Chapter 7: Knight in Writer's Blocked Armor
Words by: Proto
"Is there anything as disheartening as a blank computer screen?" Cid's voice filled his studio apartment as he leaned back in his chair. Music flowed out from his small computer speakers inspiring him to be the best. Got to be the best. Got to change the world. His hands ran through his thick dark hair and rubbed his neck roughly. "Must…work…avoid…internet…" he muttered to himself as he found his urge to write waning even further. A cursory glance around the room made him acutely aware of the letter posted up on his whiteboard. It was from his editor, reminding him that the deadline for his next book was encroaching upon them rather quickly. He leaned forward in his chair, gaze returning to the flashing cursor at the top of his word document. "You write one decent book and suddenly they're breakin down the door for more. If only it worked that way…" His hands flung across the keyboard pressing keys at random. He stood up quickly and began to pace around the room impatiently. How do pros do this? He thought to himself, just sit around all day and write best sellers. Life seemed so much easier when he had a regular job. He shook his head, freeing him of such thoughts. He had made a decision to become a full time writer and would follow through. Cid's eyes wandered to the clock, it was already almost 6 in the evening already. The sun had almost completely set and he hadn't seen the light of day at all today. As if clairvoyance was an app on his phone, it buzzed with a text message notification. It was from his friend, Dave.
"If you can peel yourself away from that novel that I'm sure you're totally busy writing and not spending the whole day on Rage Comics, meet me down at the Dubliner for a beer. Friday nights ain't the same with you big guy." Cid smiled and responded, "I'll dodge your accusation by saying that was a run on sentence. Also, 'ain't' ain't a word, homeboy. See you at 7." The irish pub was around the corner from his apartment so he had plenty of time for the first shower of the day. He cleaned up and got dressed in a typical black t shirt that fit well, strong shoulders and arms framed clearly. His fitted jeans buttoned up and he slid his wallet and phone into his pockets. After a last minute check list of pocket patting, he walked out the door. As he strode to the bar, his thoughts filled, as usual, with thoughts of a certain red headed barista at the local coffee shop. Her soft bangs that hung down over her face, jade eyes that were filled to brim with happiness. He couldn't help but even remember her soft breasts that her apron curved around. He admired her cute butt as she worked on the coffee he had ordered that day. Before he knew it, Cid had reached his destination. He pushed the door open as he scanned the bar for Dave. His bright red hair made him easy to spot on the far side, sitting on a stool with two beers already waiting. Cid made his way there, his dark brown hair still wet from the shower felt cool air as he walked under the air conditioner vent. Dave turned and waved to him excitedly, his brown long sleeve shirt hung baggily over his frame. Cid sat down the stool next to him, "Is this seat taken, big boy?" he asked jokingly. Dave's eyebrows cocked suggestively, "Turn it upside down and we can both fit on there, ya know". Cid closed his eyes and leaned back, trying to erase the image that was now haunting his mind. "Oh man! That was just gross!" he laughed "How am I gonna get that shit out of my head. Damn."
Dave slapped his back, "just think about your girlfriend over at 50k. What's her name? May?" he asked. Cid laughed and shook his head, "Mai, or so her nametag says. And she's not my girlfriend. Hell, I don't even think she knows I exist." Dave nodded in agreement, "Not that your last performance wasn't TOTALLY memorable or anything. I mean, how could she not be swept off her feet with Jackie Chan banter?" the ginger teased him. Cid hit his arm with a light backhand. "C'mon man, you know that took some cojones. I haven't seen you make a move on our resident irish lass here!" Cid retorted. "Yeah, but I haven't been pining like you have over May. Tell me, how many times did you go into that coffee shop to see her before you worked up the nerve to actually talk to her?" Dave grilled him. Cid laughed, "Again, it's Mai. Maybe you're got too much hair in your ears again. And, far more than I'd care to admit. I tell ya though, this is weird. It's not my MO, ya know?" Dave shrugged as he took a drink of his brew, "I'll give ya that. I've never seen you so worked up over a girl. You've always been so smooth. You need to get your groove back, son." Cid took a large swig of his Newcastle, "Yeah, maybe I just need a little liquid courage." He said motioning to the bottle in his hand. Dave made a face, "I can guarantee you, that will not end well. Remember New Years 2010? You really want a repeat of THAT incident? I'm sure Mai doesn't want to wake up with that much giraffe hair in the backseat of her car, and I am NOT bailing your goofy ass out of jail again." Cid let out a hearty laugh and lifted his beer to his friend's, "I'll drink to that. Good times…" Dave lifted his, tapping the bottle against his friends, "Yeah they were…" they let out a collective sigh and drank once again. Cid placed his bottle back on the bar, "I do wonder, though, what's she doing right now?" Dave shrugged, "A classy gal like that? Probably reading or watching more Jackie Chan flicks."
