𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑠, 𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑘 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟

chapter three, future nick

It's around 9pm when Luna finishes her work and goes to sit down next to Mikayla and Jess at the bar who's clearly had way too many pink drinks. "Pink wine makes me twirly," Jess smiled at Mikayla, sipping her wine as Luna looks at the two women before looking over at Nick who just shrugs.  "Is Jess flirting with her?" Luna moved a few inches away from them, leaning over the counter to talk to Nick. 

Nick chuckled, watching as Jess and Mikayla engaged in their animated conversation. "Looks that way," he replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You know how Jess gets with a few glasses in her system. She's a bit of a social butterfly." He tilted his head, studying Luna for a moment as she leaned closer. "You look surprised," he noted, a playful smile on his lips. "You didn't expect Jess to go after Mikayla, huh?"

"Not really," Luna shrugged, her words making her sharp English accent stick out even more. "I didn't even know she was into women." Luna didn't really know much about Nick's roommates; they were more friends of a friend. She really liked them though. 

Nick chuckled again, a hint of admiration in his eyes as he listened to her accent. "Ah, well, you learn something new every day, right? And it seems like Jess is full of surprises." He leaned against the counter, a knowing smile on his face. "And as for you? Any surprises I should know about, Miss Lupin?"

"I'm bi if that's what you're looking to know," Luna furrowed her brows, a smile teasing on her lips. "Ah, now there's a surprise," Nick smirked, his eyes dancing with mirth. "That explains a lot." He leaned closer to her, resting his arms on the counter. "And here I thought you were only into brooding guys like me."

Luna pushed away, her eyes dancing across his face, "What if I was into you?" She clearly had a few drinks in her system now and she wasn't going to let Jess be the only one who had fun.

 "Well," Nick cleared his throat, his heart slightly racing in his chest at her bold comment, "I would say you're a little too young for me." He was an entire decade older than she was, by the time she was born he was already turning into a very grumpy ten-year-old. 

"Yeah, a little too young for me," He echoed, his voice betraying a hint of nerves. He could feel the heat rising in his cheeks as he looked at her, her eyes sparkling with the mischief of the alcohol in her system. "You're barely legal."

Luna rolled her eyes, "You're no fun." Nick couldn't help but chuckle at her pouty remark. "Ah, I'm plenty of fun, sweetheart," He replied, a sly smile on his lips. "Just maybe not in the way you're hoping for right now." He leaned back, crossing his arms as he studied her for a moment. "You know, with a few more of those drinks in you, I don't think there's much left you won't say."

"Just get me some water please, Nicholas, I'm done talking to you. I'm gonna talk to this fellow now," Luna turned her gaze to the elderly man beside her as Nick turned around to go get her some water, "Excuse me, sir, what's your name?" The grey-haired man didn't turn to her when he answered her question, "Nick." The twenty-year old's mouth fell open. 

"My friend's name is Nick," She turned her gaze back to her Nick, "This has to be you from the future." She points at the man beside her, "You even have the same nose, or is that antisemitic to say, I'm not sure." 

Nick couldn't help but chuckle watching Luna's antics. "Okay, I'm starting to think I cut you off a few too many drinks ago," He teased, shaking his head. He placed a glass of water in front of her as she continued her conversation with the elderly man. Nick watched with amusement as she claimed the man beside her was his future self. "Well, I have to admit, that future me looks like he's had a few rough years." He interjected as the two turned to face him. 

"Things got pretty hard for us after we got dumped." Older Nick shakes his head as Luna puts her hand on top of his, "As someone who's also been dumped, I understand your pain, Nicks." Luna looked at the younger man behind the bar, clearly she needed a lot more than water to sober up. 

Nick watched the interaction between Luna and the supposed older version of himself with a mixture of amusement and bemusement. He couldn't help but chuckle at her sympathetic comment about his alleged heartbreak. He leaned back against the bar, folding his arms across his chest. "Ah, so that's what this is all about, huh? You're trying to commiserate with my future self?" Nick had to admit, it was a rather funny sight, seeing his supposed older self being comforted by a drunken twenty-year-old.

Luna ignored Nick as she looked at the older man, "I have some advice for you two," The man started getting up, as he looks at Nick, "Stop trying to keep this three feet of bar between you and every person you meet," Then he turns his head over and looks at Luna who's looking up at him with hopeful eyes, "And you should start seizing the day, nothing is just gonna fall onto your lap." He pulled on a red hoodie then, the same one Nick wore and walked away as Luna turned to Nick. 

"I'm believer." She mumbled, taking a sip of her water. 

Nick watched as Older Nick gave his wisdom and exited the bar, leaving Luna and him alone once again. He couldn't help but chuckle at her final comment. "A believer in what, exactly?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Time travel? Or just the power of alcohol-fueled delusions?" She shrugged as he took a towel and began wiping the counter, his eyes never leaving her face.

"In Future Nick." She retorted back, and he couldn't stop himself from laughing. "You're very entertaining when you're drunk, you know that?"

Luna grinned mischievously at Nick's remark, her eyes still sparkling with the remnants of her earlier antics. "Entertaining? That's a generous way of putting it," She replied, taking another sip of water. "I prefer to think of it as being refreshingly spontaneous."

Nick chuckled softly, shaking his head as he finished wiping down the counter. "Spontaneous, huh? That's one word for it." He leaned against the bar, crossing his arms again. "So, Luna, what other surprises do you have in store for us today?"

Luna tilted her head, her expression thoughtful for a moment. "Well, let's see," She began, tapping her chin lightly. "I could break into a spontaneous dance routine right here, or maybe start reciting Shakespeare. Or perhaps..." She paused dramatically, lowering her voice as if sharing a great secret, "...I could reveal the meaning of life."

Nick couldn't help but laugh at her playfulness, it seemed to be the thing he was most drawn to about her. "Oh, please do enlighten us with the meaning of life," He teased, playing along. "I'm all ears."

Luna leaned in closer, her voice conspiratorial. "Well, you see," She started, her tone exaggeratedly serious, "it involves a lot of pink drinks and unexpected encounters with future versions of yourself in red hoodies." She winked playfully, unable to contain her grin.

Nick chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "Ah, I see. So that's the secret to it all," He replied, matching her playful tone. "I'll have to remember that for future reference."

"You should be wise to." Nick rolled his eyes; she spoke funny when she was drunk.

Luna glanced around the bar, noticing Mikayla is by herself and Jess is making out with a handsome stranger. "I should probably go check on my girl," Luna remarked, starting to push herself off the bar stool.

Nick nodded, a smile lingering on his lips. "Probably a good idea," Part of him was disappointed she was leaving, although she was just moving a few feet away. But Luna just chuckled, nodding in agreement as she made her way over to where Mikayla was seated. "Thanks for the water, Nick," She called back over her shoulder. "Anytime," Nick replied with a warm smile, watching her go before turning his attention back to the bar.

"You think we should call it a night?" Luna rested her head on Mikayla's shoulder when she reached her friend. The dark-haired girl pressed her cheek to Luna's head as she nodded, "Yeah, I don't think I'll be seeing Jess any time soon." Mikayla tried to hide the disappointment from her voice but Luna, even drunk, knew her friend too well. She didn't say anything, taking her friend's hand into her own as they led one another out of the bar before Luna speaks again, "Oh, you're going to loathe the painting Jess gave me." She smiled, trying to cheer up her friend who gave her an easy smile, secretly knowing that she would love the painting just because Jess made it.