C7

She was beautiful.

She was everything he always wanted.

She was naive and pure. He has always wanted her. Wanted every part of her. But something is wrong. He doesn't deserve her.

He stood at a corner and watched her. She just turned nineteen and her parents threw a party for her. The party guests cheered her and her twin as he watched her cut the cake. His eyes scanned her body and she was clad in a red dress. He had never liked the color red, but she made him fall in love with the color.

He watched her every move as she danced to the song with her sister. He couldn't take his eyes off her. He couldn't. He had tried to stay away from her but he couldn't. Her black hair bounced to every move she swayed and he liked that too. And that's when he decided he was gonna have her even if it took him years.

****

•JUDAH•

I walk through the double doors of the Italian restaurant. Can't really remember when I last got here. Six months ago or maybe six years ago. Brenda raises her head as she sees me. She's baffled as she gasps. She's a petite woman. Works here and she's been here since I can remember.

I lean my elbows on the counter and smile at her. She always treats me like a son and I hate that sometimes.

"Judah?"

" Sadly, that's me."

" Oh my God. When did you get out?"

" Three weeks ago."

She rounds the counter and flings her arms around me to hug me. Shit! Can't even remember when someone hugged me.

" I thought I was never gonna see you again. How did they let you out?" She releases me from her embrace and looks up at me.

" Long story, don't wanna go into details now. Are they in?" I ask and tip my head to the door behind her counter. It holds an underground club. It's actually a strip club , mostly used for illegal shit sometimes.

" Yes. They will freak out. I missed you son." She hugs me again.

" Thanks."

" Mercedes is here."

Fuck!

" What?" I ask her and she shrugs.

" She strips here now. Go check it out yourself."

I nod and give her a small smile. I open the door and walk past the door and this familiar dark passage appears. A red bulb flickers on the ceiling as I walk down the hallway. And then I'm thinking of her again. Her little naive self. She's pretty and I hate to admit that I'm attracted to her.

She makes me nervous even without knowing. Coming back wasn't part of my plan, but seeing her that night changed everything. She is pretty and one thing that attracted me to her was how she smiles. Seeing her that fateful evening was a lot to deal with. I think she went out that day and just got back from whatever place she went to.

Her bedroom is adjacent to mine and her room window is also opposite mine. I don't think she noticed that or maybe she chose to ignore it. And then she had to stand next to her window to remove her dress. Her lacey lingerie came to view and it took the last will power in me to look away. I quickly closed the drapes and walked away.

She was perfect. Still can't understand why I'm attracted to her. I just wanted a taste of her. How she would feel underneath me. Probably screaming my name, but then she's too naive. Still can't believe she would fall for the flaws of that college kid. Stupid rich fuck. He's like his father. Pigs!

I hate how I snapped at her in her car. I can't really remember when last someone cared truly to ask how I felt. Or let's just say I'm allergic to people caring. It sucks and it fucking irritates me.

Serena is one of these naive innocent girls who thinks they can fix everyone. She would take a broken man and fix him. It's sad she thinks she can fix that sick fuck named Todd. Whatever his shitty name is.

I hear the loud music as I approach the club. I shove my hands down my jacket pocket and step inside this club. I head to the bar and lean my elbows on it. The bartender recognizes me at once and I hate that.

"Judah."

" Shut the fuck up. Water, will ya?" I ask him.

He tries to hide his smile as he turns around to give me a bottle of water. I look around the club and then the strippers. They spin around the pole, while some give men lap dances for money. I see Mercedes. What the fuck is she doing here? I fucking hate that bitch. Still don't know why we fucked and how we managed to continue fucking. She's fucking clingy. She threatened one of my hoes and made her run away from me even before I had time to be with her.

"Here's your water , Judah." The bartender gives me my water. I don't even remember his name.

" Damn, it's nice to finally meet you. I always secretly idolize you."

" You're not clingy, are you?"

" Fuck, no."

