among the sleepless

two.

♪ i hate your tattoos,
you have weak wrists
but i'll keep you ♪

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october 2002
11:34pm

with a sharp tug, the dancer is standing over you, hair in her fist, jolting you awake. your curly, deep, brown hair pulled taut between her fingers, still holding your head in her hands, she connects her lips to your ear, and breaths something before slamming your face back into the bar counter. gesturing to the bar tender, confirming her drink, she slips her hand into the back of your jeans, reaching for a ten dollar bill, and hands it to the older man.

your head crashes back into the nook of your elbow, face smooshed into the crack. the sun bleached girl traces her acrylic nail around the edge of your ear, making your skin crawl. the bartender slides a crystal glass your way, colliding with your bicep, sloshing at impact; forcing your focus from the girl, to the uncomfortable coolness. reaching for the drink, you're abruptly stopped. the girl grabs it before you can, chugging most of it, then placing the glass, once again, in your field of vision.

except, you didn't care this time. you closed your eyes once more.