Unraveling Read online

  I pulled my laptop out of my backpack and set it up on my desk. It powered on and I opened up my word document, for a paper I had been working on for my Psych class.

  I turned on some music. I hated the quiet. It allowed my thoughts to wander too much.

  I was about halfway done with my paper when my stomach rumbled. I looked out the window in my bedroom and saw that night had descended.

  I pushed away from my desk and padded down the hallway to the kitchen.

  I grabbed a box of Frosted Flakes, milk, and a bowl. I sat down on the couch, tucking my legs underneath me, and turned the TV on. Nothing of interest was on so I ended up settling on some celebrity gossip channel.

  I was taking my first bite of cereal when my phone started ringing.

  “Crap!”

  I plopped my bowl down on the coffee table, milk sloshing over the sides, and ran for my purse. It was still sitting on the floor.

  I practically ripped the zipper off in my haste to answer it.

  Only two people ever called me.

  Rollo.

  And my mom.

  I figured it was my mom, hence my frantic race to answer it, but thankfully, the caller ID said it was Rollo.

  I should’ve known that it wouldn’t be her; she rarely called me anymore, maybe once a year, and usually to request my presence at some ritzy party of hers. But some habits die-hard.

  “Hey,” I answered.

  “Baby cakes, I’m in the parking lot with Chinese. I got you sweet and sour chicken, your fav-or-ite,” he trilled. “Come down here and help me?”

  “I’ll be down in a minute.”

  I hadn’t taken my shoes off, so all I had to do was grab my keys.

  I locked the door behind me and headed down to the parking lot.

  Rollo was sitting on the curb with two paper bags of food next to him.

  “How did you get here?” I asked him.

  Sophomore students that lived in the dorms, like Rollo did, weren’t allowed to have cars. That was a privilege only allotted to the upperclassman and those that lived off campus, like myself.

  “The bus.”

  “You took the bus all the way here?” I bent down and grabbed one of the bags. A street light flickered above me.

  “Yep,” he said.

  “Why? I would’ve come and gotten you.”

  “I know,” he grabbed the other bag and we started back inside. “I just wanted to surprise you. Plus, I figured that, knowing you, you’ve probably not eaten yet.”

  Rollo knew me way too well. I laughed. “I had actually just sat down with a bowl of cereal when you called.

  “Blech!” he made a face. “Is that all you ever eat?”

  “No, I can cook. I just choose not to, most days.”

  We stopped outside my door and I pulled the keys out of my pocket to unlock it.

  “Seriously, Katy? You had to lock the door to come outside?” He looked at me like I was off my rocker.

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “You are so weird,” he said, as I held the door open for him. He plopped the bag down on the counter and then proceeded to rummage through my refrigerator.

  “Hey,” I snapped, “you never know who may be looking for an unlocked door, so they can sneak in, and-”

  “Go no further with that statement,” Rollo held up a hand. “You’ve been watching way too many crime shows.”

  “You know that’s not the reason I’m so paranoid!” I cried.

  Rollo sighed and sat down on one of the bar stools. He fiddled with the lid of a Diet Pepsi bottle that he insisted I always have stocked in my fridge.

  “I know, Katy. I do. But eventually you have to realize that not everyone is going to hurt you.”

  My throat closed up and tears threatened to overflow. “Just give me my chicken.”

  He rummaged through his bag and then pointed to me. “Must be in that one.”

  “Oh,” I looked down at the bag I had forgotten I was holding. I pulled out my Chinese dinner and collapsed on the stool next to Rollo. “Ugh! I need a fork!” I hopped back up, grabbed a fork and a drink.

  “You know,” said Rollo, chomping on his chicken fried rice, “I really do think this whole self-defense thing is going to be good for you.”

  “Except,” I speared a piece of chicken and dipped it in the red sauce, “I don’t like to be touched.”

  “You were holding that one guys hand. What’s the difference?” Rollo asked, perplexed.

  I shrugged. “I felt safe with him. I feel threatened by most people.”

