“Paul, get OUT!  NOW!”

He slowly opened his eyes, groggy with sleep. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re not sorry for anything! You are still the same slime ball. Taking advantage of me being drunk, saying just the right things, and getting me into bed. GET OUT NOW!  I sang those songs last night to YOU, to leave me the FUCK alone!!”

“Well, I’ll leave you alone now that I got what I wanted.  I can’t say the same for you. You’ll be back for more with him gone.”

“GET. OUT. NOW!  Before I call the cops, or any of the guys from karaoke. You KNOW the DJ would beat you to a pulp.”

“Have it your way, for now.”

She couldn’t stand being in her bedroom anymore. As terrible as she felt when Justin left, she couldn’t believe she’d been groomed and manipulated to sleep with Paul again. 

“I thought I was past this, Bruce helped me make so much progress, and now I’m back here…”

She went out to her couch, collapsing into the fetal position and bawling like a baby. 

“I’m so stupid, I shouldn’t have left the bar with him, I should’ve made him stay there. He knew what he was doing…”

She grabbed her phone and canceled with Ms. S. for the day. She was understanding, as Deana expected even without details. 

She called Danielle. “Hello?” Danielle replied groggily, the phone call walking her up. 

“I need to come over…”

“You don’t need to call for that…”

“I need your help…

“Anything, D…”

“I need to file a restraining order…”

…

“WHAT?!” Danielle yelled, walking up Jonathan. “Never mind, get over here now and we’ll talk.”

“Good, I can’t stand being in this apartment right now…”

Deana hung up. Jonathan sat up in bed. 

“What’s going on?” he asked. 

“Deana needs my help, something about a restraining order…”

“Fuck, what happened?”

“Damned if I know. When I left the bar last night she was fine…. Shit…”

“What?”

“Paul was at the bar last night… Damn it, I should’ve stayed instead of coming back here…”

“Hey, I had a good time,” Jonathan chuckled. 

“Your sister is seeking a restraining order. This CAN’T be good… Not exactly a time to joke around…”

There was a knock at their door.  “That was fast…” Danielle said.  She opened the door, and Deana was breathing heavily.

“I... ran here... I couldn’t... get... away... fast enough…” Deana panted.

They sat her down on the couch, got her some water, and let her catch her breath.

“What happened?” Jonathan asked.

“Well, after Dani left the bar last night, I had a couple more drinks.  Between Paul being at the bar, and my argument with Bruce about going on tour before moving in together, it was just too much.  Paul told me he was ready to make amends, but didn’t want the temptation of staying at the bar, asking to walk me home.  With 6 drinks in me, I said yes.  He gives some lame ass apology, gets me to spill that Bruce is out of town for months, and that I’ve been too afraid to put a name on what we’re doing that I don’t even know if we’re together or just people that slept together.”

“Typical Paul.  At least he didn’t try to tell you it was YOUR fault he cheated…”  Danielle sneered.

“No, but he told me Bruce should’ve stayed here, with me.  He told me he was ready to give me everything he hadn’t, that he came back for me, that things could be good again.  He asked me if I wanted to feel good again, and I was stupid, and drunk, and next thing I know I wake up naked in my bed with his arm around me.  Once I realized it was him and not Bruce, I kicked him out.  I want a restraining order, should have gotten one before Bruce left.  I thought he had changed, I wanted to trust Neil and what he’d told you.  I ruined everything.  Bruce will never want to speak to me again…”

“Hey, hey.” Danielle said, pulling Deana in for a hug.  “You don’t know that.  You need to tell him.  J, is there anything we can do to help?”

“I have some friends that are lawyers.  I’ll call around and see if someone can meet us to get things started.  It’s not a LONG process, but it won’t be done before you go to work.  I don’t even think you should go to work today, just in case things take longer than expected at the courts to get paperwork.  Then you need to tell Bruce.”

