“Excuse me?” Lisa says loudly, stepping toward the girl and pushing her back. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Wait, you’re the girlfriend? They said she was fat. You’re not that fat,” the brunette says in a confused tone.
All I can do is look at Gwen. The way her eyes grow watery, the way she holds her breath, the way she just freezes in place, it hits me hard.
I want to step forward and defend her, but before I can move, Lisa pushes the girl back again.
“Get away from my brother, now,” she says in a tone I’ve never heard from her before. It’s sharp, commanding, almost intimidating.
A small crowd begins to form around us, but I can’t focus on any of it. My attention stays locked on Gwen.
“Leave,” Tess adds as she steps beside Leo, who instinctively puts his arm around her.
The brunette glances around the group and then spots Gwen. When she does, she starts laughing.
“This is her? You know you can do better, right?” she asks.
Before any of us can react, Lisa raises her hand and slaps the girl across the face.
“Bitch!” the blonde friend yells, lunging at Lisa. As she does, Gwen steps in and shoves her away, instantly defending my sister. Gwen had been frozen moments ago, unable to defend herself, but now she’s standing up for Lisa.
The crowd around us grows larger, phones rising into the air as people begin recording. As we take in our surroundings, it becomes clear that everyone sees the same thing. Without another word, we start moving toward the exit.
I get closer to Gwen and wrap my arm around her as we push through the crowd. Her body is trembling, so I hold her tighter, offering whatever comfort I can.
“Well, that sure was a party,” Tess says softly once we step outside into the dark. “Besides the ending, I actually had a really good time,” she adds with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“I got Tess and me a cab. Shall we all grab dinner or something next week?” Leo suggests, and we all agree.
“Hey, man, I figured you might want to take your girl home and talk for a bit. I’ll drop Lisa off on my way back, ok?” Blake says suddenly.
It’s another wave of surprise, but a good one this time. Everything tonight has been unexpected.
“Thanks, man,” I say, pulling him into a brief hug.
“I don’t know how to thank you,” Gwen says as she walks over to Lisa.
“Thank me? Are you kidding me? We’re friends, silly,” Lisa replies brightly. “Let’s grab coffee tomorrow or sometime next week. I’ll give you my number.”
She speaks with her usual enthusiasm as Gwen smiles and hands her her phone.
“Are you going to be ok, sis?” I ask as I hug her goodnight. She nods into my shoulder.
“Please make sure Gwen understands those idiot girls don’t know what they’re talking about,” she whispers, softly enough that only I can hear.
“I will,” I reply before we pull away.
Blake and Lisa get into a cab. As they drive away, Josh arrives.
“Let me take you home,” I say with a smile. Gwen doesn’t say anything; she just nods and gets into the car.
Before I get in, I tell Josh we’re heading to Gwen’s apartment again. He reads the situation well and doesn’t say much, no small talk as I slide in beside Gwen.
“Are you doing ok?” I ask. Gwen is staring out the window into the night.
“I’m fine,” she says with a smile, though the quiver in her voice makes me think otherwise.
“Come here,” I say, holding out my arm until she scoots closer and leans into me. “Thanks for defending my sister,” I add before kissing the top of her head.
