it ends with us ¹ DISCONTINUED

00

PULLING UP TO THE CLUB RUE
PARKED HER CAR AROUND THE BACK WHERE SHE ALWAYS DID. No one ever parked here, it's like it was only ever meant for her. She got out and locked her doors, practically jogging to the entrance where the bouncer didn't even stop her as she was such a regular. It was upsetting that she made such a recurring theme coming here, but she was determined  to make this the last time as she was finally done with the stupid dickhead of a man that she wasted unnecessary and countless months of her life with. Nevermind all of the abuse, nevermind every time she woke up screaming from flashbacks as he slept soundly as though he never laid a hand on her or said any of the disgusting words he says, but of course when she's finally done, he had to do any and everything to convince her just how worthless and a waste  of space she was.

"You think you'll ever find anyone else who wants to be with a depressing bitch, Rue? Think again. The only man who's ever loved you is me, and what a waste of time that's been."

She feels herself starting to spiral as his words come ringing back through her head. The loud booming of the music isn't helping and her right hand reaches to tug the strands of her long hair, a tick she has developed once entering a panic attack. She needs a drink, and fast.

Rue sulks her way up to the bar, where the bartender already knows her and is already working on mixing up one of the many drinks she usually order. She's not picky so long as it gets her so faded that she can't remember a single thing. Rue puts her head in her hands, waiting as best as she can as she tries not to fall apart.

To any passer-by she probably don't look like she belongs here. She doesn't dress up like all the other girls on the dance floor, she just comes as she is, a wreck and all, which today means she's in a black hoddie and black joggers. The heat as the room urges her to remove the hoddie around her but even in the darkness of the room it would be hard to hide the bruises, and she doesn't want the questions.

She can feel eyes on her but she is convinced that she is just being paranoid. This is a club after all, it wouldn't be unlikely event for someone to be watching her. But as the glass filled of hard liquor is placed in front of her and her hand frantically reaches for it like it's water and she has ran a marathon, she is stopped by another hand grabbing onto it before her and it's being slid out of her reach.

Rue eyes snap up to see what asshole thinks they have the right to steal her drink but she's not met with someone who looks drunk, and they're not drinking her drink. Instead, she's staring into dark eyes of a man dressed in all black head to toe. He's holding her drink tightly but he's staring at her with an expression that's hard to read. The lights of the club dance of his face as she catches a glimpse of his dark curly hair. She wants to protest but there's no words that leaves her lips.

So instead of talking, she reaches for her drink again, only for him to pull it further away from her. What game is he playing at?

"I want to speak with you sober." He declares, and she is a little annoyed at the chill that runs down her straight to her core at how attractive his voice is. She doesn't even know this guy.

"I don't even know you." is all she could muster up. She's about to turn back to the bartender and just request another one but she is stopped short by a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm Jadon." He speaks up again, and his hand feels like it's burning into her shoulder. Somehow she couldn't find it in her to remove it though. There's something about his presence that's stopped her from feeling like the world is spinning around her, and so she feels like she needs to give him her attention.

"What do you want, Jadon?" For a moment, a small smile forms on his lips, and he looks a lot kinder than he just had a moment ago when he was straight faced.

"I've seen you around. You're always alone. Always drinking. Never seem happy." Her eyebrows furrow as she puts together that apparently he's been watching her. After being involved with probably the worst man alive, it's only natural that she questions the motives of other men. And it seems strange to her what is happening, so she knows she should probably make up some excuse and try and leave, but she can't. Her gut is telling her to stay, and she's really wondering whether or not she could trust her self.

"Well if you've noticed that, you must come here a lot too. So what's with the judgement?" She cocks an eyebrow, but he shakes his head. His hand is still on her shoulder.

"No judging, just curious." He pauses, removing his hand finally and using it to ruffle his hair, messing it up although it's a whole style seems to be a bit messy. "My life gets hectic, i like to come here to have a good time. But i can tell with you, it's much deeper than that." He explains. Rue is uncomfortable at how well he can read her when they're in a dark club and can barley even see each other. But maybe she doesn't put up a a mask as good as she used to anymore.

"Well i don't spill my life story to the curious, Jadon. So if you'll excuse-" She stands up from the stool, trying to escape dealing with life, when Jadon stops her yet again, but instead it's with his hand in hers.

"I'm worried about you." His words are so sincere that she almost forgets he's a stranger.