Finding You

Chapter 1 lol

I stepped outside of the bar, immediately shoving my hands into my pockets after being exposed to the crisp autumn wind. Winter was soon approaching and I'd done nothing to prepare myself for it. This would be the first winter I'd spent out of school since I left. I scoffed, trudging around the building to stand behind the garbage bins. I pulled out my cigarette box and lit one for myself, closing my eyes and attempting to forget the scene I'd have to go home to. Three loud roommates and who knows who else they'd bring home to stay in my room, banishing me to the floor. I didn't want to be a part of their orgy. Ever.
Feet scuffed the ground next to me, but I didn't open my eyes. What's the worst that could happen? I get kidnapped? Wouldn't it be a shame if I didn't go home for the fifth night in a row? After seconds of silence, I rolled my head to the side, blinking my eyes open to see who'd come to join my pity party. I blew out smoke as I checked out the tall man who stood a meter away from me, leaning against the wall, eyes glued forward. Manners- you didn't see that often in the city I lived in.
      He wore polished shoes and black dress slacks, his white button down casually tucked into his waistband. The man wore a gold watch and a gray jacket that could only be described as screaming money. His black hair was slicked back for the most part and it looked freshly cut. Of course, he had a few gold necklaces and earrings; he had to flaunt his wealth. He either looked like he was trying to not act like a douche or he was having a rough day earning six figures a year.
I blew out a puff of smoke, almost unimpressed.
I'd seen many people like him in my life. It was how I stayed afloat. He was younger than most of the silver foxes who wanted me, though, and he seemed to have plenty of what I needed- money. The stranger caught my gaze, dropping his cigarette butt on the ground and stomping it out. I was too preoccupied to remember to smoke. He immediately pulled out another, batting his eyelashes while he lit it.
"You don't want to be here," he muttered, blowing his smoke towards the concrete as he adjusted his back on the brick wall. Mr. Stranger gazed down at me, making me avert my eyes and refocus on my burning cigarette. I couldn't waste it, they cost me a pretty penny of my already small paycheck from the bar. I followed his lead, directing my smoke to the ground and watching it mix in with the air,
"You don't either." He nodded, almost as if to say "touche." Mr. Stranger dropped his cigarette on the ground next to his other, but this time watched it burn out. He cleared his throat, rocking his head to the side, his eyes landing on my lips. I picked at my cuticles anxiously, tuning out the cars and chatter from the streets and concentrating on his breathing. Would he let me stay with him? I was no stranger to one night stands. I didn't prefer them, but it would do.
"Why aren't you inside? Your outfit isn't suitable for this weather. Aren't you cold?" said the man, both hands in his coat pockets. He rested his head on the wall, looking down at me. I couldn't tell if he was flirting or genuinely concerned. His tone of voice was that of somebody who was worried, but nobody ever passed up a chance to flirt with me. I was too easy, and I knew that. I kicked a rock, sighing.
"I'm actually quite chilly," I laughed, hitting my head against the wall. "Maybe I shouldn't have worn a skirt in fifty degree weather." The man smirked, trying to conceal his laughter at my stupidity. I felt oddly safe around him, especially since we'd hardly even talked, let alone met. I bit my tongue and looked at him, thinking about simply suggesting we leave whomever we came here with and go to his place, but he suggested it first.
"Are you trying to get out of here?" I reached to grab his wrist, my thumb rubbing over the face of the watch,
"Not my place." He didn't hesitate in responding,
"I never suggested yours."

