Blissful Valentine: A Novella by Amy L. Gale

running down her cheeks.
    I rush ahead, pulling Dean along. “I’ve got see if she’s okay.” Dean stumbles forward and trips over the megaphone, knocking into me on his way down. We both plummet to floor, my chin slides along the filthy carpet. Fire rips along my skin. Dear God, please let my skin be intact. Who knows what type of new and undiscovered bacteria live on this floor? I’ve got more important things to worry about at the moment. Poor Lexie.
    Dean hops to his feet and pulls me up, ending my struggle. I continue moving my head from side to side to try and catch a glimpse of where she went. A flash of her long-brown curls and purple sweater rush through the door, slamming it hard. I lunge forward into a sprint, pulling Dean behind me.
    “I don’t work out this hard at practice. Maybe coach should hire you.” He jogs by my side, quickly catching up. White vapors pour from his mouth.
    “Motivation is the key…there she is. ” We spot Lexie and catch up to her. The frigid air blows through the quiet night. I slow to a trot, shivering.
    She slows to a fast walk, wiping a few tears away from her eyes with one hand and clenches a cup of beer with the other. “What an asshole.”
    “Scum of the earth,” I say, pulling her into a side hug, my teeth chattering.
    Dean walks alongside, silent. Clearly guys have no clue what to say at times like these. I’ve got to give him a break, Tom although an asshole, is still his fraternity brother. It’s not like Dean is going to go bashing him with the girls.
    “I hope he fucking rots in hell, and that slut Tanya can go with him.” She sips her beer.
    Flashing hues of blue and red illuminate the night sky and a blaring siren cuts through the air. Crap. The cops. My pulse rate doubles. Memories rush through my head like a ton of bricks. Last time I was in a situation like this, Mom had to pick me up from the precinct after Kayley’s mega beach party got busted. Not a memory I’d like to relive.
    “Ma’am, what’s in the cup?” An officer pulls alongside us in his car, flashing a light at Lexie.
    She shrugs and wipes a stray tear away from her face.
    “It’s mine, officer.” Dean stops and walks up to the police cruiser.
    What the hell is he doing? He just said the scholarship committee won’t tolerate any criminal activity. Is he insane? He’s got everything to lose.
    The officer steps out of the car and shines his flashlight in Dean’s face. Dean squints, temporarily blinded.
    The officer moves the light down to our handcuffs. “Can you explain this?”
    “Yes, officer. We’re coming from a handcuff party at Beta Omega. I was just making sure the girls made it home safe.”
    The officer shakes his head. “I’m sorry, there are open container laws. I’ll have to take you in.”
    “No.” I stand in front of Dean. I can’t let him take the blame for this. I stare up at the cop, my heart pounding like a jackhammer. What the hell am I doing? This is how people end up on the news, beaten by cops. I step to the side, frozen. “Can’t we just get a warning? We’ll never do it again. Please, just give us a break. ” My eyes well up with tears.
    The officer shakes his head. “I’m sorry, he’s coming with me.”
    The officer twists our novelty handcuffs and slides them off. He grabs Dean by the arm and shoves him in the back of the cruiser. I cover my mouth with my hands and take in small breaths between gasps. A river of tears flow down my cheeks as our eyes lock through the window. The police cruiser drives away, taking my superhero to be tried for a crime he didn’t commit. Typical, like a million love stories through the ages. I guess it is kind of romantic. I wipe my cheeks and let the cold breeze dry my eyes. Sometimes the hero is the one who needs saving and I’m off to the rescue.

CHAPTER 7—STAY
     
    I bounce my knee so fast my whole body trembles. I lean back in the hard plastic chair of campus police headquarters. Guess I was so