"Don't come back begging with your tail between your legs, jackass," Jackson sneered.
"Tch," David muttered, leaving the restaurant's premises. He had walked far enough for the building to be completely out of sight when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
David turned to look who it was and saw it was the girl who attempted to stop him from beating up the man any further.
"David, you forgot this," she said, handing him a black sling bag, which he accepted with an outstretched hand.
"Thank you Betty," he said, a small smile creeping onto his face, hinting at a glimmer of warmth beneath his tough exterior.
She glanced down at his hand and noticed his knuckles were slightly bruised, with a few small scratches visible.
Her gaze then shifted to his upper arm, where a deep gash was still oozing blood, the flow slow but steady, a grim testament to the intensity of the earlier altercation.
She rummaged through her pocket and brought out some band-aids, then gently took his hand in hers.
"You should be more careful, you know," she admonished, her voice laced with concern.
"This wouldn't have happened if you listened to me earlier."
As she spoke, she carefully applied the band-aids to his knuckles and the cut on his arm, her touch gentle but firm.
The cut had slipped his mind, overshadowed by his anger, but the bloodstained sleeve of his shirt served as a stark reminder.
As the adrenaline began to wear off, he felt a dull ache creeping in, and the sting of the wound finally registered in his consciousness.
"Always prepared for battle, huh?" David teased, trying to sound casual despite his racing heart.
"You never know when someone might need patching up," she replied, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
Betty's smile was radiant, her small pink lips curving upwards in a gentle arc.
He felt his pulse accelerate, his heart pounding in his chest like a drum.
"I guess I'm just lucky to have a personal medic like you," he said, trying to sound suave despite his nervousness.
Betty chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Just doing my good deed for the day," she said, her voice light and playful.
David's gaze lingered on Betty's petite frame, his eyes drawn to the way her slender hands moved as she applied the band-aids with a gentle touch.
Her dark hair fell in loose waves down her back, framing her heart-shaped face and accentuating her bright eyes.
As he watched her work, David felt his appreciation for her kindness and gentle touch grow, his heart swelling with a warmth he couldn't quite explain.
"Alright, when you get home, apply some antibiotic ointment on it and cover it with a bandage, okay," Betty said, her eyes locked on his with a hint of concern.
"I will." David replied, nodding his head slightly, his gaze still fixed on hers.
"You're just so beautiful," David muttered under his breath, his eyes locked on hers with a mix of admiration and longing.
"I didn't quite catch that," Betty said, her sky blue eyes blinking in confusion as she tilted her head slightly.
David's face fell, and he shook his head, his voice laced with disappointment.
"It's nothing," He looked away, his mind racing with the reality that he couldn't be with her, no matter how much he wanted to.
"By the way, I'll come check up on your mom when I'm done with my shift. Want me to get you anything?"Betty asked, her eyes sparkling with kindness as she turned to leave.
David's face lit up with a warm smile. "Those cookies you made last time were so good, I would love to have them again. You're the best, Betty!"
Betty's face flushed with a soft pink glow, and she smiled back at him. "I'll see what I can do!"
"Alright then, take care of yourself." Betty said with a warm smile, waving goodbye as she turned to leave.
David watched her slender silhouette disappear from view, feeling a sense of gratitude and joy wash over him.
He let out a contented sigh and continued walking down the sidewalk, his footsteps lightening as his heart felt lifted.
The brief exchange had transformed his mood, and he walked with a newfound spring in his step, as if he'd stumbled upon a precious treasure.
David had harbored a secret crush on Betty for what felt like an eternity, but he knew he never stood a chance.
She was kind and compassionate, always willing to lend a helping hand, while he was struggling to make ends meet.
She'd often sneak him lunch or dinner, knowing he was sacrificing everything to pay for his mother's treatment.
Despite their differences, she'd become his rock, his confidante, and his heart ached with gratitude whenever she was near.
To David, he felt like a burden to Betty, but she had repeatedly assured him that helping him out was no trouble at all.
Yet, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was imposing on her kindness.
Still, he was grateful for any excuse to be near her, just to hear her soft, melodic voice and bask in the sweet, floral scent that always seemed to surround her.
It was a tiny comfort that filled his heart with joy, and he savored every moment they spent together.