Meanwhile, across town. "RAAAAUUUGGHHHH!!" Mai screamed as she jumped out from around the corner trying to scare April. She succeeded. April stumbled back towards the shut door to the living room, "Whoa-ho-shiiiiiii-" she tried to catch her balance but fell backward through the door, landing on the floor with a thud. Mai rubbed her eyes as she stood in shock. The door was still shut. Had she just seen what she thought she saw? April phased through the door!" She got up and ran to the door, across her bedroom. Just as she got close, it swung open and hit her square in the forehead. She fell back a few steps and onto the bed. April was standing there horrififed, "Oh god babe! Are you okay?" she yelped as she leapt onto the bed next to her, touching her forehead tenderly. Mai's hand reached up and rubbed her head, too. She could already feel a knot forming. "That's gotta be record time. We've been dating for like, 16 hours and you're already beating me?" Mai said with a smile. April's cheeks puffed up as she frowned disapprovingly. "I didn't mean to beat you with the door! It just..happened! I didn't know you were there and I wanted to come back and explain the whole crazy going through stuff power. So I swung the door open and your face makes a better door stop than the cheap one I have at my place. Seriously, you should market that." April joked as she leaned over to kiss her girlfriend's aching head. Mai giggled, "Get over here and make me feel better, wall walking through girlfriend. Literally" she smiled as April leaned further over to kiss her on the lips. "My pleasure, shockingly accepting girlfriend," the raven haired beauty responded. "You can't surprise me anymore. I'm just along for the ride now," Mai barely managed to finish her sentence before their lips locked passionately as Mai rolled them over on the bed, planting herself on top. April's hands slid up Mai's legs from her knees up her thighs and hips to her butt, firm through her jeans, she couldn't help herself and she gave it a nice squeeze. Mai squealed and leapt up, landing next to her on the bed giggling, "Sorry! That just really tickled" the red head offered apologetically. A mischievous smile came across April's lips, "Oh that's no problem. But you're in trouble now" her hand slowly sliding across the bed. Mai leaned back trying to figure out what she meant. Suddenly, April leapt forward, her fingers bent like claws, she began to tickle Mai's legs and thighs, causing her to laugh and kick uncontrollably. April only barely dodged a few kicks and knees, as well as flailing arms as Mai's laughs filled the apartment.
Hours later, in the bar Dave found himself on the toasty side of a few too many beers. Cid, expecting this, had kept to nursing only a couple beers as he'd be stuck driving his drunk friend home. The bartender came by and dropped off their tab for the evening. Cid eyed it and pulled his wallet out when something across the bar got his attention. A young blonde woman was trying, quite ineffectively, to free herself from a man's grasp. She took a step away, trying to wrench her arm free, but the man pulled her back roughly. Cid glanced over at the bartender who was at the other end, talking to a cute patron. His gaze shifted back to the unhappy couple, he was vaguely aware of Dave making comments about what a dick the man was. Finally, she broke free of his grasp and fell back a step regaining her balance. The man stood up and raised his hand to her, she shrunk back covering her face in fear. This was not the first time something like this had happened. Cid sighed and took a last drink of his beer. He placed the empty bottle down on the bar and stood up. Dave shook his head and turned to watch. The blonde woman choked back tears as the man stared down at her angrily. A rough hand grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around hard, "I believe the young lady wants to leave. Why not be a gentleman and oblige her?" Cid asked, still holding the man's shoulder. He was a few inches shorter, a stocky build and dirty hands meant he worked hard for a living. "Who the hell do you think you are? Get the fuck out of my face. She's my bitch and I'll do what I like!" he shook free of Cid's grasp and turned around. He wrenched the girls arm and dragged her out the back door out of the bar into the alley. Dave tapped on the shoulder of a stranger sitting next to him at the bar, "Now he's screwed."
Cid cracked his neck and rolled his shoulder as he walked quickly out grabbing his jacket and heading out the back door following them. He entered the alley to see the man forcing himself on the young woman behind a dumpster. His hand roughly jerked at the zipper on her back. She tried to push him off, but was met with a hard slap that stunned her long enough for him to break the zipper altogether. Before he knew what happened, the man was lifted off the ground and hurled back against the wall. He glanced back to see the young woman trying to hold her dress up, "Here. Take this" he said tossing his jacket toward her. She clung to it, covering up as best she could. Cid's attention turned to the would be rapist who had since picked himself up off the ground. "You just couldn't mind your own fuckin business, huh?" he said balling up his fists, and hunching forward. Cid stood up straight, his own hands loose, "Not as long as you can't keep your hands to yourself." The man growled as he dashed forward headlong toward Cid. With a simple side step, he deftly dodged the charge and gripped the attacker's shirt base and collar. A hard pull allowed Cid to throw him off balance and head first into the dumpster behind them. Enraged the man got back up running forward swinging his fists wildly. Cid watched the man's shoulders ducking and dodging the assault. The man unleashed a wide haymaker, Cid's feet planted as he bent his knees and brought his arms up, defensively. The blow connected with his blocking stance perfectly. Cid gripped the man's arm tight, pulling him forward, once again using his momentum against him. He pulled the man's weight over his shoulder throwing him to the ground with a loud thud. The man tried to get up once again but a shadow cast over him. He looked up to see Cid towering above tensed biceps stretching his shirt sleeves, "If you get up, it had better be to leave." He said with conviction that could kill. The beaten and scared man scrambled back on his hands and feet before getting up and booking it out of the alley. By now, Dave and few patrons from the bar had made their way into the alley. Cid turned back to the young woman, "Are you okay, ma'am?" he asked, his countenance suddenly softening incredibly. He extended his hand out to her. Shakily she took it, and he helped her up and back into the bar. "C'mon, let's call you a cab." The woman, still speechless and shocked sat silently in the booth next to her rescuer and his apparently drunken friend. Shortly thereafter, the cab arrived for the young lady. Cid helped her into the car and closed the door for her. Before the cab left the window rolled down and the blonde woman's face emerged, "Th-thank you…so much…What's your n-n-name?" She stammered. "Cid," he smiled. "Now get on home you need rest." The car drove off into the city, tail lights vanishing around the corner. Dave leaned on Cid heavily, "Bro, tell me you got her number." Cid smiled and shook his head, "Only one girl out there for me, man. I just gotta hope she feels the same someday." Dave shook his head, "you're killin me, Smalls.
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