Catch Me

Zack is officially on a plane to meet the guys in Europe while I plan on spending the day with my friends. He’s gonna be gone for a month and this’ll be our first true test to see if we can make this relationship work, especially with the time difference. There’s an eleven hour difference, so I have no idea how well we’re going to communicate. My friends and I are at the mall today, but I am tired; I took him to the airport at three this morning with just five hours sleep and got home just after five and slept for four more hours.

“How are you feeling about Zack right now?” Myra asked.

“I miss him terribly. There’s a twelve hour time difference and we’ve only been together, officially six days.”

“But you’ve been dating for almost twice as long.”

I made a face.

“You know, what’s really bothering me is what the hell his bandmates are gonna think of me? You remember me telling you guys about the conversation with Alex.”

“Well, Riley, you can’t forget he was the one at fault. He knowingly cheated on the girl when he slept with you. They have to be mad at him for that. I wouldn’t worry about what they think.” Krissy said.

I sighed and nodded.

“You guys are right. What would I do without either one of you?”

I went to hug them but not before hearing my phone vibrate.

Ugh. This flight fucking sucks. Would be totally better if you were here.

Zack had a pouty look on his face and it made me laugh; he was so fucking adorable whether he knew it or not.

“Look at this.”

“Oh my God. He’s so cute.” Myra said.

“He totally is.”

And he’s mine.

“I still can’t believe he’s mine.”

That’s when they hugged me. Once we separated, I took a quick selfie with a caption and sent it to him.

I’d love to be there! Hope this helps.

Ten seconds later.

Ugh. You look so fucking hot, babe! Thank you.

“Is he happy now?” Myra asked.

“Absolutely.”

When we were about to walk into Victoria’s Secret, I heard a wolf-whistle. I tried to ignore it like I usually do, but I just couldn’t do that today. I turned around and looked at the pig.

“Hey. Nice set of jugs you got there. How about you come over tonight, so I can play with them?”

I was going to vomit. I began to walk the small distance toward him and his two buddies and even though my friends tried to stop me, they couldn’t.

“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I asked simply.

“I thought this was an invitation to have my way with you.”

“Yeah. Uh... my boyfriend would have a huge problem with that and you for that matter.”

“You dress like that and have a boyfriend? Bullshit.”

“Riley. Come on, he’s not worth it.” Myra said, beginning to tug on my shirt.

I shook her hand away.

“He could squash you like a bug. Hell, I could do that.”

“Well, where is he? I don’t see him anywhere.”

That’s when I felt a hand go down my shirt.

“You bastard!”

I clocked him and knocked him on his ass. Tears began to run down my face. I had never felt so objectified or violated in my life.

“Can we go?”

“Riley, you sure?” Myra asked,

I nodded.

“I can’t be here when I know that this guy is here.”

“You can’t let that affect you. We’ll just stay clear of him.”

“Ok. I just need to wipe my face.”

After a minute or two, I put myself back together. I really wanted to talk to Zack right now, more than ever actually.

“I can’t believe I even did that. I should’ve just left it alone. He wouldn’t have stuck his hand down my shirt.”

“Are you hearing yourself? It doesn’t matter what happened. It shouldn’t have even happened. It’s fucking disgusting.”

“You’re right.”

I didn’t enjoy the rest of my time at the mall as I thought it’d be even after I got my shit together. I got home that night and immediately took a shower, trying to rid myself of him. I got out of the shower and quickly changed before getting a pint of ice cream out of the freezer and taking it to my bedroom. I grabbed my phone off the night stand and texted Zack.

I really need to talk to you as soon as you can. Doesn’t matter what time.

I looked at the time and saw that it was going on seven and it was still another hour till his plane touched down in London. I turned on some music and tried to relax, no matter how difficult it might be. Close to an hour later, I heard my phone.

Please let it be him.

It was and he was worried.

Is everything okay? What happened?

Please just call me as soon as you can.

I didn’t hear from him for a half hour. When he called, I answered it after just a couple rings.

“Riley? What happened? You have me worried.”

I couldn’t speak for a moment. The tears had returned.

“Riley?”

“It started with something I’m unfortunately used to. Catcalling. Today, I couldn’t take it. I went over and confronted him in front of his buddies.”

“What’d he say to make you go over there?”

I hated saying it. It sucked enough hearing it.

“How the hell are you used to this?”

“I don’t know. I just am. I was tired. He thought that the shirt was an invitation to have me, I mentioned him to you and he couldn’t believe that I dressed like that and had a boyfriend. He...”

“What’d he do, babe?”

I was all choked up.

“He stuck his hand down my shirt then I clocked him and knocked him onto his ass.”

“You gotta be fucking kidding me. He makes me sick.”

“I’m so sorry to upset you.”

“I can’t believe you’re apologizing about this. I’d like to give this douchebag a piece of my mind.”

“I know. He’s not a match for you and I’m not just saying this as your girlfriend. You really could kick his ass. No problem. I told him I could squash him too.”

He laughed.

“I have no doubts about you doing that. Thanks for the bout of confidence, Riley.”

“Anytime. So, how was the rest of your flight?”

“After you sent that amazing pic?”

“Yes, Zack.”

“Better, but I was beyond relieved when I got off the plane.”

“Hey, I already talked to Myra and Krissy a little about this, but how do you think the guys are gonna perceive me as? I already know they can possibly be happy with what you did.”

“I don’t think they’ll dislike you whatsoever. I’m sure they won’t be happy, but once they see how happy I am, they’ll ease up.”

“Hope I get to meet them sometime.”

“I’d like for them to see how happy I am.”

Notes