flying as her eyes moved from face to face. “She's still here!?!” Jack cocked an eyebrow. Gina’s disdain turned to outrage. “You… You…” she stammered at Replacement. Gina took three long strides and glared at her. Jack sighed. Yeah, this is gonna be good. “You little slut! That’s my dress!” Gina’s bright red fingernail shook with anger as she jabbed Replacement in the midriff. Jack took another look at the outfit Replacement wore. He leaned back and realized that the green and white dress did look familiar. Gina raised her hand back, poised to slap, but Replacement swung fast and hard. Jack scooped Replacement aside just in time as the punch swished by Gina’s face. Even though the blow didn’t connect, Gina squealed and grabbed her cheek as if it had. Jack knew that just the thought of something happening to her face was enough to terrify Gina. She shrieked again and staggered backwards, her eyes filled with anger and fear. Jack shook his head. Gina was a drama queen. He had almost called 911 one day before he realized she had only broken a nail. If something actually had happened to her face, she would have needed CPR. “That’s it! Over!” Gina declared. “I mean it. I knew it when I gave you a ride home from that crappy bar.” Her mouth twisted into a snarl. “You are pathetic. Oh, poor baby. You are so sad. Poor Jack! He has mommy issues. I tried to help you, but you…” Jack had enough. He probably deserved it, but he was tired of listening to her, especially now that she was trying to hit below the belt. She had called him every name in the book before, but he still couldn’t stand when love or lust turned to hate and disgust. Gina had just turned that corner. She now looked at him with loathing. He could see that she wanted to slice him to ribbons with her words, but he wasn’t the type to just sit there and take it. Wrapped up in his arms, Replacement strained like a dog on a leash. It was clear that she wanted another chance to pound Gina. “You want at her girl?” Jack looked down at her. She gave one quick, fierce nod. “Go get her then.” He released Replacement from his arms. Gina shrieked and ran for the door. Her salvation came from Replacement slipping in the spilled soda. She caught herself by grabbing the doorframe as Gina fled down the hallway. How Gina can run so fast even in 4” high heels is impressive. “Bitch!” Replacement shouted at the top of her lungs as she prepared to continue the chase after her fleeing prey. Jack dashed over, yanked her back into the apartment, and shut the door. For a little thing, she sure is loud. “What is wrong with you? Quiet down!” He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around to look at her. “It’s nearly three in the morning! My landlady is going to take my head off. First, you sneak into my apartment…” “I didn’t sneak!” Replacement snapped as she tried to adjust her dress. “Gina let you in?” Jack’s BS detector was a finely tuned machine. “No… But…” “But what? Why would you sneak into my apartment and take a shower?” Jack looked at her with one eyebrow raised. “The apartment was open! It wasn’t locked, and I was waiting for hours in your stupid stairwell. On the way, I got caught in that downpour, and I got soaked. I sat out there freezing. I didn’t think you’d mind,” she huffed, and her eyes fluttered. “Mind! I don’t even remember you.” “Well thanks a lot you friggin’ jerk.” She shoved him again. He had hurt her and felt sorry for a second, but then he made a quick mental list: Gina’s ticked and took off, my landlady blew a fat gasket, and a minute ago, this kid was naked and screaming in my face. Still, Jack tried to back pedal; “What I meant is that you changed so much and… you were young and…” “Whatever!” She held up her hand. Jack waited for more, but she just stood there staring at him. Damn . He looked down at the