  “Baby cakes,” he shook his head, “you need some serious help.”

  “I know,” I sighed. “I’m trying to move past things it’s just… hard.”

  “I’m here for you, Katy, if you ever want to talk about it,” he looked at me sympathetically.

  “Thanks,” I smiled at him, “but I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to talk about it.”

  “You will,” he patted my hand. “One day, you’ll be ready.”

  3

  “Rollo! Hurry up!” I called from my car. “We’re going to be late!”

  Even if I was dreading the stupid self-defense classes, I still didn’t want to be late.

  He held his hand up in wait-a-minute-gesture.

  “Rolland!” I yelled. Rollo hated to be called by his first name just as much as I did.

  “I’ll be there in a second, Katyrina!” He yelled back.

  I slid into the car and tossed my backpack in the back.

  Classes were over for the day and I had a mountain of homework to do when I got home.

  I started the car and watched another minute tick by.

  I honked the horn.

  Rollo turned and gave me a death glare.

  I rolled the window down and yelled, “I’m leaving without you!”

  He threw his hands up and said something to the guy he was talking to, before finally starting towards the car.

  “Jesus, Katy, could you not give me one more minute! I really like that guy!” Rollo howled.

  “Sorry,” I backed out of the parking space. “I don’t want to be late.”

  “Ugh,” he buckled his seatbelt, “at least I got his number.” Triumphantly, he held up a slip of paper.

  “You’re such a flirt, Rolland Kenneth York!”

  “Can you please stop saying my full name? I swear, it sounds like my parents thought I’d be born wearing a suit and tie or something.”

  I laughed. “Rollo sounds like a dog’s name.”

  He narrowed his eyes at me.

  “But it’s way cooler than Rolland,” I conceded

  “And I think Katy is way cooler than Katyrina.” He wrinkled his nose. “Katyrina sounds like an old lady’s name.”

  I laughed. “I was named after my grandma. At least I have you to thank for my amazing nickname.”

  “Yep, and I have you to thank for my ‘dog’ nickname,” he chuckled.

  I shook my head. “Rollo, I seriously don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “You’d be very lonely, cause baby cakes, I brighten up your world.”

  “You’re so weird,” I said as I came to a stop at the red light. I stole a glance at the navigation system to see how close I was to my next turn.

  “Back at ya, sweets,” Rollo made a kissy face at me. I swear, most days I wasn’t sure he’d ever grow up.

  I drove the point four miles indicated by the navigation system and turned left.

  I had to drive another five miles or so before it told me I had arrived at our destination.

  “Um,” I looked at Rollo, “I don’t see anything.”

  “I think it means that building there,” he pointed to a run down, all brick building that looked like it had seen better days.

  “No way,” I shook my head.

  “There are cars,” he pointed. “I think we’re at the right place.”

  “I’m leaving,” I went to put the car back in drive.

  “No!” Ro
llo grabbed my hand. “You have got to stop running all the time. Turn the car off, get out, and go inside. If anyone tries to mess with you, they’ll have to go through me first.”

  “I bet they’re already shaking in fear,” I deadpanned.

  “I could be menacing… if I tried,” he pretended to growl.

  “Even I’m not afraid of you,” I giggled.

  He pushed my shoulder. “You’re mean.”

  I laughed and unbuckled my seatbelt. “Alright Mr. Menacing, let’s check this place out.”

  I locked the car behind us and looked around.

  “Uh… where are we supposed to go in?”

  Rollo looked around. “There’s a door,” he pointed to a metal door that looked like it was barely hanging on.

  “Yippee,” I muttered.

  We walked across the parking lot to the lone door.

  “This place seems really shady,” I whispered to Rollo.

  “Katy, you think everything looks shady.”

  He opened the door and motioned for me to go first.

  “Nope, you go,” I crossed my arms over my chest.

  He rolled his eyes and muttered, “You’re being ridiculous,” under his breath.

  Concrete walls and floors surrounded us. I felt like I was in a prison or something.