Despite his chiseled features, towering height, and athletic build, David's worn shoes and frayed cuffs betrayed his struggles.
Poverty had etched lines on his face, but his eyes still shone with a quiet dignity. He stood outside the bar, his eyes fixed on the dimly lit entrance as he steeled himself with two deep breaths.
The neon signs above the door cast a gaudy glow on the sidewalk, a stark contrast to the bleakness in his heart.
With a resolute nod, he pushed open the door and stepped into the smoky interior, the sounds of laughter and music enveloping him like a warm embrace.
David headed towards the changing room, but detoured to the toilet first.
He splashed water on his face, and his damp hair fell across his forehead, partially obscuring his light brown eyes.
He swept the stray strands aside and removed the band-aids Betty had applied to his knuckles, revealing the scrapes beneath.
Finally, he washed his hands thoroughly, the warm water a comforting balm for his wearied soul.
Just as David was about to exit the restroom, his phone buzzed, shrill in the silence.
A knot formed in his stomach as he hesitated, a sense of trepidation washing over him.
He slowly pulled out his phone, his eyes fixed on the screen as he saw the email notification from the hospital where his mom lay comatose.
Four years had passed since her fentanyl overdose, and the ache of her absence still lingered, a constant reminder of his helplessness.
[Dear David Palmer,
This is a friendly reminder that your monthly payment plan for this month will be due on Sunday. Payment can be made online through our secure patient portal or in person at the hospital's billing desk.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about your account. We are happy to assist you.
Thank you for choosing Heartview Medical Center. We appreciate your business.]
David's eyes scanned the email, his mind racing as the words blurred together.
The friendly reminder might as well have been a harsh accusation, taunting him with his inability to pay. The weight of his debt felt like a crushing blow, squeezing the air out of his chest.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples. "How am I supposed to come up with that much money?"
He usually managed to scrape together enough from his monthly salary and hourly pay to cover the payment, but it meant sacrificing his own basic needs.
Without Betty's help, he'd have gone hungry, unable to pay rent or afford proper food. And now, having quit his second job, he felt like he was staring into an abyss, with no safety net to catch him if he fell.
He then remembered that his boss at the bar he's currently in was owing him over two months' salary, which amounted to around five thousand dollars. It wasn't too small and wasn't too large either.
David didn't bother to change out of his uniform and grabbed his bag, heading to meet his manager in their office.
However, when he arrived, the manager was nowhere to be found. Just as he was about to leave the office, a man's voice called out from behind him.
"Looking for something David?" David turned to face a portly, middle-aged man with his hands tucked into his pockets.
"Yes Xavier," David replied in a neutral tone, "I wanted to see you about my salary for the last two months. You still haven't paid the outstanding balance. "
"Ah, yes, I'm afraid I can't pay you at the moment," Xavier, the manager, said with a troubled expression, "but I can give you what I have on hand, though."
Xavier walked past David and entered his office, then opened a drawer and pulled out an envelope, which he handed to David. "That's all I have for now," he said.
David's eyebrow shot up as he took the envelope, its lightweight feel hinting at a meager contents.
He opened it, and his suspicions were confirmed: a paltry sum of dollar notes stared back at him.
He counted them, his disbelief growing. "Five hundred dollars?! This is a joke, right?! Five hundred dollars can barely cover anything!"
David thought to himself, his veins bulging as he glared at Xavier, whose smug expression only fueled his outrage.
"Can I at least get up to a thousand dollars? I need it for my mom's hospital bill," David pleaded, his teeth clenched in desperation.
But Xavier dismissively waved his hand, showing no signs of sympathy or willingness to budge.
"That's all I can do for you," Xavier said condescendingly, his tone dripping with disdain.
"Please leave. I have esteemed guests arriving soon, and I wouldn't want to tarnish my reputation by associating with...your kind."
He emphasized the last phrase, his eyes scanning David with disdain, making it clear that he was unwilling to provide any further assistance.
What am I even doing? I'm begging for my hard earned money? Is it even worth it?' David thought to himself, shaking his head in disgust.
In the next instant, with a loud crash, Xavier was sent flying across the room, slamming into his desk and splitting it in half.