• The first thing that was noticeable about the Lodge was that it looked too similar to a cabin; the kind that you'd rent for the summer that sat at the top of a hill over looking a clear-watered lake. In the corner booth was a police officer, across from him a girl my age whose long brown hair coordinated with her eyes. The room smelled of maple syrup and pancake batter, making it feel like a real homely environment.
    A real home...
    As we entered, a group of college frat boys instantly turned their attention to me. I flushed at their grins, knowing what would come next. They whistled and hollered at me, calling me names like, 'baby girl' and 'sweetheart'.
    God, why was I 'blessed' with an oversized chest and a 'pretty' face??
    "Hey!" the mustached officer barked, "you leave her alone! Didn't your mother teach you how to respect a lady? Come sit with us, they won't bother ya." He motioned to the empty seats at his table. I took a seat next to the girl while Jaime sat next to the officer.
    "Don't pay any mind to them. They'll do anything for attention." He put his hand out, and we shook hands, "I'm Charlie Swann, chief of police." He motioned towards the girl across from him, "this is my daughter Bella, she just got here last week from Phoenix."
    We said hello, and we struck up conversations...

    Before long, we were laughing and talking as if we were good friends. Charlie talked about his many 'adventurous' highway patrols and ticket giving. Bella seemed nice; we liked the same music, and we were going to the same school. By then, it was a little past nine; Jaime was slouching in her seat, tired and stuffed full of pancakes and coco. I had my good share of green tea, as well as an unexpectedly big plate of waffles that Bella and I split. "Well, we better get going. I gotta put Monkey to bed." The waitress came by and picked up our plates. I whipped out my wallet before Charlie could, thumping a twenty dollar bill on the table triumphantly.
    "C'mon, Jay Jay..." I pulled her to her feet. I smiled up at Bella, "I'll see at school tomorrow?"
    "Yeah, totally."
    We approached the door, then one of the boys had the nerve to holler, "C'mon now, don't play hard to get."
    Smack!
    I flushed a deeper red than I did when I came into the restaurant. Silence fell over the room. I remained glued to where I was standing. My brain was seething, I could feel my heart racing. I turned slowly towards the grinning group.
    "Alright," I said sweetly, "who's the hot shot who wants to play?"
    The boys eyes instantly fell on the taller and well built of the Stooges, cooing at him and nudging each other playfully. He winked. I smiled devilishly back.
    Just as he was turning to face me, I threw a rock hard punch at his face, letting another one sink into his stomach. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and threw him against the wall behind him , "If you ever touch my a** again, I'll be kicking yours!" I said calmly, almost sweetly, to him, his face inches from mine. With my free hand a snatched up some of his hair and hurled him towards the counter, where he tripped over his over turned chair and face planted into the side of the counter. I brushed myself off and with a sigh, I left, Jaime in tow.

    xD