  I followed closely behind Rollo, clenching my fingers so that I wouldn’t grab him and run the other way. A door on our right opened up and I squeaked when a man appeared.

  “What the hell are you two doing back here? This is private,” the imposing man said.

  “Uh…” Rollo took a step back. “We only saw the one entrance,” he pointed behind us. “We’re here for the self-defense classes.”

  The man chuckled. “Follow me. And next time, please use the front door.”

  “Stupid, piece of shit, navigation system,” I cursed under my breath.

  “What was that?” the man asked.

  “Nothing,” I spoke up.

  Rollo snickered and I slapped his back. “Ow!” He rubbed the spot.

  The man pushed open a door and suddenly we were in a bright, open room. A lady sat at a desk, answering phones, and smiled when we walked in.

  The man motioned for us to keep following him. He went down a hallway and opened a door at the end.

  “This is the room where the self-defense classes are held. The teacher isn’t here yet. He should be here in-” he looked at his watch. “Five minutes. Next time, please come in from the front,” he pointed. “Since you’re parked in the back, feel free to leave the way you came, so you don’t have to walk all the way around the building. I’m Dan, the owner,” he held out his hand.

  “Rollo.”

  “Rollo?” Dan raised a brow in disbelief.

  “Yep,” Rollo swayed back and forth on the balls of his feet.

  “Okay then,” he shook his head and held his hand out for me.

  I took it, because it would be rude not to, but released my hand after only a second of contact.

  “Katy,” I introduced myself.

  “If you need anything, feel free to ask me, or my wife, Patsy, that you saw at the desk. Welcome to Fight For It,” Dan said and then turned to leave.

  “Thanks,” Rollo said, and ushered me into the room.

  The walls and floors were covered in blue padding. A sign instructed us to take off our shoes, so we did.

  Sitting, cross-legged on the floor, I said to Rollo, “Do you think we’re the only ones?”

  “No,” Rollo rolled his eyes, “we’re early. I’m sure at least one other person will show up.”

  “I hope so,” I bit my lip.

  “Stop that,” Rollo commanded. “You’re going to make it bleed.”

  I released my lip.

  “Thank you,” he sighed and ran his fingers through his curly blonde hair.

  A middle-aged man walked into the room and smiled pleasantly. “I’m Todd,” he said, before dropping his bag on the floor.

  “Hi,” I said and waved. “I’m Katy and this is Rollo.”

  The man raised a brow. “Rollo?”

  “It’s short for Rolland,” Rollo replied, reluctantly.

  “Ah, that explains it,” Todd nodded with his hands on his hips. He looked at his watch. “We’ll wait a few minutes before starting, just in case more people arrive.”

  Five minutes later, a group of people entered the room and I breathed out a sigh of relief. It wouldn’t just be Rollo and me.

  “I’m Todd, your instructor in basic self-defense techniques,” he said. “In my opinion, everyone should take a self-defense class, but most don’t until it’s too late. I sincerely hope that isn’t the case with any of you. But if it is, I’m glad you’re here and I hope I can help you.”

  He counted off how many people were in the class and said, “Good, an even number. I’m assuming most of you came with a friend, which means you’re comfortable with them. I want this to feel like a real attack so I’m going to divide you off.” He proceeded to separate us into groups of two.

  The guy that was paired with me, slid over and his leg bumped mine. I jumped and scooted away. He gave me a peculiar look and shook his head.

  Yeah, dude, you just got paired with the weird girl. I wish you luck.

  “Today, we’re just going to cover basic defensive maneuvers. Stand up,” he instructed.

  I reluctantly stood and faced my partner.

  “I’m Paul,” he said, flicking his head so that his dark hair was out of his eyes.

  “Katy.”

  He grinned, in that cocky way that guys do, when they think they’re super good looking, and God’s gift to women. I had news for Paul; his panty-dropper smile wouldn’t work on me.

  “Decide on which partner will attack and then whoever’s not attacking, put your back to your partner.”