" Good, cause you're about to act creepy." I tell him and he chuckles.

" The club missed you though. We heard what happened. When did you get back?"

I glare at him. He zips his mouth and throws away an imaginary key.

" Better."

I pull out a packet of cigarettes from my jacket pocket and pull out a stick.

" Can I light that for you?" The bartender kid asks. He's definitely grown, not like I imagined.

With the stick of a cigarette stuck in my mouth, I ask him." You don't have a crush on me right?"

He chuckles and shakes his head." Not really. I'm just a huge fan of you."

I scoff. Fucking fan, really?

I light the cigarette and pull it out to puff out the smoke.

" What the actual fuck? Judah?" A voice says from beside me. I turn to look at this visitor.

I mentally shoot myself and ask myself what the hell am I doing here again.

" What the fuck man? Hero told me and I doubt it. What's up with you?" He asks and I sigh.

" You got a stick to borrow?" He asks, referring to my cigarette. I pull out the pack and open it for him. He pulls out a stick and I drop the pack back. I lend him my lighter and he lights it.

" Thought you quit smoking?" He asks and puffs out his smoke all over the poor bartender kid.

" Yeah." I answer.

" When did you arrive?" Jim asks and flicks the ash off his cigarette.

" Three weeks ago."

Jim nods and looks around.

" Thought you ain't coming back. I'm pretty sure the ladies are in trouble." He smirks and I scoff.

" Seriously, why are you in Chicago?" He asks and I'm forced to look at him.

Seriously, why can't I visit some place without people asking me if something happened or if they are safe?

" I missed it." I simply state.

" How did you get out?" Jim asks.

" Connections, Jim."

" Politics?"

" Maybe." I say and flick the butt of my cigarette.

" Should I be scared of you now? Like should I be more scared of you?"

I scoff and look at the bartender kid who's attending to other customers.

" Why's Mercedes here?"

" She's a stripper, Jude. She's a fucking hustler."

I look at the strippers and then Mercedes. She's giving a guy a lap dance as he shoves the dollar notes in between her panties.

" Diego is her new man."

" I don't give a fuck. She's gonna crawl back to my bed soonest. Fucking bitch." I uncap my bottle of water and take a swig.

***

•SERENA•

The rest of the car ride was terrible for me. I couldn't stop thinking about the stunt Judah played earlier. Who knew he was bipolar. Terrible one at that. Still don't know why I'm hurt and angry. Maybe because he's a cute asshole and I'm addicted to his hair and pretty rare green eyes.

Judah might be bad news but he has this great personality he locked away from the world. He's like the bad boy next door every mothers warned their daughters about. The one your momma told you to run from. To stay away from. And the guy you should run away from. But then I still can't understand why I'm attracted to him. He's got this great sex appeal and everything about him screams 'GQ model'

I'm going insane.

I pull my car to a stop and step out. After that phone call with Todd, he sent me messages asking me who's the neighbor and why I'm not at school already. He's the worst jealous boyfriend ever. Todd doesn't really know how to act jealous. He yells at you and then starts calling you names just because a guy stopped you to ask for directions. He's a weirdo sometimes.

I walk down the hallway as students crowd every corner. Some students walks in and out as people pair and laugh to whatever thing that pleases them.

" Serena." Bree smiles at me. I turn to look at her. She pulls me to a quick hug and hooks my arm with hers.

" Where's Summer?" I ask.

" I'm right here. Sup with you?" I shrug at Summer.

I really can't tell them that my super hot neighbor has anger issues and he just made me angry.

" What's with everyone?" I ask as we walk to class.

" Talking about sorority." Bree answers.

" Sorority? Seriously?"

" Yeah. These bitches are angry this year. They wanna throw their own party. They said they are tired of hiding behind the shadows of frat. Silly right?" Summer says.

" Well, not really."

Summer scoffs as she pushes her loose strands of hair behind her ear. Yeah, like I said we're opposites. Our ideas don't really match sometimes.

