and listened to her solemnly when she began to recount the pieces she could remember. It took a great amount of willpower to not cringe and look away from her when she told him about waking up with so many unanswered questions. Her cheeks burned in embarrassment. He could only imagine the courage it would take to share something so personal with him. Rubbing his hand up and down her arm, Christian continued to watch her with sympathetic eyes until her panic set in all over again.
He looked away when she was done talking, but his strong hand didn't leave her arm and he didn't attempt to lift her further away. He was not angry with her in the least. What he couldn't seem to understand was why someone would put a male and female in the same cell together, especially if one was intoxicated. What sort of screw idea was that? Unless, of course, it was another female. The thought made his throat tighten but he didn't say anything.
"I can go down to the station and talk to the officers if you want me to," he said once his throat loosened up. It wouldn't be hard to cover up. Christian had been to the station once in his life to work on a project during his final year at Rutherford. The chances they remembered him was slim, but the fact he was a journalist could get him more information than if he just introduced himself as a citizen in the city. "Maybe try and figure out who was in the cell with you," he suggested with a small downturn of his lips. Stroking her back, Christian said, "I won't do anything you don't want me to, Lexi. I just..." He paused and looked at the wall in front of them, running his tongue across his lips. Care? What was the right word? A few seconds passed and he didn't speak. Finally, he looked down at her with a small smile and shook his head, showing he didn't have a word to finish with.
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