His car was just as expensive as you'd expect from a guy who looked like Mr. Stranger. I never learned about cars. I think I just forgot to get invested and interested in what was good and what was not, and the difference between brands. I could tell it wasn't cheap, though, by the black leather seats and sleekness of the dashboard. I slowly buckled my seatbelt, obviously in awe at the interior of his car, even if I tried to conceal it.
"Not used to this?" he asked me, sounding genuinely baffled. I tapped the heel of my tattered and beaten-up combat boots on the car floor,
"If you couldn't tell, this isn't quite my lifestyle," I smiled, closing my eyes and getting lost in the hum of the car on the city road. "I could get used to it, though." He laughed, speeding up as we left the outskirts of downtown and entered the gated community. His house wasn't quite on top of the hill, but it was close. The streetlights let off a gentle yellow tint to the road, making me relive some kind of nostalgic memory I'd yet to experience. Mr. Stranger opened his garage door and cruised his car in next to his other two equally impressive sports cars. I was experiencing the one percent. Where'd he manage to strike gold? How far off the mark did I swing to land in the dumpster fire that was the only rundown apartment complex that I could afford?
"Want anything to drink? You don't seem tipsy in the slightest. You must have left the bar as soon as you entered. Did you leave anyone important behind?" He opened the door for me, letting me into his house. I slid off my jacket as the warmth inside hit me like a baseball bat swung by a professional player.
"Water works for me. I went to the bar alone, by the way. You don't look like you'd go alone, though." He took my coat and hung it up,
"You're right, I didn't go alone. I got bored quickly, though. Their humor is stale, and I suppose smoking was a good choice tonight. You seem like good company." I followed him to the kitchen, leaning against his marble island and watching him get me a glass of water. He grabbed the wine bottle and a glass for himself and met me back at the island. Mr. Stranger poured himself a glass and rested his elbows on the counter.
"So what's your story?" he said, tracing his finger along the marble pattern. I took a sip of water, fixing my shirt,
"I'm not that interesting. College dropout with annoying roommates. I sleep around because I'd rather be anywhere but home. Job at a shitty underground bar, and it does not pay well. I can hardly afford my phone or rent. What's more to love?" I snickered at myself, watching the water in my cup spin as I swirled the glass around. "What about you, Six Figures? Think you can top me?" He carded his fingers through his hair, messing it up from it's once neat hairstyle.
"I think you've got me beat there," he said, downing the rest of his wine. "My company took off quickly and I sold half of it off for arguably too much, but," he motioned to his surroundings, taking another sip of wine, "I'm not complaining." I nodded, only hearing "business, business, business." Maybe I should have finished college. No, it's overpriced as it is. Whatever I'd make in a job would have all gone to paying off my debt for years on end. "So I'm the co-owner of the company, but I prefer to spend my days in the city pretending I've got a normal adult life."
"You still need everyone to know you've got stacks, though," I said mockingly, tapping his watch and rings. He beamed,
"Damn. You caught me." Mr. Stranger finished his glass of wine and poured another, "I guess now I should ask your name?" I stared at him for a minute, then set down my glass, preparing myself to be thrown out of the house.
"Kaito," I said, my fingers tapping the side of the glass. "Don't let my appearance fool you. I'm a guy." I didn't break my gaze with him, trying to catch the exact moment he realized he fell for a "trap." I'm not a trap, I'm cute, but whatever. The realization was always amusing. To my surprise, he shrugged.
"Alright, good. Girls don't do it for me," he said, grinning. My face burned up from the embarrassment of anticipating his disapproval. I judged him too quickly. "My name's Aku-no, by the way. Don't forget it." Aku-no brought my empty glass to the sink, leaving it for later. I felt for my phone, but remembered it was in my coat pocket. After glancing back at the doorway, I decided I'd leave it. Grayson would be fine if I didn't respond for a while. It wasn't like my unresponsiveness was new. I'd been like that since the beginning. Aku nudged my shoulder, "You okay? You seemed lost in thought for a second. Is everything alright?" I snapped out of my head, getting up to follow him wherever he wanted me to go.
"Everything's alright," I said, trying to forget about Grayson. He wasn't good for me, but I always seemed to go back to him like cigarettes. Like cigarettes...
"You want to watch a movie or anything? We can talk through it, I don't mind." Aku-no guided me to his living room, the black sheer curtains drawn over the windows, dimming the moonlight to just a subtle glow. I sat on the cushion next to him and wasn't motioned to come closer like usual. Weird.
"I don't really watch movies. Tight budget. Throw on one of your favorites, I'm down to watch." Aku-no smiled, doing as he was told. He hadn't asked to see my body at all. Was he not going to? He put on Spirited Away, which I could vaguely remember from seeing on movie theater posters. I had a great appreciation for animated movies like it. I grew up watching similar movies as a kid, though they were all mainstream. I never stopped valuing animated above all else.
I found myself entranced in the movie, and aside from the casual minute long exchanges, Aku-no and I barely talked. He must've been trapped in the world built on the screen as much as I was. By the time it ended, I was almost sad for it to be over. All good things came to an end, but that never changed the apathy I always felt. That night with Aku-no would come to an end.
"I'm sorry I hardly talked," I said, stretching my legs and neck, glancing over at Aku-no when he stood up.
"That's alright," he said, placing his wine glass in the sink. "I enjoyed it nonetheless. I swear, I'll never get sick of that movie. Watching it with someone else is always more fun." He sat back down next to me, resting his head on the back of the couch, "I'm glad I left the bar. You're way more interesting than my friends." His hand reached over to me, and I allowed him to lock his fingers with mine. "Thanks for keeping me company, Kaito." Hearing him say my name made my stomach flip. His voice made my name sound like a song that only angels could sing as they played harps in the clouds. I'd never desired for someone to say my name before. Tonight was certainly a first for many things.
"Can I kiss you?" whispered Aku-no, leaning in to hear my answer. He didn't have anything to listen to, as I'd already placed my lips on his. Aku-no kissing me didn't seem wrong in the moment, but I knew if my roommates or Grayson found out they'd destroy me for it. I'd deal with the consequences later.