“I have no clue how to tell him…  I just know I’ve ruined everything… He’s gonna hate me, he’ll be glad I didn't go with him.  But this wouldn’t have happened if I did…  shit, shit, I’m a piece of shit…”

“No, you were taken advantage of by a terrible sociopath.  He found his chance and swooped in.  If not last night, some other time,” Danielle said.

“I don’t even know if I can sleep in that apartment.  To sleep in that bad after what I did…”

“You can sleep on my bed in our apartment,” Danielle offered.  “We can keep your mattress but BURN or throw away the sheets and stuff, get you whole new bedding that he’s never slept on.  You’re a big girl, you need to move on.”

“She can stay here if she needs to,” J stepped in.  “We have the room…”

“She needs to deal with this on her own…” Danielle said firmly.  

“Excuse us,” Jonathan said, pulling Danielle into their bedroom, closing the door.

…

“She is my SISTER, she needs our help to get through this…”

“She’s my best friend, but she needs to learn to do things for herself.  I’m willing to let your lawyer buddies get her the restraining order, but beyond that…”

“Woah, woah, WOAH.  You’re willing to LET me help my own sister… How generous…”

“Are you really gonna be able to swoop in and save the day whenever she needs help?  How is she going to grow as a person if she always has someone to help her, where she doesn’t have to worry about doing anything for herself?”

“That’s all fine and dandy coming from you…”

“What do you mean by THAT?”

“Who pays for all your bills, and shopping, those concert tickets?  Any time you need something, you ask me for money.  Is that all I am to you, someone that’ll keep spitting out money as long as you’re having sex with me?”

“Jonathan Al-”

“Don’t try to full name me.  That is my SISTER, YOUR best friend, and she needs help.  I couldn’t get here soon enough to help when Gammy was near the end, I’m sure as hell not gonna turn my back on my own sister…”

“Fine, she can stay here, but I’m staying at her place for a while.  Be your sister’s white knight, she’ll never learn how to stand up for herself… You can help her get stuff later to bring here, but I don’t want to be either of those places if you two are there; I can’t watch this happen all over again...”

…

Deana heard muffled yelling through the door, feeling bad that she was the cause of it all.  Danielle opened their door, Jonathan walking out before closing the door again.

“Let me start making calls, that way we can get started as soon as the courts open.  You should call work.  If they ask, tell them the truth.  You have immediate paperwork you need to file and it could take a while.  It’s not a lie, and you can tell them the full truth later if you really feel the need to.”

Deana nodded, getting out her phone.  “Hey, it’s Deana, er, Michele.  I have to cancel my shift today.  Some things came up this morning, I have immediate paperwork and stuff I need to do, the courts don’t even open til 9, and there’s no knowing how long it’ll take to get things started.”

“Why are you going to the courts?” 

“It’s a long story, but I don’t want to keep you guys waiting by even coming in late.  I’m sorry.  I keep letting everyone down lately…”

“It’s fine.  We’ll manage.  It’s just the one day?”

“Yes.”

“Fine.  See you tomorrow.”

“Thanks,” Deana said softly before she hung up.

Danielle came out dressed for the day, with a full duffle bag across her.  Jonathan was in the kitchen making calls.

“Have Jonathan text me on when you’re going to get your stuff…”  She didn’t make eye contact with Deana, her face turned away.  She walked to the front door and left, shutting the door firmly without slamming it.  

“Is everything ok?” Deana asked.

“It will be.  I think… I hope,” he said as he waited on hold.  “Hello, yes, my name is Jonathan…” his voice trailed off as he was connected to someone.

Are we ok? She texted to Danielle.

Not right now.  Let your brother come in and save your ass again, take the easy way out.

Dani… What else am I supposed to do?

Be a big girl.  Stay in your room, or mine if you absolutely have to.  You’re being too dramatic.  Yes, he’s a terrible man, but you chose all this…

I was drunk.  I had way more last night than I’ve had in years…

You chose to drink that much.  You chose to let Paul take you home, and you chose to sleep with him.  You were drunk, not drugged.

You’ve made some dumb decisions when you were drunk…

Not as dumb as what you did last night.  Bruce is a GREAT guy, and this is how you treat him?  By sleeping with the guy you used him to get over?