  Paul said, “I’ll attack first. I promise to go easy on you,” he winked.

  I rolled my eyes and turned around. “Oh joy,” I muttered under my breath.

  Rollo snickered across the room and I mouthed, “Save me,” to him. He chuckled and shook his head.

  “Alright for this first time, I want you all to act on basic instinct. If someone’s grabbing you, what’s your first reaction? Then we’ll move onto the proper way to defend yourself. Get ready…”

  Arms came around me, squeezing me, dragging me… It was so much like that night. My eyes squished closed. I wiggled around but he was too strong.

  My heart threatened to beat right out of my chest.

  “Let go of me!” I screamed. “Don’t touch me! Preston! Stop!”

  The hands released me, my eyes flew open, and I ran.

  4

  My feet couldn’t carry me away fast enough.

  I ran down the hallway and ducked into the first empty room I came upon.

  I sank to the floor and wished it could just open up and swallow me whole.

  I buried my face into my hands and tried to get my breathing back to a normal level.

  “Uh… are you okay?”

  I looked up and startled at the familiar person standing before me.

  He was shirtless and his tanned skin was drenched in sweat. His mesh shorts hung loosely off his hips and his hands were wrapped in white gauze or something like it. I stared like an idiot, taking in his short dark hair and the stubble covering his angular cheekbones. He was the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.

  “Oh,” he said, startled. “I remember you. The club.”

  My mind went blank. I couldn’t even remember my name.

  “I’m Jared. And you’re?” He looked at me, waiting for me to say something, instead of just kneeling on the floor like an idiot.

  Name? What is my name? “Um… I’m…” I racked my brain. “Katy!”

  He chuckled. “Okay, Katy. What are you doing sitting on the floor of my training room? This place is off limits.”

  “Oh… sorry. I kinda… um…”

  “Katy! Katy!” I turned to the doorway, hearin
g my name being called by a startled Rollo. “Katy!” he poked his blonde head into the doorway. “Oh thank gawd! There you are! I was so worried when you ran out and were screaming about Preston.”

  “Preston?” Jared said, his brow furrowing. “Is Preston your boyfriend or something?”

  My eyes threatened to pop out of my head. “Hell no!” I said, more venomously than I meant to.

  Jared put his hands up. “Sorry, it was just a question.”

  “Hey! You’re the guy from the club! I didn’t get a chance to thank you for taking care of my girl. I swear, I can’t let her out of my sight for two seconds,” Rollo held out a hand to help me up.

  “Not a problem,” Jared rubbed the scruff on his chin. “You sure you’re okay?” he turned to me.

  “Yeah,” I nodded.

  “I guess I’ll see you around?” He raised a brow in question.

  “Um… maybe?”

  “I hope I do,” He grinned.

  Oh holy cow, I think my heart just skipped a beat at his smile. It had been so long since I’d had that feeling; I didn’t know quite how to react.

  I tried to smile but it came out as more of a grimace.

  He chuckled and strode away to a corner of the room where one of those large punching bags was set up. He hit play on his iPod and rock music filled the room. He began punching it and I couldn’t help but admire the way his back muscles flexed, and the way he danced from foot to foot.

  “Katy!” Rollo said from beside me. “Are you checking him out?” he asked, under his breath.

  I was quiet for a moment. “I think, maybe, I am.”

  Rollo looked at Jared and back at me. “I don’t know what it is about this guy, but I really hope he can help you overcome your guy-phobia.”

  “My guy-phobia?” I looked at Rollo, a bit mystified.

  “Oh please,” Rollo said, leading me out of the room. “You won’t go near anyone that has a dick.”

  “I hang out with you,” I pointed out.

  He snorted. “And I practically have a vagina, therefore, I don’t count.”

  “Is everything okay, Katy?” Todd asked, as we returned to the room.

  “Yeah,” I nodded.

  I saw that Paul was now working with Rollo’s partner.

  “Let’s speak outside for a moment,” Todd breezed out the door and expected us to follow.