The professor teaches as he ends his tutoring. I breathe out happily as I gather my books. I haven't seen Todd since I arrived at school, considering the fact that we have separate classes.

" I'm definitely skipping calculus next year. I see myself failing." Summer mutters as we walk out of class.

I chuckle at her. We stop by at the vending machine as Summer checks her bag for a note.

" Serena." A tiny squeaky voice says my name. I'm not really the 'famous girl' in University. But dating Todd, few things changed about my life. I think I got recognized.

I turn to look at this petite Blondie. She wears glasses and her features scream 'nerd alert'. She's pretty with freckles across her nose.

" Hi."

" I'm really sorry to interrupt, but sorority is throwing a party this weekend. Will love it if you come." She says. She looks nervous as she breathes through her ears.

" Get the fuck outta here, bitch." Summer snaps at her. She's in shock as she looks at Summer. Fright flashes through her eyes and I'm sad.

" Summer…"

" Get outta here you fucking nerd. You're ugly, leave." Summer adds.

The girl nods and scurries away. A few onlookers had already gathered. They start to leave when there's nothing interesting to watch anymore.

I turn to look at Summer who holds a cookie. " That was harsh."

" She is a nerd." Bree supports Summer.

" Does it matter?"

" Yeah. I can't be seen with people like Chloe. Nerd alert babe." Summer says and eats her cookie.

I scoff and start to walk down the hallway.

" Serena, you don't have to be mad." I hear Summer's voice behind me.

" We're like the hottest girl in school and I can't afford to see you with Chloe. She's so fucking ugly." Summer says and Bree laughs.

" With her awkward best friend, Thomas." Bree adds. They are being annoying right now.

I see Todd and his friends when we enter 'Popsi'. One of the most crowded restaurant around college.

" Hey babe." I say and slide next to Todd on the booth. Summer sits next to Dawson and Matt while Bree sits next to me and Todd.

Beyonce's song plays on a low volume as people chatter.

" Hey." Todd says. His tone is not pleasing at all.

" You're okay?" I ask him. He nods and looks back at his friends. That was awkward.

" Hey, Summer." Matt greets. Summer Scoffs.

" Look, the fact that we had a one night thing doesn't mean I like you. As in like, like you, alright?" Summer snaps at Matt.

Holy baby Jesus, they slept together? That's new.

" You're acting salty." Matt tells Summer.

The guys chuckle. I'm the only one left out here. The only one who doesn't find this amusing. I always feel out of league sometimes.

" Maybe if you can be a little hotter like Serena's neighbor, I would have allowed you to crawl back to my bed the second you called me at the middle of the night to beg for sex." Summer says. Todd's jaw clenches at the mention of my neighbor. He turns to look at me. I shrug.

" Serena's neighbor, huh?"

" He's so fuckin' hot. I would sit on his face if I had a chance." Bree mutters as everyone turns to look at her. Including me.

" And I'll ride his face like a fucking pony." Summer adds.

Good God, I need to borrow holy water from the priest. My friends are a bad influence.

" What's with her fucking neighbor?" Todd speaks up this time.

" You should tell him Serena." Summer insists.

I glare at her at once and she pretends not to see it.

" You gave him a ride, right?" Todd asks with irritation in his voice.

" Yeah. It was just a ride."

" Just a ride?" Todd asks. He doesn't believe me.

I blink my eyes at him." Yes, Todd, it was just a ride. You don't believe me, I don't get it."

" Of course I don't. You're being slutty again. It's obvious you must have thrown yourself at him just like every sick bitch."

" What?"

" You fucked him right?" He yells, louder than I expected.

I didn't notice the music playing in the restaurant was already turned down. Customers from other booths stare at us. What have I gotten myself into again?

" Todd, stop. What are you saying?"

And then he stands up to leave as he says." Fucking slut."

" We're done, it's over!" He yells before walking away.