EXCUSE ME?!

You used Bruce to get over Paul.  Once he was gone, you went straight back to him just so you could feel something for someone still…

Danielle… You know that’s not true.  YOU pushed me into even going up to him that night.  YOU pushed me to kiss him, told me to dry hump him, even sleep with him before I was ready.  I took MY time, not YOURS.  I didn't do it all on the first night…

You bitch…  I might have more experience with men, but can I help it if I’m the hot one and you’re the poor ugly duckling?

Deana just sat there.  She didn't know what to say.

Shit, Deana, I didn't mean that…

Yes, you did.  You’ve been holding it in for god knows how long…  

Why would I have pushed so hard for you, taken you shopping for stuff for him?

So that I could be closer to who you want me to be, someone just like you.  News flash, the poor ugly duckling will never be like you.  I’ve tried on my own for years and failed.  Karaoke is the ONE place where I’m better than you.  Even then you get hit on left and right.  Bruce was the only guy to hear my voice and look at ME and not YOU.  You were living vicariously through me because he paid attention to me, not you.  Is that why you wanted to know every little detail about our intimate times together?  So you could pretend it was with you?

I think we need some time apart.  Again, have Jonathan text me before you guys come over and get what you need for a while.  That way I know when NOT to be there…

Deana put her phone down, tears welling up.  I’ve ruined EVERYTHING… she thought to herself.

Jonathan walked over and sat on the couch.  “I have a friend that will meet us at the courthouse at 8:30.  I know they open at 9, but we can at least start filling out paperwork…”

“J, I think Dani and I aren’t friends anymore…”

“I think we might have just broken up… I was gonna propose this weekend…”

They hugged each other tight, sitting silently as tears streamed down her face, tears welling up in Jonathan’s eyes.

“Let me get dressed and we’ll grab some food and head to the courthouse,” Jonathan said, getting up to go into his room.

Deana sat on the couch.  I slept with Paul, lost my best friend, my brother lost the girl he loves, all because of MY stupid actions.  I’m terrified of how Bruce is gonna take this, I just know I’ll lose him, too…

Jonathan came out shortly thereafter, and they headed downstairs and towards the courthouse.  They weren’t that far from Deana’s apartment, so it wasn’t like they needed to get all the way to Manhattan during the morning commute.  

“How are you feeling, overall?” Jonathan asked.

“My head is pounding.  I feel terrible physically, mentally, emotionally…”

“We’re getting this started in the right direction, and soon he’ll never be able to hurt you again.  Block his number, delete all his texts.  Any time he makes contact, keep it as a record.  Maybe don’t block his number, but change it to ‘Do Not Answer’ or something.  If he changes his number, keep a text or call as proof of contact.  Once the order is set, even a text message can put him in jail for breaking the order.  We’ll see what the lawyer says to do once paperwork is filed.”

They grabbed a quick bite to eat on their way.  Deana wasn’t feeling hungry, but thought it might help with her hangover.  At least then she’d feel less like death warmed over.  

Jonathan saw his friend, they waved and approached each other.  Deana almost couldn’t look at him, ashamed of what she’d done to cause all of this.

“Let’s get paperwork started so you can get out of here sooner,” Jonathan said.  They sat down with the lawyer, explaining the situation with as little detail as possible, only giving him what he needed to know.

The paperwork was finished a little before the court opened, but they would have to wait in line to get it processed.  They got in line with others that needed to enter the courthouse, then through a security check just inside the doors.  

Deana felt like SHE was the one being put on trial, intimidated by the courthouse interior.  

They walked down a hall to where they needed to file the paperwork, waiting behind others in line.  There was only one clerk that morning, so they had to wait their turn.

Deana sipped her coffee, hoping it would help her hangover more than the food did.  All the food had done was made her stomach turn in knots.  Her phone buzzed.  Then she felt her stomach was in her throat.

It was Bruce.  Good morning.  How are you?

Where do I even start? she wondered.