Nothing happens until you get there

In the short time that you've lived in this area you've become accustomed to the somewhat worn faces of the store fronts, but not as used to the clusters of young men standing here and there. You find yourself skittering by them nervously, your breath becoming heavier from anxiety.

But scary as they are you can't help but wish that Jacob was more like them. Instead he was charming, courteous, considerate, and downright boring. Just like so many of your other boyfriends.

"Pst! Jenny!" a voice hissed, making you jump as you neared the theatre. You turn, recognizing the voice, and sigh.

"Hi Jacob, what're you doing in those bushes?"

"Oh, uh, just being careful. You know, a guy with some money could get mugged around here," he said, leaning out of the bushes, his dreamy eyes wide and darting toward the theatre doors. "Besides... there's... black guys in there."

The words came out in a whisper, like it was too terrible a thing to be said among polite society.

Biting back a sigh you glance at the doors, spying a whole lot of darkness, but no actual people. Maybe he's just seeing shadows.

"I don't see anyone. I think we're safe," you say, turning more toward the door.

Jacob lunged from the bushes, grabbing your arm to tug you back. Being under a hundred pounds puts you at a severe disadvantage in any tug-of-war, but Jacob's attention isn't fully on you and you manage to pull free, leaving him all but quivering with dread now that he's left the safety of the scraggly bush.

"I think maybe we should do something else," he suggests timidly.