kill for you - b.b

18.

Just like her last breakup, Nova and Elsie had dragged her to a bar, in hopes she would like the friend they'd brought along. Nellie didn't plan on finding another relationship, she was barely over her last. But the girls thought it was the best thing for her.

"Nel," Nova cheered over the music, "this is my friend, Chris." He was cute. Tall, slight beard, a nice smile. Of course, he was no way on Bucky's level. But this wasn't about Bucky anymore.

"Hey, Noelia. Is it?" He asked as he pulled her in for a hug. She beamed at the sound of her name, correctly, coming from his mouth.

"You're the only person I know that got it right first try!" She exclaimed, the thought of Bucky out of her head for a split second. The four of them grabbed drinks and went to dance, Chris actually beginning to like Nellie. But Nellie saw his face everywhere, on every person that passed her, on every sketchy looking guy in the corner, absolutely everywhere. Maybe it was a sign.

No, Nellie! She thought, trying to get Bucky out of her head. It could've actually been him, since his group operates in a lot of clubs and bars in this area. Nellie began pumping drinks into her system, dancing and laughing more with Chris. He was a sweet guy, a fun time, she silently thanked Nova and Elsie for bringing her along. It's the greatest she'd felt in a long time.

"We sure are getting tired." Nova yawned, Nellie could see right through their bullshit. She knew they wanted to leave her alone with Chris.

"Bye, girls." Nellie laughed, watching them leave the club. Chris was sat on a barstool, looking pretty tired out from dancing. She approached him, seeing his face change from exhausted to rather calm as he caught sight of her.

"Wanna get some food? I'm starving." Nellie suggested. Chris nodded, linking arms with her and leaving the club. Nellie took a cab, as did Chris, so they were left to walk around New York. Both a tipsy mess. The cold air had sobered them up a bit, but made the craving for food stronger.

"Nova told me you're going through a tough breakup," Chris began, "I think that's why she set us up." Nellie furrowed her brows, confused as to what he meant. "Oh, I'm a counsellor. And also going through a breakup. I tend to help both of them with relationship problems, but can't help my own."

Nellie smiled at him, this was the first she'd heard something about him all night. "What works for someone else, might not work for you."

They arrived at a Five Guys — ordering whatever they wanted, and sitting in a booth with their trays. "Can I ask you a question that shouldn't be asked on a date, but I'm dying to know the answer to?" Chris nodded, his mouth full of fries.

"How do I get over my ex? He was a terrible guy, believe me, but only to me was he the most caring." She began. "I made a boundary when we first started dating, and recently he broke it. So I broke up with him. But I can't stop thinking about him."

Chris nodded understandingly, she felt like she was being listened to. It was nice. "It's normal to keep thinking about your ex, when you should be getting over them. And I'm proud of you for getting out of your relationship when he exceeded a line he shouldn't have. Not a lot of people do that, because they're really in love with the person they're with. It's not really what you can do to get over him, it comes with time. You just need to focus on you — do 'you' things."

His advice was motivational, and made her feel so much better. "Now I see why you're a counsellor." The pair laughed, dipping into their food once again.